Mount Kailash Tour

A place believed to be more than just a mountain, Mount Kailash has more to offer mentally, physically, and spiritually. A journey to one of the most sacred places in the world, sacred to 4 major religions: Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, and Bon. The Tibet Mount Kailash Tour is packed with discoveries, interesting facts, circumambulation, religious enlightenment, and more.

Mount Kailash Tour is believed to be a holy trail and a quest to cleanse one’s negative energy and sins, replacing them with blessings. People from all over the world, mainly from India, Nepal, China, and Tibet, approach to visit this pilgrimage site.

According to religious beliefs, Mount Kailash is believed to be a vicinity where Lord Shiva resides and meditates. Because of its uncompromising religious value, climbing Mount Kailash is strictly prohibited. However, the devotees and the followers comply with visiting other major places such as Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshastal, and performing a Kora around the mountain’s base.

In this blog, we will talk more about the Mount Kailash Tour Packages, interesting facts, locations, history, and much more about the mountain. With only a deeper knowledge of information, travelling a physical journey to the sacred mountains is one way to experience heaven while being alive.

Where is Mount Kailash Located?

Nestled in the Gangdise Mountains, a.k.a the Kailash Range, Mount Kailash is situated in Ngari Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, in the western part of the Tibetan highlands.

The starting route to the base of the mountain almost touches the border with India and China. It is spread roughly around 955 km from Tibet, 402km from Nepal, and around 100km from the Indian border via the Lipulekh Pass.

A remote area with fewer to no proper settlements, interestingly, the place has successfully managed to attract thousands of foreigners worldwide every year.

Weather and the Best Time to Visit Mount Kailash Tour

Talking about the climate, the weather changes through all the seasons. In the winter season (November to April), the days are mostly long and cold with limited sunlight, and even in the summer season (July to September), the weather is mild and the temperature drops below 0 degrees during the night.

There are also these rainy times going on in the monsoon season, and also the times when the wind blows more heavily. Nevertheless, Spring (May and June) and Autumn (September and October) are considered to be the best times to visit the Tibet Mount Kailash Tour.

Mount Kailash Tour: Religious and Cultural Significance

Mount Kailash embodies many things with religious and cultural significance. This place holds the power to purify sins. Beyond that, it is a place that obtains a divine and positive energy that you can feel coming from the other side of the universe.

A connection to god, Lord Shiva, it is said that the mountain is a sacred bridge to be enlightened with higher-dimensional powers. It is believed to be the place of Lord Shiva’s meditation and also where he resides.

Major religions following the Mount Kailash Tour

There are mainly four religions that follow the sacred mountain persistently: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon. Mount Kailash plays a vital role in each religion differently, but in the end, its significant energy is similar to everyone.

Mount Kailash Tour in Hinduism

According to Hindu beliefs, Mount Kailash is considered the residence of Lord Shiva and Parvati. In the Hindu Puranas (a collection of ancient Hindu texts), Lord Shiva sits at the top of the mountain and meditates while the holy river Ganga flows from his dreadlocks.

The mountain claimed to be at the center of the universe, Mount Meru, is also known to be related to Mount Kailash. The maximum number of devotees visiting the mountain is also said to be following the Hindu religion. As an act of devotion, most Hindu people perform Kora / Kailash Parikrama (a spiritual walk) around the mountain.

Mount Kailash Tour in Buddhism

In Buddhism, it is believed that Mount Kailash is known to be “The Axis Mundi,” which means “Center of the Earth”. It is said that the mountain is the habitation of Demchok (Chakrasamvara). The Tibetan Buddhists also call the mountain Kang Rinpoche, meaning “Precious Snow Jewel.”

In ancient history, it is said that the first Buddhist Master from Tibet, Milarepa, was engaged in a spiritual battle with Bon master Naro Bon-chung at Kailash, where Buddhism emerged with a symbolic victory.

Mount Kailash Tour in Jainism

In Jainism, it is believed that Mount Kailash is the path to Liberation. The first Tirthankara, Rishabhadeva, achieved Liberation at Mount Kailash. The Jains also believe that it is a place for spiritual triumph, marking the end of physical domination.

