The trip to Kailash Mansarovar begins from the city of the gods, the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu. As the pilgrims arrive in the capital, we first take the pilgrims for a short detour of some of Kathmandu’s most venerated religious destinations like the Pashupatinath—the winter home of lord Shiva, Swyambhunath, Boudhanath among many others. After their short rendezvous around Kathmandu, the pilgrims are briefed on the journey we are about to make and the hardships they might have to face during their trip to the holy region which lies in the Nagri region of Western Tibet that is inhabited by a few nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes with large herds.

The trip to Kailash Mansarovar begins from the city of the gods, the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu. As the pilgrims arrive in the capital, we first take the pilgrims for a short detour of some of Kathmandu’s most venerated religious destinations like the Pashupatinath—the winter home of lord Shiva, Swyambhunath, Boudhanath among many others. After their short rendezvous around Kathmandu, the pilgrims are briefed on the journey we are about to make and the hardships they might have to face during their trip to the holy region which lies in the Nagri region of Western Tibet that is inhabited by a few nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes with large herds.

While on the trip, the pilgrims are advised to talk to the crew members about any difficulties or health problems they face because this trip will subject them to intense hours of traveling and trekking at high altitudes. And, anyone planning for the trip should practice walking both short and long distances for about a month or so before the yatra. This is because the more physically trained you are the easier the expedition becomes.

We begin our journey early morning and the yatris are advised to carry their passports with them as passports will be required while crossing over into China. As we drive out of the Kathmandu valley we pass through breathtaking views of the Himalayan range, lush green forests, thriving waterfalls and the ferocious waters of the Sunkoshi and Bhotekoshi rivers before stopping at the Tatopani border for lunch. While we have lunch at the border side, the crew members will complete custom formalities to cross over and will hand us with immigration forms and our passports before we cross the friendship bridge to enter the Zhangmu province of Tibet/China.

After an hour’s drive or so, we reach our first resting point Nyalam, where we will spend two nights acclimatizing with the altitude and the climatic conditions. Throughout our trip, we will be at average altitudes of 14,000 ft and will cross passes that are over 18,000 ft. The rough and rugged terrains round Nyalam give us a glimpse of the kind of landscapes and climatic conditions that we will tread across during our fifteen-day journey to the holy region. Nyalam, which lies on a popular trade route between Tibet and Nepal, is a popular stop for most tourists visiting China via Nepal. It is a perfect location for acclimatization so pilgrims will be taken on short hikes up hill to prepare them for the journey ahead.

After a day of acclimatization, we head towards Saga, which is approximately an eight hour drive from Nyalam. The drive to Saga offers views of eye-catching landscapes including stunning views of the Himalayas especially Mt.Shisha Pangma (8012m), which is the only peak above eight thousand meters that lies entirely in the Tibetan plateau. After a long drive, we cross the holy Brahmaputra river bridge to reach our next stop Saga…

After an hour’s drive or so, we reach our first resting point Nyalam, where we will spend two nights acclimatizing with the altitude and the climatic conditions. Throughout our trip, we will be at average altitudes of 14,000 ft and will cross passes that are over 18,000 ft. The rough and rugged terrains round Nyalam give us a glimpse of the kind of landscapes and climatic conditions that we will tread across during our fifteen-day journey to the holy region. Nyalam, which lies on a popular trade route between Tibet and Nepal, is a popular stop for most tourists visiting China via Nepal. It is a perfect location for acclimatization so pilgrims will be taken on short hikes up hill to prepare them for the journey ahead.

As the tour progresses towards Kailash Manasarovar, we pass through the beautiful masses of sand or the sand dunes, river, wild animals and lakes which leads us to the first view of Lake Mansarovar and Mt. Kailash.

First view of Holy Kailash and Manasrover As we approach Lake Mansarovar, we stop for the first darshan of Mt. Kailash situated at an altitude of 22,028 ft (6,714 m) before heading for our Kora or the encirclement of the lake.

The lake, where gods also descend to bathe in, is also supposed to be the summer abode of swans, which are considered to be the judicious and sacred birds of the Hindus. The Buddhists also associate the lake to the legendary lake known as Anavatapta in Sanskrit, where queen Maya was brought to conceive lord Buddha. The Jains and Bonpos also revere and respect the sacred lake. Likewise, the lake Mansarovar is 15 miles wide and 55 miles in circumference and the turquoise water of the lake is said to possess miraculous healing properties. The sight of the huge lake, which freezes in winter and melts only in spring, with a reflection of snow-capped mountains in its lucid waters is jaw dropping, and it is of course a feast for the eyes.

