Keep the weight and bulk down to a minimum. The baggage allowance on most international flights is 20 Kg/44 lbs. While departing from the Hotel in Kathmandu, you will be provided with a duffel bag for the rest of your journey. It is advisable to carry your items in a duffel bag wrapped in a plastic bag if possible, to avoid any moisture damage from unexpected climate change.
During the Kailash outer parikrama trek, which is 4 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.
- 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.
- Sunblock cream
- 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
We will give you a branded jacket. However, it is advisable to bring your own lightweight down jackets.
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.
If you are in doubt of your health then please get a regular check-up done with your family doctor.
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.
We are very particular about providing high quality food throughout the pilgrimage. Food is both saatvik and well suited for the requirements of the journey. Pure vegetarian food cooked by trained sherpas would be provided three times a day. Over the years, we have developed a specific menu and style that is most comfortable for the pilgrims.
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.
We strive to provide the best possible accommodation throughout the journey, starting with five-star hotels in Kathmandu on a twin sharing basis. In Nepal and China, over the years, the accommodations have improved for the Kailash Pilgrimage. For more details, refer to https://mohanji.org/mount-kailash-mohanji/pricing-inclusions-exclusions/.
We suggest that every pilgrim to Kailash should take a complete Insurance policy from your home country. This comprehensive insurance must cover tour cancellation, travel disturbance or delays, Emergency Medical support and evacuation, medical expenses, loss of baggage, etc.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Specific
As a non-Indian citizen, you are required to be in Kathmandu by 29th July, preferably by 9am, so that your passport can be handed over for visa processing.
At present, registrations for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra are open only to non-Indian passport holders. Indian passport holders are not yet eligible to register for this option. This is expected to be announced soon. Indian citizens are welcome to express their interest, and will be notified as soon as registrations open for them
The Kailash Mansarovar option is for16 days (you reach Kathmandu on 29th July and depart from Kathmandu on 13th Aug)
While porters are allowed and can assist you by carrying your belongings, ponies are generally not permitted on the path to Charan Sparsh. The route is steep, rocky, and considered highly sacred. The visit to Charan Sparsh must be done on foot, allowing pilgrims to approach the divine space with humility, awareness, and reverence.
The generally accepted age range, as per Tibet authorities, is from 12-70 years. For those above 70 years of age, several other pre-conditions are to be fulfilled, including medical certificate, requirement for someone to accompany them and several other requirements as mandated by the Tibet authorities. Please contact our organizing team for more details.
Over the course of the program, well equipped washroom facilities will be available for the most part. In certain legs of the trip, such as at Lake Mansarovar and during the Kailash parikrama, good toilets are not available but small makeshift toilets set up by the government are available or just being in an open air if needed.
In Nepal, Indian currency INR, US Dollars or Euros are all easily accepted and can be converted to local currency for any local shopping.
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.
Yes the Indian mobile does work during the Kailash and Manasarovar Lake Yatra (except the day of Mount Kailash Parikrama), provided international roaming is activated beforehand.
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
The Kailash Darshan option is for 10 days (you reach Kathmandu on 13th August and depart from Lucknow on 22nd Aug).
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
Over the course of the program, well equipped washroom facilities will be available for the most part.
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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