Kailas Yatra: Your True Guide to Moksha!

 Your Concisely Chaotic Guide 

So, you want to do the Kailash Yatra. Excellent choice! My inbox has been flooded with questions—Which package? How much? Will I eat dirt?—and I realized I needed to condense this wisdom.

Brace yourselves. This is the Sharp, No-Nonsense, Slightly-Humorous-Because-We’ll-Need-It guide to keeping your sanity (and your knees) intact.

The Tour Operator Dilemma:

There are scores of operators out there, all offering a package that looks suspiciously similar. (Yes, even Jaggi Vasudev offers one, complete with extra-cost, mumbo-jumbo meditations. You decide if spiritual enlightenment is worth the premium.)

Here's the secret: most operators book the same hotels, hire the same cooking teams, and probably even buy their identical numbered duffel bags from the same shady warehouse. Honestly, there's little to choose one over the other based on logistics alone.

 * The Government Route: The cheapest and arguably best-organized is the Government of India Yatra. The catch? It’s 22 days of serious walking, and your participation is determined by a computerized lucky dip. You literally need to win the lottery to walk 22 days. Choose wisely.

 * Private Operators: Based on observation, look into Jai Manas Holidays (our crew), Namaste Nepal, Max Holidays, and Nature Wings. Their rates are typically within a few thousand of each other—it's less about the price and more about finding a group you might not secretly resent by Day 3.

Jaimanas Holidays offers you packages from Kailash Vision Treks (based in Nepal) and it has perfect 5 rating on google reviews!

Cost and Inclusions: The Wallet Shock

We paid ₹1,35,000 INR and $1,400 USD. Was it steep? Yes. Was it because we were a tiny, precious group of 14, less than half the standard 30? Also yes.

This covered our journey from Lucknow and back. Think of it as a starter pack for sufi-walking.

What the money includes:

 * Logistics from Lucknow to Lucknow (Innova, flights, and the necessary helicopter drama from Simikot to Hilsa).

 * Hotel stays in Nepalgunj, Taklakot, and Darchen.

 * Basic stays (read: shared everything) at Mansarovar and Parikrama halts. Don't expect a spa.

 * All meals from Nepalgunj and back. (Yes, you will survive the food. Strictly veg. Usually tasty, but short on variety). 

 * Visa charges (They call it a travel permit, because China is keeping us on a very short, sacred leash).

What the money does NOT include (aka the hidden costs):

 * Getting yourself to Lucknow. (That’s your first hurdle.)

 * Weather Calamity Fund: Extra hotel stays if the weather decides you need a few bonus vacation days.

 * Pony or Porter: Consider this a necessary investment. Porter-cum-pony is about $600. A porter alone is $180–$200. Seriously, read the next section before you get macho.

 * Emergency Exit Vehicle: $70/person. For when you realize the sacred walk is also very long.

 * Carry Chinese Yuans for your local requirements as your cards may not work. Also, exchange at even Taklakot works. Do not buy yuans in Nepal as you’ll not get a good exchange rate. 

The Non-Visa Visa

China doesn't give you a fancy stamp. You get a Group Travel Permit—a literal hall pass only for the Yatra route. You cannot wander off to buy souvenirs in another province. Or imagine that you can also club a quick detour to the Potala Palace, Lhasa. The entire group on that permit must enter and exit together. Think of it as a very intense, high-altitude field trip where no one can ditch class.

Packing: This is a Pilgrimage, Not a Photoshoot

Rule 1: Leave your excess baggage (and your drama) at home.

This is not a fashion trip. Wear your clothes multiple times. Your goal is to limit your entire kit to 15 kg. Why?

 * You ditch your main luggage in Nepalgunj and only carry the operator's numbered duffels. And their backpacks. 

 * Those small flights will weigh your bags. You pay for extra kilos. Don't be that person holding up the plane for a fifth pair of shoes.

The Layers of Survival (High-Altitude Chic)

High altitude means cold weather and thin air. Layers are your salvation. Two thin sweaters beat one thick jacket every single time. I wore four layers up top and two below.

Upper Body Layers:

 * The Four Layers: Base thermals - Long-sleeve T-shirts - Long-sleeve sweaters - Outer Jacket. 

