Kailash Inner Parikrama (Kora) Yatra 2027 with Mansarovar

Overview

Itinerary

Inclusions & Exclusions

Hotels

Documents & Fitness

Cancellation Policy

FAQs

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Highlights & Route

Most Kailash yatras end with the three-day outer parikrama. This longer programme is for pilgrims who wish to go one step further and attempt the inner parikrama as well: the shorter but far steeper circuit that passes behind Nandi, the rounded peak that sits in front of Kailash’s south face, and climbs to the Saptarishi caves. Tibetan tradition holds that the inner path is for those who have completed many outer circuits, so we treat it as a privilege that depends on permission from the Chinese authorities and on the weather on the day, never as a guaranteed item.

The journey starts from Lucknow (a Kathmandu start can be arranged on request). You cross into Nepal by road at Rupaidiha, fly from Nepalgunj to Simikot, take a short helicopter hop to Hilsa and walk across the border into Tibet at Purang. We keep a full rest day at Purang and another easy day at the lake before the walking begins, because the inner circuit demands a body that has already settled into the altitude.

From the moment you hand us your passport to the moment we drop you back in Lucknow, one yatra manager stays with the group. On the China side a licensed Tibetan guide joins us, as the rules require. All meals are pure vegetarian and cooked for the group. Please read the fitness section carefully: this is the most demanding programme we offer and it is not suitable for first-time high-altitude travellers.

Route

Lucknow → Nepalgunj → Simikot → Hilsa → Purang (Taklakot) → Lake Mansarovar → Darchen → Yam Dwar → Dirapuk → Dolma La → Zuthulpuk → Darchen → Selung Gompa → Saptarishi caves (inner parikrama) → Darchen → Purang → Hilsa → Simikot → Nepalgunj → Lucknow

Good to know before you book

The inner parikrama is granted only when the Chinese authorities and the local monastery permit it. If permission is refused or weather closes the path, the day becomes a rest and darshan day at Darchen; no refund applies for that day.
You need an Indian passport valid for six months beyond your return, submitted to us about a month before departure for the group visa. The group enters and leaves Tibet together.
In June 2026 the Ministry of External Affairs told pilgrims not to leave India until every Chinese visa and permit is in hand, after travellers with private operators were stranded in Nepal. We follow this rule without exception.
Flights in Humla depend on clear skies. Keep two spare days at home after the scheduled return and do not book a tight onward connection from Lucknow.
The outer circuit crosses Dolma La at roughly 5,630 m; the inner circuit is shorter but has steep, loose sections and no pony option on most of it. A doctor’s clearance is compulsory.
2027 departure dates, the Nepal-route pilgrim quota and the current Chinese age rule will be confirmed when you enquire; these change every season.

Yatra Highlights

Outer parikrama over Dolma La plus the inner (Nandi) parikrama to the Saptarishi caves, subject to permission
Shortest entry into Tibet for Indian pilgrims via Nepalgunj, Simikot and Hilsa
Two acclimatisation stops, Mansarovar puja and a full lake circuit before the walking begins

Day 1 :

Reach Lucknow

Arrive in Lucknow by your own train or flight and meet our team at your arrival point (airport, railway station or hotel) at the agreed time. After check-in we sit down together and go through every document: passport, visa page, permit copies and medical certificate. The evening briefing covers the two border crossings, the small-bag packing list for the mountains and how the next twelve days will run.

Overnight: Lucknow

Night stay: Lucknow Altitude: ≈125 m Meals: Dinner

Day 2 :

Lucknow to Nepalgunj

We leave after breakfast in private vehicle suited to your group size (sedan, SUV or Tempo Traveller) for the Rupaidiha border, about 4 to 5 hours away, and complete Indian and Nepali immigration on foot. Nepalgunj is a short drive beyond. The rest of the day is free; we recommend an early dinner because tomorrow's flight leaves at first light.

Overnight: Nepalgunj

Night stay: Nepalgunj Altitude: ≈150 m Distance: ≈180 km drive Travel time: 4–5 h Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 :

Fly to Simikot, helicopter to Hilsa, cross to Purang

A small aircraft carries the group to Simikot in Humla district, from where helicopters shuttle us in batches to Hilsa on the Karnali river. Delays are common here and the yatra manager will keep you informed. At Hilsa we walk across the bridge, complete Chinese immigration and drive a short distance to Purang (Taklakot), at about 3,900 m. Rest, drink water and take only a gentle stroll.

Overnight: Purang

Night stay: Purang Altitude: ≈3,900 m Distance: Flight to Simikot + helicopter to Hilsa + drive Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 :

Acclimatisation day in Purang

A planned day of doing very little. We take a slow walk in the town, check everyone's oxygen saturation and let the Tibetan guide finish permit formalities. If anyone feels unwell this is the day to say so, because the next stage climbs higher.

Overnight: Purang

Night stay: Purang Altitude: ≈3,900 m Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 :

Purang to Lake Mansarovar

A drive of around two hours brings us to the shore of Mansarovar (about 4,590 m). On a clear day Kailash appears across the water. We go round the lake by vehicle, stopping at the Rakshas Tal viewpoint, and gather for puja and collection of lake water in the afternoon. Bathing is allowed only where the local authorities permit it on the day.

Overnight: Guest house near Lake Mansarovar

Night stay: Guest house near Lake Mansarovar Altitude: ≈4,590 m Distance: ≈90–100 km lake circuit Travel time: ≈2 h drive to the lake Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 :

Sunrise at the lake, drive to Darchen

Wake early for sunrise over the water, then drive about 40 km to Darchen (about 4,670 m), the village at the foot of Kailash where every parikrama begins. The afternoon is for rest, hiring ponies or porters for those who want them, and a briefing on the three walking days.

Overnight: Darchen

Night stay: Darchen Altitude: ≈4,670 m Distance: ≈40 km drive Travel time: ≈1 h Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 :

Outer parikrama, stage 1: Yam Dwar to Dirapuk

A short drive takes us to Yam Dwar, the gateway where the circuit begins. From here it is roughly 10 to 12 km on a mostly gentle valley path to Dirapuk, with the north face of Kailash growing larger all afternoon. Yatris who are not walking return to Darchen and rejoin us on Day 9.

Overnight: Dirapuk (shared guest house)

Night stay: Dirapuk (shared guest house) Altitude: ≈4,900 m Distance: 10–12 km trek Travel time: ≈5–6 h Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 :

Outer parikrama, stage 2: Dolma La to Zuthulpuk

The hardest day of the yatra. The path climbs steadily to Dolma La at about 5,630 m, passes the small green lake of Gauri Kund below the pass and descends a long valley to Zuthulpuk. Expect 9 to 11 hours of walking over about 22 km. Ponies can carry you up to the pass but everyone walks down.

Overnight: Zuthulpuk (shared guest house)

Night stay: Zuthulpuk (shared guest house) Altitude: ≈4,790 m (via Dolma La ≈5,630 m) Distance: ≈22 km trek Travel time: 9–11 h Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 :

Outer parikrama, stage 3, and return to Darchen

An easy 8 km walk completes the circuit at the road head, where vehicles collect us for the short drive to Darchen. Hot food, a wash and a long rest. In the evening the guide confirms whether tomorrow's inner parikrama has been cleared.

Overnight: Darchen

Night stay: Darchen Altitude: ≈4,670 m Distance: ≈8 km trek + short drive Travel time: ≈3 h walk Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 :

Inner parikrama (subject to permission)

We leave early on foot or by vehicle to the start of the inner path near Selung Gompa, then climb steeply behind Nandi towards the Saptarishi caves, where thirteen small chortens stand below the south face of Kailash. This is a long, strenuous day on rough ground, usually without pony support, and we turn back together at a fixed time whatever the progress. If permission is refused or weather is poor, the day is spent at Darchen with darshan of the mountain from the village.

Overnight: Darchen

Night stay: Darchen Altitude: ≈4,670 m Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 :

Darchen to Purang

A relaxed drive back past Mansarovar to Purang. Many yatris use the afternoon to buy small keepsakes in the market or simply sleep; the body feels noticeably lighter at this altitude after the days above.

Overnight: Purang

Night stay: Purang Altitude: ≈3,900 m Distance: ≈100 km drive Travel time: ≈2–3 h Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 :

Purang to Hilsa, Simikot and Nepalgunj

After Chinese exit formalities we drive to Hilsa, cross back into Nepal and take the helicopter to Simikot and the flight to Nepalgunj. Weather can shuffle this sequence, which is why we hold a buffer in the plan.

Overnight: Nepalgunj

Night stay: Nepalgunj Altitude: ≈150 m Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 :

Nepalgunj to Lucknow

After breakfast we drive to the Rupaidiha border and onward to Lucknow, reaching your departure point (airport, railway station or hotel) by evening. Please book trains or flights from Lucknow for the following day, in case of weather delays.

