It takes about four to five hours to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Chengdu or Chongqing, then transfer to Lhasa and travel about 1,200 kilometers by road to Tachen Town at the foot of Mount Kailash. With an altitude of 6,656 meters, this mountain is regarded as the center of the world by Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, Jainism and Bon Religion, attracting a large number of Malaysian pilgrims to take the kora every year. First-time travelers often ask how to arrange transportation, what the total budget is, what equipment is needed and how to deal with altitude sickness.
Transportation Routes from Malaysia to Mount Kailash
Malaysia currently has no direct flights to Xizang, and travelers to Mount Kailash need to transfer via mainland Chinese cities or Nepal. The two main routes have their own characteristics and can be selected according to time, budget and altitude acclimatization needs.
Transit to Lhasa via Chengdu or Chongqing
There are daily direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Chengdu or Chongqing, with a flight time of about four hours and forty minutes, and the economy class fare is about 600 to 800 Malaysian Ringgit, which will rise in the peak season. After arrival, you can choose two ways to enter Xizang: one is to take a connecting flight to Lhasa, with more than 15 daily flights from Chengdu to Lhasa, a flight time of about two and a half hours and a fare of about 590 Malaysian Ringgit; the other is to take the train on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, with a soft sleeper fare of about 928 Malaysian Ringgit from Chengdu to Lhasa and a 34-hour journey, passing through Hoh Xil and Tanggula Pass along the way, boasting magnificent scenery and helping to acclimatize to the altitude gradually.
Transit via Kunming
The direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kunming takes about three hours and forty-five minutes, which is the shortest route by flight time. There are four to five daily flights from Kunming to Lhasa, with a flight time of about two hours and fifty minutes and a fare of about 750 Malaysian Ringgit. After arriving in Lhasa, you can choose to go to Mount Kailash by land, or take a domestic flight in Xizang to Ngari Gunsa Airport, with a flight time of about two hours and a fare of about 1,890 Malaysian Ringgit.
Transit via Kathmandu, Nepal
The direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kathmandu takes about four hours and forty-five minutes with a fare of about 640 Malaysian Ringgit. From Kathmandu, you can enter Xizang by land via Gyirong Port, passing through Saga and Lake Manasarovar to Tachen Town, with the whole journey taking about nine to thirteen days. You can also fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj in Nepal, then transfer to Simikot and Hilsa by helicopter, and enter Xizang via Pulan Bridge, with the helicopter fare about 8,400 Malaysian Ringgit.
From Lhasa to Mount Kailash
The distance from Lhasa to Mount Kailash is about 1,200 kilometers, and you need to go through Shigatse, Saga and Lake Manasarovar to Tachen Town. Most travelers choose to join group tours or charter a car, with the journey taking about two to three days, and the altitude along the way is all above 4,000 meters. The fee for group tours includes vehicles, drivers and fuel costs, while chartering a car allows you to flexibly arrange your stay time.
Scenery of the Ngari Plateau Highway
Cost Composition of the Journey from Malaysia to Mount Kailash
The total cost of the journey from Malaysia to Mount Kailash is affected by factors such as transportation methods, travel seasons, accommodation standards and whether to join group tours, with higher costs in the peak season than in the off season.
- Flight fares: The round-trip flight fare from Kuala Lumpur to Chengdu or Chongqing is about 2,000 to 3,000 Malaysian Ringgit, and can reach more than 4,000 Malaysian Ringgit in the peak season. The round-trip flight fare from Chengdu to Lhasa is about 1,500 to 2,000 Malaysian Ringgit in the peak season. The soft sleeper fare from Xining to Lhasa is about 500 Malaysian Ringgit.
- Transportation costs in Xizang: The fee for shared group tours from Lhasa to Mount Kailash is about 3,000 to 5,000 Malaysian Ringgit, including vehicles, drivers and fuel costs. The daily cost of chartering a car is about 800 to 1,200 Malaysian Ringgit, with an additional payment for the driver’s accommodation and catering. For three or four people, each person shares about more than 200 Malaysian Ringgit per day.
- Accommodation costs: A night in a 3-star hotel in downtown Lhasa costs about 200 to 300 Malaysian Ringgit, and more than 800 Malaysian Ringgit for a 5-star hotel. A bed in a guesthouse in Saga and small towns along the way costs about 50 to 80 Malaysian Ringgit per night, with public washrooms and unstable hot water supply. The bed conditions in the guesthouse of Zhaxizhotse Monastery on the kora route are simple and crude.
- Catering costs: A meal in a restaurant in Lhasa and Shigatse costs about 20 to 30 Malaysian Ringgit. The prices of Sichuan restaurants in small towns along the way are slightly higher. Supply stations on the kora route provide instant noodles, butter tea and hot water.
- Ticket and document fees: The kora ticket for Mount Kailash is about 150 Malaysian Ringgit. The tickets for scenic spots such as Lake Manasarovar are about dozens of Malaysian Ringgit. The Tibet Travel Permit is applied for through a travel agency and is usually included in the group tour fee.
Best Seasons to Visit Mount Kailash
The opening time for the Mount Kailash kora is from late April to late October every year. The climatic conditions and kora experience vary greatly in different seasons.
- May to June: Ice and snow begin to melt, the climate is stable and the air transparency is high, making it suitable for viewing the full view of the sacred mountain.
- July to August: The daytime temperature is moderate, but there may be short rainfall in the afternoon, so waterproof equipment should be prepared. The precipitation in western Xizang is relatively low, and most rains fall in the evening, having limited impact on daytime hiking.
