What is The Total Cost of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Australia?

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Cost from Australia 2025-2026

An estimate of the cost to Australians for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is between USD 1400 - USD 4170 (AUD 2100 - AUD 6255) in 2025 and varies by operators' recommendations and what portion of the price is included.

This price is based on today's 1 USD = 1.5 AUD and includes permits, travel, accommodation, and guides. Several local operators will probably offer this service at AUD price; therefore, we thought it prudent to also indicate the costs in USD and the local currency to assist in providing clarity.

Although we anticipate that projected costs for 2026 will be in similar ranges, approximately $2,800 to $3,500 (approximately AUD4,200 to AUD5,250). 

While we expect that prices are unlikely to differ too much from these ranges, it should be noted that moderate rises could occur in the future due to inflation; increased government fees, changes to operating costs in general; or shifts in the AUD-USD currency exchange rate. When we refer to the currency exchange rates, we anticipate that it will have an impact, in that if the AUD weakens against the USD, then the cost in AUD will likely increase and in reverse. 

It should always be remembered by travellers that such pricing is dependent on market behaviours and a currency exchange rate at a point in time. Larger or sudden changes in currency exchange rates will, of course, have a greater effect in terms of the ‘Yatra’ costs, either increasing the total cost or reducing the total cost for the trip. If the total cost can be secured closer to the trip dates, then fares are probably more relatively accurate and worth the pricing.

How Much Will the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Cost from Australia between 2027-2028?

The total cost for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Australia for 2027-2028 provided a base cost of AUD 2,200 per person, which is an increase from past costs of about AUD 1,700 per person. 

The increase in cost included inflation, and increased permit fees, as well as much better, and also added services included in the cost including guided tours from the local level whether it's walk or drive to accommodation, food, local transport, visa processing fees etc... and in total the pilgrimage which included the cost for the trip will range from AUD 2,200 to about AUD 2,700 per person, depending on the group size and choice of itinerary.

The projected increase in costs is normal for any comparable spiritual tours, where prices will rise over time, as it is typical throughout many tours for various reasons, which will mostly include admin changes, inflationary increases in travel costs, and stricter permit rules and/or fees.

One destination note in considering your own costs is that the cost covers many things that would be useful for you to understand, like that it includes a Tibet group visa, travel permits, flights in Nepal or Tibet, accommodation, meals and a guide.

You may also need to budget airline flights from Australia to Kathmandu or Delhi if required, on top of the package price as you see it.

During your travel from Australia in 2027-28, it is best to budget a minimum of AUD 2,200 for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. A total cost can vary greatly according to brand identification, range, commodity values, and very likely, the exchange rate, just to name a few.

Booking well whatever ahead of the time with any friends who travel to the area will likely result in better pricing for services, but we can only expect the overall costs to still rise, and even be higher than previous years.

Australia to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Package Prices from Different Countries

From Nepal

Standard package prices for Australians trekking in Nepal are about AUD 4,500 to AUD 6,500 for a standard overland tour and AUD 7,500 to AUD 9,000 for a deluxe tour with helicopter option.  

Included in those packages are all of the Tibet permits (Tibet Travel Permit, Alien Travel Permit, Military Permit) and the Chinese Group Visa arranged in Kathmandu through an authorized tour operator. Australians are taking advantage of China's temporary visa-free entry, through to Dec 2025 (so processing a Chinese group visa in Kathmandu as an Australian is quicker and easier than normal for any of you planning to go).  

Difficulty is moderate/difficult—altitude ascents up to 5,630 m at Dolma La,52 km kora trek over three days; permits are all processed through your group tours. It is an orderly, coordinated process versus a DIY one. A fair degree of fitness and hydration is required.

Different Packages With Cost Offered for Australian Passport Holders 

From China

For regular overland travel, be mindful that you will be looking at 10 - 12 days and one-way from Chengdu or Beijing (into China first) to Lhasa, and beyond, expect costs between AUD 6000 - 8000. Deluxe versions with accommodation and better service were AUD 9000.

Australian passport holders are visa-free for mainland China for up to 15 days till December 2025 (again, it is supposed to be up to 15), so the entry is much easier, as you don’t need to apply for a Visa.

