Mount Kailash Pilgrimage Tour: A Journey to the Sacred Axis of the Universe
(Tibetan: གངས་རིན་པོ་ཆེ། | Chinese: 冈仁波齐)
The Jewel Snow Mountain

The Sacred Status of Mount Kailash

• Name Meaning:
  • “Gang” (Tibetan: གངས་) symbolizes “snow” or “sacred mountain,” a poetic tribute to Tibet’s glacial peaks.
  • “Rinpoche” (རིན་པོ་ཆེ།) means “Precious One” or “Jewel,” reflecting its spiritual significance.
• Global Spiritual Epicenter:
  Revered by four ancient religions as the axis of the universe:
  • Buddhism: Sacred abode of Chakrasamvara (Highest Yoga Tantra deity). The 12th-century Drukpa Kagyu master established its circumambulation route.
  • Bon: Tibet’s indigenous faith views Kailash as the birthplace of existence and the center of its “Three Realms” cosmology.
  • Hinduism: Believed to be the dwelling of Lord Shiva. Devotees revere its stones as divine relics.
  • Jainism: Site where the first Tirthankara, Rishabhadeva, attained enlightenment.

The Pilgrimage: Kora (Circumambulation)

• Outer Kora:
  • Distance: 52 km | Duration: 1–3 days (or 15+ days for Tibetan pilgrims performing full-body prostrations).
  • Spiritual Merit:
    • 1 circuit: Cleanses lifetime sins.
    • 3 circuits: Symbolizes spiritual completion.
    • 13 circuits: Required to access advanced paths (Inner Kora or secret routes).
    • Horse Year (Tibetan calendar): 1 circuit equals 13 due to Buddhist and Bon numerology (12 links of dependent origination + 13 as auspicious).
• Inner Kora:
  • Distance: 40 km | Altitude: Up to 6,000m | Completed in 1 day.
  • Sacred Sites: Includes Jhangzang Monastery, Serlung Monastery, and the 13 Golden Stupas.
  • Access: Only permitted after completing 13 Outer Koras.
  • Southern Slope: Closest approach to the mountain’s face. While the full Inner Kora is restricted, pilgrims may trek here for proximity to the sacred peak.

Sacred Geography & Symbolism

• Mandala of Nature:
  The mountain and its pilgrimage routes form a natural mandala, symbolizing cosmic harmony. Every peak and rock is imbued with divine presence—gods, saints, or celestial palaces.
• Dzhedar Puri Monastery:
  • Location: 60 km from Kailash | Founded 8th century CE by Nyingma master Drogpa Lama.
  • Highlights:
    • Footprint of Dorje Phagmo (Vajravarahi).
    • Statues of Padmasambhava (Lotus-Born Guru).
    • Tradition: Circumambulating this monastery 13 times equals 1 Kailash Kora.
    • Ritual: Pilgrims purify themselves in its sacred hot springs before starting their journey.

Journey Highlights

1. Follow the Brahmaputra River to its source in western Tibet, entering the heart of Ngari (Ali) region.
2. Sacred Sites:
   • Lake Manasarovar: Holiest lake in Tibet.
   • Mount Kailash: Spiritual climax of the pilgrimage.
   • Dzhedar Puri Monastery: Ritual preparation and purification.
3. Southern Slope Pilgrimage: Approach the mountain’s awe-inspiring southern face (Inner Kora gateway).
4. Outer Kora Trek: Begin the transformative journey through valleys, prayer flags, and ancient shrines.

Cultural Insights

• Prostration Pilgrims:
  Tibetans wear leather aprons and wooden hand guards, measuring the path with their bodies—a profound act of devotion.
• Mandala Philosophy:
  The pilgrimage mirrors the path to enlightenment, merging physical endurance with spiritual awakening.

Note: This journey is not merely a trek but a cosmic dialogue with the divine—a timeless ritual connecting humanity to the sacred.

Pricing Details

Included in the Cost:

1. Services:
   • Experienced trekking guide for the Mount Kailash pilgrimage.
   • Professional driver and trip leader.
2. Equipment:
   • Emergency supplies for high-altitude conditions (oxygen, first-aid kits).
3. Admission Fees:
   • All entry tickets for sites listed in the itinerary.
4. Meals:
   • Full-board meals throughout the trip (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
5. Accommodation:
   • Standard double/twin rooms with private bathrooms (ensuite).
   • Note: On the first night of the pilgrimage, lodging will be basic dormitory-style beds at a mountain supply station.
6. Transportation:
   • Licensed tourist vehicles (type adjusted to group size).
   • All required permits and documentation.
7. Insurance:
   • Comprehensive travel and outdoor activity insurance.

Not Included:

1. Travel to/from Starting Points:
   • Flights or transportation to Lhasa or Shigatse (the trip’s starting cities).
2. Additional Costs:
   • Single Room Supplement: Fee for solo travelers requesting a private room.
   • Personal Expenses: Souvenirs, optional activities, or services not specified in the itinerary.