Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter from Lucknow

Highlights & Route

This private yatra takes you from Lucknow to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar through western Nepal, the shortest way in for most Indian pilgrims. Instead of long days on the road through Kathmandu, you cross into Nepal at Rupaidiha, fly from Nepalgunj to Simikot and take a short helicopter hop to Hilsa on the Tibet border. From there it is only a few hours by road to the holy lake.

The 11 days are planned around acclimatisation. You spend a quiet night at Purang before going higher, then two nights between the lake and Darchen before the parikrama, so the body gets time to adjust to the thin air. The three-day walk around Kailash takes you over the Dolma La pass, and pilgrims who are not walking can wait in Darchen and still have darshan of the mountain.

Our team handles the paperwork that worries families most: the Chinese group visa, Tibet entry permits, flight and helicopter seats and border formalities. In 2026 the Ministry of External Affairs warned pilgrims not to leave India until every Chinese visa and permit is in hand, after some private-tour groups were stranded in Nepal. We follow that advice strictly and confirm your documents before you travel.

All meals on the yatra are pure vegetarian. A yatra manager travels with the group from Lucknow and back, and Tibetan guides and drivers join on the China side as required by local rules.

Route

Lucknow → Nepalgunj → Simikot → Hilsa → Purang (Taklakot) → Lake Mansarovar → Darchen → Dirapuk → Dolma La → Zuthulpuk → Darchen → Purang → Hilsa → Simikot → Nepalgunj → Lucknow

Good to know before you book

You need an original Indian passport, ideally valid for at least six months after the yatra, with two blank pages. The passport is usually submitted about a month before departure for the group visa.
The Chinese visa is a group visa, so the whole group enters and leaves Tibet together. One person’s delay can hold up everyone, which is why we ask for documents early.
China fixes a yearly quota for Indian pilgrims coming via Nepal (24,000 in 2026), and demand was far higher. Booking early improves your chances of a seat.
Small planes and helicopters in Humla fly only in clear weather. Keep one or two spare days in your plans at home and avoid booking a tight return flight from Lucknow.
The parikrama crosses roughly 5,600 m. It suits people who walk regularly and have a doctor’s clearance; ponies can be hired locally at extra cost.
2027 batch dates and the age and visa rules for 2027 will be added here once they are officially announced.

Yatra Highlights

Helicopter route via Simikot and Hilsa, the shortest way to Kailash from India
Mansarovar puja and full bus circuit of the holy lake
Three-day Kailash parikrama over Dolma La, with an option to wait at Darchen

Day 1 :

Arrival in Lucknow

Reach Lucknow by your own train or flight. Our team receives you at your arrival point (airport, railway station or hotel) at the agreed time and takes you to the hotel. In the evening we check every passport, permit copy and medical certificate together, so nothing is missing before we cross two borders. Dinner and an early night.

Overnight: Lucknow

Day 2 :

Lucknow to Nepalgunj by road

After breakfast we leave by AC coach for Nepalgunj, entering Nepal at the Rupaidiha border. The drive usually takes around 4 to 5 hours, plus time for border formalities. In the evening the yatra manager holds a briefing on the flights, what to pack in the small bag for the mountains, and how altitude affects the body.

Overnight: Nepalgunj

Day 3 :

Nepalgunj to Simikot by flight, then helicopter to Hilsa

An early small-aircraft flight takes us to Simikot in Humla (about 2,910 m). From here helicopters ferry the group in small batches to Hilsa, the last village on the Nepal side of the border. Flights in this region run only in clear weather, so some waiting is normal. Once settled, take a slow, short walk to help your body adjust.

Overnight: Hilsa (guest house)

Day 4 :

Hilsa to Purang (Taklakot)

After immigration and customs checks at the border, we cross into Tibet and drive a short distance to Purang, also known as Taklakot. This is a rest-and-acclimatisation day: drink plenty of water, avoid exertion and let the group visa formalities finish.

Overnight: Purang

Day 5 :

Purang to Lake Mansarovar

A drive of about two hours brings us to the shores of Mansarovar (about 4,600 m), with the first full view of Mount Kailash on a clear day. In the afternoon we go round the lake by bus, a circuit of roughly 90 km, stopping for puja and to collect holy water. Bathing in the lake is not permitted by local authorities, so plan to take water home instead.

Overnight: Guest house near Lake Mansarovar

Day 6 :

Lake Mansarovar to Darchen

Sunrise at the lake is a sight many yatris remember all their lives, so wake early if you can. Later we drive to Darchen (about 4,670 m), the base town for the Kailash parikrama. The afternoon is free for rest. The yatra manager confirms who will walk, who will take a pony and who will stay back in Darchen.

