....... Indian Side .......
....... Chinese Side .......
....... Trekking .......
Your luggage should not exceed 25 Kgs. Any luggage in excess of this will be subjected to extra charges. In case of shortage of ponies/porters, the excess luggage will not be transported. Yatris must strictly adhere to this limit on the return journey from Tibet and keep shopping in Taklakot to the minimum.
| ....... Pony/Mule/Porter ....... |
If you wish to hire a mule/pony on the Indian side, you will have to pay approximately Rs. 200/- per day. Personal porters can be hired for about Rs. 100/- per day. These porters and ponies should be hired at Tawaghat on the upward journey and Lipulekh Pass on the return. Please note that a pilgrim will have to decide before the trek begins regarding the hiring of a pony and a porter. It is advisable for all pilgrims, particularly the elderly ones, to hire a pony for the entire duration of the Yatra. No ponies for porters are available at the intermediate camps.
Vegetarian meals will be available at each halting point. The cost of meals has been included in the payment made to KMVN. However, pilgrims must appreciate the difficulty in arranging a variety of vegetables, especially in high altitude areas, where fresh supplies and sometimes-even water are limited.
The State Government of Uttarakhand has under-taken to provide medical arrangements en-route. Two medical personnel will accompany each group of pilgrims upto Gunji. Besides, each camp has medical equipment to examine pilgrims and stock of medicines. Beyond this point, Indo-Tibetan Border Police will take over medical arrangements upto Lipulekh Pass. Pilgrims are nevertheless advised to carry their own special medicines, if any.
Each pilgrim should ensure that he she is medically fit and is not suffering from high-blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, heart disease or epilepsy since such conditions might prove fatal at high altitudes. Medical fitness is of utmost importance.
Pilgrims should complete the medical tests and seek expert medical opinion regarding their fitness to undertake the pilgrimage & comprehensive medical test will be undertaken at the ITBP hospital, New Delhi to examine the physical fitness of pilgrims. Those found physically/medically unfit will not be allowed to proceed on the yatra. The Medical Board's decision will be final. A second medical test will be held in Gunji, prior to the entry into Tibet. This test will examine the fitness of pilgrims at high altitude. Pilgrims found unfit during this medical test will not be allowed to continue on the yatra. The amount paid to KMVN shall also not be refunded in the case of medical disqualification at Gunji, as the KMVN would already have borne expenses from Delhi to Gunji and return. During the Yatra, should the accompanying doctor and the Liaison Officer feel that a pilgrim is not fit to continue, their decision will be final. No refund at all is permissible in such cases.
Pilgrims must bring to Delhi reports of medical tests and carry these with them during the yatra, as these will be required at Gunji.
| ....... Communication ....... |
A wireless network connects each base camp beyond Tawaghat. A mobile wireless set will move with the pilgrims' upto Lipulekh Pass until the pilgrims cross into Chinese territory. Under no circumstances can the wireless network be used for private messages. To ensure that pilgrims remain in touch with their relatives, STD facility has been provided at Dharchula, where several PCO booths are operational. This will enable pilgrims to contact their relatives and friends prior to their departure for Tibet and on their return. Postal services are available upto Garbyang, between Budhi and Gunji. The Government of India also sets up a wireless link with the Chinese side for the duration of the pilgrimage to monitor the well being of the pilgrims in China and to meet the needs of any emergency that may arise. Liaison Officers and pilgrims must ensure that their well being in Tibet is conveyed from the wireless set in Taklakot on a regular basis according to the schedule. The Tibetan authorities are often reluctant to adhere to the wireless schedule. This link can under no circumstances be used for private purposes.
