This 22‑day trek via Simikot is the shortest overland route to the Mount Kailash kora, combining remote Himalayan ridgelines, high passes and sacred sites. Expect long days at altitude, tented camps, and encounters with ancient pilgrimage traditions.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
A thin blue light lifts off the Himalayan horizon as you touch down in Simikot and step toward a landscape that rearranges scale and belief. The trail threads through Humla’s remote ridgelines, past prayer flags that voice the wind, and climbs to passes that give the plateau a hard-edged clarity. Mount Kailash sits above it all—sharp, sacred, and uncompromising.
Difficulty
difficult
Duration
22 days
Fitness Level
Good aerobic fitness with experience at multi-day trekking; ability to carry a daypack and walk 6–8 hours on rough terrain.
Wildlife
History
Mount Kailash has been a focus of pilgrimage for millennia and features in Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Bon cosmologies as a site of spiritual ascent and liberation.
Conservation
The high‑altitude plateau is ecologically fragile—stick to established trails, avoid wood burning in camps, and follow local waste‑management rules to protect water and grasslands.
Reserve your spot on the Mount Kailash tour today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Prioritize acclimatization
Build rest days into your schedule and ascend slowly—nights above 4,500 m require caution to reduce acute mountain sickness risk.
Carry all travel documents
Chinese entry/permits and a valid passport are required; bring printed copies and allow 3 working days for visa processing in Kathmandu.
Footwear and traction
Sturdy, broken-in alpine boots with good ankle support and microspikes for icy sections will keep you safe on scree and frozen approaches.
Hydration and calories
Cold air suppresses thirst—use a hydration bladder and high-calorie snacks to maintain energy on long days.
Insulated down jacket
Warmth for sub-zero nights and high-altitude wind chill.
Mountaineering boots (double or heavy single)
Support and insulation for long days and cold nights on rocky, icy terrain.
Trekking poles with snow baskets
Reduce strain on knees during long descents and stabilize on scree or icy paths.
Water purification system or tablets
Reliable source of safe drinking water where boiled or filtered water isn't available.