- September to October: The autumn weather is clear and crisp with the best visibility, ideal for photography. Snow may fall in high-altitude areas after October.
- November to March of the next year: The Ngari area is bitterly cold with frequent snowfall, the kora routes are closed, and the Xizang Tourism Bureau ceases to issue the Tibet Travel Permit.
Documents and Application Procedures Required for the Mount Kailash Kora
Malaysian passport holders need to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit and relevant additional documents to visit Mount Kailash, which must be applied for through qualified local travel agencies in Xizang and cannot be processed by individuals alone.
- Tibet Travel Permit: Issued by the Xizang Autonomous Region Tourism Bureau, it is a mandatory permit to enter Xizang. To apply for it, you need to provide a copy of your passport, Chinese entry visa information (visa-exempt travelers only need to provide their passports) and the Xizang travel itinerary. The review period is about 10 to 14 working days, and it is recommended to submit the materials at least 20 days in advance.
- Alien Travel Permit: This permit is required to travel to areas outside Lhasa such as Ngari and Everest Base Camp, and the travel agency will assist in the application upon your arrival in Lhasa.
- Military Region Permit: This permit is required to travel to border areas such as Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, and the travel agency will apply for it together with the Tibet Travel Permit.
- Chinese visa policy: Malaysian passport holders can enter China visa-free and stay for no more than 15 days until the end of 2025. If the trip exceeds 15 days or you need to enter Xizang from Nepal, you need to apply for a Chinese visa or a group visa in advance.
Prayer Flags at Mount Kailash
Kora Equipment List for Malaysian Tourists
The total length of the Mount Kailash kora is about 52 kilometers, with the highest point Drolma La Pass at an altitude of 5,630 meters. Professional equipment is required for high-altitude hiking to ensure safety and comfort.
- Clothing: Break in waterproof and non-slip hiking shoes in advance. Prepare inner quick-drying clothes, middle fleece layers and outer waterproof jackets. Take multiple pairs of thick wool socks for backup.
- Sun protection: Sun hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are a must. The ultraviolet rays on the plateau are strong, and the skin can be sunburned in just one day.
- Hiking equipment: Two trekking poles to reduce the pressure on the knee joints. A headlamp for lighting when departing in the early morning on the second day. An insulated water bottle to fill up with hot water at supply stations along the way.
- Backpack: A 20 to 30-liter backpack to load solid food, water and warm clothes needed for the day.
- Medicines: Painkillers, glucose oral liquid and Gaoyuan’an. Prepare enough of your personal regular medicines.
Measures to Cope with Altitude Sickness
The whole Mount Kailash kora route is above 4,500 meters above sea level, and altitude sickness is a problem that every traveler has to face. Making adaptive preparations in advance can reduce the risks.
- Arrive in Lhasa in advance for acclimatization: It is recommended to stay in Lhasa for two to three days, avoid strenuous activities during this period, drink plenty of water and do not drink alcohol.
- Control the hiking pace: Control your walking speed on the first day of the kora and take a break every half an hour. Stop advancing immediately and rest if you have symptoms of headache or nausea.
- Medicine preparation: Ibuprofen relieves headaches and glucose oral liquid replenishes energy. Oxygen tanks can be bought in Tachen Town for about 30 Malaysian Ringgit each.
- Emergency treatment: If you have a severe altitude sickness reaction and cannot continue walking, you can ride a horse back, and there are rescue points along the way. It is recommended to buy travel insurance including high mountain rescue.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Kora
Q: How many days does the kora take?
A: The whole journey is 52 kilometers, and most people finish it in three days. The first day is about 20 kilometers from Tachen to Zhaxizhotse Monastery, taking five to six hours. The second day is more than 20 kilometers from Zhaxizhotse Monastery over Drolma La Pass to Chuzhu Monastery, taking eight to nine hours. The third day is about ten kilometers from Chuzhu Monastery back to Tachen.
Q: What are the accommodation and catering conditions along the way?
A: There are beds in the guesthouse of Zhaxizhotse Monastery, which are dormitory-style, so it is recommended to bring your own sleeping bag. Teahouses along the way provide instant noodles, butter tea and hot water. The food options are limited, so it is recommended to bring your own energy bars, chocolate and other solid food.
Q: Can I go there alone?
A: Foreign passport holders need to have their trips arranged by a travel agency to enter Xizang, and cannot go to the Ngari area alone. Both group tours and car chartering require the travel agency to handle the Tibet Travel Permit and itinerary arrangements.
Q: What taboos should be noted on the kora route?
A: You must walk clockwise for the kora. Do not step on or move stones on Mani piles, and do not cross prayer flags. Ask for permission before taking photos of locals or monks. Gesture with an open palm facing up when pointing to the sacred mountain.
Planning Your Mount Kailash Journey from Malaysia
A journey to Mount Kailash is far more than an ordinary trip to a remote destination. For many Malaysian travelers, it represents a meaningful pilgrimage as well as an opportunity to witness the dramatic landscapes of western Tibet. The route from Kuala Lumpur to Lhasa and onward across the vast Ngari Plateau reveals some of the most spectacular scenery on the Tibetan Plateau, including sacred lakes, high mountain passes, and the legendary Mount Kailash itself.
Because the region lies at high altitude and requires special travel permits, preparation is an important part of the experience. Travelers should arrange their Tibet Travel Permit in advance, allow several days in Lhasa for altitude acclimatization, and prepare appropriate trekking gear for the Kailash kora. With proper planning and realistic expectations, a journey from Malaysia to Mount Kailash can become one of the most memorable spiritual and adventure travel experiences in Asia.
