Kailash Mansarovar Yatra cannot be done in any season. There is a definite season when you can undertake this epic journey into the heart of the Tibetan Himalayas. You should be aware that this Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is done in the high altitudes of Tibet. The climate and weather in these high altitudes are favourable only for some months. In other months, the mountain passes are closed, and the land is completely blocked by snow. The few months when the yatra route is open are best for Indian citizens to do this yatra.

What is the Best Time to visit Kailash Mansarovar?

May to September is the best time of the year to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. During this time, the weather is favourable for trekking and puja rituals in the outdoors. Let us break down these months and see what the benefits of doing this yatra at this time are.

May: This month marks the start of the summer season. Snow starts to melt in the high mountains. The terrain gets free from the snow, and the landscape starts to reveal its true beauty at this time.
June: This is the onset of summer and a perfect time for Indians to start the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Days are sunny and clear. Due to the high altitudes, you will not feel the heat of the sun. It is the best month for this yatra and ideal for long trekking journeys.
July – August: Rainfall may occur at this time, but it is not much in the higher altitudes of the Tibetan Himalayas. Weather is still good at this time to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Pilgrims should, however, brace for occasional downpours, snowfall, and rough weather. You may witness Tibetan festivals during this time.
September: There are fewer pilgrims during this time of the year. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra season is coming to a close in the last weeks of September. People who do not like crowds can, however, do this yatra at this time.
October: You will see deep blue skies and clear weather during this time. Visibility is clear and fresh air blows across the Tibetan landscape, giving you freshness and vitality to do trekking and Kailash Kora.

Auspicious Dates for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

If you happen to visit Kailash Mansarovar during the Full Moon days (Purnima), then it is believed to be very auspicious thing to do. You can do certain purification rituals and meditate at this time. You can have a look at the various benefits of visiting Kailash Mansarovar during these Full Moon dates so that decide for yourself.

Kailash Kora: If you happen to do the Kailash Kora during the Full Moon, then it will increase the spiritual energy in you and make your soul pure.
Scenery: The Full Moon makes the entire landscape glow with the moon’s silvery light. The summit of Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake look like heavenly places in the light of the Full Moon.
Purification Rituals: Though the Chinese government has banned bathing in Mansarovar Lake, you can meditate on the shores of the lake. Take a bucket of the holy water of Mansarovar Lake and bathe in your tent. This way you will have cleansed the sins of a 100 lifetimes.
Festival time: Saga Dawa Festival is celebrated in Tibet during this time. It is celebrated during the Full Moon days and marks the birth of Gautam Buddha and his enlightenment.

Why November to April is not a good period to visit Kailash Mansarovar?

The onset of November marks the start of the winter season. A huge blanket of snow and ice sheets dominates the climate, turning it biting cold, and the landscape. Roads are blocked with snow, and at the high altitudes of Kailash Mansarovar, the cold reaches treacherous levels. Temperatures drop dramatically and nights are especially cold. Winds howl at tremendous speed, and much of Tibet is closed during this time from the outside world. Therefore, November to April is not a good time to visit Kailash Mansarovar.

Tips for Kailash Mansarovar travel

You should spend some days to acclimatize to the high-altitude weather of Tibet. This way you will get relief from the effects of altitude sickness.
Take warm clothing, windproof jackets, waterproof clothes, and thermal wear with you.
You should not do much exertion and stay hydrated during the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Hire local Sherpa guides with you and stay in the group as much as possible.
Take pony/ horse in the Kailash Kora and be ready to bargain with the pony handlers.
You should do cardio and physical fitness exercises at least 4 months before the yatra dates.
Always respect the local customs and keep the environment clean and litter-free.
The booking window is open for tourists to register for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for some time.
You should select the route which is normally via Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu La Pass in Sikkim.
Choose the overland or heli route to Kailash Mansarovar as per your convenience.

Conclusion

Choosing when to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar is like winning half the battle. You can enjoy the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to the fullest if you choose the right season to visit the holy sites. Most travellers choose the month of June to visit Mount Kailash. But really speaking, May to September is the ideal time window, and you should plan your Kailash Mansarovar Yatra during this time. If you are visiting in the starting weeks of October, then you will get fewer crowds. Both the routes – overland and helicopter route – are preferable for this yatra. Either way, you can do Kailash Kora and seek blessings of a lifetime.