Panch Kailash

Panch Kailash Yatra at a glance

Panch Kailash means the five Himalayan peaks revered as abodes of Lord Shiva: Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet, Adi Kailash in Uttarakhand, and Kinnaur Kailash, Shrikhand Mahadev and Manimahesh Kailash in Himachal Pradesh. This page covers the two hardest Himachal yatras, Kinnaur Kailash (5 days from Shimla) and Shrikhand Mahadev (7 days from Chandigarh). Both are steep high-altitude treks held for a few weeks around July and August, with compulsory registration and medical checks. We organise them from Dehradun with guides, camps, meals and permit help.

Which Panch Kailash yatra is right for you?

Kinnaur Kailash is shorter and the better first choice for a fit walker who has done a high trek before. Shrikhand Mahadev is among the toughest pilgrim treks in India and suits only experienced trekkers in very good health. If you want a Kailash darshan without a strenuous climb, look at the other three Kailash yatras listed lower down this page.

Prices are per person and vary with group size and season. Porters and personal gear are usually extra and paid directly. See each package page for the day-by-day plan and inclusions.

The five Kailash: where they are and how hard they are

Heights and distances below are approximate; published figures differ between sources.

Not sure how Adi Kailash and Kailash Mansarovar compare? Read Adi Kailash vs Kailash Mansarovar.

Kinnaur Kailash Yatra: dates, registration and route

The Kinnaur Kailash Shivling is a tall natural rock pillar on the slopes above the Sutlej valley, with the Kinnaur Kailash range behind it. The walk starts at Tangling village near Powari, beyond Reckong Peo, and climbs steeply past Ganesh Park and Parvati Kund to the Shivling. Most yatris take two to three days for the round trip, with one or two nights in tents.

• 2026 season: the Kinnaur district administration first planned July, then ran the yatra from 30 July to 15 August 2026 after a safety review of the route, always subject to weather.
• Daily quota: 375 pilgrims a day in 2026, split between online slots, offline registration at the Tangling camp, and an operators' quota.
• Fees and checks: a green tax of ₹200 per pilgrim was collected at the Tangling counter in 2026, and a medical fitness certificate was compulsory, either from your own doctor or from the medical camp at Tangling.
• 2027: dates and quota will be notified by the Kinnaur administration before the season. We will confirm them as soon as they are out.

Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra: dates, registration and route

Shrikhand Mahadev is a rock Shivling at about 5,200 m in the Kullu district, reached from Jaon village near Nirmand. The route passes Singhgad base camp, Thachru, Kali Ghati, Bhim Dwar, Parvati Bagh and Nain Sarovar. It is roughly 32 to 35 km each way, with four or more nights in camps and a final day over boulder fields and snow.

• Registration and medical check with the Kullu administration at Singhgad are compulsory; no one is allowed beyond Singhgad without them.
• Short window: the official yatra runs for about two weeks in July. In 2026 it was scheduled for 10 to 23 July, but the Kullu Deputy Commissioner suspended it after experts found the Bhim Dwar to Parvati Bagh stretch unsafe after landslides and heavy rain.
• 2027: no dates have been announced. Whether and when it runs depends on route repairs and the administration's decision, so keep your plans flexible.

Fitness, monsoon and safety

Both yatras fall in the monsoon, so expect daily rain, slippery rock and cold nights near freezing. You should be able to walk 8 to 10 hours on steep ground for several days in a row. Start training at least six weeks ahead with long walks, stair climbs and a loaded daypack. People with heart or lung conditions, uncontrolled blood pressure or recent surgery should not attempt these treks.

There is no mobile network above Tangling or Jaon, walking at night is not allowed, and the administration can close the route at short notice. Our guides keep the group together, carry first aid and oxygen, and will turn back with anyone unwell. Do not plan a fixed train or flight on the day after the trek.

What we arrange

• Registration with the district administration, and guidance on the medical certificate.
• Vehicle from Shimla or Chandigarh to the trailhead and back, with hotel nights on the drive.
• Tents, sleeping bags, vegetarian meals on the trek, a trained trek guide and support staff.
• Help hiring porters at local rates, and a clear plan if the route is closed while you are there.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Panch Kailash?

The Panch Kailash are five Himalayan peaks worshipped as abodes of Lord Shiva: Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet, Adi Kailash in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, and Manimahesh Kailash, Kinnaur Kailash and Shrikhand Mahadev in Himachal Pradesh. Each has its own route, season and rules, and most yatris complete them over several years rather than in one go.

Which Panch Kailash yatra is the hardest?

Shrikhand Mahadev is usually called the hardest. It is roughly 32 to 35 km each way from Jaon to a Shivling at about 5,200 m, with several nights in camps and a final day over boulders and snow. Kinnaur Kailash is shorter but very steep. Adi Kailash is the easiest, as most of it is by road.

When is Kinnaur Kailash Yatra held?

It is held for a few weeks in July and August, as notified each year by the Kinnaur district administration. In 2026 it ran from 30 July to 15 August after a route safety review, with a daily cap of 375 pilgrims. The 2027 dates are not yet announced; we confirm them when the administration publishes its notice.

Is a medical certificate needed for Kinnaur Kailash and Shrikhand?

Yes. For Kinnaur Kailash a medical fitness certificate is compulsory, from a registered doctor at home or the medical camp at Tangling. For Shrikhand Mahadev a medical check at the Singhgad base camp is part of registration, and no one is allowed further without clearing it. Carry your ID and the certificate on paper.

Did Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra happen in 2026?

The 2026 yatra was scheduled for 10 to 23 July, but the Kullu administration suspended it until further notice after a joint inspection found the Bhim Dwar to Parvati Bagh stretch unsafe following landslides and heavy rain. Dates for 2027 have not been announced, and the decision will depend on route repairs.

Can senior citizens do Kinnaur Kailash or Shrikhand?

We do not recommend either for most senior citizens. Both involve steep climbs at high altitude, cold nights in tents and no road access for rescue. Seniors who wish for a Kailash darshan are better served by the Adi Kailash yatra, which is mostly by road, or the Manimahesh helicopter yatra.

To plan a Kailash yatra, use the enquiry form on this page or call or WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page). For the Kumaon Kailash in Hindi, see आदि कैलाश यात्रा.