Kailash Mansarovar is a pilgrimage site nestled in the Himalayas in Tibet. Over the years, Yatris across the world come here to do the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and travelers come to witness its mystical beauty. In this article, you will find the routes, cost, best time and etc. to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
How to Take a Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?
To reach Kailash Mansarovar, Indian pilgrims can take a road trip from Dehli. The Ministry of External Affairs organizes the yatra from June to September each year through two different routes — Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La Pass (Sikkim). The yatra is conducted in batches with a certain number of pilgrims each year. Alternatively, you can go to Kathmandu to join the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage trip starting here. If you have a US passport or other passport, you can fly to Lhasa to start your Kailash Mansarovar trip.
- Via Lipulekh PassThe route through Lipulekh Pass (a Himalayan pass on the border between India’s Uttarakhand state and the Tibet region of China) involves some trekking. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra cost is about Rs 1.6 lakh per person/USD2133, which is the lowest cost. The duration of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is 24 days, including 3 days of preparation in Delhi.The route has three sections. The first section is a 107.6 km long road from Pithoragarh to Tawaghat, the second section is a 19.5 km single-lane road from Tawaghat to Ghatiabgarh, and the third section is 80 km from Ghatiabgarh to Lipingkh Pass at the Chinese border. Only trek through. A new road in the third section is under construction in 2020 to allow vehicles. After completion, it cuts travel time from 5 days by a trek to just two days by a vehicle.This route crosses important locations, such as Narayan Ashram. Yatris can also see the beauty of the scenery of the Chialekh Valley or “Om Parvat”, where snow naturally appears in the form of “Om”.
- Via Nathu La PassThe route through Nathu La Pass (4309 meters, connecting Sikkim India with China’s Tibet Autonomous Region) is reachable by bus and especially suitable for elderly yatris. The cost is about Rs.2 lakh per person/USD2667. The duration would be 21 days including 3 days in Delhi for preparatory work. It passes through scenic spots such as Hangu Lake and the vast landscape of the Tibetan Plateau.
- Via KathmanduA Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Kathmandu is applicable either by helicopter or by car. The helicopter package is easier and faster, which takes 12 days and costs RS 210,000/USD2800 per person. You will be flying from Kathmandu to Simikot via Nepalgunj and take a helicopter ride from Simikot to Hilsa. The view over the Himalayan mountains is breathtaking and wonderful. After entering Tibet we will drive you to Kailash and Mansarovar.
- Via LhasaApart from these religious groups, plenty of tourists are simply enchanted by the beauty of the place. They can book Kailash Mansarovar tour packages operated by Tibet travel agencies directly. But the premise is to have non-Indian passports cos Tibet Travel Agencies are not allowed to arrange Indian tourists to Kailash Mansarovar. The duration is 12 ~15 days. Kailash Mansarovar tour cost via Great Tibet Tour starts from Rs 140,219/1930USD per person. Along the way, you can visit the Potala Palace, Yamdroktso Lake, Everest Base Camp, and view the sand dunes, beautiful grassland, local’s villages, etc.
Extra Expenses You Might Need To Make During the Trip
Throughout the trip, you will have to pay for services that are not covered by your travel agency. These expenses are personal, and thus it is entirely dependent on you to spend or not. Moreover, there may be incidents like natural disasters and emergency medical situations, which cannot be covered by any travel agency.
Nevertheless, it is always wise to carry extra cash wherever you go. Some of the excluded personal expenses are:
- Horse rides or yak rides. This is for people who cannot walk long miles at a stretch. USD50/day
- Laundry, extra snacks and drinks, telephone services, etc. USD50/day
- Extended hotel stays if you are sick. USD65/room/night.
- Airport transportation costs. USD80/vehicle
Please note these expenditures are uniform for all travel packages. The number of days of your packages may affect the total amount of these personal payments.
How To Deal With High Altitude Sickness?
Mount Kailash is located 6,700 meters above sea level. When one goes for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, he may experience high altitude sickness. This sickness is caused due to lower rates of oxygen at high altitudes.
Your body is used to working at certain amounts of oxygen. Therefore, the lack of oxygen supply can cause you physical distress.
Common symptoms of high-altitude sickness are:
- Vomiting and nausea
- Appetite loss
- Severe headaches
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Breath loss
- Laziness
If you experience any of the above symptoms during the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, you likely have high altitude sickness. To make yourself feel better you can do the following things.
- Hydrate regularly
- Don’t trek for straight long hours
- Avoid exercise
- Don’t drink alcohol
- Eat fiber-rich foods
Carry portable oxygen cylinders
Manasarovar Tours
Lake Manasarovar is one of the reasons why thousands of people around the globe come for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. It is known as one of the holiest lakes on earth. It is located 32 km away from Mt Kailash and has an elevation of 4,950 meters.
The derivation of Manasarovar comes from the combination of two Sanskrit words. They are- “Manas,” which means mind and “Sarovar,” which means lake.
The water of the lake is famous for its holy and pure properties. It is said to have many disinfecting and magical healing properties too. Pilgrims after touring Kailash Parvat, come to this river for three main reasons-
- To get rid of all their past sins and purify themselves.
- They consider it to be a wish-granting lake. Thus, come here for wish fulfillment.
- To get rid of mental and physical illness. The healing properties are said to bring good health. Thus, people take a dip in the lake to purify themselves and enhance their health.
The purity and crystal-clear water of this lake is a major attraction. Visitors can clearly see the deep bottom of the lake. The purity of water is as that of Sapphire stone.
The fresh-water lake is also said to change its color. The sunlight beams directly reflect at the lake as the sun rises and sets. This phenomenon makes it possible for the color of the water to change continuously.
The colors transform from shades of blue to green, making it a mesmerizing scene. In rare cases, you can also witness rainbow colors on the surface of the lake, which enriches the liveliness of the lake.
If you can spare a night from your entire tour, then you should camp beside the lake. The shore of the lake is firm so it can support a tent. This mystical camping night stay will be one of the most soothing experiences in your life.
