Kailash Yatra Experience

Post by Lumle on Nov 03, 2014 in

Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, the trip of lifetime is distinguished amongst thousands of Kailash pilgrims who have an immense desire to conquer the sacred yatra of lifetime Mount Kailash Mansarovar. Indeed, every Kailash pilgrims have increased desire to have positive, memorable and wonderful Kailash yatra experience. There may be a question in mind, how to reach Mount Kailash Mansarovar? Kailash yatris are able join this holiest yatra in several ways viz Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by overland, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by helicopter, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra inner kora, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra with Lhasa and so on.

Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra commences from mid-April to mid-September every year. Kailash yatra is a group tours made up of around 30 Kailash yatris. Although there are several routes to Kailash pilgrimage, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Nepal is general most popular amongst others. In this article, I will be expressing my Kailash Yatra experience during my visit to sacred site in 2013.

Arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal

Nepal, a beautiful Himalayan Kingdom. When it comes to Nepal, natural beauty, green sceneries, mountains, mount Everest, great temples and so on comes into everyone’s’ mind. For Kailash yatris, it is the most significant destination as it is a gateway to their trip of lifetime Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. I myself and my wife, arrived at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal at around 1530h. We met several other Kailash yatris from England and Australia who were arrived at the airport too to join the same group we were scheduled to join. We were excited as it was the beginning of our Mount Kailash Mansarovar yatra experience. Upon arrival at the airport, we had apply for our Nepal tourist visa. We obtained 15 days multiple Nepal tourist visa at the cost of USD $20 per person. When we arrived outside immigration and customs we were greeted by the airport team of the tour operator organizing our Kailash Mansarovar trip. Nepalese hospitality, cannot fault at all as we were assisted and welcomed by wonderful and hospital team members. We were than escorted to our hotel Shankar. Hotel Shankar used to one of royal palace in primitive era now converted to a hotel. I could not wait but to sneak around the lush garden surrounding hotel. y the end of first day, we had a great time and were very positive toward our Kailash Mansarovar yatra experience.

What is the Kailash yatra experience like travelling in a group?

Our group was made of around 30 Kailash pilgrims mostly from United Kingdom and some from Australia. The group had a great mix of demographics from families to solo male and female pilgrims ranging age from 12 to 60s. This small group become a small family throughout out Kailash pilgrimage. This made me feel home away from home during my Mount Kailash yatra experience.

Our Kailash yatra experience and team leaders

We had a group of 7 team members from Nepal to assist our Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. The team was led by an expert, energetic and charismatic leader Lakpa Sherpa. He lived and grown up in the mountain region; climbed many of the highest mountains of Nepal. Lakpa, a fluent English, Nepalese and Tibetan speaker was furnished with full knowledge about Kailash Mansarovar and Tibet’s history, culture & lifestyles, geographies. He led Kailash yatra group for several years. I found him having things under always control; remained calm and had a great good sense of humour. It’s not only me but many of our Kailash yatris have thanked Lakpa for his fantastic leadership which was utmost on important trip like Kailash. All of us from the group have great dream of completing Kailash yatra. All group member including myself are extremely thankful to the tour operator, expert team from Nepal and Tibet side who made our dream into reality and helped us to have great Kailash Mansarovar yatra experience.

Our Kailash yatra experience and accommodation

Kathmandu – We stayed in Hotel Shankar, 4 star hotels that was neat, clean, comfortable air-conditioned rooms, televisions, en suite bathrooms and swimming pool. The hotel has great garden and around 5 minutes away from down-town and royal palace. Tibet – We stayed in guest houses in Tibet side during our Kailash pilgrimage. The guest houses had 4-bedded or 6-bedded rooms (depending upon the availability). In these dormitories styled guest houses linen is fairly clean, the shared toilets are basic. The fact is, accommodation is very basic but at the end of the day, it is a pilgrimage of lifetime to a remote region of Tibet with limited infrastructure, facilities so I was prepared to complete the yatra and wasn’t after luxury.

Our Kailash yatra experience and overland transport

Our airport arrival, departure and Kathmandu sightseeing was facilitated by a deluxe tourist air-conditioned bus. Our drop from Kathmandu – Tibet border was provided by tourist non air-conditioned bus due to road condition. We travelled in a deluxe air-conditioned bus from Tibet border to until Tarboche (parikrama starting point) and return journey back to Tibet border. New Chinese deluxe air-condition coach were very much comfortable.

Our Kailash yatra experience and parikrama known as kora

Our parikrama started from Tarboche. Almost everyone from the group were able to complete parikrama. Around 3 group members were able to complete parikrama by foot whereas others including myself had to ride on horse to complete parikrama. It was great experience. Our parkrama route was day 1 from Tarboche to Dirapuk, day 2 from Dirapuk to Zutulphuk (toughest day as trek reaches to the highest altitude point Dolma La Pass), Day 3 from Zutulphuk to Darchen (parikrama ends here), we than continued our return journey back.

Our Kailash yatra experience and food

The buffet style pure vegetarian meal was provided in Shankar hotel, Kathmandu. The buffet style food prepared by our service team was served throughout Kailash yatra. The menu has a great choices including fries, pasta etc.

Our Kailash yatra experience and weather

Our group was travelled in late July and mid-August so it was not warm but not much cold too. However, we were required to wear warm fleeces at all times. We had to wear down jackets during 3 days Kailash parikrama. We realized that, monsoon is less in Kailash region as we travelled in monsoon season, days were was always sunny and didn’t rain at all.

Our Kailash yatra experience and grade

Mount Kailash Mansarovar is a pretty much a straightforward trip. The most of trip is based on deluxe bus. There is 3 day parikrama from Tarboche-Dirapuk-Zutulphuk-Darchen that needs to be done by foot. This parikrama can be done by riding the horse if you cannot walk with an estimate cost of around USD $250. The fact is, high altitude makes this trip tougher. I experienced first day as difficult day as we ascended from 1300 meters (from Kathmandu) to 3900 meters (Nyalam) in few hours’ time so body could easily notice this rapid altitude changes. Therefore, our itinerary included 2 nights rest in Nyalam to acclimatize. So I must say, overall, trip is not strenuous but also not easy one. I would say, definitely, it’s not the right one if you have asthmatic or heart illnesses.

Kailash yatra experience and cost, value for money

Our Kailash yatra cost was £1150 on full board from Kathmandu – Kathmandu excluding flights. The flight fare for a round trip from London – Kathmandu is approximately £650. So total yatra cost was around £1800. I found it extremely competitive. I am sure not only me but entire group echoed that, they had a great time, great Kailash Yatra experience and enjoyed their Kailash yatra.

Our Kailash yatra experience and responsible travel

Our stay throughout the Kailash yatra was based on family-owned small guest houses. Most group members used horses and porters during parikrama. They also bought souvenirs from small and local Tibetan shops, stalls. Thus, I must say, Kailash yatra was indeed a responsible travel; contributed a lot to the society and environment in which it was operated and supported the local people.

From our Kailash yatra experience advice to potential Kailash pilgrims

Spare sometime for walking or jogging at least couple of miles every day for 2 months prior to departure Be positive, confident, strong and optimistic

What was the most inspirational moment of the Kailash yatra experience?

Taking a bath and pooja in Mansarovar Lake!

What was unique characteristics of the Kailash yatra experience?

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, trip of lifetime, provides a good historical insight into the history of Tibetan countryside, diverse group swiftly turns into a small family