Adi Kailash & Om Parvat

Adi Kailash Yatra at a glance

Adi Kailash (Chhota Kailash) and Om Parvat lie in the Vyas valley of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, beside the India–Nepal–Tibet border. Yatris take darshan of Adi Kailash and Parvati Kund from Jolingkong (about 4,420 m) and of Om Parvat from Nabhidhang (about 4,300 m). No passport is needed, but an Inner Line Permit from Dharchula is compulsory. The usual windows are May–June and mid-September to October. By road it takes 5 days from Dharchula or about 8 days from Kathgodam or Delhi. We organise it from Dehradun with permit help, 4x4 vehicles and stays.

Which Adi Kailash yatra is right for you?

The road yatras are the most common choice, because the slow climb through Dharchula and Gunji gives the body time to adjust to the altitude. Helicopter yatras cut out the long, rough road from Dharchula to Gunji and suit those short on days. The aerial darshan is for yatris whose health does not allow a night at high altitude.

Prices are per person and depend on the season and group size. Helicopter prices are given on request because seat availability and fares are set each season. Each package page lists inclusions, the day-wise plan and documents needed.

When to go: the 2026 season and 2027 dates

The Vyas valley is under snow in winter and the road closes, so the yatra runs in two phases. The 2027 permit opening date is not announced yet (as of 28 October 2026). This is how 2026 went:

• First phase: began on 1 May 2026. May and June have the clearest weather and the most yatris.
• Monsoon pause: the Pithoragarh administration stopped issuing permits from 2 July 2026 because of landslide risk on the Dharchula–Gunji road.
• Second phase: planned for 15 September, it started on 20 September 2026 after a Bailey bridge near Kulagad on the Dharchula–Gunji road was washed away and had to be restored.
• Special closure: no permits were issued to general yatris from 19 to 26 October 2026 because of the Adi Kailash Parikrama Run.
• Season end: the yatra continues until snow and cold close the high road, usually by November.

For 2027, plan for May–June or mid-September to October, and keep two spare days in case of landslides.

Route: how to reach Adi Kailash from Dehradun, Delhi and Kathgodam

Most yatris enter Kumaon at Kathgodam (railway station) or Haldwani, then drive to Pithoragarh and Dharchula. From Dehradun, the road also goes via Haldwani.

1. Kathgodam to Pithoragarh: a full day on hill roads; Jageshwar Dham can be added on the way.
2. Pithoragarh to Dharchula (about 915 m): a border town on the Kali river, with Nepal on the far bank. Permits are made here.
3. Dharchula to Gunji (about 3,200 m): local 4x4 vehicles on a narrow road via Tawaghat, Malpa and Budhi. Gunji is the main halt for rest and acclimatisation, and medical screening may be done here.
4. Gunji to Jolingkong: about 20–25 km by 4x4 via Kuti; Parvati Kund is about 1 km on foot from Jolingkong, and Gauri Kund a little further.
5. Gunji to Nabhidhang: about 25 km by 4x4 via Nabhi village, for darshan of Om Parvat.

On the way back, many yatris visit the Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave temple. Our Adi Kailash yatra from Delhi includes the Kumaon temples on the way.

Inner Line Permit (ILP) and documents

Beyond Dharchula is a protected border area. One permit covers both Adi Kailash and Om Parvat. It is for Indian citizens only; foreign nationals and OCI cardholders are not covered by the ordinary permit.

The permit is issued by the SDM office in Dharchula. Online pre-registration has been offered in recent seasons, but documents are still checked and the permit collected in Dharchula, so plan for a working day there (the office is generally closed on Sundays and public holidays). Our Adi Kailash permit guide explains each step.

Road, helicopter or aerial darshan?

• By road: the most popular way. The gradual climb helps acclimatisation, and you pass the villages of the Vyas valley and the Kali river gorge. The Dharchula–Gunji stretch is rough and tiring.
• By helicopter: flights from Pithoragarh to Gunji have been run with the Uttarakhand tourism board and KMVN. You save the hardest road day, but reaching 3,200 m in minutes puts more strain on the body, so the night at Gunji matters.
• Aerial darshan: a flight from Pithoragarh over the Vyas valley for darshan of Adi Kailash and Om Parvat from the air, with no night at altitude. Flights go only in clear weather. See our Adi Kailash and Om Parvat Aerial Darshan.

