Kailash Mansarovar yatra essentials

KAILASH MANSAROVAR yatra is one of the difficult yatras. We were organizing this yatra since 1995 and have learned plenty. We today see many tour marketers promoting it without knowing the yatra and land yatris in hassle, We concept let us tell the fact and provide correct facts to the folks who wish to take this yatra. There are two routes to this yatra one is from India to Tibet and the other is via Nepal. Indian government plays a fortunate draw every year and select approximately 1500 pilgrims for the Kailash Mansarovar tour, this excursion is of 18 days and of which 14 days are hiking.

Kailash Mansarovar yatra 2026

The other route to Kailash Mansarovar is through Nepal, which is the most popular choice for pilgrims. This route is preferred by many as there is no trekking involved, except during the Kailash Parikrama. It is often referred to as the Jeep Safari to Kailash Yatra.

This yatra is organized through an understanding between the Governments of China and Nepal to promote employment and business opportunities for their people. In this yatra, one must book the tour through a Nepal-based travel agent. This Nepal agent works in coordination with a Tibet-based counterpart, who manages all arrangements inside Tibet.

The Nepal agent’s responsibilities include:

• Obtaining the Chinese visa,

• Arranging accommodation and sightseeing in Kathmandu,

• Providing Sherpas and local transport up to the Kyirung border,

• Organizing meals for the entire journey (including kitchen setup and cooks).

Once you enter Tibet, the Tibet counterpart provides transportation by bus, an English-speaking guide, and handles guest house arrangements for overnight stays. Of the five overnight stops, the Tibet agent is responsible for accommodations at two locations — Kyirung and Mansarovar.

Permits and Visa Process

We must apply for the Tibet travel permit at least 30 days in advance. Typically, the permit is issued within 20 days. Once the permit is received, we apply for the Chinese visa at the Embassy in New Delhi, using the original passport. The visa is usually granted within five working days.

However, in 2025, this process faced delays, and almost all groups had to reschedule their travel plans as permits and visas were delayed by 3 to 10 days. Such delays are quite common with Chinese visas for Tibet, unlike visa processes for most other countries.

Important Tip:
Do not book your air tickets until you receive your visa. If you must book early, opt for flexible or reschedulable tickets to avoid financial losses and stress.

If you are joining a 13-14 day tour, we recommend applying for at least 18 days of leave from work. This extra buffer accounts for possible delays due to visa issues or unpredictable weather conditions in the mountains.

Accommodation

There is no option to choose preferred accommodations on this route. We make every effort to provide the best available guest houses and hotels in Tibet.

However, please note:

• Accommodation in Tibet is basic and old-fashioned, with simple facilities.

• Rooms are typically shared, with 4–5 beds per room.

• Most guesthouses do not have attached bathrooms. Instead, tour operators usually set up outdoor toilet tents.

• Food is pure vegetarian, prepared with an Indian taste, but due to altitude and water differences, the taste may vary.

Beware of false promises:
Some agents — particularly Nepal-based sellers marketing directly in India — mislead pilgrims by promising luxurious accommodations, which do not exist in most parts of Tibet.
Only Saga, Lhasa, and Shigatse have proper hotels.

Many Indian travel agents are simply booking agents for Nepal tour operators and may not fully understand the ground realities in Tibet.

Around Mansarovar and Kailash, there is no advance room booking system.

• If tents are provided by your operator, you will stay in tents.

• If rooms are available and you prefer to stay in a guest house, you can do so by paying 30–50 Yuan per person per night.

Meals During the Tour

Sometimes, due to long travel hours, the group may arrive late at a stopover. In such cases, the Sherpa team has to unload baggage and set up the kitchen, which may take up to 2 hours before meals are served.

Meals include:

• Packed lunches prepared in the morning,

• Simple vegetarian food.

Health tips for eating at high altitude:

• Eat lightly but adequately, never overeat,

• Overeating can cause constipation or stomach discomfort at high altitudes,

• Sherpa-cooked food may taste different due to altitude and local water.

Health & Fitness Preparation

• Be mentally prepared for basic living conditions and challenges,

• Drink at least 3 liters of water daily to stay hydrated,

• Take one Diamox tablet daily starting from Kyirung to help your body acclimatize to high altitude,

• Prepare physically by walking 5–6 km every day for several months before the yatra.

Important Notes

• Tour briefing should ideally be organized 4–5 months before the journey,

• Expect weather-related delays or unforeseen situations,

• Our team will always try their best to make your journey comfortable, but certain factors are beyond anyone’s control.

Why Choose Us

We have provided the above information to ensure you are well-informed and not misled by agents who may have never traveled to Kailash themselves.

Call us for more details, and we will be happy to guide you.
We highly recommend traveling with us for a safe, well-organized, and spiritually fulfilling experience.