Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Easy
5,630m at Dolma La Pass
May to October
10 Days / 9 Nights
Dolma La Pass: At Dolma La Pass, reach the highest point of your route, for this dramatic saddle, which is draped with prayer flags, stands at an altitude of 5,630 meters.
Gauri Kund: At Gauri Kund, look at the remarkable emerald waters of this sacred pond as soon as you have come down from the pass.
Sacred Circumambulation: Sacred Circumambulation: Complete successfully the 52km Kailash Parikrama distance, covering it over three days in a strategic manner.
Panoramic Vistas: Enjoy panoramic views of the towering peak of Mount Gurla Mandhata (7,728m) and the contrasting dark waters of Lake Rakshastal.
Chiu Monastery: Visit this old gompa which has historically been situated on the northwestern shore of the sacred lake.
Spiritual Cleansing: Take part in a deep lakeside puja and soak yourself in the turquoise waters while on your Lake Mansarovar Yatra.
Gateway to the Heavens: By passing through Yamdwar, the highly respected portal, you will have reached the official starting point of your holy circumambulation in Tibet.
For millions of devotees all over the world, finishing the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is the highest point of their spiritual ambitions. Yet the demands of modern life usually mean that there isn’t much time available for long journeys, and the great physical endurance needed for the tough overland trip across the Tibetan plateau can be more than one can bear. The best option is our well-organized 10-day Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by helicopter. At an altitude of 6,638 metres, Mount Kailash stands as the supreme sanctuary of enlightenment, while the pure Lake Mansarovar quietly shines at an altitude of 4,590 meters.
The great Mount Kailash pilgrimage is of great importance to four different religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and the old Bon faith. People who follow these religions come together on the basis of the belief that finishing the journey will lead to spiritual liberation (moksha) and will cleanse one of the sins accumulated over a lifetime. The itinerary has been prepared by the experts from Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure and makes use of the very efficient Simikot-Hilsa aerial route. Since it avoids the tiring multi-day road journey, this special package enables you to save your physical strength for the holy trek itself.
When one looks at the best Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route, the 10-day air itinerary stands out for both comfort and time efficiency. Your trip begins with a commercial domestic flight from Kathmandu to the lowland trading centre of Nepalgunj, after which you are transferred by a smaller aircraft into the remote and rugged mountains of Simikot in the Humla district.
The most exciting part of the journey is the scenic helicopter flight which cuts through the gorge of the Karnali River and drops you exactly at the border town of Hilsa. Once you have crossed the suspension bridge into the Tibet Autonomous Region, a short drive by land takes you to Taklakot (Purang), where you will stop to carry out essential acclimatization before starting the final section towards the lakes and the mountains. This well-organized sequence of logistical arrangements means that the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Nepal is now possible for modern travelers. If you have extra time, you might also look into our traditional overland choices such as the Kailash Yatra Overland by 4WD Land Cruiser
When you arrive in the lively capital of Nepal, our team will take you to your hotel. After receiving a detailed briefing on high-altitude procedures, you will have the evening at your disposal. Many tourists take this opportunity to obtain blessings at the Pashupatinath Temple.
Following a leisurely morning, you take a domestic flight to Nepalgunj, a busy city close to the Indian border, because of its low altitude and warm climate which make it the ideal logistical staging point before moving into the Himalaya.
Get up early in order to take a thrilling fixed-wing flight to Simikot (2,910m). From there you will switch to a chartered helicopter for a quick and dramatic journey to the border at Hilsa. Once you have gone through the Chinese immigration procedures, you will meet your Tibetan guide and drive up onto the plateau to Taklakot.
At an altitude of just under 4,000 meters your body needs time to get used to the thinner air, so during the day you should rest, keep yourself well hydrated and go for short, slow walks around the local markets in this old trading town.
Your Lake Mansarovar Yatra starts today. As you drive over the huge, dry area, you will see for the first time the magnificent Mount Kailash. When you get to the sacred lake, you should carry out your rituals, take your holy dips and perform the pujas by the lake before moving into the accommodation near the Chiu Monastery.
To get there you take a bus to Darchen (4,560m), which is the base camp for the mountain, and then proceed to Yamdwar. From this holy gateway the famous kora is started. Today's journey is a steady 12-kilometer walk in the Lha Chu Valley and finishes right under the magnificent North Face of Kailash.
It is the hardest yet the most spiritually fulfilling day, involving the traversal of 22 kilometers within an 8 to 10 hour period as you climb up steep and rocky ground to the snow-covered Dolma La Pass. You then say your prayers before descending quickly past the green waters of Gauri Kund and finally arriving at the valley floor at Zuthul Puk.
The last part of your trek will cover about 8 kilometers over gentle ground. When you get to Zhongdo, a vehicle will be there to take you back past the lakes and then return to Taklakot for the night in order that you may celebrate the completion of your circumambulation.
If you reverse your route, you should drive back to Hilsa, take a helicopter to Simikot, then go by fixed-wing aircraft to Nepalgunj and finally connect with a domestic flight which will take you back to the comfort of Kathmandu.
After having breakfast, your representative will take you to Tribhuvan International Airport so that you can continue your journey, thus concluding your remarkable Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage.
The precise Kailash Mansarovar Yatra cost will vary according to the number of people in your group and the date on which you leave, but we do have a transparent pricing policy.
