Kailash Mansarovar
Sacred Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar — the holiest pilgrimage in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bon.
About this yatra
Mount Kailash (6,638 m / 21,778 ft) in the Ngari Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region is revered as the earthly abode of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati — the most sacred peak in four traditions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and the indigenous Bon faith. Buddhists call it the navel of the universe; Jains identify it as Ashtapada, the site where Rishabhadeva attained nirvana. At its base lies Lake Mansarovar (4,590 m), the highest freshwater lake in the world spanning 320 sq km, said to have been created in the mind of Lord Brahma — bathing in its waters is believed to cleanse the sins of a hundred lifetimes. The 53 km parikrama (kora) of Kailash begins and ends at Darchen, crosses the formidable Drolma La Pass at 5,650 m, and is traditionally completed in three days on foot. Indian devotees travel either through the MEA-operated Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) or Nathu La Pass (Sikkim, opened 2015) circuits, which run June-September with strict medical screening and a public lottery. Private operators route via Kathmandu through Humla or Rasuwa-Gyirong, taking 12-14 days. The yatra requires Chinese permits, exceptional cardiovascular fitness, and full acclimatisation — symptoms of HAPE are common above 5,000 m.
Best time to visit
Mid-May to mid-September. MEA Lipulekh and Nathu La applications open in February-March via the kmy.gov.in portal. Saga Dawa (full moon of May-June) is the most auspicious month, drawing maximum pilgrims and Tibetan Buddhists.
How to reach
MEA route: fly to Delhi, then Kathgodam/Almora for Lipulekh; or Bagdogra for Nathu La. Private/Nepal route: fly to Kathmandu, drive via Syabrubesi-Kerung-Saga-Mansarovar-Darchen (5-6 day overland) or charter flight Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Simikot-Hilsa-Taklakot. Chinese visa and Tibet Travel Permit required.
What to expect
Extreme altitude (Drolma La 5,650 m), 3-day 53 km parikrama on foot or pony, holy snan in Lake Mansarovar, parikrama of Mansarovar lake (104 km, by vehicle), darshan at Yam Dwar and Charan Sparsh, basic guesthouse and tented stays, oxygen support, sub-zero temperatures even in summer, mandatory medical fitness and HAPE screening.