During the driving Kora of the lake, we pass through beautiful monasteries on its shores, the most notable being the ancient Chiu Gompa Monastery, which has been built atop a steep hill, and the evil lake—the Rakshas Taal, which is associated with the demon king Raavana who in his attempt to shake lord Shiva out of his abode and claim the mountain built the lake to offer prayers and austerities to the lord. And the other legend though it is not mentioned in the Ramayana, has it that Ravana's mother had fallen ill, as they were great Shiva devotees, he had attempted to carry the temple on his back to bring it closer to his mother. Shiva being stunned by his bravery, had blessed him with immortality as Ravana had passed Lord Shiva's test on devotion.

The lake Mansarovar and Rakshas Taal are the highest fresh water bodies in the world. We reach our camp for the night after circumnavigating over half of the lake. Early next morning, the Yatris can perform prayers and austerities to the Gods at the banks of lake after taking a bath in the holy waters of the lake. As the lake’s water is cold, the our team will put up bathing tents near the lake for anyone wanting to avoid the frosty cold waters of the lake.

After the completion of their prayers yatris are served lunch before packing up and moving on towards our next destination Tarchen, the base camp of Kailash. Once in Tarchen, a short drive up the hills takes us to the Southern foothills of Kailash from where the majestic mountain looks even more outstanding. The long lash on the mountain, which is believed to be the staircase to heaven, looks even more reachable and the quite yet subtle silent ambience makes one feel like you are a part of the silence, a secret not many people know about.

As the strong breeze whistles past us while we climb towards the majestic mountain which looks like it is just a hand away. The skies from up here look even bluer and one thought crosses our minds, “so this is what Eden was, this is what god had created as his blissful garden of Eden”. The unimaginable beauty of mountain and its magnificent crown of snow which turns golden in twilight turning the mountain into a gigantic palace of gold every morning and evening as if it had been playing games with us all day. The cool breeze and the pristine blue lakes are enough to take anyone’s breath away and it is no wonder this mountain is considered the navel of the universe. According to one description in the Vishnu Puran, Mount Kailash is the center of the world; its four faces are made of crystal, ruby, gold and lapis lazuli. It is the pillar of the world; is the center of the world mandala; and is located at the heart of six mountain ranges symbolizing a lotus. The four rivers flowing from Kailash then flow to the four quarters of the world and divide the world into four regions.

While we take a short drive to Astapadh, the Eco Trek International team will arrange for horses and yaks, and complete the final preparation for the three-day encircling or the Kora of the mountain.

The very next morning we take a short drive to Tarboche from where our three day kora/encirclement, which is about 52km of the mountain, begins. The eco-trek crew by this time has already arranged horses and yaks, Pilgrims wanting services of horses and caretakers must pay for the services themselves. Our team arranges the best prices and deals but what you need to keep in mind is that if you decide to discontinue the services of the caretaker and horses your money will not be refunded. Yatris should also keep in mind that there are some parts of the journey that cannot be made on horseback, specially going down from Dolma La for almost several hundred meters.

The religious beliefs claim that a successful Kora around the mountain washes away all one’s sins and if one does the kora 108 times attains Nirvana. According to Hindu scriptures, apart from the external three day parikrama, there are three inner realms of parikrama that are more difficult and more arduous to complete and when completed one attains eternity in heaven. While doing Parikrama, Hindus and Buddhists make the peregrination in a clockwise direction, and followers of Jainism and Bönpo religions circumambulate the mountain in a counter clockwise direction.

It is Parikarma without marked trail. It will allow yatirs to Holy south face, Gonga top and Saptarishi caves. In a day trip many of our yatris had made it possible on their stay at Tarchen. Crossing the pass (close to 20,000ft / Khado Sanglam ) between Nandi hill and eastern neck of Holy Kailash is a challenge for any first time visitors and not recommended for senior yatris since this trip need to be completely self supported one. After crossing the Khado Sanglam (July/August) lots of melting glaciers are visible in different shape and size which is consider a treasure of our earth i.e. water store. It is a long day trip or we can divide it into two days. If we follow our legend or practices we are suppose to do 13 outer parikarma before entering into this section. But, in recent yatra history some of the yatris are taking it as exploration and record making destination.

