Kailash Manasarovar Yatra Difficulty
The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is physically demanding trip due to high altitude and the terrain. Dolma La Pass (5,630m) is the highest point of the trip. The icy conditions persist all year and may face loose rocks along the trail. You do feel quickly tiring and there are limited facilities along trip.
A moderate fitness level is helpful, and there is no age limit for Kailash Guge Kingdom tour. It is nice to have overall physical checkup by your doctor before the trip. Regular cardiovascular exercise and jogging and yoga is a good preparation before you travel.
Season for Kailash Manasarovar Tour
May to September are good time to visit Mount Kailash. The sky is clear and a very low chance of rain fall at this seasons. The day time temperatures are comfortable and while the nights are cold, it is easily possible to keep warm. July and August are also suitable, but rain falls limit the visibility. From early November to early April, Kailash tour is not possible due to extreme weather changes. Throughout the winter season, road to Kailash is closed due to heavy snowfalls.
For a special cultural experience, a Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is Saga Dawa Festival is unmatched. Saga Dawa commemorates a life event of Buddha, and takes place on the fourth month of Tibetan calendar. It is the most auspicious time to visit Mount Kailash. The festival’s main event is the full moon day. This year, it falls on May/June, and it is a unique time to be at Mount Kailash to celebrate festival together with other pilgrims.
Kailash Manasarovar Yatra Cost
The cost of Kailash Manasarovar Yatra varies depending on the tour length, options you choose and time of year. It is not a cheap trip, but is an affordable one. On average, the tour costs between 200 to 250 USD per day. The accommodation options that range from clean and comfortable 3-star hotels to luxury 5-star hotels. The package prices include all ground transfers, accommodation and permits fees and local tour guide.
Necessary Permits for Kailash Manasarovar Yatra
The Tibet Travel Permit is necessary for all visitors to Tibet, but additional permits are also necessary for Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. These are Alien’s Travel permit, Military Area Entry Permit and Foreign Affairs Permit.
We take care all of these permits for you, and the cost is included in the tour package. The Tibet Travel Permit is applied before you arrive in Tibet, and your guide will apply for the other permits on your behalf, after your arrival in Tibet.
Booking Procedure for Kailash Overland Tour via Gyirong
Your Kailash Tour is confirmed once you send us your passport copy and some trip advance payment into our company bank account. You passport must be minimum of 8 months validity prior to your travel date to Kailash.
Kailash Tour-Accommodation
We try to provide you the best possible accommodation for the entire Journey. The hotel and guest house is comfortable and friendly. Kathmandu-Twin sharing 3 star hotel accommodation. Syabrubesi-Twin sharing best available guest house accomodation. Gyirong-Twin/Triple/multiple-dormitory sharing accomodation. Saga-Twin sharing hotel accommodation. Mansarovar-Twin/Triple/Multiple-Dormitory sharing accommodation. Darchen-Twin sharing hotel accommodation. Twin/triple/multiple-dormitory sharing accomodation during Kailash Trek.
Meals for Kailash Overland Tour
Three times vegetarian meals-breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided. Snacks and drinks like chocolates, cookies, almonds, bhujiya, tea and coffee also served in the trip.
Money Matter and ATMS
Yuan is an official currency of Tibet, China. The other currencies such as US dollar, Euro, and British pound are also accepted. However, before traveling to Tibet, we recommend exchanging your money into Chinese Yuan. If you’re going through Kathmandu, change your money at any money exchange counter in Kathmandu. Also, possible to exchange money and use ATMs in Lhasa if you arrive Tibet from mainland China. Finding ATMs and banks in rural areas of Tibet is difficult, it is recommended that you bring cash with you to cover all of your expenses. Please consult your travel agency to determine how much you should carry for the trip, as it depends on your trip package.
Packing List for Kailash Overland Tour
A good packing is necessary for Kailash tour. It is also possible to buy and renting gears and equipments in Kathmandu too. Below are the necessary packing lists for Kailash Mansarovar Overland trip.
Equipments
1 large duffel bag or backpack.
1 small backpack or day pack.
1 Sleeping bag
Lower body
2 pair of warm synthetic or cotton pants
1 pair light hiking pants
2 pair long underwear tops and bottoms
1 fleece, wool pants
Upper body
1 down jacket
1 rain gear tops and bottoms
2 pair long sleeve cotton shirt
1 fleece, wool jackets
Head wear
1 warm hat
1 sun hat
1 sunglasses (100% UV protective)
Sunscreen, lip guard (at least SPF 25)
1 silk or polyester scarf (neck protection from the sun)
Foot wear
6 pairs warm socks
1 pair comfortable waterproof hiking boots
I pair comfortable sports shoes (at the camp)
Hand wear
1 pair warm gloves or mittens
Others
1 towel
Water bottle 2 liters
1 flashlight (with extra batteries)
Sun lotion and cold cream.
Toilet items
Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb/brush, razor, shaving cream, women’s pad and toilet paper.
First Aid and Medical Kits
Band-aids, bandage, medical tape and other wound dressings
Blister dressing and moleskin.
Cold-flu tablets, nasal decongestant
Antihistamine (for allergies)
Aspirin or ibuprofen
Imodium or Lomotil (for diarrhea)
Re-hydration powder(electrolyte powder)
Throat lozenges, cough medicine
Scissors, tweezers, thermometer
Antibiotics (consult a doctor)
Medicine for high altitude sickness-Diamox tablet.
Documents and Visa
All travelers passports have a minimum of 8 months validity prior to Kailash travel date. All necessary Tibet Travel permits and Tibet/China group visa will take care by us, once you confirm the trip and sending your passport copy and trip advance payment into our bank account.
The Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu will open from Monday to Friday. All you need to arrive in Kathmandu 3 working days before Kailash tour departure dates. It takes 3 working days to apply and get visa from Chinese Embassy. Your original passport is necessary to apply Tibet/China paper group visa at Chinese embassy in Kathmandu.
Travel Insurance
We suggest to buy proper medical and travel insurance prior to the Kailash trip. Make sure that your travel insurance police will cover emergency rescue and medication coverage.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude is a major risk factor. You will drive in an average altitude of 4000 to 4600m crossing above 5000m pass. Common altitude sickness symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, and difficulty in sleeping may feel during the trip. No need to worry with these symptoms, please keep on re-hydrate and see your body that helps to acclimatize. Diamox is a prescription medication for high altitude sickness. We also carry oxygen tanks.
Physical Fitness
Kailash Trip is an overland driving tour by bus or jeep except 3 days trek around Kailash Parikrama.
Relatively, you should be in good health. If you have any chronic health problems, please consult your doctor. Regular hiking, jogging, gym and yoga-meditation are helpful for the trip.
Additional Costs on the trip
Hiring personal porter and renting a horse for Kailash Parikrama will be an extra price. Your guide will arrange a horse and porter while on Kora, if you would like to hire a horse with a horseman it costs-USD 650 to 700 and USD 190, a porter for 3 days Kailash Kora Trek.
