Mount Kailash is a sacred mountain for over a billion Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and Bons, and also is the holiest mountain in the world. In Tibet, it’s also known as Gang Rinpoche, which means “Precious One.”
Every year, pilgrims from across Asia trek a 52-kilometer pilgrimage circuit around the mountain, across the spectacular high-altitude landscape to pay homage. It is one of the world’s great overland trips and, despite the altitude, it’s surprisingly accessible.
Mount Kailash’s highest point is 6,638 meters. It isn’t the highest mountain in the world, but for sure it is the holiest.
For comparison, Mount Everest is 8,848 meters. It is located in West Tibet, near India/Nepal, 1,300 km by road from Lhasa.
There are two beautiful lakes at Mount Kailash’s foot, Lake Rakshastal, and Lake Manasarovar.
Lake Rashtal is believed to be a lake of demons. People avoid even touching it lest they get cursed.
On the other side is Lake Manasarovar which is considered a place where a true believer can become a god or get a great blessing.
If you are a great adventurer and want to explore the mountains and reach the inaccessible peaks, but still you can not climb Mount Kailash, the best way to feel this sacred mountain is to go on Mount Kailash Kora with pilgrims in Tibet.
Everyone can have the opportunity to be part of the pilgrims walking around Mount Kailash. The most popular time for trekking is during Saga Dawa Festival, which according to the Gregorian calendar, is usually in May and June.
Next year (2020) Saga Dawa Festival is 5th June.
Why Trek Around Mount Kailash
For pilgrims, walking around Mount Kailash is a tremendous spiritual benefit. They believe that their lifetime sins would be cleared away. They also believe that walking it 13 times will bring enlightenment within one lifetime, and walking it 108 times will bring instant enlightenment.
However, for the adventurers, Mount Kailash is an insurmountable peak. Crossing along with some breath-taking scenery, visiting sacred lakes near Mt. Kailash is just a part of this amazing Kailash tour.