Quick answer: The Panch Kailash are five Himalayan peaks revered as abodes of Bhagwan Shiva: Mount Kailash in Tibet, Adi Kailash in Uttarakhand, and Kinnaur Kailash, Shrikhand Mahadev and Manimahesh Kailash in Himachal Pradesh. Adi Kailash is the easiest (mostly by road), Manimahesh a moderate trek, Kinnaur and Shrikhand very hard treks, and Kailash Mansarovar an international yatra needing a passport. The Himachal yatras run only in short windows in July–September.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
For Shiva bhakts, a single Kailash darshan is a blessing; completing all five is a sankalp that can take years. Each of the Panch Kailash has its own story, its own season and its own level of difficulty, from a drive up a border valley to some of the hardest pilgrimage treks in India. Many families begin with the gentler ones and work towards the harder ones as their fitness and confidence grow.
This guide introduces each of the five, compares them side by side, and explains how to plan them. Beliefs are given as tradition holds them. Dates and rules for the Himachal yatras are fixed afresh each year by the district administrations, and 2027 dates have not been announced.
Panch Kailash at a glance
| Kailash | Where | Height (approx.) | How you reach darshan | Usual season | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Kailash | Ngari, Tibet (China) | About 6,638 m peak; Mansarovar about 4,590 m | Via Nepal by helicopter or road, or the MEA yatra; optional 52 km parikrama | About May–September | Hard; passport and Chinese visa needed |
| Adi Kailash | Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand | About 5,945 m peak; Jolingkong about 4,400 m | By 4×4 to Jolingkong and Parvati Kund; helicopter options | May–June and late September–October | Easiest; Inner Line Permit needed |
| Kinnaur Kailash | Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh | About 6,050 m peak (reported as about 19,850 ft); the Shivling darshan point is lower | Steep trek from Tangling village | Late July–mid August (30 July–15 August in 2026) | Very hard |
| Shrikhand Mahadev | Kullu, Himachal Pradesh | About 5,227 m | Trek of about 32–35 km one way from Jaon | About two weeks in July (planned 10–23 July in 2026) | Hardest; glacier and boulder sections |
| Manimahesh Kailash | Chamba, Himachal Pradesh | Peak above 18,000 ft; lake about 13,000 ft | Trek of over 13 km from Hadsar, or helicopter to Gaurikund | Janmashtami to Radha Ashtami (25 August–19 September in 2026) | Moderate |
1. Mount Kailash (Tibet)
The first and highest of the five. For Hindus, Mount Kailash is the abode of Shiva and Parvati; Jains revere it as Ashtapad, where Rishabhdev attained nirvana; Buddhists and Bon followers hold it equally sacred. Lake Mansarovar at its feet is believed to have been created from Brahma’s mind, and a snan or puja there is the centre of the yatra for many.
Reaching Kailash means an international yatra: a valid passport, a Chinese group visa or selection in the Ministry of External Affairs draw, and nights above 4,500 m. Private routes go through Nepal by helicopter via Hilsa, by road via Kerung or by air via Lhasa, taking about 5 to 14 days; the government routes via Lipulekh and Nathu La took about three weeks in 2026. The full parikrama crosses Dolma La at about 5,630 m. See our Kailash Mansarovar yatra guide and documents checklist.
2. Adi Kailash (Uttarakhand)
Also called Chhota Kailash, Shiva Kailash or Baba Kailash, Adi Kailash stands above Jolingkong in the Kuti valley of Pithoragarh district, close to the India–Nepal–Tibet tri-junction. Parvati Kund with its small Shiv temple lies at its foot, and Gauri Kund a little beyond. Local tradition links the valley with Shiva’s journey to Kailash. The same yatra almost always includes darshan of Om Parvat from Nabhidhang.
It is the gentlest of the five. Vehicles go all the way to the darshan points, nights are at Gunji (about 3,200 m), and Indian citizens need only an Inner Line Permit from Dharchula, with no passport. In 2026 more than 37,800 permits were issued in the first 40 days, a sign of how popular it has become. Read how to reach Adi Kailash and the Adi Kailash FAQ.
3. Kinnaur Kailash (Himachal Pradesh)
Kinnaur Kailash rises above the Sutlej valley opposite Kalpa and Reckong Peo. Tradition holds it to be a winter abode of Shiva, and the darshan point is a tall natural rock pillar revered as a Shivling, below the main peak. The peak itself is reported at about 19,850 ft (roughly 6,050 m).
The yatra is a steep, demanding trek that begins at Tangling village, with exposed sections, streams to cross and rapid height gain. It runs in a short window managed by the Kinnaur district administration. In 2026 it was first postponed over safety concerns, then held from 30 July, and extended to 15 August after a two-day weather halt. Rules that year included:
- A daily limit of 375 yatris (175 online, 125 offline at Tangling, 75 through the local operators’ association).
- A compulsory medical fitness certificate, either from your own registered doctor or from the medical camp at Tangling.
- A green tax of ₹200 per yatri, an undertaking form and a registration token collected at Tangling.
- No trekking at night, no shortcuts, and no alcohol or tobacco on the route.
Our Kinnaur Kailash Yatra is a 5-day programme from Shimla, listed from ₹31,500.
4. Shrikhand Mahadev (Himachal Pradesh)
Shrikhand Mahadev in Kullu district is widely regarded as the toughest of the five. The darshan point, at about 5,227 m, is a rock formation revered as Shiva, reached by a trek of about 32–35 km one way from Jaon near Nirmand. The route passes Singhgad, Thachdu, Kali Ghati, Bhim Dwari, Parvati Bagh and Nain Sarovar, crossing boulder fields and snow.
