Quick answer: There are two ways to do Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2027. The government yatra run by the Ministry of External Affairs goes via Lipulekh (Uttarakhand) or Nathu La (Sikkim), takes about 21–22 days and selects yatris by computerised draw. The private yatra through Nepal goes by helicopter via Hilsa, by road via Kerung or by air via Lhasa, needs no draw and takes about 5–14 days. 2027 dates are not yet announced.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026).
Every year we are asked the same question by families who have just decided to go: “Should we apply for the government yatra or book through Nepal?” The honest answer depends on four things: whether you can wait for a draw, how many days you can give, how fit you are, and your budget. This guide sets the two systems side by side, route by route, using what was officially announced and reported for the 2026 season.
For documents, medical tests and the parikrama itself, see our companion Kailash Mansarovar Yatra guide. Here we focus on choosing the route.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2027: what is confirmed so far?
As of October 2026, neither the Ministry of External Affairs nor private operators have announced official 2027 dates. What we can tell you is how the 2026 season ran, because 2027 is expected to follow a similar pattern:
- The MEA announced the 2026 yatra at the end of April for June to August 2026, with online applications at kmy.gov.in closing on 19 May 2026.
- There were 20 batches of 50 yatris (10 on each route), or 1,000 seats in all, chosen by a computerised, random and gender-balanced draw held on 21 May 2026.
- The private season through Nepal opened in mid-May 2026. The Kathmandu Post reported operators expecting nearly 15,000 Indian yatris on the Humla (Hilsa) route alone.
So, for 2027: keep your passport valid, watch kmy.gov.in from about March, and if you plan to go privately, start talking to your operator by February or March so that visa paperwork is not rushed.
Government route vs Nepal route: side by side
| Point | Government yatra (MEA) | Private yatra via Nepal |
|---|---|---|
| How you get a place | Online application, then a computerised draw; no guarantee | Book with a registered operator; no draw |
| Routes | Lipulekh pass (Uttarakhand) or Nathu La (Sikkim) | Hilsa (helicopter via Nepalgunj and Simikot), Kerung (road from Kathmandu), or flight to Lhasa |
| Duration (2026) | About 22 days (Lipulekh), about 21 days (Nathu La), including about 4 days in Delhi | About 5 days (darshan only) to 9–14 days (with parikrama) |
| Who can apply | Indian citizens with Indian passport, aged 18–70 (2026 rule) | Indian passport holders, NRIs and foreign nationals subject to Chinese approval; operators set their own age guidance |
| Medical | Mandatory tests in Delhi (DHLI and ITBP Base Hospital), plus checks on route | Fitness certificate from your doctor; operator may ask for more |
| Dates | Fixed batches, June–August | Many departures, roughly May–September |
| Cost (2026 reports) | About ₹2.09 lakh (Lipulekh) and ₹3.31 lakh (Nathu La) per person, before extras, per Outlook Traveller | Varies by route and inclusions; see package pages |
| Who organises on the ground | KMVN (Lipulekh) and Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (Nathu La), with the Chinese side in Tibet | Indian operator, Nepali ground agent and Tibetan partner |
The government yatra: Lipulekh and Nathu La
How selection works
- When the MEA announces the yatra (in 2026, at the end of April), register at kmy.gov.in. Only online applications are accepted.
- Choose one route or both, in order of preference.
- Wait for the draw. In 2026 the window was about three weeks and the draw followed two days after it closed.
- If selected, pay the non-refundable confirmation amount (₹5,000 in 2026) and report to Delhi on your batch date for medical tests and formalities.
The Ministry itself charges no fee and gives no subsidy. You pay the state agencies for services in India, the Chinese side for services in Tibet, and separately for medical tests and visa.
Lipulekh route (Uttarakhand)
This route runs through the Kumaon hills: Delhi, Tanakpur, Dharchula, Gunji and over the Lipulekh pass (about 5,300 m) into Tibet. In 2026 the first batch was flagged off from Tanakpur on 5 July and crossed into Tibet on 10 July. KMVN runs the camps on the Indian side. The road up to the pass is motorable now, but this route still has more walking and higher camps on the Indian side than Nathu La. Reports put it at about 22 days.
