Packing Checklist for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

1. Travel Documents

Q. Is there any age restriction for participating in the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra tour?

A. Travellers between 08 to 70 years of age can apply for Permit to visit Kailash Mansarovar. The applicant must not have any serious medical conditions like high blood pressure, asthma, heart disease, diabetes, etc. Travellers with age 70 years and above maintaining good health and approved by qualified doctor (from a Govt. Hospital) for this trip may also apply by fulfilling additional conditions set by the Tibetan Authorities. However granting permissions to such an elderly person is at the sole discretion of the office of the concerned authorities. It is to be noted that officially it is not permitted for the people of 60 year age and above to undertake Kora (Paridakshina, Circumambulation) of Mount Kailash, but the same is always at the sole discretion of the Govt officer and authority as this depends on the health of an individual traveller. Mount Kailash Kora is usually an inbuilt part of the Kailash Yatra packages, but if not permitted by the authorities or Govt officer, it is under the authority of the Tibetan guide to reject to take any traveller for the kora / parikrama of Mount Kailash. No refund or compensation is available in lieu thereof. Rather travellers who are stopped for trekking (or also those who decided not to do trek) will have to pay additional amount for staying at Darchen (Mt. Kailash base) for those nights when the other group members go on the kora. Read more about eligibility ..

Q. What kind of fitness is required to be eligible to undertake the Kailash Yatra?

A. For Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in the remote land of Tibetan Autonomous Region, (TAR) physical and mental fitness is very important. It is advisable to get a medical examination with your regular doctor before you plan to go on Mt. Kailash Yatra. Anyone suffering from back problems may find the long drives over bumpy roads difficult. People suffering from Asthma or any kind of dust allergy are forewarned that the amount of dust on the road necessitates wearing a mask. Apart from that, it is a good idea to prepare in advance with brisk walking, and some regimen of exercise or preferably yoga asanas and pranayama. Eventually, for most people the Kailash parikrama is an act of faith.

Q. I am overweight (110 kg), can I travel without any restrictions?

A. The recommended body weight is 65-70 kg with BMI (Body Mass Index) 27 or below for an individual applying for travelling to Kailash Mansarovar. Even if the permit and visa are granted to go on this trip, you may have to pay additional charges for a helicopter trip and flight seat when travelling via Simikot or Timure. Your can 'Check Your BMI' here.

Q. What is the document requirements to apply for Kailash Yatra Registration?

A. The most important document is a valid passport. All travellers, irrespective to their nationality and geographical location must have a valid passport for traveling to Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar situated in Tibet, China. The passport should have minimum six months validy from the date of entering into Tibetan territories to visit Kailash Mansarovar. It is the sole responsibility of the traveller to ensure for the authenticity and validity of their documents. If you are an Indian citizen and you do not have a passport, apply your passport online today. Visit this 'Passport Seva' weblink to apply your passport in India. It is to be noted that handwritten passports are no more valid. Apart from a valid passport there are several other documents you may be asked for inlcuding copies of PAN, Voter, Aadhaar card for Indian passport holders, Fitness certificate issued by a qualified doctor, insurance, photographs etc,

2. Clothing Requirements

Q. What are the different routes and packages available for reaching the Mount Kailash?

A. Mount Kailash is accessible through various border entry points from Nepal and Tibet. These popular routes are listed below :

• 14 Days Kailash Mansarovar Tour by Road from Kathmandu
  One of the most preferred routes to visit Kailash Mansarovar from Kathmandu. This trip goes from Rasuwagarhi, Nepal to Kyirong, China and then further proceeds to Lake Mansarovar via Saga and them Mt. Kailash. [ view full itinerary ]
• 11 Days Kailash Mansarovar Tour by Helicopter from Kathmandu via Simikot
  The helicopter route from Kathmandu to Taklakot (Burang) via Simikot and Hilsa is another popular travel option for visiting Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. This is a perfect choice for those who wish to avoid longer drives of an overland journey to visit this holy land. Though various flights and helicopter ride the travellers can reach to hilsa border of nepal from where few short and scenic drives will take them to their destination. [ view full itinerary ]
• 09 Days Kailash Mansarovar Tour by Helicopter from Lucknow via Simikot
  The shortest route to visit Kailash Mansarovar from India is from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The Indian passport holders can drive from Lucknow to reach Nepalgunj in order to join a helicopter trip which initially starts from Kathmandu. [ view full itinerary ]
• 16 Days Kailash Mansarovar Overland Tour via Lhasa, Tibet
  The drive from the capital city of Lhasa to Mt. Kailash is considered to be a lifetime experience. One can visit many beautiful historic and cultural sites on this route while enjoying the utter beauty of nature during those drives in Tibet This route can be categorised as the best route for Kailash mansarovar sojourn. [ view full itinerary ]
• 05 Days Kailash Mansarovar Darshan by private helicopter
  People who wish to visit the holy mount and lake for darshan but cannot affort to spare longer time due to their own reasons this quickest possible trip via Nepalgunj using a private helicopter is the option to consider. Since this is a trip with private helicopter, it is definitely going to be a costly affair in comparison to those regular trips to Mt. kailash. [ view full itinerary ]
• 19 Days Mount Kailash complete Inner Kora Tour from Kathmandu
  Inner Kora of Mt. Kailash is a special trip organised with limited departures and seats every year. Apart from those beautiful sites falling in the outer kora of Mt. Kailash. this trip offers opportunities to also visit Ashtapad, Nandi Parvat, Atma Linga, and Saptrishi Caves. Comparitively this trip is even more challenging and it is considered to be one of the hardest pilgrimage trips. [ view full itinerary ]

