Highlight of the Trip
One of the best places to start is Lhasa. It has a great calm energy and is enriched with culture such as small streets full of local shops, lots of small stores and people praying at the different shrines daily – no need to rush anything, just walking around at your pace is a worthy experience itself.
Make sure to visit the Potala Palace and the different monasteries in the area while there. The architecture is breathtaking and full of rich history, and when you enter the buildings, you’ll feel a certain calmness, and have the opportunity to watch monks perform their prayers – it’s a very special experience, quite simple and hard to describe.
Then, finally, there’s Lake Manasarovar, which is basically just a really peaceful and pretty place. A lot of people find the place to be sacred, but even if you don’t know the history behind the place, it’s just a pretty clean and peaceful place. It’s a good place to just take a little time to enjoy the view.
The main part of the trip is the 3-day Kora of Mount Kailash. This is relatively easy walking but can be difficult because of the high altitude. Many people take their time and enjoy some beautiful scenery. Therefore, for most people performing the kora, this is not just a trek, but an extremely personal experience.
During this entire time on the trip, you’re surrounded by the really pretty landscapes of the Tibetan Plateau. It’s just a really open place, and the sky is really clear, and there’s just these long roads. Sometimes, I guess, it feels a little deserted, but in a good way, I guess. You have a lot of time to just think and enjoy the ride.
Best Time to Go
Spring (April to May)
Spring is a pretty good time to make this trip. The skies will generally be clear, so you get those great mountain views, and the weather will generally not be extreme during the day. But, the nights will still feel quite cold so you will need some proper warm clothing.
Summer (June to August)
Summer will have a slightly more comfortable temperature. But, there will sometimes be a little rain along the way, which will make the roads a little slow or rough in some places. Still many people chooses the trip, so it’s totally doable if you’re prepared for it.
Autumn (September to October)
I think autumn, which is from September to October, is probably the best season overall, if I’m being honest with you. The weather is stable, the skies are super clear, and the mountain views are absolutely the best. It’s a very balanced season, not too cold and not too risky, and I think a lot of travelers prefer this season for a reason.
Winter (November to March)
Winter, is probably the quietest season but also the toughest season. It’s really cold, especially around Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. Sometimes the roads get blocked because of the snow, and sometimes it’s even impossible to do the Kailash Kora. It’s not really an ideal season for most people but if you don’t mind the extreme cold and don’t want too many facilities, it can be incredibly peaceful and empty out there.
Difficulty Level
To be honest, the journey isn’t exactly easy. It’s not like you’re climbing any mountains or anything like that, but the altitude is still a bit of a challenge. As you get closer to Mount Kailash, even walking at a regular pace can be a bit slow and tiring. You’ll be at an altitude of above 4,000 meters most of the time, and when you do the Kailash Kora, it’s even higher. So it’s essential that your body gets used to the altitude.
The journey is best suited for people who are physically fit enough to walk for a few hours a day. While you don’t have to be a super athlete or anything like that, it’s still important. And if you have any heart problems or lung problems, you need to get away from this kind of trip. While it’s a good idea to do a bit of prep work like walking around, exercising a bit, etc., before the journey begins, when you’re on the journey, the only thing you need to do is go slow.
Permit Required
Travel to Tibet is not quite like travelling anywhere else so there are very particular guidelines and regulations you have to follow when entering into and travelling within this area. To simply enter Tibet you will need a Tibet Travel Permit, which is great but since we will we travelling from Lhasa to Mount Kailash we also need an Alien Travel Permit. To add to that complexity, because Mount Kailash is located in a sensitive location, we will also require a Military Permit for safety reasons therefore you can see that there are varying levels of official requirements for travelling to, within, and around Tibet.
In addition to the necessary permits, you will also require a valid passport (check that it has at least six months of validity remaining) and a valid Chinese Tourist Visa before entering the country. The common tourist visa fee is usually $125 USD, however, if you live in the U.S., Canada, Argentina, or Romania, you will be charged an additional $115 USD to obtain the visa.
What we’ll need from you to get things moving:
- A scan of your passport = This has to be with us at least 25 days before the trip starts, so don’t forget!
- Your original passport = This has to be with us at least 3 official working days before the trip starts.
- A passport-sized photo = This just has to be one with a white background, taken in the last 6 months or so.
The good part is that you don’t have to worry too much about the paperwork part yourself. Most of the work is handled by the us Epic Trek Nepal. Usually, you just have to send over a copy of your passport or some basic information like that, and we will do the rest. However, it is always a good idea to apply well in advance because the process can take a while, so yeah, planning ahead does make the whole beginning of the journey smoother.
Essential Trekking Packing List for Kailash / Lhasa
- Thermal tops and bottoms.
- Down jacket (waterproof and windproof).
- Waterproof and windproof pants.
- Quick-dry T-shirts.
- Trekking pants.
- Head cap
- Gloves
- Trekking boots
- Comfortable camp shoes or sandals.
- Warm socks (wool or synthetic).
- 30–40-liter daypack with rain cover.
- Adjustable trekking poles.
- Biodegradable soap and shampoo.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Hand sanitizer.
- Toilet paper.
- Personal medications.
- High-altitude medication (as prescribed by your doctor).
- Sunglasses with UV protection.
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+).
- Lip balm with SPF.
- Headlamp with extra batteries.
- Charging:
- Portable charger/power bank.
- International adapter.
- Travel insurance details. ( If possible )
- Suffcient cash in small denominations.
- High-energy snacks (nuts, dried fruits, energy bars).
- Compact camera or smartphone with extra memory cards.
Cancellation Policy for This Tour:
At Epic Trek Nepal, we understand the changes in plan unexpectedly. That is why we designed it to be fair and clear.
Cancellation Notice:
If you decide to cancel your tour for any reason, please make sure to inform us at least 7 days before your scheduled tour start date.
Administrative Fee:
When a cancellation is made, 25% fee will be reduced from the total cost of tour as administrative fee. This fee covers the planning, preparation and booking cost we’ve already done for your tour.
Non-Refundable Period:
For any cancellation made within less than 4 days before the tour start date, no refund will be provided but by looking at the situation, if we feel the reason for cancellation is valid, then the amount will be refunded after deducting 70% of the total tour amount, as we have already submitted the cost and reserved the spots for you.
Documentation Support:
We know insurance claim can be important. In case if you cancel, we would provide the necessary document such as receipts to help with your insurance process.
Unused Accommodation:
Please note that we cannot offer refunds for unused accommodation or services if your tour is canceled due to personal reasons, illness or bad weather.
You can contact us with any questions or to discuss your situation, and we would be happy to assist you. Thank you for your understanding during this time and we hope to help you through your Mount Kailash and Lhasa Tour safely
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