Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

The parikrama of Mount Kailash (40 km) is usually covered in two and a half days. You can cover it either on foot or on a pony, where the parikrama starts from Yamdwar.

On day first, cover 10 km from Yamdwar to Diraphuk, you can get the best view of Mount Kailash throughout the way from Diraphuk. We also get to see Silver Kailash at night and Golden Kailash in the morning from Dhirapuk.

On day second, we'll cover 22 km from Diraphuk to Zuthulpuk, the overall distance is divided into three parts- the first 6 km uphill, the next 6 km downhill, and the last 10 km plain trek. We start early morning by 4 a.m. because the first stretch of 6 km (Dhirapuk to Dol Mala Pass) is the toughest part of Mount Kailash Parikrama, probably be completed before the day-start. The last 10 km is a beautiful stretch with the Karnali river flowing by the side.

On the last day, we will cover 8 km on a plain terrain, usually covered in 2 to 3 hours. The Kailash Parikrama will be completed with this trek on 3rd day.

We can see the Golden Kailash in the morning during sunrise at Dhirapuk. The sunlight falling on the peak of Mount Kailash makes the white snow look golden. We can see Silver Kailash at night in Dhirapuk and Mansarovar Lake when moonlight falls on the peak of Mount Kailash, making the snow shine. The yatris reach Dhirapuk on the first day of Kailash Parikrama. We get to see the most beautiful view of Mount Kailash between two mountains in Dhirapuk.

The Nandi Parvat is located near Mount Kailash in Tibet. It is said that wherever Lord Shiva resides, Nandi Ji is also present there as a gatekeeper. It is situated just below the South face of Mount Kailash. The Nandi Parvat is a matter of surprise and is visible during the inner parikrama only.

Gauri Kund is a place of great importance for the Hindu pilgrims, which is said to be the place where Lord Ganesha was born, out of froth and lather formed when Mata Parvati took a bath in the Gauri Kund. Day 2 of the Kailash parikrama is 22 km long from Dirapuk to Zuthulphuk, and after a 6km trek, we reach the highest point of the Kailash Parikrama, which is Dolma La Pass. Just 100-200 meters ahead of Dolma La Pass, on your right, is the Gauri Kund. Since there is no walking track to reach Gauri Kund, you can’t go yourself to take water from the Gauri Kund. However, you can give a tip to the Sherpa to bring some water from Gauri Kund, if possible.

Most of the time, Kailash Parvat Kora is allowed, but it is the sole decision of the Tibetan guide whether one is eligible for the Mount Kailash Parikrama or not. In case of bad weather such as rainfall or snowfall, the guide insists on completing only the first day’s parikrama, i.e., up to Diraphuk and then returning to Yam Dwar. If there is snowfall in March and April, then the Mount Kailash Parikrama gets halted in May. In case of any health issues, such as discomfort or a drop in oxygen level, the Tibetan guide doesn’t allow yatris to go for parikrama to avoid any mishap. In case of any casualty, for example, the death of a yatri aged 65 years or above, then the guide will not allow any pilgrim from the group to perform Kailash parikrama who are aged above 60. It is advised to follow the instructions provided by the Tibetan guide in your group for a hassle-free pilgrimage experience.

Going through a basic fitness check is compulsory for Mount Kailash Parikrama, no matter how high your willpower is. However, don’t be adamant about performing Kailash Parikrama; without considering your health eligibility for the same. It is always a wise decision to consult with your guide or ask about your fitness eligibility to fight against prevailing conditions during the Kailash trek.

You'll find the highest altitude on the second day of your 22 km Mount Kailash Parikrama, after completing the 6 km uphill distance from Diraphuk, and reaching the Dolma La pass (the highest altitude of the Kailash Parikrama) at a height of 5800 meters.

Yes, you can voluntarily choose to perform Kailash parikrama on the first day, and then you can return. However, an ambulance or emergency help is the only means of return after day one parikrama. Since there is no transportation from Yamdwar to your accommodations in Darchen or Purang Town, you cannot return descending. For a drop in Darchen, the ambulance service will cost roughly 500-700 Yuan per person, and for a drop at Purang town, it will cost 900-1000 Yuan per person.

