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How to Choose the Right Mount Kailash Itinerary
Mount Kailash attracts thousands of visitors each year and the pilgrimage for many travelers is the culmination of years. As you start out planning your journey you will quickly discover that there are a variety of routes and itineraries. At first glance the main difference appears to be pricing and the number of days but there are several other factors that should be considered as well. This blog post will give you a general overview of the different route options and help you decide which will best fit your abilities and budget. All of the mentioned itineraries include the following so it’s mainly a matter of how you will reach Kailash and then head back home:
- Circle Lake Mansarovar by vehicle and time for puja.
- 3 Day trek around Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash 13 Days From Kathmandu
This package starts from Kathmandu and you will travel overland via the border crossing at Rasuwagadhi into Tibet. It’s another 3 days journey by road from the border to Lake Mansarovar. This itinerary is by far the most popular and it’s also the cheapest option which makes it more attractive. Asides from cost the big advantage of the itinerary is that the 4 day journey from Kathmandu to Lake Mansarovar gives you the most time to acclimatize. In terms of acclimatization the most difficult day will be day 4 of the itinerary from Syabrubesi (1600m) to Kerung County (3950m). This is a big jump in altitude and some signs of AMS are common but will hopefully resolve themselves by the next morning. Read up on signs and symptoms of AMS before arriving and be sure to let your guide know how you are feeling.
Pros: Cost, More time to acclimatize.
Cons: Long drive from Nepal to Mansarovar in Tibet (4 Days)
Mount Kailash 12 Days From Kathmandu & Return by Helicopter
This package also starts from Kathmandu and travels overland via the border crossing at Rasuwagadhi into Tibet from where it’s a 3 day journey by road from to Lake Mansarovar. On the return you will drive to Hilsa in Nepal then take a helicopter to Simikot and continue by flight to either Kathmandu (Nepal) or Lucknow (India) depending on your preference. If it meets your budget this route is probably the best option as its gives you time to acclimatize and then lets you skip the drive back to Kathmandu.
Pros: More time to acclimatize, Less time required, skip the return drive.
Cons: Higher cost.
Mount Kailash 8 Days by Helicopter from Lucknow
This is definitely the quickest option to reach Mount Kailash and also the most expensive. The trip starts from Lucknow in India and then requires a drive across the Nepal border to reach the airport at Nepalgunj from where we will take the flight to Simikot and then proceed by helicopter to Hilsa. The next step is to drive from Hilsa across the border to Taklakot where you can acclimatize for one day at 3900 meters. After your acclimatization day you will continue to Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash. The return after the Kailash Trek follows the same route back to Lucknow. The main advantage of this option is that you get to skip a lot of the long distance travel and that the entire journey can be made in 8 days. The downside is the itinerary offers very little acclimatization time and if you suffer from AMS you may not be able to complete the journey. We highly suggest having previous experience at high altitude if choosing this route.
Pros: Less time to acclimatize, Kailash journey can be made quickly.
Cons: Higher cost.
Mount Kailash from Kathmandu via Lhasa (15 days)
This is a slightly more expensive option that requires 15 days and involves a round trip flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa in Tibet. It’s a day drive from Lhasa to Lake Mansarovar so slightly less drive time is involved compared to the overland route from Kathmandu. This route has several advantages in that it gives you more time to acclimatize and the itinerary also includes a full day of sightseeing in Lhasa. If visiting Tibet and seeing the sights of Lhasa is on your list this option is definitely worth considering.
Pros: More time to acclimatize, Includes Lhasa Tour
Cons: Higher cost, Longer Trip (could be viewed as a positive also)
