Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been a popularpilgrimage for Indians over the years. It’s an important journey for them because the Kailash pilgrimage is a way to connect deeply with Lord Shiva as Mount Kailash is known to be the home of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Another important factor is the quest for Moksha(Liberation). It is believed that completing the Kailash Kora (circumambulation of Mount Kailash) ends the cycle of birth and death and gives Moksha. Likewise, bathing in Lake Mansarovar is believed to purify the soul.
For centuries, this Kailash Mansarovar yatra has been a huge part of Indian cultural and spiritual traditions. However, the journey hasn’t been smooth due to periods of hiatus and re-opening for Indian citizens.
India and China first agreed to allow Indian pilgrims in 1954, but access was restricted after the 1959 Tibetan uprising and closed completely after the 1962 Sino-Indian War. After nearly two decades in 1981, Indian pilgrims were allowed again due to a new agreement between India and China.
Unfortunately, the yatra was paused from 2020 to 2023 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the Yatra has been opened for others except for the Indians due to various reasons.
Things are about to change as of 2025. Following the discussions between India and China earlier this month, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will officially resume in the summer of 2025.
In this blog, find the updated information on the current status of the Kailash Yatra for Indians, permits, routes, cost, tour packages, travel tips, and more.
Can Indians Go to Kailash Mansarovar in 2025?
Many are curious about the current status of the Yatra: Is Kailash Mansarovar Yatra open for Indian citizens in 2025? The answer is Yes! Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is open for Indians in 2025. It is known that the yatra will officially resume in the Summer.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Eligibility and Permits for Indian Passport Holders
Indian passport holders planning for the Kailash Mansarovar tour in 2025 must meet certain requirements and obtain the required permits.
Eligibility Criteria for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra:
- Age limit: Travelers aged between 12 and 80 years are eligible to travel to Kailash Mansarovar.
- Health Requirements: You have to be physically fit to go to Kailash Mansarovar because of its high-altitude terrain. So you must have a medical fitness certificate.
Required Documents for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra:
- Travelers must have a valid passport and recent Passport size photos.
- Travelers should have a Chinese Visa and Travel Permit for the Tibetan Autonomous Region(TAR). The Embassy of India in Kathmandu states that, the Chinese visa needs to be obtained from the Embassy of China in New Delhi and not from the Embassy of China in Kathmandu.
- Travelers should also obtain Alien’s Travel Permit and Military Permit which is only obtained from a licensed tour operator.
The registration process for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra:
- As individual applications are not accepted, travelers must book their trip through a licensed travel agency or tour operator.
- After booking the Kailash Mansarovar tour package, travelers should provide the necessary documents: passport copies and photographs.
- Then, the tour operator applies for the Tibet Travel Permit on behalf of the travelers.
- After the permit is approved, the agency will apply for a Group Tourist Visa from the Chinese Embassy. Since individual travel to Kailash Mansarovar is prohibited, travelers must travel in groups organized by tour operators. For example, you can join the group tours that have fixed departure: Mount Kailash Fixed Departure Tour 2025 | Group Tours.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route from India: Which one to Choose?
Over the years, travelers from India have traveled to Kailash Mansarovar through two major routes: Lipu Lekh Pass in Uttarakhand and the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim which were organized by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Not to mention, these routes took around 21 to 23 days to complete the Mount Kailash Pilgrimage, making it a daunting journey for pilgrims and travelers.
Now, travelers from India do not have to worry about the long journey as the routes from Nepal have made it easy and short. There are various routes to travel to Kailash Mansarovar from Nepal.
The first one is the Simikot-Hilsa Route. Simikot is a remote town in the Humla district of northwestern Nepal, which is only accessible by a small aircraft from Nepalgunj. Likewise, Hilsa is a border village in Humla, right on the Nepal-Tibet border where travelers take a helicopter ride to Hilsa. This route takes 16 to 20 days to complete the Kailash tour. It includes a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj to Simikot and then, driving until reaching Kailash Mansarovar, completing the Parikrama, and back. As it includes multiple transfers, the journey becomes quite hectic. Also, flights to Simikot and Hilsa are weather dependent and most likely to be delayed.
