MountKailash

The trek around the sacred Mount Kailash covers 52km and climbs to 5,630m on the Drolma La.

Mount Kailash Kora

Mount Kailash is sacred to the followers of four religions, Buddhist, Hindu, Bon Po and Jain. A circuit of the mountain covers 52 km and should be completed once in a pilgrim’s life. Ideally the circuit or kora is completed in a single day. Since the highest pass is 5,630m this is a significant challenge. On this trip it took us 4 days.

The top of the Drolma Pass, 5,630m, is swathed in prayer flags, indeed most of the pilgrims making the kora carry hundreds of metres of prayer flags to be placed on this pass.

The Route

The trekking route makes a clockwise circuit around the peak. Beginning in Darchen, the first section up to Diraphuk Gompa, follows a valley to the east of Kailash, slowing gaining height. The second day the route climbs from the camp, at 5100m, to cross the Drolma pass to descend to a camp in the valley beyond, 5,150m. The third day heads south to finish at 4800m. The final short day completes the circuit descending back to Darchen, 4,660m.

Distances are approximately:

Day 1: 20km
Day 2: 11km
Day 3: 10km
Day 4: 10km

A google earth fly-through for the circuit is provided here: Fly Kailash

Pilgrims

Large numbers of pilgrims complete the kora each year. Pilgrims include families with young children being carried along the route. Most pilgrims carry large bundles of prayer flags and smaller bags of food.