Located in the remote corner of the Western Tibet, with an altitude of 6,714 metres, Mt Kailash has been deemed a holy mountain by different peoples for over 3000 years. It is revered as one of the most sacred pilgrim spot for Hindus, Buddhist, Jain and Bonpo - the ancient religion of Tibet.

In Tibetan, the mountain's name is Kang Rinpoche, meaning 'precious snow jewel'. To Hindus, the mountain is worshipped as the home of Shiva, the Destroyer and Transformer. The Bonpo religion in Tibet is also said to have originated here when the founder of the religion came down from heaven at this spot. 

Pilgrims believe that by taking a single circuit tours of the sacred path their sins of a lifetime are erased. Each year, countless pilgrims from India, Nepal and Bhutan as well as those from around Tibetan areas come here to pay homage to the mountain, making this one of the most important religious mountains in Tibet. 

South of Mount Kailash, across the base of the majestic Mount Gurla Mandhata, are the two lakes Manasarovar and Rakkshas Tal (lake). They are the highest bodies of fresh water in the world, with Manasarovar (330 sq. km), at 4,558 meters, about fifteen meters higher than Rakshas Tal. Manasarovar is considered by Buddhist and Hindus to be more worthy of veneration. Buddhist believe that Queen Maya, the Buddha's mother was carried here by the gods and washed prior to giving birth to the Buddha.

The strenuous and difficult pilgrimage hike (known as a kora) takes around three days to complete the circuit, although some devotees spend up to a month doing full body prostrations along the ground, and requires you to take your own supplies, including food, bedding, stove, fuel, and clothing. The kora starts in Darchen, a good place to get supplies, porters and yaks before trekking to the holy mountain. The walk has stops at two monasteries, the Drirapuk and the Zutrulpuk along the path. 

Be careful of temperature differences on the mountain. It can get cold on the mountain slopes, even on a summer's day. Be prepared with sufficient warm clothing.