Pictures of Lake Manasarovar, Mapam Yumco or Mapham Yutso in Tibet

Lake Manasarovar - also known as Mapham Yutso - is located around 30 km south of Mount Kailash at an altitude of 4'588m. Lake Manasarovar is one of the most important holy sites in the area and flanked in the north by Holy Mount Kailash (6'656m) and the majestic Gurla Mandata (or Memo Nani / Nemo Nanyi, 7'694m) in the south. Lake Manasarovar is regarded as the source region of four of the mightiest rivers of Asia. East of the lake lies the “Horses's Mouth”: the source of Yarlung Tsampo or better known as Brahmaputra. In the west, you can find the “Elephant's Mouth”, the source of River Sutlej, into which water from both Lake Manasarovar and neighboring Lake Rakshas Tal (or Langa Tso) flow. River Sutlej flows through Hindu Kush, Afghanistan and later Pakistan where it flows into the Arabian Sea near Karachi. South of the lake, the “Peacock's Mouth” builds the source of River Tsangpo (or Karnali), later becoming River Ganges; and in the north lies the "Lion's Mouth" as the source of River Senge Tsangpo (or Indus).

Being an important holy site (Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were scattered here), Lake Manasarovar also has a pilgrim trail, a so-called "Kora". It leads from "Chiu Gompa" (a Gompa is a Buddhist temple in Tibet) at the northeast end westwards to "Langbona Gompa". From there the trail follows the west shore southwards to "Trugo Gompa", passing by the ruins of "Nyego Gompa". The trail then leads around the southeast corner via "Gotsuk Gompa" back to "Chiu Gompa". It is possible to stay overnight in every monastery mentioned above to stay overnight. It is recommended that you bring your own sleeping bag and tent though. The "Kora" is roughly around 100 km long and the hike will take about 2 to 5 days.

Click through our picture gallery of Lake Manasarovar and its pilgrim trail. Then you might want to have a look at our travel itinerary to Mount Kailash.

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