As long as there have been ancient religions in Asia, there has been a reverence for Mount Kailash. The cosmologies and origin myths of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism each speak of Kailash as the axis mundi - the center and birthplace of the entire world. Kailash is spoken of as the mythical Mt Meru in the Vedas. The mountain was indeed legendary even before the great Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, were written.

Hindus believe Mount Kailash to be the home of Lord Shiva. According to Sanskrit literature, the immortal Shiva lives atop Kailash where he spends his time practicing yogic austerities with his divine consort, Parvati. For a Hindu, to make the Yatra to Kailash and have the darshan (divine view) of Shiva's home is to attain release from the clutches of ignorance and delusion.

Tibetan Buddhists call the mountain Kang Rimpoche, the 'Precious One of Glacial Snow.' To Jains, Kailash is known as Astapada, the place where Rishaba (the first of the twenty-four Tirthankaras) attained liberation. And for followers of Bon, Tibet's pre-Buddhist, shamanistic religion, Kailash is Mount Tise - the site of a 12th century battle between the Buddhist sage Milarepa and the Bon shaman Naro Bon-chung.

Considered the most important sacred site of four religions and 2 billion people, Mount Kailash is a breathtaking fusion of rock and ice soaring to over 22,000 feet in the farthest reaches of western Tibet. This venerated holy place also holds the unique distinction of being one of the least traveled, with no more than a few thousand yatri (pilgrims) visiting each year because of the weeks-long, awe-inspiring journey it takes to reach the mountain.

Eco Trek allows yatri from all over the world the opportunity to hike and experience the 52km parikrama (circumambulation) around the sacred Kailash. With the help of our friendly and knowledgeable staff, pilgrims can undertake this epic, once-in-a-lifetime journey.

Over an unforgettable 18 days, all yatri will take in the great countryside of far western Tibet and numerous holy monasteries before reaching the base of Mount Kailash and beginning the circumambulation. (For those clients who feel that hiking the entire route might be too difficult, yaks and horses can be hired for an additional cost to assist you on your kora.)

Before their pilgrimage, yatri will be led to the nearby holy waters of Lake Manasovar, known as the Lake of Consciousness and Enlightenment, where they will have the opportunity to take a sacred bath and perform puja on the banks. Eco Trek staff will also set up a bathing tent and heat the chilling water of Manasovar for clients who prefer a private experience.

Eco Trek offers the opportunity for clients to design and create a custom trip with us to the Mt Kailash region. There are various ways to access the Kailash region. There are many holy sites only a couple days drive away. Often spiritual communities or academic institutions many want a very specific and detailed trip. Others might want to take the highest end option of a helicopter flight to Kailash region. There is also a 5 day trek from the Nepali town of Simikot to the Tibetan border just south of Lake Manasovar. Eco Trek truly wants you to enjoy the beauty of your pilgrimage to this Holy place.