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Kailash Mansarovar Tour and Trek

duration

Trip Duration

18 Days
group-size

Group Sizes

2-16 People
destination

Destination

Tibet
max-alt

Max. Altitude

5,630m
acitvities

Activities

  • Trekking
difficulty

Difficulty

Moderate
meals

Meals

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
accommodation

Accommodation

  • 3 star hotel

Trip Highlights

  • Drive through impressive waterfalls, dense forests, and deep gorges along the hilly terrain of Nepal to Tibet
  • Necessary and sufficient acclimatization at Kerung
  • Crossing the beautiful mountain passes and sacred alpine lakes
  • Overnight on the shore of Lake Manasarovar in front of Kailash
  • Outer and Inner Parikrama of Kailash with Darshana of western, northern, and southern faces of Kailash
  • Walk with passionate Tibetans and other pilgrims from various parts of the world

Overview of Kailash Mansarovar Tour and Trek

For several years now, we have been organizing tours to Nepal and Tibet. Every trip to Tibet is beautiful and spiritually uplifting, but one of our signature tours that has been drawing tourists from all corners of the globe is the Kailash Mansarovar tour and trek.

Many of our participants have expressed that they have found the spiritual fulfillment they have been seeking for all their lives through the Kailash Mansarovar tour.

Mount Kailash, the center of the planet stands alone in the western part of Tibet, the Ngari region, at 6638 m. For Hindus, every Himalaya is the home of Gods but Kailash is the favorite home of Shiva who is the master of burning bad karma and destroying illusions. And, for Buddhists, the Peak is the holy home of the deity Chakrasamvara.

At the foot of Mount Kailash at 4485 meters above sea level, there is the sacred lake Mapam-Yumtso (Manasarovar). It is believed that whoever bathes with its waters will go to Brahma’s heaven after death.

Therefore, for many millennia, several great yogis, sadhus, and Buddhist sages have spent many years here in meditation and prayer. The area is thus surrounded by the crystal clear stream of energy capable of erasing all the sins and rebirthing a person to a new life with a clean slate to write new karma all over again.

That’s why, the devotees, believers, and truth seekers come here to perform a ritualistic walk around Kailash to clear the karma carried over from previous incarnations. This walk is called the Kora among Tibetans and Parikrama among Hindus, it holds significant spiritual importance for them.

We are also taking you on a Kora and Parikrama around Kailash through our 18-day Mt. Kailash Yatra so you can spiritually enrich your WORLD. Here we like to mention that we have been given special permission to guide all our participants on the Inner Kora around Kailash. This will give you the unique opportunity to journey to the North, West, and South faces of Kailash.

And for our Western tourists who view Kailash Mansarovar Trek as a pilgrimage journey, we like to point out that these half-abandoned corners are believed to be the mysterious mythical kingdom of wise and enlightened people- Shambhala.

Even if you don’t see Shambhala, we promise you will experience its essence through the breathtaking mountain scenery, Tibetan monasteries, and various natural marvels.

We will not lie our Kailash Mansarovar tour and trek with the Inner Kora integrated is a challenging journey, but we have incorporated active and gradual acclimatization throughout so that every believer can reach Kailash at least once in their life.

How does our journey begin?

A beautiful long drive will take us to Kerung Via Syabrubeshi and Ghatte Khola. We will then spend the next few days in the enchanting environment of Tibet driving through Saga and making a stop at Lake Mansarovar.

The coming day will then take us to Darchen marking the commencement of our Parikrama. During the four days of the Kora, we will travel from Darchen to Dirapuk Monastery on the northern face of Kailash, then to Selung Monastery and Gyandark Monastery towards the southern face of Kailash.

After crossing the Dolma La Pass, we will take shelter at the Zhutulpuk Monastery thus ending our circular Parikrama in Darchen. The same path will lead us back to Kathmandu via Kerung.

Itinerary of Kailash Mansarovar Tour and Trek

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What's included?

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What's not included?

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  • Hotel/Guest House Accommodation as per program
  • Private Transportation by Van
  • All necessary Tibet Travel and Trekking permit
  • English speaking Tibetan Guide
  • All Sightseeing and Entrance fee as per the itinerary.
  • Meal plan on B/B Basis
  • Kathmandu to Border to Kathmandu transportation

 

Lunch and Dinner
Insurance of any kind.
Hiring porter, Yak/ horse
Rescue and Evacuation Service
Any Additional cost due to Nature calamity and Unforeseen Circumstances and etc.

Trip Information - Good to Know

Best Season

The climate in Tibet remains windy and dry throughout the year. However, the most pleasant and warm period occurs from May to September when daytime temperature dwells between 25 to 30 degrees Celsius and above zero at night.

In April and June, you will have the opportunity to witness the vibrant and bustling Saga Dawa festival in the entire Tibet including  Kailash, which is known for its cheerful crowd and colorful celebrations.

In July and August, light clouds gather in the Tibetan sky bringing light showers thus enriching the dry soil and reviving the area with beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife.

