2026 Guide to Mount Kailash for Foreigners: Permits, Best Time to Visit & Kora Tips

Known as the Mountain of Gods in many religions, Mount Kailash attracts numerous pilgrims to worship the mountain and perform the Kora every year. Generally, the best time to visit the mountain is May – June and September – October, when the weather is warm and stable.

The altitude of its trekking route ranges from around 4,700 m – 5,600 m, with the highest point even higher than Everest Base Camp. Therefore, sufficient preparation is necessary.

Foreign travelers need to apply for multiple travel permits via a travel agency in advance. To help you enjoy a safe and smooth trip, this ultimate guide includes the required documents, transportation options, best time to visit, and practical tips for altitude sickness.

Facts about Mount Kailash

• Location: Baga Township, Burang County, Ngari Prefecture, Xizang Autonomous Region, about 1,300 km from Lhasa
• Altitude: 6,656 m
• Entrance fee: CNY 150/USD 22
• Openingseason: about late April – October, closed from November to late April for the safety of tourists. The Darchen Tourist Center opens from 09:00 to 18:00.
• Required documents:Passport, Chinese Visa, Tibet Travel Permit, Ali Military Permit, Aliens’ Travel Permit

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• Why Visit
• Required Documents
• How to Get
• Trekking Route
• Weather & Best Time to Visit
• Practical Information for Kora
• Travel with China Xian Tour

Why Visit the Mount Kailash

• It is the only sacred mountain in the world revered by four religions, including Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, Jainism and Bön, so it attracts countless pilgrims and travelers from all over the world every year.
• The Kora around the mountain is a local traditional custom that has been passed down for thousands of years. No matter you are a believer or a traveler, it will impress you a lot to witness the Kora.
• The Kora is also a world-class trek. It covers 52 km with altitudes ranging from 4,700 – 5,600 m, higher than Everest Base Camp.
• The sacred Lake Manasarovar at the foot of Mount Kailash is the source region of the four greatest rivers in Asia. This “Sacred Mountain + Holy Lake”combo appeals to geography enthusiasts and photographers.

What Documents Do Foreigners Need and How to Apply

As Mount Kailash is located in Ngari Prefecture, a border area under military control, more strict requirements are applied.

Required Documents:

1. Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
2. Chinese Visa
3. Tibet Travel Permit
4. Ali Military Permit+ Aliens’ Travel Permit

How to Apply

Foreign travelers cannot apply for Tibet Travel Permit, Ali Military Permit or Aliens’ Travel Permit by themselves. Solo trips are also not allowed. So, the reliable way is to join a tour group and apply via a licensed travel agency. China Xian Tour is glad to offer help. After joining our tour group, provide your passport and visa to the consultant 30 – 40 days in advance and we will handle the logistics for you.

Tips: The situation is slightly different for travelers entering from Nepal, a China Group Visa is required instead of a tourist visa.

How to Get to Mount Kailash

Step 1: Arrival at Lhasa

The most recommended way for international travelers is to enter Xizang (Tibet) by air or rail and Lhasa is the major gateway. Xi’an is a common transit city, where you can take either a direct flight or train to Lhasa. Please note that the Tibet Travel Permit will be checked when boarding the flight or train.

Step 2: From Lhasa to Darchen

Option 1: Private Car

Taking a private car from Lhasa to Darchen is the most recommended option. Considering the long distance of 1,300 km, it is impossible to get there in one day. Besides, Xizang is located on a plateau. The core principle to enjoy a smooth trip is to leave enough time for your body to acclimatize to the high altitude.

So the recommended route is Lhasa → Shigatse → Saga → Lake Manasarovar → Darchen → Mount Kailash. During the ride, you can also stop to visit Yamdrok Lake, Gyawu La Pass, EBC, Peiku Lake and  Shishapangma to enrich your travel experience. This route typically takes 3 – 4 days.

Option 2: Flight + Car

You can fly from Lhasa Airport to Ngari Gunsa Airport, which takes about 2.5 hours. Then drive about 2.5 – 3 hours to Darchen. In this way, one day is enough for transfer, but the altitude increases from 3,650 m to 4,650 m in only half a day, which may result in altitude sickness. Usually, you should stay in Darchen for 1 – 2 nights to adapt to the altitude before heading to Mount Kailash.

Trekking Route of Mount Kailash

For tourists who want to join the kora to Mount Kailash, arrange 3 days is an ideal time to balance experience and comfort. Darchen is the starting and ending point of the route. Along the way, you will find a supply point about every 5km, providing some simple meals, water, oxygen bottles and other useful items.

Day 1: Set out from Darchen – Prayer Flag Square – Zhire Temple (about 20 km, 6 – 8 hours)

Day 2: Drolma La Pass – Budongdiding – Zutrul Phuk Monastery (about 16 – 18 km, 7 – 9hours)

Day 3: Zongdui Teahouse – Darchen (about 14 – 16 km, 3 – 5 hours)

Weather & Best Time to Visit

 

The most frequently asked question about the Kailash Mansarovar tour is “When can I visit Mount Kailash?” May to June and September to October are highly recommended months for good weather.

Overview of Mount Kailash Weather and Temperature

• Significant temperature difference between day and night(over 15℃) and between sunless valleys and the sunny ridges.
• Low annual average temperature: -2 – 19 ℃ in spring, 9 – 22 ℃ in summer, 3 – 17℃ in autumn and -20 – 0 ℃ in winter.
• Variable weather due to the high altitude.
• Strong ultraviolet rays all year round.

