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Top 20 Mount Kailash Tour FAQs that You’ll Absolutely Need

August,21 2023 BY Sonam Tenphel 0 COMMENTS

Mount Kailash, located in Tibet's remote west, is not only a majestic peak but also a sacred site revered by the religions of Buddism, Hinduism, Bon, and Jainism. As you embark on this spiritually and physically demanding journey, we have compiled the most commonly asked questions to provide valuable insights and help you make the most of your Mount Kailash tour. Read on.

1. Do I Need a Permit to Visit Mount Kailash?

Yes, travel permits are required to visit Mount Kailash due to its remote and restricted location in Ngari, western Tibet. The combination of permits depends on how you are traveling to Tibet and Mount Kailash.

Tibet Travel PermitA Sample of Tibet Travel Permit

For international tourists entering Tibet from mainland China, a Chinese Visa and Tibet Travel Permit is mandatory. Apart from that, you will need three more permits exclusively for visiting Mount Kailash - Alien’s Travel Permit, Foreign Affairs Permit, and Military Permit.

However, if you intend to visit Mount Kailash from Nepal, you must get a Chinese Group Visa from the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. Additionally, you need to obtain the same documents mentioned above.

2. How to Get the Permits for Mount Kailash Tour?

Obtaining the necessary permits for visiting Mount Kailash involves specific procedures. The Chinese Visa can be acquired by yourself from your country's Chinese embassy or consulate.

The Tibet Travel Permit, on the other hand, must be applied for through an authorized Tibet travel agency on your behalf. To streamline the process, we offer assistance in obtaining your Tibet Travel Permit once you have booked the tour with us. Just send us copies of your Chinese Visa and valid passport, and we will handle the rest. To avoid any delay, it is recommended to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit at least 20 days in advance.

Upon your arrival in Lhasa, your tour guide will assist in applying for the remaining permits, including the Alien's Travel Permit, Military Permit, and Foreign Affairs Permit, which can be processed within one to several hours in the respective offices.

Tibet Alien's Travel PermitA Sample of Alien's Travel Permit

If you are traveling from Kathmandu, we can help you obtain a Group Tourist Visa from the Chinese Embassy there, along with other permits such as the Tibet Travel Permit, Alien's Travel Permit, Foreign Affairs Permit, and Military Permit.

For Indian passport holders, only the Foreign Affairs Office of TAR (governmental) or the Pilgrim Center (non-governmental) can provide authorization for Indian pilgrimage tours in Tibet. As an authorized agent of the Pilgrim Center, we can offer free Tibet tour consultancy services for your Mount Kailash tour.

3. Can I Travel to Mount Kailash by Myself?

No, you can’t. To visit Mount Kailash, joining an organized tour is mandatory for international tourists. You can opt for a cheaper small group tour or a private customized trip. Once your tour is confirmed, our team will arrange a knowledgeable tour guide and driver for your journey to this highly revered mountain.

Visiting Mount KailashTourists need to join a tour group to visit Mount Kailash.

4. How Can I Get to Mount Kailash from Lhasa?

When traveling from Lhasa to Mount Kailash, there are two main options: overland driving or taking a flight. Due to the rapid increase in altitude and the potential risk of altitude sickness, it is not recommended to take a direct flight.

The overland trip offers two routes: the southern route, which is the most popular and covers approximately 1600 kilometers, passing through Shigatse and Everest Base Camp; and the northern route, which is more adventurous and spans about 1832 kilometers, mainly traversing Namtso and the northern part of the plateau.

Besides, there are no direct flights from Lhasa to Mount Kailash. The flight will take you to Ngari Gunsa Airport in Shiquanhe Town, from where a drive of around 200km will take you to Mount Kailash.

5. How Can I Get to Mount Kailash from Kathmandu?

The popular option for travelers from Nepal is to fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa and continue with an overland tour to Mount Kailash. The shortest drive route to Mt. Kailash from Lhasa is around 1400 km. Daily flights are available from Kathmandu International Airport for Lhasa, which takes 90 minutes of journey time.

The shortest option is an overland route from Kathmandu to Mount Kailash via Gyirong Port and Saga, covering a road distance of 782 km.

Mount Kailash overland tourDriving from Kathmandu to Mount Kailash along the flat road.

6. When is the Best Time to Visit Mount Kailash?

The best time to visit Mount Kailash and Manasarovar is spring (May to June) and autumn (September to October), offering high visibility, stunning views, and comfortable temperatures. July and August are also suitable, with occasional rains creating a mysterious and mystical atmosphere.

