Owing to its stunning scenery and sacred religious significance, Mount Kailash has always been a hot tourist destination in Tibet. However, since it’s in the remote western part of Tibet, you’ll need extra travel permits besides the standard Tibet Travel Permit. Check out this article to find out exactly which documents you need for a Mount Kailash tour and how to get them without any hassle.

Chinese Visa or Chinese Group Visa is Required for a Mount Kailash Tour

First of all, international tourists need to obtain a Chinese visa to visit Mount Kailash, as the place is located in Tibet, which is a province of China.

According to the latest policy, tourists from countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Poland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, and Singapore can now enjoy a visa-free policy to enter China. The visa-free period is mainly 15 days and 30 days. If you're unsure whether you need a Chinese Visa at present, contact us for more details.

If you are not a visa-free tourist, then there are two situations for obtaining your Chinese Visa. For those planning to enter Tibet from mainland China, you will need a standard Chinese Visa. You can apply for this visa through a Chinese Embassy in your home country or a third country. You can also apply it through a Chinese consulate, or a China application service center.

If you plan to enter Tibet from Nepal, you will then need a Chinese Group Visa. This visa can only be obtained through the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. Even if you already have a Chinese Visa, you will need a new group visa for this entry. With a local office in Kathmandu, we are happy to assist you with your China group visa application. Feel free to contact us for personalized service.

Tibet Travel Permit is a Must for a Mount Kailash Tour

The Tibet Travel Permit, also known as the Tibet Visa, is essential for any travel within Tibet. Regardless of where you plan to visit in Tibet, you must first obtain this permit. Without it, you cannot even take a train or plane to Tibet from mainland China.

However, obtaining the Tibet Travel Permit is very easy nowadays with our help. As the leading tour operator with years of experience, we make the process quite simple and stress-free. All you need to do is book your Mount Kailash tour with us and send us copies of your passport and Chinese visa. We will handle the rest of the permit application procedure on your behalf.

The processing time for the Tibet Travel Permit is typically 8-9 business days. Once issued, we will deliver the permit to your address in mainland China. It is recommended to start the permit application 20 days before your Mount Kailash tour to allow enough time for processing and delivery.

Three More Documents are Needed for a Mount Kailash Tour

Apart from the Chinese Visa and Tibet Travel Permit, you will also need to obtain three more documents: Alien’s Travel Permit, Foreign Affairs Permit, and Military Area Entry Permit.

Alien’s Travel Permit

The Aliens’ Travel Permit, also known as the PSB Permit, is issued by the Public Security Bureau. While it is not required for international tourists to enter Tibet, it is necessary for visiting restricted areas such as Mount Everest, Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, and Tsedang Samye Monastery.

Compared to the Tibet Travel Permit, the Aliens’ Travel Permit is much easier to obtain. It can only be arranged by the travel agency that organized your Tibet tour and is applied for after you enter Tibet.

Normally, your Tibet tour guide will help you process the application while you are touring Lhasa or Shigatse. The procedure takes around 1-2 hours. It is recommended to share your trip itinerary with us in advance so that we can apply for the permit promptly when needed.

Military Area Entry Permit and Foreign Affairs Permit

If your itinerary includes military-sensitive areas such as Ngari (Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, etc.), Nyingchi, or Chamdo, you need to apply for both a Military Area Entry Permit and a Foreign Affairs Permit.

The Military Area Entry Permit is issued by the Military Office in Lhasa, while the Foreign Affairs Permit is issued by the Foreign Affairs Office in Lhasa. Both permits can be arranged by our travel agency, and the application process typically takes 10-15 working days.

Considering the lengthy application process, it is recommended to plan your trip at least 30 days before departure if you are visiting Mount Kailash.

What about the Mount Kailash Tour Permits for Indian Pilgrims?

As Mount Kailash is a sacred site for Hindus, thousands of Indian pilgrims travel there for a spiritual journey each year. However, the application process for the Tibet Travel Permit for Indian pilgrims is a little bit special.

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 the Tibet Travel Permit for Indian pilgrims.

In fact, only two organizations can authorize Indian pilgrimage tours to Mount Kailash. One is the Foreign Affairs Office of Tibet Autonomous Region (governmental), and the other is the Tibet-India Pilgrim Reception Center (non-governmental), also known as the Pilgrim Center, located in Tuanjie New Village, Lhasa. Other organizations and travel agencies are not allowed to receive Indian pilgrims for Mount Kailash trips.

However, as an official agent of the Pilgrim Center, we are authorized to provide free consultancy services for Mount Kailash pilgrimage tours for Indian pilgrims. We can help you contact the relevant departments to organize your Mount Kailash tour.

Join our Mount Kailash Tour for Smooth Handling of All Travel Documents

As a professional local travel agency specializing in Tibet tours for many years, we guarantee a 100% successful application of all permits for your Mount Kailash tour.

We offer a wide range of Mount Kailash tours that cover all the necessary travel documents. You can join our most popular trip, the 15-day Lhasa to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar tour, to explore the mystical land of Tibet in depth and experience the holy kora around the mountain. Alternatively, we can customize your Mount Kailash trip based on your preferences.

No matter which type of trip you choose, once you book your Mount Kailash tour with us, we will handle the permit application for free. Additionally, we provide a one-stop service that includes excellent English-speaking local tour guides, experienced drivers, suitable accommodations, tourist vehicles, and more to ensure you have a worry-free trip in Tibet.

Conclusion

If you plan to tour Mount Kailash, you will need to obtain five types of permits: Chinese Visa, Tibet Travel Permit, Alien’s Travel Permit, Military Area Entry Permit and Foreign Affairs Permit. The application process for these permits can be complicated, but by joining our Mount Kailash tour, you can enjoy hassle-free handling of all Tibet travel documents. If you have any more questions about the travel permits for the Mount Kailash tour, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are always at your service!