Going to western Tibet and not completing a kora around Mt Kailash (Kang Rinpoche, or Precious Jewel of Snow, in Tibetan) would be like visiting a great capital and stopping short outside its most famous treasure. Mt Kailash dominates the region with the sheer awesomeness of its four-sided summit, just as it dominates the mythology of a billion people.
The mountain has been a lodestone to pilgrims and adventurous travellers for centuries but until recently very few had set their eyes on it. With road conditions improving every year, this is fast changing. Large numbers of Indian pilgrims visit the mountain between June and August and you can expect visitor numbers to increase dramatically now that flights are operating to Ali, just a few hours’ drive away.
Any reasonably fit and acclimatised person should be able to complete the three-day walk, but come prepared with warm and waterproof clothing and equipment.
