Continuing my Kailash Manasarovar Yatra..In this section, I will share some general information regarding the Yatra, eligibility, how & what to pack, etc. Never put your medicine bag along with the common luggage. Always keep it with you.

Eligibility criteria:

1. Must be citizen of India.
2. Possess an Indian passport valid for minimum 6 months as on 1st September of the current year.
3. Age should be minimum 18 and maximum 70 years as on 01 January of the current year.
4. Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or less. Although it is not a strictly enforced parameter, but you need to be in good physical condition.
5. Physically fit and medically healthy for undertaking the Yatra for religious purpose.
6. Foreign nationals are not eligible to apply; OCI card holders are, thus, not eligible.

Applicants may carefully note the following conditions before applying for the Yatra.

Selection process:

1. Draw of lots: Yatris will be selected and assigned to different routes and batches by the Ministry of External Affairs through a fair computer-generated, random, gender-balanced selection process. At the application stage, a group of four persons may give the option to travel together in the same batch. Efforts will be made to accommodate such requests as far as possible, subject to eligibility conditions of each applicant. Application should be completed on-line for each applicant.
2. Intimation: Selected applicants would be informed through automated messages to their registered email id/mobile number after the computerized draw of lots. Status updates may also be accessed through IVRS helpline 011-24300655
3. A route and batch once allocated to a Yatri through the computerized process will normally not be changed. Yatris may register on-line for change of batch to be considered on first come basis, subject to availability in a preferred batch or route. This option can be used only once. Selected and confirmed applicants would be given preference.
4. After the computerized draw of lots, each selected applicant will be required to confirm participation by crediting the non-refundable Confirmation Amount detailed in ‘Fees and Expenditure for Yatris’ into designated bank account of (KMVN) or, the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) before the cut-off date.
5. If payment is not received by KMVN / STDC by the cut-off date, such Yatri will be automatically removed from the selected list to wait list for the batch, and request from other Yatris would be considered.
6. Yatris confirmed in a batch may be required to re-confirm their participation in the batch before their arrival in Delhi for the Yatra. The reconfirmation has to be done online at the website. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of their name from the list for the batch.
7. Confirmed Yatri must report on the scheduled date & time at Delhi Heart & Lung Institute (DHLI) according to the itinerary for the batch.
8. Important Documents Selected and confirmed Yatris must ensure to bring following documents with them when they arrive in New Delhi for the Yatra.
   1. Ordinary Indian passport,valid for at least six months as on 01 September of the current year.
   2. Photograph – color, passport size (6 copies).
   3. Indemnity Bond executed on a non-judicial stamp paper of Rs.100, or as applicable locally, and authenticated by a First Class Magistrate, or Notary Public.
   4. Undertaking for evacuation by helicopter in case of emergency.
   5. Consent Form for cremation of mortal remains on Chinese side in case of death there.

• Packing Tips: In addition to what’s mentioned in the brochure, I would suggest the following:

1. 1. If you’re going on Yatra during Monsoon season, it’s not a bad idea to carry an umbrella.
   2. Common luggage should be properly packed in polythene sheets because of waterfalls and possible rain that your luggage will be exposed to.
   3. A good quality belt pouch to carry passport (original and photocopy), emergency telephone numbers, medical reports, currency, IDs and important documents. Each should be kept in a separate ziplock.
   4. Carry at least 2 permanent markers to mark your bags for identification.
   5. If you’re staying at Gujrat Samaj (Delhi), big fertilizer bags will be given for sealing your bags (no need to worry about bringing your own).
   6. A string to secure your sunglasses
   7. An extra nylon rope
   8. Backpack that your porter will be carrying (in case off-loaded) should contain some eatables, water, sunscreen, toiletries, hat, wet-wipes, poncho, essential medicines, flashlight, camera, etc and one extra set of spare clothes because sometimes you won’t get to see your luggage at day-end.
   9. Extra luggage can be deposited at Dharchula and Navidhang.
   10. Don’t forget M-Seal to secure your bottles (to carry Manasarovar water).
   11. Medicines: In addition to brochure mentioned medicines, consider carrying:
       1. Dexona tablets/injection (useful in cases of cerebral edema)
       2. Diamox
       3. ORS
       4. Broad spectrum antibiotic
       5. Ankle and knee support bandages
       6. Vicks
       7. Crepe bandage
       8. Nifedipine (useful in cases of Pulmonary edema, take only when advised by a Doctor)
          Always carry your medicine bag with you and do not pack it with common luggage. 

Currency Exchange: I used UrbanClap to find locally based agents who will home deliver required currency at good rates, which are more convenient and provide better rates than brand names like Thomas Cook etc.

This is how bag looks after packing