The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey that will take you into the Himalayas’ majestic heights. The highlight of this pilgrimage is a three-day trek around Mount Kailash.
Our team here at Tibet Shambhala Adventure. Co. Ltd can arrange everything to make your Mount Kailash pilgrimage in Tibet safer and more comfortable. When you arrive at Dharchen — a small town at the base of the mountain — your Tibetan guide will set everything up for the trek. Whether you need yaks or porters, your guide will do everything to ensure that your journey runs smoothly.
Note that yaks are essential if you’re camping as they will carry your bags, tents, and all your camping gear to make your trek much easier. But if you’re staying in lodges around Mount Kailash, porters are a better option as they can carry your belongings and help as you cross the challenging Drolma La high pass. Either way, our team here at Tibet Shambhala Adventure will make sure that you’ll have the support you need.
Preparing for your trek
Be honest with your guide about your fitness level. The Mount Kailash pilgrimage in Tibet is very demanding, and it’s important to know what kind of help you will need along the way. If walking for three days straight seems tough, we recommend renting a horse — this way, you can alternate between walking and riding to give yourself breaks when needed. However, there’s one restriction: No horse riding from the top of Drolma La pass to the flat valley below Zutrul Phuk (a stretch of about 5 to 8 kilometers).
If trekking seems like too much, don’t worry — you can stay in Dharchen and still experience the beauty of Mount Kailash. A short two-hour walk or a quick 20-minute bus ride takes you to Tarpoche, where you’ll see stunning views of the mountain and the serene valley from the first day of the trek.
The second day offers even more. We can arrange a trip for you to Mansarovar Lake, 50 kilometers from Dharchen. The views from a small monastery on the lake’s western shore (called Chiu Gompa) are breathtaking. Standing there, you will see Mount Kailash and the vast lake in front of you.
Changes to the Mansarovar Kora
Years ago, the Mansarovar Kora — a three-day trek around Mansarovar — was part of the Kailash pilgrimage, but now since there is a big road around entire Mansarovar Kora, it is not interesting to trek on the big road so you can still complete the Kora by taking a conservative bus around the lake. This three-hour drive will give you a chance to circle the lake and soak in the views.
And if you want to stay overnight near the lake, hop off the bus at Gossul Gompa on the southeastern shore. You can spend the night there, and the next day, your guide can arrange for the bus to pick you up again. Spend another night at Chiu Gompa, where you’ll enjoy some of the best views of Mount Kailash from Mansarovar Lake’s west side.
What to expect from accommodation on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
If you’re planning a Mount Kailash pilgrimage in Tibet, it’s important to have the right expectations. This journey is far from a luxury experience. Keep in mind that this is a spiritual pilgrimage for many, and for others, it’s a mystical adventure. Luxury isn’t part of the equation either way. You won’t find high-end hotels or resorts along this route.
The accommodation in the region has improved over the years, but it’s still basic. If you’re taking the most popular route that starts in Lhasa, we can help you arrange good accommodations in Lhasa, Gyantse, and Shigatse. However, once you move beyond Shigatse, expect more modest facilities. Two-star hotels with basic amenities like showers and toilets are the norm in Saga, Drongba, and Baryang. These hotels may not meet the standards you’re used to (especially compared to similar hotels in Western countries), but they’ll do the job.
When you reach Dharchen — the main hub for those trekking Mount Kailash — there are a few hotel options, the best being the Ouguan hotel nowadays, and then Himalaya Hotel. Although advertised as a four-star hotel, it’s more in line with three-star standards. And while it’s a comfortable place to rest before or after your trek, don’t expect luxury.
The accommodations near Lake Mansarovar and along the Mount Kailash trek are much more basic. Expect guesthouses around the lake (including those at Chiu Gompa) to operate more like dormitories. You’ll be sharing rooms with other travelers and there are no showers or toilets inside. Instead, you’ll find basic outdoor toilets, and for washing, you can ask the guesthouse owner to bring a thermos of hot water.
The guesthouses along the three-day trek around Mount Kailash provide dormitory-style accommodations, with rooms offering three to eight beds. Similar to those near Mansarovar, these guesthouses lack indoor showers and toilets, requiring you to request hot water for washing. Despite the simplicity of the facilities, the experience more than compensates for the minor inconveniences, making it an unforgettable journey.
Are you ready to take on this spiritual adventure? Our team here at Tibet Shambhala Adventure. Co. Ltd can guide you every step of the way. We offer personalized Mount Kailash pilgrimage tours in Tibet that are as authentic as they get. Reach out to us today!