Travel to Tibet still will involve the Tibet Travel permit, Alien & military permits, and group travel through approved agencies.

The trek is a moderate trek, less zigzagging, accommodating altitude by Lhasa. Complicated logistics are still organized, paperwork is more complicated, group entry only, and may have a language barrier too.

From Lhasa

Tours that begin in Lhasa and travel by flight from Australia will be in the range of AUD 6,500 to AUD 8,500 for a standard 14-day itinerary, and deluxe packages can be upward of AUD 9,500 depending on level of comfort and number of people travelling. 

Australians will take advantage of the China visa-free policy (15 days) and land in China without issue. Travelling to Kailash will require the Tibet Travel Permit and Alien Permit, and Military Permit, which are all facilitated through a travel agent and are normally taken care of as part of a group package in Lhasa or Kathmandu. 

The travel level of difficulty for this is low to moderate, as Lhasa will provide the proper acclimatization (3,700 m), comfortable hotels, and a small amount of road travel to Ngari region, and the trekking is only 52 km kora. The agency will handle the permits from start to finish. The overall physical stress will be low to moderate, if you exclude the altitude of Dolma La.

View Lhasa to Mount Kailash Mansarovar Tour- 11 Days Itinerary at AUD 3791 Per person

What is the cost of a flight ticket from Australia to Kathmandu for the Mount Kailash Trip?

Sydney (SYD) to Kathmandu (KTM)

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) is Australia's busiest international airport and the main gateway for pilgrims on an international flight to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Nepal, which is the only international airport in Kathmandu. Expect flight time of about 15-16 hours including layovers. Likely transit cities are Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport - BKK), Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur International Airport - KUL), Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport - DEL), and Singapore (Changi Airport - SIN).

Flight costs:

• One way economy fares from approximately AUD 390 - 405 (USD 259-271).
• Return economy fares are usually near AUD 750 - 800. China Southern, which has a transit stop in Guangzhou - CAN, and Air India, which stops in Delhi, generally have competitive fares. 
• Premium economy or business class could be AUD 1,200 - AUD 1,400 or more depending on the airline and time of year. 
• Flights from alternate airports where connectivity is good are plentiful and relatively convenient, and affordable for the pilgrims to Kailash.

Melbourne (MEL) to Kathmandu (KTM)

The majority of travellers from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport (KTM) are likely to have 1-2 layover stops.

• Flight Times: Flight times can vary from 16-18 hours depending on layovers.
• Transit Cities: Some of the stops which are popular along the way include Singapore (Changi Airport -SIN), Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport-BKK), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), and, on rare occasions, Hong Kong (Hong Kong International Airport-HKG).

Flight Costs:

• Economy one-way flights can start from AUD 500 (USD 336) on most routes.
• Economy round-trip fare varies from AUD 530 - AUD 800 on flights with the likes of Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and China Southern.
• Premium economy class and business class are priced from AUD 1,100 - AUD 1,500 round-trip fare, marginal to high, depending on Airline and availability.
• The number of airlines based around Melbourne provides good access to all the key Asian hubs, offering a variety of services and costs.

Brisbane (BNE) to Kathmandu (KTM)

Travel times from the Brisbane airport to KTM or DEL are often longer due to fewer direct transit options.

• Flight Time: Flight time can vary for the same flight anywhere from 15 hours (non-stop) to about 22 hours (from flight to layover).
• Transit Cities: Hong Kong (HKG), Singapore (SIN), Bangkok (BKK), Doha (Hamad International Airport - DOH), and Kuala Lumpur (KUL).

Flight details:

• Economy one-way fares commonly range from AUD 475 - AUD 550 (USD 315 - 365).
• Economy return fares range from AUD 820 - AUD 1,030. Jetstar, for instance, China Southern, and Qatar are not as competitive.
• Premium cabins are approx AUD 1100, business class is often more than AUD 1500.
• Brisbane may possibly have fewer options; however, it provides reasonable connections to the major Asian transit hubs that Kailash pilgrimages require.

