A Tibetan pilgrim may be a person with a much-weathered yet peaceful face, wearing protective apron and padded gloves, touching his clasped hands to the crown of his head, forehead, throat and heart before prostrating his full body on the ground at every step. It may also be a person spinning an intricate prayer wheel, uttering silent prayers.

Tibetan Buddhists often have to save for several years to finance one such long and arduous trip, which can take several months or years. For Tibetans, the journey of the pilgrimage is as crucial as the destination. The pilgrims often have to leave behind most of their worldly possessions and rely on the goodwill of others. It is believed that rigors of the journey, if borne with a positive attitude, can generate merits just as the blessing one receives from a holy site.