An avial taken from various websites.
Kailash Preparation
Kailash Preparation
Since this pilgrimage is nothing short of an expedition, it places. Many uncommon demands and situations. Awareness to these problems is essential to complete the voyage successfully with confidence.Once the voyage commences the panoramic Himalaya and Tibet
Health General
The high altitude Tibetan terrain is dry, cold and windy. Diurnal variations are large. Nights are cold and windy. Heavy snow falls; torrential rains and strong icy winds are common features - any time. Flooding rivers and landslides are frequent. The altitude averages above 3500 meters. The route covers much high altitude passes. Oxygen is less at higher altitudes. The inclement weather and high altitude induces certain illness generally not encountered over the plains (Mountain Sickness). Headache, nausea, lassitude, lethargy, breathlessness, general uneasiness (malaise), high irritability, light loss of balance, disorientation, incoherence and insomnia are a few. It is common to all irrespective of the age, sex and physical fitness. Gradual acclimatization is the best answer. Tranquilizers, sleeping doses and strong anti-biotic must be avoided. Descending to lower altitude is the best but this may not be possible always. REST is the best alternative. Some of the symptoms indicate that the body mechanism is readjusting to new environments. Therefore the golden rule is to deliberately slow down all activities
Oxygen is less at higher altitudes. The inclement weather and high altitude induces certain illness generally not encountered over the plains. Headache, nausea, lassitude, lethargy, breathlessness, general uneasiness [malaise], high irritability, light loss of balance, disorientation, incoherence and insomnia are a few. It is common to all irrespective of the age, sex and physical fitness. Gradual acclimatization is the best answer. Tranquilizers, sleeping dose and strong anti-biotic must be avoided. Some of symptoms indicate that the body mechanism is readjusting to new environments.
The best idea is deliberately slow down all the activities and follows the following rules:
Expedition experts advise that beyond 3500 meters ascent or climbing must be restricted to 300 to 400 meters at a stretch. Most people, however they say would experience minimum symptoms, if given longer time to ascend. This must be borne in mind during Parikrama around Kailash.
Consult your DOCTOR to assess the state of your health to function safely within your limitations. Learn the DO’S and the Don't from his advice. In addition to the personal
prescriptions by your physician, a First Aid Kit is essential for the travel. Request your Doctor to prescribe effective medicines to cover the following:
Before Yatra
§ If you have planned the trip to Kailash Mansarovar, you need to increase your walking habits, practice climbing little mountains, start doing some exercises with the consultation from your doctor
§ If you are asthmatic or have any kind of breathing problem, you should not travel.
§ Reduce drinking alcohol &alcoholic beverages &smoking habits .
§ Consult your family doctor to assess the state of your health for functioning safely within your own limitations
§ Take advise of your doctor before undertaking this high altitude pilgrimage & always keep your usual/prescribed medicines (if any)
§ If possible, engage yourself in some fitness exercise like aerobics every morning.
§ Don't et all expect luxury on this tour however as far as possible, our Sherpa team will ensure you the best journey/stay with us in this tough terrain.
§ It is always advisable to insure yourself against personal loss, injury/accident, death and emergency evacuation. Make sure that your policy covers Emergency Evacuation by Helicopter at high altitude treks.
§ As there is no Hindu Temple Holy Lake Mt. Kailash Nepal
§ If possible, arrange your Chinese Yuans (which you might require to buy some souvenir or to pay for pony etc.) in your own coumtry or in Nepal Tibet Nepal
§ Use very strong and rough bags to pack your belongings & don't keep the fragile items in your bag which has to be carried on the Yak. A duffel bag is advisable.
§ Keep the weight and bulk down to a minimum. Baggage allowance on most international flights is 20 Kg's/44 lbs.. Most people tend to bring more clothes than they do actually need. You will only need one change of clothes for Kathmandu . On trek it is important to dress in layers. When it is hot you will only be wearing a base layer, when it gets colder you can add to this until you are wearing most of your clothes! During Kailash Parikarma, one bag per person would be carried on Yak. It is advisable to carry your stuff in a duffel bag rather than suitcase or other normal bags.
§ Make a separate pouch for the First Aid kit with a list of medicines and their appropriate usages. You may never use any of these medicines but some one in the group may require it. Protect yourself against dust and direct sunshine and Dust during the long stretches of driving. In addition to the medicines, your First Aid Kit must contain the following:
| Fever | Stiffness | Cold & Cough | Stomach Cramps |
| Body Joint Paints | Acidity | Sore Throat | Loose Motion |
| Muscle Pulls | Nose blocks | Headache | Sore Eyes |
| Constipation | Vomiting | Diarrhea | Sneezing |
| Chest Congestions | Swelling | Indigestion | Dysentery |
§ One should carry glucose-based items (Mints, toffees, sweets, mini chocolates bars, chocolates, glucose, candies, khakra, laddu/pinni etc. for periodical consumption at high altitude for energy).
