How to get to Milarepa’s Footprint on Mount Kailash?
Milarepa’s Footprint is a sacred rock imprint located at an elevation of 5,235m (17,175ft) above sea level, located near the southern face of Mount Kailash in Tibet.
Where is Milarepa’s footprint?
The revered spiritual landmark, one of Tibet’s most spiritually charged sites, is located between Sonam Ri and Sharma Ri peaks, in the Ngari Prefecture, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
What’s the Milarepa’s footprint?
Milarepa’s Footprint, a sacred mark said to be left by the great Tibetan Buddhist yogi, Milarepa, during a legendary supernatural contest on Mount Kailash. Located on the southern face of Mount Kailash, this footprint is believed to be the result of Milarepa’s miraculous flight to the summit, defeating the Bon master Naro Bonchung—not through force, but through deep meditation and spiritual power. The event symbolized the triumph of compassion and inner mastery over ego and ritual. Though Mount Kailash (6,638 m) remains unclimbed and is considered too sacred to set foot upon, this footprint represents the mountain’s deep religious significance. Pilgrims visiting the region stop near Dirapuk Monastery to pay homage, meditate, and reflect on the teachings of Milarepa. Reaching Milarepa’s Footprint is not just a physical journey along a remote high-altitude path — it's a spiritual pilgrimage to a site that embodies mysticism, humility, and the ultimate victory of spirit over matter.
How long is the road to Milarepa’s footprint?
The road to the legendary imprint in stone is totally unpaved. Starting from Trungto, it’s 18.6 km (11.55 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 633 m and the average gradient is 3.40%.
What’s the weather like at Milarepa’s footprint?
Set high in the remote south-west corner of Tibet in the Kailash Range (Gangdisê Mountains) of the Himalayan Mountains, snow falls heavily during winters. The best season to visit the area is from May to November. The wind in Tibet is usually quite strong at mountain areas. Even in summer, the temperature might drop from 20°C at daytime to -10°C at night. In July and August, it may rain continually for several days and you even can confront snowy days.
Pic: Grishkoff. PRO