Perth (PER) and Other Cities to Kathmandu (KTM)

Perth Airport (PER) and some smaller Australian airports (Adelaide – ADL, or Canberra – CBR) do not offer international flights to Kathmandu, with, on average, a few more than one stop and longer duration. On average, flights from PER, ADL, and CBR have an increased duration, transit time, and cost.

• Travel Time: 18 hours minimum and in most cases more with two stops or greater
• Transit Cities: These transit cities usually include Singapore (SIN), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Bangkok (BKK), and sometimes more from UAE (DxB)
• Flight Costs: Economy flights to these transit cities are approximately AUD 700 (return), and premium flight costs are higher

Direct Connections are variable in competition and generally limited to direct flights from your country. This is often why these cities are not regarded for flights to Kailash Yatra. However, if these trade-offs suit your own travel preferences and travel time, then you may build in these suburbs/areas, as you need, in your travel itinerary.

Nepal Visa Cost for Australians (For Starting Kailash Trip Via Nepal)

For any Australian traveller, kaialash yatra (i.e., pilgrimage) starting in Nepal will require you to apply for an Australian tourist visa. At Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, and from most land borders into Nepal, there is a "visa-on-arrival" provision for Australian passport holders.

If you want to apply for a visa, you, the traveller, need:

• a valid passport (with 6 months' validity)
• A passport-size photo.

Applying for a visa is really a straight-forward process, and believed usually not taking more than a few hours to process, so that you pilgrims can get back to doing what it is you do, without any complications. It is still handy to know the visa costs too, so that making your travel arrangements does not become more complicated, then it could be problematic to sort the matter out as quickly as possible and not leave it as a matter to sort out until the final few days before you are to leave.

Nepal Visa Cost for Australians

• 15-day visa: AUD 45
• 30-day visa: AUD 75
• 90-day visa: AUD 190

Payments will usually be made based USD, though it's not uncommon to have AUD cash, or to do a foreign exchange when you arrive, so it's good to have the correct cash you need from the start, making the overall visa and entry process easier to process when you begin your Kailash pilgrimage with your trip through Nepal.

Transportation Cost From Airport to Hotel (After Reaching Nepal)

When you reach Nepal, expect to pay a fare of about AUD10-AUD20 to take a taxi/ride-share to your hotel in Kathmandu. If you have pre-arranged your hotel pick-up as a taxi or ride-share service, then the price will always depend upon variables like the traffic, time of day, whether a taxi service was metered or a private hire vehicle, etc. There are always taxis at the airport, and this is a reliable form of transportation to arrive directly at your accommodation.

In fact, you will see many of the travelers, including airport transfers, as part of their travels. Airport transfers are included in your Kailash or Nepal tour packages (usually).

• This means your transport to and from the airport will be arranged for you.
• You will have an easy and straightforward journey when you arrive.

Planning your arrival transport in advance as part of your tour package will save you time and avoid the hassles of transport planning, and you will be able to focus on your spiritual journey to Mount Kailash.

What Do Australians Need to Pay for Visas and Permits on the Kailash Tour?

Australian passport holders can still enter China visa free for 30 days, from 4 August 2021 to 31 December 2025. Before you visit Tibet, obtain the Tibet Travel Permit, this is a permit that all travelers need. Australians visiting Mount Kailash need to obtain a China Group Visa through the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal. The processing time is 3-5 working days.

The Kailash tour also involves obtaining different permits: the Tibet Travel Permit, Alien's Travel Permit, Foreign Affairs Permit, and Military Area Entry Permit. The tour operator will do all the applications for these permits, which are included in your tour package. The Tibet Travel Permit takes on average 8-9 working days to receive, so I would recommend you get on the application process at least 20 days prior to your scheduled flight.

The permits are most often obtained through a local tour operator, and the total of the permits are all in total around AUD330. Below is a summary of the permits and approximate costs in the Kailash Yatra.

Tibet Group Visa

You will have to get a Tibet Group Visa to travel between Australia and Mount Kailash. You will effectively be paying about AUD 190 - AUD 250 for processing the Group Visa, depending on regular or urgent. The Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu arranges the Group Visa. To obtain a Group Visa, you will first need to get a Nepal visa. You will provide your original passport, photo, and visa application with an "authorised travel agency", and finally, you will make payment.

