Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Highlights

• Opportunity to participate in a life-changing journey to one of the mystical places on the planet- Mount Kailash
• Darshana of the northern and western face of Kailash, along with a momentary sight of the southern face of Kailash
• Pooja and havan on the shore of the most sacred Lake Mansarovar
• View of some great Tibetan Himalayan chain, including Shishapangma and Kangkyam glacier
• Exploration opportunity of the ancient Tibetan monasteries and caves of the great yogis
• Encounter numerous wildlife of Tibet along the route
• Visit the most beautiful and mythical place of Kathmandu

Introduction:

Are you in search of Shambala? Do you want a direct access to Nirvana? Then let’s go together on a mythical journey of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra that will lead you from the northern highlands to the magnificent Lake Mansarovar and the sacred mountain of Kailash. We offer you an expedition circuit to the confines of the Himalayas with an exceptional three-day hike around the sacred mountain of Kailash.

Mount Kailash is located in the Ngari prefecture of Western Tibet at an elevation of 6638 m above sea level. Known as Kailash to Hindus, Mount Ashtapada to Jains, Tise to Bon, and Kang Rimpoche to Tibetan Buddhists, Mount Kailash is considered the final destination of the soul and is respected and worshiped by millions of people around the world.

According to Hinduism, Lord Shiva resides on the peak of Mount Kailash, where he sits in a state of meditation with his wife, Parvati. For a Hindu, undertaking the arduous pilgrimage to Kailash and having a darshan (divine view) of Shiva’s abode means achieving liberation from the clutches of ignorance and delusion.

Thus, those who have undertaken the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra carry with them lifelong memories that remind them of the presence of God Shiva in their lives and give them a feeling of peace and tranquility. The beauty, majesty, and pure serenity of this religious site is truly awe-inspiring and instill a feeling of oneness with Shiva.

Along with Mount Kailash, our Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will also take you to the sacred blue and emerald green Mansarovar Lake, located at an altitude of 4,560 m. It is known as an epitome of purity, containing healing properties and the power to cleanse all mortal sins.

We will also take you on a three-day exceptional trek around Mount Kailash. The journey around this mountain, clockwise for Buddhists and Hindus, and anti-clockwise for Bon followers, is known as Kora, or Parikrama, and usually takes on a 53 km long road. The entire journey is difficult and physically tiring, but with proper preparation, devout pilgrims can complete this Parikrama.

Come and participate in our Kailash Mansarovar Yatra where we offer you to join a group leaving from Kathmandu, to travel through the Himalayas, the Tibetan high plateau, tour Mount Kailash, and take a bath in the sacred waters of Lake Mansarovar. Be one of the privileged ones to travel to these remote and mystical places.

We organize your trip according to your request and your interests. The 15-day itinerary offers you plenty of choice throughout your stay in Nepal and Tibet. You can sleep in the guest houses of the monasteries (the comfort is basic but the experience is worth trying) or in your tent.

You can take food with you or buy it at the guest house. Luggage transport can be done on the backs of yaks, which can be rented during your trek around Mount Kailash. The best time for this route is from May to early October.

How does our journey begin?

Once you arrive in Kathmandu, we will prepare the visa formalities for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Meanwhile, we will take time to explore the incredible Hindu and Buddhist monuments of Kathmandu city. Once we get our Visa and permit, we will drive along the concrete highway to Kerung via Timure.

From Kerung, our trip will be along the vast Tibetan landscape towards Saga, Lake Mansarovar ultimately reaching Darchen from where we will begin trekking along the circular route around Kailash.

During the three days, we will pass by the authentic Tibetan monasteries of Dirapuk and Zutulpuk witnessing the northern and western face of Kailash. We will also get a fleeting glimpse of the southern face of the sacred peak. Along the way, we will conquer the massive Drolma La Pass.

Ending our Kora back in Darchen, we will again drive to Kerung and reach Kathmandu via Timure and Syabrubesi.

Trip Info

Best Season

During six months, from May to early October, China allows foreign nationals to enter Tibet for the mystical journey to Mount Kailash. This period is also the best time to see Tibet at its best, as the region is blessed with abundant sunshine and clear blue skies with a rare possibility of rainfall.

The daytime temperature ranges between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius, but at night, it can drop to approximately 5-10 degrees Celsius.

During the full moon days of April or May, Tibetans flock to Kailash to celebrate their yearly festival of Saga Dawa. If you don’t mind the huge crowd, this could be the best opportunity to witness their colorful festival.

