Mount Kailash Map & Mount Kailash Trekking Map

In Asia, no mountain is more grandeur than Mount Kailash (22,028ft, 6714m), the famed holy peak in far western Tibet. Situated to the north of the Himalayan barrier, this legendary mountain is reversed by four different religions as the most sacred pilgrimage destination. Not only that, it is also considered to be the most challenging and arduous trek in Tibet. Because of the mysterious legendary and breathtaking landscape, thousands of tourists from all over the world are attracted here to explore Mount Kailash. If you are also attracted by Mount Kailash and planning a Mount Kailash tour, a perfect sightseeing or trekking itinerary is necessary.
 
To plan a perfect sightseeing and trekking itinerary, you may need a detailed Mount Kailash map or Mount Kailash trekking map.  In this guide, we will give you the detailed Mount Kailash map and Mount Kailash trekking map, with recommended itinerary.

Mount Kailash Map – Where Is Mount Kailash Located?

Mount Kailash (Coordinates 31°4'0"N / 81°18'45"E) is located at Puran County, the southeastern corner of Tibet Autonomous Region in China. It lies nearby two holy lakes: Lake Rakshastal and Lake Manasarowar. As the most sacred mountain, it attracts pilgrims from India, Tibet, and other areas to this mountain to make a pilgrimage.
 

Mount Kailash Location Map

Mount Kailash Trekking Map 

Mount Kailash trekking (kora) is one of the most spiritual and tough walks in the world for both pilgrims and tourists. The 52 km long trekking trail with the average height over 4800 meters is not easy for most of the travelers, only a few strong and devoted pilgrims are able to finish it within one day by starting very early and ending very late. While most of the local people finish it by two days, and most tourists need 3 days for safety reason.

3 Days Mount Kailash Trekking Map

Day 1: Darchen – Diraphuk Monastery (6 hrs, 20km)
The first day covers about 20 km with small ascending. Along the road, you can see lots of pilgrims from all over Tibet and India, Nepal and Thailand.

Day 2: Diraphuk - Dolmala Pass - Zutruphuk Monastery (7-8 hrs, 19km)
The second day covers 19km with sharp up and down by passing over the Drolma-La Pass at 5640 meters high. Today’ s trek is the most arduous part in the whole journey since you will trek across a valley up to the Dolma-La, Pass, the highest point during the trek.

Day 3: Zutruphuk Monastery – Darchen (3-4 hrs, 13km)
The third day will be an easy and relaxing walk of only 13km. And your car is waiting for you when you finish the trek.

More Popular Mount Kailash Trekking Routes:

15 days Tibet Mount Kailash Trekking plus Mt. Everest Base Camp >
15 days Mount Kailash Trekking Circuit of Saga Dawa Festival 2019 >
14 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Tour plus Mt. Everest and Mt. Kailash >

How to Get to Mount Kailash?

There are 2 ways for tourists to get to Mount Kailash: from Lhasa to Mount Kailash and from Kathmandu to Mount Kailash. Though Mount Kailash lies not far from borders to Nepal and India, there’s no overland port open for tourists to enter Tibet from India. For that, India tourists or pilgrims have to fly to Lhasa firstly and then travel overland to Mount Kailash. In the following text, we will make a brief introduction about the 2 ways to Mount Kailash.

Way 1: From Lhasa to Mount Kailash (Lhasa – Shigatse - Lhatse – Saga – Mount Kailash)

There are totally around 1200km from Lhasa to Mount Kailash via Shigatse, Lhatse and Saga. The road from Lhasa to Lhatse is part of China-Nepal Friendship High Way, while, from Lhatse the road turns northwest towards Nagri area in western part of Tibet. The Lhasa to Lhatse part is mainly the farming area in Tibet, while, the Lhatse to Mount Kailash part is mainly the nomadic area. Enroute, many tourists will also choose to have a detour to the Mt. Everest Base Camp that is not far away from Lhatse.

Mountain Kailash Map - From Lhasa to Mount Kailash

Way 2: From Kathmandu to Mount Kailash (Kathmandu, Nepal - Gyirong Port – Saga)

Another way to get to Mount Kailash is traveling overland from Kathmandu, Nepal via Gyirong port. The Gyirong port was closed in April 2015 for a devastating earthquake. After beeing closed for over 2 years, it has already been reopened to foreign travelers in August, 2017.

Nowadays, visitors can cross the border and continue traveling northwest to Mount Kailash. If tourists are considering to take this approach to Mount Kailash, we suggest them spend at least 2 days in Gyirong Town to adjust to the high altitude(There is a dramatic altitude change from Kathmandu (1350m) to Saga (4600m) or Paryang (4600m)). Otherwise, they may put themselves in a risk of serious altitude sickness (or worse). It is safer to start their journey in Lhasa, stay there for 2-3 days to acclimate the high altitude, and then get to Mount Kailash.

Mountain Kailash Map - From Kathmandu to Mount Kailash

What Are the Attractions in Mount Kailash?

Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar are two of the most important sites to visit in the area, both of these sites are regarded holy in Buddhism, Hinduism, Bön and Jainism; those two sites are about 34km away from each other. Most of the tourists visit the holy lake firstly before doing the kora around Mount Kailash. The main road turns left towards the holy lake about 22 km left before arriving Darchen, a 12km drive leads tourists to the shore of the holy lake. On this small detour, one can see also the Lake Rakshas Tal.  

Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash Map