Where to Stay and What to Eat During Kailash Yatra?

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a religious pilgrimage through the most isolated and scenic parts of Tibet. With spectacular scenery and your spiritual journey, you will also be comfortable when you know where to have food and accommodation in Kailash Yatra.

The food is primarily vegetarian, cooked on demand, and consists of Tibetan delicacies in between. Let’s explore in more detail the food and accommodation in Kailash Yatra. 

Accommodation of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a spiritual and most adventurous trip in Asia. It takes you into some of the most beautiful and remote scenery of Nepal and Tibet.

En route, pilgrims spend the night in different teahouses, lodges, and hotels ranging from basic to the star level.

A closer look at the accommodation and the facilities that will be present on each of the stops along the way is provided below.

Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the first stop after you land in Nepal for the Kailash yatra. Being the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu has various kinds of accommodation options.

They range from budget to star levels. So, while you stay in Kathmandu, you can choose the kind of accommodation you prefer. The services you get in Kathmandu are top-notch.

Rasuwagadhi

The first place is Rasuwagadhi, which follows Kathmandu. It is the prime entry point between Nepal and China. This area is found in the Rasuwa district and is enclosed by several green hills with a very tranquil stay prior to entering Tibet.

Rasuwagadhi has approximately 50-60 teahouses. The teahouses are in good condition and offer comfortable rooms with twin beds where one can share rooms, soft mattresses, warm blankets, and clean pillows. Most rooms have an attached bathroom or close toilets.

You will be able to have free Wi-Fi, charging stations, electricity, and hot showers. The owners are pleasant and are never hesitant to assist.

Kerung 

When you cross the Nepal border, you arrive at the first town in Tibet, Kerung (Kyirong).

Kerung has approximately 30-40 hotels, with some in the star category. At most of the hotels, there is Wi-Fi, VPN download access, hot showers, lifts, and clean twin-sharing rooms.

The rooms are also comfortable with their own bathrooms, heaters, and warm beds that are likely to make you adapt to the Tibetan climate.

There are also small markets, cafes, and restaurants at Kerung where you can explore local Tibetan foods. It is also the place where your body begins to acclimatize to the high altitude, prior to the actual journey.

Saga

Saga is a Tibetan town and one of the most relaxing places to go in the Kailash Yatra. It is located with some of the best accommodation facilities throughout the route.

It has 50-60 hotels and 3-star hotels. The rooms are large, have attached bathrooms, clean beddings, and good ventilation.

The hotels are equipped with Wi-Fi, electricity, hot water, and lifts. There are numerous hotels in which pilgrims share breakfast and dinner in dining halls in the form of domes.

Saga even has hotels that have air-conditioning systems, though heating cannot normally be found in the dining area.

Small markets, shops, and medical facilities are readily accessible. Saga is the right place to have some rest and recuperate before going to Mansarovar.

Mansarovar Lake

The Mansarovar Lake is one of the most sacred spots in Tibet. In this case, accommodation will be simple and comfortable due to the isolated location and the high elevation.

The lake has 4-5 teahouses which can house approximately 200-300 pilgrims at any given moment.

You will also have shared amenities, such as power, Wi-Fi, and halls. Hot showers are available in buckets, and the toilets are both western and traditional pan style.

It might be very cold at night, which is why warm clothes are strongly suggested.

Darchen

Darchen is the foot of Mount Kailash as well as the starting point of the sacred Kailash Parikrama. It is a small town with some modern amenities in place that serve the tourists.

Darchen has 8-9 teahouses and star hotels. Twin-share rooms are fitted with good bedding and a personal bathroom. There are facilities such as Wi-Fi, electricity, lifts, and hot showers.  

It is also equipped with small shops that sell trekking supplies, snacks, and oxygen cylinders.

The final big town before the 3-day parikrama is Darchen, and as such, pilgrims tend to use their time here to get their minds and bodies ready for the journey.  

Derapuk 

One of the most beautiful and serene places of Kailash Parikrama is Derapuk. This is the place where the first glimpse of the north face of the mountain Kailash is seen.  

The place to stay here is very simple but clean and comfortable. Derapuk are about 4-5 teahouses here.

