Kailash
ALTITUDE – 4400-4718m/14435-15479ft
Overview
Ta Er Qin
The Kora
Weather
Access
Associated Locations
Overview
Mount Kailash 6638m/21778ft is a mountain in the far west of Tibet, and is considered extremely sacred by at least four separate faiths; Buddhist, Bon, Jane and Hindu. The peak is unclimbed and permission to do so is not possible to obtain.
Its distinctive shape and extreme isolation make it something of an enigma, even to those of non religious persuasions. The journey to get there is suck a mammoth undertaking, that when you do arrive, the 52km/32mi Kora, or circumnavigation of the peak seems like a pleasant thing to do rather than day after day in the back of a Landcruiser.
Ta Er Qin
For the visitor, the small town of Ta Er Qin serves one purpose, some rest before the Kora, a chance to stock up on supplies and procure the services of a porter, or to wait for colleagues to return from their journeys.
Situated at around 4750m it is a dry and dusty place, but also a place of solace and comfort after the days on the road. The views are magnificent, not only of Mt Kailash itself, but also looking south across the grasslands towards Namunani and the Nepalese border, which itself is fringed with gigantic Himalayan peaks.
The Kora
The full Kora is 52kn/32mi starting and ending in Ta Er Qin, but there are softer options for those wishing to do it, but have limited energy. The first is to take a horse, which will carry you round in two/three days. The second is only to do half of it; up to the primitive guesthouses at 5200m/17060ft with the magnificent view of the North Face of the mountain. Or thirdly, some of the way is accessible to 4×4, with a good road taking about 10km of the start and finish.
Of course, anything other than a full sell-propelled Kora is considered poor form, but at the same time prudence regarding physical capabilities have to be considered. I twisted and dislocated a kneecap on one trip there, whereas Juanli ran round the full Kora in a day and a half on her first visit.
The secret is to be well acclimated by the time you get there, 5000m is not a place to be puffing or panting, feeling sick or plagued by a headache that nothing will shift.
Mt Kailash is an unbelievably beautiful peak; the pilgrims, most wearing cheap trainers, the cobalt blue sky, the incongruous shape, the thin air, isolation, it all comes together to make quite a package.
Weather
Winter is not a time to be on the mountain, and you’d be hard pressed to find any guide in Lhasa prepared to take you there. From Spring through to late Autumn the trip is possible, and due to the extreme western location, the area is not adversely affected by the southern monsoon. The HImalaya to the south create a vast rain shadow.
On all our visits the weather has been glorious, but it can be foul also. Low cloud, mist, snow at any time of the year and freak high altitude storms can break any time.
This is a high altitude mountain expedition, and suitable clothing etc is essential.
The porters will only carry 15kg for you, and that includes your water, so pack carefully.
Access
850km west of Lhasa, it used to be a long 4 day dusty ride. Now the road has been improved, and it’s tarmac all the way. I heard recently of a friend that did it in 22 hours non-stop, but that isn’t recommended. 3 x 7 hour days in the car are a better option, with lots of interesting stops on the way. 10-12 days from Lhasa round trip allows for detours and adventures, plus the Kora of Kailash.
