Kailash Mansarovar

Set out from Leh and follow the Indus upstream: past Thiksey and Hemis, through the gorge to the hot springs of Chumathang, across the Changthang plateau to Hanle, and on to Demchok, the last Indian village. Then up the river into Ngari, down to Mansarovar for the snan, and three days on foot round Kailash, over the Dolma La.

This was the old trade and pilgrim road from Ladakh. The Demchok crossing is closed to pilgrims today; Indian yatris go by the Lipulekh or the Nathu La.

1. HemisThe great Drukpa gompa above the Indus, 3,600 m
2. ChumathangHot springs on the upper Indus, 3,950 m
3. HanleGompa and observatory on the Changthang, 4,300 m
4. DemchokThe last Indian village, Tibet across the stream
5. MansarovarThe snan in the sacred lake, 4,590 m
6. The parikramaYam Dwar, Dirapuk, the Dolma La (5,630 m), back to Darchen

Set out from Delhi, where the yatra assembles, by road into the Kumaon hills and up the gorge of the Kali to the last camp under Om Parvat. Cross the Lipulekh Pass into Tibet on foot, take the yatra's bus round Mansarovar for the snan, and walk the three days round Kailash, over the Dolma La.

1. Om Parvatॐ in the snow above Nabhidhang, the last camp in India
2. MansarovarThe snan in the sacred lake, 4,590 m
3. Yam DwarThe gate of the parikrama, under Tarboche's flags
4. DirapukThe north face of Kailash
5. Dolma LaThe pass, about 5,630 m
6. DarchenThe parikrama complete