Visa & Documentation:
All foreign nationals willing to undertake Kailash Mansarovar Yatra including Indians require a VISA to enter Tibet. One must be in possession of a valid passport for another 10 months to obtain Chinese VISA. We will require a scanned copy of your passport at the time of booking the trip which should be at least 45 days in advance). In case of Indian passport holders, we shall require original passport in New Delhi approx. 15-20 days prior to group’s arrival date in Kathmandu so as to apply for the group VISA in India however passports of Foreign nationals shall be required in Kathmandu itself as their VISA shall be applied in Kathmandu – Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu issues VISA only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Kindly be informed that the VISA is not stamped on your passport rather it will be on a separate piece of paper issued by Chinese Embassy because it shall be a Group VISA.

Transportation:
From Kathmandu till Kyirong border, the transportation will be provided by Non A/c tourist Luxury Bus. In the event of any landslide, the best available mode of transport will be used for which guests will have to pay additional charges as applicable. From the border, you will be carried by Luxury Bus).From Hor Que onwards, transportation shall be by a battery operated green bus – to be provided by CIPSC. There will be a separate support truck to carry the camping equipment and sherpa staff members. During the Kailash Parikrama, we will provide Yaks to carry the camping equipments & your personal heavy gears (one bag per person only). A Yak or Pony can be hired for you to ride on direct payment basis. (Yaks are not well domesticated and trained to ride on it).

Guide/ Escort:
A Tibetan/ English speaking guide will escort the group throughout the trip from KyirongBorder till Kyirong Border including few Nepali staff who will be taking care of your food requirements etc.

Clothing & Accessories:
Tibet is a dry cold country as such weather may change unexpectedly at any time. Plan your clothing in a way that you can wear layers of clothes. Depending upon the season, during June, July, August till September, day time will be pleasant and quite warm with about 15-20 degree Celsius, during afternoon time 1-4 pm can be windy. The morning and evening will be chilly between minus 2 to 0 degree Celsius.

Photography:
As Tibet gets very bright sunlight due to thin air so taking photographs can be quite glare. Carry photography gear accordingly. Taking photographs inside monastery will be charged as per monastery rule. Please ask your guide before taking photographs inside the monastery. Taking photographs at Army Camps/Check-points is strictly prohibited. Charging can be done at Saga, Darchen and Mansarovar guest houses.

Equipment on Trip:
We also provide Dining Tent, Kitchen Tent, Toilet Tents, Dining Tables, Folding Chairs and full kitchen utensils. The lodges / guest house provide quilts and foam mattress for bed. Duffel bag and down jackets are also provided however if you wish, you may carry your own too.

Medicine:
We suggest you to bring your own first aid kit with adequate medication regarding altitude sickness, nausea, dehydration and some painkillers. Be careful not to catch a cold. It is better to be over-clothed than under protected. En route avoid taking bath or drinking water from lakes, streams or rivers as your body is not conditioned for this. Since the dry cold winds tend to make the nose dry, keep your nose smooth by applying Vaseline. Keep your feet dry, never let it get wet. Keep your boots inside tents to keep them dry. Wearing cotton and wool socks in combination would be the best. Face, feet and hands must be well protected. Request your doctor to prescribe effective medicines to cover the following: Fever, Body and joint pains, Cold, Cough, Sore throat, Headache, Acidity, Stomach cramps, Vomiting, Dysentery, Loose motion, Constipation, Diarrhea, Swelling, Muscle Pulls & Sore eyes.

In addition to the medicines for above, your first aid kid should include following:
Vaseline, Band Aid, Cotton, Badge roll, Dettol, Mouth freshner, Nose inhaler, Toilet paper, Rubber bands, Dust cover (face mask), Cough drops, Lip balm, Vicks, Elastoplast, Adhesive tape, 4″ crepe bandage & OAS powder – useful for adding to your water bottle and for fluid replacing purposes.

Make a separate pouch for the first aid kit with a list of medicines and their appropriate usage. It is advised to carry glucose and glucose based items (mints, toffees, mini chocolates bars for periodical consumption at high altitude for energy. Multi-vitamin and vitamin C tablets are required for daily consumption as a routine.

 Altitude Sickness:
Acute mountain sickness is a frequent problem in the Himalayan region. The altitude of the peaks and trails between them are among highest on earth. Acclimatization to altitude above 3000 meters takes time. The body undergoes a number of physiological changes some of which are immediate like increased pulse rate & respiratory rate. Others appear more slowly over a period of weeks like the change in acid base balance and production of extra red blood cells. These changes plus the effect of intense sunlight, walking hard & dehydration may cause a number or mild vague symptoms such as Loss of appetite, fatigue, headache, nausea, dizziness, palpitations, sleeplessness, mild shortness of breath with exercise.

The best treatment is prevention! Avoid rapid ascents; take acclimatization symptoms seriously using rest days or Diamox tablets. If symptoms are severe and the patient is ill DESCEND IMMEDIATELY, 300 meters of descent or more should be sought. This usually gives rapid improvement.

