About Mount Kailash
Revered in four religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism, Mount Kailash is believed to be the mythical Mount Meru. This is apparently the world pillar and center of the universe. This sacred mountain lies in the far west of Tibet, in the Gangtise Mountain Range in Ngari Prefecture. This mountain is sacred for millions of people for its place in mythology! It also lies close to the sources of the four longest rivers in Asia, all of which rise in Tibet.
Mount Kailash abounds with myths and legends, from the Hindu belief that it is the earthly representation of the home of Lord Shiva. And there are tales of the legendary battle between the Buddhist master, Milarepa, and the Bon mage, Naro Bon-Chung, which was fought on its holy slopes. The mountain is considered to be so sacred that climbing is forbidden, and its holy summit has never been reached. Every year thousands of devotees and tourists travel to Tibet to pilgrim the mount Kailash.
Traveling to Kailash in Autumn Season
You can travel to Mount Kailash throughout the year but autumn is the best to make the trek around the kora route. Autumn in Tibet runs from late September to the end of October in the Ngari region, as the winter comes in earlier this far in the northwest of Tibet. One of the highlights of the tour to Mount Kailash is the 52 km route. It is famous as it takes you around the holy mountain that is done by thousands of Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims every year. Your trek can be done in spring and summer but autumn is the best time to make the journey.
Once the rainy season has passed, the land retains its lush green look. Yet it is drier and the skies become clearer than at any other time of year. The weather is still warm enough to be comfortable, and without the monsoon, there is very little rain on the plateau in the far west.
As the autumn progresses, the leaves in the valley around Mount Kailash turn a shade of brown, red, and gold. And when they fall to the ground, they cover the valleys with carpets of stunning colors. The grassland in the region also changes color, turning a beautiful golden color from the lush green of the summer.
Kailash Kora in Autumn
The kora route around Mount Kailash is considered to be one of the most sacred and auspicious koras in the world. And this 52-kilometer trek is one of the most arduous and challenging treks in Tibet. You can take 3 days to complete the trek and travel up to altitudes above 5,000 meters. Your climb to the highest pass on the route, Dolma La, is steep and over rough terrain.
If the spring is the time of new growth and rebirth, then autumn is the time of agelessness. This is the time when the landscape around Mount Kailash appears to be drying out. Yet it is even more beautiful than at any other time of year. The weather is also a little colder than in spring, which makes it easier to trek. You are less likely to sweat in the cooler climate on this tough trekking route.
You will also find that there are fewer tourists and pilgrims on the trail around the mountain in October. The main season for a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash is in the late spring, around the end of May. You can also observe the Saga Dawa Festival during this time. It is celebrated heavily in Mount Kailash with the flagpole at Tengboche being lowered and the prayer flags replaced in an ancient ritual. Saga Dawa is also the time when many Indian Hindu pilgrims make the journey to the sacred mountain, further increasing the crowds around the kora route.
Best tour for Mount Kailash in autumn
You can take tours throughout the year, but the best Mount Kailash tour is a 15-day trek in the autumn. This is a join-in tour that allows you to get a better experience of the people and culture of Tibet, and gain a deeper spiritual insight into the religious significance of Mount Kailash.
The tour does not only go to Kailash but also includes a short tour of the sights of Lhasa. Then it heads out along the famous Friendship Highway through Gyantse to Shigatse and taking in Mount Everest Base Camp. Then it is north to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, the sacred lake that lies a short distance to the south of Mount Kailash. This is believed to be the place where Maya conceived Lord Buddha.
The tour also includes a three-day trek around the kora route of Mount Kailash, traveling from monastery to monastery. This takes you around the most auspicious kora route in Tibetan Buddhism, which is believed to bring you closer to enlightenment. After completing the trek, you will get to travel to the holy Lake Manasarovar, and spend some time on its stunning shores. This is an excellent opportunity for you to explore the lakeside and the monasteries that surround it.
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Before you can head out for your trek, check out this collection of essential trekking tips. You can also browse our curated list of the most offbeat destination in North India and South India as well!