Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Things to Pack and Carry for an Enjoyable Trip

For travellers, deciding what to pack for a trekking trip at high altitudes, like the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, can be challenging. Trekking at altitudes above 18,000 feet requires careful preparation. Every time I go on a high altitude trek, I make a checklist of essential items to carry while keeping my bag as light as possible. For travelling in high altitudes of Kailash Mansarovar, a good packing checklist can be of great help. The Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar trip involves only two days of trekking and the rest of the time is spent on the beautiful highway roads in Tibet through dry and picturesque terrain where almost no vegetation around. The sky is clear most of the time, except during rainy days. Though the packing list for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra cannot be the same for all travellers, I am trying to make you understand here what kind of stuff you may require on this trip.

The packing list provided by the Max Holidays team for Kailash Mansarovar travel is useful, but it has a long list of items which are almost not possible to carry on this trip. So you must pick the most essential items from the Kailash Yatra packing checklist and decide wisely to keep your bag from being too heavy. Understand your own needs and do not over pack your luggage out of the fear that you will be travelling in remote Himalayan terrain where the facilities will be very limited.

The bags: On a trip to Kailash Mansarovar you will be provided with one duffle bag and a day bag by the Max Holidays staff before you start your journey to Kailash Mansarovar. I personally advise that you must use the duffle bag provided by the Company as it is identical and easy to locate due to its specific colour for the group and personalised bag no. marked for each traveller by Max Holidays staff. Using the bagpack/daybag provided by the Company is also a good idea unless you are in love with the daybag you brought along with while you left home for this trip. While packing the bags for the trip, make sure that to carry the essentials in the day bag as the duffle bag will be taken from you in the morning by Max Holidays staff and will be given you in the evening after you reach the next destination. The day bag you will be carrying with you all days including those two days of trekking around Mt. Kailash, so do not over pack it for your own convenience.

Packing list for trekking days on your Kailash mansarovar Yatra

Food: During the parikrama days, the company provides a light breakfast and a snack box for the trekking time which may include juice, fruit, chocolates, cookies etc. After you reach the destination, hot tea/coffee and light dinner is served by the chef and his helpers. It is advisable that you carry some extra nuts, energy bars, namkeen/alu bujia / banana chips or other such light items of your own taste. During both days of your trekking you will find small tea shops midway where you can enjoy hot tea/coffee at your own cost.

Water & Juices: I advise that you must drink plenty of liquids and try liquid food in order to keep yourself hydrated in such high altitude. The Company will provide one bottle of mineral water for the trekking and you should also fill your hot water flask every day before the start of your onward journey. It is very important that you prevent yourself from dehydration which may invite acute mountain sickness and you may feel unhealthy. On my travel to Kailash Mansarovar, I personally like to drink water from Mansarovar Lake and from the gushing river flowing near Mt. Kailash as the water is pure. But not everyone will like this and for them I suggest carrying a water bottle which filters the water itself or bring some water-purifying tablets. Depending on the water provided by the guides does not work most of the time as they offer limited quantity of packed water with no cost. There are good shops outside at most places to buy packed water, juices etc.

Diamox Tablets: Diamox is a world known lifesaving drug which helps travellers increase the level of oxygen in their body and is used during high altitude trekking. Though I personally do not depend myself on such medicine, most travellers are not used to travelling in such tough terrain and they are advised by their doctors to take Diamox on this trip. Travellers must start taking this drug a couple of days before they enter into high altitude region of Tibet. The quantity and timing for intake of the drug is very crucial for the effectiveness, therefore do consult with your guide after reaching Kathmandu to start taking Diamox, if you want to. If you ask me when should you stop taking Diamox, I say firstly if it is not suiting you, you must stop immediately and consult with a doctor nearby. If you have started taking Diamox, then it is better to continue the drug till you come down to a lower altitude where you are breathing easily.

Rain Coat / Poncho: During the parikrama days the rain can be unexpected in the route. It is better to carry a light weight rain poncho which has a hood and can cover you up to your knees at least.

Clothes: There is no need to carry extra clothes for the trekking days. Before starting the parikrama wear a fresh set of clothes (in layers always, please wear thermal inners, warm tshirt or shirt, sweater and down jacket. You may add or remove layers of clothes as you may require) and use the same for the other two days of Kailash parikrama. There is no facility of taking hot shower during the parikrama and you will have to use cold water from the river, which can be risky for your health. After you return to Darchen, you can take hot shower in your hotel.

Paper soap & toilet paper:Unlike the previous years, now (in 2024) there are a few common toilets available outside the guesthouse building. But you may not always find them clean. Also, during the rush of pilgrims in the region, availability will be a challenge here. In such situations you might have to answer nature’s call in the open. To maintain basic hygiene it is good to carry paper soap and toilet paper with you during the trek.

Muffler or Woollen cap:Always carry one warm muffler or a woollen cap in your bag and keep your ears and chest covered so that they are not exposed to the strong winds.

Trekking poles:Does not matter how young or old you are, you may require a trekking pole during the parikrama for a good support.

Packing checklist for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Backpack bag:A good backpack bag you brought along with for the trip or a backpack bag provided by the Company, either can be okay depending on your own choice. The backpack bag provided complimentary by Max Holidays before the start of the trip carry identity so that the same can be easily identified. There are several checkpoints in the route and the bags will be checked and you may have to put the packed items out of the bag each time. So pack wisely!