§ Multi-vitamin and Vitamin C tablets are required for daily consumption as a routine.
A valid passport is a must. The passport must be sent to your Travel Agent at least a month in advance to obtain Chinese Visa. Normally Group Visas are granted on such trips.
It is advisable to carry extra money (in addition to the tour cost) for personal needs or exigencies. Traveler's cheques, credit cards and Indian currency (except Rs. 500 currency notes) are transactable in Nepal
Indian citizens do not require passport visa to visit Nepal
Procure if possible relevant maps, literature of the area for review. Try and establish contact with Pilgrims who had been on this pilgrimage earlier to gather first hand information.
Documents
Keep your documents updated for the travel. Passport - Photostat copies, original passport shall be given at Nepal-on-arrival
§ Identity Card
§ Visiting Card
§ Dairy: Addresses, telephone numbers, contacts.
§ Waist Pouch.
§ Ball Pens (spare refills)
§ Maps / Charts / Books of the area.
§ Traveler's cheques, credit cards & currency.
§ Airline / Railway tickets / vouchers.
§ Any other documents for personal use.
Equipments
| Vaseline | Dettol /Listerine (antiseptic) | | Chapstick |
| Eye Masks | Small Plastic Bags | Facial Tissues | |
| Cotton | Dust Cover (Surgeon’s Mask) | Rubber Bands | Dark Sunglasses |
| Vicks | Body Lotion / Mustard Oil | Sanitizer gel | Mouth Fresheners |
| Toilet kit | Torch (waterproof & powerful) spare cells | Cough Drops | Woolen Gloves |
| Ear Muffs | Leak proof plastics water bottles (for water from Manasarovar and Gauri Kund | Air Freshner | Monkey Cap |
| Scissors | Conventional spectacles - Contact lens not advisable. | Nose Inhalers | Binoculars |
| Sun Hat | bags( a few of each size strong) | Nail Clipper | Money pouch/belts |
| Band Aid | Note book , Pen , Pencils | Toilet Papers | Cigarette lighter |
| Buttons | Water bottles- unbreakable ( Min 2 ltrs capacity) can be purchased in | Pocket knife | Camera - Film rolls |
| towel | Rain Gear-Your raincoat should be roomy and have a water proof hood. | Sewing kit, | Bandage Roll |
| dustmasks | Water purification tablets | strong sun cream | Candle & Lighter |
| Binoculars | Walking stick- Can be purchased in kathmandu | Moisturizers | Video camera |
| Whistle. | Swiss knife (multipurpose). | Plastic mug | |
| | Pocket cassette recorder with earphones to listen to music, prayers etc. during travel and also to record daily events | Personal jewellery must be kept to minimum | |
Clothing
Light weight suit case / travel bag (take care to keep your baggage simpler and lighter as an emergency may arise where you might have to carry your own baggage against all odds).
Clothings for both extremes of climate and temperature. While driving to Kailash, it will be warm inside the vehicle and light clothing will be required, but as soon as you step out of the vehicle, warm clothing will be required to keep off the cold winds of the Tibetan Plateau. Evening will be generally cold and warm clothing will be required We recommend that you bring along the following clothings and accessories with you:
§ Down Jacket - one ( Available on Rent )
§ Warm windproof jacket - One
§ Rain coat with hood/ Poncho (should be roomy) - One
§ Warm thick pullover - One
§ Warm thin pullover - One
§ Cotton full sleeve T-Shirts - Four
§ Light loose cotton pants - Two
§ Warm pants - Two
§ Thermal under pants/long - Two
§ Thermal vest / warm full T-Shirts - Two
§ Warm woolen socks-Six
§ Large cotton or silk scarf-One
§ Soft paper tissue and handkerchiefs - Plenty
§ Cap (Sun / snow / rain protection).
§ Monkey cap and Sun heat - one each
§ Warm gloves.
§ Towels (one big, one small)
§ Washing kit.
§ Hot water bottle.
§ Keds / Boots very light, skid proof, water resistant, ankle protection and soft interior - 2 pairs. Break in earlier for comfortable use.
§ Light trek bag (Cameras etc.)
§ "Broken - in" pair of ankle high walking boots & one extra shoe laces.
§ Light tennis shoes & light rubber sandal.
Ladies should select suitable and comfortable clothing accordingly.
§ Upon arrival at immigration desk at Tribhuan International Airport 500-1000 at Tibet
Prior to Parikarma
§ Start taking DIAMOX atleast 2 days before starting your journey - once every morning after the breakfast. It should be taken for 3-6 days. This is to minimize altitude sickness.
§ Drink at least 3 litres of mineral water everyday till you complete the Holy Yatra.
§ Avoid riding Yak during Kailash Parikarma. A pony is preferred over Yak.
