When one plans a pilgrimage to Kailash Mountain and Lake Mansarovar, one of the most crucial things to do is to take all the necessary steps and secure the travel permits. The pilgrimage is held in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, so it is not possible for foreigners to visit the region without a guide. Before the trip, there are several permits and a visa that have to be arranged.
The following Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Permit Guide helps you to understand the permits you need, the application process, documents required, processing time and more. Knowing what these processes are ahead of time will make it easier for you to complete your paperwork on time and minimise delays before you leave.
Why Are Permits Required?
Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are in a sensitive area of western Tibet. All foreign guests are required to travel with a foreign tour operator and a Chinese tour guide who is on the official list of Tibetan guides. There is no independent travel and permits are monitored on the journey at all airports, border crossings, hotels and security checkpoints.
The permit to visit Kailash Mansarovar is not a single document. It is a combination of three official permits from various authorities, which will enable foreign visitors to enter Tibet and visit restricted areas around Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar.
Required Permits
The primary document is the Tibet Tourist Permit issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. This permit is mandatory for all foreign visitors entering Tibet.
The Kailash area is also not open for free access by foreign pilgrims and most of them thus require an Alien’s Travel Permit. The path runs through critical border areas and a Military Permit is needed. A Foreign Affairs Permit is also required based on regulations and itinerary.
If you start your trip from Kathmandu, you will also get a Chinese Group Visa. This supersedes a normal Chinese tourist visa for most foreigners who come to Tibet via Nepal.
Documents Required
If you want to apply for the Kailash yatra, you should provide the necessary documents to your yatra guide well before you leave. The passport must have a minimum of 6 months’ validity.
A copy of your passport information page and a recent passport-size photograph will also be required. Certain operators want digital photograph applications that are a certain dimension for online applications.
The original passport is presented in Kathmandu, Nepal, for the processing of the Chinese Group Visa for travelers who come into Tibet from Nepal. Before initiating the Kailash Mansarovar permit process, most operators will require the contact information for emergency services and the application forms to be filled out.
For permits, travel insurance is not normally required; however, there is a strong recommendation for comprehensive travel insurance for high-altitude travel and emergency medical evacuation.
Permit Application Process
The permit application is managed by your tour company in conjunction with its partner company in Tibet. Foreign tourists must join an organised group to apply for Tibetan permits.
Once booked, you will provide a copy of the passport, photograph and other required Kailash Yatra documents. It’s then checked by the tour operator before being sent to the relevant authorities in Tibet and China. It’s crucial that all personal information is accurate according to your passport, since any slight discrepancies will create a delay in approval.
After getting the Tibet Travel Permit, the other permits will be organised based on the route you will take. Normally, you will take a few days in Kathmandu to get your Chinese Group Visa while in transit from Nepal. Before departure, your operator will deliver a travel briefing and ensure that all permits are in place.
On the way, your Tibetan guide is carrying most of the original permit documents and will hand them over at checkpoints. But be sure to have your passport in your possession at all times for identification.
Processing Time
Please submit applications for permission as early as possible before you plan to leave. It is advisable to book at least a month in advance of the journey during the peak pilgrimage season, as far as the tour operators are concerned.
It usually takes 2-3 weeks for a Tibet Travel Permit to be processed once all documents are submitted. The Chinese Group Visa normally takes around 3-5 working days after the submission of the passport to Kathmandu in the case of travel in groups through Nepal.
Processing times may take longer during the public holidays of China or during the high travel season when a lot of pilgrims are applying. Government approval dates are subject to change and it is advisable to confirm the approval with your tour operator before making non-cancellable travel plans.
Chinese Group Visa
A Chinese Group Visa is the visa most international travelers get upon arrival in Tibet from Nepal instead of the regular Chinese tourist visa. The Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu issues this visa and it is printed out on a separate sheet of paper, not stamped into your passport.
All the passengers on the Group Visa will have to depart and arrive from China at the same time. The visa is granted for the whole group and members of the group cannot leave the group during the trip. Do not make any other travels abroad while your passport is at the embassy for processing.
Nationality Requirements and Possible Delays
Depending on your nationality and the government regulations in place, it may be possible to allow a procedure. Further approval may be required for some travellers and processing times may be longer. Typically, journalists, diplomats and government officials go through different procedures before their trip to Tibet.
Sometimes, if the passport data is inaccurate or is not submitted on time or government offices are closed for holidays, applications may be delayed. Permit approval can also be influenced by temporary travel restrictions, weather conditions, road maintenance or administrative decisions. It is therefore necessary to be flexible and adhere to the most current advice from your tour operator.
Important Things to Remember
Please ensure that your passport is in good condition and valid for a minimum period of six months before applying. The application might be delayed due to damaged passports or incorrect personal details.
Make digital versions of the passport, visa, insurance and any other travel documents that you can for your personal records. Please notify your tour operator right away if you renew your passport after you have applied for it, as the permits may have to be processed once more.
It’s also advisable to buy travel insurance, including high-altitude trekking, emergency medical treatment and helicopter evacuation. This is not normally needed for a permit application but is beneficial during the pilgrimage.
After Your Permits Are Approved
Once you have all approvals, your tour operator will confirm your departure dates and give you all the last-minute details. Permits are inspected at various checkpoints along the pilgrimage, such as border crossings, hotels and security checkpoints.
The path leads to very high altitudes and good acclimatisation is important. The highest point of Mount Kailash Kora is Dolma La Pass at (5630m /18,471ft) and Lake Mansarovar is at (4590m /15,060ft). If you are flying to high altitudes, follow your guide’s instructions and give yourself enough time to get used to the altitude to minimize the chances of altitude sickness.
Conclusion
Getting the right permit is an important step in planning this holy journey. There are a number of government approvals involved, but the bulk of the work is done by your tour operator when you submit the appropriate paperwork on time.
This Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Permit Guide has answered all the questions regarding the permits, documents required, how to apply, processing time and everything else that is important to know about the yatra to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. By preparing the documents for your Kailash Yatra in advance, selecting a reputable operator and ensuring timely documentation of your Kailash Mansarovar permit application, you can help ensure a smooth and well-organized journey while enjoying the spiritual experience of this extraordinary pilgrimage.