Mt. Kailash Tours – Inner Kora Trek – Mansarovar Lake Visit

Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake Yatra is both religious pilgrimage tour and challenging trekking adventure. Our Kailash Mansarovar Yatra itinerary takes 16 days starting off in Kathmandu with sightseeing tour in Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse, Saga and then a trekking journey around Mount Kailash known as Kora or Parikrama. The sightseeing tour in Tibet will take around 6 days in which you will travel in comfortable private vehicles. The real trekking journey starts in Kora, in which you will circumambulate Mount Kailash in 3 days. It is a great walking experience for both the pilgrims and trekking enthusiasts to traverse through rugged steep landscape paying homage to Lord Shiva.

Yes, of course. People belonging to any religion are welcome to participate in this amazing trekking experience.

Kailash Kora is a 3-day trekking journey. You need to be in good shape and have an ability to walk 6 – 7 hours uphill and downhill per day. This trek is suitable for passionate trekkers. Positive attitude, excellent health, and strong determination is required for successful finish. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no technical skill is required for this trip. Besides, it is advisable to trek with a highly reputed trek operator like us, with experienced guides who can help you with significant mental preparation with a personal touch.

Regarding the difficulty, the only challenging factor is the altitude. Our Kailash Mansarovar itinerary provides ample time for acclimatization. Neither ropes nor ice picks are needed for this trip and no vertical climbs are involved. Novice travelers in a good physical shape, who exercise regularly, has positive attitude and has healthy heart and lungs can easily complete this adventurous trip.

The age limit for Kailash Yatra is 70 years old. This is a moderate trek with a well acclimatized and carefully crafted itinerary. We advise our trekkers to have good physical fitness, exercise regularly, have positive attitude and strong determination in addition to having an excellent health for a successful Kailash Kora.

You can opt out of the 3-day Parikrama if you wish so. You can stay at Darchen or will be escorted to Saga where you will meet the rest of the group at the end of Kora. It is advised not to miss this beautiful trekking journey unless you have any health problem.

This is a religious and spiritual tour. Unlike our trekking trip where we have maximum of 12 members, Kailash Yatra as a pilgrimage tour may have a maximum of 25 members.

If you have have more than 4 members to participate on Kailash tour, surely you can have your own group. You may suggest your departure date too if it meets all the standards. For more details please contact us.

The best time to experience the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is from May to October. The temperatures are moderate during these seasons and guarantee fantastic views throughout the trip. Beautiful bright blue sky and incredible views of different species of flowers and various Himalayan peaks are best experienced during these seasons. The summer is perfect for dip in holy waters and other outdoor activities because it will be extremely cold during winter.

Many pilgrims want to visit Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash during full moon to offer sacred puja. Also, various Tibetan festivals fall on the full moon day especially the holy Saga Dawa festival. Trekkers can glimpse a breathtaking view of Mount Kailash on the full moon night. We have picked up departure dates which coincide your visit to the holy lake and sacred peak on full moon day, for you to experience the best of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

Weather in the mountains is quite difficult to predict. Different temperatures can be experienced at different elevations and during different seasons. The average temperatures in Nepal and Tibet region (in °C) are

Apart from Chinese visa, you must need Tibet Travel Permit for sightseeing tours in various Tibetan towns and villages. Similarly, Mount Kailash Permit also a must to trek and circumambulate Mount Kailash.

It is not mandatory to arrive early on account of getting used to the altitude. However, it is recommended to keep a few buffer days before and after your trek owing to the unpredictable weather uncertainties, flight cancellations or other unseen calamities. As you trek to gradually higher altitudes, you will need to acclimatize appropriately and walk at a slower pace to get used to the altitude. You should not gain an elevation of more than 400-500m in a day’s walk.

Yes. A representative, preferably the guide along with driver will be there at the airport’s arrival sector to meet you and escort you up to your hotel room. We include all airport pick up and drop offs as a part of your travel program. We will be with you the entire time of your stay in Nepal.

