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Pioneer of Tibet Tourism for Overseas Travelers since 1984!
Can You Touch Mt. Kailash During the Kora? What Every Pilgrim Should Know
Mount Kailash holds unparalleled spiritual significance for millions across four major religions, attracting pilgrims worldwide to undertake the sacred kora. Touching the mountain during the kora is considered a great blessing for both pilgrims and trekking enthusiasts.
Currently, touching Mount Kailash is challenging due to safety concerns, but we’ll do our best to bring you as close as possible within the safe zone. To further enrich your Mount Kailash journey, we also offer two exciting new options.
This article highlights what you need to know about touching Mt. Kailash, detailed information about the Kora, the best time to visit, and two great options. With vivid photos of guests who have previously touched Mt.Kailash, we're confident this article will inspire your own trip.
In 2024, We Helped 196 Tourists Touch Mount Kailash and Fulfill Their Dreams
In 2026, You Can Still Experience the Spirit of Mount Kailash Through the 3-day Kora
One good News: Discover 2 Extra Options to Make Your Kailash Kora Even More Fulfilling
Best Time to Do the Mt. Kailash Kora: May to June & September to October
Photos of Our Guests Previously Touching Mt. Kailash and Enjoying the Mt. Kailash Kora
In 2024, We Helped 196 Tourists Touch Mount Kailash and Fulfill Their Dreams
We’re proud to share that in 2024, we had the privilege of guiding 196 international guests on their pilgrimage to touch Mount Kailash. While most began their Kailash and Manasarovar tours in Lhasa, many others started journey to Kailash from Kathmandu via Gyirong border.
Although touching Mount Kailash is currently not available, we'll do our best to bring you as close as possible within the safe range. Also, please be noted that regulations may change, so we recommend staying in touch with us. This way, you'll be the first to know if touching Mount Kailash becomes permitted again.
Besides, we've updated our Kailash tours with new highlights, including an extra day to drive around Lake Manasarovar or visit two nearby temples close to Mount Kailash - both perfect for a deeper spiritual experience. You can also customize your Tibet trip and extend it to surrounding attractions such as the ancient Guge Kingdom.
American guest’s second visit to Kailash to touch the sacred peak.
Guest's heartfelt words while touching Mount Kailash.
Welcoming our guest back for another Kailash pilgrimage.
In 2026, You Can Still Experience the Spirit of Mount Kailash Through the 3-day Kora
Mount Kailash may not be the highest mountain in Tibet, but it is undoubtedly the most spiritually significant. Revered by four major religions - Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon - it holds profound meaning for millions of devotees.
Each year, pilgrims journey to west Tibet to do the Mount Kailash kora - a circumambulation around the base of the mountain. This ritual is believed to purify negative karma, earn religious merit, and bring one closer to enlightenment. It is a 52-kilometer trek which take 3 days.
Mount Kailash Trekking MapThe three-day Kailash kora begins on the western edge of Darchen. Day 1 (from Darchen to Dirapuk Monastery) covers about 20 kilometers, taking around 6 hours. The trail is relatively gentle, with mild ups and downs, making it a good warm-up for the days ahead.
Day 2 (from Dirapuk Monastery to Dzultripuk Monastery) is the most challenging segment of the trek, stretching 18 kilometers over 7 to 8 hours. This leg includes the crossing of Drolma La Pass at an altitude of 5,630 meters. It’s advisable not to linger at the pass due to the thin air that may cause altitude sickness in Tibet.
On Day 3, the final stretch takes 3 to 4 hours over 14 kilometers, with a gentle 150-meter descent. The trail is mostly downhill, with a few narrow sections, leading you back to Darchen, where the pilgrimage concludes.
Throughout the journey, you’ll walk alongside Tibetan pilgrims performing prostrations, witness the pyramid shape of Mt. Kailash and enjoy the beauty of Lake Manasarovar. You’ll also have the chance to visit sacred monastery around Mt.Kailash like Dirapuk and Dzultripuk Monastery.
Hindu believers pilgrimages in Mount Kailash.
Join our classic 15-day Mt.Kailash tour and experience the best of the holy mountain!
One good News: Discover 2 Extra Options to Make Your Kailash Kora Even More Fulfilling
To make your Mount Kailash kora even more fulfilling, we've introduced two new experience-enhancing options once you finished the three days Mt.Kailash Kora, designed to deepen your spiritual journey and cultural connection.
After the three-day kora, a great option is to explore Lake Manasarovar, located 20 km of Mt.Kailash. As one of the world’s highest freshwater lakes, it offers stunning views of blue waters, Lake Rakshas Tal, and snow-capped peaks. Wildlife such as yaks and antelopes are often seen nearby. Five surrounding monasteries add cultural and spiritual richness to the experience.