You will pay with Nepalese Rupee or USD, generally to the travel operator in your locality that will be organising your Kailash trip. In general, you may not be able to pay by credit card, so cash is a better option here.

Alien Travel Permit

Your tour operator arranges the Alien Travel Permit that is needed to visit subsections (restricted areas such as Mount Kailash. The fee is about AUD 65. This permit is a single-entry permit and would be processed in Lhasa by the Tibet Tourism Bureau once the Tibet Group Visa is issued - tourists are not allowed to apply independently. The fee is included in most Kailash tour concerts, and payment is through the TRAVEL AGENCY.

There is nothing further to pay personally at time of entry, since the cost forms part of your overall tour package once consolidated by the agency.

Military Permit

When Australians travel to border issues in sensitive areas (for example, Mount Kailash), the Military Permit must be secured. The Military Permit costs about AUD 45 - AUD 60 and is issued by the Military Affairs Office of Tibet. Similar to the Alien Travel Permit, the Military Permit can only be received via a registered Tibetan tour operator.

You will not be able to apply as an individual. Normal practice is that the Military Permit costs are bundled in with the total costs of the Kailash tour package you purchase, and there would be no separate personal payment for the permit. The agency will take care of the application and processing and will have the permits when you arrive in Tibet.

Foreign Affairs Permit

The Foreign Affairs Permit is another unique document required for entrance to Mt Kailash (and other politically sensitive areas) in Tibet. The application fee is about AUD 30-AUD 50. The application is similarly processed through the Foreign Affairs Office in Lhasa. Tourists cannot apply for this themselves.

It is also only obtained by the local tour operator in your tour documents. Usually, the cost of the permit is included in your Kailash tour package. There is no need to have travellers' pay separately or even during the process of applying for it because the agency will do all of this for you.

Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) Permit

Australians must also obtain a Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) Permit for their journey into Tibet. The costs are around AUD 100, and a TTB is the central entry permit that will provide all foreign travellers access to Tibet. The TTB Permit is all done in advance, but you cannot step, or walk, into Tibet without a TTB Permit.

Your travel agency will obtain your TTB Permit and will ask for this before your flight or train from Nepal into Tibet. Your permitted trip can be arranged in advance through the travel agency by simply emailing them a copy of your passport and the visa for Nepal about 10-15 days prior to travelling. The cost of the TTB Permit will typically be a part of most of the tour prices because you already paid for a tour, and it will be done through the travel agency for local currency or US dollars.

Additional Visa and Permits Cost If you Choose for a Kailash Mansarovar Helicopter Tour 

There will be a cost of some visas and permits when you are organizing a helicopter Kailash Mansarovar tour from Australia. Normally, you would be paying the visa and permits cost as part of the fee for doing the tour. For example, an Australian traveller can get a Visa on arrival to Nepal, but normally this would be an additional cost to the tour package price.

The Tour company will arrange the permits as part of the deal and price of the tour. The permits include the Tibet Travel Permit and the Tibet Group Visa, which are required when crossing into Tibet and into the Kailash Mansarovar area. Generally, all permits are included, and most packages have this included in the fee for the tour, so it is very unlikely that you would incur expenses for permits other than the fee for the tour.

The helicopter tour is basically travel by helicopter from Kathmandu to Simikot, charter a helicopter to subsequently fly to the Nepal-China border, and from there overland to Kailash and Mansarovar. This route utilizes the same permits (i.e., the group Tibet visa and inner-line permits that the Nepal tour operator will usually obtain as part of the tour fee). The total cost of these permits amounts to approximately AUD 485.

These are in addition to the tour fee, to ensure that you travel through this sacred area seamlessly and legally. An off-the-plan example total cost for helicopter Mansarovar yatra cost follows, i.e., one that would cover the travel and logistic costs :

• Nepal Visa: AUD 45
• Tibet Group Visa: AUD 180
• Tibet Travel & Restricted Permits: AUD 260
• Total Estimated Cost: AUD 485

Mount Kailash Trip Cost from Australia: Split Visa Fee (If You Got Separated From Your Group in Kailash Zone)

If you do become ill whilst on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and consequently separate from the group, you will incur a split visa fee. When you return, the split visa fee will be approximately 60 Chinese Yuan, which converts to approximately AUD 12. The fee applies when you are sick or are traveling independently for any other reason, and thus not with the group. If you travel with your group for the full duration of the yatra, you won't have to pay a split visa fee.

