Isolated for centuries behind the Himalayas in Tibet is a mysterious and mythical mountain, Mount Kailash, standing 6714m (22,028ft) high. The mountain has for more than a thousand years been a central pilgrimage site for some of the world’s major religions.

This trek leads around the sacred peak in 3 to 4 days, following the pilgrims’ route. Though short, this high-altitude trek is not to be undertaken lightly – Mount Kailash remains isolated and remote, and getting there is an epic journey in itself.

Also included in the guide is a visit to the lost kingdom of Guge, still almost unknown in the west. The ethereal ruined fortress of Tsaparang, Guge’s former capital, is Tibet’s greatest Buddhist treasure-house of art and paintings – a stunning location not to be missed.

    * The Kailash trek, and other treks in the region, described in detail
    * Extensive practical information for planning and preparation
    * The key approach routes (by foot and road) and return route to Kathmandu or Lhasa
    * Historical, cultural and religious background information

For adventure-seeking trekkers this comprehensive guide opens a door into the enchanting world of Kailash and western Tibet.

Preface

Introduction

Geography
Tibetan landscapes
Flora and fauna
    Plants
    Bird
    Animals
Climate   
    Typical temperature

Tibetan culture  
Brief history of the Tibet region
Early foreign visitors to Kailash
Religious aspects of Kailash
Tibetan religion   
    Bonpo
    Buddhis
Principal Tibetan Buddhist sects
    Nyingma-pa
    Kadam-p
    Kagyu-pa
    Sakya-pa
    Gelug-pa
Festivals
Official holidays
A few cultural considerations

Pre-departure preparation
Trekking seasons
Style of tre
    Fully supported group treks
    Independently organised trips with a local trek operato
    Completely independent travel
Accommodation and food
    Washing
    Toilets
    Food
Visas and permits
    Chinese visa
    Chinese embassies
    Nepalese visas
    Nepalese embassies
Money matters
    Banks and ATMs
Health matters
    Water sterilisation
    Vaccination suggestions
    Malaria prophylaxi
    Other nasty bugs
    Common ailments
    Dental care
    Clinics
    First aid kit
Mountain sickness/altitude
    What is altitude sickness?
    Altitude problems specific to Tibet
    Options from the pharmacist
    Hyperbaric bag and oxygen cylinders
Mountain safety
Equipment and supplies
Food
Maps
Photography

Getting there
Routes into Tibet (via China and Nepal)
    Flights from China to Tibet
    Overland from China
    Flights to Nepal
Kathmandu – Gateway to Tibet
    What to see  
    Accommodation  
    Eating out
Lhasa
    What to see
    Accommodation

Using this guide
Notes on trekking and road routes  
    Altitudes, distances and timings
    Alternative names
    Milestones
    Prices  

Approach routes to Kailash
1 From Simikot: the trekking route
    Stage 1 Simikot to Tuling (Masigaon)
    Stage 2 Tuling to Kermi
    Stage 3 Kermi to Yangar
    Stage 4 Yangar to Muchu
    Stage 5 Muchu to Yari  
    Stage 6 Yari to Sher  
    Drive to Purang
    Stage 7 Purang to Lake Manasarovar/Darchen  
    Alternative return trek route from Sher to Simikot
2 From Kathmandu to Kailash (Darchen) (by road)  
    Kathmandu to Kodari  
    Kodari/Zhangmu to Nyalam  
    Xixapangma trekking routes  
    Xixapangma south approach  
    Nyalam to Tara Tso day hike  
    Nyalam to Saga
    Saga to Paryang
    Paryang to Lake Manasarovar/Chui Gompa  
    Lake Manasarovar to Darchen
3 From Lhasa to Kailash (by road)  

The Kailash Kora trek
    Darchen
    Stage 1 Darchen to Chuku monastery
    Stage 2 Chuku monastery to Driraphuk monastery  
    Day hike to Kangyam Glacier  
    Stage 3 Driraphuk to Shabje Draktok, via Drolma La  
    Stage 4 Shabje Draktok to Zutrulphuk monastery
    Stage 5 Zutrulphuk to Darchen

Other treks in the Kailash region  
1 Darchen Day Walks
    Darchen ridge walk  
    Gyangdrak monastery
    Serlung monastery  
2 Inner Kora
3 Lake Manasarovar  
    Lake Manasarovar Circuit Trek
    Stage 1 Chui monastery to Hor  
    Stage 2 Hor to Seralung monastery   
    Stage 3 Seralung to Trugo monastery
    Stage 4 Trugo monastery to Gossul monastery
    Stage 5 Gossul monastery to Chui monastery  
Chui village ridge walk  
4 Lake Rakhas Tal  
5 Tirthapuri  

The Guge kingdom
Brief history and cultural aspects  
The southern route to Guge
    Lake Manasarovar to Toling
    Toling monastery  
    Toling to Tsaparang  
    Tsaparang  
    A walk from Tsaparang  
    Other hikes
The northern route from Guge to Darchen  
    Toling to Darchen  

Return to Kathmandu or Lhasa
    Darchen to Paryang
    Paryang to Saga
    Saga to Sangsang  
    Sangsang to Zhangmu  
    Xegar (Shagar)  
    Qomolungma National Park

The last word

Appendix 1 Bibliography

Appendix 2 Glossary of Bon and Buddhist deities
Significant Tibetan Bon deities
Significant Tibetan Buddhist deities
Other definitions

Appendix 3 Route summaries
Trekking routes
Road routes

Appendix 4 Language hints (Tibetan and Chinese phrases)
General phrases
Other useful words
Food  
Numbers

Appendix 5 Films and music
    Films
    Music

Appendix 6 Useful addresses/websites
    Tour operators in the UK  
    Tour operators in Nepal
    Tour operators in Lhasa and Chengdu
    Other websites  
    Other Chinese embassies