Where is Kailash Mountain Located? China, India, or Nepal?

Mount Kailash, remote and mysterious, is a beacon for pilgrims and adventure lovers. Praised as the ‘Centre of the Universe’, where is Kailash Mountain located exactly? Here, we’ll show you the detailed location of Mount Kailash and ways to get there.

In which area is Mount Kailash located?

Mount Kailash is located solely within the borders of China. The mountain is located in the western part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, in Ngari Prefecture, the highest area in Tibet with an average altitude of over 4,500 meters.

Mount Kailash Located Map.

Far west of Lhasa, the sacred Kailash Mountain is close to the border with India and Nepal. The distance from Lhasa to Mount Kailash is about 1,200 km. It is approximately 538 km northwest to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and around 145 km northeast to the border with India.

The straight line distances on the map make it seem close, but the actual overland routes are much longer. Rugged and challenging terrain separates Mount Kailash from India and Nepal.

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Is Mount Kailash located in the Himalayas?

The Gangdise Mountains, sometimes called the Kailash Range, are the mountain range that includes Mount Kailash. They make up the western subrange of the Trans-Himalaya system. They extend west-east parallel to the main Himalayan range from Ngari Prefecture to the Nyenchen Tanglha range in Damxung County in eastern Tibet.

Despite being the most famous, at 6,638m, Mount Kailash is only the second-highest peak of the Gangdise Mountains. Lunpo Gangri is the tallest in the range at 7,095. The range also includes numerous 6000m+ peaks, but Mt. Kailash stands out for having the most spiritual significance and for being unclimbed.

Mount Kailash is the main peak of the Gangdise Mountain Range.

Is Mount Kailash close to Lhasa?

Over the vast distances of the Tibetan Plateau, close is a relative term. Lhasa is one of the closest convenient starting points for an overland journey to Mount Kailash, but it is still far, with a road distance of around 1,520 km.

The classic overland trip from Lhasa to Mount Kailash takes 15 days. It's an incredible and unforgettable trip that includes visiting Everest Base Camp and seeing the impressive landscapes of the region.

Beginning in Lhasa, the southern route to Mount Kailash travels along the G318 Friendship Highway. It goes by the holy Lake Yamdrok and the ancient city of Gyantse on the way to Shigatse. The highway continues to Tingri, where you’ll branch off to Everest Base Camp and Rongbuk Monastery.

Visit Everest Base Camp on the way from Lhasa to Mount Kailash .

After staying overnight with a view of the peak at sunset and sunrise, the route goes west through Saga. There are vast grasslands with endless mountains in the background.

Finally, you’ll see Lake Manasarovar approaching and stop at Darchen, the settlement near the mountains. Darchen is the starting point for the three-day trek around Mount Kailash. Altogether, after returning through Saga and Shigatse, the journey takes 15 days.

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The northern route from Lhasa is a longer trip that offers different scenery to explore. It travels up through the Nyenchen Tanglha mountain range of Nagqu and past the famous Lake Namtso.

Then, it heads northwest through the Qiangtang wilderness, where you can see wild animals like donkeys and the endangered Chiru. The route then turns west across vast plans and grasslands to Gerze and Xiongba before reaching Shiqanhe, a city once part of the ancient Guge Kingdom. The northern route from Lhasa to Mount Kailash is 2,068 km through isolated and remote areas.

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What is the shortest way to get to Mount Kailash?

The overland route from Nepal to Mount Kailash is a little faster. Starting from Kathmandu, you can trek Mount Kailash as part of a 10-day tour.

The first day begins with a trip to the Nepali city of Rasuwa Gadi on the border with Tibet. On the next day, you'll cross the border into Gyirong and head out to Saga seeing Shishapangma Peak (8027 meters) and the serene Lake Paiku Tso along the way.

The route usually stops for an overnight stay at Lake Manasarovar before getting to Darchen. There is a chance for a good night's sleep before starting the trek around Mount Kailash, after which you can relax at the local hot springs before returning to Nepal.

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A trip to Mount Kailash could be shorter if you take a flight from Lhasa to Ngari Gunsa Airport, which is located 200 km from Darchen in Shiquanhe Township. The direct flight from Lhasa to Ngari takes 2 hours and 5 minutes. After landing, you’ll take another 3-hour’s driving to Darchen, the small town at the foot of Kailash mountain.

This will greatly shorten the transfer time needed to reach Mount Kailash. However, it should be noted that the altitude increases rapidly from 3,650 meters in Lhasa to 4,274 meters at Gunsa Airport, which makes altitude sickness very likely. So, this is not recommended for new arrivals to travel to Mount Kailash by flight.

How to get to Mount Kailash from India?

If you travel to Mount Kailash from India, you can only get to the sacred Kalash Mountain via Lhasa or Kathmandu.

Direct flights to Nepal are available from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Varanasi, with flight times between 1 and 3 hours. From Kathmandu, you have the option of making the 10-day overland journey to Mount Kailash via Gyirong or flying to Lhasa for the 15-day overland trip across the Tibetan Plateau.

Indian pilgrims visit Mount Kailash.

Or, you can get to one of the gateway cities in the mainland of China first, and then fly to Lhasa or take a Tibet train via the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to reach Lhasa. Going to Mount Kailash via the mainland of China is recommended for tourists who already have a Chinese tourist visa, because the China Group Visa for entering Tibet from Nepal will cancel any preexisting visas.

Unfortunately, Mount Kailash helicopter tours from Nepal are not available currently. The incredible experience mixing short helicopter flights and overland travel is a unique way to see the sights of the region. Check back with us to see when helicopter tours open again in the future.

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Conclusion

Mount Kailash, a sacred mountain for four religions and the source of several major rivers in Asia, is situated in the remote Ngari Prefecture in the far west of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. However, the remote location of Mount Kailash cannot stop pilgrims and tourists from visiting the sacred mountain.

There are many ways to get to Mount Kailash, either by land or by air. The spiritual experience of trekking around the mountain is only one part of the trip. Getting there overland, via Lhasa or Kathmandu, takes you on a journey over the roof of the world with scenery and culture you'll never forget.

Our Mount Kailash tours are planned with the expertise to ensure you have a safe and unforgettable experience. Contact us anytime for more information, or book your tour today.