A Sacred Tour to Mount Kailash: The 2026 Mansarovar Yatra Journal

For many years, I have felt an inner calling to go to Mount Kailash, a sacred mountain located in Tibet. Often, in deep meditation, I find myself there in spirit. Rahi, who is the organiser and guide for all of my Sacred Tours in India and particularly in the Himalayas, agreed to be the organiser for this tour to Mount Kailash. He put in a year of work to do so. In order to organise it he had to work with a tour organiser from Nepal as well as a tour organiser from Tibet. This is required by the Chinese authorities.

It is a very complex tour to organise due to the fact that one must arrive first in Nepal and from there, get all the necessary permits to cross over the border into China. Weather conditions are very changeable in this area and so one must be prepared for extreme cold, wind, rain or even snow. The altitude is another variable that can destabilise people considerably. One must be in fit health to even think of climbing to an altitude of 5,800 meters. Oxygen tanks are a must for every traveller. The food is another factor which is very important. A de-tox diet is essential because the body is so busy just trying to get enough oxygen that it cannot process any toxic or junk food items.

This mountain has a way of calling some people while rejecting others. So unpredictability is the name of the game. Sincere spiritual discipline goes a long way in creating an inner milieu conducive for this pilgrimage.

This year is the most auspicious for the pilgrimage to Mount Kailash. It is according to the Eastern Calendar, the 'Year of the Fire Horse.' This comes only every 12 years. And if one is lucky enough to circumvent Mount Kailash on this year, one gathers so much merit it is considered equal to going around Mount Kailash 13 times. And if one is able to circumvent Mount Kilash 13 times, it is believed that then, one is worthy to take the 'Inner Kora,' meaning, another level of circling the mountain which brings one into direct contact and even inside a cave to meditate within this holy mountain.

When Disaster Struck the Nepal Tibet Border

On this particular year, when half of our tour group had already arrived in Kathmandu, a disaster struck. Our tour was meant to begin on the 1st of September, 2026. On August 26th at the Rasuwagadhi border crossing from Nepal into China, which is the main border crossing used by thousands of pilgrims, the Trishuli river basin experienced a tremendous flash flood. This was triggered by a glacial collapse on Langtang Lirung which unleashed an enormous wall of water and debris. This flood almost instantly washed away buildings, including immigration halls and all infrastructures at the border. Thousands of lives were lost in this tremendous misfortune.

Naturally, the people who were meant to take our Sacred Tour were impacted. Some people immediately dropped out after hearing the news. From 26 international participants reserved for the tour, our numbers of people went down to 22. Our Tour organisers, including Rahi from India and Pradip from Nepal, were wondering if the tour was even possible.

Rahi from Rahi Adventure, our tour organiser.

This is because the second border which could be possible to cross, Kodari, was not yet opened by the Chinese authorities. It is the oldest traditional crossing which was used up till 2020. Then, Chinese authorities created the new crossing, Rasuwagadhi, which is the one where disaster struck. So now, after the recent devastation, the Chinese authorities are trying to reopen the traditional, well proven route of Kodari. However, they do not have enough staff, due to the recent disaster, so are only opening it enough for the people stuck on the Chinese side to cross over into Nepal, but not the other way around.

Thousands of people are waiting for their chance to go into Tibet for the Kailash Kora. But everything appears to be stuck. Our organisers have been wracking their brains to find any possible way for us to enter China and go on our planned pilgrimage.

In addition to this, the Chinese authorities, just one month previously, have decided the Indian quota of visitors to Mount Kailash has been overstretched this year. So no more Indian nationals are allowed to enter China in 2026. This means Rahi, our organiser, and Arnava, our chef, cannot come with us to Mount Kailash. It also means the 15 Indian participants who would normally be part of our Sacred Tour cannot come.

It is in this milieu of uncertainty, grief, fear and trepidation that our team gathers in a hotel in Kathmandu.

1st September 2026 - Called by Shiva in Kathmandu

During meditation in the morning, tuning to Mount Kailash and asking silent permission to go on the Kora (trek) around Mount Kailash; I sensed Shiva's presence telling me it is not I asking permission but rather, that I have been called by him to this mountain, to receive the secret of the secrets. I then sensed and was sucked into the center of the cyclone of life. At the very center was the soundless sound Om. He indicated that through this pilgrimage I will learn how to live at the center, within the soundless sound itself. Here, all mysteries are known from deep within the essence of life itself.

Today we will have our Team meeting as well as our meeting with all participants.

4 people dropped out due to fear from all the news swirling around about the previous border getting washed away by a flood.

Meanwhile, Rahi explained that just last night, he met a whole group of pilgrims returning from their Mount Kailash Kora experience. He asked how it was and they were flying in ecstasy from their experience. He asked if there was any difficulty due to the flood at the previous border crossing and they told him they didn't even know about the flood till they arrived back in Kathmandu!

In the evening, we meet for the first time all together as a group. There is a feeling of camaraderie and yet trepidation fills the air, due to the many rumours. We have a discussion about possible alternatives due to the fact that Chinese authorities have not yet opened the Kodari border crossing, for pilgrims to enter. They are only allowing people who were trapped at Kailash to leave.

We have in our group 22 people, from Germany, Holland, Armenia, France, Kazakhstan, Czech Republic, UK, USA, Mexico, China, Romania, Lithuania, Slovakia, Moldova, Argentina, Switzerland and New Zealand.