From November to April, the biting cold, heavy snow, and blocked routes make it unfavorable for travel. To immerse in a deeply religious atmosphere and to join local pilgrims in the kora route, visit during the Saga Dawa Festival in April (May or June in the solar calendar).

Mount Kailash Saga Dawa FestivalVisiting Mount Kailash during Saga Dawa Festival is a good choice.

7. How Many Days are needed to Tour Mount Kailash?

The 15-day Mount Kailash and Manasarovar small group tour is the most popular choice, with over 90% of clients opting for this itinerary each year. This also includes a 3-day trek around holy Mt. Kailash, and a visit to sacred Manasarovar Lake. The trip includes acclimation in Lhasa, visits to Gyantse, Shigatse, Tingri, EBC, Saga, Manasarovar Lake, and Darchen, covering major Buddhist attractions and offering gradual ascent to avoid altitude sickness.

Alternatively, you can travel to Mount Kailash from Kathmandu by road on a 10 days trip, which provides a shorter route but offers challenges such as landslides and missing the Lhasa to EBC tour.

8. How Much Does the Mount Kailash Tour Cost?

A Mount Kailash tour cost depends on factors like, hotel tariff, travel season, transportation options, choosing between a private or small group tour, and personal and incidental expenses. To save the cost, you can join a small group tour and avoid the peak travel season.

For example, the peak season prices for a 15-day join-in small group tour to Mount Kailash can reach up to $2319 per person, while during the shoulder season from early April to late May and late October, the cost is generally lower at around US$2059 per person for the same trip.

 Mount Kailash group tourJoin a group tour to save the cost for your Tibet Mount Kaislash trip.

9. Is Mount Kailash Kora Trek Difficult?

The Mount Kailash trek is a challenging and spiritually significant journey of approximately 52 km at altitudes exceeding 5,000m. It requires strong perseverance and mental fortitude, but with proper preparation and the support of a professional team, you can experience the spiritual walk to its fullest.

10. How to Avoid Altitude Sickness during Mount Kailash Trek?

With altitudes averaging around 5,000m, with the highest point at Drolma La (5,630m), Mount Kailash visitors should take altitude sickness seriously. It is recommended to have prior trekking experience above 4,000m.

Tips for avoiding altitude sickness include gradual ascent, staying hydrated, acclimatizing in Lhasa, carrying necessary medications, ensuring sufficient rest, preventing colds, and recognizing symptoms to avoid further complications. Traveling light is advised, and hiring horses or yaks for luggage assistance is possible.

Hire Horse during Mount Kailash TrekYou can hire a horse for luggage assistance during Mount Kailash trek.

11. Can I Climb Mount Kailash? Is it allowed?

Climbing Mount Kailash is prohibited due to its religious significance and physical challenges. Revered in multiple religions, including Buddhism and Hinduism, Mount Kailash is a sacred pilgrimage site. Its pyramid-like shape, steep slopes, constant snow cover, and powerful winds are a deterrent for the climbers too. Despite not being one of the highest mountains in Tibet, Mount Kailash remains unconquered by modern climbers.

12. Is There Any Age Limit for Mount Kailash Tour?

There is no age limit for tourists to hike around Mount Kailash, the most sacred mountain. Our oldest client, 82-year-old Gerhard, successfully completed the Everest Base Camp and the 3-day Mount Kailash trek without using oxygen.

However, it is advisable to assess your health condition, especially for those with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. It is advised not to bring children under 5 years old to remote areas with limited facilities like Mount Kailash.

13. What Kind of Fitness is required for Mount Kailash Tour?

Both mental and physical well-being is required to undertake the Kailash Trek. It is essential to be at a moderate to good level of physical fitness. It is advisable to undergo a medical examination before the trek. People with back pain may have problems during the journey on the jagged road, and people with asthma or allergic to dust are strongly recommended to wear mask on the dusty road.

14. How about the Accommodations around Mount Kailash?

Accommodations around Mount Kailash vary depending on the location during the trek. In Darchen, the starting and finishing point of the hike, there are decent guesthouses, small hotels, and good restaurants offering a comfortable stay.