Located at a high altitude, the Mount Kailash area is a barren land where there is no greenery. Due to this, the rain showers last only a few minutes, and the land dries quickly. The rain barely affects the Kailash Parikrama, since it happens between May and September, which is usually the summer season; there is generally no snowfall during this time. In case there is any snowfall, the Kailash Parikrama is halted; for example, if there is snowfall in March and April, then Parikrama on only the first day is allowed. It is also important to carry woollens and raincoats regardless of the month you are going for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

Good quality walking/trekking shoes, a raincoat, and a trekking stick; you can buy essential items from the local market (Purang town or Dongba/Saga) as well. If you're willing to carry energy drinks and light snacks to keep yourself hydrated and relieved of quick hunger. Other essential items that one can carry are a monkey cap, gloves, a hat, a face mask, sunscreen, portable oxygen cylinder, etc. Call our tour experts for a detailed list of things to carry during the Kailash Yatra.

It's not possible or even allowed to complete the Mount Kailash parikrama in a day. The Tibetan authorities have provision of completing the 40 km Parikrama distance in 2 and a half days. Also, trekking activity will not be performed at night. There are 2 stops, one at Diraphuk and the other at Zuthulphuk, where there's a permanent kitchen set up to facilitate Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims.

Yes, you can perform Yagya at Yamdwar only if you are not participating in the Mount Kailash parikrama, because you will have plenty of time in hand. If one participates in parikrama, there's a limited time to cover the first day’s 10 km trek. However, a quick meditation or small puja ritual can be performed if the trekking activity starts early in the morning.

We stay at Diraphuk and Zuthulphuk in dormitories on a multiple-sharing basis, but will have separate beds, pillows, and blankets for all the yatris. There is a permanent kitchen set up at these places to provide freshly cooked meals to the yatris.

Proper bathing facility is not available during the Mount Kailash parikrama, since the weather remains breezy and it hinders any bathing or toilet usage activities around the region. So, most of the pilgrims prefer to avoid doing so during the parikrama of Kailash Parvat. However, we ensure to provide warm water for freshening up, even if there's no pre-set availability.

Since oxygen cylinders are heavy, it is difficult to carry them during the Kailash parikrama, but it is available at base camps- Dhirapuk and Zuthulpuk for emergency usage. The guide travelling with the group has an oximeter with him to check the traveller's oxygen level from time to time. During Mount Kailash Parikrama, the trekking pace of all yatris differs, so practically it is not possible to provide oxygen urgently if needed. Therefore, it is advised to carry 1-2 portable oxygen cylinders with you during Kailash Parikrama. You can purchase a portable oxygen cylinder from the local market in Tibet - Purang Town (by Heli route) or Dongba/ Saga (by overland route), which will cost approximately INR 250.

Several pilgrims use kapoor/camphor during Kailash Parikrama, as it gets a bit tougher to breathe normally on high altitude. It depends, whether you need to inhale it frequently or not.

Horse ride service is accessible for Kailash Parvat parikrama, and you must let the Tibetan guide at Lake Mansarovar know if you need/prefer it. There's a chit system to access horses at Yam Dwar, where the cost of each horse ride and the porter cost approximately 3500-4000 Yuan. These service charges are fixed by the union working for it, and it's the same for everyone.

As per the recent prices, pony and porter costs somewhere between 3500 and 4000 Yuan. The charges are fixed by the horses union, which does not have a tie-up with any travel agency. This cost is non-negotiable, non-refundable, and the same for all. However, if the charges get revised by the union, the amount mentioned here will also change accordingly.

No, you cannot share a single pony or porter with your family members, not even on a rotation basis. The pony or porter is allotted to only a single person at a time and not on a sharing basis.

Yes, you still need to walk during the Kailash parikrama, even if you've hired a pony. Day 2 of Mount Kailash parikrama is 22 km, out of which 6 km is extremely sloping, where you need to get down of the pony, to avoid any chances of falling.

When the pony is allotted at Yam Dwar through the chit system, you are requested to click a photo of the pony man, so that you can recognize it during the Kailash Mansarovar yatra.

If a person weighs more than 80-85 kg, the Tibetan guide has the right to disqualify them from taking a pony during the Mount Kailash Parikrama. Generally, parikrama is not recommended for overweight travellers to avoid any mishap.

The pony and porter are not included in the Kailash yatra packages, because it's not mandatory to take them while parikrama. Also, those who require a pony/porter can directly book it at Mansarovar Lake with the help of their Tibetan guide.

The pony master and porter speak the local language only, and hence they might not be able to understand your language. Take help from the Tibetan and Nepali guides to communicate with your pony master and porter.

