During the Kailash outer parikrama trek, which is 3 days in total, it is important to carry only necessary minimal items such as medication, water, snacks. During the day trek, the inner base layer should be fine. At night, with the dip in temperature it is advisable to layer up with fleece, sweater, woolen hat, and down jacket if possible.
For the Kailash Darshan trip, you will be staying in tented camps for 3 nights. Hence, the same advice for clothing as mentioned for the Kailash trek above holds true.
- 2 x Synthetic or merino long underwear top.
- 1 x long sleeve wicking hiking shirt.
- 1 x fleece jacket.
- 1 x rain jacket.
- 1 x Down puffy jacket for cold nights or when you are not hiking.
- Synthetic or merino long underwear bottoms.
- 1 x pair of waterproof rain or snow pants.
- 1 x pair of fall or winter weight soft shell pants.
- 4 x pair of wool hiking socks.
- Boots or trail running shoes with a good tread.
- 1 x synthetic or wool winter hat.
- 1 x sunhat (the sun at altitude is intense).
- 1 x day pack (20-30 liters).
- 2 x one liter water bottles – (To carry Mansarovar water home).
- 1x thermos flask.
- 1x winter gloves.
- 1 x sunglasses.
- 1 x chapstick or lip balm.
- No rinse bathing wipes.
- 1 x sunblock stick travel size.
- 4 x small packs of tissues – for toilet use during the trek.
- 1 x charging cord and external battery charger – optional.
- Camera with charger.
- Headlamp or flashlight.
- 1 x small hand sanitizer (for use during the trek).
- Energy or chocolate bars.
- Optional but recommended: 1 x set of trekking poles.
- Optional: single use heat packs for keeping your hands and feet extra warm.
- Swiss army knife.
Toothpaste and brush
Soap Skin moisturizer
Toilet tissue rolls and detergent
Hand mirror
Wide-tooth comb
Lip balm
Shewee (for women)
We highly recommend you consult your own doctor before you start the pilgrimage and bring the medications as per his/her advice. However, the following items are few recommendations to bring:
Diamox – 20 tablets (Helps with altitude sickness)
Paracetamol
Optional – Eye drops
Multivitamin pills
Muscle relaxant
Antibiotics
Motion sickness
Vicks VapoRub
Water purification tablets
Neosporin ointment
Band-aids
Antihistamine
Thermometer
It is possible to buy stuff like soap, shampoo, toilet paper rolls, torch, biscuits, chips, water, beverages, etc. in Tibet side also at Nyalam, Saga and Darchen.
Three vegetarian meals will be provided throughout the journey, prepared by professional cooks/sherpas. We recommend you bring snacks, supplementary food like chocolates, biscuits, nuts, during the travel and trek.
This is common when traveling to higher altitudes. It is recommended to be aware of these common symptoms, which include headache, loss of appetite, nausea, exhaustion, sleeplessness, breathlessness etc. As the body adjusts to the higher altitude, the symptoms also subside with time.
Mineral water will be provided during the entire pilgrimage.
The temperature can change rapidly during the trek. If it is sunny, it is warm, but with rain, the temperatures can dip. The average range of temperature can vary between -2 to 14 degrees Celsius. Dress in layers to accommodate this shift.
The Kailash Mansarovar yatra is a demanding pilgrimage, both physically and mentally. Hence, a certain level of fitness and mental preparation is essential. We recommend a proper medical examination with your doctor well ahead of your travel, so that you are well prepared. The pilgrimage involves long road journeys and a high altitude environment. Hence, a systematic preparation for physical fitness – walking or other cardiovascular exercise, besides a regimen of yoga and pranayama is advised. Himalayan School of Traditional Yoga has prepared a yoga schedule specially for Kailash with Mohanji participants and this will be shared with all registered participants.
However, besides all physical and mental preparation, the Kailash yatra is an intense spiritual experience. Hence, strengthening one’s faith and surrender to Lord Shiva, Mohanji, or your chosen Guru, is invaluable in successfully completing the pilgrimage. We have several practices to enable this deeper connection and will make them available to participants in advance.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Specific
As per the new visa rules, all non-Indian citizens are required to visit the Tourist Office on 12th August for biometric verification and submission of all details. You will then receive your visa after four working days. Hence the onward journey from Kathmandu is scheduled only on August 15th.
Indian citizens are welcome to participate in the Kailash Darshan option, which would allow them to get a close view of Lake Mansarovar lake and Kailash.
In Tibet, INR or NPR (Nepalese currency) cannot be used. Chinese currency Yuan is the only currency that can be used there, though some establishments may accept US Dollars. Yuan can be bought in Kathmandu (Nepal) and at Saga (Tibet).
Our recommendation is to exchange in your home country and bring Yuan with you, if possible, to avoid being subject to high conversion rates at the last moment.
However, it is not possible to assure Internet access. From previous experiences, 2G Internet services work during the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, with Chinese SIM. This has been improving over the years though.
Kailash Darshan Specific
Please note that you will be dropped off at Lucknow (not Kathmandu), so plan your return travel accordingly.
If as a non-Indian citizen, you are still interested in this option, please contact the organizers at kailash@mohanji.org
In certain legs of the trip, such as during tented camps in Darche, good toilets are not available but small makeshift toilets are available or just being in an open air if needed.
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