What Do You Eat During the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Tour? Foods Options

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Tour Food Options

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrims receive Vegetarian Menu items that are healthy, soothing, and energising to adapt to high-altitude travels. Major meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, besides light snacks, to keep the pilgrims going throughout their journeys. It is prepared by Nepali cooks who have experience keeping food safe, fresh, and suitable for the spiritual significance of the pilgrimage.

Breakfast Options on the Kailash Mansarovar Tour Route

Rugged terrain and high altitude call for a hearty breakfast to start the day's trek. A variety of hot drinks, cereals, and light traditional items would do the job of keeping one warm and energetic with ease and be easily digestible to be a great stepping stone into the day.

Tea/Coffee

Start your day with tea or coffee for warmth and wakefulness. The hot beverage hydrates the body, which is required at high altitudes; it also gives a soothing start to your day.

Bread with Jam or Honey

This is the simplest meal you can have; bread provides instant energy through natural sugars. Honey helps in digestion and has multiple health benefits; hence, it is good to have honey at high altitudes.

Corn Flakes and Muesli

Light but nutritious, both corn flakes and muesli are a great source of carbohydrates and fibre, which keeps you fuller for longer. When taken with milk, they are easy to digest and provide slow-release energy- something that is extremely important during trekking.

Puri-Sabji:

A traditional option! Puri( fried bread) with sabji (vegetable curry) gives you a good mix of carbs + vegetables to start your day. It’s heavy on the tummy, so it’s kinda best to have this on colder mornings when you need more warmth.

Rice Pudding:

The creamy, mildly sweet dish makes for a great breakfast option that provides warmth and sustenance. It is easy to digest and has a mix of carbs and protein, which are important for sustained energy.

Poha:

Light-flattened rice cooked with mild spices and vegetables. This is easy to digest and gives energy. Also, it tastes good and is easy to cook. You can also get fiber vitamins from vegetables.

What Are The Lunch and Dinner Options on the Kailash Mansarovar Tour Route

Lunch and dinner on Kailash Mansarovar Yatra have been planned in such a way that these nutritious and filling meals last till the end of the day's journey and further assist in post-trek recovery. Besides this, most of the dishes happen to be very simple, laying focus on easy-to-digest nutritious food ingredients.

Rice and Pulao

Plain rice and Pulao provide the needed carbohydrates, which give energy. Pillow is, however, a spicier form of rice, which includes vegetables; hence, it is nutritious and spicy, which could be added to the blunt meals.

Roti and Vegetable

Most often, roti is traditional Indian flatbread served with a vegetable curry called sabzi-nourishing and appetising. The rotis shall provide fibre and complex carbohydrates, while the sabji will add vitamins, minerals, and fibre from the vegetables to make this meal balanced.

Rajma

Among them, lentil soup or dal and kidney beans or rajma form rich sources of protein, which are very important for muscle recovery and getting energy at high altitudes. Therefore, these mildly spiced and highly nutritious dishes become comforting, warm, and easily digestible.

Pickle and Salad

A sour taste adds to appetite and improves digestion- a small portion of pickles. Freshly cut salad, whatever the season, gives freshness and the necessary vitamin balance to heavy dishes. Papad: These thin lentil crackers add crunch and flavour, hence making them very common companions. Papad is light but full; it gives variety to every meal with its fine touch.

Juic-at Lunchtime

Fresh juices for lunch for that refreshing shot of natural sugars and vitamins that would help rehydrate and pep you up in the middle of the day. Quite a great addition to lighten up the meal.

Fruits

Fresh fruits, if in season, during dessert, are light and healthy.It provides one with fibre, vitamins, and a natural source of sugars for fast recovery.

Evening Hi-Tea Options on the Kailash Mansarovar Tour Route

This afternoon's hi-tea break is meant for unwinding and taking in some lighter refreshments after a really long day of trekking. Hot drinks and snacks served will give warmth, comfort, and extra energy to help one stay strong until dinner time.

Tea/Coffee

Evening tea or coffee is the second warm-up of the evening coolers that creep in and make all the comfort of this routine much easier for the trekkers.

Soups

 A warm soup, preferably one loaded with vegetables, would be comforting and refreshing. It would allow the electrolytes not to get unbalanced due to an entire day of trekking because the salt in the soup would maintain it in balance.

Popcorn and Biscuits

These are mildly salty, just for the sake of eating something and really easy to get food items to munch on while playing one’s cuppa. Popcorn is least likely to cause indigestion, and biscuits are easy to bite into and sweet with any hot beverage.

Pakoda

An Indian deep-fried snack. The pakoda come out good, taste good, and have a really nice flavor. Being deep fried and mildly spiced, it fits in beautifully among an evening snack menu crunch bites that give you some heat and fill you.