The group visa system that we are using for the Kailash Yatra is designed for coordinated groups that travel together, meaning, if you leave the group, either solo or with another person/group of people, you will incur this additional fee.

Australian pilgrims should be aware of this possible expense as they budget their trip, so they are not shocked. This fee is a small amount in proportion to the total trip costs, likely amounting to multiples of thousands of dollars Australian. You will also need to budget for any extra travel, accommodation, and possible medical fees, which will be absorbed in price to a certain extent.

Transportation Bookings and Prices During Kailash Trip (Upto Tibet Border and Back From Nepal Side)

Kathmandu to Kerung Border (Upto Tibet Border)

The first leg of your journey to Kailash is spectacular and also important, as it takes you from Kathmandu to the Kerung Border. This distance is a typical Nepali jeep ride, with a Nepali driver who will accompany you on this portion of your journey. We are hoping to utilize a group arrangement to continue to share transportation costs, and to make your travels easier on the winding roads of the Himalayas. Like your previous trek, we will transfer to a different vehicle once you have crossed the Kerung Border, to complete the Tibet leg of your journey.

• Group Jeep Costs: approximately AUD $500 for a full jeep (5-6 people).
• Cost per person: approximately AUD $40-$50.
• What is included: jeep rental, fuel, driver's accommodation, driver's wage plus all road permits to the border. 
• Driver: will travel with you until the Kerung border, although you will also meet the Tibetan transport team after crossing the border.
• Manage luggage: your guides will manage your luggage for you, to enable a safe and smooth transition to the new vehicle.

Kerung Border to Kathmandu – Return Journey

After your Nepal spiritual experience traveling to Kailash, you will return to Kathmandu from the Kerung Border as a group in a Nepali jeep with a driver. The Sikh support is almost identical to the return journey to Kathmandu, where we only need to hop in the jeep and return safely and efficiently. The drive will be scenic and comfortable again, hence, a very nice reflective closure to your pilgrimage.

• Group Jeep Cost: as before, estimated AUD $500 per jeep
• Per Person Cost: AUD 40-50 per person based on group size.
• Cost Inclusions: return jeep hire, driver fee, fuel, driver accommodation on OUTSIDE tariff, and any reasonable costs or fees.
• Journey Duration: 7-9 hour trip dependent on road conditions, weather conditions, etc.
• Support: Nepali guide team will again provide luggage and group coordination support once we are back in the country. 

What is the Cost of Transportation After Crossing Tibet Border Upto Kailash?

If you are in a tour package, normally your transport costs from the Tibet border (Kerung) to Darchen (the town you will stop at before starting the kora trek to Kailash) are included in your package costs. If you travel solo, and therefore the cost of transport remains to be paid separately, see above footnote, which explains the area and elements of the specific transport you will be paying for from the border to Darchen.

So, again, when you travel solo, you are paying for your jeep transport from the border to Darchen, as your last stop before you start your Kailash parikrama (or kora) trek.

The actual cost of the jeep transport is about CN ¥ 2,500-3,500 for the group of travelers, so that is about AUD 525-735 per person (using the approximation of 1 CN ≈ 0.21 AUD). Therefore, the jeep transport should include all local transport by group from the border to Darchen, generally speaking.

Overall, normally, the only additional transport costs would only exist through an emergency or incident, or if the traveler separates from the group and does not follow the planned itinerary. If they were to depart their journey differently altogether, they would incur the extra jeep transport costs - disregarding what happens, one would have to think of the possible costs as mentioned above. 

To summarise in AUD costs of transport from Tibet border crossing to just prior to starting the Kailash kora: 

• Jeep transport (group price): AUD 525 - AUD 735 
• Extra transport costs only apply in emergencies, or if a traveler separates from the group; otherwise, it is unlikely to exceed this cost - if at all. 

