Mt. Kailash, known as the “king of the holy mountains” In Buddhism, Hinduism, Bon religion, and Jainism, has been an ultimate pilgrimage destination for global pilgrims for thousands of years. In the pilgrimage season (June-Sept), Pilgrims of different religions from Tibet, India, and Nepal form endless streams along the holy mountain roads. It is said that going one circle round the holy mountain can wash away all sin in the whole year life.

Ngari Prefecture and Mount Kailash Map

Map of Mt. Kailash and its Prefecture in Tibet

Altitude: 6638m
Location: Ngari Prefecture( with average altitude of above 4500m), Tibet
Geology: The main peak of the Gangdise mountain
Religious Significance: Revered as the “Center of the world” in Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, Bon religion and Jainism
Tour Value: Divine Experience; Journey of Spiritual Discovery
Climate: plateau monsoon climate (max 26 Celsius; min -30 Celsius with strong wind and dramatic temperature change)
Best Time to Visit: May-July; Sept-Oct.

Mt. Kailash Kora/Yatra Map

Mt. Kailash Kora or yatra has been one of the most challenging routes in the world. With low oxygen content, extreme altitude (average altitude in Ngari is above 4500m), awe-inspiring holy Mt. Kailash, the kora is a true test of mind and soul. As you trek along the ancient route of pilgrimage in Asia, you are engulfed by the mystic atmosphere. What accompany your trek would be devout Tibetan pilgrims who prostrate themselves back and forth and pious Hindus who travel from afar for the spiritual realm.

Time-honoured pilgrimage route around holy Mt. Kailash

Duration: 3 days
Distance: 52km trekking 
Difficulty: Strenuous
Start: Darchen (4675m)
End: Darchen(4675m)
Highest Point: Drolma La Pass (5630m)
Accommodation: Camping or local guesthouses
Best Season to Kora: Mid-May until Mid-Oct.
Travel Tips: porters or yaks are available to carry your supplies, at 280 Yuan per day

15 Days Kailash and Manasarova Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - E.B.C - Saga - Kailash Trek - Darchen - Lake Manasarovar - Saga - Gyirong - Tingri - Lhasa

Price from USD2059 p.p

This 15-day Kailash and Manasarovar Kora Tour includes virtually all the highlights of the Tibet tour in Tibet. From Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, and Everest Base Camp to Lake Manasarovar and Mt. Kailash, tourists can have a full picture of the development of Tibetan Buddhism, and experience the unparalleled alpine scenery, etc.

Detailed map of 15-day Kailash and Manasarova Kora Tour

Distance between Lhasa and Mt. Kailash: Approximately 1400km or so (its linear distance is 958km)
Traffic condition: Overall, the traffic condition from Lhasa to Mt. Kailash is good and worry-free, esp. the south route. (Lhasa-Nagarzê-Gyantse-Lhatse- Tingri-EBC-Saga-Payang-Manasarovar-Darchen-Mt.Kailash) However, during June and July, the rainy season makes roads muddy and difficult.

Mt. Kailash Kora Tips
Please bear in mind, that the sleeping bag is indispensable. The actual accommodation during the 3-day kora around Holy Mt. Kailash may be extremely humble. In most cases, the sheets and blankets in monasteries or tents are quite filthy in part because of the shortage of water in Ngari.

Mansarovar Lake map

Like Mt. Kailash, Mansarovar Lake is a hot pilgrimage destination in Buddhism and Hinduism. Bon, and Jainism. There are 5Buddhism temple and 4 bath pavilions around the sacred lake followers believes that water comes from the sacred lake can clean out the distain on the body and wish out the “Five poisons “ minds greedy angry stupid lazy and envy. Manasavova Lake along with Namtso and Yamdork Lake is called three sacred lakes in Tibet.

Map of sacred Manasarovar Lake in Ngari

Altitude: 4588m
Location: Ngari Prefecture( with average altitude of above 4500m), Tibet
Geology: a gigantic sacred freshwater lake (covering 412 square km), next to its twin saline lake Rakshastal
Religious Significance: Worshipped as feminine wisdom and enlightenment; religious bath
Tour Value: sapphire-blue waters, golden shoreline, the world’s highest freshwater lake
Climate: plateau monsoon climate (max 26 Celsius; min -30 Celsius with strong wind and dramatic temperature change)
Best Time to Visit: July--Oct
Best Place to enjoy Lake: Chiu Monastery, located to the northwest of Lake Manasarova

16 Days Kailash and Manasarovar Small Group Tour: Touching Mount Kailash with Spiritual Saga Dawa Festival Experience

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - EBC - Saga - Darchen - Kailash Trek - Darchen - Saga - Gyirong - Tingri - Lhasa

Price from USD2209 p.p

Mansarovar Yatra map

Compared with Mt. Kailash Kora, the Mansarovar yatra route is much less difficult. A heavenly alpine lake view unfolds before trekkers as they circle the lake. Besides, most of the time tourists can spend the night at monasteries at the lakeside, such as Chiu Monastery, Langbona Monastery, Seralung Monastery, Trugo Monastery, Gossul Monastery.

Venerated Manasarovar Lake yatra map

Duration: 3-4 days
Distance: around 90 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Start: Chiu Monastery(4650m)
End: Chiu Monastery(4650m)
Accommodation: Camping or monasteries along the lake
Best Season to Kora: May---Oct
Travel Tips: prepare enough food supply. The water in Mansarovar is icy-cold, do not risk your life for a swim.

Accommodation for Mt. Kailash Kora

Mt. Kailash Kora and Mansarovar Yatra, as a divine pilgrimage route, are often done one after another. From Lhasa, the heart of Tibet, all the way to Ngari with less human presence, the accommodation condition is from best to rudimentary and even humble guesthouses in some remote areas during the Mt. Kailash kora. Only a limited  number of hotels available for tourists are as follows:

This map shows the handful of hotels in Darchen, the beginning of Mt.Kailash kora.

Darchen(4600m, begining of Mt. Kailash kora):
Kailash Himalaya Hotel
Gangdise Hotel
Lhasa Restaurant
Tips: Group tour tourists will stay in guesthouses around Mt. Kailash.

Attractions around Mt. Kailash Kora

In Ngari, beyond the attractions of Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, a constellation of ancient man-made fortresses, monasteries, and other natural wonders adds to the region's appeal. These attractions in Ngari bear witness to the rise and fall of the ancient Tibetan cultural civilization, making Ngari a destination worth exploring.

In fact, there are many attractions to explore besides Mt.Kailash in Ngari.

a.Ruins of the Guge Kingdom
b.Tsada Clay Forest
c.Piyang and Dungkar Grottoes
d.Tholing Monastery
e.Shiquan River
f.Ancient Ruins in Rutog County
g.Lhanag-tso
h.Lake Manasarovar
i.Lake Rakshas Tal
j.Gurla Mandhata
k.Khorzhak Monastery
l.Chagcam Caka Salt Lake
m. Nagri Dark Sky Park

Conclusion

Probably, you have been to Lhasa and its surrounding areas or even Shigatse a couple of times, feeling amazed by a galaxy of sacred monasteries and lakes, magnificent Mt. Everest, and exotic locals and customs. However, if you miss Ngari, the vast western Tibet, you will miss the chance to explore the essence of genuine Tibet.