Mount Kailash Mansarovar tour FAQ

Mount Kailash Mansarovar tour

Mt. Kailash is known as the abode of the God Shiva. Mount Kailash and Mansarovar lake both are among the most sacred holy places in the world. Mt. Kailash (6705 m / 22000 ft.) is located in the western part of Tibet.

Mansarovar lake is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world located at 4500 meters. Most people start and end the Kora at Darchen. Pilgrims take a holy bath in Mansarovar lake and complete the Kora in 3 days.

Below are the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about the Mount Kailash Mansarovar tour:

1. How can I prepare and physically fit to travel Mt. Kailash Yatra?

If you are doing Mt. Kailash Yatra, you first need to be physically and mentally fit. Engage in daily physical exercise at least a month before the trip. Control over-drinking alcohol and smoking. Be aware that you will be doing the Kora, crossing a height of 5000 meters, and walking about 6 to 8 hours per day. Therefore, physical and mental fitness is crucial.

2. What types of accommodation can I get while doing the Kathmandu Mt Kailash tour?

You will stay in a nice standard 2/3-star hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast included. You will have normal hotel accommodations on the tour until Darchen. During the Mt. Kailash Kora period, you will stay in normal guest houses, dormitory bedrooms, or tents. Sunrise Adventure Treks will try to manage good and comfortable accommodation during the trip.

3. What kinds of food are available on the Kailash tour?

While you are traveling in the city, you will have various meal options from the menu, including national and international cuisine. However, on the tour towards Kailash Yatra, meal options are limited. Everything is pre-booked for the group.

4. What types of transportation do I have while traveling to Kailash Yatra?

There are mainly two types of transportation from the Nepal side: by flight or by drive. You can fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa, or you can take a comfortable drive from Kathmandu to Darchen. You will have a deluxe bus, jeep, or car from Kathmandu to the Tibet border, and a comfortable coaster, jeep, or 4-wheel drive on the Tibet side.

5. What are the routes to go to the Mt. Kailash tour?

There are mainly 4 routes:

1. Kathmandu to Lhasa flight – There is a daily flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa for visiting Tibet Kailash via flight.
2. Kathmandu to Kodari border drive – Kathmandu to Kodari border drive is currently closed due to the 2015 Nepal earthquake.
3. Kathmandu to Kyarung drive – This newly opened route allows travel from Kathmandu to Kyarung, which is a good option for Mt. Kailash.
4. Kathmandu to Nepaljung to Hilsa border – Travel from Kathmandu to Nepaljung, then to Simikot by helicopter, and walk about 20 minutes to reach the Tibetan border. This is a short way of doing the Kailash Yatra.

6. When is the best time to do the Mount Kailash tour?

The best time to do the Kailash tour is from April to October. You can also visit central Tibet in November. However, during the winter season, there are extreme snowfalls, mainly in the Mt. Kailash area, blocking the roads. Therefore, the eastern and western parts of Tibet are closed from November to March.

7. What happens if I have an emergency rescue and how about altitude sickness?

If you have an emergency sickness, you will be brought down via private vehicle, jeep, or horse, coordinating with local people. If you have AMS, take first aid medicine and take more days to acclimatize. You should drink sufficient water, tea, and hot drinks, including soup.

Avoid drinking alcoholic drinks and not to smoke, do not take sleeping pills.

Not to rush in the high altitude, take a relaxed pace.

You can also bring some first aid medicine, even though our guide will also have some first aid kits.

8. What about the communication system and battery charge during Kailash Yatra?

The cell phone will not work during Kailash Yatra. You can charge your battery until Darchen but there won't be battery charging available for 3 days during the Kailash Yatra parikrama. You can bring a power bank, and our guide will have a satellite phone to contact during the Kailash tour.

9. Is there any age restriction for the Tibet Kailash tour?

There is no strict rule for the Kailash tour. Even an 82-year-old person and an 11-year-old child have done Kailash Yatra in the past. However, age depends on your physical and mental fitness. Generally, people between 10 years to 70 years old can do Kailash Yatra and easily get a Tibet tour permit.

10. What types of currency can I use and how about credit card and ATM facilities during the Tibet Kailash tour?

You can use Chinese currency Yuan during the tour to Kailash. Yuan is widely accepted in Tibet. Some places also accept USD, Pound, and Euro like shopping centers, hotels, and online payments. You can use a credit card for online payments in the cities and use ATMs in the city area too. While traveling in the remote areas, you need to take enough Chinese money Yuan. For further details, consult your travel agent.

11. How many days does it take for Mt Kailash tour?

Normally, it takes 11 to 14 days to complete the Kailash Mansarovar tour. If you want to tour Kailash from Kathmandu to Lhasa flight or Kathmandu to Kyarung border, it will take 14 days including your arrival and departure day. On the other hand, if you want to tour Kailash from Hilsa border with a helicopter charter, it will take a minimum of 11 days to complete the Kailash parikrama tour.

12. What about drinking water in Kailash / Manosarvor Yatra?

There is mineral and filtered water available during the Kailash / Mansarovar Yatra. You can also use water purification tablets. There are small shops where you can buy drinking water too. However, there is no hot shower facility while doing Kailash Yatra.

13. What about either Yak man, porters or horse during Kailash parikrama?

You can hire a horse or yak man during the Kailash Parikrama, but you need to pay extra about 300 Yuan per day. If you need to carry your baggage or your kids need to hire a horse or yak man, you need to inform us earlier so our company or guide can manage it in advance.

14. How much money do I need to bring for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?

You need to bring extra money for your personal expenses. Bring Chinese Yuan, which you can exchange in Kathmandu or from your own country. Normally, for a 14-day Kailash tour, you need to bring about Yuan 3000 per person. The extra money depends on your personal expenses and shopping.

15. What is the difference between inner and outer Kailash parikrama?

There are mainly two routes for Mt. Kailash Kora: Inner Kora and Outer Kora. The outer Kora takes 3 days to complete and is about 56 km (35 miles). It is quite popular for most of the Kailash pilgrimage. The trek is divided as follows:

• Trek from Darchen to Drirapuk (22 km, 10 to 12 hours walk)
• Drirapuk to Dhultripuk (22 km, 10 to 12 hours walk)
• Trek from Dzultripuk to Darchen (14 km, 6 to 8 hours walk)

On the other hand, the inner Kora is quite harder and more challenging than the outer Kora. Inner Kora takes even 3 to 4 days to complete. Buddhist people round as inner clockwise and Bon people round as anti-clockwise to inner Kora. The inner Kora covers Kailash Nandi and Saptasishi Cave and is about 25 km in distance.