The yatra is organised for about two weeks in July by the Kullu district administration, with registration and medical screening compulsory. It is also the most vulnerable to weather. The 2026 yatra, planned for 10–23 July, was suspended in late June after an expert team found the stretch from Bhim Dwari to Parvati Bagh unsafe; we could not confirm whether it reopened that season. Pilgrims have lost their lives on this route in past years, so only very fit trekkers with high-altitude experience should attempt it.
Our Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra is a 7-day programme from Chandigarh, listed from ₹31,500, and runs only when the administration opens the route.
5. Manimahesh Kailash (Himachal Pradesh)
Manimahesh Kailash towers above the Budhil valley near Bharmour in Chamba district. Below it lies Manimahesh lake (Shiv Kund), at about 13,000 ft, where yatris take a holy dip, with the peak, above 18,000 ft, reflected on a clear morning. Gaddi shepherds of the valley hold a special devotion to Manimahesh, and the main snan is on Radha Ashtami.
The trek starts at Hadsar, about 11 km beyond Bharmour, and covers over 13 km to the lake via Dhancho and Gaurikund, with tent stays on the way. Helicopters fly from Bharmour to Gaurikund; in 2026 the fare was reported at ₹3,828 one way from Bharmour. The 2026 yatra was scheduled from 25 August to 19 September, with online registration through the Shri Manimahesh Trust compulsory (₹50 fee) and small water bottles and snack packets banned on the route.
Choose from our 5-day Manimahesh Yatra from Pathankot (from ₹21,000), the same from Amritsar, or by helicopter; all are on our Manimahesh yatra page.
Which Panch Kailash should you do first?
| Your situation | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Senior yatri, little trekking experience | Adi Kailash | Road access to darshan points; nights at 3,200 m |
| Fit, some trekking, want a classic Himachal yatra | Manimahesh | One-day trek each way, well-organised camps, helicopter back-up |
| Have a passport and 9–14 days | Mount Kailash | The original Kailash; no trekking needed for darshan only |
| Strong trekker with altitude experience | Kinnaur Kailash, then Shrikhand | Both are serious mountain undertakings |
Planning a Panch Kailash sankalp over several years
The seasons hardly overlap, so few people do more than two in one year. A realistic plan for many families looks like this:
- Year 1: Adi Kailash and Om Parvat in May–June, then Manimahesh around Radha Ashtami in late August or September.
- Year 2: Kailash Mansarovar via Nepal in June or September.
- Year 3 onwards: Kinnaur Kailash in late July–August, and Shrikhand in July if your fitness and the route allow.
Train for the Himachal treks with months of walking and stair climbing, and get a doctor’s clearance for each. Our altitude sickness guide applies to all five.
How we can help
We organise all five, from our Dehradun base: permits and 4x4s for Adi Kailash, visas and Tibet permits for Kailash through authorised partners, and the Himachal yatras as set out on each package page, with honest advice on which one suits your fitness this year. Browse our Panch Kailash yatras, Adi Kailash yatras and Kailash Mansarovar yatras. Use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
Which are the five Kailash of Panch Kailash?
The Panch Kailash are Mount Kailash in Tibet, Adi Kailash in Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand), and Kinnaur Kailash, Shrikhand Mahadev and Manimahesh Kailash in Himachal Pradesh. Each is revered as an abode of Bhagwan Shiva. Mount Kailash is regarded as the foremost, and Adi Kailash is often counted as the most sacred after it.
Which Panch Kailash is the most difficult?
Shrikhand Mahadev is widely considered the hardest, with a trek of about 32–35 km one way to about 5,227 m over boulders and snow. Kinnaur Kailash is also very demanding. Mount Kailash is hard mainly because of altitude and paperwork, while Manimahesh is moderate and Adi Kailash, reached by road, is the easiest.
Which Panch Kailash yatra is easiest for senior citizens?
Adi Kailash. Vehicles reach the darshan points at Jolingkong and Nabhidhang, walking is minimal, and nights are at Gunji, about 3,200 m. A doctor’s clearance and the Inner Line Permit are still needed. Helicopter options from Pithoragarh, including aerial darshan without landing, suit those who find long mountain drives difficult.
Do I need registration for the Himachal Kailash yatras?
Yes. In 2026 Manimahesh needed online registration through the Shri Manimahesh Trust, Kinnaur Kailash needed online or offline registration at Tangling with a daily quota of 375 and a green tax, and Shrikhand required registration and medical screening through the Kullu administration. Rules for 2027 will be announced by each district before its yatra.
When do the Panch Kailash yatras take place?
Kailash Mansarovar runs roughly May to September; Adi Kailash in May–June and late September–October; Shrikhand for about two weeks in July; Kinnaur Kailash from late July to mid-August; and Manimahesh from Janmashtami to Radha Ashtami, around late August to September. Exact 2027 dates have not been announced yet.
Can all five Kailash be done in one year?
It is very difficult. The Himachal windows are short and partly overlap, Kailash Mansarovar needs visa planning, and each high-altitude trek needs recovery time. Most devotees complete the Panch Kailash over two to four years, often starting with Adi Kailash and Manimahesh, then Kailash Mansarovar, and finally Kinnaur and Shrikhand.
Is a passport needed for any of the Panch Kailash in India?
No. Only Mount Kailash, in Tibet, needs a passport and Chinese permission. Adi Kailash needs an Inner Line Permit for Indian citizens, and the three Himachal yatras need registration and a medical certificate. Carry a government photo ID on all of them.