A Full Guide for Mount Kailash Inner Kora

Mount Kailash Inner Kora

Mount Kailash, also called Kangrinboqe, is sacred to four religions and is a place of pilgrimage for centuries. At an altitude of 6656m, Mount Kailash is shaped like a pyramid and its peak is covered with snow all year round. The holy mountain is always a mecca for pilgrims and explorers, but no one has been able to climb it.

From generation to generation, pilgrims from all directions believe that walking around the Mount Kailash can wash away a lifetime of sins. The lifelong dream of many Tibetans is to be able to finish the Kailash kora. There are also many tourists coming here to challenge this world well-known trekking route. Two routes are included: Kailash inner kora and outer kora. Here the article mainly introduces the Mount Kailash inner kora.

Part 1. Kailash Inner Kora VS Kailash Outer Kora
Part 2. Kailash Inner Kora Itinerary & Map
Part 3. Best Time for Kailash Inner Kora
Part 4. Required Documents for Kailash Inner Kora
Part 5. Kailash Inner Kora Packing List

Part 1. Kailash Outer Kora VS Kailash Inner Kora

• Kailash outer kora is about 52km, which usually takes 3 days to finish for travelers. Some local Tibetans walk so fast that they can complete one single circle within one day. And there are also pilgrims prostrating themselves after each step that will use 3-4 weeks to complete one circle.
• Kailash inner kora is about 25km, which is a path leading directly into the south face of Mount Kailash. The inner kora begins from the same starting point - Darchen as outer kora, but is harder than the outer kora.

Part 2. Kailash Inner Kora Itinerary & Map

Map of Kailash Inner Kora

One day is enough for the whole Kailash inner kora that is around 25 km distance. It is said that only the Buddhists who have completed 13 rounds of outer circuits are qualified for the the Kailash inner kora. So compared with the outer loop, here are fewer people on the inner kora. But this does not apply to the normal tourist who is not Buddhist, which means you can do the inner kora directly at Mount Kailash if you are not a Buddhist.  

The Kailash inner kora starts from Darchen, pass through Selung Monastery, trek along the west of Mt. Yinjietuo till the saint mountain, trace down from the east face of Mt. Yinjietuo, go back to Selong Monastery along the valley, move east towards the 5300m high pass and then reach Gyandrak Monastery. Finally, return to Darchen. Below comes the map of Kailash inner kora.

Part 3. Best Time for Kailash Inner Kora

July and August are the months when Tibet sees much rains, so the paths are muddy and it can get hard to trek. The winter months from November to early March are not recommended because as the snow gets heavier and the oxygen gets thinner. So the best months to for Kailash inner kora are April, May, June, September, and October.

Part 4. Kailash Inner Kora Packing List

There are the essential items that you should pack in your backpack for the Mount Kailash inner kora.

Required documents:

Mount Kailash Kora - Tibet Travel Permit

• Passport with Chinese visa: This is the most basic and necessary documents for international travelers to China. Double check that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date you planned departure.
• Tibet Travel Permit: International tourists must obtain the Tibet Travel Permit before entering to Tibet. This permit is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and you cannot apply it on your own. You need to contact a local travel agency to help you arrange it.
• Aliens Travel Permit: This permit is not required in Lhasa, but it is needed in Shigatse, Shanan and Nagari. Your tour guide will arrange it after your arrival in Tibet.
• Tibet Border Pass: The Local travel agency will apply for it on behalf you.

Equipment:

• A backpack with daily essentials.
• Some useful gears including water bottles, a pair of hiking sticks, a thin sleeping bag, a headlight, a power bank, sleeping pad, etc
• Handkerchief

Clothing:

• A pair of good hiking shoes to protect you from rugged terrain
• A hat that can be used to keep warm and prevent sunburn
• A pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from hurt by strong sunshine
• Thermal underwear can keep you warm at night when the temperature drops to zero or below
• Cotton underpants
• Socks (At least of 3 pairs of wool or wool-mix socks and several pairs of cotton socks
• Shirts, pants, sweater
• A jacket that is wind and water proof

Food and others:

• Prepare some high calorie and high protein snacks are nice choice to supply the lost energy, such as chocolates, biscuits, dried fruits, nuts and dried meat strips.
• Skin protection always matters in Tibet. So prepare suncream with a SPF of at least 30. and a good pair of sunglasses with a high UV filter is necessary to protect your eyes.

Mount Kailash Kora - Packing List

Part 5. Important Tips for Kailash Inner Kora 

• We regret that the Kailash inner kora is not available for international tourists for safety concerns right now. If you want to hike in Tibet, the Mount Kailash outer kora is not a bad option.
• Mt.Kailash kora is more suitable to adults than children. If you want to take children to visit Mt. Kailash, you can leave your kids and the guardian at Darchen and enjoy the trek yourself.