Best Photography Spots on Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2026 is going to be special as this is the year of the horse. Located in the western part of Tibet, Mount Kailash is a paradise for photography enthusiasts.

Every photographer is in search of the Best Photography Spots on Mount Kailash. The geography and presence of Mount Kailash make it the axis mundi of the world. It is the world’s central axis and a spiritual hub for people of diverse religions.

Camera and Gear

Kailash Kora is full of emotions and beliefs. Pilgrims dip their hands in the cold water and cry. Forgetting the pain and hurdles, they cross the Dolma La pass, walking for three days in the arid land of Kalash. This guide will help you catch your best moments during your Kailash Yatra.

The landscapes of Kailash, mixed with the stories of Lord Shiva, Demchok, Rishabnath, and many saints, are worth capturing in your camera. Travelling in 2026 will bring all the energy of the Kailash Kora magnified by 12-fold. This sacred lake, Mansarovar, and Mount Kailash are a must-visit destination for pilgrims and photographers.

Looking out over the quiet, sacred waters of Lake Mansarovar, you can see Mount Kailash rising far off with Mount Namonanyi and the dark Lake Rakshastal on the other side. The Ngari Plateau opens itself, showing the vivid, wide landscapes that your eyes will catch.

If you are packing your stuff for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2026, then you might have a camera on your checklist. Taking the best photographs on the way to Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra could be your dream, but wondering where to get the best shots? Then this blog could be your best guide for the best Photography Spots on Mount Kailash.

Best Photography Spots on Mount Kailash

Darchen: A town with culture and mountain views

Darchen is a small city, nestled at the base of Mount Kailash, from where the south face of the mountains is visible at its best. Darchen is also known as the base camp for Kailash Kora and is the starting point of the Kailash Kora. Many visitors rush when they are in this area and forget about the south face of Kailash, one of the best subjects to get some good shots.

As you will be waking up in Darchen and preparing for your Kailash kora, getting the peak in golden hour will be your best shot in Kailash. You might also encounter yaks and horses on the way. Do not forget to capture them with your lenses.

There are two most popular spots to capture photos near Darchen. The first place is the Mount Kailash Viewpoint, about three km east of Darchen town. And the second is the grassland five km away from Darchen.

Prayer Flag Square: Capturing Mount Kailash with Colourful Prayer Flags

After a few minutes of driving, you will reach the Prayer Flag Square at Yamadwar, well decorated with prayer flags of five colours. These five colors are the representation of the five elements in Buddhism and the Bon religion.

On the very first day of your Kailash kora, you will reach this spot from where you can also witness the South Face of Kailash. This can be the best spot to capture the amazing view of Mount Kailash from its south side.

Take the pictures of the Yamadwar, the gateway to Heaven, and the long threads of flags making an amazing pyramid-like structure. If you encounter some plagiarism when entering and exiting from the Yamadwar, this can be a good subject for you. Try to get the praying flags in the canvas with the view of Kailash in the background. Capturing the fluttering flags in your video might also sound like a good idea.

At Prayer Flag Square, your smartphone can seize the breathtaking scenery of Mount Kailash, particularly impressive when colorful prayer flags form your shot’s foreground, enriching the photo with vibrant hues.

From Yamadwar, your journey to Kailash Kora begins, and you pass through vivid landscapes such as rivers, valleys and some monasteries on the way to Dhiraphuk.

Dhiraphuk Monastery Campsite: Capturing the North Face of Mount Kailash

There is no other place to capture the best shots of the massive north face of Mount Kailash than the Dhiraphuk monastery. The magnificent landscape of the north face, without any obstruction, dominating the entire view, is best seen from the Dhiraphuk Monastery Campsite. When you are about to take the shots, bring massive rocks, prayer flags, and white stupas to add depth and color to your pictures. Including such elements will enhance the visual and infuse a sense of the spiritual significance of the people.