Mount Kailash Tour in Bon

Bon is a native Tibetan religion, and Mount Kailash is believed as the “Original Spiritual Tradition” of Tibet. Buddhists also respect and view Mount Kailash as a swastika-shaped nine-story mountain at the heart of the world. It is believed as a place where the sky goddess, Sipaimen, also known as the “Queen of Existence”, descended.

Sources of Rivers

Four major sources of holy rivers originate from Lake Manasarovar, located 58km from Mount Kailash. Brahmaputra, Sutlej, Indus and Karnali / Ghaghara. The rivers touching and flowing from the neighbouring countries all have equal significance.

Brahmaputra River

The Brahmaputra River, with a length of 2900km, flows through Southern China, North-east India, and Bangladesh. The origin of the river is from the Kailash range. Flowing from China, it reaches India through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

Eventually touching Bangladesh before reaching its endpoint at the Bay of Bengal. The Brahmaputra River is also called the blood river or the red river in India because it turns blood red in June for 3 days every year.

Sutlej River

The Sutlej River, or Satluj or Shatadru (an ancient name), is a river having a length of 1450km that originates from the Rakshastal Lake, near the Manasarovar Lake in Mount Kailash.

It is the major river in Asia, China, India, and Pakistan. In the Punjab region, the Sutlej River is one of the longest river of their major 5 rivers.

Indus River

The Indus River is also connected to 3 countries: China, India, and Pakistan. Covering a total length of 3180km, the river flows from the northeast of Mount Kailash in the western region of China.

Reaching the Kashmir region in India through Ladakh, eventually flowing south-west through Pakistan, the river finally settles into the Arabian Sea.

Karnali / Ghaghara River

The Karnali River in Nepal is also known as the Ghaghara River in India, and Mapcha Tsangpo in Tibet. Originating from the Tibetan plateau, the river opens up from the Himalayas in Nepal, joining the Sharda River in India.

With a length of 507 km, originating from midwestern and far western regions, the Karnali is known as the longest river in Nepal. A total length of 1080km, the Ghaghara River is the largest tributary of the Ganges by volume in India.

Interesting Facts about Mount Kailash

Apart from being a sacred mountain, Mount Kailash also holds many secrets. Some facts are well-known, some are unimaginable, while some theories are still debatable. Below are some of the interesting facts and mysteries related to Mount Kailash.

The Energy Center of the Earth

It is believed in the Tibetan Buddhist religion that Mount Kailash is the energy center of the world, also referred to as “Axis Mundi”. The mountain is perceived as a place having cosmic energy connecting heaven and earth.

People Enjoying the Mount Kailash Tour

The Mountain is Unclimbed and is Sacred

People ask, Why is Mount Kailash Unclimbable? Surrounded by the UV radioactive energy, this place is different and also sacred. For the people’s safety and to preserve the religious significance of the place, the government has strictly prohibited anyone from climbing the mountain.

No Permanent Settlements

There are no permanent settlements near the mountain. Because of the unclassified electric fields and containing religious values, people can only trek and summit to the base, but not settle here.

Kailash Parikrama or the Kailash Kora

As it is prohibited to climb the mountain, trekking to the base of the mountain is still possible. Many devotees and travellers from all over the world can participate in the Mount Kailash Tour, performing Mount Kailash Parikrama, also known as Kailash Kora or Kailash Yatra.

Visiting the Yin-Yang Lakes: Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshastal

The Mount Kailash Kora and Tibet Mount Kailash Tour will involve you in exploring the Yin-Yang Lake. Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshastal. The lakes are considered to embody light and darkness, representing good and evil. Lake Manasarovar is seen as a purity, light, and divine, while Lake Rakshastal is seen as dark, mystical, and the realm of demons.

Four Asia Rivers Source from Kailash Mansarovar

The famous lakes situated in the Kailash ranges originate and bring 4 of the major river sources to the world. The rivers are Brahmaputra River, Sutlej River, Indus River and Karnali / Ghagara.

