Quick answer: Om Parvat is a Himalayan peak in Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, where snow settles in the shape of ॐ. You see it from Nabhidhang (about 4,300 m), around 20 km beyond Gunji, after getting an Inner Line Permit at Dharchula. Indian citizens only. Best months: May–June and late September–October, early morning. By road from Kathgodam it takes about 7–8 days; by helicopter from Pithoragarh, 2–4 days.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026).
Om Parvat is one of the most moving darshans in the Himalaya. You stand at a high, windswept camp near the Tibet border, and across the valley a dark rock face carries a clear ॐ in snow. There is no temple at the viewpoint and no queue: just the mountain, prayer flags and a few minutes of silence before the clouds come in.
This guide explains where Om Parvat is, how to reach it, the permit you need, the best time to go and what to expect on the day. It is almost always combined with Adi Kailash in the same yatra, so we cover how the two fit together.
Where is Om Parvat?
Om Parvat stands in the upper Kali (Kalapani) valley of Dharchula tehsil, Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, very close to the India–Nepal–Tibet tri-junction and below the Lipulekh pass. It is commonly listed at around 5,590 m, though some sources give a higher figure. Om Parvat is not climbed or circumambulated. Yatris take darshan from the Nabhidhang camp area, which lies to its west at about 4,300 m.
The road to Nabhidhang branches from Gunji (about 3,200 m), the border village where the Kali and Kuti valleys meet. The other branch goes up the Kuti valley to Jolingkong for Adi Kailash. That is why one yatra covers both.
Why is Om Parvat sacred?
For Shiva bhakts, the natural ॐ on the mountain is a sign of the Lord’s presence. The valley below is also rich in tradition: the Kali temple at Kalapani near the source of the Kali river, and the Vyas Gufa, a cave linked with Maharishi Ved Vyas, after whom the Vyas valley is named. The old Kailash Mansarovar route through Lipulekh passes this way, so yatris going to Tibet have seen Om Parvat for generations.
Permit for Om Parvat: what you need
Nabhidhang is in a protected border area. Every yatri needs an Inner Line Permit (ILP) issued by the SDM office in Dharchula. It is the same permit that covers Adi Kailash.
- Government photo ID (Aadhaar, voter ID, passport or driving licence) with photocopies.
- Passport-size photographs, usually four.
- Medical fitness certificate from an MBBS doctor, recent, stating fitness for high-altitude travel.
- Police verification from your local police station.
- Notarised affidavit in the prescribed format, asked for in recent seasons.
Permits are for Indian citizens; foreign nationals and OCI cardholders are not covered by the ordinary ILP. In recent seasons the permit age range has been roughly 10 to 70 years. The SDM office works on government working days, so do not plan to collect a permit on a Sunday or holiday. Our full Adi Kailash and Om Parvat permit guide walks through the process step by step.
How to reach Om Parvat: the route
| Stage | Approx. distance | Approx. altitude at end | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi to Kathgodam | Overnight train | About 550 m | Tanakpur is the other railhead; Pantnagar the nearest regular airport |
| Kathgodam to Pithoragarh | About 200–250 km (depending on temple stops) | About 1,600 m | Full day; often via Jageshwar |
| Pithoragarh to Dharchula | About 90 km | About 900 m | Permit formalities; last proper market and ATMs |
| Dharchula to Gunji | About 80 km by 4×4 | About 3,200 m | Kali gorge road; checkposts; homestays |
| Gunji to Nabhidhang | About 20 km | About 4,300 m | Via Kalapani; Om Parvat darshan |
Distances are approximate and change with road works and diversions. Above Dharchula you will travel in hired 4×4 vehicles, as the road is narrow and exposed to landslides.
A typical road plan
- Day 1: Kathgodam to Pithoragarh, with darshan at Jageshwar Dham on the way.
- Day 2: Pithoragarh to Dharchula; Inner Line Permit at the SDM office.
- Day 3: Dharchula to Gunji by 4×4; rest and acclimatise.
- Day 4: Gunji to Jolingkong for Adi Kailash and Parvati Kund; back to Gunji.
- Day 5: Gunji to Nabhidhang for Om Parvat; Kali temple at Kalapani and Vyas Gufa; back to Gunji or Napalchu.
- Days 6–8: Return via Dharchula, often with Patal Bhuvaneshwar, to Kathgodam.
Some plans put Om Parvat before Adi Kailash. We usually go to Jolingkong first and keep Om Parvat for the next day, because a second night at Gunji helps the body adjust before the higher camp.
By helicopter
Helicopter programmes from Pithoragarh cut out the two long road days each way. One option flies you to Gunji or Napalchu, keeps you two nights in the valley and takes you to Nabhidhang for Om Parvat. Another is a two-day aerial darshan: one night in Pithoragarh, a medical check, and a flight over the Vyas valley that circles Adi Kailash and passes the Om Parvat face before returning. Helicopter flights depend on weather and have strict weight limits, so keep a spare day.