Kailash and Mansarovar are in the region of 16,000-19,000 feet, with cold winds blowing in the daytime and in the evening. This is a hazardous trek at high altitudes, on mountainous terrain with occasional bad weather. Do not ignore these instructions or take them lightly, as the consequences could be serious. Clothing should be light, wind proof, water repellant and capable of providing enough warmth. It is recommended that each pilgrim carry the following items:
1. Wind-proof jacket with parka 1 no.
2. Sweaters 2 full sleeves 1 half sleeve
3. Balaclava (Monkey cap) 1 no.
4. Woollen and leather gloves 1 pair each
5. Woollen/cotton long johns 2 pairs
6. Woollen socks 4 pairs
7. Cotton socks 4 pairs
8. Jeans|Pants 3 nos.
9. Shorts 2 nos.
10. Shirts/T-shirt 6 nos.
11. Sun glasses (good quality), with chain 1 no. for hanging around neck
12. Hunter/Marching/Trekking shoes 2 pairs (Carry extra shoe laces- normal shoes will be useless for Trekking)
13. Peaked cap or broad brimmed straw hat 1 no. (for protection against the sun)
14. Water bottle (large) 1 no.
15. Torch light (carry two sets of extra cells and one bulb) 1 no.
16. Raincoat (large size) 1 no.
17. Belt pouch for camera/money/ medicines/documents 1 no.
18. Large Plastic sheet for water proofing your luggage 1 no.
19. Plate/Mug/Spoon 1 set
20. Toilet paper
21. Sun screen lotion (for protection from sunburn) 1 no.
22. Candles
23. Match box/lighter
24. Multipurpose knife 1 no.
25. Rubber slippers 1 no.
Your baggage is carried by ponies/mules/yaks on the Indian and Chinese sides. It is desirable to wrap individual items in polythene bags, place them in a canvas bag and cover the bag also with polythene. Canvas bags, with zips are ideal as they are light-weight and tough. Please note that no hard top suitcases will be permitted on the Yatra. Walking sticks may be bought at Dharchula or the pilgrims may bring their own if they so desire. Utensils, required for cooking during the Kailash and Mansarovar parikramas, are provided by the KMVN.
The KMVN authorities supply breakfast, lunch, dinner and, tea (twice a day) . On the Chinese side, food is provided only during the stay at Taklakot. It is advisable for each pilgrim to carry some nourishing items with them-selves. The following items are recommended to be carried by the pilgrims for personal use. The list is not exhaustive.
a. Biscuits-sweet/salty
b. Mixed dry fruits
c. Lemon drops
d. Chocolate/toffees
e. Soup powder packets
f. Cheese cubes
g. Chewing gum
h. Instant drinks
i. Electral/Glucose
Since pilgrims have to carry food for the duration of both the parikramas, which is for 9 days, they should plan and purchase the food in India itself. As a basic guideline, the food items should be either pre-cooked/partly precooked or easy to be cooked and as far as possible should be consumed in a liquid form. They should provide sufficient nourishment. Pilgrims should note that cooking takes lot of time in high altitudes.
The normal practice is for each batch to decide on the amount and type of food items they wish to carry with them and make purchases accordingly. Pilgrims of each group could make a combined purchase of food items in New Delhi for sake of logistical convenience on the Yatra. The following items are suggested:
a. Atta, rice dals, soyabean nuggets as required
b. Packets of noodles and soup
c. Instant food such as pre-cooked packets of suji, upma, etc.
d. Cans of pre-cooked vegetables and dals.
e. Salt, spices.
f. Milk powder/Condensed Milk, sugar
g. Corn flakes/Oats/Dalia/chirua (Partly cooked rice)
h. Coffee/Bournvita/Cocoa etc.
i. Pre-roasted rawa for making suji or halwa
j. Ghee
k. Pooja samagri for havan and pooja
It is useful for these supplies to be supplemented with items purchased from the local markets in Taklakot. Cans of fruit, soft drinks and juices, sweets toffees are available and very useful on the Parikramas. Yatris can also buy fresh vegetables such as potatoes, cabbage, green pepper, brinjal, etc. which can be used to provide nourishing meals.
