Kailash Yatra from UK: Flight Routes, Transit, and Typical Total Trip Time.

How long does it take to complete the Kailash Yatra from the UK?  The question seeks the actual number of days required to complete the Kora, not on paper but in the field. Pilgrims visiting Kailash Yatra from the UK, with the belief that they will complete the kora in the thin air, are just seeking time.  In Kailash, even thoughts slow down; let it be for a time. From your doorstep to Kathmandu and all the way to Mansarovar and Kailash, how many days to take leave?

In this blog, let us discuss flight time, connection time, transit time, and waiting time. Let us also discuss the visa time and the number of days to wait in Kathmandu before the visa is approved.  A flight from London to Kathmandu takes around nine to eleven hours in the air. But the stops along the transit route take longer, so it takes longer to reach Kathmandu. This is not the real yatra. The Kailash yatra is yet to start, far from the border of Nepal.

This blog is dedicated to the pilgrims planning for Kailash Yatra from the UK, various parts of England, such as Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It will give you a picture to plan for your Kailash Yatra from the UK via Nepal. The flight route, layover realities, and arrival formalities in Kathmandu and China will be simplified. The route to Mount Kailash from China via Nepal, focusing on the inland route, is also outlined here.

Understanding the Trek Duration for Kailash Yatra from the UK

The itinerary for the Kailash Mansarovar yatra is made for 14 days. This is only the days starting from Kathmandu to Kailash, including the three kora days, and back to Kathmandu. But the actual days for the Kailash Yatra from the UK and back to the UK might take 18 to 24 days. Why?  Because some days are for acclimatization, some for UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kathmandu, some for visa waiting, and, of course, for the return.

The beauty of Kathmandu sometimes attracts people to spend more days understanding the people and observing the life of people in Kathmandu.

The journey is built in layers. These layers are as follows:

1. International flight from the UK to Kathmandu with transits
2. Mandatory stay in Kathmandu for Visa processing.
3. Tibet Travel Permit Coordination
4. Travelling across Saga, Manasarovar, and Kailash and back to Kerung.
5. Kathmandu exploration
6. Return to the UK and recovery

Each layer, each step, has its schedule. The rhythm is continuous, and Kathmandu is a waiting room in between these layers. Kathmandu is rhythm. And Nepal is not a waiting room between layers. Nepal is part of the yatra itself. This fixed schedule saves a lot of energy and hassle. The mindset is calm and saves from frustration. Though you have already sent your passport and other details to us, you need to be physically present for the verification. Do not forget to bring your passport with you. You might also need some time for acclimatization and a medical checkup before continuing to Kailash.

Flight Routes From London to Kathmandu

For the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, London is the first practical departure choice. Especially for the religious pilgrims, this departure comes with fewer transits. There is no direct flight to Kathmandu. Every route comes with at least one transit connection. Some common breaks involve Dubai, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and sometimes Delhi. Some of the common airways to access from London are Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, and sometimes Air India. The Gulf carriers offer better baggage handling services and smoother transit. Departures from Manchester, Birmingham, and Other Cities.

Flights from Manchester or Birmingham are also available but often come with additional transits. More connections result in baggage mishandling and missing or delayed arrival, which will ultimately disturb the fixed schedule for visa processing to Kailash. An arrival delay might alter the entire schedule for Kailash. So, choose your flight wisely.

Transit Layovers and the Hidden Cost of Connections

Transit time is not neutral. It drains you slowly.  A typical London to Kathmandu flight involves one major layover of three to six hours. Sometimes two shorter connections. Airports are bright. Seats are upright. Sleep becomes fragmented.

Jet lag

Another effect of the transit is jet lag. This usually occurs due to a sleep disorder in flight. The airports are always lit up with the upright seats. You will not be able to sleep in those hours. The sleep becomes thin and fragmented.

The time difference between Nepal and the UK is 5 hours and 45 minutes. This time difference is significant enough to alter the body’s functioning. Our body works as a biological clock. The body will resist the local rhythm for several days unless you adjust to the time difference.

How does Kathmandu shape the Journey to Kailash?

Many pilgrims think Kathmandu is just a transit and want to escape this beautiful city. But Kathmandu is not just a stop but a threshold.

Every pilgrim for Kailash Yatra from UK must spend some days in Kathmandu for various reasons. First, the visa processing is done here. Second, medical screening and acclimatization are other aspects of the kora. Lastly, you can buy trekking gear and other stuff in Kathmandu. Additionally, if there are public holidays, it will take more days for the visa processing.

Tips in Kathmandu

Kathmandu is a cool valley; the moderate temperature here makes the city just pleasant. You can wear light clothes during the day, but morning and evening demand a thin jacket. Stay hydrated and sleep when your body seeks rest. Do not rush the very first day you arrive here. Kathmandu is at a height of 1,450 m above sea level. Manage your pace.

Internet and phone networks do not function well in Kailash. Download and back up every map and document on your phone, and make a physical copy of the documents. 

Get layers of clothing for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Days might be a bit warmer, but days are chillingly cold. 

There are various options for food in Kailash. Choose your food widely in a new place. For more information, read this blog on food in Kailash. Your travel insurance must cover emergency and high-altitude evacuation.

China Group Visa and Tibet Permit for UK Passport Holders

Irrespective of the countries, a Tibet Visa must be applied for in a group. No one is allowed to apply solo and get the permit. UK passport holders receive a group visa issued in Kathmandu. The visa is not stamped in your passport, but the group visa is issued on paper.

Overland vs. Helicopter Routes

Overland Route via Kerung

The Kerung route is the most popular route to Kailash. This inland route takes you on a scenic journey of valleys, hills, forests, and crossing rivers. Crossing the border at Kerung, the journey goes to Saga, Mansarovar, and Darchen. This journey might take two days. Yamadwar, near Darchen, is where the real kora on foot starts.  This route is vital in helping the pilgrims to adjust to the gradual height, preparing their lungs for the Dolma La Pass.

Helicopter Route via Simikot and Hilsa

This shorter route takes the pilgrims to Simikot via helicopter from Nepalgunj. Allowed by the weather, this is a good option to escape the zigzag road and travel to the border and save time. But once the flight is cancelled, it might be rescheduled once the weather clears. Faster does not always mean easier.

Lastly, not every problem during the Kailash Kora starts in Kailash. Some of the problems arise in Kathmandu. Those who ignore the principle of acclimatization feel some difficulty during the Kora. The Visa timing, coordination with the embassy, Hotel logistics, and route adjustments on the Nepal and Tibet side are handled by the experts of Awesome Holidays Nepal.

Planning the Kailash Yatra from the UK is a journey to understand how time behaves differently in the UK, Nepal, and Kailash. The journey will teach you to know your inner self rather than finding a shortcut to complete the Kailash Kora.

It will teach you patience from the day you start your flight from the UK, the connections, arrival, permits, jet lag, and the thin air in Kailash. All these elements test your endurance and passion for Kailash Parikrama.