Darchen to Mount Kailash: Distance, Route, and Travel Guide for 2026

Darchen: The Starting Point of Mt. Kailash Trek (Kora) and the Most Developed Supply Point

Located at the southern foot of Mount Kailash, Darchen, means “the Great Praying Flag” in Tibetan, sits at an altitude of about 4,670 meters above sea level. It the closest settlement and the traditional starting and ending point for the Mount Kailash Kora.

Despite its modest size, Darchen is the most developed supply point in the Mount Kailash area. From April to October, during the best time for trekking in Tibet, the town becomes lively as travelers and pilgrims from all over the world gather here to prepare for their spiritual journey.

Accommodation in Darchen has improved in recent years. While there are no luxury hotels, there are still decent options, such as Himalaya Kailash Hotel, Himalaya Pulan Hotel, and Kailash Castle Hotel. These hotels feature modern décor and facilities. All offer standard rooms, and some even provide rooms with a clear view of Mount Kailash from the window.

For food, Darchen has several restaurants and teahouses offering simple Tibetan and Chinese dishes, such as noodles, rice, yak meat, and butter tea. Spicy Sichuan cuisine is also popular in the area. However, due to its remote location, Western food is not available in Darchen.
- Click here to explore Western food options during a Tibet tour

Supplies for the trek, such as bottled water, instant noodles, biscuits, chocolate bars, portable oxygen tanks, and basic trekking gear like poles, can also be purchased in local shops. Although prices are higher than in other Tibetan towns due to transportation costs, Darchen provides everything needed for travelers before starting the three-day Mount Kailash Kora.

The stunning view of Mount Kailash from Darchen.

The shops in Darchen provide the basic items you need for a mount Kailash tour.

From Darchen to the Prayer Flag Center of Mt.Kailash: Two Ways to Get There - Trekking or Bus

The journey from Darchen to the Prayer Flag Center marks the first section of the Mt. Kailash Trek. This 6 km stretch is considered the mild and relaxing part of the trek on the first day. You can either take the eco-bus to the Prayer Flag Square or trek on foot from Darchen.

Trekking from Darchen to the Prayer Flag Center serves as a great warm-up for the following days. This section is relatively flat, with a modest 65-meter elevation gain, from Darchen at 4,675 meters to the Prayer Flag Center at 4,740 meters. The trek typically takes around 1 to 2 hours.

If you prefer to start your trek from the Prayer Flag Center, taking the eco-bus from Darchen is a convenient option, it only takes about 10 minutes to reach the center and cost 60RMB per person, with the earliest shift starts at 8:30am.

Along the route from Darchen to the Prayer Flag Center, you’ll be treated to views of colorful Tibetan prayer flags fluttering against the deep blue sky, with the south face of Mt. Kailash looming majestically in the distance.

If you visit during the Saga Dawa Festival, you’ll have the chance to join massive crowds of Tibetans in witnessing the raising of the giant prayer flag pole (Tarboche), a tradition honoring Shakyamuni’s birth, enlightenment, and nirvana. You'll also experience other Buddhist customs, like tossing white Tsampa (barley flour), hanging prayer flags.

The Prayer Flag Center during Saga Dawa festival.

15 Days Kailash and Manasarovar Small Group Tour: A pilgrim’s final fantasy and the greatest overland trip in Tibet.

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

Price from USD2219 p.p

Join our most classic Tibet pilgrimage tour from Lhasa to Mount Kailash with 3 days Kora around the sacred mountain.

From the Ending Point of the Mt. Kailash Trek (Kora) Back to Darchen: By Trekking or Bus

As the final section of the Mount Kailash trek, you'll walk from Zuthulpuk Monastery (4,835 meters) to Darchen. This is the easiest and most relaxing part of the trek, a 14-kilometer walk that takes around three hours to four hours, with a descent of 150 meters.

This marks the completion of your Mount Kailash trek. Alternatively, you can take an eco bus, which will get you back to Darchen in about 20 minutes. The ticket costs 50 RMB per person.

If you arrive early after returning to Darchen and still have extra energy, you can visit Lake Manasarovar, located 41 km southeast of Darchen. As the holiest lake in Tibet, it’s a perfect place for a walk along the shore while enjoying a stunning view of Mt. Kailash for the rest of the day. The bus ride from Darchen to Lake Manasarovar takes about 2 hours round trip.

Trek back to Darchen from Zuthulpuk Monastery.

Route of Darchen to the Inner Kora of Mt. Kailash: Yet Not Available Now

The Mt. Kailash Inner Kora refers to a challenging short pilgrimage route that circles the sacred Mt. Yinjiento, known as Mt. Nandi, located just south of Mt. Kailash. The journey also begins in Darchen. According to local Tibetan belief, only those who have completed 13 Outer Koras around Mt. Kailash are eligible to undertake the Inner Kora.

The trek usually takes one full day to complete, covering a distance of 34 kilometers. It is considered a strenuous high-altitude route that involves mountain climbing and reaches its highest point at the 13 Golden Chortens and Saptarishi Cave at 5,860 meter high.

With an average altitude above 5,200 meters, steep ascents, and dangerous rocky pathways, the Inner Kora is far more demanding than the Outer Kora. There are no food or medical supplies, no visible trekking paths, and no route signs, making it suitable only for highly experienced high-altitude trekkers who are free from altitude sickness in Tibet.

For safety reasons, the Inner Kora is currently closed to international tourists. However, if you wish to get as close as possible to the sacred mountain, or even touch its base to feel its spiritual energy, our 16-day Mt. Kailash tour offers that opportunity, weather permitting.

Strenuous high-altitude trekking route of Mount Kailash inner Kora.

More Insider Tips about Darchen: the Key Place for the Mt. Kailash Kora

1. During the harsh winter months from November to March, heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures make tours to Mt. Kailash unavailable. Most accommodations, hotels, restaurants, and shops in Darchen also remain closed during this period and only reopen in April.

2. The year 2026 marks the Horse Year, which is considered an auspicious time for completing the Kora around Mt. Kailash. According to Tibetan tradition, performing the pilgrimage during the Horse Year brings many times more merit than in other years.

As a result, Darchen is expected to attract a large number of pilgrims and tourists from around the world. If you are planning a Mt. Kailash tour during Saga Dawa festival in 2026, it’s advisable to book your tour and accommodations early, as availability will be limited.

3. Generally, there are two main ways to reach Darchen, either overland from Lhasa or Kathmandu. For those short on time, the quickest option is to fly from Lhasa to Ngari Gunsa Airport, followed by a two-hour bus ride to Darchen. The flight itself takes only about two hours.

Conclusion

Darchen isn’t just the start and end point of the Mount Kailash Kora, this small town also offers everything you need before setting off or winding down after the trek. Whether you trek around mount Kailash, or journey to Lake Manasarovar, Darchen remains the most important supply point for your pilgrimage tour.

With 2026 being the Horse Year, an especially lucky time for the Kora, Darchen will welcome more tourist and pilgrims from all over the world. If you’ re planning to visit, book early and get ready for a journey that will stay with you long after you leave. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about Darchen.