Mt. Kailash Parikrama starts from Yama Dwar and takes two and half days to complete 52 Kms . Piligrims have option of both walking and Horse(pony) support for completing Parikrama.
We first saw the South face and east face in Darchen. On the first day of Parikrama, we completed nearly 16 kms and reached Dirapuk – 16300 ft. height. On the way to Dirapuk, we saw another face of Mt.Kailash – east face complete. People take diversion and also visit charana Sparsh. Little deep into kailash towards foot of Kailash. North face of Mt Kailash is visible very clearly from Dirapuk and many piligrims come back after taking Darshan at Dirapuk.
We stayed one day at Dirapuk and started journey towards Dolma La Pass – second day parikrama. Weather on second was unpredictable and visibility was very low when we started our Journey on Horse. It ook nealry 2 and half hours to reach the top of Dolma La Pass – highest peak of parikrama. We saw the third face (west face). Due to high altitudes, oxygen level is very low at Dolma La pass and we are not suppose to stay for longer time. The real difficulty starts after Dolma La pass. Because of steep mountain, pilgrims are advised to walk and climb down on their own for almost 8-10 kms. With low oxygen and unpredictable weather conditions, the climbing down becomes very challenging and difficult for many people. With many stops in between, some how people manage to come down. Sherpas help a lot during this time. While coming down, we saw Gauri Kund. Fresh and pure water. There is also a small patch of ice water sheet ( appox. 100 mts), we need to cross the river belt. Ther is no temple or any worhsipping place in Dolma la pass. but still Tibetans conisder this place a highly sacred and perform poojas. We also saw few of them doing 52 kms step by step knee down namaskaras and complete parikrama in 15-16 days. Without sherpas support, it is next to impossible for any one to take up parikrama task.
Second day parikrama ends after we reach zuthulpuk camp. By this time, we would have completed the Darshan of all Four Faces of Mt.Kailash.