In September and October, the climate is beautifully sunny providing the clearest views of Kailash, Shishapangma, and Gauri Shankar. The thermometer scale fluctuates from 8 to 9 degrees Celsius.

From late October to February, the thermometer falls to -36 degrees Celsius, accompanied by winds blowing at 13 km per hour and sometimes even reaching to 32 km per hour. The harsh climate often leads the residents to close their guesthouses and relocate to lower areas.

On the other hand, believers of Hinduism and Buddhism find that walking around Kailash during the new moon of June, July, and August can help cleanse the karma accumulated over numerous past lives.

All in all, the best window frame for the Kailash Mansarovar tour is from May to October.

Difficulty

The Kailash Mansarovar trek takes place in highland conditions. On our route, the lowest point is Nepal of course, and in Tibet in Kerung at 2950 m. and the highest point of our route will be the enormous Dolma La Pass at 5630 m.

The average altitude throughout the route is 4500-4700 meters above sea level making Mt. Kailash Yatra one of the most arduous endeavour.

So if you have never been to the highlands, then most likely you cannot even imagine how you will feel in Tibet. Acclimatization and adaptation of the body to a constant oxygen deficiency occurs within 3-4 days.

That is why, we offer the tour through Kerung town so you will be able to gradually get used to the altitude, acclimatize, and also visit the most interesting sights of this region.

On the other hand, the lofty elevation often is characterized by the diverse weather patterns through day and night. The sun radiates intensely during the day while the night may bring a sudden gust of wind with freezing temperature. In addition, the Tibetan air is often dry causing sore throat and discomfort in breathing with the slightest exertion.

Moreover, the lodging will be a simple hostel like from Darchen to ZhutulPuk with an outside public toilet. The arrangement can be quite troublesome, especially for female pilgrims.

We will also undertake the Inner Kora of Kailash which without a doubt is the toughest journey to be taken on foot. The route ascends sharply over the icy terrain making this journey not for the faint of heart.

However, giving up physical comfort for a matter of 4 days is nothing in return for the spiritual rebirth we experience on this sacred expedition.

Preparation and Training

Before going on a trip to the mountainous region of Tibet, such as Ngari, we suggest you watch some informative videos about the Kailash Mansarovar tour to gain a better understanding of what to expect.

It will allow you to adequately prepare and train for the trip and the 4-day outer and inner kora around Kailash. While the outer kora can be done over yaks or horses, the inner kora must be done on foot.

It is also essential to prepare your body for the rapid adaptation to the Tibetan air, so maintaining an active lifestyle well before the trip is vital. Additionally, you can boost your stamina and endurance through aerobic activities such as jogging, running, swimming, and biking.

A great way to prepare is by going on a hiking journey in the mountains up to 3000m near your home. Also, do meditate for building a positive attitude for effective teamwork and collaboration.

Altitude Sickness

As per the statistics, the air in Ngari has a lower oxygen level than the air of the surrounding areas of Tibet. Therefore, you may feel discomfort at the beginning and even in the middle of the Kailash Mansarovar tour.

Additionally, we are going to ascend from the 1500 m elevation to the 2950 m elevation of Kerung, and in just 2 days, we will reach an altitude of over 4000 m at Saga. To acclimate better to the Tibetan atmosphere, we will stay at Kerung for two days and nights.

However, this duration may not be adequate for some of our participants to adjust to the high altitude, and may experience altitude sickness. Frequent headaches are possible, in some cases, stomach upset and vomiting.

Thus, preparation for the tour should begin long before the trip. Do not abuse alcohol, quit smoking, and eat moderately. From Kerung onwards, you should drink as much liquid as possible (up to 4 liters per day).

You can add aspirin with vitamin C to the water. During stops, walk around the area. Do not make sudden movements, breathe slowly and deeply. You should eat garlic and lemon every day, as do the locals.

You can also consume diuretic homeopathic remedies such as Diamox. You can take 1 or 2 tablets a day before the tour. In case of severe dizziness, nausea, lethargy, loss of coordination, or difficulty breathing, you need to evacuate to a lower altitude.

Our trained and experienced guide has led this expedition probably hundreds of times so he knows well how to cope with the situation. He may administer you oxygen or postpone your trip for a day till you feel normal again.

Accommodation

In Kathmandu, there is three-star hotel with rooms for two people of the same gender with amenities of a hot shower and private bathroom. In Ghatte Khola, there is a local guesthouse to sleep for the night again with a room for two.

In the Tibetan part till Saga, there are good hotels with amenities similar to Kathmandu. After Saga till ZhutulPuk, there are guesthouses of dormitory style with rooms for 3 to 5 people. In the busy season, the lodging will be under tents on the monastic ground.

Meals

During the Mt. Kailash Yatra, we serve vegetarian breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with hot drinks. You can also enjoy fresh fruits every evening.

