Kailash Mansarovar Overland Tour

Preparation Before the Trek

If some are doing the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra then they have to take preparations accordingly so that they should not have any difficulty during the tour. To get to high altitudes (at least higher than you’re used to) on this trek without proper preparation can be very challenging. It’s physically logical to begin to prepare yourself at least 2-3 months before opting to depart. 

Do exercises like jogging or brisk walking or cycling or swimming to strengthen your cardiovascular muscle. These are activities to help you adjust better to a thinner air at higher altitudes. Additionally it’s important to exercise your leg muscles and core since they will be used heavily on the trek. Besides, balance and endurance on challenging terrain can be increased if your routine includes light strength training and yoga.

Inside it can be as tough mentally as outside. Included in that is you’ll be walking long hours, sometimes in uncivilized parts where the accommodations may be basic, access to modern conveniences minimal. 

Helpful is to get a positive approach and use some techniques to keep calm and focused like meditation or exercises for example deep breathing exercises focusing on calmer parts of trek. But learning how to recognize the symptoms for altitude sickness like headaches or nausea, how to treat them with rest, hydration and proper acclimatization will have a big part to play in your experience on the mountains.

Don’t forget the paperwork! Before the trip, make sure that you have all the necessary permits and visas. A valid passport, a Chinese Visa and special permits (for Tibet and Mount Kailash) are required. You will also need a Nepalese visa if you’re traveling from another country. The best way to take care of these arrangements is to do it well in advance rather than scrambling at the last minute.

Essential Packing List for the Kailash Mansarovar Overland Tour

Kailash Mansarovar Tour, the right equipment can turn it all around for you. As far as weather goes, you can never tell what will happen with the weather so layer your clothing. The trick is to start with a moisture wicking base layer, add a fleece or wool mid layer for insulation and finish off with a waterproof jacket for rain and wind. When it’s cold and high altitude, a down jacket will help you stay warm at night.

This means you want to bring sturdy hiking boots with ankle support for footwear, as the terrain is appallingly uneven and can be hard on your feet. So pair them with thick wool socks to avoid blisters and stay warm in your feet. You also want a few hiking poles, which help to take some of the strain off your knees, especially during steep ascents and descents.

Sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses — protect yourself from the sun, as UV rays are stronger at higher altitudes. Drink plenty of water, and bring a water bottle that has a built in filtration system or purification tablets, or whatever you need to ensure you're getting hydrated. 

The basics of a small first aid kit should include bandages, pain relievers, and these make for good emergency medication for altitude sickness. It’s easy to forget things like energy bars and dried fruit to keep the energy up on long trekking days.

Also, spare batteries, a portable battery pack for your devices and headlamps round out the list. Hand sanitizer, biodegradable soap, wet wipes — these will keep you clean if showers aren't available. The trick is to be ready for the extremes while being comfortable when on the move.

• High altitude trekking and evacuation travel insurance
• First, on the personal expenses such as snacks, beverages, souvenirs.
• Guide and support staff tipping.
• Temple and landmark entry fees in Kathmandu.
• Boots, poles, clothing for personal trekking.

Why Is Travel Insurance Important in the Kailash Tour?

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, along with travel insurance, is a very important aspect (and sometimes always required by the tour guide in view of the numerous risks involved in this tour). At extremely high altitudes, the Dolma La Pass is more than 5,600 meters. 

Such altitudes increase the likelihood of altitude sickness, which brings about such symptoms as headaches, dizziness, nausea, leading to potentially life threatening complications. Medical expenses including an emergency evacuation (needed if you are flown to a lower altitude or require urgent medical care) are very important to have covered by your travel insurance.

There are very few medical facilities with access to the terrain around Mount Kailash and the underdeveloped and difficult terrain around it. Your insurance will pay for treatment, medical evacuation or even road transport to a hospital in the case of an injury or sudden illness. In a remote area like that, the price of medical health or evacuation is staggering without insurance, and the logistics of getting there can be daunting indeed.

