Mount Kailash tour from Malaysia

Few mountains in the world rival the grandeur of Mount Kailash (6714m) the famed holy peak in Western Tibet. Kailash has long been an object of worship Pilgrimage sites for four major religions. For the Hindus, it is the domain of Shiva. It is also the abode of Samvara- a multi armed, wrathful deity worshipped in the Chakrasamvara Tantric cycle of Tibetan Buddhism. The Jains of India also revere the mountain as the site at which the first of their saints emancipated. And in the ancient Bon religion of Tibet, Kailash was the sacred nine storey Swastika Mountain, upon which the Bonpo founder Shenrab alighted from heaven.

Sprawling below Mount Kailash is the sacred Holy Lake Manasarovar (4560m), where a ritual bath will deliver a pilgrim to Brahma's paradise and a drink of its water relinquishes the sins of a hundred lifetimes.

Travel to Kailash from Malaysia via Chengdu

Why Choose to Go from Kuala Lumpur to Kailash via Chengdu China

While there may be several airports in Malaysia that have direct flights to China, only flights from Kuala Lumpur fly direct to Chengdu, in China’s southwest Sichuan Province. And with Chengdu being the most popular departure location for Tibet, this is the best option for tourists from Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is the most economical airport for flights to Chengdu, as it is centrally located in one of the largest population centers in the country. While Chengdu may not be the closest Chinese airport, or even the cheapest, it is the best for onward travel to Tibet, as it is one of the closest to Lhasa and the cheapest for fare prices. It is also one of the best options for those that decide to travel to Tibet by train instead of flying.

Flying from Kuala Lumpur to Chengdu

Stretching out over 3,114 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur, Chengdu is a major airline destination in China, and there are currently around three direct flights per day to the Sichuan capital. Offered by AirAsia, AirAsia X, and Malindo Air, flights depart in the evening for all three airlines, with the latest flight arriving in Chengdu at around 3:15am the following day, Beijing time. Flights normally take around 4 hours 35 minutes, and can cost from around US$293 per person for a one-way economy flight.

Traveling from Chengdu to Lhasa by Train or Flight

Once in the capital of Sichuan Province in southwest China, tourists have the option of traveling by flight or train to Lhasa, the Tibetan capital. For those that opt to travel by flight, there are currently around 15 daily flights to Lhasa from the Shuangliu Airport. The first flight of the day departs at around 6:00am, while the last flight leaves at 10:10pm, taking around 2 hours 35 minutes to reach the Gonggar International Airport in Tibet. Flight costs range from around US$294 and up for a one-way economy ticket for the 1,266km trip.

For those opting to use the awesome Tibet Trains, there are departures every other day from Chengdu North Station. Trains depart on odd days in six months of the year, and even days in the other six months, and take around 36 hours 30 minutes to make the 3,360-kilometers journey. The Chengdu Lhasa train departs at 21:37 and arrive in Tibet at around 09:55 on the third day of travel. The cost of the ticket varies deeding on the cabin or seat of your choice, with the Hard Seats being the cheapest (and most uncomfortable) and the Hard and Soft Sleeper Berths being more expensive. Hard Sleeper Berths start at around US$94 per person while Soft Sleeper Berths start at US$149 per person.

While the flights may be faster, they are normally more costly, and do not have the stunning highlights of the trip as the trains have. For the part of the journey from the Tanggula Mountains, the train is traveling in daylight. This allows you to get a view of the part of the region that few travelers see, as there are few tours to Nagqu in northeastern Tibet. Aside from the massive mountain ranges that the train crosses to get onto the plateau, you also get a great opportunity to see the vast expanse of the Changtang Prairie, with its lush grasses and abundance of wildlife.

Lhasa to Kailash Manasarovar Overland Once in Lhasa, the next step is to take the tour out across the vast Tibetan plateau to Ngari. The trip to Mount Kailash is part of a 15-day tour of the region, and it takes around four days to travel from the capital to Darchen, at the foot of the sacred mountain. The trip takes you through some of the stunning cities and towns of Tibet, including Gyantse, Shigatse, and Saga, as well as stopping at the famous Everest Base Camp en route to Kailash. As a whole, the 15-day tour to Mount Kailash costs around US$1,880 per person, not including flights or trains.

Travel Visa and Permits for Mount Kailash Tour from Malaysia via Mainland China

For any tour that takes you to western Tibet, there are a number of permits you will require for the trip. For entering China to get to Tibet, you will need a Chinese Entry Visa, available from the nearest Chinese Embassy. You will also need permits to travel into and around Tibet. These are applied for by us on your behalf and include:

Tibet Travel Permit - This is required for entry to Tibet and to travel around in the area of Lhasa. The permit requires up to 15-20 days to process, so your tour should be booked well in advance.

Alien’s Travel Permit - Required for travel to the “unopened” areas of Tibet outside Lhasa, including Shigatse. The permit is applied for once you are in Lhasa by your tour guide.

Restricted Areas Permit - This is often called the “Military Permit”, and is required for travel to military-sensitive areas such as Ngari, Nyingchi, etc. This permit also requires at least two weeks to process, and will be applied for as soon as your tour is booked.

Frontier Pass - While most tours will not actually cross the border out of China, the Frontier Pass is required for all tourists traveling in the areas of the Chinese border with India, Nepal, and Bhutan, which includes Mount Everest and Mount Kailash. The pass can be applied for by your guide in Lhasa or Shigatse, and takes around 30 minutes.

Best Time to Visit Kailash from Malaysia

Normally, the best times to visit Mount Kailash are from April to May and September to October, although the summer, from June to August is also a possibility. Spring and autumn are deal mainly due to the dry weather, cool but not cold climate, and the clear skies that give you the best views of the mountains. In summer, there is a lot less rain than in the east of Tibet, especially around the Gangdise Mountains, so it is still possible to visit the sacred mountain and hike the Kora trek in the summer months as well. However, there can be light showers and clouds, so if you are not into a little rainy weather, spring and autumn are the best options.