Please do not be disheartened if you are a meat lover, the vegetarian dishes in Kathmandu are far better than the non-veg dishes. From samosas to dal bhat, veg pulao to veg biryani and sel roti, there is a wide variety of tasty dishes to choose from. Even in Tibet, up to Saga, you can eat various Indian, Nepali, Chinese, and Tibetan vegetarian dishes.

During the Kora walk, the food will be simple and monotonous. Be prepared to eat rice, noodle soup, unleavened flatbread, and tea. You can however stock up on provisions, and buy chocolate, nuts, condensed milk, dried fruits, instant porridge, etc. in Kathmandu.

If we have to camp out, our kitchen staff will cook up a delicious meal for you during the trip.

Transportation

You will be picked up from TIA in private transportation and dropped off at TIA at the end of the journey in the same vehicle. In Kathmandu, all ground transportation for document preparation and visits to temples will be in private transport.

You will travel to and from Kerung in a private car, bus, jeep, or van depending on the number of members in a group. On the Tibetan side, you will once again travel comfortably in a large tourist bus or jeep.

Communication and Network

When in Kathmandu, you have the choice between the NCELL and NTC networks for regular communication. On the Tibetan side, you can ask our Tibetan Guide to assist you in buying the local SIM card from any Local Network such as China Mobile, China Telecom, and Unicom. These networks offer the 5G service for fast internet connections.

In Kathmandu, WIFI is freely available in every restaurant and hotel. In Ghatte Khola, the wifi can be accessed at an additional charge. In Tibet, WIFI is available but not in every room, you have to be in the lobby or book the deluxe rooms.

However, the commonly used social sites such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Gmail, Google, Facebook, and YouTube us restricted but you can download a reliable VPN app for their usage.

Visa and Permits

The Chinese government keeps on changing and imposing new rules for foreign travelers. As of now, every Tibet tour should be booked through a certified travel agency, then and only the required permits will be issued to the travelers. The permits essential for the tour to Tibet depend on the route you choose.

For the Kailash Mansarovar tour and trek, the Chinese Group Visa, Tibet Travel permit, Aline’s travel permit, Foreign Affairs permit, and Military Permit should be secured before entering Tibet.

At least 15 business days are required to process the permits to visit the military-protected region of Tibet among which Ngari is one. So we request you to confirm the tour at least a month before.

After the confirmation of our trip, you need to send us your scanned colored copy of your Passport and a 51 mm by 51mm sized photo without makeup and glasses. The photo background should be white and make sure your scanned passport copy is without any cut-off parts.

Then we will apply for the Tibet travel permit to a government-licensed Tibet travel agency which will then send us the invitation letter after the approval of our application.

Tibet Travel Permit

The Tibet travel permit is a necessary government paper authorized and issued by the Tibetan Tourism Office that allows foreign travelers to enter Ngari. It is also required for arrival and departure in Tibet via plane or train.

The permit consists of two pages including all your personal and itinerary details. So once we apply for the permit, you can’t change your route or travel program. The permit will be secured by our Tibetan guide who will be at the Kerung border to present it at the Chinese Checkpost at Nepal China border.

Chinese Group Visa

Once we have the invitation letter in our hands, we can apply for your Chinese Group Visa. Since there is no need to apply for the Visa in advance, and you must be present personally at the Chinese Embassy, we will therefore wait for the arrival of all our group members.

After everyone makes it to Kathmandu, we will head to the Chinese Embassy and submit our fingerprints, original passport, and photo which they will hold for 2 nights.

There are two types of application processes for the Group Visa: normal application which takes 4 working days and express application which needs 3 working days.

Please remember, that a group visa will be issued for all the group members as a single white document so everyone in the group must enter and leave Tibet on the same date and time.

Foreign affairs permit

Ngari is included under the militarily sensitive area so a Foreign affairs permit is a must for the Kailash Mansarovar trek. The Lhasa Foreign Affairs Office is responsible for issuing this permit.

We will send a copy of our Chinese Group Visa, and passport to our Tibetan Guide who after receiving the Tibet Travel permit will apply for this permit as our correspondent in Tibet.

Aline’s Travel Permit

Unlike the Chinese Group Visa and Tibet Travel Permit, Aline’s travel permit is not a must-have for entering Tibet. Tibetan Local Public Security Bureau will give us this permit as soon as we present our original passport and a Chinese visa.

Military Permit

The military permit is another entry permit we need for visiting the Ngari prefecture that is issued by the military office in Lhasa. As the foreign affairs permit, our Tibetan guide will acquire this permit as our designated correspondent in Tibet from our side.

Special permit for Indians

Because of the border disputes between the two nations, and of course because of Dalai Lama, China in order to restrict the number of Indian Nationals entry has implemented a new set of rules.

Accordingly, any Indian Government officials or any Indian citizens entering Tibet via Government agencies must go through the verification process by the  the Tibet Military, Tibet Border Guard Corps of the Armed Police, the Public Security Department of Tibet, and the Tibet Foreign Office.

However, for Indian tourists traveling like other foreign nationals to Tibet from Nepal, the Visa and permits are similar as we have explained above.

Frequently Asked Questions

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