Rahi mentions the possibility of two flights to reach Simikot, a remote Himalayan village at 2,900 meters in the mountains. From there it would be possible to take a helicopter to the border. Of course this alternative means a substantial additional cost. Or, another slim possibility is to take jeeps on a precarious road for 6 hours instead of helicopters (which would only take 20 minutes.)

Later, we practice the Taoist 'Golden Flower Meditation' which seems to put people much more in a space of ease and relaxation. In this meditation, in a laying down position, we breathe golden light in through the crown chakra with every in-breath and allow this golden light to fill the body all the way to the toes. With every out-breath, darkness is invited to fill the body from the toes up to the crown of the head. This meditation balances yin and yang energies in the body, leading to deep inner peace.

On a personal level, my body is compromised as I find myself suffering from a strong fever. All energy drains away and I long only to sleep. Luckily, we are staying in a 5 star hotel for this part of our tour so I am very comfortable.

2nd September - Pashupatinath Temple and the Caves of Tilopa and Naropa

Everyone goes out sightseeing to various temples but I stay in the hotel room and sleep the entire day. I also develop a chest cough. I am praying that my lungs can recover in time for the tour.

Amandeep, my co-facilitator for this tour, writes about this day's experience.

"We gathered in the bus and went as a group to Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, the most important temple for the Hindu religion in this area.

Only Hindu people can enter this temple so we could only walk on the outside and observe the cremation grounds. Dead bodies were being burned. They were also burning some empty fires for the victims of the recent floods. We followed the river into the near park where there is a small place with two caves next to each other. In one cave, the great master Tilopa used to meditate and next to him in another small cave, his disciple Naropa was meditating.

These two caves, positioned next to each other, radiate mysterious and very powerful energy. We had a meditation there by the river and expressed our love and blessings to the ones that were lost in the recent floods.

Then we went to an amazing Rudraksha shop where we learned how different types of rudraksha seeds are connected to different deities. Part of the group went to get a blessing from the local priests who were chanting mantras. The priests gave us some big rudraksha malas and gave us a blessing to go on the Mount Kailash Journey."

3rd September - Osho Tapoban and the Cave of Padma Sambhava

In the morning, we first go to visit Osho Tapoban, the famous Osho Community in Nepal. This is a very impressive place, with numerous group rooms and smaller shrines designed to honour great enlightened beings. There is a samadhi which has been designed around the descendent of the tree under which Nagarjuna apparently became enlightened.

Nāgārjuna was an Indian Brahman from South India who converted to Buddhism and became a legendary figure in Mahayana Buddhism. He is considered the founder of the Madhyamaka school. Nāgārjuna is widely considered to be the most impactful Buddhist philosopher after Gautama Buddha. He discovered the alchemy of transforming base metals into gold. As the author of renowned medical books, he also made powerful contributions to the field of Ayurveda Medicine. Because of his profound achievements and wisdom he was appointed as Chancellor of the famous Nalanda University.

Swami Arun, founder of Osho Tapobhan, tells the story of how Nagarjuna wished to let go of worldly life and devote himself to his spiritual awakening. He came to Nepal to meditate. He chose exactly this spot, with a beautiful tree and the sound of the bubbling stream nearby. Swami Arun has put some of Osho's ashes in the Samadhi, so both masters are being honoured here.

We hold a No-Mind Meditation in the Ramana Maharshi group room and after this, Swami Arun comes to see us. His entourage also joins us and we have a nice chat. He recounts some stories from early days with Osho. He very lovingly invites us to stay and eat at the Zorba the Buddha Restaurant. Swami Arun shares with us that this restaurant is very famous throughout Kathmandu and many people love to come and eat there.

We politely decline his offer since we already have our lunch waiting at the hotel.

Swami Arun has initiated 100,000 people into Osho Sannyas and has inspired the creation of hundreds of Osho Centers throughout Nepal. At Osho Tapoban, there are ongoing meditation and meditative therapy programs. On a daily basis they host approximately 100 people from Nepal and from all over the world.

In the afternoon, we go out to meditate in a cave where Padma Sambhava, (who is known as the 2nd Buddha in Tibet and Nepal) lived with his consort. The cave is so small it is hard to imagine that this was even possible for them to both squeeze themselves in there. We can only enter 5 people at a time, sitting squashed together. However, the energy is certainly very powerful. I feel a continuous descent of grace pouring down from the ceiling of the cave.

We continue on to visit other shrines in the area, including one in honour of Goddess Tara.

In the evening we hold a very long meeting. We were supposedly going to have Kirtan but there is a hot topic if we should postpone the tour till the following year because no helicopter is being made available. There is a very long discussion about finances and someone also suggests instead of a helicopter, we could take a 6–8 hour jeep ride on very dodgy roads from the remote village of Simikot to the border. This idea is not greeted with enthusiasm because apparently the road is really treacherous.

People are more or less agreeing to postpone till the following year. Everyone looks resigned and despondent.

It becomes so late that finally, we only have time for one Kirtan song. The song Amandeep chose is 'Om Namah Shivaya.' This one song, led by Amandeep and his beloved Valeska, works its magic and the energy greatly lifts among our group.

