Full Moon Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

The full moon is considered highly auspicious in many spiritual traditions. During the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, being at Lake Mansarovar or on Mount Kailash under the full moon is believed to enhance the spiritual merit of the pilgrimage.

The moonlight illuminating the sacred lake and the holy mountain creates a profoundly serene and charged atmosphere for prayer and meditation. Many pilgrims plan their journey to coincide with the full moon to take advantage of this spiritually potent time. Additionally, the full moon provides extra light during the night at camps, which can be comforting during the remote trek.

The Yatra is a moderate to strenuous journey, primarily due to the high altitude rather than technical terrain. The overland travel (jeeps/bus) is long but not physically demanding.

The challenge is the 3-day Mount Kailash parikrama (trek), especially crossing Dolma La at 5,630 m. Participants should be in good health with a reasonable level of fitness and stamina. Prior trekking experience is helpful but not mandatory.

It’s more important that you do some preparation: regular walking or hiking practice, cardiovascular exercise, and possibly altitude training if available.

During the Yatra, move at your own pace – the group usually spreads out during the trek with guides supporting at the front and back.

There’s an option to hire a horse to ride during the trek if you feel you cannot walk the entire way. We also schedule acclimatization (an extra day at Kerung) to help your body adjust.

With a positive mindset and adequate preparation, many people of various ages (even over 60) complete the Yatra yearly.

Altitude sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness, AMS) is a genuine concern because the journey involves reaching elevations above 4,500 m.

We take several precautions to mitigate this: a gradual ascent profile (staying at 2,700 m in Kerung, then 4,640 m in Saga, etc.), a rest day for acclimatization, and advising everyone to stay hydrated and avoid over-exertion. Our guides are experienced in recognizing AMS symptoms.

The first signs might include headache, nausea, loss of appetite, or difficulty sleeping. If anyone experiences severe symptoms, we implement immediate measures: rest, providing oxygen from our backup cylinder, and if needed, descending to a lower altitude.

The itinerary has built-in flexibility for minor adjustments if a group member needs extra time. We also recommend that you discuss preventive medication such as acetazolamide (Diamox) with your doctor, which some travelers use to aid acclimatization (beginning a day before ascent).

Most importantly, we encourage honest communication – inform the guide at the earliest sign of discomfort. Most of our participants handle the altitude well with proper acclimatization and precautions.

However, if someone cannot acclimate, we prioritize their safety, which might mean returning early with assistance.

Throughout the Yatra, vegetarian meals are readily available and standard, as many pilgrims prefer a pure vegetarian diet for spiritual reasons. In Kathmandu, you can find all varieties of food, including Indian vegetarian cuisine.

On the journey in Tibet, the guesthouse kitchens and our support team typically prepare simple vegetarian dishes: rice, lentils, vegetable curries, noodle soups, steamed momos with veg stuffing, chapatis, etc.

Eggs are usually available for breakfast in Tibet if you consume them. Non-veg items (like yak meat or dried meats) might be present in some places, but those are optional and not typically included in group meals.

We advise sticking to vegetarian food during the high altitude portion as it’s easier to digest. Also, plenty of hot drinks (ginger tea, hot water, soup) will be provided to keep you warm and hydrated.

You can bring snacks or comfort foods (dry fruits, energy bars, instant coffee sachets, etc.) from home or Kathmandu.

If you have specific dietary needs, let us know, and we will try our best to accommodate, but options are naturally limited in remote areas.

No strict age limit is imposed by authorities for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, but tour operators (like us) will evaluate participants’ health and fitness, especially if they are older.

Typically, we have had pilgrims ranging from age 18 up to their 70s. If someone is above 70, we require a medical fitness certificate and ideally a travel companion.

The primary consideration is health – whether young or old, you must have no serious heart, lung, or uncontrolled medical conditions because remote high altitude is not the place to risk a medical emergency.

Children below 12-13 are generally not seen on this Yatra, and we usually recommend it for adults due to the physical and mental endurance required.

Ultimately, age is not a barrier if you are fit, have your doctor’s approval, and are mentally determined. We tailor our pace to the slowest in the group and ensure support for everyone.

The Mount Kailash parikrama is voluntary – while it’s a key highlight, not everyone chooses or manages to complete it. If a participant feels unwell or unfit to continue during the trek, there are a few options:

Turn Back to Darchen: You can return to Darchen (the starting point) either on foot or with the help of a horse/porter.

One of our support staff can accompany you back. You would then wait in Darchen or Mansarovar (with our team’s coordination) until the rest of the group finishes the parikrama. Darchen has basic facilities to rest for an extra day.

Partial Parikrama by Vehicle: Some pilgrims can do an “Asthapad” or shorter version where they start the trek and then return, or visit specific points by vehicle (for example, going up to Yam Dwar and then driving around to meet the group at another point).

However, due to restrictions, vehicles cannot go in a full circle or reach Dirapuk/Zutulpuk. So this is limited.

Horse Rental: As mentioned, if the issue is fatigue but you still wish to continue, a horse can be rented (with a horse handler) from Darchen or even at Dirapuk for the second day.

Many older pilgrims do the entire Kora on horseback. This comes at an additional cost and is subject to the availability of horses, but it’s a lifesaver for those who can’t walk further.

Our priority is safety – if the guide advises you to stop (due to health concerns), please heed the advice.

Evacuation in this terrain means taking you down on a horse or foot to the nearest road, which is time-consuming.

Fortunately, many who acclimatize well can finish the trek, but there is no shame in deciding not to continue. Even being at Mansarovar and seeing Kailash from Darchen/Yam Dwar is spiritually fulfilling.

We will ensure that anyone who opts out or cannot continue is adequately cared for and rejoins the group smoothly.

The best time is from May to September, when our Full Moon departure batches are scheduled. Late spring through early autumn offers moderate temperatures on the Tibetan Plateau (manageable cold at night, but not the extreme winter freeze), and access roads/passes are open. Among these months:

May and June: Generally obvious weather in Tibet, excellent visibility of mountains. It’s just before or early in the monsoon, so that the Nepal side might see rain by June.

These months often coincide with the Saga Dawa festival (around May/June full moon), a major Tibetan Buddhist event, so the energy and number of pilgrims (both Indian and Tibetan) can be higher around that time.

July and August: Warmer temperatures; however, the Nepal side is the monsoon season, so the drive to the border can be occasionally affected by landslides or delays.

October doesn’t get much rain, but you might see some clouds around Kailash during the peak monsoon season.

Many pilgrims go in these months because of vacation time and the full moon (Guru Purnima often falls in July). We manage contingencies for the road conditions in Nepal if needed.

September: Post-monsoon, the weather starts to clear up significantly. Late August and September often have crisp skies, less haze, and stunning views.

It’s slightly cooler, which can mean freezing nights by late September, but overall, it’s also a great time.

All these months are considered the Yatra “season” because winters (Oct-Apr) are generally closed off due to heavy snow and extreme cold.

So, any date May through September, aligned with a full moon as you prefer, is reasonable. If we have to pick, early September or late May might offer the best combination of clear weather and road conditions.

But we adjust our support in all cases to make the journey as smooth as possible.

Given the remote nature of the route, we prioritize being self-sufficient in emergencies:

Our crew carries a first aid kit with common medicines (for headache, altitude, diarrhea, etc.), a portable oxygen cylinder, and an oximeter to check blood oxygen levels if needed. The guide and staff are trained in basic first aid and AMS management.

If someone falls ill with mild symptoms, we may halt and rest extra time (the itinerary can be tweaked slightly, for example, an additional night in Saga or Darchen if needed for recovery).

For more serious cases, descent to a lower altitude is the first remedy. Kerung (2,700 m) or Kathmandu (1,350 m) are the nearest significantly lower points.

We always have vehicles on stand-by; if someone needs evacuation in Tibet, we can arrange a jeep to bring them back to Kerung (even as the rest continue).

If at Dolma La or during the trek, as discussed, a horse can get them to Darchen, and then vehicle evacuation.

Medical facilities: Tibet, Saga has a basic hospital/clinic, as does Darchen (very rudimentary). Kathmandu has excellent hospitals.

For anything serious, evac to Kathmandu is best for proper medical care. That is why travel insurance covering emergency evacuation (including helicopter evacuation from the Nepali side) is mandatory.

Suppose someone, for instance, develops severe AMS or another illness once back at the Nepal border.

If feasible, a helicopter can be chartered (from Dunche or even directly from the border) to airlift to Kathmandu. Insurance typically covers that if it’s an emergency.

Note that in Tibet, there are no helicopter rescues (not permitted). So we rely on ground evacuation.

However, the new roads to Darchen mean we can get a vehicle near most points except the middle of the trek.

We plan conservatively with health in mind, but rest assured, contingencies are in place. The guide keeps a daily health check on members, and our success rate of safe completion is very high.

You’ll have countless photo opportunities as the scenery is breathtaking! Photography is generally allowed throughout the journey, with a few considerations:

At customs/immigration areas (Nepal-Tibet border), it’s best not to take photos of military personnel or border facilities. Authorities might be sensitive about that. Similarly, the army camps or soldiers should not be photographed in Saga.

Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar themselves can be freely photographed. Capturing the sunrise on Kailash or the moon over Mansarovar will be the highlights of your album.

Just be respectful at holy sites, e.g., inside monasteries or temples like Pashupatinath, where photography may be restricted or require a fee.

Always ask the guide or notice signs – some monasteries don’t allow pictures of deities or ceremonies.

If you take photos of local Tibetan or Nepali people, asking for permission is polite, especially for close-ups.

Most locals are friendly; some might ask for a small tip or to see the photo on your camera. Our guide can help communicate.

Make sure to protect your camera against cold and dust. Bring spare batteries (batteries drain faster in freezing conditions) and memory cards.

There will be limited charging opportunities on trek days, so have your devices charged in Saga/Darchen and consider a power bank.

Drones: Bringing a drone is generally not recommended. Tibet, being a sensitive region, has restrictions on drone usage.

It could be confiscated at the border if found. If you want aerial shots, you’d need special permission, which is hard to obtain. So better to leave the drone at home.

In summary, feel free to capture the journey – it’s one of the most photogenic pilgrimages in the world. Just heed any local guidelines on when to refrain from photography.

Absolutely, comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for this trip. Even if you are perfectly healthy, the Yatra takes place in high-altitude, remote areas where unforeseen events can occur (e.g., altitude sickness, injuries from a fall, road accidents, or the need for evacuation due to natural events).

Your travel insurance should specifically cover high-altitude travel (up to 6,000 m) because standard policies sometimes exclude very high altitudes. Key things the insurance must cover:

Medical Expenses: Any costs of treatment in Kathmandu or during the trip. For instance, if you need to visit a hospital in Nepal or require medicine.

Emergency Evacuation: This is crucial. It should cover helicopter rescue/evacuation from the Himalayas or emergency transport. For example, an evac from the Nepal side by helicopter can cost thousands of dollars – insurance should cover that.

Trip Cancellation/Interruptions: Given the nature of the trip, if you had to cancel at the last minute due to illness or if the trip is interrupted (say, a border closure or natural disaster), insurance can help recover some costs.

Repatriation: This is important in the improbable event of a severe medical emergency requiring you to be sent back to your home country.

We will ask for your insurance details before departing Kathmandu. It’s one of those things you hope not to use, but it’s critical to have.

Many past yatris have utilized their insurance for minor issues like flight cancellations or minor hospital visits, and a few for altitude-related evacuations. So, invest in a good policy – it buys peace of mind.

The primary currencies you’ll deal with are Nepalese Rupee (NPR) in Nepal and Chinese Yuan (CNY) in Tibet. Here are some guidelines:

In Kathmandu, you can easily exchange major currencies (USD, EUR, INR, etc.) to NPR at banks or money changers.

Many shops in Nepal also accept Indian Rupees (at a fixed rate of 1 INR = 1.6 NPR, roughly), but it’s best to have NPR for convenience.

Credit cards are accepted in big stores and hotels in Kathmandu (usually with a 3-4% surcharge), but once you leave Kathmandu, it’s a cash economy.

In Tibet, the Chinese Yuan is needed. You cannot get CNY in Nepal’s formal exchange easily, but our company can assist you in arranging the exchange of some NPR or USD into Yuan before crossing the border.

Alternatively, at the border or in Kerung, money changers can change USD or NPR to Yuan (rates might be slightly lower than the bank rate, but it’s workable).

