Holy Kailash Manasarovar Yatra from UK – 2026 Registration

What is Kailash Manasarovar Yatra From the UK Registration in 2026?

• This is a complete guided pilgrimage package for UK (British passport) holders to visit Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.
• Pilgrims will fly from the UK to Kathmandu, then use overland or helicopter (overland) to get into Nepal and Tibet for the pilgrimage, and back again to Kathmandu.
• There are very few departure dates in 2026, which are generally from mid-May to September, as the auspicious full moon will align with the timeless power of Lake Mansarovar (which we assume is important to you if you are considering a visit to Mount Kailash).
• Packages include shared Overland journeys, helicopter journeys and luxury packages, so available alternatives to choose from according to your preferences and fitness levels.
• The sacred pilgrimage is full of sacred rituals, including Kailash Parikrama around Mount Kailash and the holy dip in Lake Mansarovar, which is believed to purify one’s soul.
• To register, you will need to create an account; you will also need your valid passport, a few passport-sized recent photographs, a medical clearance certificate and all the other required paperwork.
• The tour operations will arrange the required visas and permits in advance. This includes the Chinese group visa and the appropriate Inner Line Permits for restricted areas of Tibet.
• The helicopter tour will vary from £1764 to £2450 (or), the overland tour will vary from £2450 to £3430 depending on your package.

How to Register for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from the UK for British Passport Holders in 2026?

If you're a British passport holder in the UK planning to register for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, you can carefully take the following steps:

Step 1: Visit the Tibet Travel website

Go to the official Dream Tibet Travel website. On the homepage, you will see a section for Tibet. This section contains a Kailash Mansarovar Yatra page.

From there you can see different Yatra packages. The packages differ in duration, route and services offered. Be sure to carefully review the packages to find one that fits into your travel plans.

Step 2: Select the Yatra Package for You

Once you've found a Kailash Mansarovar tours that will work for you, click on the package to learn more about the itinerary, inclusions, accommodation and other details. Depending on a desktop or a mobile device, the booking options are slightly different.

• On the desktop, it will show the Make an Inquiry, Check Availability and Book This Trip options on the right hand side.
• On mobile, it will show the same options in the middle of the page.

Section 3: Review Options

• Make an Inquiry: Choose this option if you would like to ask some questions or confirm information about your yatra.
• Check Availability: Select this option to check that your date of travel is available.
• Book This Trip: Select this option to get started on registering and booking for the trip.

Section 4: Booking Form

Once you select the Book/Register option, you will then go to the booking form. Please ensure that you have completed the required and valid fields correctly:

Date of Trip: Select your date of travel.

Travellers: Select how many people are travelling.

Lead Traveller Information: You will have to complete the following details:

• First Name
• Last Name
• Email Address
• Country (select the United Kingdom)
• Country Code + Phone Number
• WhatsApp Number (optional for communication)

Step 5: Accept Terms and Conditions

Please ensure to check the box to indicate you have read the terms and conditions for the trip and that you understand the terms and conditions.

Step 6: Proceed to Payment

After you correctly fill out everything, click Proceed to Payment and follow the instructions to safely pay for your travel. After you successfully complete your payment, you will receive a registration confirmation, confirmation details, and instructions about visas and travel documents.

Kailash Manasarovar Yatra from UK Registration Fee

If you are a UK traveller looking to go on the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, you can register at your leisure for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. To formally register for this trip, you make a payment (20%) of the total amount, which is your intent to go on this holy journey.

The rest of the balance will need to be paid on the day you arrive in Kathmandu before starting the trip. This should give everyone some ease with their payment while getting ready for this special event. 

The yatra package includes accommodation that includes meals, transportation, and permits, as well as guides and support services to help you have an easy and seamless pilgrimage experience.

We suggest registering as early as possible to fulfil demand, as the number of registered people is limited, and during the pilgrimage season, it is therefore a good idea to register as soon as you can.

10 Days Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from UK Registration Fee

Your registration fee is your method of reserving your place on the Yatra and reserving your opportunity to undertake your transformational spiritual journey to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.

