Quick answer: Train from Delhi to Kathgodam or Tanakpur, drive to Pithoragarh (about 200–250 km or 140 km), then about 90 km to Dharchula for the Inner Line Permit. A 4×4 then climbs about 70–80 km to Gunji (about 3,200 m), the base for Adi Kailash (36 km on) and Om Parvat (20 km on). By road it takes 7–8 days from Delhi; by helicopter from Pithoragarh, 2–4 days.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
Adi Kailash and Om Parvat sit at the top of the Vyas valley in Pithoragarh district, at the point where India, Nepal and Tibet meet. Reaching them is a journey in stages: plains to the Kumaon hills, hills to the Kali river at Dharchula, and then the border road up the gorge to Gunji. Each stage has its own transport, its own timings and its own risks.
This guide lays out every way to get there, with distances and travel times, so you can plan the days honestly. All distances are approximate; they change with diversions, road works and which temples you stop at.
The route in one table: distances, times and altitudes
| Stage | Approx. distance | Approx. time | Altitude at end | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi to Kathgodam | About 280 km | 6–7 hours by day train; overnight trains also run | About 550 m | Train or road |
| Delhi to Tanakpur (alternative) | Long day by road | Day train (Purnagiri Jan Shatabdi) or road | About 250 m | Train or road |
| Kathgodam to Pithoragarh | About 200–250 km | 8–9 hours, longer with temple stops | About 1,600 m | Car or tempo traveller |
| Tanakpur to Pithoragarh | About 140 km | 5–6 hours | About 1,600 m | Car |
| Pithoragarh to Dharchula | About 90 km | 3–4 hours | About 900 m | Car |
| Dharchula to Gunji | About 70–80 km | 4–5 hours | About 3,200 m | Local 4×4 only |
| Gunji to Jolingkong (Adi Kailash) | About 36 km | About 1 hour each way on the paved road | About 4,400 m | 4×4 |
| Gunji to Nabhidhang (Om Parvat) | About 20 km | About 1 hour each way | About 4,300 m | 4×4 |
Pithoragarh district’s official site gives the road distance from Delhi to Pithoragarh as about 457 km and Tanakpur, the nearest railhead, as about 138 km from Pithoragarh.
Step 1: Reaching Kumaon from Delhi and other cities
By train to Kathgodam
Kathgodam, just beyond Haldwani, is the most used railhead. The Kathgodam Shatabdi runs by day from New Delhi, and overnight trains such as the Ranikhet Express arrive early in the morning, which lets you start the hill drive straight away. From Dehradun and Haridwar there are also trains to Kathgodam; check current timetables on the Indian Railways enquiry site before booking.
By train to Tanakpur
Tanakpur, on the Sharda river, is closer to Pithoragarh by road. The Purnagiri Jan Shatabdi connects Delhi with Tanakpur by day. The road from Tanakpur climbs through Champawat and Lohaghat, a shorter drive than from Kathgodam but with fewer famous temples on the way. The government Kailash Mansarovar Yatra uses this road; its 2026 batches were flagged off from Tanakpur.
By air
- Pantnagar airport, about 241 km from Pithoragarh, has regular flights from Delhi and is a common choice for yatris from distant cities.
- Naini Saini airport, Pithoragarh, takes small regional aircraft. Alliance Air began Delhi–Pithoragarh flights in 2024, and a Dehradun–Pithoragarh service was flagged off in March 2026. Schedules on such routes change often and seats are few, so book early and keep a road back-up.
By road
Driving from Delhi to Pithoragarh is a long day of 12 hours or more. Most families prefer to break it, either by train to Kathgodam or with a night at Bhimtal, Almora or Champawat.
Step 2: Kathgodam or Tanakpur to Pithoragarh
From Kathgodam the road climbs past Bhimtal and the Kainchi Dham ashram, through Almora district, often with darshan at Jageshwar Dham, the group of ancient stone Shiv temples, and at the Golu Devta temple at Chitai. It is a full day. Some plans go via Bageshwar or Didihat instead.
From Tanakpur the road climbs via Champawat and Lohaghat to Pithoragarh in about half a day. If time is short, this is the quicker way up.
Pithoragarh is the district headquarters, with hotels, hospitals, ATMs and the helipad and airport. Spend a night here.
Step 3: Pithoragarh to Dharchula and the Inner Line Permit
Dharchula sits on the Kali river with Nepal’s Darchula town on the opposite bank, about 90 km and three to four hours from Pithoragarh. Every yatri going beyond Dharchula needs an Inner Line Permit issued under the SDM office, Dharchula. In 2025 the district began taking applications online before the season, but documents are still checked and the permit finalised locally, so plan a night in Dharchula. The SDM office follows government working days.
Dharchula is also your last proper market: buy any warm clothes, snacks and medicines here, and draw cash, because ATMs and card payments beyond are rare. Full paperwork details are in our Adi Kailash permit guide.
Step 4: Dharchula to Gunji by 4×4
Above Dharchula the road enters the Kali gorge, cut into cliffs above the river, through Tawaghat, Malpa, Budhi and Garbyang to Gunji. It takes four to five hours in local 4×4 vehicles; ordinary cars and buses are not used. There are permit checkposts along the way, and Gunji itself has a major check.
- The road is motorable throughout but narrow, with landslide-prone stretches. A wet spell can close it for hours or days.
- In 2026 the second half of the season was delayed to about 20 September after a Bailey bridge near Kulagad on this road was washed away.
