Notes for Mt. Kailash Trekking Tour

Mt. Kailash is highly respected as the center of the world by the followers of Buddhism, Hinduism and Bon. The magnificent natural landscape and profound religion culture here attract a large number of pilgrims and visitors from different corners of the world. Mt. Kailash has been the must-visit scenic spot for tourists willing to pay a visit to Ngari Plateau during their Tibet tour.

There is no restriction on the specific time for making kora around Mt. Kailash. The number of pilgrims at Mt. Kailash peaks around April 15th according to the Tibetan calendar. It is said that Skyamuni was firstly born on April 15th and finally evolved to Buddha on that day. The devout followers of Tibetan Buddhism hold that making kora around Mt. Kailash on April 15th would be more efficacious.

In consideration of the severe natural environment and weather condition, the period between May and September is widely regarded as the best season for trekking and making kora around Mt. Kailash. Tourists planning to make a Mt. Kailash trekking tour should prepare some solid food and beverage in advance. Food and drink with high calories and rich nutrients are strongly recommended. Actually, some simple solid foods are available at Darchen (which is noted as the Base Camp of Mt. Kailash), but the price of the goods here would be relatively since these goods are transported here from faraway cities/towns.

The monasteries around Mt. Kailash provide dorm bed for tourists and pilgrims. It is necessary to prepare a warm sleeping bag to cope with the low temperature in the night. The hot water supply is also available in the monasteries. Before start the trekking at Darchen, tourists are strongly suggested to leave the unnecessary luggage in the guesthouse so as to ease the burden in this journey. The high altitude and limited road condition require good physical power. Tourists willing to complete the trekking around Mt. Kailash without any burdens could rent a yak and employ a yak keeper to help you to carry the necessary luggage.

Generally, visitors and pilgrims would spend a night at Darchen before starting the trekking. There is no star standard or good conditioned business hotel at Darchen. There are only a few guesthouses providing dorm beds for tourists. Tourists could also settle your tent in the yak of these guesthouses. Tourists are strongly suggested to get your camera charged at the guesthouses for the electricity will not be available in the monasteries around Mt. Kailash.

Tourists who've been to Mt. Kailash might have found that there are only a few restaurants providing simple food at Darchen. It should be noted that the price of the foods here is relatively higher. Tourists are recommended to prepare some food in advance in case the foods there could not meet your appetite. In addition, it is a good choice to drink some traditional Tibetan sweet tea in the teahouse at Darchen. It is said that the sweet tea could provide you energy and get you better adapted to the high plateau environment.