At the point of registering, the current pricing is true, providing UK travellers with a simpler method of coordinated travel, as payment can be made in Pounds Sterling.

Mount Kailash Mansarovar Tour – 16 Days Registration Fee

It is now very easy for travellers based in the United Kingdom to register for a 16-day Mount Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage. Simply follow the registration steps. This involves paying an advance payment of 20% of the total package cost to reserve your spot, with the rest of the payment due on arrival in Kathmandu, allowing planning flexibility for the journey.

The package includes lodging, transportation, meals, permits and guides who are experienced professionals who will help to create and preserve a memorable, smooth, and enjoyable spiritual experience.

The registration fee reserves your spot, and the worry can diminish to allow for a transformative spiritual journey to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar to be the memorable experience that you are intended to have.

Kailash Charan Sparsha Tour Package – 15 Days

For UK travellers planning on taking on the 15-day Kailash Charan Sparsha Tour, registering is easy, and you are guaranteed a spot. The registration process requires an initial 20% of the total package cost to be paid for confirmation of your booking, while you pay the balance in cash when you arrive in Kathmandu.

Your package includes hotel accommodation, all travel, food allowances, permits, and a local guide whose level of experience results in a smooth journey and, we hope, a meaningful spiritual experience.

The registration fee guarantees you a spot on the trip so that you can begin to prepare for your life-changing journey to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter – 14 Days Registration Fee

UK travellers who have previously booked their 14-day Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by helicopter can now register to secure their space without hassle. Registration is an easy process that will require you to make a 20% deposit of the total cost of the package, thus confirming the reservation.

You will then pay the rest of the cost when you arrive in Kathmandu, which gives you a lot of flexibility in planning the trip. The package includes accommodation, helicopter transfers, meals, permits, and the services of experienced and knowledgeable guides, which will ensure that you have a wonderful and amazing spiritual pilgrimage

Moreover, the registration fee secures your space and allows you to plan your spiritual journey to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.

Completing Payments: Currencies, Bank Details, and Installments for Registration

When you have reserved your Kailash Mansarovar Yatra trip, you can verify your registration and make payments online securely and easily via Dream Tibet Travel.

The company will accept payment in all major international currencies, including USD, GBP, and EUR, which gives a lot of ease to participants from the UK and other places.

Direct Bank Transfer

Online Credit Card Payment

Click on the payment link and make online payment

Click to Pay

Overseas travellers should check with their home bank about transfer fees since they will vary from bank to bank. It also makes sense to have some sort of proof of payment when tracing the payment for your visa and permit application.

To also make things easier for you, Dream Tibet also offers an online credit card payment option. Just click this secure payment link to pay online right away. 

There is also the option of paying in installments. The first is a booking deposit, with the balance paid before departure. This means the pilgrim or client can confirm they are coming without financial pressure.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from UK 2026 Departure Dates Window

UK pilgrims wishing to take part in the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2026 will need to be fixed on the departure schedule. It all begins with joining up in Kathmandu, Nepal, to go through formalities regarding visas, preparatory work, and cogitates.

Departure dates will be pre-set as it is predominantly dictated by logistics and significant spiritual/earthly events such as the Full-Moon dates and the Saga Dawa Festival dates. 

UK pilgrims should consider how they will get to Kathmandu, as international flights will need to be considered for a timely arrival. There will be specific windows for departure that will enable yatris to travel mostly in groups, and groups will provide equal safety, seamless transit, and collective experience and joy through spiritual progressions.

In particular, Full-Moon dates (26th June, 25th July, 23rd October) hold deep religious significance, just as the Saga Dawa Festival date (25th May) is a significant, auspicious occasion.

Below is the complete departure schedule for 2026, with dates of arrival in Kathmandu, departure dates, and a new "inquiries" column to assist UK pilgrims making contact in a timely issue:

The departure windows are flexible. Pilgrims can choose to go in spring (April-May), summer (June-July), and autumn (Sept-Oct) for the weather and spiritual meanings. 

