Some journeys change the way we see the world. Others change the way we see ourselves. My Mount Kailash tour was one such experience that did both. What started as a traveling program turned into a very personal experience that is sometimes difficult, sometimes thought-provoking, and sometimes spiritual, and will remain in my memory forever.
Mount Kailash is not any mountain in the Himalayas. It is a sacred place for several religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon. Mount Kailash is located in the remote western part of Tibet, with an elevation of 6,638 meters (21,778 feet) above sea level. Thousands of pilgrims have been coming here to find spiritual purification and enlightenment for thousands of years.
This is my experience of the Mount Kailash Tour, an adventure that transcended to a great extent.
Preparing for the Mount Kailash Tour
The Mount Kailash Tour needed physical and mental preparation. It is not like normal trekking trips because this portion of the journey takes one through high-altitude areas where there are low oxygen levels and the weather can vary quite quickly.
Our team began doing research several months earlier. It was essential to be physically fit since the Mount Kailash Kora, which is the holy walk around the mountain, occurs at extremely high altitudes. We were training how to walk long distances, climb stairs, and develop stamina.
The other significant aspect of preparation was the knowledge of altitude sickness. In the Mount Kailash tour, the tourists visit some of the high-altitude areas, such as Lake Mansarovar at 4,590 meters (15,060 feet), and the Dolma La Pass of 5,630 meters (18,471 feet). Even basic tasks, at these heights, can become tiresome.
The way of packing was also important. It was necessary to have warm clothes, trekking shoes, sunscreen, water bottles, and personal medicine. However, in addition to physical training, a lot of the travelers prepared themselves spiritually, as Mount Kailash is regarded as a pilgrimage.
Journey Toward the Sacred Mountain
The tour of Mount Kailash started with our flight to Nepal and finally to the Tibetan plateau. The terrain slowly changed as we proceeded further into the Himalayas. Green Valley gradually disappeared into a sweeping expanse of harsh land and broad expansive skies.
The entry into Tibet was like entering a very different world. The air was thinner, the mountains sharper, and the silence of the plateau gave the feeling of calmness that is hardly to be described.
There were long journeys through the Tibetan plateau, which took us nearer to our destination. The highway went through little villages, skid row of yaks, broad valleys with snow-covered mountains in the distance.
It was one of the most memorable experiences of the trip, as the initial view of Mount Kailash at 6,638 meters (21,778 feet). The mountain was majestic and mysterious, and looked perfectly symmetrical when standing tall. Even as distant as it was, it was so strong as to make people pause and look on in silence.
The Sacred Lake Mansarovar
Prior to the start of the Kailash Kora, we had a glimpse of Lake Mansarovar, which is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. This lake is at an elevation of 4,590 meters (15,060 feet) above sea level and has been said to be constructed by the mind of lord Brahma, as it is believed in the Hindu mythology.
Lake Mansarovar is very beautiful indeed. Its clear blue water echoes back the mountains that surround the area and its endless sky above. The foreigners come to this place to conduct rituals, meditate, and dip in the sacred lake.
When I was on the shores of Lake Mansarovar during the Mount Kailash Tour, I felt such amazing peace. It was cold with the wind, however, and very spiritual. Most of the travelers think that bathing in the lake purifies past sins and offers spiritual blessings.
Lake Mansarovar makes a permanent impression on any person visiting the lake, regardless of whether he/she goes there due to religious reasons or simply to observe its beauty.
Beginning the Mount Kailash Kora
The Kora, the holy path around the mountain, is the most significant element of the Mount Kailash tour. The Kora has a total distance of approximately 52 kilometers (32 miles), and it takes three days to complete.
The trek began from a small village of Darchen at an altitude of 4,575 meters (15,010 feet). Here, pilgrims and trekkers start walking on the foot of the sacred mountain.
The initial day of the Kora is a moderate one. The path is slowly ascending up through a broad valley with high mountains. Prayer flags are flying in the wind, and periodically, there are monasteries on the way.
In this section of this mount Kailash tour, I observed pilgrims doing the Kora in various forms. Some were walking silently, chanting prayers. Others bore full-body prostrations on the way, expressing remarkable devotion.
At the end of the first day, we arrived at Dirapuk, a small village at an altitude of some 4,900 meters (16,076 feet). It is towards this point that the north face of the mountain Kailash is seen to be very near, showing off its vertical ridges.
The sight of the mountain from this very perspective was vivid as a part of the whole trip.
Crossing the Challenging Dolma La Pass
The second day of the Mount Kailash Kora is the most challenging and tedious. The segment of the pilgrimage will involve the Dolma La Pass (5,630 meters / 18,471 feet), which is the highest point of the pilgrimage.
The ascent starts in the morning, since later in the day, there would be uncertainty in the weather. The route is made steeper when the trekkers gradually climb to the pass.
Each move at that level of elevation will be strenuous. The breathing is slower, and the body requires several pauses. Nonetheless, the ambience surrounding Dolma La Pass is very spiritual.
The pass is covered with colorful prayer flags, and pilgrims leave offerings and prayers for their loved ones. According to many people, the crossing of Dolma La is spiritual rebirth – forgetting the mistakes of the past and creating a new life.
It was an emotional experience for me to be on top of Dolma La Pass at 5,630 meters (18,471 feet). It was very windy, the air was very thin, yet the sense of achievement and thankfulness was unbelievable.
Passing the pass, the trail leads down to the sacred lake of Gauri Kund that is situated beneath the pass. The lake is located on rocky hills, and this is another mystical factor of the Mount Kailash tour.
Completing the Sacred Circuit
The last day of the Mount Kailash Kora is significantly easier than the last. The road narrows slowly down through broad valleys and rocky terrain.
The path, which was comparatively flat after the intensive ascent of Dolma La Pass, was a relief to walk on. On our journey, we saw streams, grazing animals, and mountain views in the distance.
Getting across the 52-kilometer (32-mile) circuit was a source of immense satisfaction. Most pilgrims are of the opinion that the Mount Kailash Kora purges bad karma and creates spiritual blessings.
The experience leaves a lot of deeper meaning, even to those who go there to have an adventure.
Challenges of the Mount Kailash Tour
Although the tour to Mount Kailash is a very rewarding one, it is not a smooth sail. The greatest difficulty is the high altitude.
When traveling above 4,500 meters (14,764 feet), the traveler takes a few days, and during this time, the oxygen is much less when compared to sea level. The symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, and shortness of breath, are typical until appropriate acclimatization is achieved.
The weather is also subject to rapid change. It may experience strong winds, cold weather, and infrequent snowfalls even during trekking season.
Nonetheless, these challenges are manageable by most travelers with proper preparation, slow-paced walking, and hydration.
A Journey Beyond Adventure
Reflectively, my tour experience of Mount Kailash was much more than a trekking experience. It was an adventure that involved nature, spirituality, culture and self-reflection.
The far-off scenery of Tibet, the holy aura of Lake Mansarovar at 4,590 meters (15, 060 feet), the mighty nature of Mount Kailash at 6,638 meters (21,778 feet) and the difficult ascent over Dolma La Pass at 5, 630 meters (18, 471 feet) all made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
There is special energy at Mount Kailash, which cannot be described with words. There are those who come with the intention of gaining religious blessings and others come to have the adventure. Finally, almost everyone walks away with something more, with a feeling of peace, humility and unity with nature.
The tour of Mount Kailash to me was not a mere trip. It was a lesson in the beauty and immense size of our world as well as how important such travel may be when it leaves an impact both on the body and soul.
