Mt. 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.