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 3 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.
For the Kailash Darshan trip, you will be staying in tented camps for 3 nights. Hence, the same advice for clothing as mentioned for the Kailash trek above holds true.
Items to carry in a duffle bag for the journey.
- 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.
Bottoms
- 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.
Feet and head
- 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).
Miscellaneous
- 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.
For further clarifications, please contact the organizers.
- Sunblock cream
- Toothpaste and brush
- Soap
- Skin moisturizer
- Toilet tissue rolls and detergent
- Hand mirror
- Wide-tooth comb
- Lip balm
- Shewee (for women)
- 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
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.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Specific
As a non-Indian citizen, you are required to be in Kathmandu by 11th August, preferably by 9am, so that your passport can be handed over for visa processing.
As per the new visa rules, all non-Indian citizens are required to visit the Tourist Office on 12th August for biometric verification and submission of all details. You will then receive your visa after four working days. Hence the onward journey from Kathmandu is scheduled only on August 15th.
Currently, the Kailash Mansarovar yatra option is available only for non-Indian citizens (i.e. those that do not hold an Indian passport). Hence, Indian citizens cannot participate in this option.
Indian citizens are welcome to participate in the Kailash Darshan option, which would allow them to get a close view of Lake Mansarovar lake and Kailash.
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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