Mount Kailash rises to 6,638 m in the Gangdise range of western Tibet, about 100 km north of the Nepal border at Hilsa. For Hindus it is the abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati; Buddhists know it as Kang Rinpoche, home of Demchok; Jains revere it as Ashtapad, where Rishabhadeva attained liberation; and Bon followers circle it anticlockwise. Climbing is not permitted. What pilgrims do instead is walk the parikrama (kora), a loop of about 52 km that starts and ends at Darchen, the small town on the southern plain.
The walk is high from the first step. Darchen sits at about 4,575 m, Dirapuk on the first night at about 4,900 m, and the Dolma La pass on day two at approximately 5,630 m. Most Indian groups now take an eco-bus from Darchen to Yam Dwar at the start and from Zongdo back to Darchen at the end, which leaves about 42–45 km on foot over three days. Ponies and porters are available, hired through a local cooperative, and many pilgrims ride part of day two.
We reach Kailash from Nepal by two main routes: overland from Kathmandu through the Rasuwagadhi–Kyirong border and Saga, or by flight to Nepalgunj and Simikot, a helicopter hop to Hilsa and a short drive through Purang. Both routes include two or more nights near Lake Manasarovar before the parikrama so the body can adapt. Permits, visa rules and rules for Indian passport holders change often, so check current status before you travel.
What to see and do
- North face from Dirapuk
On the first evening the black rock and snow of the north face fill the valley above Dirapuk, barely 3 km away. This is the closest view of Kailash on the circuit, and many pilgrims sit outside the guesthouses until the last light leaves the summit.
- Crossing Dolma La
The pass at about 5,630 m is the spiritual and physical peak of the parikrama. Pilgrims leave clothes or a token at Shiva-sthal on the way up, then add prayer flags at the top. Expect 3–4 hours of slow climbing from Dirapuk and thin, cold air.
- Gauri Kund below the pass
Just under the eastern side of Dolma La lies a small green lake that Hindus call Gauri Kund and Tibetans call Thukje Chenpo Tso. It is often still frozen in May and June. Pilgrims climb down to collect water when the ice allows.
- Yam Dwar and Tarboche
The parikrama begins at Yam Dwar, the gateway of the god of death, close to the Tarboche flagpole. The pole is lowered and raised again every year at Saga Dawa, the full moon of the fourth Tibetan month, when the plain fills with pilgrims.
- Milarepa's cave at Zuthulpuk
The second night is spent near Zuthulpuk monastery, built around a cave linked to the poet-yogi Milarepa. After the long day over the pass, it is a quiet place to rest before the gentle final walk out to Zongdo.
- Faces of the mountain
Walking clockwise you see Kailash from the west, north and east in turn, each face shaped differently. Clear mornings in late May and September give the sharpest views; afternoon cloud often hides the summit.
Experiences in Mount Kailash
How to reach Mount Kailash
Road
Overland from Kathmandu to Kyirong through Rasuwagadhi (≈ 165 km, 7–9 h with formalities), then Kyirong–Saga (≈ 250 km, 5–6 h) and Saga–Manasarovar (≈ 480 km, 8–9 h). Darchen is about 35 km from the lake. The Rasuwagadhi crossing was badly damaged by floods in 2025 and again in August 2026; check current status before you travel.
Air
Fly Kathmandu–Nepalgunj (≈ 1 h), then Nepalgunj–Simikot by small aircraft (≈ 45 min). From Simikot a helicopter shuttle reaches Hilsa on the border, and a vehicle takes you via Purang to Manasarovar and Darchen in about 3–4 h.
Helicopter
The Simikot–Hilsa helicopter sector takes about 20–30 minutes, flown in the morning in groups of four or five per sortie. Afternoon wind and cloud often stop flights, so spare days are built into every itinerary on this route.
On foot
The parikrama itself is on foot or by pony: about 12 km from Yam Dwar to Dirapuk, 20–22 km over Dolma La to Zuthulpuk, and 9–10 km out to Zongdo, with eco-buses covering the stretches to and from Darchen.
Where to stay
There are no hotels on the parikrama itself. Night one is at Dirapuk and night two at Zuthulpuk, both in basic stone guesthouses with shared dorm rooms of four to eight beds, quilts, and pit or simple flush toilets; there are no showers. Some newer guesthouses at Dirapuk have small private rooms that sell out early in the season. Before and after the circuit you sleep in Darchen, where simple guesthouses and small hotels have rooms with attached toilets and limited hot water. We book the best available rooms through our Tibetan partner, and you should bring a sleeping bag liner for warmth and hygiene.
Tips from our trip managers
- Walk your own pace on day one and save energy; the real test is the climb to Dolma La on day two.
- Book a pony at Darchen even if you hope to walk; the cooperative hires them in advance and same-day ponies are rare.
- Start day two before 5 am with a headtorch so you cross Dolma La before the afternoon wind.
- Carry dry fruit, glucose powder and 2 litres of warm water; teahouse tents on the trail sell noodles and tea but little else.
- Keep your passport and Tibet permit copies on you; checkpoints at Darchen and Yam Dwar inspect them.
