Mt. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

How difficult is the trek?

The Mt. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a moderately difficult to challenging pilgrimage. The majority of the trip is by road, although the three-day Kailash Parikrama involves walking at extremely high altitudes. The trail is not that challenging, per se but the thin air makes the walking significantly more challenging than at the lower altitude. The highest point of the trek is Dolma La Pass (5,630 m / 18,471 ft).

The initial trekking day to Dirapuk is on a slow route and can be taken by most healthy tourists. The second day is the most difficult as it is characterized by ascent to Dolma La Pass followed by the descent on a rocky surface. The last day is less demanding and is an easier day to finish the circuit.

Prior experience in trekking is preferable but not compulsory. A lot of first-time pilgrims complete the journey successfully every year with proper acclimatization, a slow walking pace and good physical preparation. During the trek, it is important to listen to your guide and keep well hydrated.

Best Time to do this trek: Month by Month Visibility & Weather Guide

Kailash Mansarovar Tour is considered to be best accomplished during the months of May to September when roads are normally open and there is stability in weather conditions. Temperatures may fluctuate rapidly during these months due to high altitude and thus warm clothes are essential.

The weather in May is cool, skies are clear and there are fewer visitors. June has warm daytime temperatures and a great view of the mountains. It is a little warmer in July and August, yet there can be occasional rain on the Nepal side and occasional showers in Tibet. Another good month is September; it is dry, the air is crisp and the views of Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar are beautiful.

In October, it gets very chilly,  in the higher altitudes and snow may cover Dolma La Pass. The snow and the harsh winter season between November and April make the pilgrimage a challenge and during the season, most tours are not carried out because of the weather and the road conditions.

Transportation, Food and Accommodation

The Mount Kailash Pilgrimage is mostly done by comfortable tourist vehicles after entering Tibet. Transport is normally provided either by a bus or a Four Wheel Drive vehicle depending on the number of people. Mostly the roads are paved but a few areas might be rough as road repairs are being done or due to some weather conditions.

Food on the way is mostly basic but nutritious. Breakfast usually consists of bread, eggs, porridge, tea or coffee. Lunch and dinner typically include rice, noodles, vegetables, soup and various vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Some towns offer fresh fruits and packaged snacks but the options are fewer in remote areas.

During the voyage, there is a fluctuation in accommodation. Hotels in Kerung and Saga tend to provide comfortable rooms at a cheaper rate than the rest, with attached bathrooms. Around Lake Manasarovar and when doing the Kailash Parikrama, accommodation becomes a lot easier and basic guesthouses or rooms in the dormitory style are available. Tourists are advised to visit these far-flung places with low facilities and to be ready to experience a more primitive mountain experience.

Altitude Sickness

Since a significant part of the pilgrimage occurs at elevation (4,500 m / 14,764 ft), the issue of altitude sickness remains one of the key concerns when it comes to the pilgrimage. The amount of oxygen is reduced as you ascend, leaving your body more difficult to adapt. The typical symptoms are headache, fatigue, lack of appetite, dizziness, nausea and insomnia.

Effective acclimatization can significantly decrease the risk of severe altitude illness. Having a rest day in Kerung will enable your body to adjust before you go to higher heights. Consuming water in large quantities, avoiding alcohol, taking light meals and walking slowly is also known to make your body adapt more easily.

Himalayan Idol Adventure takes its time in planning the itinerary by ensuring that the altitude increase is gradual and that guides assigned have experience and are capable of keeping track of all the travelers. In case of severe symptoms, the best thing to do is to descend as soon as possible and seek medical care. Report any cases of altitude sickness to your guide to take swift measures.

Fitness & Training Plan for the Trek

The Mt. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra does not involve any technical climbing, yet it involves good physical fitness. Even though a lot of the trip is done by road, the three-day Kailash Parikrama involves days and nights of walking at high altitude. Even the gradual uphill stretches at low altitudes would seem harder than before due to the low oxygen levels.

You should start preparing not less than six or eight weeks before you go away. Frequent walking, hiking, jogging, cycling or swimming will contribute to increased endurance. Goal: 30-60 minutes exercise every 4-5 days of the week. Incorporating some stair climbing and light leg and core strength training can also help make the walk more comfortable.

Hike as much as you can with a small daypack, as this will allow your body time to get used to carrying the necessary things. After a workout, it is better to stretch to increase flexibility and lessen muscle soreness. In case you have any medical conditions, see your doctor before participating in the pilgrimage so that you are fit to complete the high-altitude journey.