Monthly Weather of Mount Kailash

Month	Average Max Temperature (℃)	Average Min Temperature (℃)	Rainfall (mm)	Humidity (%)
January	-4	-20	42	33
February	-4	-18	27	34
March	2	-13	40	27
April	8	-7	24	24
May	13	-2	21	25
June	19	5	32	26
July	22	10	107	33
August	22	9	119	39
September	17	10	54	29
October	9	3	24	22
November	4	-4.5	6	19
December	0	-8.5	16	22

May–June & September–October: Best Time to Visit

The weather is getting warmer during May and June. With little snow and ice on the roads and blooming flowers along the way, it is suitable to enjoy a safe and peaceful trekking tour at this time. Besides, you can join the Saga Dawa Festival to experience the Buddhist culture, which is usually celebrated on April 15th in the Tibetan calendar, corresponding to a certain day in May in the Gregorian calendar.

As the monsoon rains subside in September and October, the sky becomes crystal clear and the air is fresh. With grassland and alpine vegetation gradually turning yellow, a picture of beautiful scenery in autumn unfolds before your eyes. You can appreciate the spectacular scenery of the sacred mountain without being disturbed by rain, snow or extreme cold.

Saga Dawa Festival

Time: April 15th in the Tibetan calendar every year

Purpose: To commemorate the birth, enlightenment and death of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, and to pray for a bountiful harvest

Main Activities:

• Display and admiration of the Buddhist statues
• Marvel at the 40-meter-long and 37-meter-wide thangka of Sakyamuni and witness the opening ceremony in Drepung Monastery
• Perform a kora around Mount Kailash to purify sins
• Gather to picnic in a Lingka
• Burncypress branches and throw tsampa on the fire to pray for protection

Tips: Respect local customs, do not affect the pilgrims, do not wear revealing clothes, perform the kora and rotate prayer wheels in a clockwise direction.

July and August: Acceptable

In July and August, the weather around Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar is cool and comfortable during daytime and relatively warm at night, providing ideal climatic conditions for trekking and circumambulation. The lake is surrounded by luxuriant and green grass and colorful flowers, offering you a visual feast.

But due to monsoon season at this time, rains, landslides and road closures occasionally occur, which may influence your tour plans and the transportation to the area. Besides, magnificent mountain and the surrounding landscapes may be obscured by the clouds.

Tips: Bring warm clothes, rain gear and non-slip shoes to protect yourself from the changeable weather.

November to Next April: Not Recommended

Winter on Mt. Kailash lasts from November to the next April. Compared to other seasons, the weather in winter is harsh and the mountain is usually sealed off. The temperature drops sharply, even falling below freezing point.

Besides, the heavy snowfall usually results in the roads and passes to Mount Kailash and Manasarovar inaccessible. Most lodges and facilities are closed due to the severe weather and the off-season. All pose great challenges to your travel and safety.

Practical Information for Kora

Altitude Sickness & Acclimation Tips

The Kora route for Mount Kailash is basically at about 5,000 meters, so most travelers may suffer from altitude sickness. Here are some tips for you to deal with it.

1. Travel from Lhasa to the mountain by car instead of by flight to adapt to the altitude gradually.
2. Consult your doctor about preparing medicine in advance to prevent altitude sickness, such as acetazolamide, etc.
3. Bring a pulse oximeter to check your resting blood oxygen and take a portable oxygen tank for support during the trip.
4. Drink 2 – 3 Lwater every day and eat more carbohydrate-rich foods. Do not drink alcohol and sleeping pills.
5. If your symptoms become severe, descend below 3,000 meters and ask for medical help immediately.

Where to Stay

Before and After Kora: Stay in Darchen. High-end hotels, inns and Tibetan homestays all can be found in the town. High-end hotels are equipped with oxygen facilities, thus more recommended for travelers.

During the Kora: the area near Zhire Temple is the most popular area for the first night. On the second day, stay in the area near Zuchu Temple.

What to Pack for a Mount Kailash Tour?

• Clothing: a light and thin coat and a windproof and warm windbreaker, a pair of high-top waterproof and anti-slip hiking shoes, thick socks to keep warm.
• Protective Items: a set of portable skin care products and toiletries, sunscreen cream, sun protective clothing, sun hat, sun mask, sunglasses, lip balm, tissues and alcohol wipes to protect you from the scorching ultraviolet rays.
• Other items: two trekking poles, one light and convenient backpack, power bank, small amount of change in cash, raincoat.
• Food: take some light-weight but high calorie foods, like high calorie cookies, chocolates and nuts.
• Documents: passport, Tibet travel permits
• Medicines: Rhodiola rosea capsule, glucose, ibuprofen, medicine for treating colds and diarrhea, and bandages.

Recommended Years for Pilgrims to Visit Mt. Kailash: Horse Year (2026), Goat Year (2027)

It is a tradition for Tibetans to circumambulate mountains in the Year of the Horse and lakes in the Year of the Goat. According to the deduction of an eminent monk in Tibet, perform a kora around Mt. Kailash and Manasarovar Lake in years of horse and goat will eliminate all the sins of the whole life and increase numerous merits and virtues.

So for thousands of years, countless numbers of pilgrims as well as visitors come to this sacred mountain for worship. The most recent horse and goat years are 2026 and 2027 respectively. But for tourists who are non-believers, you can visit at any year you want.

Travel to Mount Kailash with China Xian Tour

If you would like to include Kailash and Mansarovar in your Tibet tours but have problems with planning the tour on your own, our professional team is here to help.

With many years of experience in Tibet travel, China Xian Tour is happy to handle all the logistics for you, from applying for Tibet travel permits and planning the routes to booking tickets and hotels. We will also arrange an experienced local guide to offer immediate help in case of emergencies during the trip. Travel with us, you can enjoy a completely carefree tour. Just contact us for more details.