To minimize altitude sickness, never rush into things, walk slowly and firmly. The uneven ground, steep slopes and slushy banks are full of potholes. Do not combine walking and sightseeing together. Inspect your track in front and trek slowly.

Physical Fitness:
Before booking for this Kailash Mansarovar Yatra trip with us, you should be in sound good health preparation for this trip. We advise bit of exercise like morning or evening walk or jogging. Each pilgrim should ensure that he/she is medically fit and is not suffering from high-blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, heart disease or epilepsy since such conditions might prove fatal at high altitudes.

Medical fitness is of utmost importance. Pilgrims should complete the medical tests and seek expert medical opinion regarding their fitness to undertake the pilgrimage at high altitude from their respective doctor.

 We would require a medical certificate from every individual stating that the person traveling is not suffering from any such decease as mentioned above and is fit to travel at high altitudes.

 Insurance & Emergency Expenses
We highly recommend you to be insured against medical, accidents & necessary emergency evacuation. Please ensure that your insurance covers evacuation at high altitudes. Also be informed that air evacuation (evacuation by helicopter) is not possible in Tibet as such guest requiring emergency evacuation will be transferred by surface to nearest evacuation point in Nepal side after giving the necessary first aid. Any Emergency arrangement other than regular tour itinerary service should be borne by the clients themselves.

Please note that our Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Tour does not include any rescue or evacuation expenses in emergencies hence it is advised to be properly insured against any kind of risk.

General Considerations while packing for Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Pilgrimage Tour

Keep the luggage weight and bulk down to a minimum. Baggage allowance on most international flights is 20 Kg’s/44 lbs. You will only need two changes of clothes for Kathmandu. In Tibet, it is important to dress in layers. When it is hot you will only be wearing a base layer, when it gets colder you can add to this until you are wearing most of your clothes! During Kailash Parikarma, one bag per person would be carried on Yak. It is advisable to carry your stuff in a duffel bag rather than suitcase or other normal bags.

Following points must be kept in mind while preparing for & during the Holy Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

List of things to carry:

1. Duffel bag or big backpack (NO HARDSHELL SUITCASES PLEASE)
2. Small day backpack with sturdy straps
3. Proper trekking shoes with spare laces – please ensure that the shoes are broken-in before the trek. Do not walk in brand new shoes.
4. Slippers / Sports sandals / Floaters [For walking around at campsites]
5. Sun cap
6. 3 pairs nylon socks, 3 pairs cotton/thicker socks, 3 pairs woolen socks [Two pairs of socks while walking are suggested to avoid blisters]
7. Personal Clothing [track suits are great, AVOID jeans or any other tight fitting pants]
8. Full sleeved thick sweater or fleece wear
9. Feather jacket (Will be provided by us on returnable basis)
10. Cotton or nylon thermal inner wear
11. Woolen monkey cap / Balaclava
12. Woolen hand gloves
13. Wind shirt (wind breaker)
14. Water proofs (poncho or pant & jacket)/ collapsible umbrella
15. Goggles [good quality, 100%-UV-protection sunglasses, not blue shade]
16. Cold cream / Hand lotion, sun screen lotion
17. Chapstick or Lip Balm
18. Torch with 2 extra sets of cells [No pencil cell torch, Head lamp is best]
19. Light towel [Should be a thin quick-drying towel]
20. 2-3 Water bottle (1 litre each) [AVOID simple plastic bottles. one hard plastic bottle or thermos flask- not the heave duty one-  is recommended for boiled water at higher camps]
21. Adequate underclothing
22. Personal toiletries
23. Towel
24. Toilet paper roll
25. Pen knife
26. Walking Stick [A must have]
27. Easy Breathers or Camphor
28. Mask to protect yourself from dust and cold (cotton scarf for dust and woolen for cold)
29. Camera
30. Note book and pen
31. Personal toilet kit
32. 4 passport size photographs
33. A copy of your insurance policy
34. Reading material
35. ipod or similar
36. Personal medical kit.
37. Air Pillow / small cotton pillow (optional)
38. Personal medicines (with written instructions), assorted Band-Aids.
39. Plastic bags to contain all above including your duffel bag, plus a few spare ones.