Mysteries and Conspiracy theories

There are a lot of mysteries surfacing around the world about Mount Kailash. Some of the most famous conspiracy theories are highlighted below:

Mystical Geometry and Unique Geographic Position.

The mountain is believed to be symmetrically made in a unique geometric position, which turned out to be the center of the universe. It has four sides, but is still mystically shaped as a Pyramid.

Kailash Range Area: Exist Underground Cities

Russian doctor and adventurer Ernst Muldasev has mentioned that there are two underground cities located beneath the mountain known as the Shambhala and Agatha. Both cities, considered to be the realms of the underground, are said to be connected to the mountains and other advanced civilizations.

Aging Differently in the Kailash Range

Many devotees believe in perceiving a different energy while travelling the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route. They feel a few years younger and energized to continue and complete the trek. With one glance at believing in what is there on the mountain, the devotees feel a change in themselves. Some of them explain that apart from healing, Mount Kailash has stored a tremendous amount of knowledge, and you just have to look for it with purity.

Lord Shiva’s smiling face

The Satellite version of Mount Kailash is very mystical. It is seen that the northern part of the mountain shows a strong resemblance to Lord Shiva’s smiling face.

Significance of the Four Faces of Mount Kailash

Despite being debated as a pyramid-shaped mountain, geometrically, Mount Kailash has 4 sides facing all the cardinal directions. According to ancient history, each direction symbolises different qualities and emotions.

East face: The East side of the mountain is connected with mysteries and is known as the home of the divine powers.

West face: The West side represents the purity and detachment of the spiritual energies.

North face: The North signifies powerful emotions with divine strength and authority. In the north, the likeness of Lord Shiva’s smiling face can also be seen.

South face: The South face of the mountain exhibits beauty. It is said that the south side, the mountain’s natural feature, symbolises a sacred holy symbol in Hinduism. OM (ॐ), it is considered the sound of the universe.

Can I climb the sacred mountain during the Mount Kailash Tour?

Climbing to the top of the mountain is strictly prohibited. Due to its mystical formation and religious reasons, it is impossible to reach the top of Mount Kailash. However, there are other ways to experience this sacred mountain and feel blessed by its presence. You can trek to the base of the mountain, perform Mount Kailash Kora / Parikrama, visit the indigenous lakes, explore the monasteries, and many other things along the way.

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What is a Kora, and how can it be done?

Performing a Kora is known as an act of walking in a clockwise direction around the base of Mount Kailash. It is normally done in a circular motion around the sacred places and temples, acknowledging and respecting the higher power. The word “Kora” is a Tibetan word that means revolution or circumambulation. However, Kora has different names given to it in every religion. The Buddhist and the devotees from Bon calls the act of revolving around the temple as Kailash Kora. Likewise, the word “Parikrama” is an equivalent word to Kora in Sanskrit, mostly used in Hinduism. The Hindu and Jain devotees refer to the circumambulation as the “Kailash Parikrama”.

Despite having different names in different religions, the meaning and purpose of the words Kora/ Parikrama are all the same. Performing a Kora / Parikrama in Mount Kailash is believed to cleanse the soul and all sins. Many travellers mention this as one of the most interesting and spiritual things everyone has to do once in a lifetime.

The devotees perform the Kora in many ways. Some walk silently, feeling the aura of the mountain, while some complete the walk chanting mantras. Some Buddhist devotees walk carrying a religious Mani wheel, spinning it and praying, while some bow down on the ground throughout the Kora, devoting their whole body in the process.

What are the Inner and Outer Kora?

The holy walk around the sacred mountain is one of the religiously significant Kora / Parikramas for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bon devotees. The pilgrims do Kailash Parikrama to cleanse their souls and clear all their sins. There are two types of Kora called the Outer Kora and the Inner Kora.

Outer Kora of Mount Kailash Tour

The Outer Kora connects the border of China and India with the base of Mount Kailash. It is a total of 52km journey. The initial 10km is done travelling by vehicle, and we trek to complete the remaining 42km. Concluding the outer kora of the Mount Kailash Tour, starting from Tarboche, it takes 3 days to complete, depending on the physical strength and walking pace of the individual.

