Highlights
Kailash and Lake Mansarovar Yatra
The ‘’yatra’’ holds significance for two things mainly- performing a parikrama of Mount Kailash and taking a dip in the holy Lake Mansarovar. These two acts are believed to rid the pilgrims of sins committed in a hundred lifetimes and bring salvation. Pilgrims believe that a kora (parikrama or circumambulation of Mt. Kailash) gives them a new life, that they are re-born.
The Parikrama
Walking around in an anti-clockwise or clockwise (done clockwise by the pilgrims) direction is called a Parikrama. Pilgrims to Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar circumambulate the area which takes 2-3 days on foot, one can also hire a yak or a pony or a Jeep for some parts. For, non-religious people, the journey is simply one of the most scenic routes in one of the most remote places on earth. Mount Kailash is not only visually stunning but a real challenge to get to as well, and Lake Mansarovar situated on the foothills of Mt. Kailash is not only one of the holiest lakes in the world but also one of the most visually pleasing.
Mount Kailash and the mythology related to it:
Mt. Kailash is more than a summit for Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Bon followers. The 6,638m tall peak in the Kailash range is a part of the Tibetan Transhimalaya and is sacred to Hindus. Hindus believe Mt. Kailash is the abode of Lord Shiva, to Jains the mountain is where Tirthankara the first Jain attained Nirvana, for Buddhists Kailash mountain, is where Buddha resides in his supreme bliss and the Bön religion believes the entire region is the seat of all spiritual power. The high altitude and its remote location in western Tibetan Himalayas result in only a few thousand pilgrims doing the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra every year.
Lake Mansarovar:
It is one of the two most important elements of Adventure Club Tre’s 13-day-long Kailash and Lake Mansarovar Yatra. At the height of 4,500 meters, Mansarovar is the highest body of freshwater lake in the world and is considered one of the holiest lakes in the world. The lake is believed to be clear blue near the shores and changes its color to emerald green towards the center. The lake looks stunning under a full moon.
Other Major Attractions of Kailash and Lake Mansarovar Yatra
Besides Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, other attractions include Tirthapuri-where one can bathe in spring pools, Gauri Kund (known as the Lake of Compassion), Yam Dwar where the ‘parikrama’ initially starts, Dolma La (a high pass), and the scenic drive from Sera to Kerung among others. Lake Rakshash or Rakshashtal even though not mythically favored, is just as much of a visual delight as Lake Mansarovar.
Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar Yatra Tour Overview
Kailash and Lake MansarovarYatra with Adventure Club Trek is a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey- one that is a pilgrimage and a scenic exploration of one of the most remote regions in the Himalayas.Mt. Kailash is a peak (6,638 m) in the Kailash Range which falls in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and is a part of Transhimalaya. Lake Mansarovar is the highest freshwater lake in the world, and it is near Mount Kailash. The lake is sacred to four religions-Bön, Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism.
A parikrama (Circumambulation) of Mt. Kailash and taking a bath in the lake Mansarovar is believed to cleanse you of sins committed over a hundred lifetimes and bring you salvation. Kailash and Lake MansarovarYatra is a journey to the foothills of Mt. Kailash where Lake Mansarovar lies in its pristine and tranquil form.
The most convenient route to Kailash and Mansarovar is through Nepal, and most people who have made the journey would agree. We start the trip with a ride from Kathmandu to Kerung where we stay the next day to acclimatize. The next day we drive from Kerung to Saga. The day after we ride from Saga to Mansarovar and the following day we make around ( parikrama) the lake Mansarovar in a Jeep.
The two days following the Parikrama of Lake Mansarovar are the most difficult. The first day is a 6-8 hour walk at the height of over 4,500m for DeharaPukparikrama. The second day is the toughest with a 10-12 hours hike crossing Dolma La (high pass) at 5,944m and ending the Parikrama. You have now completed the holy 13-day-long Kailash and MansarovarYatra pilgrimage which only a couple of thousand people can manage to do every year. We drive to Saga after the Parikrama ends, then to Kerung the next day, and from Kerung to Kathmandu the day after. Experienced guide/s can make what seems like an impossible pilgrimage a reality for you.
For those looking for a shorter trip to Tibet along with a tour of Everest Base Camp, Adventure Club Trek has Kathmandu to Lhasa Tour via Everest Base Camp-9 Days. For those looking for a shorter trip to Tibet, Tibet to Kathmandu Tour-6 Days and Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour (Fly in-drive out) is ideal. Kailash and Lake MansarovarYatra Facts Country: Nepal, China, and the Autonomous Region of Tibet
