Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Travel Tips: Preparation, Safety, and Beliefs

Before setting out for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, there are certain Travel Tips one must pay more attention to. Trek to Kailash Mansarovar is often gossiped about with soft words and devotion. Does the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra match the reality as discussed? Pilgrims, returned from the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, often have a heavier and more layered experience. The mountain is sacred, visually overwhelming. But we must not forget the fact that Kailash Kora is also physically demanding, mentally exhausting, and deeply spiritual.

Where does the Trip to Kailash start from?

The fact that Lake Mansarovar formed from the mind of Brahma, the lord of creation, opens a new door of questioning. Every creation is born in the mind. The spiritual journey to Kailash starts from the moment you think of going there. Then your preparation starts, you start exploring books, the internet and ask so many things to your loved ones who have been there. This is the beginning of your Kailash Yatra, starting much earlier, with preparation and awareness.

Lake Mansarovar

Lake Mansarovar, at an altitude of around 4,590 meters above sea level, is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. Local Tibetan people, as well as believers from different religions, believe that bathing in this lake purifies the body and cleanses the soul. During the Kailash Mansarovar yatra, the pilgrims walk, chant, rest, and walk again. The silence of the plateau teaches every human to be patient and listen to the silence of the thin air, which teaches humility. Most of the tour packages include a bus ride around the lake. This travel guide will take you to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through various lenses of preparation, safety, and spiritual belief. Together, they form the foundation of this journey to the ancient mountain.

Kailash Mansarovar Parikrama Travel Tips

If you are planning the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, your preparation is the most important factor that will affect the trek. The KMY is not a regular trip or your casual holiday. This is a trip to the high mountain above 5500 m above sea level. Crossing the Dolma La Pass on the second day of the Kailash Kora is the most difficult part of the Kora. The terrain to Kailash and the entire Tibet is remote, and the weather is unpredictable. Medical stores are limited, with limited access. Here are some trekking tips for you to follow strictly, starting from your preparation.

High Altitude Reality

The Kailash Mansarovar parikrama is a circuit trek to high terrain, taking you through extreme altitudes with low oxygen levels. The volume of Oxygen levels drops. As a result, altitude sickness, AMS, are common effect that can be seen in many pilgrims. The symptoms might include mild headache, dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath.

In some cases, health might deteriorate significantly, causing one to abandon climbing. Even healthy people struggle to breathe in this depleted air. Pilgrims with asthma, chronic respiratory illness, or serious heart conditions are not advised for the trek. In fact, you do not get travel permission without submitting your medical report. Medical clearance is not a formality, but a protection of your life.

Getting Habit of Warm Water

Cold weather dominates the entire Tibet, including Kailash and Mansarovar. And there are some people who like to drink cold water. You must get used to warm water, as it is a risk to drink too cold water at such a high altitude and cold. The hotels and restaurants in the Ngari region provide you with lukewarm water throughout the yatra season. Adjusting your habit to drink warm water before the Kailash journey can prevent you from dehydration and stomach discomfort during the Kora.

Carrying Basic Snacks

The food is provided by the crew or the tour operators, but trekking for hours takes a lot of energy. Keeping some additional source of carbohydrates, such as dry fruits, chocolate, energy bars, or glucose, can boost energy. It is also claimed that the intake of high carbs during trekking helps to prevent altitude sickness.

Physical Fitness Is Essential

The Kailash parikrama is a 52 km-long walking trek around Mount Kailash. The most difficult part is crossing the Dolma La pass. Start Light jogging, walking daily, stretch your legs and strengthen your muscles. You do not need to be an athlete for Kailash Yatra, but you at least need to be physically fit to walk on the rocky terrain of Kailash Kora.

Travel Tips for Insurance CoverageSince the travel takes you outside your country, away from Nepal or India, you must get travel insurance from a well-renowned insurance agent. The insurance must cover medical emergencies, injuries, baggage loss and trip cancellation, and high-altitude emergency evacuation. Helicopter evacuation will be very expensive without travel insurance. Making insurance is not about fear, but it’s about planning.

Foreign Currency Exchange and Planning

Indian currency is accepted in Nepal but not in Tibet. Pilgrims must carry Chinese Yuan for any transaction in Tibet. International credit and debit cards may not always be accepted in remote areas. So you must carry cash while travelling to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. ATM booths are rarely available along the way.

Heavy vs Light Packaging

Carrying a heavy bag during the three days of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will be a physical burden for you. Plan of all the goods you will need for the three days.  Some extra packages can be placed at the hotels in Darchen to be received on return. Do not leave your warm layers, thermos, socks and a good pair of shoes. Every extra kilo will be heavy when there is less oxygen in the atmosphere. Light bags reduce strain on joints and breathing.

Monitoring Breathing Signals

Walking at high altitudes above 5000m is risky due to a lack of oxygen in the air. Many of the pilgrims might experience short breath. This difficulty in breathing should never be ignored. AMS and altitude sickness might result in loss of life if the symptoms are ignored during the Kailash Parikrama. Especially during the second day, while climbing Dolma La Pass, due to the rough terrain and high altitude.

This is another crucial Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Guide on your Kailash Kora. The oxygen level fluctuates at the passes. Inform your guide about any sort of difficulty you have. Let them prepare for oxygen supplies if needed. Resting for a long time in a position can also worsen your health. In such a condition, you need to get down as fast as possible. Controlled rush is safer than prolonged stops at high passes.

Paying Attention to Path

The landscape around Mount Kailash is mesmerising, but do not get too carried away. The trails are rough, rocky, and cold. The path is too slippery during winter. There is also a possibility for you to get lost on the way there. Follow the paths and trails as walked by the locals. Pilgrims must remain calm, alert and walk carefully without getting disturbed by the scenario. The path is narrow, and the rocks are loose. Watch your every step.

Staying With the Group

You are not allowed to travel in Kailash as a solo traveller. Solo movement is discouraged throughout the journey for your safety in the Kailash yatra. The weather can change at any time with high storms and rain. The days can change darker in no time.

Walking alone can confuse the way, and you might miss the route. Staying together with your group ensures your safety in Kailash and allows you to have immediate assistance in case of emergency. Walking in a group is a mountain discipline for staying safe in Kailash.

Age Limit:

Eligibility for Kailash is allowed to individuals between 18 and 70 years. But with some exceptions, people above 70 are also seen trekking in the Kailash. With a medical fitness and medical report from a doctor, one can complete the Kailash Kora under the supervision of family members and a doctor.

Religious and Cultural SignificanceMount Kailash is a sacred place for believers of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bonpo. For non-believers, this is a place of spirituality rather than religion.  Hindu texts have described Mount Kailash as the earthly abode of Lord Shiva, and for Buddhists, this is the home of Demchok. Bons believe that this is the land where their lord, Tenpa Shernab Mewoche, roams around spreading his teachings. People who do not believe in any religions also are also attracted by Kailash. This is due to the spiritual power it holds.

Lake Mansarovar is believed to have been created by Brahma himself. Kailash is sacred not only for Hindus but also to other people of other religions, such as Buddhist, Bon, and Jains. Every person in the world has different motives to go for the Kailash Kora.