Mt. Kailash stands prominently in a remote south-west corner of Tibet, an amazingly symmetrical 22,028 foot striated pyramid with a diagonal gash on one of its faces. It has been described as a 'compelling, dome-shaped peak, rising above a desolately beautiful 13,000 ft plateau of rainbow-colored rocks'. Mt. Kailash is called Kang Rinpoche, or the Precious Mountain in Tibetan. In ancient times it took years for sages and saints to reach Mt. Kailash for salvation (mukti) while it was inaccessible for common people. Now with modern transport systems, the path to salvation is no longer a wishful thought and it takes a little over two weeks to turn a lifetime dream into reality.

This peak is the earthly manifestation of Mount Sumeru or Meru, as it is also known. Sumeru is believed to be the axis of the universe. The journey to Mt. Kailash is an important pilgrimage for millions of Buddhists and Hindus. Every year, thousands make a pilgrimage to Kailash, following a tradition going back thousands of years. Pilgrims of several religions believe that circumambulating Mt Kailash on foot is a holy ritual that will bring good fortune. The peregrination is made in a clockwise direction by Hindus and Buddhists. Followers of the Jain and Bönpo religions circumambulate the mountain in a counterclockwise direction. The path around Mount Kailash is 52 km (32 mi) long and it is believed that one circuit of the sacred Mt. Kailash is sufficient to wipe out all the sins of your lifetime.

Although main focus of this tour is Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake in Tibet, the journey through Nepal’s border with Tibet at Zhangmu, Saga and Paryang to Darchen is culturally and scenically rewarding.From Zhangmu, comfortable Japanese built Toyota Landcruisers made for rough road conditions take you to the holy Lake Mansarovar and then onwards to Mt. Kailash for the pilgrimage parikrama which is called the ‘kora’. You will be blessed by the holy bath and parikrama to achieve your ultimate spiritual goal before returning to Kathmandu.