4th September - A Change of Plans: Choosing the Overland Route

This is the day we would have left for our Tour if everything was moving according to plan. I am already packing to leave this hotel and move to a beautiful monastery in nature, when by surprise, I received a message in my inbox to attend a sudden meeting about the possibility of the jeep trip from Simikot to the border. The short message simply said, "if interested, please come." I was very surprised as I entered the room, that everyone from our tour group was there. And very simply, with minimum discussion, it was an almost unanimous decision to go with the jeep option. Out of 22 people, 20 people decided to go!

Very quickly and efficiently, our passports were gathered, permits sought by our local guide Pradip, and we were informed we would be leaving at 6:30am sharp, the following day. We were each given a specially designed duffel bag and told to make sure there was no more than 15 kilos in it. The fact that we have to take two flights means that the price of our tour increased by $800.00. But surprisingly, everyone seems to be really keen!

I am still trying to recover my full health and so spend most of the day sleeping.

In the evening, we have a really beautiful Kirtan, honouring Shiva, Padma Sambhava, Krishna and the great mother Goddess Ambica. Amandeep and Valeska have amazing singing voices and their passionate rendition of Kirtan is very inspiring! This Kirtan is so uplifting and harmonising it is astonishing how light and clear we feel.

We are instructed to be ready with all of our bags in the lobby at 5:30am the following day. Breakfast will be served at 6:00am and we leave at 6:30am for the airport.

5th September 2026 - Flying Into the Himalayas: Kathmandu to Simikot

Everyone is on time at 5:30am and the excitement in our group is palpable. After a nourishing breakfast, we head to the airport in a bus. The itinerary is; Kathmandu to Nepalganj by flight, Nepalganj to Simikot by flight, then Simikot to Hilsa where the border is, by a posse of jeeps.

Our two flights happen efficiently and with ease. We were warned by our guide Pradip that the second flight from Simikot only goes if the weather permits and sometimes there may be 3 days wait before it can go. Luckily, the weather is fine. The plane is extremely small so only half of our group can take it at one time. This means the plane has to do two round trips in order to take all of us.

We are enthralled by the Himalayan vistas during the short 45 minutes flight. It appears as if we are flying over some heavenly realm, with green mountains, terraced fields, an abundance of multi coloured flowers and small villages dotted here and there in the vast expanse of mountainous terrain.

Everyone cheers as we land on the small airstrip of Simikot. We are invited to walk the mountain road to our hotel, which is about 10 minutes from the landing strip. The village appears to be like something out of a medieval fairy tale. There is obvious stamina needed to survive in such terrain. And yet, there is grace, peace and artistry evident everywhere. The air is crisp and fresh, such a wonderful feeling just to breathe here in this remote slice of heaven.

It is very touching for us to see an aged, tiny local woman, carrying our bags on her back up the hill. She must have been carrying 50 kilos at least! The pile of bags on her back dwarfed her petite frame.

The hotel we find ourselves in is more like a guest house, very simple rooms but we can feel the care they take in every artistic detail of its design. The view from my room is spectacular, with green mountains as far as the eyes can see.

We are at an altitude of 3,200 meters and some of our group already begin feeling the effect of altitude, with lightheadedness or headache and some tingling in the hands. We are served a very special meal of rice and dal, spinach, mixed vegetables and papadam. Then one of the Nepali team who are accompanying us takes us on a really lovely walk through the village. It is alternating between drizzling and clear weather, and we experience the effects as some parts of the road become quite muddy.

There are apple orchards everywhere and there is also a pervasive smell of marijuana which grows abundantly in this area. It is intriguing to see some local elders hanging out on their doorsteps, enjoying sharing a chillum with clouds of smoke billowing out from the pipe. Perhaps this explains why the locals appear to be very tranquil and happy. They don't show any signs of curiosity about the 20 foreigners who have descended on their village. They simply accept us in an easy, natural way.

In the evening, we enjoy dinner followed by a beautiful Osho White Robe Meditation with wild dancing at the beginning, followed by sound and silence meditation and rounded up with a beautiful discourse by Osho. The discourse we have chosen is Osho speaking on the subject of Tantra.

Our day tomorrow will begin at 5:30am so everyone is eager for an early night. The blankets on the bed are really thick and heavy, which makes for a really cozy sleep.

6th September - The Landslide Road and Crossing Into the Tibet Autonomous Region

The electricity stopped working since yesterday, which means when I wake up at 4:30am, I am obliged to take an ice cold shower followed by dressing and packing in the dark. In spite of the lack of electricity, everyone is in an upbeat mood, ready for our road trip to the Chinese border. After a wonderfully warming and nourishing breakfast of buckwheat pancakes, oat porridge and ginger tea, we are ready to depart.

For the most part, the road which is rumoured to be highly challenging is actually very pleasant and stunningly beautiful! There are spectacular views of green mountains, white foamed rushing rivers, pine forests, and the occasional waterfall. The difficulty which presents itself is due to frequent landslides. Our entire caravan of jeeps has to stop when the road is blocked by a large boulder with more threatening to fall at any moment.

Luckily in this moment, a whole jeep full of local men is passing by and they all pile out to help the situation. They very cleverly create a temporary secondary road bridge by piling up many small stones so the jeeps can traverse over a large rock. This strategy works and we are very soon on our way again. The views were simply the most stunning you could ever hope to see in this life. Incredible beauty!!