UK Pilgrims should definitely consider flights well ahead of time and try to book their arrival in Kathmandu based on the listed dates, to help everyone have a positive experience.

UK to Kailash Mansarovar yatra Fixed Departure Dates April, May, June, July, August, September 2026

Full-Moon Departure Dates For UK to Kailash Mansarovar

In 2026, there will be fixed Full-Moon departures for travellers out of the UK to the sacred Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and these will be memorable experiences for many spiritually.  The full moon departures are on June 26, July 25 and October 23, 2026.

The full-moon dates are considered most auspicious due to the full moon providing an added spiritual essence around Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, which will be spiritually memorable. 

When the pilgrims arrive in Kathmandu, they begin the yatra by processing the visa documentation for the group, which includes the full moon group. 

There is something special about being able to experience the yatra under the full moon because it adds more significance to the divine experience, being able to meditate and appreciate the beautiful Himalayan scenery under the moon. 

Early booking is highly recommended because the Fixed Full-Moon departures will be popular with pilgrims around the world.

What are specific Kathmandu arrival windows for UK pilgrims?

For UK pilgrimages to the holy Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2026, we will start our journey by arriving in Kathmandu, Nepal. Kathmandu will be the meeting point for yatris, where visas are finally granted, and where the journey’s spiritual advance will begin in Tibet.

The schedule for fixed departures for 2026 clearly stipulates our assigned windows for being in Kathmandu, and it is important to try and align our travel from the UK into those time windows, so our transition into and smooth movement into the yatra program is more effective.

The Kathmandu arrival windows for 2026 are: 

• 20th April
• 11th May
• 19th May
• 8th June
• 21st June
• 6th July
• 17th July
• 20th July
• 31st August
• 14th September
• 28th September
• 18th October

All of the pre-scheduled arrival dates are designed to align with visa formalities and group departures. Any UK pilgrims should carefully consider their flights with a one-day cushion to reach Kathmandu prior to their arrival window, to ensure they have an opportunity for the important orientation, acclimatisation of the official start of the yatra.

When does the registration open and what is the Early Bird deadline?

The registration for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra through the UK for 2026 is open at present in 2025, and anyone in the UK (or UK passport holders residing anywhere in the world) can register.

The registrations are almost always open throughout the year, which allows travellers to pick any month for their pilgrimage and booking at their own convenience. This has been particularly handy for many pilgrim travellers in selecting departure dates based on auspicious timings for full moons at Lake Manasarovar, which happens several times from May to September.

Normally, the Yatra will provide many different departures for every month, allowing for flexibility in the travellers' schedule. Pilgrims based in the UK usually will fly from the UK to Kathmandu, Nepal, and travel either by overland or helicopter to Mount Kailash, approaching Lake Manasarovar from Tibet.

Potential pilgrims are highly encouraged to register as soon as they are able due to permits, fees, and limited space, because space fills up quickly.

With respect to the Early Bird deadline, tour operators are better off with tourists booking as soon as they can secure a date, and sometimes provide discounts or packages that are only available for the Early Bird Registrant.

You will want to book for this sacred pilgrimage a few months out at least, not only because of the logistical challenge but because this sacred pilgrimage is well known; the first consideration and recommendation would be allowing time for visa processing, travel preparations, and acclimatization considerations.

Who is eligible to register from the UK For Kailash Parvat Yatra?

British Passport Holders

British passport holders qualify to register for the Kailash Parvat Yatra. They must each have a current passport valid for at least 6 months from the travel start date. Registration will cover the holiday, including visas for Nepal and Tibet, Tibet Travel Permit (which only authorized tour operators can organize).

Participants will be required to be fit and healthy in order to undertake this arduous high altitude pilgrimage.

Foreign Passport Holders

Foreign passport holders will be eligible to register for the Yatra if they have non-British passports. They must still meet mandated travel document requirements including possessing valid passports, visa permits for Nepal and China (Tibet), and the Tibet Travel Permits from authorized agencies.

The Yatra is organized as group travel as independent travel to Tibet is not permitted for Kailash Yatra pilgrims.

Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)

NRIs based in the UK with foreign passports can join the Yatra under the foreign passport category. Indian nationals, either based in the UK or India, can only apply via formal Indian government agency channels which include additional health and age restrictions. NRIs need to be medically fit and provide documentation for high altitude travel permits.

Age and Medical Fitness

Applicants are often required to be aged between 10-70 years. The applicant must provide health fitness with a certificate from an MBBS doctor indicating that the applicant is capable of high-altitude conditions and sustains physical exertion.

Generally speaking, some applicants would be unable to apply for significant medical conditions such as asthma, heart problems, diabetes and epilepsy.

Other Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must not have legal restrictions preventing them from travelling abroad;
• The information given by applicants and personal and medical questions on the registering forms must be truthful;
• Pilgrims who have completed the Yatra in the past may get priority;
• Date of group travel cannot be flexible - the date will be fixed and will be the travel date assigned to them.

Places Where British Pilgrims Can Register for the 2026 Kailash Manasarovar Yatra

Registration for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra from the UK for 2026 is available for pilgrims from major cities in the UK. The vast majority of British pilgrims can register with Nepal-based tour operators, which are responsible for Kailash pilgrimage arrangements, as Nepal is the major and safe starting point to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar trip.

These operators take care of China/Tibet group visas, permits, managing the itinerary, and every aspect of providing full meaning, support, and guidance to pilgrims at each of the stages of their journey. 

Below is a basic table showing how and where to register from a few of the major UK cities (mostly online or through the offices of Nepal-based tour operators): 

It's important for British travellers to work with Nepal-based operators that do the Kailash Yatra, providing more options that include visas, trekking permits, local logistics and spiritual experience!

These operators provide all ground support within Nepal and Tibet, better service that is more reliable and well-planned than right here in the UK via many agents! 

Lots of British pilgrims simply book through the Nepal-based operators, in advance enabling you to get good price, permit, availability, and in many cases, a personal and one-off service, to enable a seamless pilgrimage.

Whether UK pilgrims are registered in a City in the UK or visitors coming overseas, the best entry point into Kailash Manasarovar is via proficient Nepal tour operators. They understand all of the manoeuvrability of the whole process on this sacred pilgrimage.

This integrated process will deliver a rounded experience in 2026 for UK pilgrims, where the journey from departure to return trip is pleasant, and enhancing the spiritual link between UK travellers and the spirituality of the Himalayas.

How to Reach From Britain to Nepal for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2026?

1. Flight Routes & Airports

As there are no direct nonstop flights from the UK to Kathmandu (Tribhuvan) International Airport, KTM, almost all flights have 1 or 2 layovers. Typical transit points are Doha (Qatar), Dubai (UAE), Delhi (India), Istanbul (Turkey) & sometimes cities in Southeast Asia, depending on the airline.

Here are typical routes:

Example route breakdowns:

• Via Doha: Depart LHR → Hamad International (DOH), layover ~2–4 hours → DOH to KTM.
• Via Dubai: LHR → Dubai (DXB), change to a flight DXB → KTM.
• Via Delhi: LHR → DEL, then DEL → KTM.
• Via Istanbul: LHR → IST, then IST → KTM.

2. Flight Classes & Duration

Typical classes of travel available are:

• Economy - standard seat, meals, standard baggage (most allow 1 checked bag + cabin bag).
• Premium Economy / Economy Plus (sometimes available) - more leg room, better location of seat, possibly better meals.
• Business Class - lie flat or angled seats, access to lounge on layover, more included baggage.

Typical total air travel times from the UK to Kathmandu vary significantly once your layover times are factored in. Total travel times from the UK to Kathmandu can take 11-15 hours (if connections are efficient) or take 20-25+ hours if you have longer layovers.

3. Cost Estimates

Estimated ticket prices (one-way and round-trip) in late 2025 / early 2026:

• One-way airline tickets in economy class from London to KTM will be around US$480–600 or the equivalent GBP amount.
• The cost of a round-trip economy fare will be mostly in the range of US$700–1,200, depending on stops, airline, and advance purchase.
• Business class tickets will cost considerably more, usually 2 or sometimes 3 times the cost of an economy fare, depending on airline and stopovers.

