Mountain Kailash Hiking
The hiking of Mount Kailash, also called Kangrinboqe, starts from Darchen and will lasts for 3 days. The average distance you need to walk every day exceeds 10 kilometers (6 miles), taking about 10 hours. Among them, the second day is the toughest. At the nights of the 1st and 2nd day, you can stay in Drirupuk Monastery and Zutrulpuk Monastery respectively.
Hiking distance: approximately 20 kilometers (12.5 miles)
Time needed: about 7- 8 hours
Entry to the annular mountain is a 20-meter high pillar with plenty of flags, which is 5 kilometers (3 miles) away from the west of Darchen. You need to climb the hill along the existing path for about an hour before reaching the peak, where flags with scripture in various colors are scattered. The Holy Mountain can be seen from there.
From the peak, walk downhill following the north path and enter the Lhachu Valley. Continue trekking for 2 hours (about 6 kilometers or 4 miles) before reaching a Buddha tower called ChoSen Kang-nyi which is renowned as one of the symbols of this holy mountain.
On the east of the Buddha tower stands a huge Darboche flagpole and then you are to proceed hiking until the end of the valley. The famous Chogu Monastery is situated in the middle of the west cliff, under which lies Lhachu River. Cross the bridge over the River and climb onto the Hanging Monastery. You will have a golden opportunity to witness the marvelous west precipice of Mt. Kangrinboqe here.
The path will split into two from Lhachu River’s bridge, but both will end up at the Drirapuk Monastery, located north of Lhachu River. If the west path is chosen, you will need to walk into the water when you are very close to the temple; you need to walk longer if you chose the east path. The monastery can be reached in about three and a half hour later (about 15 kilometers or 9 miles)
You are recommended to put up a night in this monastery. The price of a single room in a hotel per night is around CNY300. The magnificent north cliff faces this monastery.
Hiking distance: 24 kilometers (15 miles) to Zutrupuk
Time needed: 10 – 11 hours
The next day will be a severe test of your will & strength as you will reach Mt. Dolma La with an altitude of 5,630 meters (18,470 feet).
From Drirapuk Monastery, follow the path on the left of the Holy Mountain and east of Drirapuk Monastery. It takes you about 1.5 hours to get to DEATH LAND - Silwutsel Charnel Ground. You need to walk for about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles).
At the beginning of the path, there is a steep hill slope covered with piles of cloth, which symbolizes death. After walking for a while, you would find a section extremely narrow with boulders on both sides. Then you come to TEST STONE area. It is said that one would not be able to pass through this area if one has committed evils in their previous life. On the right of the path marks the Sage Milarepa' footprint. It also marks the end of Siltwutsel.
After walking for 650 meters (710 yards), you will get to the foot of Mount Dolma La. Then you can get to the peak in about 1.5 hours. All the trekking up Mt. Dolma La will make one breathless and stopping to rest. The precaution to take is not to rest for too long to avoid catching a cold. Just rest your tired limbs for a short period while taking the opportunity to snack and enjoy the mysterious environment.
The downhill journey from the peak is the most dangerous part. If you look down to the south of the mountain, you will see the Lenity Lake in aquamarine. After getting down a hill slope, the path will disappear and you will need to jump and leap on the huge brown boulders to proceed, until another path reappears on the next hill slope; which means you arrive at the Lham Chukhir river valley.
There are two paths along the river bank and both lead to another valley in the south. After walking for another several kilometers, you can see a grassland on the river bank. This is a natural paradise to camp. Those without camping equipment need to walk another 10 kilometers (6 miles) and then stay overnight at the Zutrupuk Monastery. On the way to the temple, you would pass by a rest point, which is still 5 kilometers (3 miles) far from the temple.
Hiking distance: about 10 kilometers (6 miles)
Time needed: 3 – 4 hours
In the morning, starting from Zutrupuk Monastery where the altitude is 4,790 meters (15,710 feet), walk southwestward for about 6 kilometers (4 miles) to reach rest point. The point is 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) far from Darchen, and you can either walk there or take a bus to return.