Visa and Permits and Necessary Documents

The Kailash Mansarovar Tour involves several travel documents since the pilgrimage is held in the Tibet Autonomous Region in China. All the travelers must have a valid passport with at least six months of validity. A Chinese Group Visa is also required by most foreign visitors when they are joining an organized tour from Nepal as opposed to a single Chinese tourist visa.

Besides the visa, one has to acquire special travel permits to visit western Tibet and the Mount Kailash area. These permits are pre-planned with the help of authorized Tibetan travel agencies in collaboration with your tour operator. It is not allowed to travel to Mount Kailash independently as per the regulations.

You might also bring some passport-size pictures, details of travel insurance, contacts in case of an emergency and a copy of your passport. Himalayan Idol Adventure will advise the documents needed and help with the permit process before travel to help make the journey smoother.

Health & Safety on the Trek: Emergency Support and Evacuation

Mount Kailash Pilgrimage is an event that is held in a remote region of Tibet which is not well equipped with medical facilities. This is why planning and professional assistance are valuable during the trip. Guides keep a check on the travelers to identify signs of altitude sickness and other health-related issues and promote the correct acclimatization and hydration.

Bring with you personal drugs, as well as a simple first aid kit with pain reliever medicine, bandages, blister medication, antiseptic cream and prescription medications as prescribed by your doctor. Bringing sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses and warm clothes is also useful to shield yourself against the strong sun and fluctuating mountain weather.

When dealing with a medical emergency of serious nature, the first thing is to take the affected traveler to a lower altitude. Vehicular evacuation to the nearest medical facility is normally organized depending on weather conditions, accessibility of roads and local regulations.

Mobile Network, Internet & Charging Facilities Along the Trail

There is mobile coverage in the Mt. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra according to where you are. The bigger towns, like Kerung, Saga and Darchen, mostly have good Chinese mobile coverage, whereas remote areas in trekking around Mount Kailash have none or weak coverage. It can also lose coverage during long periods when commuting between towns.

Kerung and Saga hotels usually have Wi-Fi and internet connections are very slow and do not always work. Internet connectivity is extremely low during the Kailash Parikrama and not all guesthouses have Wi-Fi connectivity. It is preferable to warn the family members of the trek that there might be no communication over a number of days.

Most hotels and guesthouses have charging facilities but power may sometimes cut out in rural locations. It is highly advised to carry a high-capacity power bank and spare camera batteries. A universal travel plug will also come in handy, because China and Nepal use different types of electrical plugs.

Travel Insurance

The Kailash Mansarovar Tour will explore remote and high-altitude areas where weather conditions and itineraries are subject to change. That is why it is highly advised to purchase extensive travel insurance before the journey. Your policy must last throughout the trip and be valid when travelling in Tibet.

Select an insurance policy which covers emergency medical care, hospitalization, cancellation of the trip, trip interruption, missing baggage and personal accident insurance. Above all, it must incorporate the evacuation of high altitude areas in case of an emergency. In Tibet, the use of helicopter rescue is not always present but your insurance should also include evacuation on the ground and medical transportation (where possible).

Always read your policy and purchase to know what is covered and any exclusions on high altitude travel. Keep a copy of your insurance certificate both printed and electronic and the emergency contact numbers. The appropriate insurance gives one financial coverage and a sense of security during the pilgrimage.

Language & Communication

Mount Kailash Pilgrimage has been traversed by both Nepal and Tibet and therefore you will hear numerous languages on the way. Nepali and English are widely spoken in hotels and by professionals in tourism in Nepal. Mandarin Chinese and Tibetan are the predominant languages spoken by local people after crossing into Tibet.

A majority of international tour groups are escorted by an English-speaking Tibetan guide who assists in communication and touring as well as local arrangements. This will greatly simplify communicating with hotel staff, drivers and the local authorities during the trip.

A thoughtful way to respect the local communities is to learn some basic greetings in Tibetan or Mandarin but it is not essential. Application translators can also come in handy in towns where the internet can be accessed but they will not be applicable when trekking far. It is also advisable to have important details of hotels, emergency contacts and travel documents printed in case of the lack of mobile service.