Q. Can I book KMY via Lipulekh Pass or Nathula Pass through a tour operator?

A. KMY via Lipulekh Pass, Uttrakhand and KMY via Nathula Pass, Sikkim routes are available to book only with Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India. Indian citizens with age between 18 to 70 years can apply to join a trip to Kailash Mansarovar through kmy.org.in. Tour operators are not authorised to conduct trips via these two routes.

3. Gears & Accessories

Q. How much is the cost for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?

A. The cost of a trip to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for an Indian passport holders varies from INR 2,00,000 to INR 3,50,000 or more, depending on different route and size of the group. For Non-Indian passport holders the cost for such a trip varies from US$ 3000 to US$ 5000 or more. Such cost includes mainly accommodation, food, ground transport in Nepal & Tibet, Internal flights in Nepal for a heli trip, necessary Inner line and Restricted area permits, normal Tibet entry visa and other items as may be detailed in cost inlusions for each itineary and case.

Q. What are the other expenses for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?

A. Mostly the package tour for Kailash Mansarovar comes with inclusions of required services and items for the duration of the trip. But the travellers have to spend much more then the regular trip cost. Such additional expense mainly include their return flight tickets for travelling from home to the trip start point, travel and medical insurance, extra expense for accommodation and food incase of early arrival or/and late departure, pony/mule and porter charges in Tibet if required for the trekking of Mt. Kailash, extra exepnse for additional stay and food in the event of trip getting delayed in onward or return route due to forced reasons etc.

1) Return international flight tickets from home location to trip starting/ending point are not included in the tour package cost and is one of the majour additional expense on travellers. Keeping into consideration the highly unpredictible nature of Kailash Mansarovar travel, we strongly recommend that the travellers should buy such flight tickets only after the entry permits to visit Kailash Mansarovar are provided by the concerned Tibetan authorities. Keeping into consideration frequently and quickly increasing flight ticket charges, sometimes few travellers want to book their flights to secure lower flight ticket fares; which is a risk in the event of any change in the travel dates of the trip due to forced situations. We recommend that they should buy only flexible fares to avoid any huge financial loss on them. The company does not take any responsiility for this service and the financial risk involved.

Q. How much extra money one should carry on Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?

A. It is recommended that the travellers carry min CNY 4000 to 5000 for general expense in Tibet, China. Since these trips are very unpredictible and unexpected challenges may occur any time including those related to health of the traveller, natural disaster, political closure etc. It is a good idea to carry US$ 1000 to US$ 2000 for emergency fund which may be helpful in any unforseen and unpleasant situation. Indian rupees (small denomination) and American Dollars are widely accepted in Nepal.

Q. Why do I require to pay full tour cost and taxes upfront for my bookings?

A. Kailash Mansarovar tours are operated in a shape of groups by assigning tentative dates for departure of a trip. To a Company it takes several months to prepare a group of interested and eligible travellers. At the time of registrations, the Company takes part payment from travellers as booking amount which is non-refundale (completely or partially) in most cases. Once the group is ready the Company then prepares documents to apply for the group permits with Tibetan authorities for group visit. In most cases the Company takes full balance payments from a traveller, before applying the permits, to ensure that no further cancellation or amendment is made by the traveller which may not only affect the trip of other group travellers but may also cause heavy penalties on the Company by the authority/airlines/hotels/vendors. Company has, therefore assigned a clear and strict booking & cancellation policy so as to prevent any last minute cancellation or payment failure from the traveller. The amount of taxes including GST & TCS are also to be paid by the traveller at the time of final payments for further submission to the concerned tax departments.

