Mount Kailash Tours

Mount Kailash is about 1,300 kilometers away from Lhasa city. There are highways and an air route between the two places. Chartering a car to Kailash from Lhasa is actually the most worry-free. Although Mount Kailash is far away from Lhasa, the road conditions are good, so you will feel comfortable during the road journey. The scenery along the way is infinite. You can enjoy Yamdroktso Lake, Mount Everest Base Camp, Gangdise Mountains, etc. A round trip by land usually takes 15 days, including sightseeing in Lhasa city in the first two days to adapt to the high altitude.

For pilgrims who don't have enough time, it takes only 2 hours to fly from Lhasa to Ngari, which is the fastest way. There are usually two to three flights from Lhasa Gonggar Airport to Nagri Gunsha Airport in the morning. The ticket price is about 515 USD (3,343 CNY). Ngari Gunsha Airport is about 200 kilometers away from Darchen Town in Burang County and we can pick you up from the airport.

The best time to visit the region is from May to the first half of October. During these periods, the temperature in the area hovers around 8 to 9 degrees Celsius on average. Monsoon season begins in July and continues until August. Hence, you should double-check the weather for these months before embarking on Mt.Kailash. You should expect snowfall when you reach Dolma-la Pass. So, you should bring with you some cold-weather clothes. You can schedule your visit to Mt. Kailash during the Saga Dawa Festival, which falls on the 15th day of April according to the Tibetan Calendar. In 2026, this festival falls on 31^st May.

If you are traveling to Mt. Kailash from Tibet, you will need a Tibet Travel Permit. You will also need an Alien's Travel Permit, plus the Military Permit and Foreign Affairs Permit. You will also need a Frontier Pass to visit the Kailash region. On the other hand, if you opt for a tour via Kathmandu, you will also need a China Group Visa. 

Yes, more or less. Most people who go on a Kailash trip will have some altitude sickness. Mild dizziness, headache, drowsiness, and chest tightness are all normal reactions. Don't worry too much.  As long as you act slowly and don't run vigorously, there is basically no high-altitude sickness.

It usually takes 4 days from Lhasa (3,650 meters /11,975 feet) to Darchen (4,600 meters/ 15,091 feet), and you have enough time to adapt to the high elevation slowly. If you are sensitive to altitude sickness, after arriving at Darchen, you can take some rest for a day or two before your Kailash trekking and do not take a bath. This can help you adapt to the local climate and reduce the chance of catching a cold and high-altitude sickness. You can buy a few packs of wet tissues before setting off and use hot water to scrub the parts of your body that need to be cleaned. Drink plenty of water along the way, keep warm, take a wholesome diet, and bring common medicines such as aspirin, cold medicine, and gastrointestinal medicine.

If you have a lot of luggage, you can hire a yark and a porter. If you are physically weak, you can ride a horse provided by the local Tibetans. If altitude sickness symptoms persist or worsen, immediately descend to a lower altitude place.

Under current regulations, Tibet travel agencies are not permitted to arrange Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar tours in Ngari Prefecture for Indian passport holders. Indian citizens wishing to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra must join the official pilgrimage program organized through designated Indian authorities (often called the Pilgrim Center), which follows fixed group itineraries and approved routes.

If you would like help understanding eligibility, procedures, or the differences between the government-organized Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and other pilgrimage options, we are happy to offer free consultation and guidance.

The Mount Kailash kora is approximately 52 kilometers long and usually takes three days to complete. The route starts at Darchen, at an altitude of around 4,675 meters, and reaches Drolma La, the highest point, at approximately 5,630 meters.

The kora is physically demanding because of the high altitude, steep sections, and changing weather conditions. Although some experienced and physically fit pilgrims may complete the route in two days, we arrange a three-day kora for our clients to allow more time for walking, rest, and acclimatization.

Traveling to Mt. Kailash is not cheap. A 15-day tour to Mt. Kailash via Tibet would usually cost around $2,500 on average. This amount will cover most of the essential things that you need, including meals, tour transfer services, hotels, guide service, travel insurance, etc. Yet, the larger portion of this amount is usually spent on plane tickets.

If you go solo when traveling, you can expect a higher cost for your trip. However, if you opt for a small group tour, you can surely save. Moreover, you should choose your travel time. Traveling during peak season is undoubtedly more expensive than visiting during the off-season. 

In general, the journey starts from Lhasa and covers 1,210 kilometers. The altitude along the way gradually rises, so that you can better adapt to the plateau environment.

Before the Kailash kora, you will first head to Darchen Town at the foot of the sacred mountain. It's the beginning and endpoint of the pilgrimage, with an altitude of 4,675 meters. During your trek, the altitude gradually increases to the highest point, Dolma La Pass, at 5,660 meters. Then the altitude shows a gradual downward trend until it returns to Darchen Town. The average altitude of the kora trip is about 4,800 meters. Please pay attention to your physical condition on the way to prevent altitude sickness.

4-star hotels are available in Darchen Town, the starting and ending point of the Mount Kailash kora. However, only small inns and lodges are available during the trek. Their facilities are simple and basic, with no private bathrooms or shower facilities. Due to the remote location and natural conditions, water and electricity supply may be limited. It is recommended to bring a sleeping bag for additional comfort along the way.

Normally, it will be no problem as long as you don't have any cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or pulmonary diseases. We had a client over 70 years old who also went to Mt. Kailash. And he was fine to complete the whole itinerary.

However, we can't guarantee that it's okay for you to trek in the Kailash area, although our elderly travelers have completed this tour before. But it varies with different individuals. For a small group tour, it doesn't include a yak service to take your luggage. You need to do it by yourself and trek on the plateau with an elevation of 4,500 meters (13,124 feet). Of course, you could hire a yak or a porter to carry the luggage. Or, ride a horse to finish the trek.

Please look for some professional advice from your doctor as well, in case of any unexpected situation.