Mount Kailash

Mount Kailash is located in the Himalayas in Tibet in China, near the India and Nepal border. Hinduism states that Lord Shiva, the destroyer of evil and sorrow, resides at its summit in a state of perpetual meditation along with his wife Parvati. According to Buddhism, Mount Kailash is the home of Buddha Demchok who represents supreme bliss. Mount Kailash's elevation is 6,638 meters or 21,778 ft.

There are no recorded attempts to climb Mount Kailash. It is considered off limits to climb according to Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. In fact, Chinese government has banned all attempts to climb Mt. Kailash.

The mountain is located in a particularly remote and inhospitable area of the Tibetan Himalayas. Modern amenities are very few. However, a small regional medical center serving far-western Tibet has been established at Darchen at elevation of 4,600 m (15,100 ft).

Man Sarovar

Man Sarovar is a fresh water lake south of Mount Kailash and east to Lake Rakshastal and is the highest body of freshwater in the world. Lake Manasarovar is located at 4,556m (14947.5 ft) above mean sea level, is relatively round in shape with a circumference of 88 kilometers (55 miles) and is 90 meters (300 ft) deep. Lake Manasarovar is the source of several major rivers in Asia.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Thousands make a pilgrimage to Kailash and Mansarovar every year, primarily from India. There are several routes to reach there, some either through Kathmandu, Nepal or Lhasa, Tibet. The journey is a minimum of 11 days (using maximum helicopter) and up to 26 days. Pilgrims circumambulate Mount Kailash on foot, pony or yak, and takes around three days of trekking at the heights of 4,600m (15,000 ft) to 5,500m (18,200 ft) and encamping for two nights en route, covering the 32 miles (52 km) long path around Mount Kailash. While Hindus and Buddhists make the peregrination in a clockwise direction, Jain and Bonpo circumambulate in a counterclockwise direction.

Hinduism indicates that taking a bath in Lake Mansarovar and drinking water from the lake will cleanse all his sins committed over even a hundred lifetimes.

Travel Insurance for Mount Kailash

It is extremely important to purchase the proper travel insurance while traveling to such remote area. Among other benefits, local ambulance and emergency medical evacuation benefits are the most important ones to consider. Many travel insurance companies do not cover mountaineering above 4,500 meters and both Mt. Kailash (even the base) and Lake Mansarovar are above that elevation.

Diplomat International is available for people traveling outside their home country. You must choose the optional coverage for Athletic Sports & Hazardous Activities, (Not: Intercollegiate or Interscholastic Athletics, Club Sports; Or Organized Amateur Sports.) - High Option.

U.S. residents using their U.S. mailing address can choose USAway insurance, which provides optional coverage for Hazardous Sports like hiking/trekking up to 20,000 feet (without the need for climbing equipment), Mountaineering up to 10,000 feet, and many other hazardous sports and activities when the rider is added at purchase.

The coverage is available on an individual or family basis.

• Diplomat International Insurance

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• USAway - Travel Insurance

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DISCLAIMER: The information within this article is intended as a broad summary of benefits and services and is meant for informational purposes only. The information does not describe all scenarios, coverages or exclusions of any insurance plan. The benefits and services of an insurance plan are subject to change. This is not your policy/certificate of insurance. If there is any discrepancy between the information in this article and the language of your policy/certificate wording, the language of the policy/certificate wording will prevail.

The insurance plans available on this website are not specifically targeted towards the destination mentioned in this article. They can provide coverage while traveling away from home, according to the terms and conditions and geographic restrictions applicable to the specific plan.