What to Pack for Kailash Tour and Trek

Remember, we are going to go trekking Kailash instead of climbing the mountain. The kora around Gang Rinpoche has been walked by countless pilgrims for hundreds of years. In recent years, the supply conditions along the route have been greatly improved, and you can get the basic supplies on your pilgrimage to the holy Kailash.

Combing our years of Kailash kora experience and clients’ feedback, we have sorted out the following equipment and material packing list to make your Kailash tour and trek more delightful and comfortable. And you can also make slight adjustments based on your needs.

Tibet Kailash Travel Permit

The first thing comes first - Permits. As for visiting Mount Kailash, Tibet travel documents would vary from group to group:

Foreign Travellers: Passport, Chinese Visa, Tibet Travel Permit, Aliens' Travel Permit, Military Area Entry Permit, Border Permit

Hong Kong Residents: Home Return Card (回乡证), Border Permit

Macao Residents: Home Return Card (回乡证), Border Permit

Taiwan Residents: Card for Travelling to Mainland of China (台胞证), Tibet Travel Permit, Aliens' Travel Permit, Military Area Entry Permit, Border Permit

Tibet Travel Documents for Kailash Visiting Groups

Insider Tips: No worries about all the Kailash travel documents, we, travelkailash, can provide you hassle-free Tibet permit application service and all you need is to tell us your travel plan and work out the detailed itinerary with our Tibet travel guru.

Tibet Travel Permit for Kailash

Kailash Tour Packing List from Head to Foot

Headlights

On the second day of Kailash trekking, you may set off before sunrise. It is best to prepare headlights for lighting. However, it is not recommended to replace it with a mobile phone or flashlight for it’s inconvenient to hold it by hand.

Magic scarf and neckerchief

They are very useful to keep out the wind and cold, especially after mid-September, when the wind becomes stronger on the way to the Gang Rinpoche. And they will make you feel warm and comfortable while starting Kailash Kora before sunrise.

Sunhat, sunglasses, and sunscreen

Sunhat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are all necessary to protect you from sunburn for the sun’s ultraviolet rays are so strong on Tibet Plateau.

Clothes and heating pads

If you visit Kailash from May to June or from September to October, you can prepare according to the limit of -10 degrees of cold resistance. Winter clothes such as long trousers, fleece jackets, and down jackets should be prepared according to each person’s ability to withstand the cold. If you are afraid of cold, you can put on a heating pad for the chilly weather and low temperature.

If you do Kailash Kora from July to August, you can prepare according to the limit of -5 degrees of cold resistance for the weather is warmer and the temperature is higher.  You can wear outer clothing that has a certain thickness and can be wind and water proof in the cold season in the city. And heating pads become useless in Kailash July and August. During this rainy season, you need to bring a raincoat, which can be bought at a local store in Darchen, and the quality is okay for about 20 Yuan.

In a word, except for the rainy season (July to August) and winter (December to next March), usually, there is no long-lasting rain and heavy snow in other periods of Mountain Kailash trekking. As for those who are particularly afraid of cold, you can bring warmer clothes according to your situation.

Insider tips:

1. It is not suitable for wearing pure cotton clothes for they are hard to dry after being wet.

2. It is best to dress in layers so that you can adjust quickly to put on or take off the clothes in response to changes in the outside temperature. Remember to make your body comfortable.

>>Click here to know more about Kailash weather and monthly temperature

Backpack

It is used to hold the items listed above, it does not need to be too big, about 25 liters is enough. Try to choose backpacks with waist belts and chest straps to reduce shoulder pressure.

Gloves

It’s best to choose gloves that support touch screens so that you don’t have to take them off when you use the phone, which is troublesome and easy to lose.

Trekking Poles

The correct use of trekking poles can transfer the strength of the hand to the ground, which is equivalent to adding one or two "legs" to reduce the burden on the legs. With the trekking poles in hand, you can speed up on the flat ground or uphill, and reduce the pressure and wear of the knees while downhill. And it can also be used as a safety fulcrum on dangerous sections. A trekking pole worth about 100 Yuan is enough to walk around the mountain. Almost trekking poles sold in Taqin stores are low-end products, and reliability is not guaranteed.

Knee pads and other protective gear

Prepare according to personal circumstances.

Waterproof and hi-top hiking shoes

Most sections of the 52-km-long Kailash kora route are gravelly and rocky. Only thick and hard soles can protect your feet, while the middle and high tops can reduce the risk of cripple. If you are used to wearing ordinary sports shoes, you may not be able to adapt to such a hard foot feeling. So we suggest you put a pair of soft insoles inside.

The size should be about half to one size larger than your usual shoes to avoid hurting your toes when you go downhill.

The comfort of the shoes is very important. It is suggested to put on the shoes that have been worn for a while. If your shoes are new, it is recommended to put a band-aid on the place where the friction between the foot and the shoe often happens (such as the front of the sole) for protection. Otherwise, it is easy to wear blisters.

Socks

It is recommended to bring one or two pairs of socks for replacement during your Mt. Kailash trek.

Lightweight non-woven slippers

It is recommended to prepare lightweight non-woven slippers. The hiking shoes are bulky and it is much more comfortable and convenient to put on slippers in the room when staying.

Packing list for Tibet Tour

Other personal belongings for Kailash trek

Thermos

It is advisable to bring your thermos and reduce the purchase of disposable plastic bottled water. Since hot water can be bought at the replenishment points along the kora, the thermos cup does not need to be too large. And the 0.5 liters is enough for you to reduce the weight burden.

Toiletries

At present, bathing is unavailable in all accommodations along the way to the Mountain Kailash. At most, you can only brush your teeth and wipe your face. Some hotels can provide hot water for feet. So a small amount of toiletries is enough.

Medicines

You can just take a few medicines like cold medicine, headache medicine, band-aids (mainly for blister), etc. It is recommended to carry a small bottle of essential balm with you and smear it on your head or hat to repel mosquitoes when needed in July and August. The rest of the personal medicines can be prepared according to your conditions.

High-calorie Food

It suggests choosing high-calorie foods (not less than 2000 kJ (478 kcal)/100 g) to replenish energy on your pilgrimage such as nuts, chocolate, energy bars, etc. But don't be too salty or too sweet to cause thirst. According to this standard, it is enough for you to prepare about 500 grams of high-calorie food for the 3-day Kailash trekking. It is recommended to bring less common snacks to reduce the weight on your back for you can get some supplies at the hostels.

Electronic Equipment

Mobile phones, chargers, portable batteries, cameras, etc., shall be prepared on demand. The hostels on the Kailash kora can provide charging service but the current power supply time is relatively limited.

Conclusion

Thanks to the improvement of the supply along the Kailash pilgrimage, you don’t need to pack like you are going to climb Mount Everest or cross the uninhabited area of ​​Qiangtang. The most common reason for many people who become dog-tired after Kailash kora is that they carry too many and heavy items that they won’t use in the trek. All the materials mentioned above are very practical and comprehensive, and you are warmly welcome to contact us for more details.