Accommodation Cost (Single Room/ Twin Room/ Triple/ Dormitory on Kailash Parvat Tour Package

Single Occupancy Accommodation

On average, single occupancy on the tour to Kailash Mansarovar would cost something between 40 to 60 CN¥ (approximately AUD 8 to AUD 12) a night. The complete total of single accommodation for the whole tour might average somewhere around AUD 200, combined with a discounted part package for the time spent by the traveller, which would also include the cost of part of the total tour fare. 

Single central accommodation allows some privacy, but single occupancy accommodation is limited in conventional, primarily remote Tibetan guest houses, as generally there is far less single occupancy accommodation. 

Twin Occupancy Accommodation 

Twin occupancy would usually be an option available for the whole tour. The price is usually less per person than single, often by a bit, because the two travellers get the benefit of the shared part of the cost of twin accommodation. 

However, it will also be varying, but probably could average similar to 50 CN¥ (around AUD 10 per traveller) a night. 

Most travellers would probably generally prefer to share and take advantage to reduce the overall cost of the trip and the additional comfort of twin occupancy differently than single occupancy. 

Triple room configurations

Some tour operators can also offer you a triple room or a triple-share for the same nightly price as a twin room, and if there are three people, it will be quite inexpensive.

A triple room's price will range from approximately 35-45 CN¥ per night per person, or USD 8 to USD 10 each.

Dormitory setup

You may find dormitories, or multi-bed shared rooms that some guest houses or locally run lodges may offer along the way, especially during the Kailash parikrama part of the journey.

This accommodation option is also the cheapest, and typically ranges from approx. 40 CN¥ per night (approx, AUD 8) or sometimes less. 

On the downside, though, most of these arrangements don't provide you much privacy or even basic facilities.

What is the Cost of Food for Australian Passport Holders?

The Nepali team who will support you during your spiritual journey to Kailash will be providing your meals during the trip. As the Tibetan guest-houses are low quality and basic, and food is not generally served at most guest-houses, you will get food served by a small team of Nepali cooks and guides to keep you healthy and accommodate you. 

The number of support crew will vary depending on group size:

• 10-person support crew for large groups (cooks and guides).
• 3 -5 person support crew for small groups.

Per your request, to respect the health and spiritual preferences of all, we will only serve vegetarian meals during your journey.

Breakfast 

Every day for your Kailash journey, you will have breakfast made by our Nepali cook crew as the guesthouses have very limited cooking facilities. You will have a light and healthy vegetarian breakfast every morning early so you can travel and/or trek that day. Your meals will be fresh and vary slightly each time based on whatever ingredients are locally available at the time.

Your breakfasts "should" be around AUD 2 to $4. Most of the time, your total trip cost will cover it. Usually, a meal is "included" as part of your package, but you may have an extra meal during lunch at Mount Kailash.

Lunch 

Lunch consists of healthy vegetarian meals prepared for you or at and/or on the rest stops by your accompanying Nepali cook team. Since there are limited local restaurants with hygiene and sanitation considerations likely not met at those rest stops, lunch is prepared fresh each day.

You can expect hearty, simple meals prepared with locally sourced or sourced in transit, inflated food. We estimate, on average, lunch costs about AUD 4-$6; however, most probably included in the package.

Dinner 

Ultimately, when dinner does arrive, it is a hearty, filling, and completely vegetarian meal prepared by your lovely Nepali team. Guest houses can be a bit basic, and your amazing team of cooks does not take the quality of service away from you in displaying your dinners look appealing, hot, well-balanced, and most importantly, safe. The effort taken in preparing the meals is clear, as all food is not only prepared nicely but also tastes great.

Dinner is generally very inexpensive (between AUD $2 and AUD $4 per person, average depending on your food). The reason it is so cheap is because the meals are prepared using facilities that offer self-contained group facility food preparation and limited outsourced take-out food use.

Kailash Kora Trek Transportation (To Complete the 3 Day Kora)

Horse Hiring for Kailash Kora Trek

If you don't think you can actually do this Kailash Parikrama trek on foot, horses are a more acceptable option for you to use to assist you. 

A horse costs around AUD 78 per horse per day. Then we will need to pay the horse handlers (horseman), which is approximately AUD 66 per day. As you will see, generally, the return transport of the horses and horsemen is also an expense. 

