Western Tibet, China
This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.
—Dalai Lama (1935–), Tibetan spiritual leader
Sacred to four faiths—Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Bon—the incomparable Mount Kailash juts 22,028 feet out of the Himalayas in western Tibet as a spectacular jewel. Its snowcapped peak glistens in the light at the rooftop of the world, beckoning the faithful to come, walk, reflect, pray, and find peace. Annually, thousands of pilgrims answer that call, believing that circumambulating the mountain bestows blessings and abolishes sin.
If you feel a spiritual connection to mountains and believe that time spent in a meditative walk would nurture your spirit, and you are physically able to do the arduous walking and tent camping, make a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash. The easiest way is to book an all-inclusive tour from Kathmandu or Lhasa; however, the trek begins and ends in the city of Darchen. The best time to go is May through September when the weather is more hospitable.
Make your pilgrimage a devotional walk, focus on engaging the mind in prayer, recitation of a mantra, or reflection; or, quietly hum or sing spiritual chants or sacred songs.
The Kailash pilgrim’s circuit will take about three days to walk; it stretches 32 miles. Hindus and Buddhists circumambulate the mountain in a clockwise direction, while followers of the Bon and Jain trek it in a counterclockwise direction.