The medical officer accompanying the pilgrims has all the general medicines required. On the Chinese side, there is no doctor to accompany pilgrims during the parikrama of Kailash and Manasarovar. Please carry your personal medicines. A few recommended items are:
1. Lip salve/Vaseline Petroleum jelly
2. Multi-vitamin capsusules
3. Vicks vaporub/vicks inhaler
4. Vitamin 'C' tablets
5. Strepsils/Halls etc.
6. Laxative/lsabgol
7. Digene tablets
8. Iodex/Relaxyl
9. Crepe bandage/sterile dressing/cotton wool
10. Dettol/Betadine Ointment
11. Analgesic & Antipyretic (Crocin, Disprin, Flexon etc.)
12. Electral & Glucose Powder
13. Anti-diarrheals
Please remember that loose motions are common on the mountains. Do remember to take Anthdiarrheal pills and Electral packs to replenish loss of Salt.
| ....... Photography....... |
Pilgrims must, carry extra batteries as the discharge rate is higher at high altitudes. Power supply is available till Dharchula (limited hours) for recharging batteries. In Taklakot (Tibet), power is available for three hours from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. The Chinese authorities do not object if pilgrims take along with them video or still cameras. However, camera permits are required on the Indian side. The Ministry of External Affairs will arrange for the permits with the help of the local authorities.
Pilgrims undertaking the pilgrimage during mid-June-August shall be doing so during the monsoons. However, the rains are unpredictable and it could rain at any time. The first few days of the trek, in the lower reaches, would often involve walking in the rain. The monsoon is less intense in the higher reaches. For the latter, colder part of the trek, it is necessary to avoid getting wet in the lower reaches. A good raincoat is essential In the higher altitudes during sunlight hours, it is warm and after sunset, it is cold. Woollens and windcheaters are required for protection against windy, rainy weather. There are also cold winds and the combination of changing weather and exposure to ultra-violet radiation can damage the skin, unless adequate precautions are taken by applying liberal amount of suntan lotion. Every pilgrim must use a broad peak cap or straw hat to protect one's face against the harsh sunlight Extra pairs of warm socks would be useful if there is wet weather.
| ....... Boarding Lodging in China ....... |
Taklakot is an important town in the area. Accommodation is provided at Pulan Guest House for pilgrims, where regular rooms are available with cots, mattresses, cornforters, etc. There is electricity between 9 p.m. to 12 am. and hot water for bathing is available from 10.30 a.m. 12 noon and from 4.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. While at Taklakot, the Chinese provide vegetarian food of a Chinese flavour, such as bread, vegetable soup, noodles, rice etc. The Chinese are unable to provide Indian cuisine in view of practical difficulties. However, the toilets facilities are quite primitive and not very hygienic. A Tibetan guide with knowledge of English accompanies each group during the Parikramas of Kailash and Mansarovar. The camps at Darchen, Deraphuk, Zongzerbu, Hore, Qugu and Zaidi are basic structures and there can be leakages in some of the camps during rains. Each of the camps has several rooms, which can accommodate 4 to 6 pilgrims. Mattresses, pillows and comforters (Razai) are provided. Cots are available only at Darchen, Hore, Qugu and Zaidi. There is electricity only at Darchen camp. No food is provided at these camps. The Chinese do, however, provide a stove for cooking, and hot water Cooking and other utensils, such as pressure cookers, steel 'thalis' 'katoris' etc., are made available by the KMVN and carried by the batch into China for use on the parikramas and brought back when the batch returns. It can be extremely useful to hire one or two cooks, either locally on the Indian side OT preferably in Taklakot, to assist in cooking and other chores during the Kailash and Mansarovar Parikramas, Otherwise, it will be very tiring for yatris to cook and wash utensils after a day's hard trekking. Yatris are advised to carry some food items of their choice from India as indicated earlier.
