Your browser has disabled scripting - some functions of this album will not be available. Please check your browser configuration and security settings for this site

Mountains Of Travel Photos

Home | Kailash Main | Kailash References | Contact

Mount Kailash Photo Gallery - Inner Kora

Mount Kailash Inner Kora / Nandi Parikrama - trek to the 13 Golden Chortens set into the South Face of Mount Kailash and circle Nandi

01 Mount Kailash South Face Close Up From Selung Gompa At Start Of Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama After a 30-minute drive in our LandCruiser from Darchen, we arrive at the end of the 4WD road below Seleng Gompa at 06:45 (4991m). We could see the top part of the Mount Kailash South Face shining in the early morning sun above the intervening ridge.

01 Mount Kailash South Face Close Up From Selung Gompa At Start Of Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

02 Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama Trek Begins At Selung Gompa, Climbs To First Pass, Then To Ashtapad Pass After leaving Seleng Gompa (06:45, 4991m) we quickly trek to the top of the first pass (07:07, 5084m) and continue to the top of the next hill called Ashtapad (07:30, 5171m). The holy site of Ashtapad, meaning eight steps, is the place where the first Jain Tirthankara Shri Adinath Bhagwan attained Nirvana.

02 Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama Trek Begins At Selung Gompa, Climbs To First Pass, Then To Ashtapad Pass

03 Mount Kailash South Face Close Up From First Pass Early Morning On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama Mount Kailash shines in the early morning sun from the first pass (07:07, 5084m) just after starting the trek from Seleng Gompa (06:45, 4991m).

03 Mount Kailash South Face Close Up From First Pass Early Morning On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

04 Mount Kailash South Face And Nandi From Confluence Of Two Rivers Early Morning On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama After leaving Ashtapad (07:30, 5171m), the sun finally comes over the ridge (08:00) and warms us as we reach the confluence of the two dry rivers coming from both sides of Nandi. The full south face of Mount Kailash is still partially hidden by the intervening ridge.

04 Mount Kailash South Face And Nandi From Confluence Of Two Rivers Early Morning On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

05 Mount Kailash South Face Close Up From Confluence Of Two Rivers Early Morning On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama Mount Kailash South Face shines in the early morning sun above an intervening ridge as we reach the confluence of the two dry rivers coming from both sides of Nandi (08:00).

05 Mount Kailash South Face Close Up From Confluence Of Two Rivers Early Morning On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

06 Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama Trail Leading To Ridge With Kailash South Face Still Partially Hidden The trail from the confluence of the two dry rivers leads up to a ridge with the Mount Kailash South Face still partially hidden (08:17).

06 Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama Trail Leading To Ridge With Kailash South Face Still Partially Hidden

07 Mount Kailash South Face First Full View At Crest Of Ridge On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama Finally after cresting the ridge (08:28, 5423m) above the confluence of the two dry rivers the Mount Kailash South Face comes fully into view.

07 Mount Kailash South Face First Full View At Crest Of Ridge On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

08 Lingam Shaped Rock On Western Wall Of Kailash On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama After cresting the ridge above the confluence of the two dry rivers, a lingam-shaped rock protrudes from the west wall of the Mount Kailash Inner Kora (08:28).

08 Lingam Shaped Rock On Western Wall Of Kailash On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

09 Jerome Ryan With Mount Kailash South Face On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama More and more of the Mount Kailash South face comes into view as Jerome Ryan continues trekking up the western side of Nandi (08:38).

09 Jerome Ryan With Mount Kailash South Face On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

10 Prayer Flags And Horse Foot Print On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama Prayer flags over layered rocks identify an auspicious place for Tibetans - a horse foot print impressed onto a smooth rock (08:46, 5426m).

10 Prayer Flags And Horse Foot Print On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

11 Close Up Of Horse Foot Print Impressed On Smooth Rock On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama Here is a close up of a horse foot print impressed onto a smooth rock on the Mount Kailash Inner Kora on the west side of Nandi.

11 Close Up Of Horse Foot Print Impressed On Smooth Rock On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

12 Rocky Trail Leads To Mount Kailash South Face On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama The rocky bed of the valley to the west of Nandi leads step by step towards Mount Kailash South Face (09:01)

12 Rocky Trail Leads To Mount Kailash South Face On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

13 Mount Kailash South Face And Atma Linga On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama Mount Kailash South Face shines beautifully in the mid-morning sun from the Inner Kora (09:13). At the bottom of the face is the Atma Linga, a pyramidal ice formation.

13 Mount Kailash South Face And Atma Linga On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

14 Mount Kailash South Face Close Up On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama The view of the Mount Kailash South Face gets better and better as we trek ever closer to the 13 Golden Chortens (09:26).

