FAQs - Routes - Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Is there any alternate by-road route available from Nepalganj to Simikot or Hilsa in the Kailash Mansarovar yatra?

There is no alternate by-road route available from Nepalgunj to Simikot or Hilsa, these destinations come on the Heli route of Kailash Yatra. The distance between Nepalgunj to Simikot is covered by Charter flight and the distance between Simikot to Hilsa is covered by Helicopter.
The construction work of the road is under process on the Nepalganj to Hilsa route. One can go a few kilometres by jeep, however, it takes more than 1 week for labours and locals to cover the distance by trek.
Since Hilsa is the nearest Nepal-Tibet border from Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, therefore flight and helicopter route is quite popular for reaching Kailash Mansarovar. Simikot falls in the Humla district of Nepal and every non-Nepali person is charged a certain amount in the name of Humla District Development, this price is already included in the Kailash Mansarovar yatra package price

Which are the routes for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra & Which one is the best?

Broadly, there are two routes for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, one is the Kailash Yatra by the Government of India (Ministry of External Affairs) and the second one is the Kailash Yatra by Nepal route taken by Private companies.

The Government Of India Kailash Yatra route can be further classified into 2 options - Lipulekh Pass and Nathu La Pass:

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand is entirely by a trek of about 250 km (Ex Dharchula) that takes almost 24 days and costs about Rs. 1,80,000/- in 2019. A total of 1080 pilgrims (18 groups of 60 people each) are allowed on this route. With New Road being constructed for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, the duration of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra expected to be reduced to 19-20 days and the price may go beyond Rs. 2 lakhs. Ministrry Of External Affairs of Government of India organises Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lipulekh Pass with the help of Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN), due to which many people call Lipulekh Pass Kailash Yatra Route as KMVN Kailash Yatra route. When Shiva devotees look for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by India Govt cheap cost, then this the option for that.
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by NathuLa Pass in Sikkim- This Yatra is also organised by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of Govt. Of India. It takes place by road in 21 days approx and it cost about Rs. 2,50,000/- in 2019. A total of 750 pilgrims (15 groups of 50 people each) are allowed on this route. The Government of India organises Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lipulekh Pass with the help of Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC).

The Nepal route of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra can be further classified into 3 options - Overland, Heli and Lhasa:

1. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Overland Route (By Bus from Kathmandu)- The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Road is of 14 days from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. This Kailash Yatra route is the most famous as it takes fewer days and is the cheapest Kailash Mansarovar Yatra option. The Kailash Yatra through this route starts with the darshan of Pashupati Nath Ji in Kathmandu. This yatra is entirely covered by bus and from Kathmandu, we enter Tibet via the Keyong border. For Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2023, the cost is expected to be somewhere around Rs. 1.6 Lakhs per person (tax excluded).

2. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Heli Route- After the earthquake in Nepal in 2015, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Heli has emerged as the most preferred choice for those who are willing to pay around Rs. 30 thousand extra for a comfortable Kailash Yatra. Trip To Temples (u/o Divine Mantra Pvt Ltd.) is the most reliable Kailash Mansarovar Yatra operator on this route having good hold overflights and helicopters. There are two major options for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Flight:-

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter from Lucknow (India)- Nowadays, this is the most popular option for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. It takes 11 days from Lucknow to Lucknow where Trip To Temples provides accommodation in Lucknow both ways. Kailash Yatra flight starts from Nepalganj which is approx 185km from Lucknow, that is why people prefer coming to Lucknow and choosing the Kailash Yatra Nepalganj route. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra's cost for this route is expected to be Rs. 1.9 Lakhs per person (tax excluded).
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter from Kathmandu (Nepal)- This is the alternate option of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Heli route which starts from Kathmandu and ends at Kathmandu. Trip To Temples provides sightseeing of Kathmandu in this Kailash Yatra package. We cover about 650km distance from Kathmandu to Nepalganj by flight and join the same Kailash Yatra Lucknow group in Nepalganj to complete the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra together. Since we take a flight between Kathmandu and Nepalganj, this Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route becomes Rs. 5 to 10 thousand costlier.

3. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Lhasa Route- The 14 days Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Lhasa route is from Kathmandu to Kathmandu in which you take a flight between Kathmandu and Lhasa and, from Lhasa the distance is covered by road in Volvo category bus. Trip To Temples provides sightseeing of Lhasa in this Kailash Yatra package. The approx cost of the Kailash yatra by the Lhasa route is about Rs. 3 Lakhs per person (tax excluded). Being a costly package, this route is mostly preferred by NRIs, hence companies face some challenges in creating a group for Kailash Yatra via the Lhasa route.

The Nepal route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is better than the Government of India route of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra because of the following reasons:

There are a lot of formalities in the Government route making it a long process.
There is a limitation on the number of pilgrims on the Government route whereas there is no limitation on the number of pilgrims on the Nepal route.
There is a lucky draw system followed on the Government route whereas anyone who is physically fit can travel to the Nepal route.
The time taken to complete the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through the Government route is longer than the time taken through the Nepal route.

Which is the shortest and most convenient Kailash Yatra route?

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter is the shortest and most convenient route of Kailash Yatra. The Heli route of Kailash Yatra is from Lucknow as well as Kathmandu. It can be done in 11 and 5 days.

The 5 days Kailash Yatra by Helicopter is popularly known as the shortest Kailash Mansarovar Yatra option. This option does not have Mount Kailash Parikrama. Nowadays with the increasing volume of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, many people wish to complete the Mansarovar Yatra in minimum days with slightly high comfort. Pilgrims who are not physically confident and who do not have a higher number of days for Kailash Parvat and Mansarovar Jheel darshan prefer to take short duration Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. This includes Mount Kailash darshan, dip in Lake Mansarovar, seeing Rakshastal and getting blessed in the divinity of the place. The minimum time required for Mount Kailash Parikrama is 9 days which is a modified part of 11 days of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in Lucknow or Kathmandu.

After 2015, the Heli route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra gained popularity among pilgrims who are looking for a short and convenient Kailash Yatra. The route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Heli route is a more comfortable and cost-effective way to visit this divine destination.

Which is the most comfortable and which is the difficult Kailash Yatra Route?

Comfort level in Kailash Mansarovar Yatra varies from person to person. Many people choose the Private operators to go on the Nepal route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra because of it being cost and time effective whereas many people find the Indian Government to be more credible in operating the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Both options are equally good.

The most comfortable route to go on Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is the Heli route. The Heli route makes the journey comfortable and you can complete the Kailash Yatra within a shorter period of time. The Heli route of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra starts from Lucknow (India) and involves less travelling time in Nepal, because of which nowadays it is being preferred by most people.

The most difficult route is of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by the Government of India (MEA) from Lipulekh Pass. Until 2019, the journey through this route was entirely by trek from Dharchula to Dharchula (Uttarakhand). The distance covered by the trek is about 250 km approx making it a tiring yatra. The construction of the new road to Kailash Mansarovar is being done on this route which will reduce the trekking distance by about 200km. However, the completion of the construction will take time.

Which is the most Cost-effective/ affordable Kailash Yatra Route? What is Kathmandu to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra cost ?

Travelling through Nepal’s Overland route with private operators is the most cost-effective and affordable Kailash Yatra Route. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through this route is of 14 days from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. The Kailash Yatra by road lets you enjoy the scenic view and you get acclimatized to the environment better as we slowly and gradually move to higher altitudes.
The Kailash Overland Yatra package provided by Trip To Temples includes Kathmandu sightseeing, Group Visa, Group Permit, Accommodation, 3 times Meal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner), Transportation, 1 Nepali Guide, 1 Tibetan Guide, a team of Sherpas and a lot more.

Are there any limitations on the numbers of Kailash Pilgrims from India on each route?

Kailash Mansarovar is a destination of great religious importance. Each year thousands of tourists visit Kailash Mansarovar to experience the divinity and get blessed by the almighty.
There is a limitation of pilgrims on the Government route of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Only a fixed number of Yatries can visit Kailash Mansarovar through the Indian Government. A total of 1080 pilgrims (18 groups of 60 people each) are allowed on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Lipulekh Pass in the Uttarakhand route. A total of 750 pilgrims (15 groups of 50 people each) are allowed on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by NathuLa Pass in the Sikkim route.

However, there is no limitation on the number of Kailash Pilgrims visiting Kailash Mansarovar from India via the Nepal route of Private operators. Anybody who is physically fit can visit the holy Kailash Mansarovar.