There are solar charging and bucket hot showers, along with dining halls that offer simple vegetarian food. There is a sharing of rooms. Teahouses in Derapuk have Wi-Fi too.  

Zuthulpuk 

The last place of the Kailash Parikrama is Zuthulpuk. The village consists of but two teahouses, which are neatly kept up and surprisingly comfortable. 

The rooms are twin sharing with electricity, Wi-Fi, hot showers, and warm bedding. There are also dining halls in the teahouses where they eat together.  

The facilities are a bit small, but once you are done with your parikrama, the serene atmosphere and comfortable stay at Zuthulpuk are very rewarding.  

Local Tibetan Food  

Although in most of the locations where the meals are made and served by both the guide and the cook members, you would still prefer looking out and having the local Tibetan delicacies. Then surely one can do it.  

Reading Tibet coming to towns such as Kerung, Saga, and Darchen, there are small local restaurants and tea houses that provide a wide range of traditionally Tibetan foods.  

Tibetan food is tasty, warm, and invigorating- just what is needed in the cold, high-altitude weather. These are the most popular yet must-eat Tibetan foods that you can find on the trip. 

Famous Tibetan Foods to Try 

Tibet has various kinds of local foods that one must try while they visit the region. The people still follow the old traditional methos to prepare those delicacies. 

Thukpa: Thukpa is a dish that is made of vegetables, eggs, or meat, stir-fried and prepared in noodles. It is hot in nature and is one of the most widespread dishes of Tibet.  

Tingmo: Fluffy and soft steamed buns, which are commonly offered with curry or soup. It is like Momo dough, but it has no filling.  

Momo: Tibetan dumplings that are very popular, filled with cheese, meat, or vegetables. They are either boiled or fried, and a spicy dipping sauce is accompanied.  

Tsampa: Roasted barley coupled with butter tea or hot water to form a product that is a paste containing nutritional values. It is regarded as the national Tibetan food.  

Butter Tea (Po Cha): It is a traditional drink that is prepared using tea leaves, yak butter, and salt. It is also warm and salty and gives an energy boost immediately when in cold weather.  

Thenthuk: A dish of hand-pulled noodle soup, vegetables, and soup. It is very substantial and makes the body warm.  

Yak Cheese and Yogurt: This is a local dairy product prepared by yak milk; hence, it is rich, creamy, and tastes different compared to regular cow milk.  

Gyurma: Tibetan sausage that is composed of yak meat, but in a few restaurants, they have a kind of vegetarian gyurma.  

Where to Try Local Food

These original Tibetan foods are predominantly found in Kerung, Saga, and Darchen, where there are few small local eateries. As always, the food should be cooked fresh and in a hygienic manner.

To the pilgrim, light and warm food on the way is a good idea to prevent the discomfort experienced due to the altitude.

The food available in Tibet is high in calories and is also very healthy, as it gives your body the warmth that it deserves during cold weather.

Dining in Kailash Mansarovar Yatra  

Pilgrims have healthy and juicy vegetarian meals during the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

The food is normal, tasty, and acceptable to all ages. Most of the cuisines are of Indian nature, and there are some local Tibetan and Nepalese cuisines that are located along the pathway.

The food is typically served in buffet style, particularly in larger towns such as Saga and Darchen. All this is hygienically equipped, considering the altitude and the demands of the travelers. 

Breakfast

• Bread and toast
• Chapati or paratha  
• Porridge or cornflakes  
• Fruits and fruit salad  
• Tea and coffee
• Butter and jam

Lunch

• Steamed or plain rice  
• Dal (lentil soup)  
• Vegetable curry (mixed or seasonal)  
• Potato dishes (aalu fry or aalu matar)  
• Fresh fruits  
• Pickles  
• Soup
• Salad

  

Dinner

• Rice or chapati  
• Dal and curry (usually mixed vegetables)  
• Paneer or tofu dishes
• Fried rice or noodles
• Hot soup  
• Fruits or dessert

Drinks

• Mineral water
• Bottled or boiled water
• Fresh fruit juices
• Hot tea
• Coffee
• Warm lemon water

Author

Himalayan Masters

Himalayan Masters has been established by travel and trekking experts with several years of experience. Our consultants have travelled extensively and have in-depth knowledge of the region you will be traveling in.