If you book a pony, the pony master acts like a porter to the traveller (individually), and they will proceed together for parikrama. But in case you have booked only a shared porter, then he will not walk step with step, as they have to carry bags of more than one person at a time. However, the pace will be different for a traveller and a porter/pony man while ascending, as they have expertise in walking such terrains.

Each person has a different pace, so walk according to the rhythm of your body and do not hurry. People travelling with Trip To Temples are given down jackets with the company’s name, which helps the team guides and tour managers to identify their group members. Our team is divided into groups to keep a check on all the yatris travelling with us, frequently. In case you are left behind, the guide will return to assist you, ensuring everybody reaches the next point safely.

The Mount Kailash parikrama can be done only on foot or by horse. Commercial vehicles are not allowed on the Mount Kailash parikrama route. However, only the route from Yamdwar to Dhirapuk is motorable; it can only be used by an ambulance in case of an emergency.

Ambulance facility is available on the first day of parikrama only till Diraphuk, after which the steep climbing starts; and for a drop in Darchen, the ambulance service will cost approximately 500-700 Yuan per person, and for a drop at Purang town, it will cost 900-1000 Yuan per person.

If you are physically fit, then only you should perform the Kailash parikrama. Even if you start parikrama and feel unwell or unsure of continuing it, then you can return on day 1. The ambulance facility is also available only on day 1 of the parikrama, the cost of which will be borne by the pilgrims themselves. Our tour guides carry oximeters, but you are advised to keep checking your oxygen levels regularly. In case you are not feeling well, inform the team beforehand.

Rakshastal is located to the west of Mount Kailash at a distance of about 50 km. During your Mansarovar yatra, you can get the first glimpse of Kailash Parvat from Rakshastal. It is said that Ravana took a dip, meditated, and worshipped Lord Shiva at Rakshastal before visiting Lord Shiva at Mount Kailash.

No. The Chinese authorities have banned travelling to Charan Sparsh, as it's not an easy trek either. As per the guidelines until now, not even the residents of Tibet are allowed to go to Charan Sparsh. 

Touching the Mount Kailash is not allowed, as the Chinese authorities have banned Charan Sparsh, which means you can't enter the inner parikrama zone of Kailash.

Parikrama of Mount Kailash's inner circle is known as inner kora, which is risky and not possible. Also, inner parikrama is banned for everyone travelling to the Tibet region, as per the guidelines of Chinese authority. Ashtapad darshan is done separately, which has nothing to do with the inner parikrama of Kailash Parvat. You can pay extra charges (approx. 500 Yuan) to visit Ashtapad by hiring a taxi from the local taxi-hire service. We don't include Asthapad yatra in our packages, hence you'll have to plan it individually and accordingly.

It is believed that Mount Kailash is the resting abode of Lord Shiva, hence it is considered a very auspicious and holy mountain by many religions, including Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Bon. However, climbing or mountaineering activity on Mount Kailash has been banned for spiritual and safety reasons by the Tibetan/Chinese authorities.

Women can wear a saree during the parikrama. However, it is advised to wear warm and comfortable clothes instead of a saree that properly covers and protects you from the wind. While doing the parikrama, the saree might feel a little inconvenient, causing an unfortunate fall; hence, avoid wearing a saree. Salwar suits or trekking pants are comfortable and more preferrable options during the Mount Kailash parikrama.

During the two and a half days of Mount Kailash parikrama, you can visit the following places:-

• Yamdwar- One of the most prominent attractions of the Kailash yatra, Yamdwar is considered the Gate of Salvation, which is believed to wash away all sins if you pass through this gate. This is also the point from where Mount Kailash parikrama starts.
• Mount Kailash- The main motive of undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar yatra is to see Lord Shiva's heavanly abode.
• Diraphuk- After completing the first day of parikrama of Mount Kailash, we reach Diraphuk. It is the place that gives the most beautiful view of Mount Kailash between two other mountains. One can spot the Golden Kailash in morning from this point.
• Shiva Sthal- On the second day of Mount Kailash parikrama, we get to see Shiva Sthal, the place where people donate clothes and ornaments, as it is said that if you donate something at Shivasthal, you will get it back in your next life.
• Dolma La Pass- This is the highest point of the Kailash parikrama, situated at an elevation of 6800 meters above sea level. You get to visit Dolma La pass on the second day of Mount Kailash parikrama.
• Gaurikund- It is a perfectly round-shaped lake just ahead of Dolma La Pass and is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ganesha. It is also said to be the lake in which Mata Parvati used to take a bath and created Lord Ganesha.