Outer and Inner Kailash Kora in Tibet
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Outer Kailash Kora
Day 01, Darchen-Dirapuk, 22km, 10hrs
Try to star as early as possible. The narrow trail for Kailash Kora is not far to the west of Darchen. You can get to the top of the small hill after one hour trekking where you could view Mt. Kailash. And then the trail will get to the north to Lhachu Valley. After another one hour trekking, you’ll see one of the landmarks of Mt. Kailash – ChoSen Kang-nyi at 4,750m. It is said those with sins can’t pass the tower.
To the east there is a huge flagpole which is changed on every April 15 Tibetan year. If you are planning to make the Kailash Kora in the Year of Horse, you are advised not to miss this important day. Then the small road will lead you to the bottom of the valley with red cliffs on both sides. At the middle of the west cliff, there is the impending Chogu Monastery (4,820m) built in the 13th century which houses a precious statue called Chogu Opame from India. It is said this statue can speak. And here you’ll see the breathtaking west cliff of Mt. Kailash, the triangle ice wall. Trekking along the Lhachu river, you’ll be going up little by little and reach the Dira-Puk monastery.
There is accommodation at Dira-Puk Monastery but the condition is very poor. On this first day, you may feel hard as the road in the afternoon getting tilting.
Day 02, Dirapuk-Zutulpuk, 20km, 8hrs
This is the most challenging day as you’ll climb up 762m to reach the highest point of the Kailash Kora – Dolmala Pass (5630m). The twisting road starts from a steep stone slope leading to the Silwutsel Charnel Ground (5,330m) covered by clothes, straps and Mani stones representing one time death.
At the narrow place of the road with big stones, it is said those who committed too much sin in pre-existence will not be able to pass through. At the end of the Siltwutsel, to the road right, there is the foot print of Milarepa (Tibetan Buddhism). According to the legend, Milarepa and Naro Bonchung (Bon) met at the giant stone at the Dolmala Pass and both of them were trying to persuade the other to convert to his belief. It had been such a long dispute that the stones were left with their foot prints. At Dolmala, you may feel breathless and want to sit down on the stones after every few steps, but please don’t rest there too long to avoid getting cold.
Then you’ll get to the gravel road down. This is also the most dangerous part of Kailash Kora as you may get hurt on feet easily. It is really hard to imagine how the local people complete prostration on such a road. When looking down to the south of the mountain, you’ll see the pure Gaurikund Lake.
After the slope, there will be no sign of road and you’ll need to jump forward on the brown stones until the road appears again in the Lham Chukhir valley. There is a big stone at the conjunction of the road and the river where is the Buddha’s foot print. At a Mani Stone in the river’s east bank, you’ll have the last chance to view the Mt. Kailash closely.
Now you may feel easier while walking on the river bank. After several kilometers, the river turns south into another valley. 2hrs later, you’ll get to the Zutul-Puk monastery.
Day 03, Zutulpuk-Darchen, 11km, 4hrs
Get up early in the morning and visit the Zutul-Puk monastery (4,790m).
The last part of the Kailash Kora is easy. The river bank becomes steep when the river flows from the valley into the Barga plain. There are many colorful stones, from red to yellow, from black to purple (it is called “Trangser Trangmar”). Then the road will turn right to Darchen.
Inner Kailash Kora
The starting point of Inner Kailash Kora is also in Darchen. The first monastery you’ll pass is called Jiangza Monastery and then to the west to Selong Monastery from where back to Darchen. It passes two lakes on road with one in white and another in black. This inner kora is even harder than the outer kora and according to the religious belief, it shall be conducted after completion of 13 rounds of the outer kora.
Tips
1. The appropriate time for the Kailash Kora is from April to October. Even in April, May and October, it is still very cold. The temperature difference is big so it is necessary to take enough layered clothes (including winter clothes). In the summer seasons, you won’t feel so clod in the daytime but at night, you’ll still need to wear the down coat.
2. The condition on trekking is very poor. There are no restaurants or hotels. It is advised to take cooking equipment to have some hot food every day. Snacks like chocolate, beef jerky, raisins, etc are also necessary. If taking the raw water from the creeks on trekking, you’ll need to boil it or put some water purifiers at least. There is accommodation at Dira-Puk and Zutul-Puk but it is recommended to have your own tent and sleeping bag.
Relevant Topic:
Mt. Kailash and Kailash Kora
Yatra Trip to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar