Route Map
Zoom in to see route details. Click on map points and routes to get more info.
Clothes to Carry
You can buy most of the winter warm clothes from Decathlon.
| Hiking Shoes/Boots | 1 |
| Blister Free Sox | 1 |
| Woolen/Warm Sox | 1 |
| Regular Shoes | 1 |
| Cotton Sox | 4 |
| Thermals | 1 |
| Monkey Cap | 1 |
| Inner warm Glove | 1 |
| Outer Glove | 1 |
| Down Jacket | 1 |
| Hat | 1 |
| UV Resist Sun Glasses | 1 |
| T-Shirts | 5 |
| Rain Jacket and pants with hood | 1 |
| Cotton Pants | 5 |
| Cotton Full Sleeve Shirts | 3 |
| Cotton Half Sleeve Shirts | 3 |
| Chappals | 1 |
| Light Towel | 2 |
| Hiking Pants | 1 |
| Hand Sleeve | 1 |
| Tube Mask | 1 |
| Sweater Half Sleeve and Full Sleeve | 1 |
| Fleece Jacket | 1 |
| Inner T-shirts | 3 |
| Knee Pads | 1 |
In addition, take a small backpack (will be with the porter during Parikrama) and a large backpack or a suitcase. The large one will be left behind at Kathmandu. During the Parikrama you can only carry one change of clothes and rain wear. You will be wearing 3 layers of clothes and won’t change them once you start off from Yamadwar.
Carry dry fruits, energy bars and trail mix. Carry a small 750 ml thermos and a plastic cover for the backpack. You are also advised to carry Diamox (IOPAR SR 250mg) and eat one a day before breakfast, from Simikot onwards till you come back to Nepalgunj. This helps you acclimatize better.
Training
It is recommended that you follow a training schedule to ensure you are fit enough for the parikrama. Minimum recommendations from our tour guide from NALS is given below. They suggest starting the regimen 6 to 8 weeks before the yatra.
A seven day workout schedule is provided below as a guideline for the beginner.
Day 1 – Breathing Exercises
• Brisk walk 2 Km – 20 minutes
• Breathing Exercises – 30 minutes
• Meditate – 10 minutes
Day 2 – Strengthening Day
• Brisk Walk 2 Km – 20 minutes
• Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations) 10 to 50 repetitions – 30 minutes
• Abdomen crunches 10 to 50 repetitions – 10 minutes
Day 3 – Cardio Day
• Stair climbing or step climbing or speed walk on inclined tread mill – 30 min
• Elevate and maintain heart rate between 120 to 140 beats per minute.
• Cool down slowly
Days 4, 5 – repeat of Day 1, 2
Day 6 – Rest day
Day 7 – Endurance Day
• Brisk walking 12 to 18 Km – About 120 to 180 minutes
• Some days, carry 5 kilo backpack for shorter distances
It is good to do a physical checkup before you go. Some agencies insist on a medical certificate. Some even ask for a Treadmill test report.
Other stuff
Carry enough batteries for your camera and other accessories. Batteries discharge really fast in cold weather.
You have power in most of the places and hence will be able to recharge your phones. International Roaming works throughout the journey except 2 days of the Parikrama. Nepal SIM cards will not work from Hilsa on. So don’t bother to get one.
Chinese allow people below 65 years to do the Parikrama. However you can go till Manasarovar even if you are older.
Altitudes and Typical Temperatures
| Place | Altitude Meters | Altitude Feet | Day Temperature (C) | Night Temperature |
| Kathmandu | 1370 | 4494 | 26 | 23 |
| Nepalgunj | 150 | 492 | 24 | 15 |
| Simikot | 3000 | 9840 | 17 | 1 |
| Hilsa | 3700 | 12136 | 20 | 11 |
| Purang | 3800 | 12464 | 20 | 11 |
| Manasarovar | 4400 | 14432 | 11 | 5 |
| Darchen | 4620 | 15154 | 10 | 0 |
| Diraphuk | 5000 | 16400 | 10 | Below 0 |
| Dolma Pass | 5650 | 18532 | 10 | Below 0 |
| Zutulphuk | 4800 | 15744 | 10 | 5 |
Parikrama Route Map
| Place | Distance Km | Time Taken | Mode |
| Kathmandu | |||
| Nepalgunj | 515 | 60 Mins | 60 Seater Aircraft |
| Simikot | 216 | 60 Mins | 16 Seater Aircraft |
| Hilsa | 50 | 25 Mins | 6 Seater Helicopter |
| Purang | 40 | 60 Mins | Bus |
| Manasarovar | 90 | 90 Mins | Bus |
| Manasarovar Parikrama | 105 | 180 Mins | Bus |
| Darchen | 50 | 60 Mins | Bus |
| Diraphuk | 12 | 4 to 5 Hours | Walk |
| Zutulphuk | 18 | 10 to 12 Hours | Walk |
| Darchen | 14 | 3 to 4 Hrs | 10 Km walk, 4 Km Bus |