Flying Back from Ngari Gunsa Airport Instead of Driving: Cost, Time & Booking Tips

The Mt. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra trip can be concluded on a flight out of Ngari Gunsa Airport rather than driving back to Kerung, though this will be a carefully thought-out strategy. Ngari Gunsa Airport has no direct flights to Kathmandu. Visitors usually fly between Ngari and Lhasa, take their time to complete airport and immigration processes and proceed to board another international flight at Lhasa to Kathmandu. Lhasa may also require an overnight stay in the flight schedules.

This alternative would help save a few days of overland transportation, which is appealing to time-starved travelers. Nonetheless, it tends to be more costly than going back by road due to domestic travel, further lodging, travel to and from the airport and airline expenses. The availability of flights is also subject to alteration with the season and weather.

The Kailash Mansarovar Tour requires special permits in Tibet and travel between a road trip and a flight trip usually necessitates revising your travel plans and formalities. This is why you are advised to tell your tour operator a long time before you set off on your trip whether you would like to fly back out of Ngari. There might be no last-minute requests, as the flights, permits and transportation must be prearranged.

In case you are going with Himalayan Idol Adventure, it is better to talk about your choice of a return during booking. The team will be able to clarify the most recent schedules of flights, approximate prices, documents required and whether or not the itinerary could be modified to accommodate the Ngari-Lhasa- Kathmandu route. Prior arrangement will save confusion and all the travelling arrangements are made before you start the pilgrimage.

Useful Tips for the First-Time Travellers

Is the Trek Suitable for Kids and Teenagers? An Honest Age Guide

The Mt. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is also not advisable for small children as the trip is extremely high and has long driving days. Physically fit and comfortable teenagers who have good health may complete the pilgrimage. Parents will have to consult a doctor before making the trip. All participants ought to be capable of self-locomotion, adhere to safety guidelines and be able to cope with the changing weather conditions and elevation.

Is this Trek Suitable for Seniors? What to Expect at 60+

Each year, a lot of pilgrims are aged 60s and even 70s who fill in the pilgrimage. Age is not as important as good overall health. Consult your doctor before traveling, in case of heart, lung or other illnesses. High altitude may increase the demands of walking and it is important to be slow and to allow adequate acclimatization. Exercise and frequent walking before the trip will make the trip more comfortable.

First Himalayan Trek Ever? Why This Trek Is Ideal for You

It could be your initial trekking experience in the Himalayas if you are well prepared and informed about the difficulties. The majority of the trip is by vehicle, with the trekking part taking three days. The path is not very challenging, yet the elevation makes it arduous and slow. The best way to increase the likelihood of your success in completing the pilgrimage is to keep hydrated and allow your body time to adjust, as recommended by your guide.

Can You Do This Without a Guide? Is It Legal and Is It Wise?

No. According to the current Chinese regulations, independent travel to Mount Kailash in Tibet is not allowed. Foreigners are obliged to participate in a pre-organized tour, which is organized by an authorized company and has the necessary permits and a certified guide. Although independent travel might be permitted, the remote area, elevation and absence of facilities ensure that guided travel is the safest option. A guide also helps with permits, transport, accommodation and emergency assistance during the trip.

How Crowded Is This Trek?

The pilgrimage is most popular during May-September and  during the Saga Dawa Festival when many Tibetan pilgrims pay a visit to Mount Kailash. The route is typically very quiet even in peak season when compared to popular trekking routes in Nepal. There will be some points where guesthouses and vehicles will be congested, yet most parts of the trip will be filled with expansive open spaces. It is advisable to book in advance when traveling during the peak months.

Solo Female Trekkers on This Trek: Safety and Practical Notes

Individual female tourists are often part of organized tours of Mount Kailash and usually experience a safe adventure. You are not alone in the trip, as the trip is done in groups and guided by licensed guides. Be respectful of the local traditions, dress decently and act as per the instructions of your guide. Store your valuables and send your itinerary to family before traveling. Using a reputable tour company increases a further level of security and assistance during the pilgrimage.

Best Photography Spots on the Trail

The trip is a great place to capture some great photos. Lake Manasarovar is ideal in terms of getting reflections of Mount Kailash during sunny mornings. Mount Kailash has some of the nearest mountain views on the trek on its north side by Dirapuk. Dolma La Pass has dramatic high-altitude scenery and Gauri Kund, Peku Tso Lake and the broad Tibetan Plateau are also good places. The best natural light is normally during sunrise and sunset.