On top of that, travel insurance also tends to cover the act of trip cancellations or delays. Given that this is a high altitude trek and weather conditions are unpredictable, your itinerary can very easily be changed. Unsafe conditions can delay flights, or parts of the tour may be canceled. Travel insurance covers your losses as a result of these delays or cancellations, but only for non refundable expenses.

Travel insurance also protects you from lost or damaged luggage (which is very important if you’re walking with expensive trekking equipment). Because the region is not civilized, replacing lost items is next to impossible. If you are considering setting out on this adventurous and spiritually enlightening trek of a lifetime, travel insurance gives you peace of mind by providing financial protection against the many risks associated with travel.

Important Permits You’ll Need for the Kailash Mansarovar Overland Tour

Given the sensitivity of the land on which you travel, when you are set on taking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, you’ll need a lot of several important permits. Since your start point is Kathmandu, Nepal, you will take care of these permits for you, thus making the process as hassle free as it gets.

The first mandatory document is a Chinese Visa to enter Tibet. If you begin your tour in Kathmandu, your tour company will apply for a visa at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu which takes around 3 to 4 working days. 

The next one is the Tibet travel permit issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. This permit allows you to enter Tibet, and visit Lhasa and Mount Kailash, for example. Tibet Travel Permit is S processed in 10-15 days and is processed as part of your tour package. However, no foreign traveler is allowed into Tibet without this permit.

An Aliens’ Travel Permit is needed for travel outside of Lhasa into remote regions such as Mount Kailash. This document from the Public Security Bureau when you enter Tibet gives you the privilege to go to the closed areas. 

Additionally, because of the closeness of Mount Kailash to international borders, you will need a Military Permit. This document gives the Kailash Kora trek the rights to access restricted military zones around the borders and it is essential. 

Don’t worry about the details, they will also take care of this permit after checking with our travel company. Typically, all of these permits are part of the tour price so there are no additional costs for these permits.

How to Prevent Altitude Sickness and Stay Safe

Keeping altitude sickness away is very important given the high altitudes, with Dolma La Pass rising above 5,600 meters. Acclimatization is important: so you spend 1-2 days at lower elevations such as Kyirung (2,700 meters) or Saga (4,450 meters), before ascending further. It’s required to move slowly and let your body catch up.

Acclimatization is affected by hydration. Besides water, alcohol and caffeine can all dehydrate you; so drink 3-4 liters of water per day instead. As you climb, you’ll feel yourself start to thin out, so take regular breaks to get your body back in balance.

Before your trip try taking Diamox (Acetazolamide) or some other preventive measure for altitude sickness; speak with your doctor. Symptoms of altitude sickness include headaches, dizziness and nausea, and look for them early. 

If symptoms worsen, descend to lower altitude immediately and get help, if needed. Supplemental oxygen used by many tour operators helps temper the symptoms in case of emergency.

Food and Accommodation

Food during Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is generally simple, full of nutrition but at the same time energy level of foods are chosen so that your energy levels do not drop during trek. Staples include rice, lentils and vegetables, as well as chapatis which are almost vegetarian, as they are most meals due to the spiritual importance of the region. 

At high altitudes, heavy foods are difficult to process, and these meals are easy to digest. Long trekking days often leave you with nothing to eat so it’s recommended to carry high energy snacks such as nuts, dried fruits or energy bars.

Accommodation is basic guest houses and tented camps on the way. In Kyirung and Saga (and most other larger towns), you can stay in a small lodge (with basic amenities like shared room and bathroom). 

Hotels are more sparse, each a little more rustic, until you are close to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, when accommodation becomes sparse and things are packed into shared dormitories and tents. But these are simple but adequate enough to rest after long days of trekking. 

Because of the cold nights, especially at higher elevations, it’s a good idea to bring a good sleeping bag to stay warm.