For Hindus, the full moon days of Jesth, Srawan, and Bhadra (May, June, July, August, and September) have greater spiritual significance as they believe Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in these auspicious dates will absolve sins accumulated over a hundred lifetimes. Therefore, Hindu pilgrims often try to undertake Kailash Mansarovar Yatra during these months.

As late October approaches, the temperature in Kailash plummets to around 5 degrees Celsius, accompanied by high-speed winds surpassing 20 m/s. The weather condition therefore forces the Kailash region to close their doors till April.

In December, January, and February, the Lake of Mansarovar remains frozen with bone-chilling temperatures in Kailash.

Difficulty

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a physically demanding journey with hundreds of kilometers covered on narrow roads in poor condition, and above all, due to the altitude and omnipresent cold. The highest altitude you have to overcome is at Drolma La Pass at 5630 m.

In addition, the accommodation during the road trip in Tibet and Kailash is very basic in dormitories and you will certainly be out of your comfort zone. Meals will be pretty basic Tibetan cuisine constituting Tibetan bread, noodles, and soup.

Therefore, good physical condition, an active lifestyle, a hiking experience, and a positive mindset are a must for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Please expect conditions very different from your home to develop the attitude of adaptability and let go of comfort for a few days.

Rest assured, our Nepali and Tibetan teams are experienced, skilled, and intimately familiar with the region and the unique challenges it presents. They have conducted the Yatra multiple times; they will ensure your comfort, safety, and health during the Yatra.

Preparation and Training

To make the most of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, long hours of road transport, and high-altitude hikes that you will take during your trip, we recommend that you be in good physical shape. We will have three days of hiking at a more demanding level of altitude, but if you acclimatize properly, if you are an active and healthy person you will not need special preparation.

But for those who live a sedentary lifestyle, we suggest you begin swimming, jogging, walking, running, cycling, climbing stairs, push-ups, pull-ups, and squatting at least six weeks before your Yatra.

These activities will increase your endurance, stamina, and muscle strength necessary for long hiking hours during the trek around Kailash.

We also suggest you practice Yoga or meditation to increase your optimism and positive attitude.

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness emerges as a major concern during the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Beginning your journey from the lowlands of Kathmandu, you will exceed the elevation of 3000 m within a day as you reach Timure. The altitude then increases as the journey unfolds, ultimately taking you to a height of more than 5000 m during Kailash Parikrama.

Therefore, the probability of altitude sickness is high during Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which can affect anyone, even people with excellent physical fitness.

To avoid altitude sickness, we suggest you take the acclimatization period seriously and follow the instructions given by your guide, trust us they know better. Don’t drink anything alcoholic, make as little physical effort as possible, lie down for as long as you can, and drink lots and lots of water.

If you constantly feel dull headaches, insomnia, nausea, and loss of appetite, please consult our guide and take Daimox, Ibuprofen, or the Tibetan medicinal herb of Hongjingtian to reduce the symptoms.

Visa Preparation

Entry into Tibetan territory is highly regulated. The first thing you will have to do is choose an agency to take you and obtain documents for Tibet and a visa for China. Independent travel through Tibet is not authorized by the Chinese government and there is no way to go to Tibet without a special authorization to disembark there, which is only provided through an agency like us.

Another thing you need to remember is the number of days needed to obtain the permits. A duration of about four weeks is needed to obtain all the required permits for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra so we need you to book the tour with us at least eight weeks before the departure date.

Regarding the needed permits, we have to obtain the Chinese Group Visa, a Tibet Travel Permit or Tibet Visa, a Foreign Affairs permit, Aline’s travel permit, and a Military Permit.

Our Nepali and Tibetan teams will complete the formalities to obtain the permits on your behalf.

When applying for a Visa from Nepal, we have to obtain the Chinese Group Visa. In this modality, everyone in the group has a single document.  As there is only one document, everyone in the group needs to enter and leave the country together.

We also need to obtain a Tibet travel permit – an essential permit to enter Tibet. For this Visa and permit, each member of the group should be present at the Chinese Embassy to submit their fingerprints for biometric registration along with original passport and photographs.

The Military Permit issued by the Chinese Military and the Foreign Affairs permit issued by the Foreign Affairs Office of Tibet are the special permits needed to enter the sensitive region of Tibet, including the Ngari prefecture of Tibet, where Kailash is located.

Chinese group Visa, a Tibet Travel permit, and your passport are mandatory to present to obtain these permits. Since the issuance of the permits requires 10 to 15 business days, we will prepare in advance as soon as we receive the Chinese group visa and Tibet Travel permit.

The Aline’s Travel Permit is issued on-site within a few hours after you present your documents at the Tibetan Local Public Security Bureau office.