The Dhiraphuk Monastery Campsite is your first stay during the three-day Kailash Kora. In the evening, roam around the monastery and capture other religious and cultural insights of the places. If you are there in the evening, capture the mountains in golden hour.  Next morning, wake up early to capture the reflection of the early sunrise in the mountain with the walls of the monastery in the frame.

Dolma La Pass: The Perfect Spot for the Lake of Compassion and Glacier of Mount Kailash

The most difficult portion of Mount Kailash, crossing the Dolma La pass at an altitude of 5,630 m, comes with better opportunities to capture the best photographs. On just crossing the pass, there lies the Gauri Kunda, the lake of Compassion. The green, emerald color of the lake looks amazing with the sparkling sunlight.

When you are ascending, keep your Camera on standby, but also watch out for your steps. And of course, stay hydrated and count on your breath, because altitude sickness is real. Most importantly, protect your batteries from cold, as they drain too fast at low temperatures.

Lake Rakshastal South view

Lake Rakshastal is also called the twin lake of Mansarovar.  Capturing the view of Kailash from the south side of the dark lake is what astonishes many photographers.

From a point about 50km away, the spot still gives a clear Wide panoramic shot of Mount Kailash, with the view of the lake in your composition. Many professionals suggest using a telephoto lens for sharper and clearer images while taking a photo from Lake Rakshastal.

South Bank Viewpoint of Lake Rakshastal

Chiu Monastery: Capturing the Lake and Mountains Together

On the northwest corner of Lake Mansarovar, there lies the Chiu Monastery, at an ideal location for photographing Mount Kailash. The stunning lake can be used as a base for capturing the mountain. From this spot, try to bring the monasteries surrounded by the fluttering prayer flags into your canvas with the lake in the background. This spot will give a view of the south face of Mount Kailash and the ocean-like lake.

It would be difficult to bring the lake and the mountain into a single frame, but this place is popular for its special geographical positioning. In the daytime, when the sunrays are high, use filters or polarizers to balance the brightness.

Entry Permits for Mount Kailash Photography 2026

For the best Kailash Kora photography, there are certain permits to be acquired beforehand. The Tibet Travel Permit is generally applied for by a registered tour operator in Tibet on your behalf. An individual can not get this permit. Also, the visa to enter mainland China is to be applied for in a group. Similarly, an Alien Travel Permit and a Military permit are also required for your Kailash Kora photography tour.

Essential Photography Equipment Checklist for Mount Kailash Tour

After finding the best Photography Spots on Mount Kailash, you must have the right gear. For the Kailash Kora photography tour, here is a general checklist that might be helpful for you to pack your gear.

• Backpack or Camera Bag with Protective Accessories to protect your camera from the cold.
• DSLR, or a mirrorless camera with high resolution, would be good.
• Cleaning Kit
• Extra Batteries and Memory Cards
• Bring a variety of lenses, including wide-angle, medium zoom, standard, and telephoto (75-200mm)
• Light tripod.
• Neutral Density filters and Polarizing filters.
• Power bank.
• Soft scarf for lens cover during dust storms.

Capture the Serenity of Kailash

Irrespective of your profession, when you visit Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, you want to have  Kailash Mansarovar Yatra photos captured from the best photography spots, Mount Kailash, in your gallery.

Whether you are a professional photographer or simply an enamored with natural landscapes, the Kailash Kora photography tour is going to be an unmissable destination. This is an insight into the Best Photography Spots on Mount Kailash, to help you explore the breathtaking natural vistas and dive deep into the religious and cultural mystical significance of Mount Kailash.

Apart from this, various spots in the inner Kailash Kora also offer you a great opportunity to capture the best Kailash Mansarovar Yatra photos. Before embarking on this sacred journey to Kailash, make sure to have essential permits, a visa and other travel documents. And of course, your photography tools and equipment to capture and narrate your own unique experiences of the Mount Kailash photography Tour in 2026.