§ Advise your requirements for Pony Hiring (available at an additional cost) to your tour guide at least a day before the beginning of Parikarma.
During Parikarma
§ Rest.
§ Relax - Do not exert; Do not be excited.
§ Reduce talking.
§ Walk slowly - adopt one third of your normal speed & space.
§ Keep your load light.
§ Walk 15 minutes and rest for five minutes.
§ Light weight warm clothing's and boots / ked would help reducing strain and burden.
§ Never let yourself into boredom - boredom inducts fatigue, mental abrasions and exhaustion. Chant a prayer or visualize everything around to suit your pleasant thoughts. Or put on the earphones and listen to your favorite music, bhajans, chanting etc. Scan the scenario with binoculars. Resort to photography.
§ Do not exercise.
§ Breathe slowly (never fast).
§ Whenever you feel uncomfortable, just stop: rest and relax.
§ Ignore the sudden outbursts of fellow pilgrims and avoid arguments.
§ Observe silence with a smile.
§ Remember - never go too high too fast.
§ Avoid smoking and alcohol - drugs or intoxicants.
§ Consume plenty of liquids; never proceed with an empty stomach.
§ Never rush into things.
§ Walk slowly and firmly.
§ Guard yourself from slipping or falling to prevent fractures, sprains and muscle pulls.
§ The uneven ground, steep slopes and slushy banks are full of potholes.
§ Do not combine walking and sight seeing together. Inspect your track in front and trek slowly.
§ Listen to your guide or the one with experience.
§ Never leave the Group. Be in the Group. Do not leave anyone behind unless escorted.
§ Be careful not to catch a cold.
§ It is better to be over clothed than under protected.
§ En-route avoids taking bath or drinking water from Lake Streams or rivers, as your system is not conditioned for this.
§ Protect yourself against dust and direct sunshine during the long stretches of driving.
§ The uneven ground, steep slope and slushy banks are full of potholes. Do not combine walking and sight seeing together.
§ Always listen to your guide or the one with experience. Never leave the group.
§ Since the dry cold wind tends to make the nose dry (bleeding sometime) keep your nose smooth by applying Vaseline.
§ Keep your feet dry - never let it get wet.
§ Keep your boots / ked inside tents to keep them dry.
§ Wearing cotton and wool socks in combination would be the best. Face, feet and hands must be well protected.
§ Walk gradually, don't compete with any one and never loose your temper as this is going to be the toughest journey you could have ever made so far.
§ Incase you feel any kind of breathlessness during parikarma, immediately inform our tour guide or sherpa staff & follow their advise.
§ On the second day of parikarma, you come across the maximum height at Dolmala Pass
§ During parikarma, you'll come across rivers and streams, you must wash your face occasionally with cold water. Avoid drinking water from streams or rivers en route.
§ As far as possible, try to walk. But, if you are riding a pony during parikarma, make sure that you hold it properly.
§ On the second day of parikarma, you will see several clothes lying on the rocks, please do't touch the same.
§ Guard yourself from slipping or falling to prevent fractures, sprains and muscle pulls.
§ Do not combine walking and sightseeing together. Inspect your track in front and trek slowly.
§ Travel in the group and do not leave any one behind unless escorted.
§ It is preferable to avoid shaving as any cut or bruisemay not heal quickly and may irritate with nagging discomfort.
§ Eat as much as you could but avoid overeating.
§ Satellite phone being provided by us on use and pay basis is primarily to facilitate you during any emergency as such avoid making calls to your well wishers because charging facilities for satellite batteries are very limited and in case of excess usage, the satellite phone might be useless at the time of any emergency.
§ While in tents, make sure that it is properly zipped and your luggage (which is kept inside the tent) is not touching the tent's outer surface otherwise in case of rain you might find water inside your tent.
§ Try to be in your own tents while its too windy or sunny.
§ While staying in the guest house, avoid using public toilets as these are very dirty. It is advisable to use open area or our own toilet tents for toilet purpose.
§ Travel with the TEAM SPIRIT and help your group members in case of any need or emergency.
§ Please do not expect excellent vehicles in Tibet
§ As tents and other camping equipments move in trucks, it will take about 2 hours for our sherpa team to pitch-in tents once they reach camp site. Please have patience as truck speed can not be matched with your land cruiser's speed.
While on the Holy Lake
§ Don't take a Holy dip in Holy Mansarovar Lake
§ Never take a dip in Rakshas Tal (Lake ) as its not auspicious.
§ If you face altitude sickness, do not proceed for parikarma because once you leave Mansarovar or Darchen and wish to come back from Parikarma due to any reason, there are no facilities available like stretcher etc. Even for Helicopter evacuation, it may take minimum 10 hrs. to a couple of days depending upon weather conditions.
§ Don't forget to collect some stones from The Holy Lake as each stone is treated as "Shivlinga".
