Kailash Parikrama Altitude — 52 km, 3 Days, Dolma La 5,630 m

The Kailash Parikrama (also called Kailash Kora) is a 52-kilometre circumambulation of Mount Kailash that takes 3 days on foot. The highest point is Dolma La Pass at 5,630 metres (18,471 feet). The trek begins and ends at Darchen (4,675 m / 15,338 ft) in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Night halts are at Dirapuk (4,900 m / 16,076 ft) and Zuthulphuk (4,820 m / 15,814 ft).

Kailash Parikrama altitude — key points in metres and feet

Point	Altitude (m)	Altitude (ft)	Where on the kora
Darchen	4,675 m	15,338 ft	Start and end point
Dirapuk (Diraphuk)	4,900 m	16,076 ft	Night 1 halt, north face of Kailash
Dolma La Pass	5,630 m	18,471 ft	Highest point, crossed on Day 2
Zuthulphuk (Zutulpuk)	4,820 m	15,814 ft	Night 2 halt

Current status: Kailash yatras are currently on hold after the August 2026 Rasuwa floods, and the Rasuwagadhi–Kerung road crossing is currently closed. We are building the 2027 priority list now — message us on WhatsApp to be added. 2027 dates and rates will be confirmed once the Tibet side confirms.

Quick facts — Kailash Parikrama

Fact	Value
Total distance	52 km (32.3 miles)
Total days	3 (or 4 with an extra rest day)
Max altitude	5,630 m / 18,471 ft (Dolma La Pass)
Start/end point	Darchen (4,675 m / 15,338 ft)
Day 1 distance	~14 km (Darchen → Dirapuk)
Day 2 distance	~22 km (with Dolma La crossing — hardest day)
Day 3 distance	~16 km (Zuthulphuk → Darchen)
Pony / porter support	Available on request — rates on request
Age rule	Pilgrims over 70 not permitted (all routes)

Quick answer

The Kailash Parikrama is a 52-kilometre circumambulation of Mount Kailash that takes 3 days to complete on foot. The highest point is Dolma La Pass at 5,630 metres above sea level (18,471 feet). The trek begins and ends at Darchen (4,675 m). Plan your fitness and acclimatisation around these distances and altitudes.

Day-by-day altitude profile

Day	Route	Distance	Start altitude	Max altitude that day	Night halt
Day 1	Darchen → Dirapuk	~14 km	4,675 m	4,900 m	Dirapuk, 4,900 m (16,076 ft)
Day 2	Dirapuk → Dolma La Pass → Zuthulphuk	~22 km	4,900 m	5,630 m (18,471 ft)	Zuthulphuk, 4,820 m (15,814 ft)
Day 3	Zuthulphuk → Darchen	~16 km	4,820 m	4,820 m (gradual descent)	Return to Darchen, 4,675 m (15,338 ft)
Total	—	~52 km	—	5,630 m max	—

Day 2 is by far the most demanding — pilgrims climb from 4,900 m to 5,630 m at Dolma La Pass, then descend about 800 m to Zuthulphuk in a single day. Most groups start before sunrise (around 4 AM) to cross the pass in good weather.

How long does it actually take to walk?

Healthy, well-acclimatised pilgrims usually complete the parikrama in 3 days at a moderate pace (8–10 hours of walking on Day 2). Older pilgrims (remember: over 70 is not permitted), or those with altitude symptoms, sometimes extend to 4 days by splitting the route with an extra night.

Pony and porter support is available throughout the parikrama — rates on request. Ponies cover roughly two-thirds of the walking distance; the steepest sections near Dolma La usually have to be walked on foot.

Altitude and health check

Every pilgrim needs a medical fitness certificate from their doctor, and the itinerary includes at least 2 nights above 2,800 m before going higher (2026 rules; 2027 terms confirmed later). Our medical questionnaire is sent at booking. Pilgrims over 70 are not permitted on any route — this is a Chinese authority rule.

Comparison to other high-altitude pilgrimages

Yatra	Max altitude	Distance	Days
Kailash Parikrama	5,630 m	52 km	3 days
Amarnath Yatra (India)	3,888 m	36 km (Pahalgam route)	5 days
Char Dham (India)	3,580 m (Kedarnath)	varies by route	10–12 days
Muktinath (Nepal)	3,800 m	drive + 1 km walk	1–2 days
Manimahesh (India)	4,080 m	13 km	2–3 days

The Kailash Parikrama is the highest-altitude Hindu pilgrimage circuit commonly undertaken by Indian and Nepali pilgrims, by a significant margin.

Tips that actually help on the parikrama

1. Start Day 2 by 4 AM to cross Dolma La before the afternoon weather turns. Wind at the pass often picks up strongly from late morning.
2. Oxygen is carried by the group — use it on Day 2 if your oxygen saturation drops sharply or you feel unwell.
3. Dress in layers — temperatures can swing from -10 °C at dawn to +15 °C by midday.
4. Hydrate well — 4–5 litres of water per day above 4,500 m.
5. Ask your doctor about Diamox before the trip; if prescribed, it is usually started before reaching high altitude, not at the parikrama start.
6. No alcohol or sleeping pills during the parikrama — both worsen altitude sickness.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest point of the Kailash Parikrama?

The highest point is Dolma La Pass at 5,630 metres (18,471 feet) above sea level, crossed on Day 2 of the 3-day circumambulation.

What is the altitude of Kailash Parikrama in feet?

Darchen 15,338 ft, Dirapuk 16,076 ft, Dolma La Pass 18,471 ft and Zuthulphuk 15,814 ft. In metres: 4,675 m, 4,900 m, 5,630 m and 4,820 m.

What is the altitude of Zuthulphuk?

Zuthulphuk (also spelled Zutulpuk) is at about 4,820 m (15,814 ft). It is the night halt after crossing Dolma La on Day 2.

How long is the Kailash Parikrama in kilometres?

The Kailash Parikrama is 52 kilometres (32.3 miles) in total, completed over 3 days. Day 1 is ~14 km, Day 2 is ~22 km (including the Dolma La crossing), and Day 3 is ~16 km.

How many days does Kailash Parikrama take?

The standard Kailash Parikrama takes 3 days. Pilgrims who need more time can opt for a 4-day variant with an extra night on the route.

What is the starting and ending point of the Kailash Parikrama?

The parikrama begins and ends at Darchen (4,675 m / 15,338 ft) in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Darchen is reached overland via Kerung (the Rasuwagadhi–Kerung crossing is currently closed) or via Hilsa on the helicopter route.

Is Kailash Parikrama possible for elderly pilgrims?

Pilgrims over 70 are not permitted on any route. Below 70, pilgrims with good cardiovascular fitness and medical clearance can complete the parikrama with preparation; ponies, porters and oxygen support are available. For pilgrims in their 60s, the helicopter route means fewer days at altitude before and after the parikrama.

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Last updated: October 2026. For 2027 planning, see our Kailash Mansarovar packages or WhatsApp our coordinator — 2027 dates and rates on request.