Kora around Mt. Kailash

Mt. Kailash is Asia's holiest mountain and was the pinnacle of our time in Tibet.  A Kora is performed by making a walking circumambulation around a temple, stupa, or other sacred site. 3 Koras around Mt. Kailash is believed by the Tibetans to wash away the sins of a lifetime and 108 times around will grant you instant nirvana. We went for just one.
Starting at above 15,000 feet and topping out at 18, 472 feet, it is no easy task.  For 3 days we walked clockwise around Kailash, passed by Tibetan pilgrims that make the Kora in 1 day. At 15,000 plus feet, the air is so thin, that simply trying to zip up your sleeping bag takes considerable energy and leaves you winded.

Mt. Kailash nodding to the North

Cyiu Monastery-lake Manasarova

 Lake Manasarovar- Tibetan Holy Lake

Small village we stayed in before the trek- 

Hindus, who also make the trek around Kailash, 

submerge themselves in this lake as purification 

before the Kora-which they call a Parikrama

O Mani Padme Om Stones

Road to begin the Kora

First Prostration Point

Mt Kailash

First day of the trek

Early Morning Himalayas

North Face of Mt. Kailash

Tibetan Teenagers

Dorma La Pass- 18, 472

The trail down the other side of the pass

Caught in the snow

Our Yaks- Mocha & Espresso

Back at the starting point, getting warm

A prostrating devote Buddhist. He has spent the last 3 weeks prostrating his way around Mt. Kailash. Note the knee pads and heavy gloves.  Blows my mind.

Shigatze westward

Long days in the car took us through incredible vast scenery. The Himalayas were a constant companion to our south as we traveled on winding rising and falling roads, through dusty one horse towns, sand dunes, and spectacular monasteries.

Barley mill to make Tsampa: the basic Tibetan meal- using Yak butter tea

and ground roasted barley they make small dough balls and eat them uncooked

Baby split pants- Just hold them and they
do their business on the ground. Classic. 

Our speeding ticket: Taken from the back of a parked car: 

About 5 hours from the nearest town. 

Another example of the Chinese trying to control Tibet anyway they can. 

Another incredible Monastery that the Tibetans rebuilt 

after the Chinese destroyed it in the 1950's 

Typical Tibetan Town, pool anyone?

Tea Break

Sand Dunes with The Himalaya to the South and the Brahmaputra

Norbu (our guide) & Zudo (our driver)

Hanging with the locals

O Mani Padme Om

Prayer Wheels

Sweet Ride