Kailash Manasarovar Yatra - Information

One has to be physically fit to travel to about 20,000 feet above sea level while taking up this yatra. It may look a difficult pilgrimage, but the reward of the experiance one gets will make these difficulties appear too small. Indian pilgrims need to have valid passports to take up this yatra. There are multiple routes through which people used to take up this grand pilgrimage from ancient days. Of these now there are two standard routes followed by Indian pilgrims to Mt. Kailash. One is organized by the Govt. Of India, that takes the pilgrim directly from Uttar Pradesh to Tibet. The other one is via Nepal.

Indian Route

There will be advertisement every year in the month of February for this pilgrimage. There is a definite quota of pilgrims who could take up the yatra per year. The chosen pilgrims (should be in good health condition to take up the trekking to high altitudes), are grouped into multiple batches. They would be informed by May about their batch number and the information regarding the pilgrimage. The first batch would start from Indraprastam (Delhi) from the June and there will be batches going till September (end of summer) in this pilgrimage. (Pilgrims can also specify which batch they would prefer to go with). The Indraprastam to Indraprastam pilgrimage would take 30 days. The approximate cost would be about 50,000 Rs. This route requires lots of trekking in the Himalayas. This would be very great experiance to walk through the abundant charm of the nature. That way this route is better than the other route. Also because of the trekking the acclimatisation to the altitude is easier as against Kathmandu route.

After the health check up the yatris are taken by vehicles till Dharchula. From there the trekking will start. Everyday the yatris would start at 6 am from the camp to trek. Normally the next camp can be reached by noon. Then there will be reast till the next morning trek in the camp. The food arrangements are taken care of by UP tourism department till the yatris are in India. During the period in Kailash and Manasarovar (about 7 days) yatris would need to cook for themselves. The yatris on arrival at Manasarovar form two groups one going for Mt Kailash parikrama (kora, circumambulation) first and the other the Manasarovar parikrama first. After completing that respective the groups exchange places to do the other parikrama. Yatris can also ride on the yaks during the parikrama, if they wish.

Nepal Route

There are many travel agencies operating out of Kathmandu that conduct the Kailash tours. Some of their representative organisations are in India. These travels without restrictions on the number of people take and organise the tours. They take the yatris by cars to the Manasarovar and the Kailash base camp, Tarchen, driving via the Tibeten plateau. Because of the sudden change in the altitudes because of the vehicle travel, one may get altitude aclimatisation problems (but not really too much to be worried for that matter). But this route effectively makes the Kathmandu to Kathmandu pilgrimage duration to 16 days. The approximate cost of the pilgrimage in this route could come to 80,000 Rs including expenditures.

Various tour operators organize differently. But the following is a typical program by one such operator.

Kathmandu (Nepal) - Zhang Mu (Tibet) - Nyalam (Tibet)
Nyalam - Saga (Crossing river Brahmaputra)
Saga - Paryang
Paryang - Manasarovar
Manasarovar - Tarchen (Kailash) (Watch out, many operators may not take for the Manasarovar parikrama)

The return route will also be same. For aclimatisation there may be extra day halts on the way. It may be a good idea to do mock trekkings, or strolling around in these places. The more one tries to feel easy with the conditions there, they would be actually feeling comfortable. So it is not advised to immediately fall in bed on reaching the camps, as that may result in mental sick feeling.

Suggestion on things to take along

This could depend on the route taken, but still many things are common. So this list could be considered helpful but not exhaustive. Please avoid scattering the non-decomposable materials like plastics in the Himalayan regions. Let us keep the temple of God clean.

Puuja materials

Dry Fruits - offering for the Supreme
Camphor and lighter for harathi
5 liter can - for bringing Manasarovar water
500 ml bottle - for bringing Gaurikund water
M Seal for leak-sealing the above bottles
Small cloth bag for bringing mUrthams from Manasarovar

Clothing & Other things

Since the pilgrimage takes one to about 20,000 feet about sea level, it is very important to cover one's body with warm clothings.

Holy Ash
Woolen thermal wear
Full sleeve sweater
Sleeveless sweater
Woolen gloves
Rexin (thick) gloves
Woolen socks
Nylon socks
Water proof jerkin
Rain coat pant
Monkey cap
UV resistant spectacles (To save from the glare of the snow peaks which can cause blindness)
Good trekking shoes with spikes to walk on snow (no entry for water/snow)
Jeans pants and T shirts
Knee cap
Shoulder bag not too big or small for trekking
Bigger bag to carry all the clothings
Toilet kit - brush, paste, soap, cream, comb, scissors, small knife
Sun cream
Cold cream
Camphor (to easen breathing at nights)
Torch
Belt pouch
Plastic Mug
Water bottle (Water is the energy during trekking)
Electrol, Glucose etc
Chocolates (Gives good energy for trekking)
Dry fruits for trekking
Salted bitterlemon (nArthangai) pickle
Any other small snacks

While all these things are quite required, it is also better to ensure that the luggage is not too heavy. Lesser luggage, more convenience, more so when trekking. Do not take any breackable materials along.

Medicine kit

Medicine for

Headache
Diarrhea
Fever
Body ache
Altitude sickness
Specific medicines for any already existing illness

See Also:
1. Kailasha yatra 2001 ACE
2. Kailash - The glory of the place
3. kmyatra.org (with registration and details etc)

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