Usually, your flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa allows you to carry a maximum of 10 kg checked-in bag and a hand baggage of 5 kg. Any extra baggage will cost you about US$ 1 – 2 per each extra kg. We recommend you to minimize your luggage to avoid any additional cost. You can leave behind your unwanted items in your hotel back in Kathmandu or our office.

We provide our professional and technical expertise services in remote areas in the Kailash. Every effort will be made to stick to the original itinerary. However, since the weather and climatic conditions up in the mountains are unpredictable, we cannot guarantee that we will follow the original plan. The health condition of a group member or unexpected natural disaster, etc. can also contribute to unplanned situations. Your leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to the plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required. For any unexpected occurring and challenges in the mountains, our Sherpa guides are entirely reliable and superbly jovial people. With their skills and knowledge of the region, they will readily devise a new plan and propose it to you.

If you provide us with the prominent details, historical documentation and day-to-day activity notes of the trek, we will certainly blog your trek as you desire. You may need to consult with our content writer/editor to conclude the blog and writing formats.

All our guides are proficient in English, government licensed and professionally certified. They are Tibetan local, Nepali mountain experts with multiple years of expertise in the mountains. They are incredibly knowledgeable about the mountains and their minute details. Our staff gets constant training and understands the way of running quality trips that exceed expectations. Our guides are selected based on their technical proficiency, proven safety records, impeccable judgment, and their friendly demeanor. They are well trained in first aid and personal protection equipment. Our guides practice Responsible Tourism in the trek guided by the principles of ecotourism and sustainable tourism. We train them in the following major courses:

Intensive Wilderness First Aid KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Educational Project)

Trekking Guide Training – Nepal Government’s Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation Department of Hotel Management and Tourism Training Center of Nepal.

Eco Trekking Workshop and Adventure Meet TAAN (Trekking Agents Association of Nepal)

English Language – KEEP

Conservation and Biodiversity – KEEP

Rock and Ice Climbing and Mountaineering (optional) by Nepal Mountaineering Association.

For this trek, there will be one Tibetan leader followed by 4 travelers : 1 Nepalese staff and other kitchen helpers and yaks. The arrangement has been made in such a way that even if anyone within the group falls sick or cannot continue with the trek due to some reason, the trip can still go on as planned.

You do not need to change money before you arrive in Kathmandu. We can help you get better exchange rates from our responsible government approved money exchanges after you meet us.

Extra personal expenses that may incur on the trip include hot shower, recharging batteries and other electronic gadgets, bottled/boiled water, phone and internet usages, soda, alcoholic beverages, tipping, other services not listed, and recreational expenses. Please check Important Notes for details.

While it is not mandatory, tipping is an accepted way of saying ‘Thank you’ to your staff for their services.It is good to carry small denominations of US$ for small tips to driver, hotel staff etc. The tips for guides and porters are generally based on the number of trekking days and can be pooled together with other trekkers or made directly to the individuals. A common way to calculate tipping is 8 to 10% of your trip cost per person. This amount can be adjusted based on your overall satisfaction and staff performance. Your tip is offered at the end of the trip. The guide has the most responsibility, so generally is offered a higher tip than assistant guides or porters. Suggested ratio can be – (guide: assistant guide: porter/porters = 50:30:20). You can distribute the tips directly to the guide, assistant guide and porter. If there is more than one porter, then you can give them a certain amount and they will share among themselves. Also, please do not ask them how much they would like to be given. You can tip in USD or Nepalese rupees. This is just a guideline for tipping and is not obligatory.

To help you pack for your adventure, we have listed equipment and a pack list below. Please note that the listed items may vary according to the different seasons. Remember that your luggage will be carried by your porter but you are required to carry a day-pack (with your valuables or anything important) on your own. We also suggest that you pack only what is necessary.

Valid passport, 2 extra passport size photos, airline tickets

Separate photocopies of passport, visa form (easily obtained at Kathmandu airport), proof of insurance

Dollars, pounds or Euros in cash for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying for restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks, and to purchase your own drinks and gifts

Credit cards, Bank/ATM/Cash machine cards for withdrawing funds from cash machines (bring a photocopy of your cards), traveler’s checks, etc.

