This spectacular Gurla Mandata massif makes up part of the western section on the Himalayan lying in the Burang Country of Tibet. It is a close neighbor to the sacred Mount Kailash, which lies to its north. The local inhabitants call it the Namo Nanyi meaning "Fairy's Peak". Gurla Mandata made up of six ridges. The west ridge is shaped like a fan and stretched across from north to south, while the eroded east ridge forms extremely steep cliffs. Also to the north lies the holy lake Manasorover and Langatso.

Gurla Mandata was first climbed in 1985 by a Sino Japanese expedition. This 7000er has been climbed only five times since the first ascent up until now. This is rather amazing given the fact that the mountain was attempted as early as 1902.

The ascent takes place on the northern slope through the Zalompa glacier. The scenery is magnificent; down below stretches the arid Tibetan plateau enhanced in beauty by the sparkling lakes Manasorovar and Rakyas with Mount Kailash as the backdrop. The climbing is relatively safe with the route crossing the left side of the glacier to reach a plateau under the summit's ridge. Base camp is at the foot of the glacier at 5600m.