Best time for Om Parvat darshan
| Period | Conditions | Our view |
|---|---|---|
| May–June | Season opens (around 1 May in 2026); good snow on the peak; cold nights | Very good; busiest period |
| July–August | Monsoon; landslides on the Dharchula–Gunji road; permits usually stopped | Avoid; in 2026 permits were stopped from 2 July |
| Mid-September–October | Season reopens when roads are safe; clear blue skies | Excellent visibility; the ॐ may be fainter before fresh snow |
| November–April | Snow and extreme cold | Closed for yatris |
Time of day matters most. Reach Nabhidhang in the early morning. By late morning clouds often build over the peak and the ॐ can disappear from view within minutes.
Will the ॐ always be visible?
Not always. The shape depends on how snow lies in the rock grooves. In late August 2024, national media reported that the snow on Om Parvat had almost completely melted for a while, and the ॐ was not visible until fresh snowfall. Early season (May–June) usually shows the ॐ most clearly. In autumn the sky is clearest but the snow may be thinner. We cannot promise a view on any given day, and nobody honest can.
Altitude and health
Nabhidhang is about 4,300 m. You go up and come back the same day, and walking is minimal, but the thin air affects everyone. Simple rules that help:
- Spend at least one quiet night (better two) at Gunji before going to Nabhidhang.
- Drink three to four litres of water a day; avoid alcohol and smoking.
- Walk slowly at the viewpoint; do not run or climb the small slopes for photographs.
- Report headache, vomiting, breathlessness at rest or confusion at once. Going down is the cure.
- Carry thermals, a heavy jacket, cap, gloves, sunglasses and sunscreen even in June.
Mobile coverage is patchy at Gunji (mainly BSNL) and generally absent at Nabhidhang. Tell your family you may be out of reach for two or three days.
Om Parvat and Kailash darshan from old Lipulekh
Since October 2024 Uttarakhand Tourism has offered a darshan point near the old Lipulekh pass, above the Om Parvat area, from where Mount Kailash in Tibet can be seen on a clear day. It needs a short walk at very high altitude and has run as part of specific packages. Whether it operates in 2027, and under what rules, will be known only when the season opens; ask us before you book.
What we arrange
Every one of our Vyas valley yatras includes Om Parvat darshan from Nabhidhang along with Adi Kailash. We handle the permit papers at Dharchula, 4×4 vehicles, Gunji homestays with vegetarian meals, and a rest day before going high. Choose the 5-day yatra from Dharchula if you are already in Kumaon, the 8-day yatra from Delhi by road, or the 4-day helicopter yatra from Pithoragarh. All options are on our Adi Kailash yatra page, and in Hindi at आदि कैलाश यात्रा. Wondering how this compares with Tibet? Read Adi Kailash vs Kailash Mansarovar. To plan dates, use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
Where is Om Parvat located?
Om Parvat is in the upper Kali (Kalapani) valley of Dharchula tehsil, Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, near the India–Nepal–Tibet border and below the Lipulekh pass. Yatris see it from Nabhidhang, about 20 km beyond Gunji. The nearest railheads are Kathgodam and Tanakpur, and the permit is issued at Dharchula, about 80 km below Gunji.
Do I need a permit to see Om Parvat?
Yes. Nabhidhang is in a protected border area, so every yatri needs an Inner Line Permit from the SDM office in Dharchula. You will need a photo ID, photographs, a medical fitness certificate, police verification and, in recent seasons, a notarised affidavit. The same permit covers Adi Kailash. Foreign nationals and OCI cardholders are not covered by the ordinary permit.
What is the best time to see Om Parvat?
May–June and mid-September to October, in the early morning. May and June usually show the ॐ most clearly because there is more snow. Autumn gives the clearest skies but the snow may be thinner. July and August are usually closed for the monsoon. Reach Nabhidhang early, because clouds often hide the peak by late morning.
How many days does the Om Parvat yatra take?
From Dharchula it takes about five days including Adi Kailash. From Kathgodam or Delhi by road it takes about eight days, with Jageshwar and Patal Bhuvaneshwar on the way. A helicopter yatra from Pithoragarh takes about four days with two nights at Gunji, and an aerial darshan flight takes two days.
Is there trekking to Om Parvat?
No. Vehicles go all the way to the Nabhidhang viewpoint, and darshan is taken from there. Walking is limited to short distances around the camp. The challenge is altitude, at about 4,300 m, and the long rough drive up the Kali gorge. Seniors who are medically fit and spend a night or two at Gunji first usually manage it.
Can I see Om Parvat and Adi Kailash on the same yatra?
Yes, and almost everyone does. Both are reached from Gunji: Adi Kailash and Parvati Kund up the Kuti valley at Jolingkong, and Om Parvat up the Kalapani valley at Nabhidhang. Most plans give one day to each, returning to Gunji at night. The same Inner Line Permit covers both.
Can foreigners or OCI cardholders visit Om Parvat?
The ordinary Inner Line Permit is for Indian citizens. Foreign nationals and OCI cardholders would need separate protected-area permission from the Government of India, which is not routinely given for this area. If you are an NRI with an Indian passport, you can apply like any other Indian citizen.