After 6 hours of travel, we reached the Chinese border. We breathed a huge sigh of relief. However, our troubles were not over. The Chinese authorities pulled aside a few of our tour group, including Sira, and grilled them for about 2 hours because they had Osho books. To make a long story short, they removed the Osho books from people, saying he is a dangerous man who has been thrown out of many countries. Finally, our patience was rewarded and we were allowed to enter Tibet. The place we have entered from is very close to Lake Mansarovar. However, in order to acclimatise before going to Lake Mansarovar, we are staying in a hotel which is at 3,800 meters in altitude.

We have been joined by a really wonderful Tibetan tour guide. (I am calling him by another name, Jampa, in this write up in order to protect his privacy.) It is he who will be guiding the Mount Kailash Kora. He is always happy, smiling and easy going. His presence has a way of bringing an elevated mood to all in his vicinity. He is tall and handsome, with long hair, tied up in a bun, and we are amazed when he lets us know that he is 50 years of age. He appears to be in excellent health. We are further amazed when he lets us know he has walked the Kailash Kora 107 times.

7th September - Tibetan Culture and Acclimatization on the Tibetan Plateau

After breakfast, our guide Jampa takes us to the shopping area so people can change money at the bank. On the way, as we are crossing the bridge over the Karnali river, the subject comes up of marriage in Tibet. He explains to us that in eastern Tibet, where he is from, one woman is usually married to all the brothers from a particular family. In his family, there were three brothers. One (obligatory in Tibetan families) was sent to become a monk in a monastery. The other two were married to one woman from another family. He informs us marriage is not considered to be between two people but rather it is a contract between two families. We asked, "What is the limit to the number of brothers a woman can marry?" and he answered, "nine." Of course, we were all agog to hear about this. Jampa then regaled us with multiple intriguing stories about Tibetan culture and Tibetan history.

Later in the day, we do pod sharing and group sharing about our experiences and what each person is going through, our realisations, challenges and wonderful experiences.

In the evening, Jampa speaks to us, telling many stories about sacred sites and those enlightened beings who have left their mark in this area, including Milarepa and Padma Sambhava. We will be visiting some of these sacred sites to meditate.

So far, most people have not had any significant altitude symptoms which I believe is due to the fact that we are following a Sattvic diet. When there is less oxygen available, the body is using most of its power in simply getting enough oxygen and has no energy to process toxins. If a person imbibes toxic foods such as dairy, gluten, meat, black tea, sugar, MSG and highly processed food at high altitude, the body cannot tolerate such an invasion and reacts by getting very ill, with headache, nausea, dizziness, etc.

Two of our members are having flu symptoms including fever so I get busy giving Colour Light Therapy Treatments and finally, fall into a grateful sleep.

8th September - Arriving at the Holy Lake Mansarovar

After a simple, light breakfast, we leave the hotel, headed for Lake Mansarovar. The scenery is spectacular. Our first glimpse of a large water body is the stunning Rakshas Tal (Demonic Lake). There is a legend of Shiva fighting demons here and the blood from this war formed the lake. It is interesting in this respect that this lake has no fish life, while Lake Mansarovar is packed to the brim with fish.

Finally, we round a corner of a mountain and Lake Mansarovar is in front of us, utterly vast and indescribably beautiful. In the distance, Mount Kailash is hiding behind white fluffy clouds.

It has quite a lot of 'security' around it and though we are allowed to fill our water bottles with this sacred water, no one is allowed to enter the lake and become immersed. Apparently it is a thing among some Hindus to immerse in the holy water and allow oneself to drown, thereby going 'directly to heaven.' The authorities must have become very tired of fishing drowned people out of the lake and put a stop to this practice.

I am not expecting anything in particular while gently approaching the lake's edge. I have my empty water bottle in hand to fill with sacred water, together with two malas to be blessed by putting these in the water. However, the moment I touch the lake water with my hand, I am overcome with emotion and begin sobbing and crying. In a profound, instantaneous transmission, I experience all karma of all lifetimes being sucked out of me through my crown chakra. Everything turns to rainbow luminescence.

"Om Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu" — may all beings be happy and free, and may my thoughts, words and actions in some way contribute to the happiness of all beings.

In the same instant, the center of my hands each manifest a spinning swastika yantra and I see my auric field going through massive transformation, unveiling my ultimate potential. I sense I have waited many lifetimes for this moment of meeting with Lake Mansarovar.

Some others are also having profoundly emotional experiences. In fact, it is impossible to stop or control such a happening…

We meditate for a while near the lake in the sunshine and then slowly make our way to our Lake Mansarovar Hot Springs Hotel where a truly delicious lunch has been prepared with love by our kitchen team.

After lunch, our group gathers in the natural hot-springs spa for a sublime soak…

What an unexpected luxury!

In the early evening, the clouds clear and we have a clear view of Mount Kailash. It stands out from all the other mountains as it has a very particular mystical aura. The rounded top is covered in snow and glitters as if bedecked with jewels.

A Meditation to Bond with Padma Sambhava

After dinner, Amandeep introduces us to a very special meditation to bond with Padma Sambhava. As we are going to his monastery tomorrow, which looks out over Lake Mansarovar, it is great to already be introduced to his energy and presence.