- In November 2025 the Centre approved a tunnel of about 5.4 km between Dharchula and Gunji, expected to cut around 22 km and bypass a difficult stretch. Until it is built, expect the gorge road.
Gunji, at about 3,200 m, is where the Kuti valley (to Adi Kailash) and the Kali valley (to Om Parvat) divide. Stay here at least two nights in a homestay or guest house; mobile signal is weak and electricity limited.
Step 5: Gunji to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat
To Adi Kailash (Jolingkong)
The road up the Kuti valley passes Kuti village and reaches Jolingkong, about 36 km from Gunji. It was reported fully paved in October 2025, cutting the drive to under an hour. From the vehicle point a short walk brings you to Parvati Kund and the Shiv temple with Adi Kailash behind. Gauri Kund is a steeper walk beyond.
To Om Parvat (Nabhidhang)
The other road runs about 20 km up the Kali valley past Kalapani, with its Kali temple and the Vyas Gufa, to the Nabhidhang viewpoint for Om Parvat. Go early in the morning, before clouds build. Our Om Parvat darshan guide covers what to expect.
By helicopter from Pithoragarh
Helicopter options from Pithoragarh replace the two long road days in each direction. In recent seasons two kinds have run, under state tourism arrangements and subject to schedules announced in blocks:
- Helicopter yatra with stay: fly Pithoragarh to Gunji or Napalchu, stay two or three nights, and visit Nabhidhang for Om Parvat; about four days. The Inner Line Permit is still required.
- Aerial darshan: a flight up the valley that circles Adi Kailash and passes Om Parvat without landing; one night in Pithoragarh, two days in all.
A medical check at the district hospital is compulsory before boarding, and weight limits apply. See Adi Kailash helicopter from Pithoragarh for how it works and what is confirmed.
How many days do you need?
| Starting point | How | Typical days | Our package |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Train to Kathgodam, road via Jageshwar, return via Patal Bhuvaneshwar | 8 | 8 days, from ₹50,000 |
| Kathgodam | Road both ways | 8 | 8 days, from ₹45,000 |
| Dharchula | 4×4 into the valley only | 5 | 5 days, from ₹30,000 |
| Pithoragarh | Helicopter to Gunji with stay | 4 | 4 days, price on request |
| Pithoragarh | Aerial darshan, no landing | 2 | 2 days, from ₹40,000 |
Prices are per person as listed on our package pages; check each for inclusions. Add a buffer day at either end in May–June and October, when roads and permits can slow you down.
When can you travel?
The valley opens in spring once the Border Roads Organisation clears the road; in 2026 the yatra began on 1 May. Permits are usually stopped in July and August for the monsoon (from 2 July in 2026) and resume in the second half of September. The season ends with winter snow; in 2025 the route was closed from 1 December. 2027 dates have not been announced. Month-by-month conditions are in our Adi Kailash weather guide.
How we can help
From Dehradun we arrange the whole chain: meeting you at your package’s start point (Kathgodam, Delhi, Pithoragarh or Dharchula), Inner Line Permit processing and assistance at Dharchula, 4x4s and drivers who know the gorge, Gunji homestays and a plan with a rest day before going high. See every option on our Adi Kailash yatra page, or read in Hindi at आदि कैलाश यात्रा. Use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
What is the nearest railway station to Adi Kailash?
Tanakpur is the nearest railhead to Pithoragarh, about 138 km away by road according to the district administration. Kathgodam is the more widely used station because it has more trains from Delhi and other cities. From either station you continue by road to Pithoragarh and Dharchula, and then by 4×4 to Gunji, the base for Adi Kailash.
What is the nearest airport to Adi Kailash?
Naini Saini airport in Pithoragarh is the closest, with small regional flights that have linked it to Delhi and, from March 2026, Dehradun. Schedules change often and seats are few. Pantnagar, about 241 km from Pithoragarh, has more regular flights from Delhi. From either airport, Dharchula and Gunji are still a road journey away.
How far is Gunji from Dharchula?
About 70–80 km by the border road along the Kali gorge, taking four to five hours in a local 4×4. The road is motorable but narrow and prone to landslides, with permit checkposts on the way. A tunnel approved in 2025 is expected to shorten the route in future, but it is not yet in use.
Can I drive my own car to Adi Kailash?
Up to Dharchula, yes. Beyond Dharchula the gorge road to Gunji and the valleys above are normally travelled in local 4×4 vehicles with experienced drivers. Private cars face narrow ledges, rough patches and landslide debris. Ask the district administration or your operator about current rules for private vehicles before you plan a self-drive.
How many days does it take to reach Adi Kailash from Delhi?
Typically three days to reach Gunji: Delhi to Kathgodam overnight, a full day to Pithoragarh, and Dharchula plus the permit, then Gunji. With two darshan days and the return, the full yatra takes about eight days. Starting from Dharchula it takes five days, and helicopter options from Pithoragarh take two to four.
Is Adi Kailash reachable by road all the way?
Yes. Vehicles now reach Jolingkong, the base for Adi Kailash, and Nabhidhang, the viewpoint for Om Parvat. The Gunji to Jolingkong road was reported fully paved in October 2025. Walking is limited to short stretches at the darshan points, such as the walk to Parvati Kund and the optional climb to Gauri Kund.
Which is better for Adi Kailash: Kathgodam or Tanakpur?
Kathgodam has more trains and the more scenic route, with Kainchi Dham, Jageshwar and Chitai on the way, but the drive to Pithoragarh is longer. Tanakpur is closer to Pithoragarh and quicker, but has fewer train options. Many yatris go up via one and return via the other to see more of Kumaon.