Yak Rental for Kailash Kora Trek

Yaks can also be used for reducing a burden by those who do not think they are able to walk otherwise Mountain Kailash Parikrama trek. The charge for yaks is approximate to hire yaks as hiring horses (AUD 78 per day), and yak handlers will charge about AUD 66 per day for their services.

As we cautioned with horses, the yak hire costs you, see, and it pertains to only the days you hire the yak, because the return costs for the yak will be more.

How to Arrange Horses and Yaks?

• Requirement Notice: When you arrive at Lake Mansarovar, please notify your guide that you require a horse for the Parikrama. You will have to provide your name at Mansarovar, and no arrangement can be made at a later time. 
• Booking Procedure: The guide will assemble the members and book through the association the horses and yaks. The horse and yak, and handlers will go to Yama Dwar, the starting point of the trek. This will happen before assembly time at Mansarovar. 
• Preparation: You will likely spend the night in Darchen in Mansarovar. All logistical services should have been planned before you start on the Parikrama. 
• Advice: The Tibetan guides will, at the beginning, give you directions related to accommodation stops, service, and the other logistical requirements of the conservation area for protection on the trek.

Additional Ambulance Service Cost If You fall Sick in kailash Yatra

In an emergency on the Kailash Yatra, you should at least know that the local government has some sort of rescue van, or vehicle, maintaining very limited ambulance service in the area. This could be a useful thing to know about, especially if you need to evacuate a Yatri because of illness or injury when you are located in very remote areas of the Kailash area. In these circumstances, the ambulance helps with the transport of the patient to a hospital with some level of medical attention.  

The charge for the ambulance (very roughly) was 500 Yuan/person,  approximately 100 Australian Dollars. This charge was all on top of whatever your charge was; of course is not part of the Yatra Package, in any way.

• The ambulance is an emergency service only.
• The cost can add up quickly, especially if you have multiple evacuations.
• You will understand later the need to prepare for these costs and unanticipated costs.

If the ambulance service helps you and others, it is an expensive service during this pilgrimage. That said, having some sort of budget item for this cost contribution may help to relieve some of the angst for potential emergency costs.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Price from Australia: Guide and Porter Service

Tibetan Guides

If you are travelling as part of a group, in most cases the Tibetan Guide service will be included in your Yatra package. The Tibetan government will allocate Tibetan guides to your group size at the time of permit issue, and as an individual will not incur any costs yourself. As your travel agent is providing this service as part of the overall travel plan, and therefore more convenient for the pilgrims.

If you are travelling individually or in a very small group, you will have to pay for the Tibetan guides independently. The approximate cost of a Tibetan guide is between 500 and 800 Chinese Yuan (110 - 180 AUD) per day. The Tibetan government will also be allocating guides to you at the time you receive the permit from the governmental offices.

Nepali Guides

Many of the pilgrims from Australia also charter Nepali guides when they have the choice, as many of them will provide the service from the Indian side, and they also know the terrain. Although costs vary for experience and how long, for the Nepali guides we knew, the prices ranged from 100 to 200 AUD per day.

Porters

There are porters available for the entire Kailash trek from Assingle Bhan to Darchen. Porters are usually assigned through your travel agency, but it is government-assigned to apply for groups. Most individuals do not have to be concerned about porters, as there are nine tour operators for groups, and they administer the porters. As an individual, you will usually pay approximately 50 to 100 AUD a day for a porter.

How Much Does Mobile Network and Wi-Fi Usage Cost During the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?

For passport holders of Australia, it is good enough to have a Nepali SIM card, such as Ncell or NTC, for your connectivity for the Nepal part of the journey. Data packs generally range between AUD10 to AUD20 for sufficient data.

It would be valuable for you to be mindful that there is no Wi-Fi at any of the guesthouses along the way, and the only way to connect is through your allotted mobile data. There is a local Chinese SIM from Kailash to Kerung in Tibet. However, the same cautions apply, along with whether they will even activate your SIM. Also, it seems that there are quite a few limitations on your use of calling services within China.