NOTE: Airlines departing the UK are subject to Air Passenger Duty (APD), which will depend on the distance flown and class of seat; the APD on a premium/business ticket will be higher. The APD is built into the ticket price.

4. Recommended Airports & Timing Before Departure

Depart from major airports: The best choice is London Heathrow (LHR). In addition to Heathrow, you could also fly from Gatwick, Luton, or Stansted, but they may not be that convenient due to more connections needed.

For departure from the UK, arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your international flight to do your check-in, security, and immigration, especially if you are flying business or with special baggage.

If you have a connecting flight, make sure you have enough time between flights: at least 2–3 hours if your connecting flight is in large hubs like Doha, Dubai, Istanbul airlines or re-checking are you, allow more time.

6. Visa, Immigration & Arrival in Nepal

If you land in Nepal without a visa, a visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu is available for foreign nationals, UK citizens included. Namely, a passport valid for at least 6 months, some passport-size photos, and the exact visa fee in USD or any other widely used currency are what you need to have with you.

Immigration: show your passport, fill in the arrival/departure form, and declare your items as per the instructions.

If you have organised the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra with a travel agency, there may be further paperwork (permits) required once you are in Kathmandu. Usually, they take care of that.

7. What to Check / Prepare

• Booking in advance: For the best fares, buy your tickets 2-4 months in advance. When we talk about the peak May - October yatra, the sooner the better.
• Seat class: Decide if the price difference to get more comfort (extra leg room or business) is worth it, especially if it's a long-haul including a layover.
• Luggage rules: Some airlines (especially with budget or low-cost carriers) have rules and limits with luggage and will not allow you to check all your gear for the trek/yatra. Make sure your gear will also fit.
• Health & travel insurance: This type of insurance is highly recommended.
• Permits: For your Kailash Mansarovar yatra, you will need to do some permit legwork by getting China/Tibet permits, if you are going to and from Tibet, even though that is just the route taken. Usually, travel agencies will help us with this.

Why Should One Register Now: Benefits or Offers?

Early Bird / Super-Early Discounts

Those who make advance bookings are given great discounts by tour operators. To illustrate, the "Super Early Offer" for the overland 2026 Yatra is an amazing opportunity to reserve at a very low price if the registration is done early, which is much cheaper than the later rates.

More Choice of Dates, Especially Best / Full-Moon Windows

The most requested or best time windows (especially full moon dates, festival periods like Saga Dawa) usually get booked very quickly. If you book in advance, you can be sure that you will be able to choose the best/most auspicious dates and not have to take the leftover ones.

Permit & Visa Processing Time Is Secured

Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage has to go through a process of several permit applications (e.g., Tibet Travel Permit, group visas / restricted area permits), and sometimes it has to be medically cleared. Operators emphasise the importance of early applications so that the paperwork (visas, permits) can be done without any trouble before the date of your travel.

Flight rates, accommodation, and transport (coach, road/overland logistics) are usually more expensive when it gets close to the departure date. Early booking allows you to avoid the increasing prices for hotels, transport, and even internal logistics.

Guaranteed Slot Availability

Since there is a limitation in the number of people per batch/departure group (due to permit caps, lodging, transport constraints, etc.), those who are registered early get the advantage of being allowed a place, hence, not having to face the anxiety of the group being "sold out" or oversubscribed.

More Time for Preparation

By registering beforehand, you make your preparation for health and fitness, collecting necessary documents (passport, photos, medical check-ups), visa, permits, packing, getting used to the new climate, and so on, a lot easier.

If you have not rushed these steps, the amount of stress will be considerably less.

Are UK Passport Holders Eligible for China Visa-Free Entry?

As of 2025-2026, UK passport holders are excluded from China’s visa-free entry policy for tourism, business, or transit purposes. This is also different from some other European countries that have access to visa-free entry, so arrangements have not been made for visa-free entry for regular British passport holders.

Nevertheless, the Chinese Government recognises and has entered into several bilateral agreements for other nationalities and for holders of diplomatic and official passports.

