Holy KailashMt. Kailash (6714 meters), known in Tibet as Kang Rimpoche ('Jewel of Snow'), is religiously significant for both Hindus and Buddhists. For Hindus it is the home of Shiva and his consort Devi. For Tibetans it is the home of the god Demchog and his consort Dorje Phangmo.

According to Buddhist legend, Milareppa, a great Tibetan Yogi and master of Tantric Buddhism, vied with Naro-Bonchung, a grand master of the Bon sect, to prove the superiority of Buddhism. Many contests took place but the final one was to determine who could first reach the summit of Mt. Kailash by dawn. Riding his damaru (ritual drum) Naro- Bonchung flew towards the peak of Mt. Kailash only to be overtaken at the last second by Milarepa. Naro-Bonchung was so astonished that he let go of his drum, which crashed down the mountain leaving a vertical scar - a distinctive feature on the south face.

At the southern foot of Mt. Kailash you will find two lakes, Manasarovar (Mapam Tso) and Rakas Tal. Rakas Tal is associated with the forces of darkness whereas Lake Manasarovar represents the forces of light. Mt. Kailash is also the source of the four great rivers, the Indus, the Sutlej, the Bramhaputra and the Karnali, which are said to water the four quarters of the earth.

Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar remained unknown to the Western World until the eighteenth century, hidden behind some of the greatest natural barriers on earth. The First European to travel through the region was an Italian Jesuit missionary, Father Ippolito Desideri. In the winter of 1715 he crossed western Tibet, a vast, sterile and terrible desert, following the course of the Tsangpo River all the way to Lhasa. On the way, he passed Lake Manasarovar and "a cloud-hidden mountain" (Mount Kailash) that he reported was sacred to the powerful Tantric wizard Urghien, otherwise known as Padmasambhava.

The best time to visit this region is between mid-May and mid-October. During the first and last months of this season the weather in the region is generally stable and clear, with cool temperatures during the days, but nights below freezing. July and August are usually warmer and is when the monsoon pushes beyond the Himalayas, swelling the creeks and coating the valleys with greenery and wildflowers.

You can get to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar via Zhang-Mu, Lhasa or Simikot (far western border of Nepal). The itineraries set below are merely suggestions. We are more than happy to work with you to accommodate your personal travel needs.

Kailash Tour Kathmandu to Mt. Kailash Tour - 14 days
Isolated in western Tibet is Mt. Kailash (6714 m), Asia's most sacred mountain. It is one of the three pilgrimage sites in the area, known collectively as Kangri Tsosum; the other two are Ponri Ngaden and Lake Manasarover. All are said to be at the heart of the ancient Shangshung Kingdom, the supposed origin of the pre-Buddhist sect, Bonpos.... More »
Lhasa to Kailash TourLhasa to Mt. Kailash Tour - 20 days
If you begin in Kathmandu, you will first take a flight to Lhasa where our Tibetan guide will meet you at the airport and take you to Lhasa, 98 kilometers away. We will spend two days sightseeing in Lhasa and then begin our journey to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar via via Gynatse, Shigatse and Sakya Monastery. Our “Lhasa to Mt. Kailash Tour” can include a 3-day circumambulation around the holy mountain. The tour ends at Zhang-Mu.... More »
Simikot Kailash TourSimikot to Mt. Kailash Tour - 20 days
In 1993 traveling to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar became easier with the opening of the Simikot-Hilsa route. Now travelers who wish can avoid Lhasa or Zhang-Mu, and take the shortest and most practical trekking route avoiding unnecessary high altitudes. We begin our tour in Simikot, situated at an elevation of 2910 meters. From here it takes six days to reach the Tibetan border, which provides plenty of time to acclimatize... More »
Guge KingdomMt. Kailash & Guge Kingdom Tour: 21 days
The Kingdom of Guge, founded in 868 A.D., led the fight for the preservation of Buddhism in Tibet from the 11th until the 17th century. Buddhism in Tibet did not exist for nearly 200 years after King Lang Darma was assassinated by his own brother in 842 A.D. An Indian Pandit named Atisha traveled to the Guge Kingdom in 1040. He resided at the Toling Monastery and created a resurgence of Buddhism that eventually spread throughout Tibet... More »
lake Manasarovar Tour Lhasa - Mt. Kailash - Lake Manasarovar - Kashgar Tour - 19 day
Once a major stop along the Silk Road for caravans, Kashgar, also called Khashi, is now a prosperous town with a population composed of Uighur, Tajik and Kirgiz people and the Han Chinese are in the minority. In the center of Khasgar, near the main shopping network, is the Id Kah Mosque and Square. One should definitely not miss the Sunday animal market in a large field just a thirty-minute walk from the main market...... More »