Please note:

• If you are asthmatic or have any kind of breathing problem, you should not travel.
• Take advise of your doctor before undertaking this high altitude pilgrimage & always keep your usual/prescribed medicines (if any) along with beside basic medicines for fever, nausea, dehydration, vomiting body ache and headache.
• Use very strong and rough bags to pack your belongings & don’t keep the fragile items in your bag which has to be carried on the Yak. A duffel bag is advisable. No hard shell suitcases please.
• Don’t forget to carry some eatables like sweets, chocolates, glucose, candies, mints, khakra, laddu / pinni etc.
• Engage yourself in fitness exercise like aerobics every morning. Two things would help. 1. Breathing exercises (to increase your lung capacity. Pranayam would help) 2. Running/ fast walking. It would be good if you can do this on treadmill on incline. Like they say, “the more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war. Though this is certainly not war, working out will help you enjoy the trip a lot more.”
• Please do not expect luxury on this tour however as far as possible, our Sherpa team will ensure you the best journey/stay with us in this tough terrain.
• It is always advisable to insure yourself against personal loss, injury/accident, death and emergency evacuation. Make sure that your policy covers Emergency Evacuation by Helicopter at high altitude treks.
• As there is no Hindu Temple at Holy Lake and Mt. Kailash as such no priest is available. If you want some spiritual activity to be performed, please make sure that your personal priest accompany you either from your own country or from Nepal. Do carry essential HavanSamagri, HavanKunds etc. if you are willing to engage yourself in some spiritual ceremony like Havan (Yagna).
• If possible, arrange your Chinese Yuan (which you might require to buy some souvenir or to pay for pony etc.) in your own country or in Nepal as on the borders, exchange rate might differ. Alternately, you can carry US$ with you which can be easily converted but Indian Currency notes are not acceptable in Tibet. Do not carry Indian Currency Notes of 500 & 1000 denominations as these are not acceptable in Nepal and cannot be exchanged. Also, they are not considered legal. PLEASE DO NOT CARRY THEM
• Upon arrival at immigration desk at Tribhuvan International Airport, please request the immigration officer to put an entry stamp in your passport otherwise you’ll have to unnecessarily pay additional amount .
• Don’t carry too many clothes.
• Always carry your passport, visa and insurance with you & keep the passport handy while traveling. Leave a copy of passport with us and another one at home.
• Please always carry your sweater / fleece, windcheater, waterproofs & water bottle.
• Please carry your water bottle to the dinner table for a refill. Always have water with you.
• Warm clothing & few other things can be bought in Nepal, they are of good quality.
• We advice all our guests to read the notes on acute mountain sickness carefully. Please note that this trip will take you to very high altitudes & one should take all the precautions seriously.
• We strongly advice all our guests to get an international travel insurance policy with evacuation provision.

Prior to Mount Kailash Parikarma:

• Start taking DIAMOX at least 2 days before starting your journey – once every morning after the breakfast. It should be taken for 3-6 days. This is to minimize altitude sickness.
• Drink at least 3 litres of mineral water everyday till you complete the Holy Yatra.
• Avoid riding Yak during Kailash Parikarma. A pony is preferred over Yak.
• Advise your requirements for Pony Hiring (available at an additional cost) to your tour guide at least a day before the beginning of Parikarma.

During Mount Kailash Parikarma:

• Walk slowly, don’t compete with any one and never loose your temper. This probably is going to be the toughest journey you have ever made so far.
• In case you feel any kind of breathlessness during parikarma, immediately inform our tour guide or sherpa staff & follow their advise.
• On the second day of parikarma, you will reach a height at Dolmala Pass where Oxygen level is very low. Do not stop/wait here for more than 5 minutes.
• During parikarma, you’ll come across rivers and streams, you can wash your face occassionally with cold water. Avoid drinking water from streams or rivers en route.
• As far as possible, try to walk. But, if you are riding a pony during parikarma, make sure that you hold it properly.
• On the second day of parikarma, you will see several clothes lying on the rocks, please don’t touch the same.
• Walk carefully and guard yourself from slipping or falling to prevent fractures, sprains and muscle pulls.
• Do not combine walking and sightseeing together lest you fall or get hurt. Inspect the track in front of you and walk slowly.
• Travel in the group and do not leave any one behind unless escorted.

While on the Holy Mansarovar Lake:

• Don’t take a Holy dip in Holy Mansarovar Lake while it is windy.
• Never take a dip in Rakshas Tal (Lake) as it is inauspicious.
• If you face altitude sickness, do not proceed for parikarma because once you leave Mansarovar or Darchen and wish to come back from Parikarma due to any reason, there are no facilities available like stretcher etc.
• Even for Helicopter evacuation, you will have to drive to Nepal border, before evacuation can be organized and that too will depend on weather conditions.
• Don’t forget to collect some white ringed stones from The Holy Lake as each stone is treated as “Shivlinga”.

General Information during Kailash Yatra:

• If you smoke or consume alcohol, avoid it throughout the journey.
• While in tents, make sure that it is properly zipped and your luggage (which is kept inside the tent) is not touching the tent’s outer surface otherwise in case of rain you might find water inside your tent.
• Try and stay indoors while it is too windy or sunny.
• While staying in the guest house, avoid using public toilets (if available) as these are very dirty. It is advisable to use open area or our own toilet tents for toilet purpose.
• Travel during Kailash Yatra with the TEAM SPIRIT and help your group members in case of any need or emergency.
• Please do not expect premium vehicles in Tibet. The terrain being rough, vehicles are bound to break down but do not panic, the drivers are expert enough to repair it. Repairs may take few minutes to a couple of hours but please maintain patience as we cannot leave group members behind.