Countries with visa-free entry to China or countries that have visa waivers are as follows:

• China provides visa-free entry or visa waivers for nationalities from a number of countries, typically for short-term visits (e.g. 15-day or 30-day) based on the bilateral agreement. These include some of the following:
• Most EU countries offer visa-free entry or a visa waiver, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, Switzerland, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, and many others.
• Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore
• A number of South American countries (e.g. Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay) have up to 30-day entry since June 2025
• Russia (trial visa-free entry from September 15, 2025, to September 14, 2026)
• Middle Eastern countries (e.g. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia) are also valid for visa-free entry until June 8, 2026.

Currently, British nationals need to have a Chinese visa in advance for all purposes other than official or diplomatic travel. Where travel is planned, it is best to apply for a visa, wherever possible, through Chinese embassies or consulates before arrival.

This policy reflects China's effort to carefully expand visa exemptions; however, the exemptions will still remain selective by nationality and reason. British passport holders should watch official notices; however, in short, British nationals should expect to organise a visa before travelling to China for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage or for whatever reason.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra From UK Registration: Accommodation Options

The accommodation during the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is usually basic. Mainly, the pilgrims residing on the route are in the teahouses, lodges or guesthouses which are designed for the basic needs only.

Due to the remoteness and extreme cold at high altitudes, these lodgings are limited in their offerings and usually provide heating (a very basic one), quite a few toilets and small rooms for sleeping. Time and again, the availability of hot water worsens, and the demand remains the same when the rest stop is at higher altitudes.

Luxury Accommodation Requests for UK Passport Holders

Indeed, standard accommodation is very basic. One may have luck if he/she is a UK pilgrim going to the 2026 Yatra and have thought of asking for better accommodation with their booking.

Most of the Nepali tour operating companies come up with customised tourism packages that incorporate leisurely stays at more convenient hotels in the capital city and neighbouring tourist spots like Nagarkot or other less-known places during the halting hours.

It is worth noting that 5-star hotels may comprise such neat up draft private hygiene spaces, adequate heating, data access, as well as good culinary services, which seem to be close are those who chase madding comfort or have specific medical conditions.

Customising Your Stay

When signing up for the pilgrimage and accommodating the preferences, one has to be very explicit in sharing his/her wants.

The local Nepalese operators who deal in Yatra have a lot of expertise and can facilitate it by providing you with an upgraded accommodation if you are willing to pay extra, ensuring your comfort without spoiling the holiness of the trip.

Vegetarian Meals Available for British Indian in Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 

British Indians who are going to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra are mostly given fully vegetarian meals during the pilgrimage. Yatris' breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and light snacks, which are made in tour operators' and kitchens, are assured to be vegetarian and are generally sattvic (simple, pure) in style.

Skilled cooks (usually Indian/Nepali) prepare vegetarian food, using provisions carried in from the base points and using vegetables and fruit that are bought locally. They may be able to accommodate any special food requirements, such as no oil or no garlic, if notified in advance. 

The pilgrimage carries great significance in Hindu tradition, and diet is one of the purification processes for the pilgrims. Vegetarian food was the one that was compatible with the tradition of the earth being the origin from the killed and nonviolence, purity, and concentration for the spiritual life were the main principles of the tradition.

Meanwhile, the tough conditions, low oxygen, and the long trek make it necessary to consume only easily digestible foods. Taking heavy or overly spicy/non-veg meals might lead to a feeling of discomfort, vomiting, or an altitude misunderstanding of the digestive system.

Delicious vegetarian meals that are well balanced with carbohydrates, proteins (lentils, beans), vitamins, and fluids, will provide yatris with the necessary energy to keep up their strength and improve their acclimatization condition. It is recommended to drink water in light and frequent servings.

Sample Vegetarian Menu Table

Why is 2026 a special Year for the Kailash Mansarovar yatra?

The Year 2026 is very special for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra since it happens to be the Tibetan Year of the Horse, a potent and propitious year that comes every 12 years according to the Tibetan calendar.

