| Mount Kailash, located in far west corner of Tibet is | | | | LAKE MANASAROVAR |
| the most sacred peak in Asia. High at an altitude of | | | | The circular, turquoise Lake Manasarovar or Tso |
| 6700-meter, on the remote western Tibetan plateau | | | | Rinpoche (precious lake) is situated in the south-west |
| in the northern most region of the Himalayas, sits | | | | corner of Tibet and in the north-west of Nepal. The |
| Mount Kailash, the holy mountain. The beauty of | | | | lake is at a distance of 20 kms from Mt. Kailash and |
| Mount Kailash, that looks like a symmetrical cone | | | | is one of the most beautiful and sacred lakes in Asia. |
| shaped rock capped by pure crystalline ice all the | | | | The Kailash Pilgrimage tour is incomplete without a dip |
| time, is echoed in various mythological and literary | | | | in the holy Manasarovar Lake. The lake is believed to |
| works. Dominating the north of the Himalayan Barrier | | | | contain miraculous powers and taking a bathe in the |
| with its spectacular view, the Mount Kailash is equally | | | | holy lake is said to be of enormous spiritual benefit. |
| venerated as the holiest pilgrimage site by Hindus, | | | | PEOPLE AND CULTURE |
| Buddhists, Jains and the Bön-Po. Tibetans regard | | | | The Tibetans are classified as belonging to the |
| this mountain as the manifestation of Mount Meru, | | | | Mongoloid family of people. They are probably |
| "the navel of the earth" where founder of Bon | | | | descendents of a variety of nomadic tribes who |
| religion, Tonpa Shenrab, is believed to have | | | | migrated from the north and settled along sedentary |
| descended from heaven; Hindus believe it to be the | | | | cultivation of Tibet's river valleys. |
| abode of Lord Shiva; Buddhists as the abode of | | | | The Tibetans living within the borders of present day |
| Samvara and the Jains venerate it as a sacred site | | | | Tibet are easily identified by their distinctive dialects, |
| where their prophet, Rishaba, attained spiritual | | | | social customs and dress. The Topas live in the |
| enlightenment. | | | | highland regions (Lato and Ngari), the Tsangpas in the |
| With its four sheer walls, and distinctive snow-capped | | | | West Tibet (Tsang), the Upas live in central Tibet, |
| peak, and valleys interspersed with brightly-clad | | | | the Horpas comes from the north (Nagchu |
| Tibetan pilgrims, Mount Kailash or Kang Rimpoche | | | | Jangtang), the Kongpowas from the south, the |
| ('precious snow-peak', as known by the Tibetans) is | | | | Khampas live in the east, the Amdowa in the |
| an awe-inspiring sight of phenomenal proportions. The | | | | northeast, and the Gyarongwa in the extreme east. |
| four great rivers of Asia: the Karnali, the Indus, the | | | | Travelers to Tibet inevitably find Tibetans to be |
| Sutlej and the Brahmaputra (Tsangpo) originate from | | | | friendly and possessing a great sense of humor. It is |
| here. A three-day trek (Parikrama or Kora) around | | | | appreciated when you try and use Tibetan language |
| Mount Kailash over a 5630 meter Drolma La (pass), | | | | when communicating with Tibetans. The further from |
| clockwise for Buddhists and Hindus, and anti-clockwise | | | | Lhasa you travel, the more often Tibetan is used. |
| followers of the ancient Bon religion, is said to erase | | | | Religion is extremely important to the majority of |
| the sins of a lifetime. A spiritual atmosphere is | | | | Tibetans, and travelers should endeavor to respect |
| maintained throughout this trip. | | | | their customs and beliefs. Always circumambulate |
| To complete the Kailash pilgrimage one should bathe | | | | Buddhist religious sites or monastery in a clockwise |
| in the sacred Lake Manasarovar, amazingly set on the | | | | direction, and when in a monastery do not wear a |
| Tibetan plateau bordered by the majestic Gurla | | | | hat, smoke or touch frescoes. In addition, refrain |
| Mandata. On the journey to Mt. Kailash across the | | | | from climbing onto statues, mani stones or other |
| windswept Tibetan plateau, you will see cliff-top | | | | sacred objects They are warm and friendly people. |
| monasteries, wild-looking but hardy and hospitable | | | | Some speak a bit of English and are happy to have a |
| Tibetans, yak caravans journeying over snowy | | | | chat with you. Don't photograph people without |
| passes, and the great peaks of the Himalaya within a | | | | permission, and be aware that some locations prohibit |
| background of grazing herds, yak skin tents and a | | | | photography without a fee. |
| glittering turquoise lake. | | | | |