14 Mount Kailash South Face Close Up On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

15 Mount Kailash South Face Summit Close Up On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama Here is a close up view of the summit area of the Mount Kailash South Face on them Inner Kora / Nandi Parikrama. (09:37).

15 Mount Kailash South Face Summit Close Up On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

16 Lingam Shaped Rock On Western Wall Of Kailash On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama Here is a side view of the lingam-shaped rock protruding from the west wall of the Mount Kailash Inner Kora (09:48). The final steep climb begins now (5532m).

16 Lingam Shaped Rock On Western Wall Of Kailash On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

17 Looking Straight Up At Mount Kailash South Face And Atma Linga On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama As we get closer, we can look straight up at Mount Kailash South Face and Atma Linga (10:15)

17 Looking Straight Up At Mount Kailash South Face And Atma Linga On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

18 Rocky Trail Leads Steeply To 13 Golden Chortens With Nandi Pass And Nandi On Right On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama A rocky trail leads steeply to the 13 Golden Chortens with Nandi Pass and Nandi on the right (10:15)

18 Rocky Trail Leads Steeply To 13 Golden Chortens With Nandi Pass And Nandi On Right On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

19 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face From Below On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama The Thirteen 13 Golden Chortens on Mount Kailash South Face become more visible as we near the South Face (10:15)

19 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face From Below On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

20 Looking Straight Up At Mount Kailash South Face, Atma Linga, And 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama The Mount Kailash South Face towers overhead as we near the face. The Atma Linga takes shape at the bottom of the face, and the 13 Golden Chortens are visible on the lower part of the face on the right (10:42)

20 Looking Straight Up At Mount Kailash South Face, Atma Linga, And 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

21 Atma Linga Side View Below Mount Kailash South Face On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama Here is a side view of the Atma Linga as I ascend to the Kailash South Face (10:55). It is formed by the melted water from the south face of Kailash that freezes again at the bottom to take a form of a pyramidal ice lingam.

21 Atma Linga Side View Below Mount Kailash South Face On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

22 Jerome Ryan Being Helped Up The Last Steep Section To The 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama The final climb to the 13 Golden Chortens is so steep and dangerous that I willingly accepted the guiding hands of both my Tibetan Guide Ngawang and the local guide Tashi (11:21)

22 Jerome Ryan Being Helped Up The Last Steep Section To The 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

23 Gyan Tamang, Jerome Ryan, Tibetan Guide Ngawang, Local Guide Tashi At 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama I happily reached the 13 Golden Chortens (5822m) in the Saptarishi Cave in the Mount Kailash South Face at 11:30, 4:45 after starting the trek at Selung Gompa. Here is our team photo: Nepalese Guide Gyan Tamang, Jerome Ryan, Tibetan Guide Ngawang, and Local Guide Tashi.

23 Gyan Tamang, Jerome Ryan, Tibetan Guide Ngawang, Local Guide Tashi At 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

24 One Of The 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face In Saptarishi Cave On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama Here is a close up of one of the 13 Golden Chortens on Mount Kailash South Face in Saptarishi Cave (11:32).

24 One Of The 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face In Saptarishi Cave On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

25 Prayer Flags Drape The 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face In Saptarishi Cave On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama I did a full circle from where I stood to admire the panorama (11:36). Prayer flags drape some of the 13 Golden Chortens on Mount Kailash South Face in Saptarishi Cave. This view leads to the Nandi Pass with just a bit of Nandi on the right.

25 Prayer Flags Drape The 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face In Saptarishi Cave On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

26 Nandi From The 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face In Saptarishi Cave On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama Nandi from the 13 Golden Chortens on Mount Kailash South Face in Saptarishi Cave.

26 Nandi From The 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face In Saptarishi Cave On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

27 Looking Down The Valley To The West Of Nandi From The 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face In Saptarishi Cave On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama The panorama view now looks back down the valley that I earlier trekked to the west of Nandi from The 13 Golden Chortens on Mount Kailash South Face in Saptarishi Cave. The lingam-shaped rock is on the west wall of the valley.

27 Looking Down The Valley To The West Of Nandi From The 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face In Saptarishi Cave On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

28 Bottom Of Kailash South Face And Atma Linga From The 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face In Saptarishi Cave On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama My view now looked across the bottom of the Mount Kailash South Face with the Atma Linga in the foreground, taken from the 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face In Saptarishi Cave.

28 Bottom Of Kailash South Face And Atma Linga From The 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face In Saptarishi Cave On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

29 Mount Kailash South Face Towers Overhead From The 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face In Saptarishi Cave On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama The lower part of the Mount Kailash South Face curves steeply outward, seen from the 13 Golden Chortens on Mount Kailash South Face in Saptarishi Cave. The top of the Atma Linga is just to the right of centre at the bottom of the face.

