Quick answer: The best time for Adi Kailash and Om Parvat is late May to June, when snow on the peaks shows the ॐ most clearly, and late September to mid-October, when skies are clearest. July and August are usually closed for the monsoon, and the valley shuts for winter from about December to April. Expect days of roughly 10–15°C at Gunji and nights near or below freezing higher up.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
Weather in the Vyas valley decides three things: whether the road to Gunji is open, whether permits are being issued, and whether the clouds lift long enough for darshan. You can control none of them, but you can choose the month that gives you the best odds. This guide goes month by month, with what usually happens, what happened in 2025 and 2026, and who each window suits.
One honest note first. There is no official weather station at Jolingkong or Nabhidhang, so the temperatures below are approximate ranges based on field reports from operators and yatris, not measured averages. Use them for packing, not as a forecast.
Adi Kailash weather month by month
| Month | Yatra status (usual) | Conditions | Gunji (about 3,200 m), day / night | Our view |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January–March | Closed by road | Deep snow above Gunji; severe cold | Well below freezing at night | Not possible by road |
| April | Closed; road clearing | Snow melting; BRO clears the road | Cold days, freezing nights | Wait for opening notice |
| May | Opens (1 May in 2026) | Fresh snow on peaks; patches near Parvati Kund; sharp mornings | About 10–15°C / around 0–5°C | Good; first weeks can be very cold |
| June | Open; busiest | Mostly clear mornings; afternoon cloud builds; pre-monsoon showers late in month | About 12–15°C / about 2–5°C | Very good, especially early to mid-June |
| July | Usually suspended (from 2 July in 2026) | Monsoon; landslides on Dharchula–Gunji road | Mild but wet below; cloud above | Avoid |
| August | Usually suspended | Heaviest rain on the lower road | Mild, wet | Avoid |
| September | Reopens second half (about 20 September in 2026) | Rain easing; valley green; roads repaired | About 10–14°C / about 0–4°C | Good from the last week |
| October | Open | Clear blue skies, crisp air, less snow on peaks; cold nights | About 5–12°C / below freezing late in month | Excellent for visibility |
| November | Sometimes open early in the month (permits stopped from 1 December in 2025); snow can close it sooner | Very cold; first heavy snow ends season | Well below freezing at night | Only for the hardy, early in month |
| December | Closed (from 1 December in 2025) | Winter snow | Severe cold | Not possible |
At Jolingkong (about 4,400 m) and Nabhidhang (about 4,300 m), expect it to be several degrees colder than Gunji, with nights below freezing even in June. Down at Dharchula (about 900 m) it is warm, often in the 20s°C by day in May–June and September–October.
Best time for Adi Kailash: the two windows
Late May to June: snow and the clearest ॐ
This is the classic season. Winter snow still lies in the grooves of Om Parvat, so the ॐ is usually at its sharpest, and Adi Kailash is white down to its lower slopes. Parvati Kund may still have ice at the edges in May. Mornings are the best time for darshan; by late morning clouds often gather over the peaks.
It is also the busiest time. In 2026 more than 37,800 Inner Line Permits were issued in the first 40 days of the season, more than in the whole of 2025. Expect queues at the permit office and fuller homestays at Gunji, and book early.
Late September to mid-October: clear skies
After the monsoon washes the air, the valley has some of the clearest skies of the year. Photographs from this window are often the most striking. The trade-off is snow: by early autumn the snow on Om Parvat may be thinner, so the ॐ can look fainter until fresh snow falls. Nights are colder than in June and get properly freezing by late October.
Reopening after the monsoon depends on road repairs. In 2026 it was pushed to about 20 September after a Bailey bridge near Kulagad on the Dharchula–Gunji road was washed away. Do not book non-refundable travel for September until the reopening is announced.
Why July and August are usually closed
The monsoon hits the lower Kali gorge hard. The stretch between Tawaghat, Malpa and Budhi is prone to landslides, and a single slip can block the only road for days. For safety the district administration usually stops issuing permits: from 8 July in 2025 (with reissue planned from 15 September) and from 2 July in 2026. Higher up, around Gunji, rainfall is lighter, but you cannot get there safely if the road below is closed.
If your only free time is in the monsoon, consider a yatra on the south side of the Himalaya with better road access, or wait for the autumn window.
Will I see the ॐ on Om Parvat?
Often, but not always. The ॐ is formed by snow lying in rock grooves on the mountain’s face, so it depends on how much snow there is and on cloud. In late August 2024, national media reported that the snow on Om Parvat had almost entirely melted for a time and the ॐ was not visible until fresh snowfall. Your best chances are:
- Month: late May to June, when snow cover is fullest.
