Mount Kailash Kora Food Tips: What to Pack & What to Eat Locally

The Mount Kailash Kora, a 52-kilometer trek around the sacred mountain, is a physically demanding journey that takes trekkers to altitudes ranging from 3,600 to 5,630 meters. The high altitude presents unique challenges to your body, especially when it comes to food. Not only does the thin air make you burn calories at an accelerated rate, but it also affects your digestion. Your body may become more sensitive to certain foods, and the digestive process can slow down significantly.

In this harsh environment, your diet plays a crucial role in maintaining your energy levels and overall well-being. You need food that can provide sustained energy, is easy on your sensitive stomach, and helps combat the effects of altitude sickness. But the remote location of Mount Kailash means that food options are limited. You can't always expect to find a variety of fresh produce or familiar Western dishes. Therefore, a combination of carefully packed food and locally available cuisine is essential for your Kora journey.

Local Delicacies: The Perfect Blend of Warmth, Energy, and Accessibility

Core Hot Foods at Rest Stops

Butter tea, made from tea leaves, yak butter, and salt, is a staple in Tibet. It provides quick energy, helps alleviate minor altitude sickness symptoms like headaches, and keeps you warm in the extreme cold. The tea's rich calories and fat content make it a valuable source of energy. If you're new to butter tea, start with the sweet version to get used to the taste. You can easily find it in restaurants in Darchen, the starting point of the Kora, and at rest stops along the way.

Yak meat is rich in protein, which helps repair muscles and boost energy. The warm noodles are easy to digest, making this dish ideal for high-altitude conditions. Adding a small amount of chili can help keep you warm, but be cautious not to overdo it to avoid irritating your stomach. Enjoy a bowl of Yak Meat Noodle Soup at rest stops to refuel and warm up.

Tsampa is made from roasted barley flour mixed with butter tea or hot water and rolled into small balls. It's high in carbohydrates, which provide long-lasting energy, and it's light and easy to carry. Tsampa is a practical food option for trekkers as it can be eaten on the go and requires minimal preparation.

In family restaurants in Tarjin, you can savor delicious dishes featuring tender potatoes and small pieces of yak or lamb meat. This Tibetan-style stewed potato with meat is easy to digest, warming, and rich in carbohydrates and protein, making it perfect for pre-trek or post-trek meals to replenish your energy. A typical serving costs around 30 yuan.

In addition to these local specialties, some basic options like fried rice and stir-fried noodles are also available at rest stops.

High-Energy Snacks to Keep You Going

Given the long distances between rest stops on the Kailash Kora, it's wise to carry some high-energy snacks to keep your energy levels stable.

Energy Bars: Opt for low-sugar varieties rich in carbohydrates and protein, such as those containing oats, nuts, and honey. Each bar provides approximately 300–400 calories, making them perfect for quick energy boosts during breaks. Store 2–3 bars in the side pockets of your backpack for easy access.

Unsalted Mixed Nuts: A combination of almonds, walnuts, cashews, and other nuts provides healthy fats and protein, keeping you full for 2–3 hours. Unsalted nuts are preferable to prevent increased thirst, which is crucial in high-altitude areas where water intake needs to be managed. Use small resealable bags to portion out your nuts for convenient snacking.

Honey Candies/Hard Candies: The dry conditions at high altitudes can leave your mouth feeling parched. Sucking on a honey candy or hard candy can moisten your throat and provide a quick sugar boost to alleviate fatigue. Choose individually wrapped candies to prevent them from becoming sticky and messy.

Instant Oatmeal Packets: Look for small, individually wrapped oatmeal packets that can be prepared in just 3 minutes with hot water. Oatmeal is high in carbohydrates and easy to digest, making it a great option for breakfast or dinner at rest stops, especially for those with sensitive stomachs who find local fatty foods hard to tolerate.

Conclusion

Keep in mind that snacks and other items near Mount Kailash can be quite expensive. To save costs and ensure you have access to familiar and preferred foods, consider purchasing supplies in Lhasa or other larger towns before heading to Mount Kailash. This way, you can stock up on essentials and avoid the higher prices often found in remote areas.