Another route is Rasuwagadhi-Kerung Route. Rasuwagadhi is a border checkpoint in Rasuwa district which is about 125 km north of Kathmandu and takes 6 to 7 hours of drive from Kathmandu. Similarly, Kerung is a border town in Tibet, near the Neapl-Tibet border from Rasuwagadhi. This route is much shorter and smoother due to direct overland travel, taking only 10 to 15 days to complete the tour.
In addition, there is also a helicopter route to Kailash Mansarovar. This doesn’t mean you can directly fly over Mount Kailash. If you’re wondering why not? A helicopter is not allowed to fly over the sacred mountain by the Chinese authorities who control the region. The helicopter route to Kailash Mansarovar includes boarding a helicopter flight directly from Kathmandu to Timure which is a small town in Nepal near the border with Tibet. From there it’s an overland journey. This helicopter route is perfect for those with limited time and who don't enjoy long hours of road journey.
One more route travelers can undertake the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is via Lucknow and Nepalgunj route. On this route, travelers and pilgrims drive from Lucknow, India to Nepalgunj, Nepal which takes around 4 to 5 hours to drive. From Nepalgunj, travelers board a flight to Simikot, then take a helicopter flight to Hilsa and drive from Hilsa to Lake Mansarovar. Although this route could be shorter, it includes multiple transfers which can be quite burdensome.
With over a decade of experience in operating Kailash Mansarovar Tours, we at Dream Tibet, suggest travelers and pilgrims choose the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung Route from Nepal as it offers smooth travel.
Kailash Mansarovar Travel Packages and Options for Indians
We, at Dream Tibet, offer different types of Kailash Mansarovar tour packages ranging from budget-friendly and standard to luxury options.
The standard Kailash Mansarovar Tour Package that we have crafted for Indians is, “Kathmandu- Jomsom-Muktinath-Pokhara- Kailash Mansarovar 15 days.”
The outlined itinerary is:
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to the Hotel- Free day- Passport collection
Day 2: Visa apply day- Pashupatinath darshan (Rudra Abhishek Puja & Hawan) – Flight to Pokhara
Day 3: Fly to Jomsom- Drive to Muktinath Temple- Back to Jomsom
Day 4: Fly to Pokhara- Pokhara sightseeing
Day 5: Fly back to Kathmandu – Visa collection
Day 6: Drive to Kyirong
Day 7: Rest day in Kyirong
Day 8: Drive Kyirong to Saga
Day 9: Saga to Manasarovar
Day 10: Drive to Darchen
Day 11: Trek to Dirapuk- first day of Kailash Kora
Day 12: Trek Dirapuk to Zuthul puk via Dolma la Pass
Day 13: End of Kailash Parikrama drive to Saga
Day 14: Saga to Kyirong
Day 15: Kyirong to Kathmandu
This is a 15-day journey to Kailash Mansarovar via the Kerung(Kyirong) route. Day one marks the 1st day of the journey with your arrival in Kathmandu and completing the passport collection formalities.
On the second day, you will visit Pashupatinath Temple and perform Rudra Abhishek Puja and Hawan and then fly to Pokhara. On the third day, you will board a flight to Jomsom and then drive to Muktinath Temple. After performing pooja you will return to Jomsom and fly back to Pokhara the next day and you can explore around the city. On the fifth day, you will fly back to Kathmandu and collect your visa for the further journey.
On the sixth day, you will drive to Kyirong and enter Tibet. Day 7 is a rest day in Kyirong to acclimate yourself to the high altitude. On day 8 you will drive to Saga and on day 9 you will reach Mansarovar Lake, perform holy rituals, and witness the majestic view of Mt. Kailash. Next day you will go to Darchen, the base camp of Kailash Kora (parikrama).
The 3 day trek which is known as kora or parikrama starts on day 11 as you go to Dirapuk and experience the divine view of Mt. Kailash. On day 12 you will trek from Dirapuk to Zuthul Puk, and cross Dolma La Pass, the highest point of the journey. The parikrama will end on day 13 and then you will drive back to Saga. On day 14 you will drive back to Kyirong and on the last day, you will drive back to Kathmandu and complete this journey.
This itinerary is specifically designed to experience the pilgrimage with comfortable travel and logistics, with proper acclimatization and safety. As it also includes visiting Muktinath Temple, Mansarovar, and Kailash Parikrama with a cultural tour of Kathmandu and Pokhara, it makes the overall journey fulfilling. Therefore, this is the best package for Indian pilgrims and travelers who want to have a meaningful Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Next, we have the Luxury Mount Kailash Mansarovar Tour. This package is for those travelers who are looking for a comfortable, safe, and well supported journey to Kailash Mansarovar. It is especially for those who are traveling to Kailash with senior citizens and children. This package gives you a very comfortable and authentic pilgrimage experience. It includes an option to fly directly from Kathmandu to Kerung by Helicopter, savor freshly cooked meals, portable travel amenities, and many more.
Furthermore, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter is another great option for Indians. It is ideal for those who have limited time and do not prefer long, bumpy road trips. This helicopter package offers a faster and more comfortable travel experience. It is also less physically demanding compared to the overland journey.
Additionally, we have another package, “ Kailash Inner Kora Trek,” for those who are quite an adventurer and want to experience the mystical aura of Kailash more intimately. This Kailash Inner Kora trek includes exploring sacred sites such as Asthapath, Saptarishi Cave, and Atmalingam which hold great spiritual value. The Inner kora is more challenging than the regular kora. It requires good physical fitness and prior trekking experiences. To know which kora is suitable for you, explore here: Mount Kailash Inner Kora vs Outer Kora: Which One Is For You?
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Cost for Indians 2025
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra cost for Indians differs based on the routes, mode of transportation, and package travelers choose.
The estimated cost for an overland tour from Kathmandu for Indians ranges from INR 2 lakhs to 2.5 lakhs per person. It includes traveling by road from Kathmandu via Kyirong. Similarly, Kailash Mansarovar tour by Helicopter from Kathmandu costs around INR 3 lakhs.
If you choose to travel via Nepalgunj and Simikot, it costs around INR 3.2 lakhs. The cheapest option is choosing to travel via the Lipulekh Pass route through Uttarakhand which is organized by the Indian Government. The estimated cost for this is around INR 1.8 lakhs to 2 lakhs per person. The Nathu La Pass route via Sikkim is slightly more expensive compared to the Lipulekh Pass. It costs around INR 2.2 lakhs to 2.4 lakhs.
To get an exact cost for Kailash Mansarovar, you can get a quote from us via email or any other contact provided on our website.
Best Time to Visit Kailash Mansarovar from India
Kailash Mansarovar is open for only seven months a year from April to mid-October. During other months it is prohibited to travel due to weather and climatic conditions. The best time to visit Kailash Mansarovar from India is from May to June or September to October. During these months, the weather and climate are favorable and manageable.
Many pilgrims plan to visit Kailash Mansarovar during full moon days due to spiritual significance. Since many people go at the same time, the journey becomes very crowded. Not to mention, flights and hotels get fully booked quickly. There may also be a shortage of supplies such as food, water, etc. So, to avoid these problems, it’s better to go before or after the full moon days when it is less crowded. Or, if you want to visit Kailash Mansarovar during full moon days, it is advised to book early.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra tips for Indian travelers
Here are important tips for Indian travelers to make the Kailash journey smooth:
- Plan Kailash Mansarovar Yatra between May and September avoiding full moon days to escape heavy crowds and overbooked facilities. But if you plan to visit during the full moon days, make sure to book early.
- Start preparing for the trip 3 months ahead by involving in activities such as hiking, yoga, walking, jogging, and more.
- Get a full body health checkup before starting the Yatra.
- Do not push yourself for Kailash Parikrama if you’re unwell. You can always skip the parikrama for your safety and the safety of your travel group.
- Make a habit of checking the weather before traveling. Do not travel during heavy rain or bad weather.
- Make sure you obtain the Chinese Visa, and Travel Permit for the Tibetan Autonomous Region(TAR) from the tour operator/travel agency.
- Get travel insurance which covers high altitude sickness, emergency medical help, and evacuation for your safety.
- Do not forget to bring necessary medications including Diamox for high-altitude sickness.
- Make sure to drink plenty of water during the trip to avoid altitude sickness.
- Since ATMs are not available during the trip, carry enough cash. (Chinese Yuan is a must)
- Use a SIM card with international roaming and install WeChat because other apps are banned in Tibet.
- Pack only the essentials like warm layers, windproof jackets, thermal wear, gloves, woolen socks, trekking shoes, trekking poles, sunscreen, toiletries, dry fruits, and energy bars.
- Do not dip directly in Lake Mansarovar as it is prohibited. But you are allowed to take holy water from the lake in a bucket and bathe.