It’s illegal to take Indian rupees into China, so don’t plan on using INR there. Small USD notes are sometimes accepted by sellers in Tibet, but are not guaranteed. Better to have Yuan.

How much to carry: This depends on your spending habits. Typically, additional expenses during the Yatra (meals not included, any horse/porter hiring, tips, etc.) amount to some amount.

A rough estimate: you might spend about CNY 150–200 per day in Tibet for meals and small purchases (about USD 25–30/day).

So for  10 days in Tibet, consider  CNY 1,500–2,000. Plus, on the Nepal side, NPR 25,000–40,000 for meals in Kathmandu, tips, etc.

Additionally, if you plan to hire a horse for the trek, that can be around CNY 2,000–3,000 for the whole circuit (prices vary, to be negotiated in Darchen).

Also, keep some cash for souvenirs (prayer flags, small trinkets, etc. ), which can cost a few hundred Yuan if you buy some.

Therefore, carrying around USD 700–$800 worth of currency (in a mix of NPR and CNY) for personal expenses is not unreasonable.

It’s better to have a bit extra than to run short since ATMs are inaccessible after Kathmandu (Saga might have an ATM, but don’t rely on it).

ATMs/Cards: ATMs exist in Kathmandu (you can withdraw NPR easily). In Lhasa or big Tibetan cities, there are ATMs, but in Saga/Darchen, there may be none, or they may not work for foreign cards. Once you leave Kathmandu, think of it as no ATM access. Credit cards won’t work in remote areas.

Keep your cash secure (a money belt is handy). Our guide can help advise about the exchange at the border.

Also, any unspent Chinese Yuan you can change back to Nepali rupees or USD in Kathmandu after the trip.

All foreign nationals – whether of Indian origin or Western countries – must travel in an organized tour for Kailash, and the permit rules apply similarly. The key difference historically was that

Indian passport holders had separate government-run Yatras, but nowadays many Indians also go via Nepal with private operators (like this trip). For our Yatra:

Indian and other foreign nationals will be part of the same group permit and group visa obtained in Kathmandu.

When issuing the Tibet Travel Permit for Kailash, the Chinese authorities treat the group as one, regardless of nationality.

American, European, and Australian passport holders have no additional restrictions but require a regular Chinese visa unless visa-free (as covered earlier).

One thing to note: citizens of some countries (e.g., the USA, Canada) are not in the visa-free list, so they must come to Kathmandu early for the group visa.

There was a period when some nationalities faced minor diplomatic-related delays (for instance, Americans sometimes had slightly higher visa fees). Still, everyone pays the standard cost for a group visa, which our package usually covers.

One practical difference is that Indian passport holders cannot get the Chinese visa for Kailash in their home country; it must be via the Kathmandu group visa.

Similarly, other nationalities should not try to get individual China visas in advance because Tibet entry is only via the group visa for this route.

There are some extra guidelines: e.g., if you have a journalist background or are a diplomat, it can be tricky as Chinese rules might deny a Tibet permit for those.

That’s why occupation info is needed. But this is rare and not specific to nationality, more to profession.

Once in Tibet, the rules (no independent wandering, stick to the route, etc.) apply equally.

Everyone must stay with the group; no one can stray off designated areas, and photography of sensitive places should be avoided (as mentioned).

Our Tibetan guide will inform the group of any do’s and don’ts specific to the region.

In summary, aside from the visa process timing and some being visa-exempt, the experience is the same for all foreign pilgrims. We ensure all paperwork is handled so you can focus on the journey.

We specialize in small to medium group sizes to ensure personalized attention and better management at high altitude. A typical Full Moon Kailash Yatra group might have 15–20 participants.

We generally keep it under 25 to maintain quality (and also because accommodation at some places has limited capacity per group). In some cases, groups could be as small as 8-10 people if it’s early/late season, or slightly larger if there’s high demand, but always within a manageable size.

Accompanying the group will be an experienced Tour Leader/Guide from Nepal (especially if we have a mostly Indian/Nepali group, we may send a Nepali tour leader who speaks Hindi/English to coordinate until the border and join the team for the entire trip).

