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 duffle bag for the rest of your journey. It is advisable to carry your items in a duffle bag wrapped in a plastic bag if possible, to avoid any moisture damage from unexpected climate change.
During the 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.
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: “Hot Hands” – single use heat packs for keeping your hands and feet extra warm.
- Swiss army knife.
Toothpaste and brush
Soap Skin moisturizer
Toilet tissue rolls and detergent
Hand mirror
Wide-tooth comb
Lip balm
Shewee (for women)
Alarm clock, Mobile phone + charger Head torch Camera with charger Nylon ropes. *notebook. *water can (to carry Manasarovar water) Related books. *sunglass with retainer (thread/chain) Cigarette lighter – 1 *500 ml thermos flask holder with mug cover One liter water bottle. *Swiss army knife. *swing kit
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
Yes. 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.
Remember that Kailash Manasarovar is not an ordinary pilgrimage. High altitude affects everyone. Prepare well for the trip. Be grateful for this opportunity! Walk daily and connect to Kailash mentally if possible, as your sadhana until your departure.
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.
No. The pony and porter must be booked for the entire three-day parikrama. The deposit must be made in advance for this booking.
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.
As an Indian Citizen, you are required to reach Kathmandu by July 25th, 2023. The ground staff will then meet you and take you to the hotel.
For visa, you have to submit your passport to New Delhi (office address will be shared) by 16th June. Please note that you will receive your passport only in Kathmandu, hence you will need to travel into Nepal with your driving license or voter ID (Aadhaar is not considered valid) as your proof of identity for international travel.
Non-India Citizen – 16 days (reach Kathmandu on 23rd July and depart from Kathmandu on 7th Aug)
Indian Citizen – 14 days (reach Kathmandu on 25th July and depart from Kathmandu on 7th Aug)
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.