Manimahesh Yatra

Manimahesh Yatra at a glance

Manimahesh Yatra is the walk to Manimahesh Lake (about 4,080 m) below Mount Manimahesh Kailash in Bharmour, Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh. It runs only in a short window each year, from Janmashtami to Radhashtami; in 2026 that was 25 August to 19 September. From Hadsar it is a 13 km climb, usually split over two days, or a short helicopter flight from Bharmour. Most yatras take 5 days from Pathankot or Amritsar. We plan and run them from Dehradun with registration, guide, camps and meals.

Which Manimahesh yatra is right for you?

If you can walk 6 to 7 hours a day on a mountain path, the Pathankot or Amritsar yatra is the natural choice; pick whichever city is easier for your train or flight. If walking that far is not possible, the helicopter yatra keeps the same five days but removes the climb. If you also want the Devi temples of Kangra and Una, the 9-day yatra combines both.

Prices are per person on sharing basis and change with group size and season. Pony, palki, porter and helicopter fares (where not included) are paid directly at rates fixed by the administration. Read each package page for full inclusions.

When is Manimahesh Yatra in 2027?

The yatra is opened and closed by the Chamba district administration and the Shri Manimahesh Trust. It traditionally begins on Janmashtami with the smaller holy bath and ends on Radhashtami with the main bath (the Radhashtami snan) at the lake. In 2026 it ran from 25 August to 19 September, with the Radhashtami bath window reported from 1 pm on 18 September to 3:26 pm on 19 September.

The 2027 dates have not been announced yet. Going by the festival calendar, expect a window from late August to September. We confirm the official dates as soon as the administration declares them, usually a few weeks before the season. Outside this window the route has no camps, langars, medical posts or rescue teams, and the administration does not allow the yatra.

Route: how to reach Manimahesh

1. Reach the plains railhead. Pathankot is the nearest major railway junction; Amritsar and Gaggal (Kangra) have the nearest airports. From Dehradun, an overnight train to Pathankot is the simplest start.
2. Drive to Bharmour. The road climbs through Chamba to Bharmour (about 2,100 m), home of the old Chaurasi temple complex. Spending a night here helps the body adjust.
3. Drive to Hadsar. A short road beyond Bharmour ends at Hadsar, where the walk begins.
4. Trek to Dhancho. The first day climbs beside the Manimahesh stream to the camp at Dhancho.
5. Trek to Gaurikund and the lake. A steeper second day leads to Gaurikund, where women traditionally bathe, and on to the lake (Shiv Kund). Yatris take a dip, offer puja and take darshan of the Kailash peak when clouds allow.
6. Return. The walk back to Hadsar takes most of a day, then the drive to Bharmour.

Registration, helicopter and costs paid on the spot

• Registration is compulsory. Every yatri must register online on the official Manimahesh Yatra portal run with the Shri Manimahesh Trust (manimaheshyatra.hp.gov.in). The fee in 2026 was ₹50 per person, and unregistered pilgrims were stopped at check posts. We help each member of your group register.
• Helicopter. In 2026 heli-taxis ran from Bharmour and from Holi to Gaurikund, about a kilometre below the lake. The reported 2026 fare from Bharmour was ₹3,828 per person. Seats are booked online, flights depend entirely on weather, and the 2027 operator and fare are not yet known.
• Pony, palki and porters are hired at Hadsar at administration-fixed rates and paid directly to the operator.

Fitness, cold and safety: advice for families and seniors

The trek gains roughly 1,900 m in 13 km, so it is the climb rather than the distance that tires people. Start walking 3 to 5 km daily, with some stairs, at least a month before. Anyone with heart, lung or blood pressure problems should see a doctor first, and senior citizens are better off on the helicopter yatra with a slow walk from Gaurikund to the lake.

Nights at Dhancho and Gaurikund are close to freezing even in September, and rain is common. Carry a warm jacket, thermals, woollen cap, gloves, a raincoat and good walking shoes. Mobile network is weak or absent above Hadsar for two to three days, so tell your family in advance. Our guides set a steady pace, carry first aid and oxygen, and turn back with anyone who shows signs of altitude sickness.

Manimahesh is one of the five Kailash pilgrimages of the Himalaya. If you are planning others, see our Panch Kailash yatras, the Adi Kailash yatra and the Kailash Mansarovar yatra. The Devi temples on the 9-day route are covered in our Shakti Peeth yatra guide.

What we arrange

• Help with online registration for every yatri, and with helicopter booking where chosen.
• Private vehicle from the start city to Hadsar and back.
• Hotel stays at Bharmour and on the drive; tents with sleeping bags on sharing basis at Dhancho and Gaurikund, which is the normal standard on this route.
• Vegetarian meals from Bharmour onwards, a trek guide, first aid and oxygen.
• Advice on pony and palki hire, and a plan B if weather stops flights or closes the path.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Manimahesh trek?

The walk from Hadsar to Manimahesh Lake is about 13 km one way, with a climb of roughly 1,900 m. Most yatris take two days to go up, halting at Dhancho, and one long day to come down. Ponies and palkis are available at Hadsar, and a helicopter flies from Bharmour to Gaurikund, about a kilometre below the lake, during the official yatra window.

When does Manimahesh Yatra 2027 start?

The 2027 dates have not been announced yet. The yatra traditionally runs from Janmashtami to Radhashtami, and in 2026 it was held from 25 August to 19 September. The Chamba district administration declares the dates before each season, and we confirm them to everyone who has enquired with us as soon as they are published.

Is registration compulsory for Manimahesh Yatra?

Yes. Every yatri, including those flying by helicopter, must register online on the official Manimahesh Yatra portal. In 2026 the fee was ₹50 per person, and registrations were checked at Bharmour and Hadsar; unregistered pilgrims were not allowed to go further. We help each member of your group complete the form with their ID details.

Can senior citizens do Manimahesh Yatra?

Many seniors do it, but the trek itself is demanding. The safer option is the helicopter yatra from Bharmour to Gaurikund followed by a slow one-kilometre walk to the lake, or a palki from Hadsar. A doctor's clearance is wise for anyone with heart, lung or blood pressure problems, because the lake is above 4,000 m.

Where is Manimahesh Lake and what is its height?

Manimahesh Lake lies in Bharmour sub-division of Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh, below the Manimahesh Kailash peak. It is at about 4,080 m. The nearest town is Bharmour, the nearest railway junction is Pathankot, and the nearest airports are Gaggal (Kangra) and Amritsar.

Can I do Manimahesh Yatra outside the official dates?

We do not organise it outside the official window. Before and after the yatra there are no camps, langars, medical posts or rescue teams on the route, snow and rain are frequent, and the administration does not permit the yatra. Plan your sankalp around the dates the Chamba administration announces each year.

What should I pack for Manimahesh?

Carry a warm jacket, thermals, woollen cap, gloves, a raincoat or poncho, two pairs of woollen socks, sturdy walking shoes with grip, a torch, a water bottle, personal medicines and a small daypack. Keep your registration and ID on your phone and on paper, as network is unreliable above Hadsar.

To plan your Manimahesh Kailash Yatra, use the enquiry form on this page or call or WhatsApp us (numbers are on our Contact page). Not sure which yatra suits your family? Try the Yatra Finder.