Overland to Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar Tour

Weather in Kailash

Between April and June, the Kailash region experiences daytime heat from 10 to 17 degrees Celsius, with night heat falling to -5 and 5 degrees Celsius. The days are drier with the possibility of precipitation of up to 31 mm.

September, October, and November see warmer days between 10 and 19 degrees Celsius, with colder nights of 5 and -10 degrees Celsius. The probability of rainfall is limited to 39 mm.

June, July, and August bring hotter and wetter days with the possibility of 94 to 108 mm of precipitation and day heat up to 21 degrees Celsius.

In winter, the daytime heat only reaches to 7 degrees Celsius, while night can be very colder with -12 and -17 degrees Celsius.

Best Time for overland to Mt Kailash and Lake Mansarovar tour

The ideal time for our overland to Mt Kailash and Lake Mansarovar tour is from May to September, thanks to the region’s favorable climate and optimal oxygen levels in the air.

During these period, you can have sunny days, vibrant blue skies, and gentle breezes. The breathtaking Tibetan terrain reveals its full splendor, while unique Tibetan wildlife roams freely.

Additionally, the lively yet crowded Saga Dawa Festival takes place between April and June which offers to witness the new Tarboche in front of Kailash.

In September and October, the crystal-clear days provide the best views of Kailash, Gaurishankar, and Shishapangma. However, after late October, the region often becomes inaccessible due to harsh cold and strong winds.

For Hindus, the auspicious full moon days in June, July, and August (Shrawan and Bhadra) are particularly significant, as they are believed to help in ridding past karma.

Difficulty Level

Taking place in a high-altitude setting, our overland to Mt Kailash and Lake Mansarovar tour is definitely not a carefree walk like in the park. There are hardships involved as you start the tour from the 1400 m height immediately reaching 3000 m at Kerung.

The highest Dolma La pass above 5000 m is another factor that adds to the risk of altitude sickness. Even pilgrims with capacious lungs who walk a lot in the mountains can have problems with breathing and feel symptoms of altitude sickness.

On the other hand, the varying Tibetan Highland climate also presents its own set of challenges. The fierce sun of the day and the minus degrees of the night in the rustic settings of dormitories in the Dirapuk and Zhutulpuk is not an easy task.

Additionally, the arid air of Kailash often causes sore throats and some breathing problems. However, the hardship during such a pilgrimage is of fundamental importance after which the pilgrims are filled with joy and happiness.

We have taken this tour numerous times, and in our tour, we have seen this tour is best endured by people who are aware of the place; even those who have no mountain experience, by those practicing sports in which they use stimulants.

When on this tour, you will see many pilgrims are elderly people, marching with walking sticks and prayer wheels. And, there are also those who cover 53 km in just one day.

Although the tour may be tough at times, but this is absolutely within reach for all participants.

Who is this trip suitable for?

As mentioned earlier, our overland to Mt Kailash and Lake Mansarovar tour has seen numerous elderly people along with entire families who circle Kailash on foot. They often bring their dogs and other animals so that all sentient beings can gain merit.

Actually, the journey around Kailash is for those who want to devote their time for penance, for gathering future merits and worldly happiness.

Therefore, don’t let your age, fitness, or lack of trekking experience prevent you from taking this extraordinary tour. All ground transportation will be in a private vehicle, in the company of a licensed Tibetan guide and experienced driver.

If walking is a challenge, we provide support through yaks, porters, and horses, ensuring that everyone has the chance to visit Kailash at least once in their lifetime. However, we highly advise those with lung or heart conditions to consult their healthcare providers before making a decision about joining this journey.

Altitude Sickness and Acclimatization

The lower oxygen level in the dry Ngari air and the relative increase in altitude over successive days often result in altitude sickness. This is a condition which is often highly unpredictable.

The reaction of the body to the new air of Tibet can be different from person to person. Some may feel it and demonstrate the condition in the form of headache, feeling of lack of oxygen, dizziness, severe fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea or even vomiting.

In general, these symptoms last between 24 and 48 hours and disappear naturally. To better help you adapt to the new air so you feel adequately well before reaching Kailash, we will be staying in Kerung for two consecutive nights.

This is definitely the best solution that allows for acclimatization. This is a foretaste of what we will see, a path to a mysterious exotic culture, through the scenery of desolate, desert landscapes with high snow-capped mountain peaks.

However, if the symptoms are persistent, our guide may decide to take you back down a little and resume the journey after you feel better. You can also take the help of some medications: to relieve headaches, you can take aspirin or paracetamol.

It is not recommended to take strong painkillers containing morphine derivatives as they will make it difficult for you to breathe properly. You may also take Diamox, a medication that facilitates acclimatization during the first days at high altitude.

Even after all these efforts, your first days at high altitude are likely to be trying. In this case, only one thing can help that is do nothing. Get a good rest in your hotel room and limit your movement for time being. Your body will thank you and you will be able to continue your stay in Kailash without having headaches or feeling dizzy.

Preparation and Training

For the best experience in our overland to Mt Kailash and Lake Mansarovar tour, to make the long driving hours endurable, and to make the high elevation walk easier, we advice you to be in good physical shape.

The three days circular walk around the mountain of Kailash will not be easy; in fact, it will demand more from you. So if you rest and acclimatize efficiently, if you have maintained an active daily routine, then no special physical preparation is needed.

You can just focus on basic exercises that are part of our regular routines such as morning walks, running in the park, cycling, or swimming. Equally important is your mental preparation for the Kailash Kora journey.

Familiarize yourself with what lies ahead in the tour, including the surroundings and the overall atmosphere. This approach ensures that you won’t encounter anything unexpected when you reach the area.