HEAD

Bandana or headscarf, also useful for dusty conditions

Warm hat that covers your ears (wool or synthetic)

Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs

Sunglasses with UV protection

Prescription sunglasses (if required)

UPPER BODY

Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves)

Light and expedition weight thermal tops

Fleece windstopper jacket or pullover

Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket

Down vest and/or jacket *

Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable

HANDS

1 pair of lightweight poly-liner gloves.

1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves

1 pair of mittens, consists of 1 Gore-Tex over mitt matched with a very warm polar-fleece mitt liner (seasonal)

LOWER BODY

Non-cotton underwear briefs

1 pair of Hiking shorts

1 pair of Hiking trousers

1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms (seasonal)

1 pair of waterproof shell pants, breathable fabric

FEET

2 pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks

2 pairs of heavy poly or wool socks

1 pair of Hiking boots with spare laces (sturdy soles, water resistant, ankle support, “broken in”)

1 pair of trainers or running shoes and/or sandals

Cotton socks (optional)

Gaiters (winter only), optional

SLEEPING

1 sleeping bag (good to -10 degrees C or 14 degrees F)*

Fleece sleeping bag liner (optional)

RUCKSACK AND TRAVEL BAGS

1 medium rucksack (50-70 liters/3000-4500 cubic inches, can be used for an airplane carryon)

1 large duffel bag *

A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables, should have good shoulder padding

Small padlocks for duffle-kit bags

2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional)

MEDICAL

Small, personal first-aid kit. (simple and light)

Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)

1 skin-blister repair kit

Anti-diarrhea pills

Anti-headache pills

Cough and/or cold medicine

Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetazolamide

Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Do not bring sleeping pills as they are a respiratory depressant.

Water purification tablets or water filter

1 set of earplugs

Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies

PRACTICAL ITEMS

1 small roll of repair tape, 1 sewing-repair kit

1 cigarette lighter, 1 small box of matches

1 compass or GPS (optional)

1 alarm clock/watch

1 digital camera with extra cards and batteries

large Ziplocs

2 water bottles (1 liter each)

1 small folding knife

Binoculars (optional)

4 large, waterproof, disposable rubbish sacks

TOILETRIES

1 medium-sized quick-drying towel

Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)

Multi-purpose soap (preferably biodegradable)

Deodorants

Nail clippers

Face and body moisturizer

Female hygiene products

Small mirror

PERSONAL HYGIENE

Wet wipes (baby wipes)

Tissue /toilet roll

Anti-bacterial hand wash

EXTRAS/LUXURIES

Reading book

Trail map/guidebook

Journal and pen

iPod

Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble, playing cards (to help you pass the time at teahouses and/or camps)

1 modest swimsuit

Binoculars (optional)

Voltage converter (from 220 to 110)

Plug adapter (2 round pegs to 2 flat pegs)

Lightweight pillowcase (in case your teahouses provide you with pillows) or use your own stuff as a pillow

We use a 4 season sleeping bag during the trek which is good to -10˚C, -15˚C or -20˚C depending on the season. We do provide you the sleeping bags but it is better if you can bring your own, if possible. If you bring your own, we suggest you look into Lamina Z Torch, MHW Lamina O or Shona’s sleeping bag. Make sure that your bag is of good fit to the shape of your body and should have an insulated hood for added warmth.

You need a decent pair of hiking boots that are the right size for you, with an excellent ankle support, good grip at the soles and are water resistant in the snow.Once you buy your shoes, don’t forget to break them in, to avoid blisters. If you want a specific recommendation, go ahead and try the Vasque Breeze 2.0 GTX. It has Gore-Tex liners, meaning that your feet will be protected from harsh conditions while the rubber out soles provide enough traction and stability during long treks. Other recommendations are – Merrell, New Balanceor Scarpa Kailash Hiking Boots.

