Mount Kailash Pilgrimage Guide, Personally Tested Effective Edition
Mount Kailash Pilgrimage Guide
Mount Kailash. In Tibetan, it means 'Mountain of the Gods,' and in Indian Sanskrit, it means 'Paradise of Shiva' (Shiva being a principal deity in Hinduism), and it is also the birthplace of the indigenous Tibetan religion—Bön. Moreover, Mount Kailash is a sacred mountain revered by the four major religions: Tibetan Buddhism, Bön, Hinduism, and ancient Jainism. Every year, countless people come here to circumambulate the mountain. Circumambulation is not only a physical journey of hardship but also a spiritual wandering.
The difficulty of Mount Kailash lies in its high altitude; the entire route is basically above 4,600 meters, and one must cross a pass that is over 5,600 meters. If one is well-adapted to high altitude sickness, the difficulty of the pilgrimage is not great, and it is a site where everyone can go on a pilgrimage.
In short, the main issues one faces when circumambulating Mount Kailash in Tibet's Ali region are: high altitude and fatigue.
'High' refers to the high altitude. Tibet is known as the 'Roof of the World,' and Ali is called the 'Roof of the Roof of the World.' During the circumambulation, there are few accommodations below 4,500 meters in altitude; Saga, Tarqin, and Darchen are all above 4,500 meters. The high altitude is a huge challenge for most people.
'Fatigue' refers to the starting point of the circumambulation, Tarqin, which is around 4,600 meters in altitude, the first day's rest stop at Darchen is 5,200 meters, and the highest point, Drolma La Pass, is 5,600 meters. During the two days of trekking, the altitude difference exceeds 1,000 meters. The significant altitude difference and the 54-kilometer trekking distance require a certain level of physical fitness from the pilgrims. Additionally, due to the limited accommodation points, the intensity of the trek is unevenly distributed.
Best time: May to October (August to September is optimal)
Total route length: 52km
Accommodation: For a two-day trek, choose to stay at Darchen or the Sky Burial Platform; those with ample energy can cross Drolma La Pass and stay at the immovable tent pegs.
Supplies: Tarqin—Sky Burial Platform, immovable tent pegs—Tarqin, there are shops along the way selling water, snacks, instant noodles, and portable oxygen bottles. There are no supply points from the Sky Burial Platform to Drolma La Pass to the immovable tent pegs.
Rescue vehicle route in the scenic area: Tarqin—Darchen, immovable tent pegs—Tarqin, costs vary from 800 to 1200.
Equipment list
1. Mountaineering or trekking shoes: High-top and waterproof required
2. Backpack: 30L should be enough, with a professional carrying system. Whether you hire a porter or not, remember to carry your own road meals, drinking water, and warm clothing
3. Waterproof jacket and pants, down jacket, quick-dry underwear, hat, headscarf, gloves, wool socks, gaiters, dirt-proof sleeping bag
4. Trekking poles, power bank (accommodation may have power outages)
5. Medicines, glucose, cold medicine, injury treatment, etc.
Precautions: The descent from Drolma La Pass is steep and slippery, with icy and snowy road surfaces at the foot of the slope. There are marmots along the way; please do not approach them closely (they may carry the plague virus).
The ticket was issued very quickly, the scenery of Gang Rinpoqi was very beautiful, we completed the mountain on foot 54 kilometers, very meaningful, the scenic service attitude is very good, the facilities are perfect, the recommended seat sightseeing car is a few kilometers away, very comfortable
The ticket was issued very quickly, the scenery of Gang Rinpoqi was very beautiful, we completed the mountain on foot 54 kilometers, very meaningful, the scenic service attitude is very good, the facilities are perfect, the recommended seat sightseeing car is a few kilometers away, very comfortable
Gang Rinpoche is the main peak of the Gangdise Mountains, one of the four major Tibetan Buddhist mountains (the other three are the Meili Snow Mountain, Animaqing Mountain, and the Dojowo), known as the center of the world. Mapangyucuo is one of the three holy lakes (the other two are Namcuo and Yangzhuoyucuo), located south of Gangrenpoqi, echoing the Shenshan Mountain. Laangyu, known as Ghost Lake, is separated from Mapangyucuo all the way, Mapangyucuo is a freshwater lake, Laangyucuo is a saltwater lake, and people and animals can not drink. Namnani Peak is located in the western Himalayas, across the holy lake from Gang Rinpoche.
Very hard, but also very shocking, 8:30 in the morning to the scenic spot, to the Zhire Temple to end the first day of the trip, tired, but it is worth it, it is a practice for yourself, continue the trip the next day
Going to Gang Rinpoche to the mountain for two days is very challenging! The wish was finally achieved and walked 56 kilometers in two days.
Well worth a visit.
Very nice trip
No regrets in this life.