Distance: ≈180 km drive Travel time: ≈4–5 h Meals: Breakfast

Night	Place	Hotel (or similar)	Room type
1	Lucknow	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
2	Nepalgunj	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
3–4	Purang (Taklakot)	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
5	Lake Mansarovar	Guest house, Hotel confirmed at booking	Dormitory / shared
6	Darchen	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
7	Dirapuk	Pilgrim guest house	Shared, basic
8	Zuthulpuk	Pilgrim guest house	Shared, basic
9–10	Darchen	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
11	Purang (Taklakot)	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
12	Nepalgunj	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand all

What is the difference between the outer and inner parikrama?

The outer parikrama is the 52 km circuit around the whole Kailash massif over Dolma La, walked in three days. The inner parikrama is a shorter loop that goes behind Nandi, the peak in front of Kailash’s south face, and up to the Saptarishi caves. It is steeper, higher in places and usually done in a single long day from Darchen.

Is the inner parikrama guaranteed?

No. It depends on permission from the Chinese authorities and the local monastery, and on the weather. Tibetan tradition reserves it for pilgrims who have done many outer circuits, and officials sometimes refuse it. If it cannot happen, the day is spent at Darchen and no refund is due for it.

Who should not book this programme?

Anyone who has not been to high altitude before, anyone above the age limit set by the Chinese authorities for the Nepal route, and anyone with uncontrolled blood pressure, heart or lung disease. If you are unsure, start with our standard Kailash yatra first.

Do I need a visa?

Yes. Indian citizens travel to Tibet on a Chinese group visa plus a Tibet entry permit, which we arrange. You give us your passport about a month before departure. Nepal does not require a visa for Indian citizens, but carry your passport, as it is needed at both borders.

Can I hire a pony for the walking days?

Ponies and porters are available at Darchen for the outer parikrama and are paid locally in cash. On Day 8 ponies carry you up to Dolma La but not down. On the inner parikrama pony support is usually not available, so you must be able to walk the whole way.

What food is served?

Pure vegetarian Indian meals cooked for the group, with tea, soup and hot water through the day. At the lake and on the parikrama the kitchen is basic, so meals are simple: dal, rice, roti, sabzi, khichdi and porridge.

What if flights are delayed in Nepal?

Weather delays at Simikot and Hilsa are part of this route. We hold spare time in the programme, but if a delay runs beyond it the extra hotel nights and meals are charged at actual. Please keep two spare days at home after the scheduled return.

How many walking days are there on this inner parikrama yatra?

Four. The outer parikrama takes three days: about 10 to 12 km from Yam Dwar to Dirapuk, then the hardest day of about 22 km and 9 to 11 hours over Dolma La (about 5,630 m), then an easy 8 km to the road head. The inner parikrama follows as one long, steep day towards the Saptarishi caves, usually without pony support, and the group turns back at a fixed time whatever its progress.

Yatra	Duration	Starts from	Price
Kailash Inner Parikrama (Kora) Yatra 2027 with Mansarovar (this page)	13 days / 12 nights	Lucknow	On request
Kailash Mansarovar 2027: Yatra through Lhasa, Tibet	14 days / 13 nights	Kathmandu	On request
Kailash Mansarovar by Helicopter 2027: Shortest Yatra	5 days / 4 nights	Lucknow	From ₹3,15,000
Kailash Mansarovar by Road: Bus Yatra 2027	14 days / 13 nights	Kathmandu	From ₹2,55,000
Kailash Mansarovar Flight Darshan 2027 from Lucknow	3 days / 2 nights	Lucknow	From ₹64,000
Kailash Mansarovar Helicopter Yatra 2027 from Lucknow	11 days / 10 nights	Lucknow	From ₹3,15,000
Kathmandu to Kailash by Helicopter: Yatra 2027	11 days / 10 nights	Kathmandu	From ₹3,45,000
Lhasa & Everest Base Camp: Tibet Holiday	14 days / 13 nights	Kathmandu	On request

Kailash Inner Parikrama (Kora) Yatra 2027 with Mansarovar

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Highlights & Route

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Good to know before you book

Yatra Highlights

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Inclusions & Exclusions

Included

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Hotels

Documents & Fitness

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Fitness and health

Cancellation Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

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