Our well-trained and dedicated guides will determine the intensity of your sickness and decide what needs to be done. He will provide on-site emergency assistance with first aid medical kit to begin with. If needed, your guide will bring you about 500 m below the altitude so that you feel better. In case of extreme difficulties, he will help to evacuate you using a helicopter under your covered health/travel insurance. If you can and want to stay there and recover, our Sherpa assistant will be there with you. If your condition is not too critical, or you feel you cannot afford helicopter rescue, then you may think of a pony rescue, or you may even walk down slowly.

Consult your doctor and check for which food items you are allergic to before you come to Nepal. Before your tour commences, do not forget to inform your guide about your allergies. He will make necessary arrangements for you according to available food options throughout the journey.

As the altitude goes up, the oxygen density gets lower affecting your cardiac and pulmonary systems. Our bodies must adjust to avoid mountain sickness, thus we arrange our treks and day-to-day itinerary to incorporate with required acclimatization days. At different points of our trip, you may either choose to take rest or have short hikes.

As the altitude rises, more UV rays get reflected due to increase in sun’s intensity. Therefore, we advise you to protect your skin with proper clothing and sunblock. A special sunblock for the mountains is recommended. You may also use UV protected sunglasses and prescription sunglasses if required.

You may want to consider following points for extra safety measures:

• Use of a neck wallet or money belt while traveling to keep your passport, air tickets, travelers’ cheques, cash and other valuable items safe.
• Leave your valuable jewelry at home – you won’t need it while traveling. Many hotels that we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables.
• A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.
• When traveling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your tour leader will accompany you on all included activities.

Your safety is our paramount concern, we are always there to help travelers in an emergency. We are available 24/7 at any of our following contact numbers:

Headquarter-USA: +1 (925) 302-6361Regional Office-Asia: +977 (982) 377-8339

We consider trip is booked if you are with 3 other members. Once minimum of 4 individuals are booked with us, your Mt. Kailash tour is 100% guaranteed. We value and respect your preferences; hence you will not be mixed with another group or shifted to another date or another trip.

Our trekking guide will make necessary efforts to arrange required transportation and reservations to get you home as quickly as possible if, for any reason, you need to depart early. In the meantime, one of our staff will remain with you at all times. However, you will not be entitled to any refunds for unused days on the trek or for the services such as hotel, transport, and flight, included in the package that you would not use later. Please understand that our costs are the same as we have to pay the guides and porters for the time they have committed. Although, you can make claims with your insurance company for your loss. We will cooperate with you on the documentation process to get your claimed amount reimbursed.

There are reservations that have to be adhered to when entering Nepal. The customs department at the airport conducts a meticulous scrutiny of the items in your luggage. There are some items that cannot be brought into the country, for example carrying drugs in any form is considered a crime and the accused will be immediately prosecuted. Firearms, explosives and sharp or blunt weapons if identified can land you in serious trouble.

It may come as a shock to many that eating beef is strictly forbidden in Nepal. Hinduism being the dominant religion in Nepal forbids killing and eating cows and oxen. Carrying any edible items in your luggage that contains beef is considered a crime.

If you are carrying gold it should be less than 5 ounces, for more than the stipulated amount a declaration and authorization is required. Same goes for other precious metals, gems, and valuable items. There are no regulations on the jewelry on your body.

Nepal and Tibet have zero tolerance for drug smuggling. Visitors are forbidden to import drugs in any form into Nepal. Possession of drugs not only puts you at risk of being apprehended and imprisoned but the entire group you are traveling with might get arrested as well.

Nepal and Tibet are countries of tradition and sacred religious beliefs. Any obscenity, whether physical or verbal, is looked upon with revulsion as the culture here differs from Western countries. Wearing inappropriate attire while visiting religious sites will not be tolerated, and clothes that are too revealing or leather clothing inside the religious structures are not allowed. While holding hands is completely normal, please refrain from displaying too much physical affection in public view, if you plan to travel to Nepal as a couple.