Choosing when to walk the kora around Kailash is not just a matter of temperature. Access to the route depends on the state of the road, on snow at the Drolma-La pass, on the permits in force, on the religious calendar and on the rules for entering the Tibet Autonomous Region. Even in season a trip can change or be cancelled, so the programme needs spare days and a check on conditions before departure.
The main season
Trips are usually planned from late spring to early autumn. Early in the season snow may still be lying on the higher sections, in summer the chance of precipitation increases, and in autumn the nights turn colder. There is no universal “best month”: you are choosing a compromise between temperature, visibility, the flow of pilgrims and the likelihood of an open pass.
Spring
The spring period appeals for its cooler and often clear weather, but early dates depend far more on snow and on whether the route has actually opened. You cannot buy tickets on the strength of last year’s calendar alone. The operator has to confirm the permits and the state of the roads.
Summer
In summer the lower overnight stops are warmer, but rain, cloud and washed-out sections of road can affect the logistics. Rain low down does not rule out snow and strong wind on the pass. You need waterproof clothing, a cover for your rucksack and a dry set of clothes for the night.
Autumn
In autumn people often count on settled visibility, but the temperature drops quickly at night. The later the date, the higher the price of a mistake in your clothing, and the more carefully you need to check the forecast and whether the route is open.
The religious calendar
During significant Buddhist and Hindu dates the flow of pilgrims increases. That gives the trip a special atmosphere, but it also puts pressure on accommodation and transport. Check the date of the festival and the actual access arrangements for the specific year.
Altitude matters more than the month
The kora is walked at considerable altitude, and the Drolma-La pass is over 5600 m. Good weather is no protection against altitude sickness. Gradual acclimatisation is essential before the walking section begins; a fast transfer and an attempt to “save a day” both increase the risk.
- do not keep going higher if you start to feel worse;
- tell the leader about headache, nausea and unusual weakness;
- check that your insurance covers the actual altitude and evacuation;
- do not start altitude medication without a doctor;
- be prepared to give up the pass for weather or medical reasons.
How to choose your date
Compare the temperature, the precipitation, the festivals, the length of the acclimatisation and the spare time built in. Then ask for current conditions for the kora around Kailash. Registering for a trip is not the same as a guarantee of access: the final decision depends on the permits and on the situation along the route.
How the days of the kora are usually arranged
The classic walking circuit takes several days. The first stage lets you find your rhythm and check your kit, the second usually contains the main ascent and the crossing of the Drolma-La, and the third completes the circuit. The actual overnight stops, the transport and the option of using animals to carry part of the load depend on the current programme and on local rules. Do not assume that help with baggage automatically means a person can be evacuated.
Day one. The mistake is to walk too fast because the trail looks straightforward. The body is already working at considerable altitude, and you need reserves for the pass. Adjust your clothing before you start sweating heavily, drink water in small amounts, and report any deterioration at once.
Pass day. The start is early, the temperature is lower and stops chill you quickly. On the descent, tiredness increases the risk of a fall. The pace is set by the slowest safe member of the group, not by the wish to reach the next camp sooner.
The final day. It is shorter only on paper: accumulated fatigue and the state of your feet still matter. Do not schedule the return transport tight against an international flight.
What to take with you
You need broken-in trekking boots, poles, layered clothing, a waterproof shell, a warm jacket, mittens, spare gloves, sunglasses, skin protection, a head torch and your personal medication. Choose your sleeping bag for the conditions at the overnight stops, not for the temperature in the city you start from. Keep the critical items with you, even if a helper is carrying your main baggage.
Who would do better to postpone the trip
Discuss the route with a doctor if you have heart or lung disease, have had recent surgery, are pregnant, or have any condition that limits exertion. If you have never walked for several days in a row and do not know how you react to altitude, a preparatory trip at a lower elevation is worthwhile. The decision is not simply a matter of age.
Five questions for the operator
- How many days of acclimatisation come before the kora?
- Which permits are arranged, and what happens if one is refused?
- Who decides that the pass is closed?
- How are baggage, overnight stops and an emergency descent organised?
- What costs arise if the route has to change?
A good date is not the one that is advertised most, but the one for which there is confirmed access, sensible acclimatisation, suitable clothing and time in reserve.
A practical readiness test. Before Kailash it is worth walking several consecutive days and doing at least one route with a substantial ascent. You should understand how your body reacts to cold, to simple overnight stops and to an early start. If your only experience is walking without a rucksack, start with a preparatory trek instead.
Documents and money. Permits are arranged through the receiving operator; buying a ticket to the region yourself is no substitute. The name in your documents must match your passport, and its expiry date should be checked in advance. Keep an extra reserve for changes of transport, accommodation and meals in the event of delays, but ask for the exact breakdown of costs for the specific programme.
After the kora. Do not schedule your flight home immediately after the walking section ends. The body needs rest, and the journey back can be delayed. If a headache, breathlessness or marked weakness persists, a medical assessment is needed even once you have come down. Finishing the circuit is no reason to ignore symptoms.
Sources checked and the limits of this information
The altitude-safety guidance has been checked against the CDC Yellow Book: with symptoms of altitude illness you must not continue to gain height, and if things get worse at the same elevation you must descend. The general procedure for arranging trips for foreign visitors to the Ngari region is set out in an official notice from the Tibet tourism authority. That document was published in 2014 and is no substitute for current confirmation: the receiving operator re-checks the permits in force, the composition of the group and access to the route before departure.