Why Kailash Mansarovar Yatra with Walk Mountain?
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Overland is not just a trip- it’s a sacred journey of faith, endurance, and spiritual awakening. For every Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Bon follower, Mount Kailash is the cosmic axis, the center of the universe, and mainly the holy abode of Lord Shiva. Lake Mansarovar of Kailash is believed to be the creation of Brahma, and bathing in its water is said to wash away lifetimes of sins.
The Overland route to Kailash from Nepal makes the yatra more accessible and comfortable, especially for elderly pilgrims or those unable to take long treks. However, this holy pilgrimage is still challenging and requires thoughtful preparation. Walk Mountain will help with the preparation and overcome the challenges that might occur during the tour. We will make sure that your Kailash Darshan is successful with tons of memories, enjoyment, moreover spiritual.
Duration of the Kailash Yatra with Lake Mansarovar by Overland Tour
The standard Kailash Yatra Itinerary takes around 15 days to and from Kathmandu, including a cultural tour of Kathmandu, acclimatization days at the tour, and the weather conditions. The 15-day standard itinerary provided by Walk Mountain includes:
- 3 days in Kathmandu for visa processing and Kathmandu Cultural visits
- 3 days drive through Nepal and Tibet via Kerung, Saga, Lake Mansarovar, to Darchen
- 1 day acclimatization at Kerung
- 2 days at Lake Mansarovar for spiritual bathing and puja rituals
- 3 days for Mt. Kailash kora (52 km on foot)
- Return to Kathmandu via the same route
Spiritual Significance of Kailash Yatra
The spiritual significance of Mount Kailash is regarded as very high and out of this world for every Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Bon follower. Mount Kailash itself is viewed as:
- The abode of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati (Hinduism)
- The center of the universe and a sacred site of demons and deities (Tibetan Buddhism)
- The location where Rishabhadeva, the first Jain Tirthankara, attained liberation
- A spiritually powerful mountain revered by the Bon religion as the seat of spiritual power
One of the legends of Lake Mansarovar, adjacent to Mount Kailash, is said to have been first manifested by Lord Brahma and materialized on the Earth. The name Mansarovar can also be translated as “mind lake” in Sanskrit. According to Buddhist legends, it is the lake where Maya, the mother of Buddha, purified herself after giving birth. So, bathing at the lake or drinking its water is believed to cleanse their sins, purify their souls, and lead to spiritual liberation. So, a lot of pilgrims bring back the water to home as a symbol of purification and blessing.
Best Time for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Overland Tour
The best time to embark on the Kailash Yatra is between May and mid-September, when weather conditions are stable, road access is reliable, and the high-altitude Tibetan plateau is most hospitable. Walk Mountain has prepared a month-to-month breakdown for your convenience to help you choose the right time based on your spiritual goals, weather preferences, and physical readiness.
May- The Beginning of Yatra Season
May marks the start of the pilgrimage window. The weather is starting to stabilize after the harsh winter, and the roads are starting to open and become more accessible. The clear sky will provide you the spectacular views of Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, while the temperature is moderate during the day and chilly during the night. May is ideal as it provides fresh, calm energy as the opening of the pilgrimage season, and the crowds are very few, providing solidarity and serenity for your spiritual experience at Kailash.
June – The Rising Spiritual Significance
June brings the slightly warmer temperature, longer days, and ideal conditions for bathing in the sacred Lake Mansarovar. Many pilgrims consider the month of July spiritually auspicious as it marks the beginning of the devotion in the atmosphere. This month is ideal as it provides comfortable weather and a popular time for spiritual groups and meditation practitioners.
July – Sacred Energy and the Significance
July is the start of monsoon season in Nepal, but the Tibetan plateau remains unaffected by heavy rain. This month is very significant for the Hindu pilgrims due to Guru Purnima and the start of the sacred month of Shravan. The month of Shravan is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be an auspicious time with the peak spiritual energy of the mountain. The pilgrims believe that the spiritual benefits are multiplied if you visit Kailash during Shravan. The season is ideal as it brings out an opportunity to participate in Guru Purnima rituals, creating a rich atmosphere with many pilgrims.
August – Peak of the Spiritual Season
August continues in the monsoon in Nepal, but Tibet is mostly dry during the period. The pilgrims visit for Shravan as the time has high spiritual energy, with active participation of pilgrims. The weather is warm, so the lake of Mansarovar remains unfrozen, making the rituals easier and providing the vibrant scenery of the surroundings.
September – Clear Skies, Fewer Crowds, and Peace
September is the final month of the Kailash Yatra season, offering the clearest skies, excellent mountain views, and far fewer pilgrims. Post-monsoon freshness adds a new charm to the landscapes. It's a preferred time for photographers, nature lovers, and introspective spiritual seekers looking to avoid crowds. You will find the crystal-clear views of Mount Kailash and stable weather conditions. The quiet trails and lodges are a perfect time for reflection and meditation.
October to April – Off Season
From October onwards, temperatures plummet, and snowfall begins, making roads impassable and the Kora/Parikrama route unsafe. The permits are also closed by Tibet, and the border remains closed.
Physical Fitness and Requirement of Acclimatization for Kailash Yatra with Lake Mansarovar by Overland
The Yatra to Lake Mansarovar and Kailash Kora is a spiritually profound experience, but is equally physically demanding, primarily due to the high-altitude environment and remote terrain. While the overland route from Nepal is considered one of the most accessible and easy ways to reach Mount Kailash, the journey still involves traveling and staying at an altitude above 4,000 meters for a long period of time. The highest point of the trek is crossing Drolma La Pass height of 5,640 m during the Kailash Kora. This high altitude can lead to fatigue and altitude sickness if not prepared properly.