The path follows from Tarboche to Dipruk, passing through Zuthulpu, covering 22km. The hardest climb of the Mount Kailash Tour begins on this trail. The Dolma La Pass (5,630m/ 18,471ft) is considered the difficult pass in the Kailash ranges, which lies before Zuthulpu. From Zuthulpu to Chongdo, covering 8 km, concludes the outer Kora.

Inner Kora of Mount Kailash Tour

The Inner Kora is considered much more difficult and not suitable for everyone. A high level of physical fitness is needed for this. Despite the distance being short, because of its extreme difficulty, only the very religious devotees and experienced trekkers try to attempt the inner kora.

The Inner Kora consists of 3 parts. The first path takes place from Dirapuk. Covering 6km from here to the base of Mount Kailash, this path is called Charan Sparsh (foot touching). In Hinduism, touching the feet is considered a sign of respect for the elders, or getting a blessing before starting something.

The second path takes place with a walk from Shiva Stal to Zuthulpuk. It will be an 18km walk where you can visit a sacred lake, Kuber Kund, which is also known by the name of this path. “Kuber,” known as the “wealth of god,” is mentioned to be residing in the southern part of the mountain in ancient scriptures.

The third and final path of the Mount Kailash Tour is called Nandi Parikrama. This path goes around the Nandi Parbat, which begins and ends at Darchen. Here include the holiest places and caves such as Saptarishi Caves, Atma Linga (believed to be representing the soul of Lord Shiva), and Ashtapad. This part of the path is considered special because places here are said to be connected with the divine energies.

Explore the Yin and Yang Lakes in the Mount Kailash Tour

There are two major lakes that people visit while on the Tibet Mount Kailash Tour. The lakes are also called the Yin and Yang lakes. Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshastal.

Lake Manasarovar

The lake lies on the Chinese side of the Tibet Autonomous Region near the Kailash mountain. It is approximately 4590 meters above sea level, spreading over 320 sq km. The lake is believed to have been created by Brahma, the creator. The Lake is shaped as a round, and is considered the Yin Lake of the Yin and Yang lake, which spreads peace, calm, and purity.

Lake Manasarovar is a high-altitude freshwater lake near Mount Kailash

Lake Rakshastal

The lake is situated on the western side, neighbouring Lake Manasarovar. It is also almost the same size as Lake Manasarovar. Rising 4575 meters above sea level and covering over 250 sq km, the lake is Crescent-shaped. The lake is also called the Yang lake, which serves divinity, ego, and the dark side of the realm. It is said that the name of the lake came from a Hindu demon, “Rakshasa” in Sanskrit.

Mount Kailash Tour Tips

Here are some essential travel tips for a Mount Kailash tour:

• The Mount Kailash tour is a long journey. For this, you need to prepare yourself from the beginning. A few months before the trek, you can start doing basic strength training and cardio, strengthening your ability to cover the longer distances.
• Try drinking a lot of water. The trek eventually gets harder after 5500 m in the Dolma La Pass. Be sure to prepare for it.
• Acclimatization is necessary, especially drinking more water and avoiding caffeine and alcohol in higher altitudes will be helpful.
• Carry only the necessary items that can be useful in the Mount Kailash Trek. Excessive packing can cause you to get exhausted and slow down during the Kora.
• Get your hands on the travel insurance that will cover the high-altitude trekking and the emergency evacuation.
• There are not many ATMs in the surroundings. It is better to carry Chinese Yuan cash from the beginning to get through the Tibet Mount Kailash Tour.
• Travel with a professional tour guide. The place is sacred, and some places are strictly prohibited by the government. Having a tour guide will ease you into the travels, and you get to experience the place more safely.
• Respecting the traditions and local rituals is also very necessary. In any place where there is a temple or is considered holy, walking and praying clockwise around the area is said to be the correct way. Try not to break it, disrespecting the value of the place.
• Try not to climb certain places of the mountain where it is restricted.
• Carry a basic first aid kit, including any altitude medicine and personal prescriptions (if any).