Additionally, from the Tibet side, an English-speaking Tibetan Guide will join from Kerung onwards as the official guide in Tibet (required by law). This Tibetan guide is well-versed in local customs, languages, and emergency handling in that region.

For support, we have drivers for each vehicle (so if we have three jeeps or one bus, the driver(s) are part of the team).

We also typically include one cook or kitchen helper, especially if the group is large, who helps in preparing meals/tea at Mansarovar and during the trek, where guesthouse staff might be limited. They also ensure our dietary requirements (like pure veg) are adequately met.

Additional support staff, such as yak men or porters, may carry the group’s heavier bags to each night stop during the parikrama. They are arranged in Darchen.

Their number depends on how many people require assistance with loads or have hired personal horses. One Nepali Sherpa staff member might trek along to assist any slower members (ordinary in our groups) if needed.

So overall, a group of 15 pilgrims might have a support team of about 8–10 people (guides, drivers, helpers, etc.). This healthy ratio ensures help is at hand for individuals when needed.

We strive to maintain a friendly, devotional group atmosphere – everyone encourages each other, and the staff-to-client ratio aids in safety and comfort for the group.

For each traveler, the primary document is your passport, which you must always carry. Once the Chinese group visa is issued in Kathmandu, we will provide a copy of the Group Visa document.

Typically, the guide keeps one original, and another may be given to the group or required at checkpoints. It’s a sheet with all names and passport numbers.

While traveling in Tibet, you won’t have your passport stamped with a visa, but you will have entry and exit stamps.

Keep your passport with you (do not pack it in luggage) during border crossings and while in Tibet, as there will be multiple checkpoints where you must show it.

Additionally, the guide will be holding the Tibet Travel Permit. It’s not usually given to individuals, but at some checkpoints (like entering a new region), the guide may have to show it to officials who want to match a name.

Sometimes, we make photocopies of the permit and group visa for each member, just in case – the guide will advise if you should keep a copy.

Other helpful documents:

A printed copy of your travel insurance policy/card with emergency contact numbers (carry one with you and give one copy to our staff).

Personal ID photos: a few spare passport photos as mentioned – sometimes useful if a new permit form is to be filled out or in case of emergency documentation.

COVID-19 or Health documents: As of now (2025/2026), travel restrictions are relaxed, but it’s good to carry your COVID vaccination certificate if you have one, as rules can change. Also, any prescription or doctor’s note for medicines you take, to avoid issues at customs.

In summary, the passport is king. The guide will manage permits/visa copies, but you should safeguard whatever documents are handed to you. Always keep a set of essential document copies separate in your luggage for backup.

Tipping is not mandatory, but it is a common practice in Nepal and Tibet to show appreciation for the services of the crew.

Our staff works hard to make your journey smooth and memorable, often going above and beyond in harsh conditions. If they did a good job, a collective tip at the end is much appreciated. Here are some guidelines:

In Kathmandu, you might tip drivers or hotel bellhops a small amount (e.g., a dollar or two, or equivalent in NPR, for carrying luggage, etc.). This is minor and up to you.

For the Tibetan guide and drivers: Usually, at the end of the trip (when back in Kathmandu or at the border), the group can pool together a tip.

A typical amount might be around CNY 100–150 per traveler for the guide, and maybe CNY 50–100 per traveler for each driver (if multiple drivers). This can vary; if the group is small, sometimes individuals tip directly. Our tour leader can facilitate a group collection if preferred.

Tipping in Nepali rupees or USD is acceptable for the Nepali tour leader/Sherpa staff who stay with you throughout.

An approximate guideline could be NPR 1,000–1,500 per traveler for the Nepali guide (or about $10–15 per person), and maybe NPR 500–1000 per support staff, like cooks or helpers. Again, it depends on your satisfaction and group size.

For porters/yak handlers hired during the trek: Often their fee is paid as part of your package or extra cost you paid, but if someone helped you personally (carried your bag or provided horse service), it’s courteous to give something directly, say CNY 50 or NPR 500, as a thank-you.

We suggest preparing some small denominations of Yuan and Rupees for tips. Pooling money as a group and presenting it in an envelope to the guide/crew on the last day with a word of thanks is a nice gesture.

They will appreciate it but won’t demand it, so it’s your choice. Remember, a smile and a sincere thank-you go a long way, too!