The Invocation for the Meditation — Seven Line Prayer

Hūṁ. In the north-west of the land of Oḍḍiyāna
In the heart of a lotus flower,
Endowed with the most marvellous attainments,
You are renowned as the 'Lotus-born',
Surrounded by many hosts of ḍākinīs
Following in your footsteps, I pray to you:
Come, inspire me with your blessing!
Guru Padma Siddhi Hūṁ

The Seven-Line Prayer (Vajra Seven-Line Prayer) is the most sacred invocation of Padmasambhava. In this visualization, you invoke his presence to merge his enlightened mind with your own.

Phase 1: Setup and Invitation

• Posture: Sit comfortably with a straight spine, eyes slightly open, looking into the space in front of you.
• Open Space: Imagine the space around you is pure, vast, and completely luminous.
• The Lake: Visualize a beautiful, pristine lake called Dhanakosha with crystal-clear water.
• The Lotus: In the center of the lake, see a magnificent, blooming eight-petaled lotus flower.
• The Arrival: Recite the Seven-Line Prayer with deep devotion, imagining Guru Rinpoche appearing instantly, seated on the lotus.

Phase 2: Visualizing Guru Rinpoche

• Appearance: He looks like a vibrant eight-year-old child, radiant with the brilliance of a thousand suns.
• Face: His expression is both fiercely powerful and deeply compassionate, with a gentle smile.
• Attire: He wears the layered robes of a monk and a king, holding a vajra in his right hand and a skull-cup in his left.
• Surroundings: See him surrounded by an ocean of dakinis, buddhas, and protectors, all dissolving into light around him.

Phase 3: The Four Immeasurables

• Love: Wish that all sentient beings may experience lasting happiness and its ultimate causes.
• Compassion: Wish that all beings are entirely freed from suffering and the roots of pain.
• Joy: Rejoice in the happiness, virtues, and spiritual accomplishments of all living beings.
• Equanimity: Rest in absolute balance, free from attachment to friends or hatred toward enemies.

Phase 4: Absorption and Resting

• Light Transmission: Imagine three streams of light (white from his forehead, red from his throat, blue from his heart) entering your three centers.
• Purification: This light purifies all your negative karma, physical illnesses, emotional stagnations, and mental obscurities.
• Dissolving: Guru Rinpoche melts into a ball of pure, radiant light and dissolves directly into your heart center.
• Rigpa (pure primordial awareness): Let go of all visualizations, concepts, and thoughts, resting your mind in its natural, undivided state.

Read: Who Is Guru Rinpoche? The Life & Teachings of Padmasambhava

9th September - The Monastery and Cave of Padma Sambhava

This morning, after a simple breakfast, we leave for the Monastery and cave of Padma Sambhava. This is situated on a hill, overlooking Lake Mansarovar. There are a crowd of Tibetan people getting ready for ceremony, which means there is a queue in order to reach the cave. The cave is very small, so only 2 or 3 people can be inside at one time. If one is facing the altar, on the upper right wall, there is a very special stone hanging there. This stone is charged with energy. Padma Sambhava had brought this stone from the lake and it is known to hold the heart of Mansarovar Lake. As I placed my hand there, I felt the same magic I experienced at the lake when touching the water. The stone is highly charged with magical energy which lifts off karma and brings one in tune with their original essence.

We also visit the interior of the monastery, where there is a huge statue of Padma Sambhava. While tuning in, I experience him as being adept at harnessing the energies of all dimensions and putting those energies in service of consciousness, even the energies of the lower dimensions. Such skilful means and infinite compassion is indeed rare in this world.

The many stories about Padma Sambhava are fascinating. His place and timing of birth was predicted by Gautama the Buddha and indeed, Buddha indicated that he himself would come back in the form of Padma Sambhava. He appeared as an 8 year old boy sitting in the center of a lotus flower in the middle of the lake in Uddiyana in India. He was already an awakened being when he appeared, however, throughout his miraculous life, he continued evolving into more and more refined levels of enlightenment.

As an integral part of his advanced yogic practice, he worked with several different dakinis (advanced female yoginis). One of the most well known was the daughter of a King in North India. The King did not approve of his daughter running off with this wild Tantric practitioner and came with his army intending to kill Padma Sambhava. However, Padma Sambhava was protected by miraculous powers and escaped unharmed. Seeing this, the King honoured him and allowed him to take his daughter with him. They travelled together to Tibet where they were welcomed by a Tibetan King who became Padma Sambhava's patron.

Padma Sambhava translated many scriptures into Tibetan language from Sanskrit. He also subdued the demonic realms and created many methodologies for people to progress on the path of meditation.

There are many sacred sites in India, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet where he stayed and meditated. Each of these places has profoundly charged energy and people visit them on pilgrimage.

After visiting the Monastery, we go to Dachen, which is the last village before our trek will begin. We do last minute shopping, such as spikes for our boots in case of ice on the path. We also need to purchase protective face masks due to the intensity of the sun at high altitude.

One challenging aspect of the Kora is the fact that there is no possibility to shower or even wash one's body at all during the three day trek. I have prepared as best I could by bringing my trusty spray bottle of Bulgarian Rose water. I intend to wake up each morning using this and let my imagination run riot with the idea that I have bathed.

