Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter: The Advantages of Choosing Helicopter route to Reach Kailash Mansarovar

Know about the most cost-effective helicopter route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a pilgrimage meant for devout Hindus who want to visit the abode of Lord Shiva. The trek is a treacherous one but the religious significance of Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar is such that it is something many people hold close to their hearts. This Yatra is one that people have been going on for decades in spite of the mountainous terrain and harsh climatic conditions. But it doesn’t have to be a very difficult journey for Hindu devotees. A good part of the journey can be done by helicopter. Now there are a few helicopter routes one can use to reach Mount Kailash. The cost of Mansarovar Yatra for each of these routes differs. However, you can choose the better and more cost-effective one with a little research.

Why choose a helicopter route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?

For people who don’t have a lot of time on their hands or those who are infirm or are traveling with people who are not in the best of health, choosing the helicopter route from Lucknow is the best idea. Not only does this route save you a lot of time, it also is less physically demanding than other routes where the major part of the journey is to be made by trekking. You will have to trek quite a bit if you want to do the ‘parikrama’ of Mount Kailash, but that is optional. A lot of people don’t do the ‘parikrama’ itself and choose to do the ‘darshan’ of Mount Kailash along with a holy dip in Lake Mansarovar. Choosing a helicopter route will give you more time to do the ‘parikrama’ or to just enjoy the feeling of being so close to the abode of Lord Shiva.

Most cost-effective helicopter routes for Kailash Yatra

Two Kailash Mansarovar Yatra packages deserve special mention: one starts from Lucknow and the other starts from Kathmandu.

Helicopter route from Lucknow: This is a route that can take anywhere between 5 and 11 days and is not only a very convenient one for people who have a busy work life but also for those who are not physically very fit. Here are the salient points of this route:
- Lucknow: This is the starting point where the pilgrims meet and then move towards Nepalgunj in an AC train coach.
- Nepalgunj: This is where the pilgrims will be staying overnight in a good hotel and also be briefed by experts regarding what they can expect during the Yatra. The next morning, they will drive to Simikot airport.
- Simikot: The Yatris will enjoy a halt here after which they will take a helicopter ride to the town of Hilsa. Here, the whole group will be assembled before moving to Purang.
- Purang: After reaching Purang, the pilgrims will be able to rest and reconvene in a hotel, where they will have dinner and spend the night.
- Lake Mansarovar: After spending time in Purang where pilgrims would be able to buy food items and do a bit of trekking, they will be taken directly to Lake Mansarovar in an AC Volvo Bus. That is where the ‘parikrama’ begins.
- ‘Parikrama’ and return: Those who want to do the ‘parikrama’ will be guided by experts and those who can’t or don’t want to will be able to pay their respects, do ‘yagna’ or any other religious ritual they want to at Mount Kailash. Then, it’s back to Purang, Hilsa, Simikot, and then Lucknow.
Helicopter route from Kathmandu: This is another cost-effective route for people who want to go on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Following are the salient points of this route:
Kathmandu: Pilgrims will have to reach Kathmandu airport on their own where they can avail of the pick-up facility to reach the hotel arranged by the tour operator. They can enjoy the local sights including many Hindu temples during the day and after spending the night in the hotel, they will take a flight to Nepalgunj.
Nepalgunj: At the hotel, the pilgrims will enjoy their breakfast, after which they will be briefed about what they can expect on the Yatra and how they should conduct themselves.
Simikot and Hilsa: From Nepalgunj, a flight will be taken by pilgrims to reach Simikot where they will again sit on a helicopter to reach Hilsa.
Purang: Next stop is Purang, where the many shops will let the pilgrims buy dry food items and warm clothing.
Lake Mansarovar: From Purang, pilgrims will travel to the foot of Mount Kailash by AC bus. One can trek, or one can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere there and stay overnight in the guesthouse.
Return journey: Pilgrims will be able to return by the same route they used to reach the lake and from Kathmandu airport, they can then return back to their homes.