Because of the political, and border issues, China has aimed to control the entry of Indian Nationals. Therefore, those holding Indian passports if intending to enter Tibet via Indian Government agencies, then the Tibet Foreign Office, the Tibet Military, the Tibet Border Guard Corps of the Armed Police, and the Public Security Department of Tibet will be responsible for authorizing their entry in Tibet.

However, those traveling to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nepal will go through the same regulations as other foreign nationals.

Alternate Route

If you are not a fan of the overland tour to Kailash, then you can also undertake a Helicopter tour to Kailash and Mansarovar via Simikot. From the TIA of Kathmandu, you will fly to Nepalgunj airport. Then, a private helicopter will pick you up and fly you to Simikot and Hilsa joining the trail to Darchen.

However, if you like to know more about Tibet, then an overland tour to Kailash via Lhasa can be another option for you. This is also a two-week tour on which you will fly to Lhasa Airport from Kathmandu. You will spend a few days in Lhasa exploring the significant monasteries and landmarks of the region.

Then, by driving through the Tibetan towns, you will reach Saga and Darchen.

Food and accommodation

We are pleased to offer you the proposal to cover all the logistical details regarding Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. We offer three-star hotel accommodation on a sharing basis in Kathmandu with vegetarian meals during your stay.

At Timure, you will be boarded in the best available lodges, while from Kerung, our Tibetan team will house you in the best available and comfortable hotel. Saga will be the last Tibetan town to facilitate modern tourism with good hotels, restaurants, shops, and the Internet.

After Saga, the accommodation will be pretty basic. In Darchen, small hotels or mountain shelters are available with tents and small shops selling instant noodles, tea or coffee. However, in Dirapuk and Zutulpuk, the overnight stay will be in dormitory style sharing rooms with other Yatris. There may be no provision of private bathrooms which can be a problem for ladies traveler.

In the Kailash Kora season, these basic accommodations will also be fully complying with us spending nights in tents. In such a case, our crew members will set up the tents and prepare vegetarian meals for you.

Regarding meals, Kathmandu offers a wide range of vegetarian options from Indian, Nepali, Chinese, Italian, and other international vegetarian cuisines.

In Tibet, you can see the influence of Chinese cuisine on Tibetan dishes. After Saga, meals will be limited to instant noodles, fried rice with vegetables, potatoes, and Chinese-style fried vegetable dishes.

Transportation

Our service provides a convenient transfer to and from TIA by private transport. During the entire trip in Nepal and Tibet, all ground transportation will occur in a private bus accompanied by a professional driver.

During the sightseeing excursion of Kathmandu, a private vehicle (car, van or bus based on group size) along with a tour guide and professional driver will be offered by our company.

At an additional cost, we also offer the option of a helicopter return from Timure to Kathmandu.

Age Restriction

Please take note that China will not allow foreign individuals above 75 years of age to travel to Kailash because of the harsh terrain, weather, and health concerns.

Indian travelers participating in the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra must fall between the ages of 18 years to 70 years of age.

FAQ

How much money should I take for my expenses?

On average, 200 Chinese Yuan per day is enough to cover your expenses, such as local payments to porters on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, entrance fees to places you want to visit, laundry, shopping, and tips to the driver and local guide.

Has anyone climbed Kailash?

Tibetan sage Milarepa is believed to have conquered Kailash.

What equipment do I need for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?

For this Yatra, you need to pack waterproof shoes, a very warm sleeping bag, headgear, gloves, high-quality sunglasses, sun cream with maximum protection factor, medicines for personal use, and favorite foods for travel, for example, special canned food, chocolate, crackers, coffee.

Why does the Kailash Yatra hold importance in the full moon?

According to tradition, the merit accumulated by the Parikrama or Kora during the full moon increases many times over and grants liberation from the negative consequences of previous actions and a chance for a new birth in the higher realm.

EQUIPMENT LIST

Here’s a general packing list of everything you should remember to carry on your Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2025:

1. A sturdy pair of trekking boots with good ankle support
2. Trekking pants and waterproof trousers
3. Wind/ waterproof light jacket
4. Sun protection cream, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer
5. Inner and outer gloves
6. Towel, flip-flop or rubber sandal, toiletries
7. Water bottles and water purification tablets
8. T-shirts or shirts
9. Fleece jumper or jacket
10. Headlamp, power bank, and extra batteries
11. Inner Thermal (top and trousers)
12. Socks and underwear
13. Sunglasses, sun hat, woolen cap, or balaclava

COMPLEMENTARY LIST

1. Daypack (50-60 liters) with a waterproof cover
2. Down Jacket
3. Duffel Bag
4. Oxygen cylinder