Kailash FAQs
ABOUT KAILASH
Mount Kailash, the stairway to heaven, is the most intriguing mountain range in the whole of Himalayans which is 6,638m (21,778 ft) high peak in the Kailash Range in far-west Tibet which is considered sacred by Hindus, Buddhist, and Jains.
Every year thousands of people enter Tibet for pilgrimage to the holy Mount Kailash. According to Hindu and Buddhist scriptures around Mount Meru -the pyramid-shaped mountain result of the possessed technical expertise of some superhuman divine beings- exist ancient monasteries and caves wherein the holy sages live in their material and subtle bodies. These caves can only be seen by a few fortunate ones.
Interesting facts and beliefs about Kailash:
- Center of the world
- The moving mountain- Keeps changing position
- The force of Aging- 12 hours of real-time equals to 2 weeks in Kailash
- Un-climbed Mountain- no climbers have been successful to summit the mount Kailash Peak
- God of Hindus, Lord Shiva still living there
- Source of the four major rivers- Sutlej, Karnali, Brahmaputra, and Indus
- Every element in Mount Kailash is sacred and pure
- Formation of Swastika shadow during sunset
- The good and evil lakes- Mansarovar, the good lake and Rakshas Tal, the devil lake, which is considered to be the place of severe penance by Ravan. Mount Kailash between these two lakes showing that humans have both sides, good and evil. Mansarovar is a freshwater lake, and Rakshas Tal is saltwater.
When is the best time/season to travel to Mount Kailash?
April to October is perfect to travel to Mount Kailash.
What documents do I need to travel to Mount Kailash?
Chinese visa is a group Visa paper-based.
We need your passport copies before 30 days of departure date to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit, which is required by the Chinese government.
We need your original passport for Group Visa processing.
Indian Nationality: You have to send your original passport 10 working days before Fixed Kailash Dates for Visa processing.
Other Nationality: We need your original passport 03 working days before Fixed Kailash dates in our Kathmandu.
After you get group Chinese Visa, you can collect back your passport from our office.
If you already have Chinese Visa: After you arrive in Kathmandu, you will apply for the Chinese Group Visa to enter Tibet and the Chinese Embassy will cancel your current Chinese Visa and give you the Group Visa.
Routes to travel Kailash through Mount Sun Valley Treks?
a. Western Nepal to Tibet Trek
Kathmandu - Nepalgunj - Simikot - Dharpuli - Saili Khola - Muchu - Sipsip - Hilsa - Taklakot - Mansarover - Tarboche - Dirapuk - Zutulpuk - Darchen - Paryang - Saga - Gyantse - Lhasa - Kathmandu
Trip to Kailash starts from Kathmandu. After flying to Nepalgunj, we will take another flight to Simikot. After reaching Simikot we will trek to Dharapuri, Saili Khola, Muchu, Sipsip, Hilsa, Taklakot, and Mansarovar- nights will be spent on tented camp. After Mansarovar, we will drive to Tarboche and start the trek to Zutulpuk and Darchen. Then we will drive to Paryang, Saga, Shigatse, Gyantse, Lhasa and fly to Kathmandu from Lhasa. From Shigatse and onwards, we stay nights at the hotel.
b. Kailash Mansarovar Helicopter Tour
Kathmandu - Nepalgunj - Simikot - Hilsa - Mansarovar - Darchen - Dirapuk - Zuthulphuk - Taklakot - Nepalgunj - Kathmandu
We will start our trip from Kathmandu. After reaching Nepalgunj through the flight we will fly to Simikot on Helicopter and ride to Hilsa from Simikot. Drive From Taklakot (Purang) to Mansarovar, Darchen and trek to Yama Dwar, Dirapuk, Zutulphuk, Taklakot. Then drive From Taklakot to Hilsa, from Hilsa to Simikot we will be charted by helicopter and fly to Nepalgunj and another flight to Kathmandu from Nepalgunj.
c. Kailash Mansarovar Overland Tour
Kathmandu - Syabrubesi - Kyirong - Dongba - Chui Gompa - Darchen - Deraphuk - Zutulphuk Gompa - Dongba - Kyirong - Kathmandu
We will start our tour from Kathmandu, we drive to Syabrubesi, Kyriong, Dhongba, Chui Gompa, Darchen and trek to Dheraphuk, Zhutulphuk Gompa. From Zhutulphuk, we will drive back to Dongba, Kyriong, and Kathmandu.
d. Kailash Mansarovar Tour Through Lhasa
Kathmandu - Lhasa - Shigatse - Saga - Mansarover - Darchen - Dirapuk - Zutulphuk - Zhongdo - Shigatse - Lasha - Kathmandu
Starting from Kathmandu, we will fly to Lhasa and drive to, Shigatse, Saga, Mansarovar, Darchen, and trek to Dirapuk via Yama Dwar, Zutulphuk, Zhongdo. Here our trek part of the trip ends from Zhongdo we drive to Saga, Shigatse, Lhasa and fly to Kathmandu from Lhasa.
e. Kailash Saga Dawa Trip
Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse -Saga - Mansarover - Tarpoche- Diraphuk - Zutrul Phuk - Darchen - Mansarover-Baryang-Saga - Shigatse - Lhasa
After your arrival and sightseeing at Lhasa, we drive to Gyantse, Shigatse, Saga, Mansarover, Tarpoche, Dhiraphuk and trek from Dhiraphuk to Zutrul, Darchen. After arriving at Darchen, traveling gets easier as we drive to Mansarover-Baryang-Saga, Shigatse, and Lhasa.
What type of transportation facility do we get?
TRANSPORTATION IN NEPAL AND TIBET SIDE
We provide A/c Deluxe Coach for a super comfortable ride and luxury.