Nathu La route (Sikkim)
This route goes via Gangtok and the Nathu La pass, then by vehicle across the plateau. The official FAQ describes about 35–40 km of walking in all, mostly the parikrama itself. It is gentler for those not used to trekking, but the altitude in Tibet is the same. Reports put it at about 21 days and it costs more.
Who should try the government route?
- Indian passport holders aged 18–70 who are in good health and have three weeks free in June–August.
- Those who value a government-run programme with fixed procedures, and can accept the chance of not being selected.
- Residents of states that reimburse part of the cost after the yatra (several state governments have such schemes; check yours).
OCI cardholders and foreign passport holders cannot apply. The 2026 rules also asked for a BMI of 25 or below, and the medical tests in Delhi are strict: uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes, asthma or heart disease can lead to being declared unfit.
The private yatra through Nepal: three routes
Private operators cannot use Lipulekh or Nathu La. They take groups into Tibet from Nepal. There is no lottery, and many dates to choose from. In June 2026 the MEA reminded yatris to make sure all Chinese visas and permits are in hand before they set out, and to check that their operator is registered, after some Indians on private yatras were stranded in Nepal without papers.
1. Helicopter route: Lucknow – Nepalgunj – Simikot – Hilsa
This is now the most used route for Indian yatris. You drive about 190 km from Lucknow to Nepalgunj across the Rupaidiha border, fly to Simikot in Humla district, take a helicopter to Hilsa on the border, cross on foot into Tibet and drive about 105 km to Mansarovar. It is the shortest option: about five days for darshan without parikrama, and about nine days with it. Its weakness is weather: a day or two of delay at Simikot is common, so keep buffer days.
2. Overland route: Kathmandu – Rasuwagadhi – Kerung
From Kathmandu the road runs north to the Rasuwagadhi border and enters Tibet at Kerung (Gyirong), then continues west through Saga to Mansarovar. It takes about 12–14 days. It needs no small aircraft, it lets the body adjust slowly, and it is usually the most economical way to complete the parikrama. In August 2026 flash floods in Rasuwa damaged roads on this corridor, a reminder that monsoon months need spare days.
3. Via Lhasa
A smaller number of yatris fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa and drive west across the plateau through Shigatse and Saga. It is the longest option (about 14 days) and adds Lhasa’s monasteries. It suits those with more time and budget.
The Tatopani (Kodari) border point was reported closed in 2026, so it is not used for Kailash at present.
Route comparison: altitude, days and walking
| Route | Typical days | How you reach the plateau | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilsa, darshan only (no parikrama) | About 5 | Flight and helicopter, then a short drive | Those with little time who want lake puja and darshan from Yam Dwar |
| Hilsa, with parikrama | About 9 (from Lucknow) or 11 (from Kathmandu) | Flight and helicopter | Fit yatris from north and central India |
| Kerung overland | About 14 | Road, gradual climb | Groups, budget-minded families, slow acclimatisation |
| Via Lhasa | About 14 | Flight to Lhasa, long drive west | Those who also want Lhasa |
| Lipulekh (MEA) | About 22 | Road and walking through Kumaon | Selected yatris; more walking |
| Nathu La (MEA) | About 21 | Road through Sikkim and Tibet | Selected yatris wanting less walking |
How to decide: a simple checklist
- Do you have an Indian passport valid well beyond the yatra? If not, apply now. Without it, neither route is possible.
- Are you between 18 and 70 and in good health? If yes, the government draw is worth trying. If older or not sure, a private route with a doctor’s clearance may still be possible, but ask your operator for the current age rules in writing.
- Can you give three weeks in June–August? If not, choose a private route.
- Do you want to do the full parikrama? If yes, pick a 9- to 14-day private programme or the government yatra. If not, a five-day darshan programme is enough.