Accommodation, Meals, and Transport

On our overland to Mt Kailash and Lake Mansarovar tour, we have carefully selected the finest guesthouses, hotels, and lodges for your stay in Tibet. Until Saga, you can expect accommodations with the comfort of private bathrooms and hot showers.

However, from Darchen onward, the lodgings will have more of a rustic charm. During the Kailash Kora, you will stay in dormitory-style guesthouses managed by the Dirapuk and Zhutulpuk monasteries.

Sometimes, in the high Kora season, these accommodations may fill up quickly; in such cases, our support truck will accompany you, carrying all the essentials for a comfortable tent stay.

Our Sherpa staff from Kathmandu will be there to prepare meals and set up camps. We will arrange everything in advance, providing three meals a day—breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Up to Saga, you can enjoy a variety of cuisines, including Nepali, Chinese, Indian, and Tibetan, along with other international options. From Darchen, the menu will be only based on basic Tibetan dishes.

For transportation, we will provide private vans or mini-coaches based on your group size, along with transport from Kathmandu to Kerung and back.

Communication and Network

Instead of activating the roaming service on your home SIM, it’s more economical to buy local Chinese SIM cards. For your stay in Kailash, you can choose to use the China Telecom network, as it ensures excellent coverage, even in the more isolated regions of Kailash. You can also consider SIM cards from China Unicom and China Mobile.

All these offer stable 5G connectivity to keep you online. Wi-Fi is there in Tibet but not as consistent as the mobile data. And, do not forget to use a VPN to switch your server location, so you can freely access Western social media platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Twitter.

Foreign Money Exchange

In the towns of Kerung and Saga in Tibet, locating foreign currency exchange counters can be quite challenging. While there are some Chinese government banks available, they are not as abundant as in Lhasa.

Therefore, it would be wise to change your money when you are waiting for your Visa in Kathmandu. Banks such as Nabil Bank, Everest Bank, Himalayan Bank, SBI Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank offer reliable options for converting your home currency into Chinese Yuan at reasonable rates.

Additionally, be sure to carry sufficient cash, as the Kailash region operates on a cash-only basis, with no ATMs, online payment options, or credit card facilities available.

Extension of Trip with Everest Base Camp

When going on our overland to Mt Kailash and Lake Mansarovar tour, you can also consider taking the opportunity to visit the prestigious Everest Base Camp in Tibet as part of your journey.

There’s no need to plan the extra routes as the way to Everest Base Camp goes through Kerung as well. From Kerung, you will continue towards Tingri and then to Rongbuk Gompa where Tibet Everest Base Camp is situated.

Then, an easy short drive will take you towards Saga from where you will head towards Kailash.

If you decide to fly to Lhasa, then traversing the delightful towns of Gyantse, Shigatse, and Shegar, you will reach to Everest Base Camp. Then an easy short drive through Tingri will guide you to Saga from where you will move forward for the Kailash Parikrama.

Visa and Permits Information

Traveling to Tibet, much like Bhutan, requires you to be a part of an organized group arranged through a licensed Nepalese travel agency (such as ours), in partnership with a government-approved Tibetan travel agency. Also, every travel inside Tibet must take place in the company of a Tibetan guide, driver, and private transport.

When traveling to Tibet from Nepal, your Chinese Group Visa and TTP (Tibet Travel Permit) will be processed by your chosen Nepali travel agency.

For the Chinese Group Visa, you should be a member of a group that includes at least 4 participants. Three to four days are required for the issuance of a Visa for which you should plan your stay in Kathmandu accordingly (we can facilitate this for you at additional cost).

In addition to these documents, you will also need the Alien’s Permit, as well as Military and Foreign Affairs permits for our overland to Mt Kailash and Lake Mansarovar tour. Please get in touch with us to confirm your tour at least one month before your arrival date.

• Tibet Visa (Tibet Travel Permit/TTP)

Please review the program we have planned for you in our overland to Mt Kailash and Lake Mansarovar tour. Once you agree to our itinerary, you need to send us the colored scanned copy of your passport (first two pages as well as the one bearing your address) and two 51 by 51 mm sized pictures in color.

We will direct these papers to our partner in Tibet who will apply for TTP at the office of Tibet Tourism. A  minimum of 15 office days are needed for permit processing.

Once the permit is ready, our Tibetan guide will pick it up and present it at the Nepal-Tibet border crossing. This official document is like an essential pass issued by the Chinese government, that enables you to go anywhere in Tibet.

• Chinese Group Visa

The Chinese embassy in Kathmandu issues a Chinese Group Visa as one document for the whole group. At the Embassy, you need to fill out the Chinese visa application form and present your passport, photo, and fingerprints for biometric recognition. Payment for the Group Visa will be made on-site by us.

• Foreign Affairs Permit, Aline’s Permit, and Military Permit

It is essential to acquire all these three permits for our overland to Mt Kailash and Lake Mansarovar tour, as Ngari falls under the protected jurisdiction of the Chinese Military.

The Alien’s Permit will be provided by the Tibetan Local Public Security Bureau upon your arrival, but the other two permits will require a processing period of 10 to 15 days.

The Foreign Affairs Permit is granted by the Foreign Affairs Office, and the military permit comes from the Chinese Military. Our Tibetan Agency will manage the advance processing of these permits.

Restriction for Indian Pilgrims

As of now, it seems Indian Pilgrims have to wait their turn to reach Kailash. The latest updates hint that China is not interested in granting the Aline Travel Permits to those with Indian passports.

It means even if the Indian Yatris have the needed TTP and Chinese Visa, they will not be able to step into Tibetan soil. Although the helicopter Kailash tour is available from Nepal, it is still off-limits to Indian travelers.

It is 2020 that marked the beginning of this troubling time. COVID and the increasing tensions at LAC (Line of Actual Control) are some of the factors that have been contributing to the disputes between the two nations.