Food Menu of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Tour

Where Do You Eat During Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?

Since infrastructural development in this region is pretty small, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has limited dining options. Major parts of the yatra fall under quite remote areas at high altitudes where either guesthouses or restaurants are few and far between.

Still, there are a few limited options for dining on the way: Others have more discreet restaurants and food stalls serving fewer dishes on the menu, probably fried rice alone. Menu items are also seen both in English and Chinese to help non-native citizens who can't read the local language. You may also bring a guide with you who'll help you order the right dishes from the menu.

The dining options will be limited and basic. Again, travellers going on Kailash Mansarovar Yatra need to know how to share whatever option comes up by taking supplementary food or snacks in order to make the journey relatively easy and enjoyable.

Who Will Prepare Your Foods On The Tour?

The meal on Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is prepared and served by Nepali cooks who travel with you while you accompany the tour. In this way, they become an important part of the expedition to keep you with proper and nutritious meals throughout the most difficult journey.

In addition, there may be more than 10 guides and cooks accompanying the bigger group. These are going to look after everything about logistics and culinary matters as you get your own self enough time for both spiritual and physical aspects of pilgrimage. So far as the smaller groups are concerned, there is a team of 3 or 5 guides and cooks really committed to the expedition.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is known to serve vegetarian fare regardless of the size of the group. Let that not be a cause for you to worry. Nepali cooks who are experts take care of your decent, locally produced ingredients and cook in ways that suit the particular dietary needs and preferences of the pilgrims.

Why We Do Not Serve Non Vegetarian Foods During Mount Kailash Yatra?

Pilgrims take this journey to undertake the sacred ritual of kora or parikrama (circumambulation) around Mount Kailash. The pilgrimage also involves visiting Lake Mansarovar, a holy lake that is believed to wash away the impurities of the spirit. Because of its profound religiousness, Mount Kailash Yatra follows strict dietary norms, which means that non-vegetarian food is avoided.

Respect for MOunt Kailash Sacred Grounds

Being the abode of Lord Shiva, who is considered one of the holiest Gods by Hindus, and also a place pulsating with spiritual energy, it is very important for a devotee to practise vegetarianism. 

Connection with Ancient Spiritual Practices

Vegetarianism has been a part of ascetic and spiritual practices since time immemorial in many religions. By adopting a vegetarian diet, pilgrims identify themselves with the spiritual values that Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism lay on Mount Kailash. Consuming only vegetarian food during the journey helps you to feel associated with these age-old customs, which will further enhance mindfulness and self-control.

Observing Ahimsa (Non-Violence)

Ahimsa, or non-violence, is a cardinal virtue in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist philosophy and practice—and in pilgrimage more generally. The fact that non-vegetarian foodstuffs are forbidden here indicates the belief that in order to survive life, it becomes necessary to kill life. Eating is an external manifestation of reverence for life; eating vegetarian food also thus connects them with the spiritual energy pervading the place. 

Symbolic Purification of the Body and Mind

The Mt. Kailash Yatra route is for soul and inner self-cleansing. Vegetarian food you eat is less tamasic (heavy)and is more satisfying; it calms down your body as well as the mind by eating sattvic (light & Satva Guna predominant) found (which comprises fruits, vegetables, milk etc.), closer you can come for meditative concentration on this spiritual journey, to align yourself with the spiritual energy of Mount Kailash, the sharper clarity you have.

Embracing Simplicity and Humility

The journey to Mount Kailash is a mentally and physically tough one that needs modesty as its backbone. Since one is not required to eat non-vegetarian food, it teaches the pilgrims to be simple. In fact, the essential things they will need on this extremely tough journey are simplicity and discipline, which vegetarian food represents, just like the humility and reverence with which the people undertake this holy pilgrimage.

Drink Options on Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Tour Route

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a challenging pilgrimage, and you need to be properly hydrated and drink water throughout the journey. Since the duration of the year is long (usually around 10 to 12 days), it’s important that you get both safe drinking water and refreshment points. We will explain to you in detail all the drink options available en route, such as bottled water and tea/ coffee provided at halts.

Bottled Mineral Water Bottles

Packaged bottled water is available at rest stops, guesthouses and monasteries on the way to Kathmandu - Mount Kailash. It's a bit expensive as it is costlier to ferry goods at such remote distances. Still, nevertheless, rational people always buy it in order to be on the safe side and not consume water from unknown sources of streams. Also, the vast majority of trekkers prefer to buy packaged water because it's easy (no boiling or filtering is required).

Filtered or Jarred Water

Tour operators sometimes pre-arrange to have large-sized jars of drinkable (boiled) water carried by Sherpas / their team members for daytime consumption by trekkers/pilgrims who can get personal bottles filled from that when there is no availability of packaged water. The above process actually involves first boiling the available normal drinking water, and subsequently, it is filtered/purified to enough standards so that it becomes safe for drinking.

