Mt Kailash (6,740m) is situated to the north of the Himalayan barrier, wholly within Tibet. It is the perfect mountain with awesome beauty, with four great faces. It is the spiritual enter for four great religions: Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, the Jain religion and the pre-Buddhist animistic religion – Bonpo. To Tibetans it is known as Khang Rimpoche (Precious Jewel of Snow) and they see it as the navel of the world. It is said that a stream from the mountain pours into a nearby lake and from here rivers flow in the four cardinal directions. The River of the Lion Mouth to the North, the River of the Horse Mouth to the east, the River of the Peacock Mouth to the south and the River of the Elephant Mouth to the West. Strangely enough, four major rivers do indeed originate near Kailash, the Indus, the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), the Karnali and the Sutlej. Tibetans believe that it is the residence of Demchog, a fierce looking tantric deity who lives there with his consort, Dorje Phagmo. For the Tibetans also, it is a particularly special place in that their poet saint Milarepa, spent several years here meditating in a cave.

For the Hindus Mt Kailash is the earthly manifestation of Mt. Meru, their spiritual centre of the universe, described as a fantastic ‘world pillar’ 84,000 miles high, around which all else revolves, its roots in the lowest hell and its summit kissing the heavens. On the top live their most revered God, Shiva and his consort Parvati. For the Jains, an Indian religious group, Kailash is the site where their first prophet achieved enlightenment. For the older, more ancient religion of Bon, it is the site where its founder Shanrab is said to have descended from heaven. It was formerly the spiritual centre of Zhang Zung, the ancient Bon Empire that once included all of western Tibet. Bon people walk around the mountain in a counter clockwise manner, unlike the other religions. Over the centuries pilgrims have constantly journeyed immense distances to achieve enlightenment or cleanse themselves of sin, braving enormous distances, particularly harsh weather and bandit attacks.

Myths and legends
According to mythology, a single parikrama of Mt Kailash cleanses one of the sins of a lifetime. However, if you want to attain complete salvation, 108 parikramas of the mighty mountain are required. Most pilgrims prefer three parikramas while the more ardent among them, push themselves to thirteen. The faint of heart, do not despair. Even drinking the holy waters of the Mansarovar Lake, which at 14,950 feet is one of the world’s highest fresh water lakes, frees a person from the sins of a hundred lifetimes.

This region is steeped in religion and every year hundreds of pilgrims traverse some of the remotest and toughest parts of the Himalayas to pay homage. It is a land where Lord Shiva lives with his consort Parvati. Hindus believe that Goddess Parvati took the form of the Lake and that deliverance is assured for people taking a bath in it. It is believed that the gods come to bathe every morning in this lake between 3 to 5 am, the 'Brahmamuhurta'.

Come and cleanse your soul
Travelling over land from Kathmandu in Nepal to Mt Kailash, is an incredible journey, an epic pilgrimage that is largely expeditionary in nature. It is one of the toughest, as also one of the most rewarding journeys on this planet. En route we see the world's highest mountains, travel on the world's highest plains, meet nomadic Tibetan pilgrims and walk amidst burning butter lamps and chanting monks of Tibet's ancient monasteries. The numbing cold at night, the fierce sun during the day, the bitter winds, the looming solitude and the everlasting dust are constant companions.

Roads are almost non-existent and we travel on the Tibetan highlands, sometimes undertaking hours of rigorous travel amidst dust storms and cold winds, crossing rivers and streams, driving through mud and slush on a journey which is literally on the roof of the world. The benefits derived from this pilgrimage far outweigh the hazards and hardships we undertake.

Accommodation
Accommodation will be very simple with a cozy room with common bathrooms and toilets. However, hot water will be provided in every room for freshening up and for drinking.

Food
The food (vegetarian) will be supplied while camping covering breakfast, lunch and dinner with an occasional tea break. En route, meals will at the best available Chinese or Tibetan restaurants.

Clothing & Accessories
Depending upon the season, between June and September, the day time will be pleasant and warm (about 15-20 degree Celsius). Afternoons can be windy. Early mornings and evenings will be chilly between (-2 to 0 degree Celsius). Look at the recommended clothing list below.

Transportation
During the drive we will be travelling on a 4-wheel drive (Land cruiser or similar), with a truck as a backup with all camping gear and support crew. Maximum five people will be in a Land cruiser. During the Kora, Yaks will carry the camping equipment and personal heavy gears.

Guide / Escort
A Tibetan / English speaking guide will escort the group throughout the trip plus a few Nepali staffs for support.

Photography
As Tibet gets very bright sunlight due to the thin air, taking photographs can be a challenge due to the glare. We recommend you take the advice from the photographic shop while purchasing the film rolls for Tibet. Taking photographs inside monasteries will be charged as per monastery rules. Please ask your guide before taking photographs inside the monastery or Army Camps.

Camera & Films
A 35mm system with interchangeable lens will allow you to get the best shots in most situations. A wide angle (28-35mm) and a telephoto (80-200mm) are very useful. Skylight IB filters will protect your lenses and polarising filters are useful for snows. A brush for cleaning your lens is important and your camera and lens need to be in protective cases. 12-15 rolls of film are not too many for the enthusiast.

Medicines
We suggest you to bring your own first aid kit with adequate medication regarding altitude sickness, nauseas, dehydration and some painkillers.

Insurance
We highly recommend all clients to be insured against medical, accidents and necessary emergency evacuation, if needed. Please check for details and costs.

Physical Fitness
Before booking for this trip, you should be in sound good health.

Visa and documentation
You must be in possession of a valid passport with at least six month validity to obtain a visa. We will require the following details from your passport at the time of booking the trip - full name (as in the Passport, nationality, date of issue, date of expiry, Passport No, date of birth, occupation.

Altitude Sickness
Acute mountain sickness is a frequent problem in the Himalayan region. Download and read the document carefully.

Personal Equipment Checklist
Do not bring things that you will not wear … even though you might think you will! Shorts or lightweight trousers are ideal in the heat of the day along with a T-shirt, long sleeved cotton shirt and a sun hat. During the evenings and at higher altitudes warmer clothing will be needed. Well fitting, comfortable boots are preferred over training shoes. Clothing will be required for both extremes of climate, for hot sun in the day to freezing temperatures at night when camping in the high valleys. We will send you a detailed checklist of things to carry once you book with us.

General considerations when packing
Keep the weight and bulk down to a minimum. Most people tend to bring more clothes than they do actually need. You will only need one change of clothes for Kathmandu. On the main journey it is important to dress in layers. When it is hot you will only be wearing a base layer, when it gets colder you can add to this until you are wearing most of your clothes and your sack is empty!

How to book
If you are interested in cleansing your soul while undertaking one of the finest journeys in the highlands of the Himalayas, book yourself. Once we hear from you, we will let you know all other relevant details like things to carry, how to prepare and the costs.