29 Mount Kailash South Face Towers Overhead From The 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face In Saptarishi Cave On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

30 Prayer Flags Drape The 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face In Saptarishi Cave On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama My panorama from the 13 Golden Chortens on Mount Kailash South Face in Saptarishi Cave ends as it began with a view of some of the 13 Golden Chortens.

30 Prayer Flags Drape The 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face In Saptarishi Cave On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

31 Walking Behind The 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face In Saptarishi Cave On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama I then walked behind the 13 Golden Chortens inside the Saptarishi Cave, noticing the devotional objects left by pilgrims and the tsa-tsas and small chortens.

31 Walking Behind The 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face In Saptarishi Cave On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

32 Jerome Ryan, Ngawang And Tashi Climbing From The 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face To Nandi Pass On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama After a well-deserved rest and some lunch, we left at 12:20 and once again I accepted the help from Ngawang and Tashi to climb to the Nandi Pass (12:29).

32 Jerome Ryan, Ngawang And Tashi Climbing From The 13 Golden Chortens On Mount Kailash South Face To Nandi Pass On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

33 Nandi From Above Nandi Pass On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama The view of Nandi gets better and better as we near the Nandi Pass (12:29, 5841m).

33 Nandi From Above Nandi Pass On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

34 Mount Kailash Towers Above From Nandi Pass On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama The South Face of Mount Kailash towers steeply overhead from the Nandi Pass (12:34).

34 Mount Kailash Towers Above From Nandi Pass On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

35 Nandi Towers Above From Nandi Pass On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama The view of Nandi from Nandi pass is spectacular (12:35).

35 Nandi Towers Above From Nandi Pass On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

36 Panorama From Mount Kailash Down Eastern Valley To Nandi From Nandi Pass On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama The panorama from Nandi Pass extends from Mount Kailash down the Eastern Valley to Nandi and the Nandi Pass.

36 Panorama From Mount Kailash Down Eastern Valley To Nandi From Nandi Pass On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

37 Gyan Tamang Descending The Snow Slopes On The Eastern Side Of The Nandi Pass On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama The descent from Nandi Pass to the Eastern Valley is on snow at first. Here my Nepalese guide Gyan Tamang descends with Nandi on the upper left.

37 Gyan Tamang Descending The Snow Slopes On The Eastern Side Of The Nandi Pass On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

38 Mount Kailash From Bottom Of Nandi Pass In Eastern Valley On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama The South face of Mount Kailash once again comes into perfect view as we descend from the Nandi pass towards the Eastern Valley (13:08).

38 Mount Kailash From Bottom Of Nandi Pass In Eastern Valley On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

39 Mount Kailash Eastern Part From Bottom Of Nandi Pass In Eastern Valley On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama Here is the eastern part of the South face of Mount Kailash as we descend from the Nandi pass towards the Eastern Valley (13:08).

39 Mount Kailash Eastern Part From Bottom Of Nandi Pass In Eastern Valley On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

40 Panorama Down Eastern Valley To Nandi From Bottom Of Nandi Pass In Eastern Valley On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama We reached the bottom of the Nandi Pass (13:25, 5500m) in the Eastern Valley with this panorama down the valley and extending around to Nandi above.

40 Panorama Down Eastern Valley To Nandi From Bottom Of Nandi Pass In Eastern Valley On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

41 Mount Kailash From Eastern Valley On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama Mount Kailash South Face from the Eastern Valley on the Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama (13:35)

41 Mount Kailash From Eastern Valley On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

42 The Trail Down The Eastern Valley Rejoins The Trail From Selung Gompa With Some Sheep On The Hills On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama From the bottom of the Nandi Pass (13:25, 5500m), it was straightforward and easy walking down the Eastern Valley, reaching the trail from earlier in the morning. We stopped briefly to admire the sheep gazing contentedly on the hills above.

42 The Trail Down The Eastern Valley Rejoins The Trail From Selung Gompa With Some Sheep On The Hills On Mount Kailash Inner Kora Nandi Parikrama

43 Selung Gompa At The End Of The Mount Kailash Inner Kora Parikrama Has Statues of Padmasambhava And Mahakala From the bottom of the Nandi Pass (13:25, 5500m), we finally reached our starting out, Selung Gompa (5015m) at 15:05, completing the Mount Kailash Inner Kora, Nandi Parikrama, in eight hours and 20 minutes. We went inside to look at the statues of Padmasambhava and Mahakala and two figures riding horses.

43 Selung Gompa At The End Of The Mount Kailash Inner Kora Parikrama Has Statues of Padmasambhava And Mahakala