10th September 2026 - The Sacred Kailash Kora Begins: Day 1 of the Trek

Today it's very auspicious, being a New Moon and the beginning of a new cycle. It is the first day of our Kora, the 3 day trek around Mount Kailash. We began at the Mount Kailash gate, met our Sherpa and horse plus the horse guide (for those who ordered a horse). We are asked to carry only 2 kg max ourselves and give max 6 kg to our Sherpa. The Sherpas and horses and horse guides are decided by choosing names out of a hat. In this way, I find myself with those wonderful beings who will be assisting me for these three days of trekking. Neither of them speaks any English so communication is all by sign language.

We also have to be prepared for both heat and cold as the wind can be biting during this pilgrimage. The journey is 12 km on the first day, headed to Derapuk where our Tibetan guide has reserved a precious guest house. We will stay three people per room and I will share with Irina and Sira.

The trek is very exciting, to see the magnificent views and to finally arrive to a spectacular area where Mount Kailash is up close and intimately in our view. My bedroom has a window looking directly at Mount Kailash. We are at 5,100 meters in elevation and this takes its toll on the body. On arrival I go directly for a nap as my body is exhausted due to not sleeping well because of the altitude.

During my nap a few people from our group ascend the gentle slope where there is a plateau on top, giving an up close view of Mount Kailash. This profoundly affects several people in the group who have powerful spiritual experiences. I wake from my nap after about 45 minutes and I'm just beginning the ascent to the plateau when a group of policemen or military men go and tell everyone they are not allowed on the plateau. I am very disappointed to have missed this opportunity.

I sit on a rock further down on the side of the hill and soak up the vibes of this mountain which is truly the 'Axis Mundi' of our world. In ancient cosmologies the 'Axis Mundi' represents the anchor of the universe, a central point around which everything else revolves. When we are with Mount Kailash, intuitively we can feel this as reality.

When I open my eyes I am amazed to see a trident of Shiva which has appeared at my feet with its three prongs facing me. I am very surprised as I could swear it was not there when I began my meditation. I take it and later offer it to Modestas.

Later one of our group is sitting with closed eyes on a rock in the warm evening sun. One of the military men tells someone in our group to go ask her to stop because meditation is not allowed here. I find this situation really tragic!

Later, after dinner, we do pod sharing and group sharing, which is much needed after all the adventures so far.

In the night I have a great deal of trouble sleeping because of altitude. I ponder over the situation with Mount Kailash and how it is sacred to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Bon people and even Muslims. I believe such a mountain actually needs to be protected as a world heritage. It offers benediction to all beings and could even be known as the 'peace mountain,' since it offers spiritual benediction to so many varied cultures.

11th September - Crossing the Dolma La Pass: Day 2 of the Trek

Today we have to be ready by 5:30 am as it is going to be a 22 km trek. We will be travelling over the Dolma La Pass at 5,800 meters elevation. It is an incredible scene going on as people from all walks of life and all ages slowly make their way up the mountain. It is an endless river of humanity. Sprinkled at regular intervals are the devotees who are doing the whole of the Kora with full prostrations. These are people of all ages who take three steps and then do a full prostration, three more steps and another full prostration. To do the whole Kora like this takes approximately one month. To witness such devotion is certainly rare in this world!

To reach the Dolma La Pass is 4 km straight up the mountain. At the top is a sea of prayer flags. There are also photos of loved ones who have died, together with food offerings. After going up, it is another 4 km going down which is arduous in its own way. Some of our group have a porter and horse together with a horse caretaker while some have chosen only a porter. And one or two of our group has chosen no porter at all which is certainly arduous since at high altitude, 2 kilos in one's backpack feels like 6 kilos.

On the way up I ride the horse because the air is so thin and I feel too breathless for such an arduous climb. However, on the way down, I walk. On this descent from the Dolma La Pass we see a stunning lake called Gauri Kund (also known as Parvati Sarovar or the Lake of Compassion). This lake is reported to have been the bathing place of Shiva's wife, Parvati.

From the bottom of the mountain, it is about 14 km on a more straight dirt road to our lodge where we will stay the night. I walk about half-way on the 14 kilometre road and then finally get on the horse. The view is exquisite, with a wide, undulating green valley, an idyllic river running through it and mountains on all sides.

Our whole group arrives at different timings. In my case, my Sherpa and horseman were really into a marathon way of progressing so we stopped only one time for 15 minutes. This means we made the whole 22 kilometre trek in 5 ½ hours. Some others took up to 9 hours. Everyone looks quite exhausted on arrival, but proud and happy! One of our trekking members had an unfortunate fall from her horse and fractured her scapula. She went to the hospital for the night and we will meet up with her tomorrow.

Whoever from our group made it in time before dinner, went to the shrine and cave of Milarepa where there are powerful rocks which are blessed by his energy. Unfortunately, whoever has done maintenance for this sacred site has made a really dreadful mistake by having installed a public toilet just at the entrance of the shrine.

On this trip in Tibet I have discovered just how bad a public toilet can be! Basically, these filthy hovels contain holes in the ground without any flush and with no apparent attention to cleanliness or hygiene. The stench is simply beyond belief! There are also no doors and no privacy. One is obliged to squat down in plain sight of whoever is passing by. If it is at all possible I prefer to go into nature! Anyhow, arriving to the sacred site of one of the most renowned yogis of all time, one's nostrils are first affronted by the most dreadful stench of the public toilet!

As part of a longer explanation about Tibetan customs, our guide, Jampa, has explained to us about Tibetan styles of burial. One is called sky burial. The deceased is carried up to a high plateau and the body is chopped into pieces and offered to the vultures who circle there. The other is called 'water burial' where the deceased is cut up and thrown into water as an offering to the fish. He explains this is why Tibetans don't eat fish, because it is possible they would inadvertently eat their own ancestors!