During the 3-day trek, the accommodations are more basic. The first night is spent at a simple guesthouse at Drirapuk Monastery, and the second night at the guesthouse of Dzultripuk Monastery. They provide clean and comfortable shared dorms but lack showers, heating, and electricity, so bringing a sleeping bag and power banks is necessary. Toilets are available, but there are no baths or Wi-Fi, although local phone networks may be accessible.

Tent guesthouses at Mount KailashTent guesthouses are available at Mount Kailash.

15. How about the Food during a Mount Kailash Tour?

Eating is important for sustaining energy during the trek but there are no proper restaurants along the route. However, the monastery guesthouses offer simple eateries, and you can find teahouses set up in tents where you can stop for lunch.

It is recommended to bring your own dried and packed foods if you are not a fan of Tibetan cuisine, as the food options at the monasteries are limited and not recommended for most tourists. Drinking from natural streams is discouraged, as they can contain contaminants. Use portable water filters or purification tablets to purify boiled or spring water.

16. Can I Take a Mount Kailash Tour during Religious Festivals?

Visiting Mount Kailash during the month-long Saga Dawa festival is a rare and incredible opportunity to witness and participate in one of the most important festivals in the Tibetan lunar calendar. The colorful flagpole ceremony at Mount Kailash makes for a remarkable sight, with lamas performing rituals, worshippers encircling the flagpole, and the mesmerizing sound of woodwind instruments filling the air. While in the area, exploring the holy Lake Manasarovar is highly recommended. Majestic swans descend on the lake during the season to create an ethereal sight.

17. Will I Encounter any Wildlife during the Mount Kailash Tour?

Situated in the wildlife-rich Ngari prefecture, Mount Kailash is home to a diverse array of animals, particularly in the vicinity of the sacred Sutlej, Brahmaputra, Indus, and Karnali rivers. Animals that can be spotted include wild donkeys or Kiang, Tibetan antelopes, wild yaks, swans, and black-necked cranes. It is highly advised not to engage with wild animals and maintain a respectable distance from them.

18. What Should I Know about Local Culture and Customs at Mount Kailash?

Since this is a sacred site, respecting local traditions and customs is crucial here. One important tradition is to perform the kora (circumambulation) around the mountain in a clockwise direction, which is considered the correct way.

There are two kora routes available – inner kora and outer kora, and international tourists are only allowed on the outer kora, the longer of the two. Taking photos is generally permitted, but take permission before photographing locals or religious ceremonies out of respect for their privacy and beliefs.

pilgrims at Mount KailashDevotee prostrating in pilgrimage around Mount Kailash.

19. What Kind of Clothing and Equipment is suggested for a Mount Kailash Tour?

When preparing for a Mount Kailash tour, it is important to consider the weather and the challenging terrain. For clothing, layering is essential to adapt to temperature changes. Start with a thermal undershirt and add thinner layers as needed. A warm jacket, preferably down or fleece, is recommended. Wear long underwear underpants and opt for sturdy hiking boots.

Wear thick socks for added warmth and bring gloves, a hat, and sunglasses for protection against the cold and bright sunlight. Trekking poles are useful for balance and steep climbs. If camping, bring a small, easy-to-erect tent. Additionally, carry essential items such as sun cream, sunglasses with UV protection, lip balm, moisturizer, and high-energy snacks to keep you nourished along the trail.

20. Are There Other Experiences at Mount Kailash Except the 3-day Kora?

Apart from Mount Kailash Kora, there are other captivating experiences and attractions to enjoy in the vicinity. Witness the beauty of the Kangkyam Glacier, soak in the sacred serenity of the twin lakes of Manasarovar and Rakshastal, climb to Chiu Monastery with its Guru Rinpoche meditation cave, marvel at Gurla Mandhata, the highest peak in the Nalakankar Himal range, and relax in the sacred hot springs of Tirthapuri. These diverse cultural and natural wonders add depth to your Mount Kailash tour.

Manasarovar lakeOne can also visit the sacred Manasarovar Lake.

Conclusion

As we conclude this guide on the top 20 Mount Kailash tour FAQs, we hope you are now equipped with the knowledge and excitement to start this extraordinary adventure. So, pack your bags, prepare your spirit, and get ready to be enthralled by the awe-inspiring beauty and mysticism of Mount Kailash. In case of further doubts, do contact us. Safe travels, fellow adventurers!

Sonam Tenphel

About the Author - Sonam Tenphel

Energetic, responsible and reliable, Sonam is a guide with more than seven years experience informing visitors about heritage sites and attractions places in Tibet.

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