Kailash Mansarovar

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra at a glance

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is darshan of Mount Kailash (about 6,638 m), the abode of Lord Shiva, and puja at Lake Mansarovar in Tibet, China. Indian citizens go either on the government yatra run by the Ministry of External Affairs (June–August, about 21–22 days, by draw) or privately through Nepal (roughly May–September, 5–14 days). A valid passport, Chinese visa or permit and good fitness are essential; the parikrama crosses Dolma La at about 5,630 m. We arrange private yatras through authorised partners in Nepal.

Which Kailash Mansarovar yatra is right for you?

First decide whether you want the full three-day parikrama or darshan with Mansarovar puja only. Then pick the route: helicopter via Nepalgunj, Simikot and Hilsa is the shortest; overland from Kathmandu is longer but gentler for acclimatisation. For yatris who cannot stay at high altitude, darshan from Nepal's Limi valley or an aerial darshan flight are options.

Prices are per person and depend on group size, Chinese visa and permit charges, and exchange rates. "On request" packages are priced for your dates. Each package page has the day-wise plan and inclusions.

Two ways to go: government yatra or private yatra via Nepal

The MEA Kailash Manasarovar Yatra: what happened in 2026

The 2027 government yatra has not been announced yet (as of 28 October 2026). In 2026:

• The MEA announced the yatra on 1 May for June to August, with 20 batches of 50 yatris: 10 via Lipulekh and 10 via Nathu La, 1,000 seats in all.
• Applications were taken only online at kmy.gov.in from 30 April to 19 May 2026. You could apply for one route or both in order of preference.
• Yatris were selected by a computerised, random and gender-balanced draw on 21 May 2026.
• Eligibility: Indian citizens aged 18 to 70 with a passport valid beyond the yatra period. OCI cardholders and foreign nationals were not eligible. A BMI of 25 or below was advised, and medical tests in Delhi were compulsory.
• Costs were paid to the agencies on the ground and for tests and visa; media estimates for 2026 were about ₹2.09 lakh per person via Lipulekh and about ₹3.31 lakh via Nathu La, plus extras.

The government yatra is applied for directly by each yatri; no operator can get you a seat. Because selection is by lottery, families who need fixed dates often choose the Nepal route.

Private yatra via Nepal: routes and the visa rule that matters most

1. Helicopter route via Hilsa: Lucknow to Nepalgunj by road, a small aircraft to Simikot in Humla, then a helicopter to Hilsa on the Nepal–China border. From there, vehicles go to Mansarovar and Darchen. It is the fastest route, but mountain weather can delay flights.
2. Overland via Kerung: Kathmandu to the Rasuwagadhi–Kerung border, then by road across Tibet via Saga to Mansarovar. Altitude rises slowly, which helps acclimatisation, but it takes more days.
3. Via Lhasa: fly to Lhasa, then drive west through Shigatse. The longest option, with monastery darshan on the way.

The Kathmandu Post reported that the 2026 Nepal season began in mid-May. In June 2026, a group of Indian yatris on a private yatra was stranded in Nepal without a Chinese visa and entry permits, and the MEA advised yatris not to start until the visa and all permits are in hand, and to check that their operator is registered and authorised.

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the travel dates, with blank pages.
• Indian passport holders travel on a group visa; the group enters and exits Tibet together.
• Original passports are usually needed weeks in advance for the visa, so start early.
• Do not book non-refundable flights from your home city until the visa and permits are confirmed.

Our Kailash Mansarovar Yatra guide explains documents and routes in more detail.

The parikrama, altitude and fitness

Mount Kailash is never climbed; yatris walk around it. The outer parikrama is about 52 km and usually takes three days from Darchen, which is at roughly 4,600 m.

• Day 1: Darchen to Dirapuk, with the closest view of Kailash's north face.
• Day 2: Dirapuk over Dolma La pass (about 5,630 m) to Zuthulpuk, the hardest day.
• Day 3: Zuthulpuk back to Darchen.

Ponies and porters can be hired for the parikrama, but altitude affects everyone. Yatris who cannot do the full parikrama can take darshan from Yam Dwar near Darchen and do puja at Mansarovar; our shortest Kailash yatra by helicopter is planned this way.

Prepare two to three months ahead: brisk walking every day, stair climbing, pranayama, and a full medical check of heart, blood pressure, sugar and lungs. Take altitude medicine only on a doctor's advice. Avoid smoking and alcohol completely, and report headache, vomiting or breathlessness to the team at once.

What we arrange on a Kailash Mansarovar yatra

We organise from Dehradun and work with registered partners in Nepal. We help you choose the right route for your family's health, check passports and documents early, coordinate the Chinese group visa and permits through our partners, and arrange stays, vegetarian meals, guides and support during the parikrama as each package lists. We do not let a group start until visa and permits are confirmed.

Frequently asked questions

When will the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2027 start?

Neither the MEA government yatra nor the Nepal-route season for 2027 had been announced as of October 2026. In 2026 the MEA yatra ran from June to August, with applications open from 30 April to 19 May on kmy.gov.in, and the Nepal season began in mid-May. Keep your passport ready, as the 2026 application window lasted only about three weeks.

How many days does the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra take?

The MEA government yatra took about 21 to 22 days in 2026, including days in Delhi for medical tests. Private yatras through Nepal are shorter: 9 to 11 days by helicopter via Hilsa with the full parikrama, about 14 days overland from Kathmandu or via Lhasa, and about 5 days for darshan and lake puja without the parikrama.

Is a passport required for Kailash Mansarovar?

Yes. Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are in Tibet, China, so every yatri needs a valid Indian passport with at least six months' validity and blank pages, plus a Chinese visa or permit. On the Nepal route, Indian yatris travel on a group visa arranged by the operator. If you want a sacred Kailash darshan within India without a passport, consider our Adi Kailash yatras.

What is the age limit for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?

For the MEA government yatra in 2026, yatris had to be Indian citizens aged 18 to 70 and pass medical tests in Delhi. Private yatras via Nepal have their own visa-time conditions on age and health, which can change each season. Senior yatris should get a detailed medical check before booking and may prefer darshan-only or aerial darshan options.

Can OCI cardholders or NRIs go on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?

NRIs holding Indian passports can apply like any Indian citizen. OCI cardholders and foreign passport holders were not eligible for the MEA government yatra in 2026. They may be able to travel through Nepal-based operators under different visa rules, which depend on nationality and change from year to year. Check with us before you plan, so we can confirm what applies.

How difficult is the Kailash parikrama?

It is demanding. The outer parikrama is about 52 km over three days at altitudes between about 4,600 m and 5,630 m at Dolma La pass. The second day is the hardest. Ponies and porters help, but thin air affects everyone, so preparation and acclimatisation matter more than speed. Yatris who cannot do it can take darshan and do Mansarovar puja.

Can I see Mount Kailash without going to Tibet?

Yes, in two ways. From the Limi Lapcha viewpoint in Nepal's Humla district, yatris can see Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar without entering Tibet; our yatra from Lucknow takes 6 days. A chartered mountain flight from Nepalgunj gives aerial darshan along the border in a 3-day programme. Both suit those who cannot manage Tibet's altitude.

Tell us your preferred month, the number of yatris and their ages through the enquiry form on this page, or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page). Read this guide in Hindi: कैलाश मानसरोवर यात्रा हिंदी में.