The faith, resilience and creative forms of spirituality in this land are truly remarkable! I look forward to the day when Tibetan spirituality can be offered to the world in a grand university. I may not agree with everything they do, such as the celibate monk system, but their vastness of spiritual endeavour certainly deserves respect, honouring and to make it available as a living repository of wisdom for future generations.

12th September 2026 - Completing the Sacred Kora: Day 3 of the Trek

The last day of our trek has arrived! We eat a simple breakfast of porridge and are on our way. Today is only a 4 or 5 kilometre trek which is mainly on flat ground with only one strong ascent. We begin early and it is truly magical to walk in the soft, crisp, luminous morning air. I really enjoy this trek as it feels like an integration of all that has come before. I leave my two white prayer flags wrapped on a stone on a hill, with my prayer of well being for those people I know and love and for all sentient beings. The rock is placed auspiciously, facing Mount Kailash.

We all arrive to our final point, in groups of twos or threes and I give a nice tip to my sherpa and to the horseman and thank them.

Once we all arrive, we get on a public bus and are taken to the place where our brightly painted bus is waiting for us, hired for the duration of our sojourn in Tibet. We are then driven about an hour, closer to the border and to the hotel where we stayed before going to Lake Mansarovar.

Everyone is starving so we decide to go out to eat at a local Tibetan restaurant, suggested by our guide. He helps everyone to place their order, (without MSG.) I order simple rice noodles with green vegetables and tofu. I am very happy with this dish, so different from the usual fare of white rice, dal and vegetables we have been having during this tour.

Some people order dishes containing yak meat, which I find very sad considering we have met so many vital, healthy and alive yaks on our sacred pilgrimage walk. Of course people 'ooh and ah' seeing these brightly decorated powerful creatures. But these same people don't bat an eyelash in regards to eating the corpse of these majestic animals. Sometimes I simply despair at the insensitivity of human beings!

Later, after dinner, I guide people into exchanging a very simple form of massage for shoulders and back. During this massage the one giving compliments the one receiving, praising their courage for circumventing Mount Kailash, facing all challenges and coming through shining.

After this, we pass out tips to our crew of 4 who have prepared our Sattvic meals throughout the tour and we also offer a good tip to Jampa, our Tibetan guide who has been so very generous with his time and positive presence.

Stories from Our Tibetan Guide

Jampa then tells us many stories about Tibet and about some cultural anomalies.

He lets us know that as we have done the Kora during this year of the 'fire horse,' it counts as 13 sacred Koras. It is the most auspicious year possible to do the Kora. It is said by locals that if someone has done the Kora 13 times, or one time during the year of the fire horse, it is then possible to do the 'Inner Kora.' This involves going to the Dolma La Pass (5,800 meters in altitude) and then from there, the 'Inner Kora' begins, which involves using ropes and harness, and wearing a helmet to protect one's head from falling rocks.

Apparently, with this very close approach to the mountain, one will come across 13 stupas, a Nandi (Shiva's bull) and a huge Shiva Lingam. There is also a cave which one can enter, (inside the mountain itself) and meditate there. However, it has happened several times that people have died and or disappeared in this region and therefore, the Chinese government has forbidden foreigners from doing this 'Inner Kora.'

While sharing, Jampa describes other possible tours he guides, including a string of monasteries and caves where great yogis have meditated, an exquisite high mountain lake and a hot springs said to have miraculous healing powers.

He also described to us how his mother, who had five husbands, finally decided to become a nun. She set her husbands free to enjoy life as they wished and shaved her head and now lives as a nun, having renounced worldly life. Two of his fathers died, and the other three remarried and started new families.

I find this tale quite bittersweet. I can only begin to imagine how tiring it must be to erotically fulfil 5 husbands, so it appears almost normal that his mother would get fed up with having so many husbands. But the whole system to me is very peculiar, because the woman and the men initially are given no choice as to who they marry. The marriage is all arranged by the parents.

After our lovely evening gathering, I go gratefully to bed and sleep 8 hours straight, very deeply and peacefully. This is the first time in many days I have been able to do so because of altitude effects. I wake up feeling super charged with positive energy.

13th September 2026 - Exiting Tibet, Returning to Nepal

We eat breakfast, pack and leave the hotel by 9:00am. We then make our way to the border and go through the formalities of leaving China behind. The contrast of the huge, solid Chinese immigration building and the rinky-dink border control of Nepal is truly comedic. We are very happy to find ourselves in Nepal, proud of our great achievement of having completed the sacred Kora of Mount Kailash. However, we are sad to say goodbye to our wonderful Tibetan guide, Jampa, and I know several of us hope we will meet him again someday.

We are delighted that we are now met by our posse of jeeps and begin the journey back down the mountain to Simikot. We stop on the way for a delicious lunch served by a local family, with farm-fresh ingredients. Our drivers are in a hurry because it is possible for us to take our flight from Simikot to Nepalgunj, and from there to Kathmandu. As people have international flights to catch on the 14th or 15th of September, we need to take advantage of the fact that the weather is fine for flying today, but may not be tomorrow.

