What to Pack for Mount Kailash Trekking Tour

Mount Kailash is considered a holy place for people of many faiths - Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and Bons. Thousands of devotees go for trek around this holy mountain every year. It is a trek that has been revered for its religious significance for many years and will be for years to come. The arduous nature of Mount Kailash trek doesn’t stop any pilgrim or tourists from signing up and finishing this trek. With an elevation of 6,638m Mount Kailash is the highest peak in the Kailash Range. Trekking around Mount Kailash usually takes 2-3 days depending on the travelers.

What need to bring with you during the Mount Kailash Kora? Should I take a sleeping bag? If you have any questions about how to pack for a Mount Kailash Trekking tour, here are the helpful packing guide for you.

Travel Permits and Documents

Foreigners usually need a special permit to enter Tibet - Tibet Travel Permit . This permit can be only arranged through your travel agency. Documents needed for this permits are your passport and a few identification documents. To visit Tibet and trek around Mount Kailash, you need two more permits namely Aliens’ Travel Permit and Military Permit.

Several documents are needed for Mount Kailash trekking tour

These permits are for entering remote and military sensitive areas in Tibet. All three permits are required for this trekking tour and can be easily arranged through your travel agency. Ensure that you are booking through a certified Tibetan or Chinese travel agency. It is important that you carry your passport everywhere and it should have at least 6 months validity remaining. Carry a photo ID and details of your tour guide and travel agency.

Clothes and Shoes

Tibet has a constantly varying temperature. So it is important that you carry warm winter clothes even if you go there during summer months. No matter when you go, the nights get super cold. You need to be fully prepared for trekking in high altitude. Frost bites are a real danger when you do not cover yourself properly. Not keeping yourself warm will only make you miserable. So make sure you bring all the important clothing needed. Proper snow hiking mountain shoes are also required. Normal shoes might not give you the grip required to trek in the snow.

• Thick woolen sweater
• Woolen pants
• Waterproof jackets
• Winter jacket
• Thermal wear (tops and pants)
• Pullover or fleece jacket
• Cotton t-shirts and pants
• Gloves
• Woolen socks
• Hiking shoes (bring extra laces) - ankle length hiking shoes provide more support
• Tennis shoes to wear on breaks/ night
• Sandals with back strap to wear on breaks/ night
• Warm scarf
• Neck warmers
• Wide hats/ caps for shade
• Bandanas

Sleeping Bags

During your Mount Kailash trekking tour, sleeping bag is really important, especially, sleeping bags that can with stand very cold temperatures (sleeping bags that can withstand -12c to 118c). Most of the agencies provide you with sleeping bags or you can even rent them. But if you are particular about the size and quality it is best you bring your own. Many travelers sleep in two sleeping bags for extra warmth. You can also bring thin fleece blankets for extra warmth or to cover yourself with when you are out of the sleeping bag. You can also buy good quality sleeping bags in Tibet.

Food and Drinks

As you go in remote areas, there will not be much variety in food that you get. After a point it’s just vegetables. You can get some instant foods before starting the Kora like soup or noodles that require just hot water. It is also advisable that you bring snacks to the trek. Instant energy giving snacks like almonds and nutrition or energy bars.

Bring some instant food and snacks for your Kailash trekking tour

Chocolates, nuts, dried fruits, and biscuits help too. Carry plenty of water for trekking trip. Higher the altitude, thirstier you get. Carry at least 2 one liter water bottles and carry a couple of local energy drinks too. It is important to keep yourself while trekking in high altitude areas. Carry small electrolyte packets and mix them in water to help with dehydration.

Skin Protection and Personal Hygiene

In high altitude areas the UV rays are much stronger and harsher. It is important that you use sun blocks for protecting your skin. Buy the ones with SPF higher than 30. In regards to personal hygiene bring extra toiletries as you might not find them or get them while trekking.

• Sun block
• Sunglasses
• Wet wipes
• Tissue rolls
• Skin moisturizer
• Travel size soaps and shampoos
• Hand sanitizer
• Tooth brush and paste
• Shaving items
• Lip balm
• Q-tips
• Mouth wash
• Small towels

Drugs and Other Equipment

In regards to medicine it is important that you visit your doctor before the trip. Get yourself prescription for altitude sickness as most of the travelers irrespective of age and physical fitness experience it. Visit your doctor and prescribed medicines before starting the trip. It is important to be ready with medicines for any kind of travel sickness. After a point there will not be any places to buy medicines from, buy plenty beforehand.

• Altitude sickness medicines
• Medicines for diarrhea
• Band aids
• Antiseptic cream
• Sprain bandage
• Antibiotics
• Cotton

Other Things to Take

• Extra batteries for camera (batteries drain a lot faster at higher altitudes)
• Extra memory cards
• Portable chargers
• Walking/ hiking stick
• Books/ iPad/Kindle
• Binoculars
• Playing cards
• Ziploc bags
• Maps/ guidebooks
• Money/ Debit or credit cards (it is advisable to carry cash as you might not find many ATMs)

The above mentioned are all the important things to carry during the Mount Kailash trek. Buy a suitable backpack and ensure that the bag is comfortable enough for you to carry. Make sure that the bag is waterproof and suitable for all weathers. Remember to be prepared for all kinds of weather and all kinds of emergencies.