Tibet Travel Permits for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in Ngari Prefecture

Mount Kailash, known as “the Abode of Lord Shiva”, is one of the world’s most revered holy places. Every year, thousands of pilgrims take their Tibet pilgrimage tour to Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar.

Due to Ngari Prefecture being located in a remote border area, most international travelers need to apply for the following three necessary Tibet travel permits to visit Mt. Kailash and other attractions in Ngari Prefecture：

1) Tibet Travel Permit
2) Aliens’ Travel Permit
3) Military Area Entry Permit

All above permits are applied by us. You just need confirm your Tibet Kailash tour and offer your valid documents to us.

All Tibet Travel Permits for International Travelers to Trek around Kailash and Mansarovar

The following content will explain in detail the differences between these three types of permits and how to obtain them.

Tibet Travel Permit

Tibet Travel Permit, also known as a Tibet Visa, is an entry permit to Tibet issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB). It is the most important permit for your Tibet tour and a prerequisite for applying for other Tibet travel permits (such as the Military Area Entry Permit). You will use it to board your flight or train to Lhasa and throughout your whole Tibet tour itinerary.

You cannot apply for this permit on your own. To obtain a Tibet Travel Permit, you need to book a Tibet tour with us. As a local authorized tour operator, Tibet Horizon will help you apply for it from the Tibet Tourism Bureau. You need to provide us with scanned copies of your passport and China Visa at least 15 days in advance.

Aliens’ Travel Permit

However, while a Tibet Travel Permit allows you to enter Lhasa, you still need an Aliens’ Travel Permit to visit the special site, the non-open area, or the border area in Tibet. This permit is issued by the Tibet Public Security Bureau. During your Mount Kailash tour, your tour guide will help you apply for it in the local Public Security Bureau of Shigatse. It normally takes around 1-2 hours. If your Kailash Parvat tour does not include Shigatse, don't worry, as this permit can also be obtained in other cities in Tibet.

Military Area Entry Permit

Military Area Entry Permit is a permit for visiting “sensitive” areas of Tibet under military control, issued by the Military Affairs Office in Lhasa. Similar to the Tibet Travel Permit, we need to help you apply for it well from the department in Lhasa before you start your Tibet trip. It often takes 15-30 days.

How Can International Travelers Obtain These Tibet Travel Permits?

Obtaining all the necessary permits is actually quite simple. Just follow these steps to easily get them:

Step 1: Book your Mount Kailash tour with Tibet Horizon: First, you need to confirm your Kailash Mansarovar tour dates with Tibet Horizon and book the relevant itinerary.

Step 2: Obtain your China Visa: After you finalize your itinerary with us and pay the deposit, you can begin to apply for the Chinese Tourist Visa. If you are from a visa-free country or already have a visa that is valid for the entire Kailash tour, you can proceed directly to the next step.

Step 3: Submit passport and visa copies: Please send us photos of your passport and visa information page. We will begin processing your Tibet Travel Permit and other documents at the appropriate time.

Step 4: Obtain your Tibet Travel Permit on time: After you provide all the information, we will submit the application to the Tibet Tourism Bureau and await approval. Once the permit is issued, we will either mail it to your hotel in the Chinese Mainland or your guide will meet you at the border with the permit.

Special Tibet Permits Rules for Indian Pilgrims to Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

In Buddhist and Hindu cosmology, Mount Kailash is the earthly manifestation of Mount Semeru, which is the spiritual center of the universe. Thousands of Indian pilgrims travel to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar for a spiritual journey every year. The Tibet Permits to Ngari Prefecture for Indian pilgrims are different from those for international travelers.

The Foreign Affairs Office of TAR, Tibet Military Region, Armed Police Tibet Frontier Corps, and the Department of Public Security of TAR work together to verify and issue Tibet Permits for Indian pilgrims. In fact, only two organizations can operate the India to Kailash pilgrimage tour. One is the Foreign Affairs Office of the Tibet Autonomous Region (governmental), and the other is the China-India Pilgrim Reception Center (non-governmental), also called the Pilgrim Center for short. Other organizations and travel companies are not allowed to receive pilgrims. However, Tibet Horizon is a partner of the Pilgrim Center, qualified to manage your Kailash Yatra from India.

Frontier Pass for Chinese to Visit Mt Kailash and Mansarovar

For travelers from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, the required documents for Mount Kailash differ slightly.

If you are holding a Chinese ID Card or Home Return Permit (Chinese: 回乡证), you will not need any Tibet Permit to visit Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar Lake. But you will need to apply for Frontier Pass.

If you are from Taiwan, you will need a Taiwan Compatriot Permit (Chinese: 台胞证) to obtain a Tibet Travel Permit, Military Area Entry Permit, and a Frontier Pass to travel to Mount Kailash. After you book the Tibet Ngari tour with us, we will help you apply for it from PSD in Lhasa. It takes one day to process.

Can We Climb Mount Kailash? Tibet Permits for Mount Kailash Climbing

No, you cannot climb Mount Kailash. Kailash Parvat has steep slopes and treacherous terrain that pose significant risks to climbers, making it inhospitable for climbing. Furthermore, Mount Kailash is considered to be sacred in four religions: Hinduism, Bon, Buddhism, and Jainism. Although it is only 6,638 meters above sea level, there is no one to climb Mount Kailash. Travelers can not apply for the climbing permit.

More FAQs about Tibet Travel Permits for Kailash Kora

(1) Can I apply for a Tibet Travel Permit by myself?
No, you cannot apply for a Tibet Travel Permit independently; all permits must be processed through a Tibetan travel agency. To obtain these permits, you need to book a Tibet tour in advance. The travel agency will handle all application procedures on your behalf, including submitting your passport and visa information to the Tibet Tourism Bureau.

(2) What documents are required to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit?
To apply for a Tibet Travel Permit, you generally need to provide a clear copy of your valid passport and your China Visa. If you are eligible for China’s visa-free entry policy, only a passport copy is required. For Taiwanese travelers, a valid Taiwan Compatriot Permit is required to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit.

(3) Can I use a Tibet Travel Permit for multiple Kailash tours?
No, a Tibet Travel Permit cannot be reused for multiple trips. Each permit is issued for a specific itinerary, travel date, and route, and is valid for one journey only. If you plan to visit Mount Kailash again or take a different route within Ngari Prefecture, you will need to apply for a new permit through us.

(4) When should I apply for a Tibet Travel Permit?
It’s best to apply for your Tibet Travel Permit at least one month before your planned departure. This allows enough time for processing, especially if your itinerary includes remote regions like Mount Kailash and Ngari Prefecture, which require additional permits. During peak travel seasons (May to October), it’s advisable to apply even earlier, around 6-8 weeks in advance, due to higher demand.

Conclusion

All foreign travelers planning a Kailash Mansarovar Yatra must obtain the necessary Tibet travel permits before your journey; this is a fundamental prerequisite for a successful tour. Generally, three core documents are indispensable. If you hold an Indian passport, please inform us in advance so we can prepare a permit application plan for you according to the relevant policies. Whenever you plan to embark on your Mount Kailash pilgrimage, preparing all necessary permits is crucial for a smooth and safe trip.