Cost of Using Nepal SIM Cards (Ncell and NTC)

Ncell Data Packs (Approximate AUD Equivalent):

• 1GB (1 day): AUD 0.25
• 1.25GB (1 day): AUD 0.30
• Unlimited 1-day pack: AUD 1.05
• 7-day value packs (2GB): AUD 1.35
• 28-day roaming (4GB): AUD 18

NTC Data Packs (Approximate AUD Equivalent):

• 1GB (1 day): AUD 0.37
• 7GB (7 days): AUD 2.05
• 28GB (28 days): AUD 7
• Big packs (30GB/60GB for up to 180 days): AUD 13–25.

Both networks offer inexpensive data, and prepaid SIM cards are easily accessible in Kathmandu. Activate international roaming for trips into Tibet. Data roaming charges when using a Nepal SIM in China/Tibet will be higher than local Nepal rates.

Local SIM Card Prices in Tibet

Chinese/Tibetan Local SIM Card:

• 1GB (valid 30–90 days): AUD 29
• 2GB (valid 30–90 days): AUD 44
• 3GB (valid 30–90 days): AUD 59
• 6GB (valid 30–90 days): AUD 110

Expect to pay about AUD 25 for a standard local SIM (with calls and some data), which should be sufficient for average e-mail and messaging needs for a couple of weeks of travel. And you can get bigger plans if you have more data. Local Tibet SIMs are the best choice in the Kailash/Ngari region.

Cost for Australians for Performing Pujas and Havans During Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

During the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, you can do various pujas and havans (like Lakhbatti, Rudri, Śhraddhā, Chema Yachana, and Tarpan) at the Mansarovar Lake. The travel agency from which you purchase your ticket can arrange for the pujas and havans for you because other pilgrims to Kailash and Mansarovar may want puja, as a group, and may add a qualified Aryan Bahun (Suddha Bahun) pandit of your choice for the puja/havan rites.

If the entire group elects not to engage a pandith, no pandith will be, irrespective of what the group has requested.

• Pandit service and organisation: Generally inclusive and arranged with your package upon request, but some agencies will incur costs in addition, ranging from AUD 80-120 per person depending on the size of their group and the pujas they order.
• The cost of the actual Puja Samagri (plastic wrapped items inside the packets) usually will be AUD30 to AUD50 more, depending on the complexity of the ceremony and samagri required to perform the puja. 
• The total budget for puja and havan services that each participant will need to consider is in the AUD 110 to AUD 170 range to allow for a personalised puja and number of ceremonies.

Ceremonies will take place on the shores of Lake Mansarovar (not at Mount Kailash) and are most auspicious in the morning, particularly during a full moon (Purnima) day. It is even possible to perform ceremonies for Buddhist practitioners at the nearby Chiu Gompa Monastery.

Travel Insurance Cost Budget for Australian Passport Holders for Kailash Trip (Upto Tibet Border and Back)

For Australian passport holders, to travel on a trip to Kailash (the Tibet border and back), travel insurance is required and can only be used on the Nepal side upto the Tibet border. Your travel insurance will cover you on the Nepal side, to Kerung- as no insurance will work inside Tibet. The road to Kerung is horrible, but you will still need your insurance in Nepal.

You can get coverage (as normal) with your provider, or you can get it when you get to Nepal.

The insurance in Nepal is about 3,600 NRS (about 40-45 AUD). This insurance will cover your trip in Nepal; however, it won’t cover you for what’s going to be happening in Tibet- they can’t process claims in Tibet due to their issues of not being able to give proper billing. So you need insurance for Nepal, but knowing it won’t apply on the other side of the border.

Will There be Extra Cost for Charan Sparsh?

The Inner Kora has been completely banned on the Kailash Yatra after an incident. Still, you can always do Charan Sparsh (Touching Kailash from a distance) - that is not banned. 

Your Tibetan Guide will almost entirely manage Charan Sparsh; it's going to be largely dependent on them, whereas 'most' people do Charan Sparsh very ordinarily, whether it is when they get to Darchen, or prior to spending their money and starting their full kora. 

However, in fact, if you can manage Charan Sparsh physically, you will, as per best time, be on the first day of kora. It must start by 5 AM from Darchen. 

You are not physically touching the mountain, but Charan Sparsh is possible from a distance.