Lake Manasarovaris lies to the east of Lake Rakshastal and to the south of Mount Kailash. Not only is it the world’s highest freshwater lake, at 4,500-plus meters above sea level, but it is a major site of pilgrimage.
Spanning nearly 90kms, the lake is circular in shape and has a depth of around 90 meters. It remains frozen for the duration of winter, thawing out in spring. The Ganga Chhu channel connects the lake, which feeds the Sutlej River, with Lake Rakshastal to the west.
Hindus believe those who drink the water of the lake and bathe in it will be cleansed of all sins and go to heaven. This has made the lake a major site of pilgrimage for Indians and Tibetans alike. The best time for visitors to witness pilgrims taking part in the purification process is during the annual Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in August.
The lake also has significance to Buddhists and there are a handful of monasteries on its shores. Chiu Gompa Monastery is the most notable and appears to have been carved into the hillside.
Regardless of your religious views, the beauty of the lake will take your breath away. Two basic Tibetan hostels with camp beds are on hand for accommodation and tents make an appearance during pilgrimage season. Darchen, the jumping off point for visits to the lake, is more of a hustler’s haven than a holy crossroads.
Getting There & Away
Access to the lake is from Darchen, 30kms to the south (90 minutes), or a four or five-day jeep ride from Lhasa. Alternatively the Ali-Purang Highway runs close by, at six kilometers away. It is also possible to hitch a ride from Shiquanhe, a journey that take more than one day, or you could arrive overland from Kathmandu, Nepal. The nearest international airports are at Lhasa and Kathmandu.