Altitude, fitness and senior-citizen advice

• Jolingkong is above 4,400 m. Do not rush; a night at Gunji before going higher is essential.
• Get a full check-up before booking: blood pressure, sugar, ECG, and lungs if you have asthma. Tell the doctor the altitude you will reach.
• The walk from Jolingkong to Parvati Kund is short but at high altitude. Walk slowly and rest often.
• Long jeep days are hard on backs and knees; carry a small cushion and any support you use.
• Mobile network and digital payments are unreliable beyond Gunji. Carry enough cash.
• Pack a down jacket, thermals, woollen cap and gloves; nights in September and October are very cold.

What we arrange on an Adi Kailash yatra

We organise this yatra from Dehradun and follow the border roads closely through the season. Depending on the package, we arrange your vehicle to Pithoragarh and Dharchula, local 4x4 vehicles beyond Dharchula, a document check before you travel and help through the permit process in Dharchula, simple homestay or guesthouse stays in Gunji and the valley, vegetarian meals, and helicopter coordination where included. If a road is blocked, we adjust the plan so the darshan is completed safely.

Frequently asked questions

Is a passport needed for the Adi Kailash Yatra?

No. Adi Kailash and Om Parvat are inside India, in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, so no passport or visa is needed. You do need an Inner Line Permit from the SDM office in Dharchula, with photo ID, photographs, a medical fitness certificate and police verification. The permit is for Indian citizens; foreign nationals and OCI cardholders are not covered by it.

What is the difference between Adi Kailash and Kailash Mansarovar?

Adi Kailash is in India's Vyas valley in Uttarakhand and needs only an Inner Line Permit. Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are in Tibet, China, and need a passport, Chinese visa or permit, and a longer, higher yatra with a three-day parikrama. Adi Kailash takes about 5 to 8 days by road; Kailash Mansarovar yatras usually take 5 to 14 days.

When will the Adi Kailash Yatra 2027 start?

The 2027 start date had not been announced as of October 2026. In 2026 the yatra began on 1 May, permits paused from 2 July for the monsoon, and the second phase started on 20 September. Expect a similar pattern in 2027, with May–June and mid-September to October as the main windows. We will update this page when the administration announces dates.

How many days does the Adi Kailash and Om Parvat yatra take?

From Dharchula, the core road yatra takes 5 days. From Kathgodam or Delhi by road, allow about 8 days, as reaching Dharchula takes two days each way. Helicopter yatras from Pithoragarh take about 4 days, and from Kathgodam or Delhi 7 to 9 days. The aerial darshan from Pithoragarh is a 2-day programme.

Can senior citizens do the Adi Kailash Yatra?

Many fit senior citizens do it, but altitude is the main challenge, as Jolingkong is above 4,400 m. A detailed medical check before booking is essential, and a night at Gunji to acclimatise is a must. Those with heart or breathing problems should travel only with clear medical advice. The aerial darshan is an option for those who cannot stay at height.

How much walking is there on the Adi Kailash Yatra?

Very little, because 4x4 vehicles reach both Jolingkong and Nabhidhang. The main walk is about 1 km from Jolingkong to Parvati Kund, with Gauri Kund a little further for those who wish to go. The walk is short but at more than 4,400 m, so take it slowly. Om Parvat darshan from Nabhidhang needs almost no walking.

Where is the Adi Kailash permit made?

The Inner Line Permit is issued by the SDM office in Dharchula, Pithoragarh district. In recent seasons online pre-registration was offered, but documents are still verified and the permit collected in Dharchula. The office is generally closed on Sundays and public holidays, so plan to arrive on a working day. We check documents in advance for our yatris.

Share your preferred month, starting city and the ages of your group through the enquiry form on this page, or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page). Read this guide in Hindi: आदि कैलाश यात्रा हिंदी में.