- Time of day: early morning at Nabhidhang, before clouds build.
- Plan: two nights at Gunji, so a cloudy morning can be followed by a second chance if your itinerary allows.
Which month suits whom?
| If you are… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A senior yatri or travelling with parents | Mid-June or the last week of September | Less extreme cold at night than early May or late October |
| Hoping for the clearest ॐ | Late May to mid-June | Fullest snow on Om Parvat |
| Keen on photography and clear views | Early to mid-October | Clearest skies after the monsoon |
| Wanting fewer crowds | Late September to October | Busier in May–June |
| Short on time, or unable to do long drives | Any open month by helicopter from Pithoragarh | Weather still decides flights, so keep spare days |
Weather and the helicopter options
Helicopter flights from Pithoragarh to Gunji, and the aerial darshan flights, fly only in clear weather, usually in the morning. Even in the best months a flight can be held for a day. When the state helicopter darshan was launched in 2024, its schedule included some winter months as well as spring, because an aerial darshan does not depend on the road; whether winter flights run in a given year depends on the operator and the authorities. See Adi Kailash helicopter from Pithoragarh for current status.
Packing for Adi Kailash weather
- Thermal innerwear, a fleece and a proper down or padded jacket, even in June.
- Woollen cap, gloves and warm socks for nights at Gunji and mornings at Jolingkong.
- Rain jacket and a cover for your bag, especially in June and late September.
- UV sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm: the sun at 4,000 m burns quickly even on cold days.
- A small torch and power bank; electricity at Gunji is limited.
For health at altitude, read our altitude sickness guide; for the route and travel times, how to reach Adi Kailash.
What about 2027 dates?
The Pithoragarh district administration announces opening each spring once the road is cleared, and suspends permits when the monsoon makes the road unsafe. As of October 2026 no 2027 dates have been announced. Based on recent seasons, opening around the start of May and a monsoon break in July–August are likely, but treat that as a pattern, not a promise.
How we can help
We schedule our Adi Kailash departures around these windows, keep two nights at Gunji for a second chance at clear darshan, and keep you informed of road and permit news before you travel. Popular choices are the 8-day yatra from Kathgodam, the 5-day yatra from Dharchula and the 4-day helicopter darshan from Pithoragarh. See every option on our Adi Kailash page. Use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best month for Adi Kailash yatra?
June is the most popular month, with good snow on the peaks and mostly clear mornings. Late September to mid-October is the best for clear skies and fewer crowds. Early May and late October are very cold at night. July and August are usually closed for the monsoon, and the valley is shut from about December to April.
Is Adi Kailash open in July and August?
Usually not. The district administration normally stops issuing Inner Line Permits during the monsoon because landslides block the Dharchula–Gunji road. In 2025 permits were stopped from 8 July, and in 2026 from 2 July. The yatra usually resumes in the second half of September once the road is repaired and declared safe.
How cold is it at Adi Kailash?
At Gunji, where most yatris stay, days are roughly 10–15°C in May–June and nights near freezing. At Jolingkong and Nabhidhang, both above 4,000 m, it is colder, with sub-zero nights even in June. By late October nights fall well below freezing. These are approximate field estimates; there is no official station at the darshan points.
Does it snow during the Adi Kailash season?
Snow can fall at the higher points in May and again from October, and patches often linger near Parvati Kund early in the season. Heavy snowfall in November ends the yatra for the year. A light snowfall during your visit is possible in any month at Jolingkong, so carry warm, waterproof layers.
When does the Adi Kailash season open?
It opens in spring when the Border Roads Organisation has cleared the road and the district administration begins issuing permits. In 2026 the yatra started on 1 May. The 2027 opening has not been announced yet. Watch for the district notice, or ask us, before booking non-refundable travel.
Can I visit Adi Kailash in winter?
Not by road. From about December to April the valley above Gunji is under heavy snow and permits are not issued; in 2025 the route was closed from 1 December. Aerial darshan flights from Pithoragarh do not need the road, and the 2024 state schedule included some winter months, but winter flights depend on operators and approvals each year.
Why is the ॐ on Om Parvat sometimes not visible?
The ॐ appears when snow settles in grooves on the rock face. If there is too little snow, as was widely reported in late August 2024, or if clouds cover the peak, the shape is faint or hidden. Late May to June and early mornings give the best chance. Autumn skies are clearer but snow cover can be thinner.