Q. How much GST is payable by Indian travellers on KMY tour packages?

A. In addition to the cost of the tour package, Indian travellers are liable to pay Govt of India GST (Goods & Service Tax) @5% at the time of final payments to the Company. The applicable rate of GST on various other charges including Company's service fee or consultation fee or trip cancellation charges etc is @18% on the cost of the service/invoice.

Q. What is the new TCS (Tax Collection at Source) policy in India?

A. From 01 Oct'2023 the residents of India are liable to pay 20 per cent TCS on all their foreign travel remittances with no threshold. The TCS is payable by the traveller to the tour company at the time of final payments for their travel bookings.

4. Medical Kit

Q. How many travelers will be there in a group?

A. The group size is usually 25-35 person minimum for a helicopter tour and it may reach to 40-50 travellers or more especially during the full moon travel. During full moon travel you may find rush of pilgrims in the region and also expect to be in a much larger group.

Q. Can we make our smaller private group?

A. Yes it is possible! You can make a private group if you have minimum 25 (or more) travellers to join. Smaller strength of the group may attract higher cost supplement for the trip.

Q. Can I travel solo to Kailash Mansarovar?

A. Due to strict restrictions by the Chinese Govt. no individual trips are allowed in Tibet hence one has to join a group to visit Kailash Mansarovar situated in the Western Tibet.

5. Personal Hygiene

Q. What kind of accommodation is available on this trip?

A. A trip to Kailash Mansarovar is not about luxuries or comfort. Still, for travellers it is fairly okay to expect a clean place with basic amenities. The standard of accommodation and travel services available in this region is improving with the time, but at most places, except in the big cities and towns the travellers are left with the only option to stay in guesthouses in a dormitory style accommodation which lack even the basic facilities. Read below some important information for the quality of stay falling on different routes.

• Accommodation style on overland trip route via Kyirong
  When you are on a road trip from Kathmandu to Mt. kailash via Kyirong, it is to be taken into note that after you leave kathmandu there is hardly any good accommodation available for stay. You may even have to stay in backcountry accommodation, small guesthouses in small rooms which sometimes even do not have basic facilities. During stay near Lake Mansarovar and also during the trekking of Mt. Kailash the stay will be in guesthouses near the monasteries. These guesthouses offer only beds to sleep. No fancy hotel facilities are available and natural toilets are to be considered mostly.
• Accommodation style on helicopter trip route via Simikot
  When you are on a road trip from Kathmandu to Mt. kailash via Kyirong, it is to be taken into note that after you leave kathmandu there is hardly any good accommodation available for stay. You may even have to stay in backcountry accommodation, small guesthouses in small rooms which sometimes even do not have basic familities. During stay near Lake Mansarovar and also during the trekking of Mt. Kailash the stay will be in guesthouses near the monasteries. These guesthouses offer only beds to sleep. No fancy hotel facilities are available and natural toilets are to be considered mostly.
• Accommodation style on helicopter trip route via Simikot
  While you are on a Kailash Mansarovar trip via helicopter route thorugh Simikot, you may expect to get the accommdation standard on a higher side as compared to the road trip. However near Mansarovar and Mt. Kailash the accommodation will be only in guesthouses on multi sharing basis

6. Additional

Q. What kind of food is served during the trip?

A. During entire trip of Kailash Mansarovar food served by the hotels, guesthouses and our chef is always pure vegetarian without onion and garlic.

Q. What is the menu for food served during the tour?

A. While staying in hotels the travelers get buffet meal usually which is pure and especially placed for the Kailash Yatra travelers mostly. During travel in Tibet side though there is no set menu for food but usually for breakfast one gets high energy and nutritious beverages like bournvita, horlicks along with tea/coffee followed by option of porridge, cornflakes, pancakes, upma, pakoras, paranthas, puri aalloo, bread butter/ jams etc. Lunch is generally packed and served at a scenic spot near some water pool. It consists of a tetra pack (Frooti etc) or lime water with glucose, puri/chapatti & vegetables, tinned fruits/sweets, pickle. Dinner is at the campsite and the menu is very varied with availability of soup, Indian bread, dal, rice, salad, noodles and some desert.

Q. What type of water is provided during the trip.

A. While staying in hotels in India or Nepal side, you may get filtered water provided by the hotels for their inhouse guests. During travel in Tibet, and especially while staying near the lake or doing Kailash Parikrama, water is collected from streams near the campsite and served after boiling, hence it is safe for drinking. You can add iodine drops or chlorine tablets, if you wish to. You may also buy mineral water from market, if you want.