 * Pro Tip: Wrap a stole or a muffler around your neck unless you enjoy the unique agony of high-altitude spondylitis (stiff neck).

Lower Body Layers:

 * The Two Layers: Base thermals - Trousers.

 * Pro Tip: Leave the denim at home. They retain cold and make you look like you're trying too hard. Use other trousers that retain warmth.

Footwear:

 * Socks: Either use two thin pairs or go for woollen socks (I preferred cotton due to allergy to wool directly on skin).

 * Shoes: Needs a good grip! If you're doing the full Parikrama, get snow-friendly, non-insulating sport shoes (Decathlon/Columbia). You want light support, not sweaty feet.

  * If you feel you have any discomfort in your knees while climbing, buy a pair of knee sleeves and wear them while walking. 

Essentials Checklist (aka The "Don't Forget"):

 * Sunglasses: Non-negotiable. Sun + Snow = Instant Blindness.

 * Cap: Must cover the ears (or a jacket hoodie). 

 * Raincoat: Because mountains love sudden, dramatic showers.

 * Snow Walking Stick: Buy one on the way before the Parikrama — it’s an altitude-induced miracle worker.

The Toiletry Kit (You will be dry and chapped):

 * Sunscreen: Your #1 cosmetic. Slather it on. Seriously.

 * Lip Balm: Unless you enjoy the rustic look of bleeding, chapped lips.

 * Moisturizer: For the constant dryness.

 * Wet Wipes: Your best friend in crowded, shared facilities.

Warning: Avoid washing hair daily. High altitude + wet hair = dizziness.

Edibles (The Guilt-Free Calorie Zone):

 * Carry chocolates and snacks for the Parikrama. (I carried small protein bars). 

 * Buy local for other times.

 * Bonus Karma Tip: Share what you carry with those doing the tougher kora (full circuit). You’ll earn goodwill, and your bag will get lighter. Win-win.

Breathing and Acclimatisation (It's Not a Sprint)

You are now entering the realm of thin air.

 * Practice: Deep, slow, long breathing. Do it now. Do it later. Keep doing it.

 * If you’re a smoker, remember to leave your cigarettes back home until you’re back from the rigours of mountain climbing. Else, the cigarette might just smoke you up.

 * Diamox: This pill usually helps oxygen absorption. HOWEVER, some people (like me!) react badly. Do not take it without knowing the side effects. If you feel funky, stop immediately. Do not self-diagnose your brain and your body.

 * Walk, Don't Run: Practice gentle walking at Taklakot. Do NOT run. This is not the time for an impromptu jog.

 * Discomfort: If anything feels off during the Parikrama, TALK TO YOUR GUIDE. They are there for a reason. Do not ignore symptoms or, worse, become your own mountain doctor.

Behaviour: Don't Be That Indian Tourist

This should be obvious, but after years of travel, I'm required to state it:

 * Be Nice: The guide and catering team are literally working to keep you alive and nourished. Tip them if you can afford to. Smile.

 * Be Quiet: Be respectful. Not everyone is there to hear your phone call or your life story.

 * Be Clean: Do not throw trash everywhere. Leave every place cleaner than you found it. We are representing our country. Let's make it look less like the inside of a municipal dumpster.

 * Make Friends: You might need them to drag you up a hill. Having each other’s backs is more important than having a perfectly packed bag.

Porter and Pony: The Humility Tax

Listen carefully: If you are older, less fit, or have any health concerns, HIRE A PONY or A PORTER.

Our group suffered because some people struggled, thinking they could manage without help. This isn't a test of willpower; it’s a high-altitude endurance event.

A pony lets you ride when you need to rest. A porter frees you from carrying the operator’s suspiciously heavy duffel bag. Humble yourself. Hire the help. You're there to complete the Yatra, not to star in a low-budget mountain survival drama.

Camera Gear

If you have a decent phone, that's often enough. If you’re a hobbyist, choose a lighter camera (like a mirrorless). Weight is everything. Every extra gram is a personal insult to your knees on Day 3.

Final Wisdom

The Kailash-Mansarovar trek is surprisingly easy on the joints (comparatively). But grab some knee sleeves just in case.

I think I’ve covered everything. If you have any further queries, reach out. I'll answer readily.

Aum Namah Shivay! (And good luck with the altitude.)