| ....... Medical Facilities in China ....... |
Yatris must note that medical facilities on the Chinese side are limited. These medical facilities may not be adequate to deal with any serious medical problems that could arise. It shall be the MEA's endeavour that there shall be at least one doctor in every batch. However, each pilgrim must ensure that he/she is at the peak of his physical and medical fitness during the Yatra and any medical problems are immediately conveyed to the doctor and Liaison Officer. Any attempt to conceal one's illness in high altitude could lead to serious medical complications.
| ....... Foreign Exchange in China
....... |
Each pilgrim is eligible to take US dollars 150 as contingency allowance into China in addition to the amount to be paid to the Chinese. This will be made available to each pilgrim at Delhi on payment of the prevailing rate of exchange. In the unlikely event of a pilgrim requiring oxygen or other special medical facilities, the Chinese authorities will charge them separately.
| ....... Trekking DO's
....... |
1. Treat the mountains with respect and do not attempt to 'conquer' mountains or be proud of your physical fitness. Walk at a steady, rhythmic pace. Rushing up hill sides is inadvisable and showing off has its own penalties. Always walk with a companion, as this is a safety measure against sudden sickness and accidents.
2. During electric storms do not attract lighting by putting up pointed objects like-ice-axes or wireless aerials. Similarly keep away from high conical rocks. If at lower altitude, do not take shelter under a lone tree or top of a hill. It is safer to set it out in the open. Try to find a broken scree slope and sit on a dry rape or rucksack with your Ponds in your lap.
3. Do not wear one or two very think woollen layers. Instead, wear loose clothes in several layers with an outer wind covering.
4. Buy at least two pairs of good trekking shoes before the yatra. You must practise walking with these shoes, so that they are broken in before the yatra. Keep your boots from freezing at night and if necessary, place them inside your sleeping bag.
5. Do ensure that you were two pairs of socks (cotton and woollen) inside your climbing booth.
6. Do ensure that your feet remain dry. Use dusting powder before wearing socks arid change into dry socks as soon as you reach the camp. Use of wet socks or wet shoes causes extreme discomfort, blisters and skin ailments.
7. Do use well fitting g1oves/mittens to protect your hand and fingers. Extremities (hands and feet), ears and nose must be protected against extreme cold. Continuous exposure of extremities can bring down the body temperature drastically and cause high altitude pulmonary oedema.
8. It is very important to drink lots of water and fluids during the trekking. Do take liberal amounts of hot, sweetened fluid and enough nourishment to provide energy for your body.
9. It is imperative to use good quality tinted snow-glasses or dark sun-glasses to protect your eyes against snow blindness. Do avoid using cheap, poor quality sun glasses.
10. Do apply sun cream or calamine lotion to exposed parts of the body to avoid sun burn, particularly during the parikramas.
11. Do get prompt treatment for minor Cuts, blisters and ulcers.
12. Move your fingers, toes and facial muscles, and exercise your limbs during periods of immobility by wiggling the toes and fingers and wrinkling the face muscles at intervals. Watch each other for early signs of fatigue.
13. Do listen to the instructions of the Liaison Officers carefully. Do not get separated from your fellow pilgrims. If there is heavy snow fall or snow-storms, yatris must stay close to each other and avoid being separated. It is important to keep walking to remain warm.
14. Please do ensure that the group commences the day's trekking very early in the morning and sticks to the departure time. Do trek in a small group.
| ....... Trekking DONT's....... |
1. Do not neglect eating food or drinking enough fluids. Do remember that pilgrims suffer from lose of appetite in high altitudes.
2. Don't trek in one's or two's. Don't get separated from the main group at trekking and ensure that the person in front of you remains in sight.
3. Do not wear climbing boots that leak or are tight.
4. Do not wear wet socks or permit your socks to wrinkle inside the boots, as this will cause blisters.
5. Do not neglect minor injuries like cuts, blisters and ulcers as they may become frostbitten.
6. Do not sleep with your Pants on.
7. Do not carry too, heavy a load. Do not overexert. Fatigue, can lead to cold and more serious problems, especially in high altitudes.
8. Avoid alcohol during the Yatra and especially at heights, as this is dangerous and has serious consequences.
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