FOR OVERLAND TRIP
There will be a Jeep from Kathmandu to Kerung. We will use Toyota Landcruiser or Luxury bus in Tibet.
FOR KAILASH YATRA BY HELICOPTER
Kathmandu - Nepalgunj - Simikot - Hilsa (by plane/helicopter)
Taklakot - Mansarovar - Darchen by A/c Bus
Dirapuk - Zuthulpuk - Darchen - by Walk
Mansarovar - Taklakot - Hilsa - by A/c Bus
What to see around Kailash?
- Mansarovar Lake
- Rakshas Tal
- Enjoy Tirthapuri Hot Springs
- Attend Kailash Saga Dawa Festival
- Visit Five Monasteries
- Pilgrims along Kora/Kailash Parikrama
- Gauri Kund
What type of medical test is required for this trip?
We recommend you have a TNT test. It is not compulsory, but better to know about your health condition and situation before the trip.
What is the difference between Inner Parikrama & Outer Parikrama?
Inner Parikrama means parikrama of Nandi Parvat and the outer parikrama means parikrama of Kailash Parvat. The regular Overland and Helicopter is only outer Parikrama, which is easy to complete.
In how many days would I finish Mt. Kailash Parikarma and how long it is?
Holy Kailash parikarma is approx 52 km trek to be completed in 3 Days. Night stay in Dirapuk & Zuthulpuk.
If you can not or do not want to go for Kailash Parikrama on foot, then you can hire a horse and horseman for 3 days by paying extra (around INR 37000 per person). This rate is not fixed and may vary during travel time. At-most you have to walk for 2-3 hours, even if you hire a horse.
If you choose not to go for Parikrama, you can stay back at Darchen with our staff providing accommodation/food and wait for the rest of the group to finish Parikrama.
If you want to return without Parikrama and without waiting for the group, it will be difficult to return alone. The Visa splitting is mostly not accepted by immigration unless someone is sick.
What is the best time to travel?
Holy Mt. Kailash yatra starts in the last week of April till October every year.
How many days would I need to hire the Horse and a Porter during the whole trip and how much it costs?
If you do not want to trek, you can hire a horse for parikarma. Parikarma (kora) that is for 3 days.
What are the hidden charges i.e. to be paid direct?
Additional expenses incurred because of delay, Accidents, Natural disaster & political action. The following are the charges not included during the yatra.
- Yak and Yak man cost
- Rescue or evacuation if need, Tibet visa separation cost
- Travel insurance, drinks, laundry, Telephone/fax, Additional transportation cost.
- If you are not going for Kailash Parikrama for any reason and staying back at Darchen for three days, pay an extra cost for accommodation and food in Darchen.
How much amount should we carry?
For personal expenses, you can carry USD, Pounds, Nepali Rupees and Indian Rupees In Kathmandu, Nepal.
In Tibet, you will need the Chinese Yuan only, for 11 days we suggest you carry approx Yuan 2500-3500 Per Person. Which you may need for emergency and to pay for horse during Kailash Parikrama.
You can exchange Yuan in Kathmandu or Tibet border. Most of the yatri exchange their currency in the Nepal-Tibet border.
How about accommodation facilities?
5-Star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and guest house accommodation in Tibet.
What type of food and drinks will be provided in Tibet?
The food provided will be hygienic and pure vegetarian. We will provide local water for drinking water, but you can also purchase mineral water bottles on the Tibet side.
What is your trip cancellation policy?
You may cancel a confirmed trip. However, Mountain Sun Valley Treks will charge you the cancellation charges listed below.
60% refund of total trip price for a cancellation made 30 days before the original departure date.
40% refund of total trip price for a cancellation made 07 days before the original departure date.
0% refund of total trip price for a cancellation made 3 days before the original departure date.
You can only cancel by sending an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. stating in the title of the e-mail 'cancellation of a confirmed trip'. You must state any booking references that you have been given and explain your reason (s) for cancellation.
Do you provide some equipment?
We Provide:
- Sleeping bags
- Camping Equipments
- Down jacket
- Oxygen Back-up & Gamo Bag
- Walking stick
- water bottle
Is it essential or good to start the tour on a full moon day?
You can begin your yatra any day. Some people prefer to reach at Mansarovar or Kailash on full moon day. It's up to you.
Can we take children with an age group below 10 years?
Yes, you can take children along with you at your own risk. Children and adult price is the same.
Will one oxygen cylinder be sufficient for four of us?
Our team will provide an oxygen cylinder in an emergency. You may buy a small portable cylinder in Tibet.
Do you have any age restrictions?
No, we do not have any age restrictions. If you are physically fit, you may travel, but sometimes the Chinese Authority does not permit people aged 70 and above to do the parikrama. We insist everyone to consult with their doctor and must mention that you are going to high altitude. Many of old-aged people traveled with us and have successfully done the parikrama.
What medicines should I carry?
We recommend you buy some Diamox or consult with your doctor, which you can use if you feel uncomfortable because of altitude sickness. Apart from this, you can bring throat lozenges, nasal decongestant, Aspirin, cold and flu tablets, Multivitamins, Diarrhea tablets, iodine, Motion sickness Tablets, and water purifying tablets.
The company provides first Aid Kit, but if you think you may need more, you can bring your own too.
How to avoid altitude sickness?
- Do not exhaust yourself and take complete rest if you feel any symptoms
- Bring prescribed medication and Diamox before starting the trip to Mount Kailash
- Stay away from alcoholic beverage, smoking and taking sleeping tablets in the high altitude
- Take high-carbohydrate foods such as rice, pasta, cereal and drink plenty of water (3 liters a day)
- Use Oxygen to relieve symptoms
- If nothing else works, immediately return to the area of lower elevation or inform your guide to implement urgent rescue arrangements.