Overnight: Darchen

Day 7 :

Parikrama day 1: Darchen to Dirapuk

A short drive takes us to Yam Dwar, where the parikrama begins. The trail follows a river valley for about 10 to 12 km to Dirapuk, which faces the north side of Kailash. Walk at your own pace; ponies and porters can be hired locally at extra cost. Those not doing the parikrama stay in Darchen.

Overnight: Dirapuk (guest house)

Day 8 :

Parikrama day 2: Dirapuk to Zuthulpuk over Dolma La

This is the longest and hardest day, about 20 km. We start before dawn and climb to the Dolma La pass, the highest point of the circuit at roughly 5,600 m, then descend past Gauri Kund to the valley and on to Zuthulpuk. Warm layers, a torch and steady breathing matter far more than speed today.

Overnight: Zuthulpuk (guest house)

Day 9 :

Parikrama day 3: Zuthulpuk to Darchen, drive to Purang

The last stretch of about 8 km is mostly gentle. We meet the members who waited in Darchen and drive back together to Purang for a hot meal and a proper rest.

Overnight: Purang

Day 10 :

Purang to Hilsa, Simikot, Nepalgunj and Lucknow

An early drive takes us to the border at Hilsa. From there we return by helicopter to Simikot, take the flight to Nepalgunj and continue by AC coach to Lucknow. It is a long day and depends on mountain weather, so keep some snacks and medicines in your hand bag.

Overnight: Lucknow

Day 11 :

Departure from Lucknow

Breakfast at the hotel, then drop at your departure point (airport, railway station or hotel) for your onward train or flight home, carrying Mansarovar jal and prasad for your family.

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	Hilsa	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
4	Purang (Taklakot)	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
5	Lake Mansarovar	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
6	Darchen	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
7	Dirapuk	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
8	Zuthulpuk	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
9	Purang (Taklakot)	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
10	Lucknow	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand all

Can Indian passport holders do the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra privately through Nepal?

Yes. In 2026 Indian citizens travelled through Nepal with private operators alongside the government-run yatra. China sets a yearly quota for this route (24,000 Indian pilgrims in 2026), and every pilgrim needs a Chinese group visa and Tibet permits arranged before leaving India.

What is the difference between this and the MEA Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?

The MEA yatra goes through Lipulekh (Uttarakhand) or Nathu La (Sikkim), with seats given by computerised draw; only 1,000 seats were offered in 2026. This private yatra goes through Nepal, has fixed departures you can book directly, and takes 11 days from Lucknow.

Is there an age limit for the Kailash yatra via Nepal?

In 2026, operators on the Nepal route reported 70 years as the upper limit for the physical yatra, and the MEA yatra allowed ages 18 to 70. The 2027 rule is not yet announced; we will confirm it at booking. Medical fitness is checked regardless of age.

How difficult is the Kailash parikrama?

The parikrama is about 52 km over three days, and the second day crosses the Dolma La pass at roughly 5,600 m. It is demanding for most people. Ponies and porters can be hired locally, and those who prefer not to walk can wait at Darchen.

How much is the yatra cost and what does it include?

The package price is Rs 3,15,000 per person plus GST and TCS as applicable. It includes the visa and permits, flights and helicopter, road transport, stays and vegetarian meals as listed above. Pony charges, insurance and travel to Lucknow are extra.

Can I bathe in Lake Mansarovar?

No. Bathing in the lake has been prohibited by local authorities since 2018. You can do puja on the shore and collect holy water to take home.

When is the best time to go?

The Nepal route usually runs from mid-May to September. June to August is the main season. Snow can close the parikrama from late September, as happened in 2026. 2027 batch dates will be listed once announced.

How do I book?

Call us on our office phone or send a message on WhatsApp at WhatsApp. Share the number of travellers, their ages and your preferred month. We will check seat availability and send the document list, and your seat is confirmed once the advance and passport details reach us.

Yatra	Duration	Starts from	Price
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter from Lucknow (this page)	11 days / 10 nights	Lucknow	From ₹2,83,500
Kailash Darshan from Limi Valley	6 days / 5 nights	Lucknow	From ₹1,20,000
Kailash Mansarovar Aerial Darshan 2027	3 days / 2 nights	Lucknow	From ₹64,000
Kailash Mansarovar Inner Parikrama	13 days / 12 nights	Lucknow	On request
Kailash Mansarovar VIP Yatra	5 days / 4 nights	Lucknow	On request
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 9 Days from Lucknow	9 days / 8 nights	Lucknow	From ₹3,15,000
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via Lhasa	14 days / 13 nights	Kathmandu	On request
Kailash Yatra 2027 by Helicopter from Kathmandu	11 days / 10 nights	Kathmandu	From ₹3,45,000

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter from Lucknow

Highlights & Route

Route

Good to know before you book

Yatra Highlights

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Inclusions & Exclusions

Included

Not included

Hotels

Documents & Fitness

Documents to carry

Fitness and health

Cancellation Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

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