Another option is to visit Selung and Jiangzha Monasteries, two lesser-known yet spiritually rich sites located closer to Mount Kailash. Both offer peaceful spaces for quiet reflection, with a few resident monks continuing daily rituals. These hidden gems add depth and authenticity to the Kailash pilgrimage and are perfect for a Tibet meditation trip.
Guests join in the tradition of hanging prayer flags by the tranquil Lake Manasarovar.
Celebrate the sacred Saga Dawa Festival at Mt. Kailash with us for an unforgettable spiritual journey.!
Best Time to Do the Mt. Kailash Kora: May to June & September to October
Generally speaking, Kailash Manasarovar can be toured at any time during the months from May to October each year. The varied climate and temperature bring different view for your experiences on the pilgrimage tour to Kailash Manasarovar.
The best time to arrange your Kailash Manasarovar travel falls from May to June and September to October with high visibility and stunning beautiful views accompanied by comfortable temperatures. Most of the days at Kailash Manasarovar during these periods are sunny with deep blue sky and very fresh air for circumambulating the holy Mountain.
-Click here to check more information about best time to visit Tibet
The Saga Dawa Festival, held on the 15th day of the fourth month in the Tibetan calendar (usually in May or June), commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and nirvana of Sakyamuni Buddha. Throughout the month, continuous religious rituals are performed, as Tibetans believe acts of generosity during this time bring immense spiritual merit.
During this sacred month, Mount Kailash enters its pilgrimage peak season. With favorable weather, Kailash Manasarovar becomes not only a spiritual center but also an ideal destination for travelers. For visitors, joining the Mt.Kailash kora during the Saga Dawa Festival offers a deeply immersive experience, surrounded by devout locals and international believers alike.
Kailash Weather from May to June and September to October
| Month | Max. Temp (℃) | Min. Temp (℃) | Rainfall (mm) |
| May | 7.1 | -6.8 | 21 |
| June | 11.3 | -1.9 | 32 |
| September | 8.8 | -2.8 | 54 |
| October | 3.7 | -9.8 | 24 |
Our guests take part in the holy Saga Dawa Festival at Mt. Kailash.You can also visit Mount Kailash in July and August. During this time, the rainy season in Tibet reaches western region, bringing occasional showers. However, temperatures remain mild, with lows staying above freezing even during rainfall. The rain adds moisture to the air and helps boost oxygen levels, making trekking conditions more comfortable.
Kailash Weather in July & August
| Month | Max. Temp (℃) | Min. Temp (℃) | Rainfall (mm) |
| July | 12 | 1 | 107 |
| August | 11.3 | 0.8 | 119 |
Visiting Mt.Kailash in winter (from November to early April) is not recommended. During this time, the region is gripped by biting winds and freezing temperatures. Heavy snowfall often blocks access routes, making travel to Kailash and Manasarovar extremely difficult and unsafe. In addition, all hotels and restaurants in the area remain closed throughout the season.
Kailash Weather in Winter Months
| Month | Max. Temp (℃) | Min. Temp (℃) | Rainfall (mm) |
| November | -1.4 | -14.4 | 6 |
| December | -4 | -16.8 | 16 |
| January | -6 | -18 | 42 |
| February | -5.1 | -16.6 | 27 |
| March | -2.2 | -12.8 | 40 |
| April | 3.1 | -9.6 | 24 |
Group photo before starting the Mount Kailash kora.Photos of Our Guests Previously Touching Mt. Kailash and Enjoying the Mt. Kailash Kora
In Tibetan Buddhism, one kora during the Year of the Horse is believed to equal 13 in any other year, as it marks the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha. With 2026 being the next Horse Year, Mount Kailash is expected to see a surge in pilgrims and travelers from all over the world.
If you’re planning to visit during the 2026 Saga Dawa Festival, we recommend contacting us early to secure your spot. Below are more photos of our valued guests who enjoyed the Mount Kailash Kora and had the rare chance to touch the sacred mountain.
Our guests excited to visit Mount Kailash.
A moment of prayer beneath the gaze of Kailash.
Mount Kailash kora amidst Saga Dawa celebrations.
For devotees, touching Mt. Kailash is a sacred blessing.
The Kailash kora also offers amazing natural views along the way.Conclusion
Though touching Mount Kailash is currently not permitted, the sacred mountain continues to draw pilgrims from around the world to complete the revered kora. Whether you're seeking religious merit, natural beauty, or inner peace, the journey offers something truly transformative.
With 2026 marking the auspicious Year of the Horse and the peak of the Saga Dawa Festival, now is the perfect time to begin planning your pilgrimage. Stay connected with us to ensure you don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
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