Warning: When the flow of yatris on the Tarchen or higher, do not be surprised if trip to Inner Kora is stopped without prior notice from the local authority.

Our first day of Kora takes us into the valley of the Gods, which is embedded with rocks and rock formations that tell tales of mighty magical wars that were fought between the Gods making the walk even more interesting.

It is said that Milarepa (c. 1052-c. 1135 CE), champion of Tantric Buddhism, arrived in Tibet to challenge Naro Bön-chung, champion of the Bon religion of Tibet. The two magicians engaged in a terrifying sorcerers' battle, but neither was able to gain a decisive advantage. Finally, it was agreed that whoever could reach the summit of Kailash most rapidly would be the victor. While Naro Bön-chung sat on a magic drum and soared up the slope, Milarepa's followers were dumbfounded to see him sitting still and meditating. Yet when Naro Bön-chung was nearly at the top, Milarepa suddenly moved into action and overtook him by riding on the ray of the sun, thus winning the contest. He did, however, fling a handful of snow on to the top of a nearby mountain, since known as Bönri, bequeathing it to the Bönpo and thereby ensuring continued Bönpo connections with the region.

We pass through rock formations which symbolize deities. We also come across a rock formation of the Hindu God Ganesha who looks down at us with a smile and before we know it we find ourselves right below the gigantic and majestic West face of the holy mountain. Breathless and tired we reach our camp for the night which is right on the foothills of the mountains majestic north face that towers above and protects us as we sleep and rejuvenate for the next day’s grueling trek.

Early next morning we set off on the most strenuous part of our three day journey as we climb up narrow sloppy trials that leads us to the Dolma La pass which is considered to be the pass of goddess of compassion Tara The valley below us looks breathtaking picturesque

The Dolma La pass, which stands at an elevation of 5,660 m or 18,569 ft possess a lively and merry atmosphere for pilgrims who have just completed the most difficult part of the encirclement.

Our descent from the other side of the pass brings us to Gauri Kunda which is known as Godess Parvati bathing spot where Lord Shiva supposedly chopped off Lord Ganesha’s head, who was created by goddess Parvati from her soap suds on her body to prevent anyone entering. To the Buddhist it is a lake of compassion. Our steep descent past boulders and the Gauri Kunda brings us to the Lachhu valley where we can catch our breath, rest a little and have lunch before embarking on our final half of the journey for the day. The downhill descent to the valley floor cannot be done on horseback and yatris are required to hike down to the valley floor.

The next half of the journey for the day is easy as we pass through sparsely green valley bed to while heading towards our next destination the Zutul-Puk Gompa/ monastery where the caves of miracles where the Buddhist saint Milerapa meditated are situated.

The final day of the three day Kora gives us a profound opportunity to enjoy the picturesque landscape and casually steer ourselves towards the end of the parikrama where our Land cruisers will be waiting for us for one last time to take us to Tarchen for lunch before taking us to Lake Manasarovar for completion of our remaining part of driving Kora around the lake. After a blissful night’s sleep at the banks of the lake Manasarovar we head for Kathmandu the very next morning.

The drive back to Kathmandu gives us an opportunity to look back at the extraordinary journey that has just taken place and anyone who has decided to take up this timeless journey to the world’s holiest mountain will be eternally touched by its profound beauty, power and reverence which echoes the powerful silence of the divine.

This is probably the only place during the entire journey where we will come across modern day facilities like hot water and restaurants. Yatris going on this trip need to understand that modern day luxuries like hot water and proper toilet facilities will not be available (it is coming) in every stop and they will have to get used to living in mud houses that are warm yet very different from lodges back home. Though living in mud houses may seem unhygienic it is the best option available to devotees since these traditional mud houses are more comfortable than tents to live in.

If anyone falls sick during the trip, it is necessary to inform a crew member or the team leader as they will provide you with required medications in case of sickness or uneasiness. The Eco Trek International team carries with them oxygen pillows, oxygen bags, easy to carry oxygen cylinders and other medications like Dimox, paracetamol, NIMS in case of emergencies and acute cases of high altitude sickness. First 5 days from Kathmandu are very sensitive days and we do request you to follow all the precautions to acclimatize your body on the high altitude.

Throughout the trip our crew members will prepare and serve pure vegetarian food and clean drinking water to the pilgrims. The team also provides pilgrims with soup, tea, coffee, horlicks, hot-water and so forth to keep them warm and energized since high altitudes contribute to lack of apatite due to low oxygen levels in the air.