If walking, remember that the path would be steep as you reach the Bage Grassland. You will go across a place, named Trangser Trangmar, where owning polychrome stones, ranging from red to yellow, from black to purple. The path will then turn right, stretching to Darchen along the foot of the hill.
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| Mount Kailash |
1st Day: Darchen - Lhachu Valley - Drirapuk Monastery
Time needed: about 7- 8 hours
Entry to the annular mountain is a 20-meter high pillar with plenty of flags, which is 5 kilometers (3 miles) away from the west of Darchen. You need to climb the hill along the existing path for about an hour before reaching the peak, where flags with scripture in various colors are scattered. The Holy Mountain can be seen from there.
From the peak, walk downhill following the north path and enter the Lhachu Valley. Continue trekking for 2 hours (about 6 kilometers or 4 miles) before reaching a Buddha tower called ChoSen Kang-nyi which is renowned as one of the symbols of this holy mountain.
On the east of the Buddha tower stands a huge Darboche flagpole and then you are to proceed hiking until the end of the valley. The famous Chogu Monastery is situated in the middle of the west cliff, under which lies Lhachu River. Cross the bridge over the River and climb onto the Hanging Monastery. You will have a golden opportunity to witness the marvelous west precipice of Mt. Kangrinboqe here.
The path will split into two from Lhachu River’s bridge, but both will end up at the Drirapuk Monastery, located north of Lhachu River. If the west path is chosen, you will need to walk into the water when you are very close to the temple; you need to walk longer if you chose the east path. The monastery can be reached in about three and a half hour later (about 15 kilometers or 9 miles)
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2nd Day: Drirapuk Monastery - Mt. Dolma La - Lham Chukhir River Valley or Zutrupuk Monastery
Time needed: 10 – 11 hours
The next day will be a severe test of your will & strength as you will reach Mt. Dolma La with an altitude of 5,630 meters (18,470 feet).
From Drirapuk Monastery, follow the path on the left of the Holy Mountain and east of Drirapuk Monastery. It takes you about 1.5 hours to get to DEATH LAND - Silwutsel Charnel Ground. You need to walk for about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles).
At the beginning of the path, there is a steep hill slope covered with piles of cloth, which symbolizes death. After walking for a while, you would find a section extremely narrow with boulders on both sides. Then you come to TEST STONE area. It is said that one would not be able to pass through this area if one has committed evils in their previous life. On the right of the path marks the Sage Milarepa' footprint. It also marks the end of Siltwutsel.
After walking for 650 meters (710 yards), you will get to the foot of Mount Dolma La. Then you can get to the peak in about 1.5 hours. All the trekking up Mt. Dolma La will make one breathless and stopping to rest. The precaution to take is not to rest for too long to avoid catching a cold. Just rest your tired limbs for a short period while taking the opportunity to snack and enjoy the mysterious environment.
The downhill journey from the peak is the most dangerous part. If you look down to the south of the mountain, you will see the Lenity Lake in aquamarine. After getting down a hill slope, the path will disappear and you will need to jump and leap on the huge brown boulders to proceed, until another path reappears on the next hill slope; which means you arrive at the Lham Chukhir river valley.
There are two paths along the river bank and both lead to another valley in the south. After walking for another several kilometers, you can see a grassland on the river bank. This is a natural paradise to camp. Those without camping equipment need to walk another 10 kilometers (6 miles) and then stay overnight at the Zutrupuk Monastery. On the way to the temple, you would pass by a rest point, which is still 5 kilometers (3 miles) far from the temple.
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3rd Day: Zutrupuk Monastery - Darchen
Time needed: 3 – 4 hours
In the morning, starting from Zutrupuk Monastery where the altitude is 4,790 meters (15,710 feet), walk southwestward for about 6 kilometers (4 miles) to reach rest point. The point is 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) far from Darchen, and you can either walk there or take a bus to return.
If walking, remember that the path would be steep as you reach the Bage Grassland. You will go across a place, named Trangser Trangmar, where owning polychrome stones, ranging from red to yellow, from black to purple. The path will then turn right, stretching to Darchen along the foot of the hill.
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- Last updated on Oct. 21, 2024 by Brenda Lian -