It is important for the pilgrims to gradually build their stamina and cardiovascular strength to help their bodies adapt to higher altitude low low-oxygen environments. Simple yet consistent exercises like brisk walking, hiking, cycling, swimming, or practicing yoga can make a substantial difference. Your focus should be given to leg strength and lung capacity, as the most physically demanding portion of the journey—the Kora or Parikrama around Mount Kailash—requires walking over 52 kilometers in three days, including a strenuous day crossing the steep and wind-swept Drolma La Pass. This is not merely a walk but a test of mental endurance, willpower, and physical readiness.
We also would like to advise those travelers above 50 to consult with their physician before undertaking the yatra. If you're on medication, make sure you carry enough for the entire duration of the trip along with your doctor's prescription. Walk Mountain’s standard 15-day itinerary to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra provides acclimatization days at Kerung and enough rest, helping you adapt better and adjust to the low oxygen levels.
We recommend that you practice deep breathing techniques like Pranayama or other breathing exercises to improve your body's oxygen level and cope with thin air. You should also maintain a slow and steady pace throughout the trek and listen to what your body says. If you feel dizzy, short of breath, or extremely fatigued, it’s important to rest immediately or inform your experienced guide for further assistance.
Essential Permits and Visa required for the Kailash Yatra
Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. So, you will require multiple permits and a visa for the tour that must be arranged in advance. Due to the sensitivity of the area, given its proximity to Nepal and India, all foreign travelers must obtain special authorization from the Chinese Authorities.
For the journey from Nepal to Tibet, you require two essential formal documents, the Chinese Group Visa and the Tibet Travel Permit (TTP). These two permits will be managed by Walk Mountain Pvt. Ltd. Additionally, the trip to Kailash needs three more permits: Alien Travel Permit, Military Permit, and Foreign Affairs Permit, which will be managed by our Tibetan Travel Partner.
Tibet Travel Permit (TTP)
Tibet Travel Permit, also known as Tibet Entry Permit, is a mandatory document for foreign visitors to enter and travel to Tibet. To obtain a TTP, you must work with a registered company like Walk Mountain that will coordinate with the local Tibetan Agency to reduce your hassle and help to receive a permit.
We will need your passport and photos for the permit in advance, which will be sent to our travel partner in Tibet along with our Kailash Mansarovar Overland Tour information. The TTP is usually issued in 2 – 3 weeks. The TTP includes:
- Permission to enter Tibet from Rasuwagadhi/ Kerung Border
- Details of your itinerary, including every destination like Saga, Darchen, and Mansarovar, and Mount Kailash
- Name and Details of group members
- Travel date and Route restrictions
- Approval to be accompanied by a registered Tibetan guide at all times
The permit is strictly checked at multiple checkpoints along the route, including the border crossing at Rasuwagadhi, and again at towns like Saga and Darchen. If you don’t have a valid TTP, you will be denied entry and turned back.
Chinese Group Visa
The Chinese Group Visa is a visa issued by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, specifically for foreigners entering Tibet from Nepal. This visa is issued not on your passport directly, but as a separate paper document listing the names, passport numbers, nationalities, and travel dates of all travelers in your group. Everyone in the group must enter and exit Tibet together, and changes to the itinerary or group members after submission are not allowed.
Key Features of the Group Visa:
- Issued only in Kathmandu via authorized travel agencies
- Valid typically for 15 to 30 days
- Cannot be extended or altered once issued
- Travelers must enter and leave together as a group
- Issued in paper format (not pasted into your passport)
The visa processing takes around 3–4 working days, and travelers must submit their original passports to the tour operator in Kathmandu for this duration. During the wait, pilgrims can explore cultural sites like Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, and Budhanilkantha, while final preparations for the yatra are made.
Additional Permits Along with TTP:
In addition to the TTP, travelers visiting Mount Kailash must also obtain the following supplementary permits:
- Aliens’ Travel Permit (ATP): Required for travel beyond Lhasa, including remote places like Saga and Darchen.
- Military Permit: Because Kailash is near sensitive border zones, a military permit issued by the Chinese Army is needed for security clearance.
- Foreign Affairs Permit: Required in some cases, depending on your travel route and nationality.
Note: All of these are handled by your trekking/tour agency and are not issued directly to individuals.
Accommodation, Meals, and Other Facilities on Kailash Yatra
Located at the raw, rugged environment of Tibet, you will find basic and minimalist accommodation along the way to Kailash. You will stay at a standard hotel in Kathmandu, but as you enter into Tibet, you will stay in simple guesthouses, lodges, monasteries or tented camps depending on the stage of the journey.
In towns like Kerung and Saga, you will find modest hotels with beds, electricity, and shared bathrooms. However, as you move closer to Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash, you can expect more primitive setups like mud-brick lodges with communal sleeping areas and outdoor toilets. Hot water is rare, and most places have no central heating or internet access.
During the tour, the meals provided are strictly vegetarian. Most meals are prepared either by local Tibetan guesthouses or the support staff of your tour operator, and the emphasis is on simple, digestible, high-energy food that can sustain the physical effort of high-altitude travel. Staple meals include dal (lentils), rice, boiled vegetables, Tibetan bread, soups, noodles, and tea. Many pilgrims bring along ready-to-eat items like khichdi packets, dry fruits, protein bars, nuts, and energy drinks to complement local meals.
Water safety is also a major concern. You should only drink boiled or bottled water supplied by the organizers. Many choose to bring personal water purification systems or tablets for extra protection. Staying hydrated is critical at high altitudes, it not just only help in keeping up with the energy but also reduces the risk of altitude sickness. It's recommended to drink at least 3 to 4 liters of water daily, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
