Embarking on the pilgrimage journey to Mount Kailash via Simikot offers a profound spiritual experience. Reaching an elevation of 6,714 meters, Mount Kailash, also known as Tise, Kailasa, and Kang Rinpoche – the Jewel of the Snows, holds immense significance in various eastern cosmologies. Throughout history, it has been revered as the focal point of both the physical and metaphysical universe.
This sacred mountain attracts pilgrims from diverse religious traditions, including Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Bonpos. For Hindus, Mount Kailash is the abode of Lord Shiva, while Jains believe it to be the liberation site of their first apostle, Lord Rishabhdeva. Buddhists associate it with a magical visit by Buddha in the 5th century B.C., leaving his footprints on the rocks of the Kora surrounding Kailash.
Considered the center of the universe, Mount Kailash predates the formation of the Himalayas, existing for over 50 million years. Nestled in remote western Tibet, it is venerated by thousands of worshippers annually. Accessible primarily through the challenging Kailash trek via Simikot, located on the Nepal-Tibet border, Simikot has emerged as a recently opened tourist destination. While most tourists opt for a helicopter journey to the border, crossing on foot, followed by a drive to Purang and Mount Kailash, presents a more adventurous alternative.
For those seeking a challenging and spiritually enriching adventure, a trek on foot is recommended. The Kailash trek commences in Simikot after a short flight, traversing the ancient salt trading route, reaching the Nara Langa pass, and pausing at the Takako's border trade post. The trek then proceeds northward, offering views of Gurla Mandata Mountain, leading to the shores of Lake Manasarovar and Rakshas Tal Lake. Arriving at the Darchen settlement at the base of Mount Kailash, pilgrims embark on an excursion to Mansarovar lake before opting for a jeep drive to explore the Zangpo River, the vast Tibet Plateau, and the breathtaking Himalayan views. The journey continues south, culminating in Zangmu town on the border, allowing entry into Nepal via the Friendship Bridge.
