Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Medical Support

Medical Support

A permanent doctor is not available with the Kailash Yatra Group. Keeping a doctor from the company’s side during Kailash Mansarovar Yatra at such a high altitude is practically not possible. It will be a costly affair to keep a permanent doctor with the group because the cost of the doctor travelling with the group will be more than the cost of one pilgrim going on the yatra, thus increasing the cost of the Kailash Mansarovar package. That’s why we have not seen any company that could manage doctors from India or Nepal for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Generally, we have seen that Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is quite famous among doctors. Most of the Kailash Yatra Groups have a doctor who joins the group as a pilgrim and helps when needed.
Most of the problems occur because of the high altitude for which even medicines are ineffective. The problems especially occur when:

  • Someone is not physically fit
  • Someone is taking the stress
  • Someone is not taking proper food and keeping fast
  • Someone is not taking prescribed medicines if any

One needs to ensure that he/she is not taking the stress and are following the suggestions and instructions given by the team of Trip To Temples for physical and mental stability. The guides and the team of sherpas present with the group are well-trained to handle any emergency. They are the local experts who will be handling the situation better than any doctor. 
In extreme situations, our priority is to bring the person down to the previous lower altitude where he/she was feeling fine. In most cases, the problem gets solved. If the problem still persists, then the ill person is taken to the hospital. There are basic medical facilities available at various places on the route of Kailash Mansarovar.  Any extra transportation/medical charge is not a part of the package and has to be borne by the pilgrims.

 

Where are the hospitals available on the Kailash Yatra route? Are they expensive? Who bears the cost of any hospitalization if it happens?

Generally, the situations are not adverse that hospitals will be required, however, in case it is required then hospitals are available at Purang Town (on the Heli route) and Kyirong and Saga (on the Overland route). These are hospitals with basic facilities and are easily affordable. The pilgrim has to bear all the hospitalization as well as the evacuation charges if any.

What happens in case of any health issue or evacuation? / What is the rescue/evacuation procedure in Kailash Parikrama?

The tour guides and team of sherpas are experienced enough to handle any emergency. An oximeter is available with the Tour Guide and an oxygen cylinder is present at all the staying places. We strongly recommend the pilgrims to purchase Portable Oxygen Cylinder that cost about Rs. 250-450 and weigh 100gm approx. It may help you if exigency occurs during travelling or doing Mt. Kailash Parikrama.

It is advised that all yatries must analyze their health status at Manasarovar Lake and then make the decision of going to Mount Kailash Parikrama. In case you are feeling unwell, get your oxygen level checked with the oximeter present with the group leader. The main problem occurs because of the high altitude, so the person who is not feeling well will be taken to a lower altitude, i.e. Purang (Heli route) or Saga (Overland route). If the problem persists, the patient will be evacuated from Tibet and will be taken to Nepal. During the Parikrama of Mount Kailash, Medical evacuation can be done only on Day 1 and not on Day 2 and 3. The yatries should do that parikrama only if they are physically fit and their oxygen level is intact.

The pilgrim will have to pay the medical and evacuation charge as well as the VISA separation charge (because the Kailash Yatra VISA is a Group VISA) in case he/ she is taken to Nepal.

What equipment & medicines do guides carry on Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?

The guides carry basic medical kits along with oximeters during the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Oxygen cylinders are available at accommodation stays for emergency use. We advise the customers to purchase a Portable Oxygen cylinder can and carry their regular medicines if any prescribed by their doctor like B.P, Sugar, etc.

Who will support the pilgrims in the medical or evacuation process in Kailash Yatra?

The team of Trip To Temples consists of a Tibetan Guide, a Nepali guide, and a Tour manager. They are Highly dedicated to delivering the best service. The Tibetan guide is the sole responsible person for the Tibet side as they are well connected with all the Tibetan departments. The Nepali guide acts as a link between pilgrims and Tibetan guides. They help the pilgrims in understanding the instructions of the Tibetan guide. The Tour Manager is additional support from India who takes care of all the needs and requirements of the pilgrims. He is mostly connected with our office in India for coordination, rescue and other necessary support.

What are the physical activities one should follow while planning for Kailash Yatra? / What precautions should one take before and during the Kailash Yatra?

Completing Kailash Mansarovar Yatra or visiting Mt. Kailash is majorly driven by the willpower of the pilgrims. A basic fitness level is required for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. It is advised to start preparing for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra at least 1 to 2 months prior to the yatra date. Some of the precautions that one can take while preparing for the Holy Kailash journey are:

  • Start practising Walking for a few kilometres.
  • Practising breathing exercises such as pranayam and anulom-vilom is recommended. 
  • During the Kailash Yatra wear warm clothes, cover your head and ears properly, and eat & drink well. 
  • Do not have an empty stomach, keep your stomach full to avoid sickness. Take proper meals timely even if you don’t feel like having them. Trip To Temples serves 3 times pure vegetarian meals along with soup and tea.
  • Don’t skip your regular medicine prescribed by your doctor (if any), take them on time.
  • Keep your mental state calm. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a different type of pilgrimage with limited infrastructure, so do not get indulged in discussions about the Chinese Authority or other things. It may increase your stress level, further resulting in High BP and related complications. It is better to keep calm and chant Om Namah Shivay in your mind. 
  • Don’t be adamant about performing the Mount Kailash parikrama, make decisions according to your health. 
  • While doing Mt. Kailash Kora (Parikrama) don’t get into a race or walk very fast. Everyone has their own pace and it is better to stick to yours.
  • Take a long breath and hold it for a few seconds to increase the Oxygen level. Get your Oxygen level checked on a regular basis with an oximeter available with the tour guide.
  • Must purchase a cotton mask and 1-2 portable Oxygen cans when you enter Tibet. A cotton mask saves the throat from getting dry. Portable Oxygen cans are helpful at high altitudes, especially during Mount Kailash Parikrama.

 

Are there dangerous animals around Kailash?

There are no dangerous animals around Kailash. However, there are dogs around the Lake Mansarovar area, so be aware of them. Do not go alone at night, walk-in groups for safety.

What is a Gamow bag? Is it available in Kailash Yatra?

Gamow bag is an inflatable pressure bag used at high altitudes to prevent altitude sickness. It looks similar to a sleeping bag. It is big enough to fit a person inside to maintain atmospheric pressure but has certain drawbacks also.

What happens if any casualty occurs during the Kailash Yatra?

We take all the necessary precautions and work hard to minimize the life risk and execute the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the best possible way. Still, if any casualty occurs, then the Trip To Temples team looks after the situation. The family of the deceased is informed and whatever decision is taken by them, Trip To Temples agrees to fulfil it. In case the family is willing to bring back the body by paying the evacuation charge, then Trip To Temples carries out all the documentation work and brings back the body to India to hand it over to the family. In case the family asks to complete the last rites in Tibet/Nepal itself, it is taken care of by Trip To Temples.

What is the VISA Separation Charge in Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in case of medical emergency?

Since the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra VISA is issued for the entire group together which allows everyone to enter and exit Tibet together. In case of emergency if any of the group members have to leave Tibet before others, then his/ her name VISA is separated from the Group VISA list for which a charge has to be paid which is known as VISA Separation Charge. The VISA Separation Charge & transportation up to the Hilsa border costs roughly 800- 1000 Yuan/person.