Everything You Need to Know about Kailash Mansarovar Trek

Situated at an altitude of 4,583 meters above sea level, Kailash Mansarovar is considered to be the highest fresh-water lake in the world, the clearest lake in China, and one of three holiest lakes in Tibet. Buddhists believed that the Mansarovar Lake is a treasure of Buddha that can cleanse the filth of their skin and sin of their inner hearts. Therefore, a lot of devoted believers come to make a pilgrimage around the lake or bath in the lake. Besides, encompassed by the majestic Himalayan peaks, this lake is also a good place for trekking enthusiasts. There are numerous routes to explore the Himalayas – one of the most popular is the Kailash Mansarovar trek.

Part 1. Kailash Manasarovar Details
Part 2. Kailash Mansarovar Weather & What Is the Best Time to Trek
Part 3. Kailash Mansarovar Trekking Tour Itinerary (Highlights)
Part 4. Package Tips for Kailash Mansaroar Trek
Part 5. How to Get to Kailash Manasarovar?

In this guide, we will tell you some useful information about Kailash Mansarovar Trek, from weather, cost, itinerary to package and transportation tips.

Kailash Mansarovar

Part 1. Kailash Manasarovar Details

1. Area: 412 square kilometers (101,800 acres)
2. Maximum depth: 77 meters (253 feet)
3. Best trek month: May and October
4. Opening hour: All day
5. Distance from Lhasa to Mansarovar: 1400km
6. Distance for a circle: About 90 kilometers (56 miles)
7. Highlights: the Parikrama (going around) of Mount Kailash and its Charan Sparsh (touching the feet), going around the Lake Mansarovar and performing Holy Dip in the lake.
8. Average time for a circle on foot: about 4 - 5 days
9. Admission Fee: CNY150 for combo ticket with Mount Kailash

Part 2. Kailash Mansarovar Weather & What Is the Best Time to Trek

Kailash Mansarovar usually has a dry and cold climate with an average annual temperature of 24.4 °C. On a typical summer day (June-August), the climate is moderate with an average temperature around 15°C. Monsoons arrive in September and last till November when the temperature drops down to 10°C, with little rain falls. Winters start in December and last till April. During this time, the days are chilly with a temperature around 5°C. The night temperature can be as low as -15°C, with heavy snowfall. Mount Kailash is always covered with snow and Lake Mansarovar often freezes in winter.

Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrimage

The best time to visit Kailash Mansarovar is between mid-May to mid-October when the weather is considerably stable and warm with good visibility during the day time. You can have a great view of majestic Mount Kailash.

Part 3. Kailash Mansarovar Trekking Tour Itinerary (Highlights)

This thrilling twenty-day Trekking in Tibet itinerary was created for trekking enthusiasts who enjoy challenging themselves with new adventures. Trek to some of the world’s most incredible viewpoints, starting in Tibet’s capital city - Lhasa, and moving upwards to Mount Everest, Saga, Darchen, and Lake Mansarovar. After days of long and exhilarating treks, rejuvenate yourself with a sip of the fresh water of holy lake-Mansarovar, before returning to your hotels in Lhasa.

Highlights

1. Explore some of Lhasa’s most spiritual sites like the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, etc.
2. Sleep at the foot of the majestic Mt Kailash.
3. Circumambulate the lake or bath in the lake
4. Drink from the spiritual waters of Lake Mansarovar.

    

Kailash Mansarovar

Part 4. Package Tips for Kailash Mansaroar Trek

1. Clothes: Good quality Hiking shoes, ankle support length, one pair of simple tennis shoes, walking/hiking sticks, woolen socks (2 pairs), cotton socks (3 pairs), T-Shirts (2-3), thermal inners, rain suit/poncho with hood, gloves, woolen cap, waist bag/pouch/pocket, Underpants and inner Vests (3-4), long sleeves shirt.
2. Equipment: Backpack, sleeping bag, electrolytes, Torch, Water bottles, toilet paper, thin tower, sunglasses, sunscreen cream, nose/face mask.
3. Medicine: Prescriptions as per your need, Diamox, Aspirin/Pain reliever, Diarrhea medicine, charcoal tablet, Plenty of rehydration electrolyte, salt sachet, Motion sickness tablets, Paracetamol, Tylenol, etc.

Part 5. How to Get to Kailash Manasarovar?

All foreign travelers going to Mount Kailash or Kailash Mansaroar must be on an organized tour that consists of Tibet Travel Permit, a private vehicle, a driver and a tour guide. This cannot only help you solve the traffic problem but also make your trip much smoother. More importantly, joining a group tour will lower your cost, because you can share the costs with other travelers. However, in that way you have no freedom to customize your travel route or starting date. If you want to customize your journey, we suggest you arrange a private tour with your family or friends. Thus, you can customize your journey as you wish.

Kailash Mansarovar Trekking Tour Itinerary

After all needed documents are prepared and tour is booked, you can set off for Lhasa by train or air and stay there for 2-3 days for acclimation, then go to lake Manasarova by renting a car with other tourists to Manasarova or taking the long-distance bus to Lake Manasarova or getting to Shiquanhe first from Lhasa by plane and then hire a car or hitch a ride to Lake Manasarova.