- Do you need a guaranteed date? The draw gives no guarantee. Many families apply to the government yatra and keep a private booking as back-up, with clear cancellation terms.
Can I see Kailash without going into Tibet?
Yes, in three ways: an aerial darshan flight from Nepalgunj along the border; a road and jeep yatra to the Limi Lapcha viewpoint in Nepal’s Humla district; and, on clear days, the viewpoint near the old Lipulekh pass in Pithoragarh, opened by Uttarakhand Tourism in 2024. None of these includes snan at Mansarovar or the parikrama, but they suit those who cannot get Chinese papers or cannot manage the altitude for long. Many also combine them with Adi Kailash and Om Parvat.
What we arrange
We do not run the government yatra (only the MEA and its agencies do), but we help with the private routes from start to finish: Chinese group visa and Tibet permits through authorised partners, flights, helicopters and hotels in Nepal, a yatra manager who travels with the group and a Tibetan guide, pure vegetarian meals and puja at Mansarovar. Popular choices are the 9-day Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Lucknow (listed from ₹3,15,000), the 14-day overland yatra by bus (listed from ₹2,55,000), and the 5-day darshan by helicopter without parikrama. See every option on our Kailash Mansarovar page, or read in Hindi at कैलाश मानसरोवर यात्रा. For 2027 dates, use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
When will Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2027 registration open?
As of October 2026 it has not been announced. In 2026 the Ministry of External Affairs announced the yatra at the end of April, took online applications at kmy.gov.in until 19 May, and held the draw on 21 May. A similar spring timetable is likely for 2027, so watch kmy.gov.in and MEA announcements from about March and keep your passport ready.
Which is cheaper, the government route or the Nepal route?
It depends on the route. Outlook Traveller estimated the 2026 government yatra at about ₹2.09 lakh per person via Lipulekh and about ₹3.31 lakh via Nathu La, before extras. Private Nepal routes vary with flights, helicopters and inclusions; the overland Kerung route is usually the most economical private option. Compare what is included, not just the headline figure.
Can OCI cardholders or NRIs do Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?
OCI cardholders and foreign passport holders cannot apply for the government yatra. NRIs who hold an Indian passport can apply if they meet the rules. Foreign nationals and OCI holders can usually go through a private operator via Nepal, with the Chinese visa often processed in Kathmandu. Approval rests with the Chinese authorities, so plan extra time.
What is the shortest Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?
The shortest is the helicopter route via Nepalgunj, Simikot and Hilsa. A darshan programme with Mansarovar puja and Kailash darshan from Yam Dwar takes about five days from Lucknow, without the parikrama. With the full three-day parikrama, the same route takes about nine days. Weather at Simikot can add a day or two, so keep your return flexible.
Is the Lipulekh route harder than Nathu La?
Generally yes. The Lipulekh route through Kumaon involves more walking and high camps on the Indian side, though the road to the pass is now motorable. The Nathu La route through Sikkim is almost entirely by vehicle; the official FAQ puts total walking at about 35–40 km, mostly the parikrama. The altitude inside Tibet is the same on both.
Can I apply for the government yatra and also book privately?
Many families do exactly that. Apply at kmy.gov.in when the window opens and, if the draw is uncertain for you, hold a private booking with clear cancellation terms. If you are selected you can cancel the private booking as per its policy. Ask your operator in writing what is refundable before paying, because visa and permit fees are usually not.
Is there an age limit for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?
For the 2026 government yatra the age range was 18 to 70 years, counted as on 1 January of the yatra year. Private operators set their own guidance; some mentioned 70 as an upper limit in 2026 with case-by-case approval for older yatris. Whatever your age, a full medical check before booking is essential.
Do I need to do the parikrama?
No. Many yatris do snan or puja at Mansarovar, drive around the lake and have darshan of Kailash from Yam Dwar near Darchen, then wait at Darchen while others walk. The full parikrama is about 52 km over three days and crosses Dolma La at about 5,630 m. Ponies and porters are available, but it remains demanding even for fit people.