Snow Lion Expeditions

• Destinations
• Tibet

• 22 Days
• Trekking

Above the precipitous topography of Kham, Tibet’s easternmost region, soars the dazzling pinnacle of Kawakarpo. The 22,000-foot peak represents the mind emanation of Buddha, while sacred Mt. Kailas, located hundreds of miles away in western Tibet, symbolizes the body of Buddha. Although linked in spiritual tradition, the two mountains could not be more different in their physical environments. Kawakarpo anchors one of a series of north-south ranges that divide the plunging, parallel river valleys of the Mekong, Yangtze and Salween. In sharp contrast to the stark landscape surrounding Kailas, Kawakarpo is surrounded by lush semi-tropical forest, home to over 1,000 bird species, an estimated 2,000 endemic plant species and such exotic mammals as forest leopard, barking deer, and red panda. Diversity and brilliance extend into the multitude of ethnic groups, which include Khampa Tibetans, Naxi, Yi and Li peoples.

This trek follows the pilgrimage route surrounding Kawakarpo, a path that offers many rewards to those who embark upon it. Two Google Earth views of Kawakarpo from 11 miles above earth are linked here: The first view is a north-south projection directly above the summit; the Salween River is on the right of the peak and the Sino-Burmese border is the yellow line to the left of the peak. The second view is tilted and looking west-southwest at the peak; the Salween River in the foreground the Sino-Burmese border is the yellow line behind the peak.

In January 2006, Bill McQuay produced a Radio Expeditions travelogue for National Public Radio titled Geography of Heaven: Kawakarpo Diaries.