There is no other journey around the world like the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra that brings together four major religious beliefs. For people who follow the Bon religion, the mountain is called Yungdrung Gu Tse, a mystical nine-storied swastika mountain and the place where all spiritual power is located. The Hindus regard the summit as the earthly embodiment of Mount Meru and as the eternal meditative home of Lord Shiva. The Buddhists see the mountain as Kang Rinpoche, the abode of the deity Demchok (Samvara), who symbolizes supreme bliss. As for the Jains, they call it Mount Ashtapada, which is the precise location where their first Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha, attained liberation (moksha).
It is believed by the devotees that going around the mountain top removes one’s karmic obligations. Interestingly, both Hindus and Buddhists walk in a clockwise direction while the Jains and the Bon followers go in a counterclockwise direction. If you want to carry your cultural immersion further, you might also consider looking into the Simikot trek.
It is important to establish the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra best time since the climate in the Himalayas is severe. Operation is only possible from May to October, and although the days are warmer in the summer the nights often fall below freezing.
The process of dealing with the bureaucracy involved in entering Tibet is complicated, which is the reason why our team handles the arrangement of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra permit. Independent travel in this area is legally strictly forbidden.
To learn more about local rules, read our guide at /destination/tibet-tour-adventure/tibet-overland-tours/.
It is a difficult and high-altitude expedition; although the helicopter portion of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by helicopter eliminates the fatigue associated with driving overland, the three-day trekking section is still physically demanding. To cross the 5,630m Dolma La Pass one needs a good level of cardiovascular fitness. Even though our ground team carries supplementary oxygen for emergency use, the participants had better be in good physical health and, ideally, should do a tough program of walking and cardiovascular exercise two to three months prior to the trip. The trip is usually recommended for healthy people up to the age of 65 years.
When assessing Kailash Mansarovar Yatra tour operators, safety, experience and connections with local people are of the utmost importance. Himalaya Travel and Adventure has achieved outstanding operational standards in the Himalayan region. We have at our disposal an elite group of high-altitude Sherpas together with skilled Tibetan ground staff, which ensures that both spiritual understanding and physical safety are maintained. Our perfect record when it comes to processing permits and our ability to obtain preferred helicopter charter times make us the first choice for your Kailash Mansarovar Yatra tour.
Spaces for the Kailash Yatra 2026 season are being quickly taken up because of the strict permit limits. Get your place on the best Mount Kailash pilgrimage now with Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure.
Contact us now for custom dates, group booking discounts, and comprehensive travel preparation
The journey to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet is considered a sacred pilgrimage and is esteemed by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bon followers as one which cleanses sins and results in spiritual liberation.
As the name suggests, the round trip lasts 10 days from the time you arrive in Kathmandu until your final departure, the use of helicopters enabling a saving of almost a week when compared to overland routes.
Yes, although there are always weather-related delays when flying in mountainous areas, our helicopters are operated by experienced alpine pilots since the altitude increases quickly and that is why we require a strict rest day in Taklakot to ensure safe acclimatization.
The best time for window is between May and October, staying away from the severe winter snows which block the higher passes.
For this particular Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Kathmandu you fly to Nepalgunj, then take a helicopter from Simikot to the Hilsa border and drive overland to the sacred lake.
You need the Tibet Travel Permit, the Chinese Group Visa, the Alien’s Travel Permit (PSB), and the Military Area Permit, and our team will carry out all the applications on your behalf.
The cost will vary according to the season, the number of people in the group, and the current flight prices. To get an exact quote for 2026, please complete our booking form.
The full circuit (Kora) around the mountain is 52 kilometers in length and typically takes three days to complete by hiking.
Yes, senior citizens who are medically fit do regularly go on the journey. But in the case of people who are unable to walk the 52km route, they generally arrange to hire ponies at Darchen or choose to remain at Lake Mansarovar while the rest of the group carries out the trek.
The summit of the trek reaches 5,630 meters and is physically demanding because of the thin air, necessitating a slow and careful pace together with mental resilience.
Yes, the ground support team do have emergency oxygen cylinders, but these are only used when there is a medical need and not for recreational convenience.
A valid passport (guaranteeing a minimum validity of six months), photographs of the passport size, and a medical certificate proving fitness are required. We will prepare and submit the forms in Kathmandu.
Certainly. The route by helicopter through Nepal is much faster and entails less physically demanding overland travel than the conventional routes operated by the Indian government through Lipulekh or Nathu La.
It includes information on flights, helicopters, permits, meals in Tibet, English-speaking guides, ground transport, and accommodation. (Please refer to the full list in Section 8).
Search for agencies that have more than ten years’ experience in operations, have solid emergency evacuation procedures, offer clear pricing, and are already working with local Tibetan guides.
An high-quality thermal base layer, a down jacket rated for temperatures between -10°C and -15°C, waterproof trekking boots, trekking poles, a hat offering high UV protection, sunglasses, and your personal medications.
It’s not obligatory, and a number of pilgrims do splash some of the water on their heads because of the cold temperature of the water, which has the same spiritual value.
The Hindus regard it as Shiva’s abode, the Buddhists as the home of Demchok, the Jains see it as the place where their first leader attained enlightenment, and the Bon followers consider it to be the spiritual center of the universe.
Not at all. After you have left Kathmandu and Nepalgunj, there is virtually no access to ATMs. So it is necessary to take with you enough cash for your personal expenses and for tips.
You are able to hike 10 to 15 kilometers each day with only slight changes in elevation at sea level, and it is strongly advised that you do some pre-trip cardiovascular training, hiking, and strength exercises.
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