As the propeller plane is very small, one batch of us goes first and we then wait for the other part of our group to take that same plane, which comes back to pick them up for a second flight. Arriving to Nepalgunj airport, the weather is extremely hot, such a contrast to Tibet!

Once we are all united in Nepalgunj, we are delighted to see footage of our group who were waiting for the second flight, having spent the entire time enjoying a dance party with the officials of the tiny airport. This looked so hilarious and joyful when contrasted with the seriousness of the officials of the Chinese immigration. It is so intriguing to glide between cultures, like visiting other dimensional realities, all in one day!

Our flight back to Kathmandu goes very smoothly and it is certainly wonderful to slide into five star luxury in our hotel in Kathmandu. Rahi, our organiser, is there to greet us. We regale him with stories from the trek and we celebrate wonderful camaraderie. Everyone enjoys a nice dinner and is so grateful for the soft sheets and cozy bed of the hotel!

In the morning we will hold our closing ritual for our Sacred Tour.

14th September 2026 - Closing Ritual and Integration

At 10:00am we all gather outside in the garden for our closing ritual. We begin with Amandeep guiding an inner journey of remembrance of each and every part of the journey. I then guide people into a Shiva Sutra from the Vigyan Bhairav Tantra which says:

"Put mindstuff in such inexpressible fineness, above, below and in the heart."

I guide them to contemplate the entire journey and as this integrates, to allow this meditation to do its magic of transforming everything in the crucible of the heart.

After this meditation, while everyone is still blindfolded, we place three magical offerings in their open hands: 1) a certificate of them having completed the Mount Kailash Kora, 2) a medallion with one side decorated with a picture of Mount Kailash and the other side decorated with a picture of Lake Mansarovar, 3) a lovely small Shiva Lingam carved out of a pure, transparent crystal stone.

Amandeep and I then lightly touch each person's crown chakra while saying a blessing for them:

"Thank you for your courage. May you be blessed on your life path."

We then ring the Tibetan singing bowl three times, and ask everyone to come back into the here and now.

After this, we hold a group sharing, hearing a few words from everyone by turns about how they are feeling and how they can imagine taking what they have experienced into their daily life.

This sharing is profoundly touching.

Bodhi, our faithful film-maker, has been capturing the entire Mount Kailash Sacred Pilgrimage on camera and will be preparing a documentary about our experience. I am really looking forward to the outcome of this!

What's Next: Sacred Tour to Bhutan 2027

And guess what? We are already planning our next Sacred Tour, which will be to Bhutan! We are planning this for August, 2027. If you feel the call, stay connected, get ready, reserve early, and see you there!

Words From One of Our Tour Participants - Cat Davies

Without a doubt, I spent the craziest birthday of my life starting this life-changing pilgrimage to Mount Kailash! 🎂✨️🤩🏠💫

The most extraordinary — and craziest — road journey of my life, and I have done a few in my time! — from the Karakoram highway up the Old Silk Road through Pakistan into China, horse trekking in the Siberian wilderness, to a wild ride through the sand dunes of the Sahara through the Black and White Deserts...

Muddy, boulder-strewn tracks that only 4WD jeeps and horses can tackle; with a fresh landslide; a breathtaking 4,500-metre mountain pass; rickety wooden bridges over raging torrents … and all around us, the magnificent peaks of the Himalayas.

A wild, exhilarating and absolutely unforgettable day to arrive in Tibet, "the roof of the world," and to catch a first glimpse of the magical sacred Mount Kailash! 🏠️🚛✨️

My Kora started on an auspicious note when against all probability, my eyes closed, I pulled out of one hat the name of my porter and from another, the name of my horseman. It turned out that they were a very loving married couple 💚🦼

I also felt so blessed and lucky to have a beautiful, strong but docile horse, that my horseman not only treated very well, but that he really loved — he was always cuddling his neck, gently urging him up the steep slope up to the 5630m Dolma-la pass and even kissing his softly furry ears 💜

I had consulted an astrologer before setting off to inquire what this trip would bring into my life. He had replied "a big spiritual transformation, a spiritual rebirth," because the configuration of the planets virtually mirrored those on the day I was born.

Although I had mentally and spiritually prepared myself to "go with the flow — no mind, no goal," this expectation niggled at the back of my mind, especially when after having completed the Kora, I hadn't (consciously) undergone any notable transformation or received any special message from Shiva or Kailash.

However, when I was least expecting anything — except to relax during a 5 minute integration massage in our group on the evening of our descent — I suddenly saw, with almost blinding clarity, Shiva speaking to me from the top of Kailash: "You came here with the wrong intention — wanting to do the Kora INSTEAD OF your ex-partner, (whose Osho sannyasin name is Prem Kailash), wanting a final revenge act to seal the end of your relationship. But by the third day, Kailash had opened up your heart and you were doing it FOR him."

I realised once again in my life that everything happens for a reason and that if we hadn't painfully broken up, my life path wouldn't have brought me to Kailash....

Or to Bali... Shiva continued with his powerful message: "I believe in and fully support your project to create a healing sanctuary in Bali. You have my blessing to manifest this sacred project and complete the unfinished business left over from your previous lives.

Don't leave ALL your karma on Kailash — only the negative stuff. This is an important positive mission you must and will carry out in this life time."

With that the bell rang, signalling the end of our integration massage meditation.

The message and image are still crystal clear in my mind, body and soul. 🙏🏠😊💗🙏