Tibet is renowned for its many mountains that hold spiritual significance and have evoked profound religious emotion among Tibetan people for generations. Nestled in the Ngari prefecture, near Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshastal, Mount Kailash, which means "crystal" in Sanskrit, is one of the most famous mountains of Tibet. It is said to be the source origin of two of Asia's greatest rivers: the Indus and the Sutlej.

Travelers are drawn to Mount Kailash for its grandeur and magnificence. If you're planning a journey to Tibet, don't miss the opportunity to discover and immerse yourself in the magnificence of its landscape and vast vistas by trekking all the way to Nepal to admire the pristine beauty of this mountain.

History

Throughout Tibet's history, the valleys and caves of Kailash were home to hermits and Tibetan and Indian yogis.

Legend tells that Milarepa also lived on this mountain. Indeed, Mount Kailash's history is particularly associated with Milarepa, a great Buddhist sage who remained on the mountain for about a decade. He lived in the mountain's caves in the 12th century. It is said that he converted the region to Buddhism and drove out the Bön tradition.

However, the first person to write about Mount Kailash appeared only around 1715. That year, a Jesuit missionary named Ippolito Desideri journeyed to Lhasa and visited the mountain to spend several days there. It was in November of that year that a European provided the first geographical and religious description of the mountain, detailing it comprehensively. It is still said that Hindu hermits and Tibetan yogis perform pilgrimages to Mount Kailash.

Discovery of Mount Kailash

Tibetans have given this mountain several names, including Ghang Rimpoche or Khang Ripoche, which translates to "precious jewel of the snows". It is also known as Tise or Meru.

From a geographical perspective

Mount Kailash reaches an altitude of 6,714 meters with snow-capped peaks and breathtaking landscapes. Mount Kailash is part of the mountain range of the Tibetan plateau. Besides the Himalayas, it is the second highest mountain in Tibet. This mountain also boasts a vast desert plateau stretching at its base.

Mount Kailash attracts numerous Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims. The pilgrimage circuit known as the Kailash Yatra is said to be the most challenging of all. This difficulty, however, does not deter hikers who love to venture here and trek the mountain to enjoy spectacular wild landscapes.

The symbolic values of Mount Kailash

Mount Kailash is known as the cradle of Buddhist civilization. It is also said to be the most sacred place for Hindus, Jains, and Bönpos for many centuries. According to accounts, the entrances to Mount Kailash are holy sites where "stones pray".

In Hindu culture and belief, Mount Kailash is the throne of the god Shiva and his wife Parvati. However, Tibetans believe that the deities of wisdom and compassion, Demchog and Dorje Phangmo, still dwell there. Some also call it the "axis mundi" or axis of the world, or the spinal cord of the universe.

According to yogis, it is from this mountain that they perceive the Sahasrara, defined as the highest chakra. It is also affirmed that weak souls will not be able to survive on this mountain. The wise men, also called Rishis, have recognized that the geographical description and beauty of this mountain carry great symbolic weight.

A trek to Mount Kailash is truly a unique experience in itself. It will also lead you to the celebrated Lake Manasarova, approximately 20 kilometers to the southeast of the mountain. At an altitude of about 4,588 meters, the lake ranks among the world's highest freshwater lakes.

How to get there?

There are three ways to reach Mount Kailash:

First, the mountain is accessible via the road from Lhasa, Kathmandu, or Kashgar.

The routes from Lhasa and Kathmandu are the legal and authorized routes. Travelers can book with travel agencies for this itinerary, which allows visitors to obtain permits and ensure a safer journey. The round trip can take up to 15 days.

The location is so isolated and difficult to reach that it can take up to a week of Jeep travel from the city of Lhasa to the mountain's slopes.

Although the journey is quite long, the road and surrounding landscapes are well worth the detour.

Hours and fees

The admission fee for Mount Kailash is 150 RMB.