Boiled Water

In some of the guesthouses and monasteries on the circuit, boiled water may be available to drink in certain areas where bottled water isn’t available. Drinking boilers, however, can be considered fine at these altitudes as well as a necessity, as there are not so many standard filters to go around. Your tour guide will fill you in on all this and more, no doubt, without even asking.

Stream or Pond Water (Not Recommended)

There are natural water sources, such as streams and ponds, throughout the trail, but it’s not safe to drink from them. They could be tainted by animal urine or fecal matter, which can cause giardia. Unless your guide gives you the okay, DO NOT drink any of the water on the high-altitude trek. If you find yourself in a dilemma, then use a portable water filter or purifying tabs with these sources.

Tea and Coffee at Rest Stops

Tea and coffee are the drinks that are provided in almost all the monasteries and guest houses, as well as during breakfast and evening tea. These hot drinks will be really very helpful for protecting you from cold in the high-altitude region, and they are also part of Yatra hospitality.

Drink Options Available in Meals:

• Breakfast: Tea, Coffee
• Lunch: Juice (available only during lunch), Water
• Evening Hi-Tea: Tea, Coffee, Soups

Snacks to Pack For The Tour

Packing the right snacks for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra can make a difference in maintaining your energy and morale during the yatra. Since it’s a high-altitude trek and involves a lot of walking, it is ideal to have some energy-boosting snacks that are vegetarian too, easy to eat/carry, in between your meals. Some recommendations –

Energy Bars/ Chocolate Bars

• Bars: Energy bars and chocolate bars are trail food staples for a good reason—they’re quick to eat, lightweight, and calorie-dense. Opt for bars with minimal ingredients (the more natural, the better) and high protein content to keep you fueled on long hikes.
• Energy Bars: KIND Bars, Clif Bars, RXBAR, Larabar, Nature Valley Protein Bars
• Chocolate bars: Snickers, Mars, KitKat, Dairy Milk (go for high-cocoa varieties for better endurance energy)
• Protein bars: Quest Bars, GoMacro Bars

Nuts and Dried Fruits

Nuts and dried fruits are high in nutrition and low in weight. They're easy to carry and snack on while you travel. A nice combination of healthy fats, proteins, and carbohydrates helps keep you going and makes you fuller for longer.

• Nuts: Almonds, Cashews, Walnuts, Pistachios, Peanuts
• Dried Fruits: Raisins, Dates, Dried Apricots, Figs, Prunes
• Trail Mixes: You can prepare a trail mix by combining nuts, dried fruits and a few dark chocolate chips or coconut flakes

Granola

Granola is a great snack. Granola provides you with carbohydrates and fiber. You can eat it dry or mix it with hot water or milk (if available) to give you a more filling snack.

• Granola Clusters: Quaker Granola, Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars

Roasted Seeds

Roasted seeds like pumpkin, sunflower and flax seeds are a powerhouse of nutrients. They are not only light on the tummy but also provide energy, good fats and important minerals.

• What to Pack: Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Flax Seeds, Chia Seeds (can be mixed into Yogurt or granola if available).

What Is The Cost of Food on the Kailash Mansarovar Tour?

Dinner Cost

The Kailash Mansarovar tour dinner generally costs you quite reasonably. A good dinner will cost you around 2 Yuan (approximately $0.30 USD). The cheap rate of food during the trip lets you enjoy a good meal even after the tiring and long trekking days without disturbing your pocket much.

Breakfast Cost

Breakfast options are slightly expensive as compared to the options available for dinner during the Kailash Mansarovar tour. A typical breakfast consisting of tea, coffee, bread, cereal etc, can cost you between 10 Yuan to 20 Yuan (around $1.50 to $3 USD) per person, which is again reasonable keeping in view other factors and that it’s not too expensive.

Definitive Viewpoint Of What You Will Be Served

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra offers a specially prepared vegetarian diet that compliments the spiritual essence of this holy pilgrimage. The food is cooked by experienced Nepali chefs and is meant to keep body and soul together during the physically demanding parikrama. Breakfast includes healthy options such as hot porridge and freshly baked bread. Lunch and dinner consist of tasty vegetarian fare with curries, lentils, rice, rotis (Indian bread) and a variety of fresh seasonal vegetables sourced along the way. Teas, juices and refreshments are served to quench your thirst or to enjoy in between meals. These foods options is available on tours like:

• Kailash Mansarovar Yatra - 10 Days

• Kailash Mansarovar Yatra By Helicopter

• Kailash Mansarovar Yatra With Muktinath Darshan - 15 Days

To learn more on bookings for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, click here – travel page for further details on organising your travel plans responsibly for this once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage.