This guidebook describes the Mount Kailash trek in Tibet, which follows the pilgrims' route around the sacred mountain. The trek has been a pilgrimage site for more than a thousand years, and leads around the peak in 3-4 days. Also included is a visit to the lost kingdom of Guge, still almost unknown in the west.

This guidebook describes the Mount Kailash trek in Tibet that leads trekkers around the sacred mountain following the pilgrims' route. Though short, this high-altitude trek is not to be undertaken lightly - Mount Kailash remains isolated and remote, and getting there is an epic journey in itself. Isolated for centuries behind the Himalayas in Tibet is a mysterious and mythical mountain, Mount Kailash, standing 6714m (22,028ft) high. The mountain has for more than a thousand years been a central pilgrimage site for some of the world's major religions.Also included in the guide is a visit to the lost kingdom of Guge, still almost unknown in the west. The ethereal ruined fortress of Tsaparang, Guge's former capital, is Tibet's greatest Buddhist treasure-house of art and paintings - a stunning location not to be missed. In this book, the Kailash trek, and other treks in the region, are described in detail, including the key approach routes (by foot and road) and return route to Kathmandu or Lhasa. Also included is extensive practical information for planning and preparation and historical, cultural and religious background information about the places visited.

ContentsPrefaceIntroductionGeographyTibetan landscapesFlora and faunaPlantsBirdAnimalsClimateTypical temperatureTibetan cultureBrief history of the Tibet regionEarly foreign visitors to KailashReligious aspects of KailashTibetan religionBonpoBuddhisPrincipal Tibetan Buddhist sectsNyingma-paKadam-pKagyu-paSakya-paGelug-paFestivalsOfficial holidaysA few cultural considerationsPre-departure preparationTrekking seasonsStyle of treFully supported group treksIndependently organised trips with a local trek operatoCompletely independent travelAccommodation and foodWashingToiletsFoodVisas and permitsChinese visaChinese embassiesNepalese visasNepalese embassiesMoney mattersBanks and ATMsHealth mattersWater sterilisationVaccination suggestionsMalaria prophylaxiOther nasty bugsCommon ailmentsDental careClinicsFirst aid kitMountain sickness/altitudeWhat is altitude sickness?Altitude problems specific to TibetOptions from the pharmacistHyperbaric bag and oxygen cylindersMountain safetyEquipment and suppliesFoodMapsPhotographyGetting thereRoutes into Tibet (via China and Nepal)Flights from China to TibetOverland from ChinaFlights to NepalKathmandu - Gateway to TibetWhat to seeAccommodationEating outLhasaWhat to seeAccommodationUsing this guideNotes on trekking and road routesAltitudes, distances and timingsAlternative namesMilestonesPricesApproach routes to Kailash1 From Simikot: the trekking routeStage 1 Simikot to Tuling (Masigaon)Stage 2 Tuling to KermiStage 3 Kermi to YangarStage 4 Yangar to MuchuStage 5 Muchu to YariStage 6 Yari to SherDrive to PurangStage 7 Purang to Lake Manasarovar/DarchenAlternative return trek route from Sher to Simikot2 From Kathmandu to Kailash (Darchen) (by road)Kathmandu to KodariKodari/Zhangmu to NyalamXixapangma trekking routesXixapangma south approachNyalam to Tara Tso day hikeNyalam to SagaSaga to ParyangParyang to Lake Manasarovar/Chui GompaLake Manasarovar to Darchen3 From Lhasa to Kailash (by road)The Kailash Kora trekDarchenStage 1 Darchen to Chuku monasteryStage 2 Chuku monastery to Driraphuk monasteryDay hike to Kangyam GlacierStage 3 Driraphuk to Shabje Draktok, via Drolma LaStage 4 Shabje Draktok to Zutrulphuk monasteryStage 5 Zutrulphuk to DarchenOther treks in the Kailash region1 Darchen Day WalksDarchen ridge walkGyangdrak monasterySerlung monastery2 Inner Kora3 Lake ManasarovarLake Manasarovar Circuit TrekStage 1 Chui monastery to HorStage 2 Hor to Seralung monasteryStage 3 Seralung to Trugo monasteryStage 4 Trugo monastery to Gossul monasteryStage 5 Gossul monastery to Chui monasteryChui village ridge walk4 Lake Rakhas Tal5 TirthapuriThe Guge kingdomBrief history and cultural aspectsThe southern route to GugeLake Manasarovar to TolingToling monasteryToling to TsaparangTsaparangA walk from TsaparangOther hikesThe northern route from Guge to DarchenToling to DarchenReturn to Kathmandu or LhasaDarchen to ParyangParyang to SagaSaga to SangsangSangsang to ZhangmuXegar (Shagar)Qomolungma National ParkThe last wordAppendix 1 BibliographyAppendix 2 Glossary of Bon and Buddhist deitiesSignificant Tibetan Bon deitiesSignificant Tibetan Buddhist deitiesOther definitionsAppendix 3 Route summariesTrekking routesRoad routesAppendix 4 Language hints (Tibetan and Chinese phrases)General phrasesOther useful wordsFoodNumbersAppendix 5 Films and musicFilmsMusicAppendix 6 Useful addresses/websitesTour operators in the UKTour operators in NepalTour operators in Lhasa and ChengduOther websitesOther Chinese embassies