This infrequent heavenly occurrence is thought to raise the pilgrim's spiritual complaint, to be more giving with blessings, and to be more amazing for the pilgrims' spiritual transformation.

In Tibetan and Chinese astrology, the Year of the Horse represents power, courage, independence, and patience. These are habits that align with a physical and spiritual journey of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. 

Moreover, the Year is related to universal energies that refill Mount Kailash with new energy, turning it into a source of positive energy for all the visitors; thus, their spiritual benefits will be greatly magnified.

Generally, it is considered especially auspicious to do the Kailash Parikrama or Kora in a Horse Year. It is thought to grant sublime peace, as well as karmic clearing and progress along our spiritual path.

In 2026, and every Horse Year thereafter, a special 39 km sacred circumambulation of Mount Kailash will be undertaken by pilgrims. The arduous ascent of the Dolma La pass and the ceremonial cleansing in the water of Lake Mansarovar are said to wash away our sins and instill blessings.

The 2026 Yatra will be provided on dates that are aligned with auspicious full moon dates. These dates allow patriots to experience this unique Kora pilgrimage during this auspicious year and use the auspiciousness to signify meaning.

Necessary Documents & Permits

Medical and Physical Preparation

• Visit a physician 3-4 months before your trip, and obtain a medical examination for your heart, lungs, overall breathing function, blood pressure, and perhaps a screening ECG, etc. 
• Also, get fit - walking, hikes, breathing exercises, or yoga, anything you can do to build endurance for the altitude and terrain you will encounter. 
• Get your medications together: altitude sickness (i.e., Diamox), first aid, and personal medication. 

Logistical and Other Preparations

• Ensure that you have a passport with empty pages and one that is not damaged.
• Complete and submit your documents (passport, photos, visa/permit paperwork), in plenty of time; usually 1 month before departure. Organise the money for your trip; some credit cards, etc.
• Have a copy of your documents (photocopies), kept in a space that is separate from the originals.
• Keep some copies (photocopies/digital) of ALL documents. 
• Have your emergency contact information, insurance policy information, and any other information you will need.

Essential Documents and Permits for UK Pilgrims Undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

When you begin your trip to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from the UK, you need to get everything prepared, especially regarding the list of legal documents required, along with the permits. This is because you must have these documents to gain entry into the area of Tibet, as you are not allowed to travel independently.

Your licensed travel agency can arrange all the permits upon booking the pilgrimage. 

1. Chinese Visa

If you are a citizen of the United Kingdom, then you will need to have a Chinese Group visa to access Tibet. The Visa is arranged on a group level for each traveling pilgrim in the group, and the tour operator will arrange this. The visa cost is approximately USD 155 per person.

2. Tibet Travel Permit

Also referred to as the Tibet Entry Permit, it is a compulsory travel document for everyone travelling to Tibet. The Tibet Tourism Bureau issues the Tibet travel permit, and this cannot be obtained independently.

The permit is included as part of the tour, and this will not incur any extra cost.

3. Alien Travel Permit

This travel permit is essential for foreigners who wish to travel in restricted areas of Tibet. The permit is usually obtained through the tour operator and included in the overall price of the tour.

4. Military Area Entry Permit

There are certain military zones close to Mount Kailash. Travelers to this area will be required to obtain this permit. Like the Alien Travel Permit, the Military Area Entry Permit will be obtained through the tour operator and included in the tour package.

5. Nepal Visa

UK citizens may obtain a visa for Nepal at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. To receive the visa, travelers will need to fill in a form, provide a passport-sized photo, and pay the fee of approximately USD 50 for a 30-day visa.

6. Medical Fitness Certificate

Pilgrims are required to obtain a medical fitness certificate from a registered medical practitioner in order to ensure that they are fit for travel in high altitude. The medical fitness certificate should be submitted to the tour operator before travelling. 

NOTE: The costs for the Chinese Group Visa, Nepal visa and other permits have usually been included in the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra tour package. It should be noted that it is prudent to confirm what is and is not included in the package with the tour operator at the time of booking.