Eatables in the day bag:Also if you are on a driving trip to Kailash Mansarovar via Kerung or Lhasa, you should carry these light snacks in your bag during the long drives from Kerung to Saga or Shigatse to Saga or Saga to Mansarovar and vice versa. The chef will serve you with delicious Indian food like puri, bhaji, pulao, fruits, roti, salad, sambar etc.

Hot water: Throughout your trip on all the days fill your hot water flask every morning and evening from the kitchen set by the Sherpa team.

Sunglasses with UV protection: In Tibet sun is harsh and it is important that you carry sunglass with UV protection. As you gain higher altitude in mountains the the sun becomes stronger and it may be harmful to your eyes. Invest in high quality comfortable sun glasses which gives you complete protection.

Sunscreen Lotion:The sun here is very strong and you must use good sunscreen. A high rating sunscreen at least SPF 35 should be a good choice. Apply the sunscreen in all your body areas which are exposed to sun, especially after sweating or coming in contact with water.

A good camera with extra batteries:Unlike the past, nowadays mobile phones have good cameras. However, if you wish to enjoy photography and capture stunning photos of your journey, you may bring a separate camera. But do not forget to bring extra batteries as charging may not be available always on this route. But do not make a mistake of clicking photos of army posts, immigration areas and other government buildings/office as it is strictly prohibited here.

Headlamp: While travelling in the restricted areas of Tibet where electricity may be very limited, you must have a head torch with extra battery in your bag for night time activities and early morning starts.

Good waterproof hiking shoes/boots: I recommend that you carry sturdy trekking shoes with good grip which are not only waterproof but also light in weight, if possible. Do not bring a brand new set of shoes for trekking and rather use them for a few days before your travel so that you get comfortable with your pair of shoes. As I mentioned above if the shoes are waterproof, it will help you better as sometime you may have to walk on wet surface or under rain shower.

Trekking pole/ Trekking stick:Carrying a trekking stick does not mean that you are weak. It is a helpful tool when you are on trekking. It helps you in distributing your weight and also helps you with stability in uneven surface or terrain.

Clothes to carry for Kailash Yatra:Keep your luggage light as possible. I am listing below some important item to be packed for your high altitude trip to Mount Kailash in Tibet:

• 2-3 sets of thermal wear (or more)
• 2-3 sets of comfortable casual wear
• 3-4 t-shirts or shirts in quick drying fabrics
• 1 light weight towel
• 4-5 sets of undergarments (carry more if you cannot afford to repeat them)
• 1-2 warm trousers
• 2-3 light weight comfortable cotton pants/cargos (avoid jeans)
• 1 woollen cap
• 1 set of woollen gloves,
• 1 shawl or muffler or scarf or bandana
• 1-2 dust mask
• 1 pair of spare footwear
• 3-4 pair of long woollen socks

Down Jacket:Carrying a good insulated jacket is very essential for Kailash Mansarovar trips. As you enter in Tibet the wind becomes strong, the weather and landscape here is entirely different. You will find hardly any vegetation around. In such a typical weather conditions it is not a good idea to expose yourself to the wind outside. Bring your own down jacket if you have one or ask Max Holidays staff well in advance to provide you one on returnable basis. You will get a free size jacket which you will find clean as it goes for dry cleaning after every single trip if used by one of the traveller.

Personal medicines & first aid kit:When you are packing for your Kailash Mansarovar travel do not forget to carry adequate supply of your personal medicines. Though the first aid kit is available with tour guides for emergency requirements, but as they are not always around you, I recommend that you also keep your basic first aid medical kit in your bag before you leave home.

Personal hygiene & Toiletry: Despite informing several times to travellers before their travel to Kailash Mansarovar about the poor tourism infrastructure in Western parts of Nepal also in Tibet, I have seen that people still do not try to adjust themselves with the basic amenities in hotels or guesthouses. Believe me, you have no other option but to leave your expectations behind for hygiene and comfort on this pilgrimage. If you have concern I recommend that you travel with your own hygiene kit to keep yourself in best possible comfort. The list can be long but I am mentioning a few items which I feel are essential:

• Anti-bacterial hands wash
• Body Deodorant
• Face and body moisturizer
• Paper soap
• Multi Nail clippers / Swiss army knife
• Women to add Sanitary napkins
• Shaving kit, if you want
• Soap
• Sunscreen SPF 35
• Tissue /toilet roll
• Tooth paste and brush
• Wet wipes / Body wipes
• Wide tooth comb / brush

Eatables: On this trip the hotels and company chef provide adequate supply of food which is pure vegetarian for the pilgrims (without onion and garlic). However during the long drives, trekking time and also in the event when you are stuck somewhere due to some unforeseen situation, I recommend that you should have some eatables (of your own choice and taste) available in your day bag. Here I have some idea to share for packing eatable for the trip:

• Protein Bars
• Chocolates
• Dried fruits
• Candies
• Snacks
• Ready to eat food
• Namkeen/Bhujia

Reusable hot water bottle/flask: This is another important thing to carry with you. Every day the chef team will provide you with 2 half litre bottled water in addition to hot/boiled water they prepare for the pilgrims every morning and evening. You must fill your bottle/flask with hot water. I suggest that you carry a good hot water bottle / flask to keep warm drinking water handy with you always when in Tibet.

Documents: Do not forget to keep the important travel documents in your bag before leaving home.

• Original Passport (with 3-4 photocopies)
• China Visa (with 3-4 photocopies), if you have received already
• Money (Carry Yuans for travel in China)
• International flight tickets
• Your travel & health insurance with contact numbers of the insurer
• International credit card

Reading book (I try to avoid carrying books as they add extra weight and on this trip you get hardly anytime to read them)