Kailash Mansarovar by Helicopter
Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. 2027 season, 9 days from Lucknow.
- 9 Days / 8 Nights
- Flight, helicopter and road
- Highest night 4,890 m
- From Lucknow
A pilgrimage, not a holiday
Journey Overview
The short route. A flight to Simikot and a helicopter over the Himalaya to Hilsa cut out the long overland drive, so the whole pilgrimage fits into nine days from Lucknow. The journey travels from Lucknow through Nepal into Tibet, reaching Lake Mansarovar at 4,500 m and the north face of Mount Kailash. Acclimatisation days are built in on purpose, which is why it is 9 days and not fewer.
- Kailash KoraThree days on foot, or darshan at Yamadwar
- Stays throughoutHotels in towns, guest houses on the circuit
- Indian vegetarian mealsCooks travel with the group
- Guides and support crewNepalese, Chinese and Sherpa support
The altitude, not the distance, is what makes this journey hard.
2027 dates are not announced yet. Private journeys through Nepal run on their own operator dates and are separate from the official Yatra. Leave your number and we will call you the moment departures are confirmed.
Detailed Itinerary
Every day, with the altitude you sleep at.
- Day 1Lucknow to NepalganjLow altitude
Met at Lucknow and driven to the border. After the formalities, cross to Nepalganj on the Nepal side, check in and gather for the pre-departure briefing.
- Day 2Nepalganj to Simikot, Hilsa and TaklakotAltitude 3,900 m
3,900 mA fifty minute flight to Simikot, then the Humla permit formalities and a twenty minute helicopter to Hilsa on the border. Cross into Tibet and drive to Taklakot.
- Day 3Taklakot, acclimatisationAltitude 3,900 m
3,900 mA walk through the town and an otherwise free day. This day is not padding: it is what makes the altitude ahead manageable.
- Day 4Taklakot to Lake MansarovarAltitude 4,500 m
4,500 mA drive of roughly 80 km to the lake, lunch on its shore, then the Mansarovar Parikrama by bus. Night at a guest house at Chiu Gompa.
- Day 5Mansarovar to Yamadwar and DerapukAltitude 4,890 m
4,890 mDrive 48 km to Yamadwar, where the Kora begins, then trek about 12 km to Derapuk below the north face. Pilgrims who are not walking the circuit take darshan at Yamadwar and stay at Darchen.
- Day 6Derapuk to ZuthulphukAltitude 4,790 m
4,790 mThe long day, about 22 km on foot or by horse, with a packed lunch. It is not a steep climb, but the altitude makes it hard work.
- Day 7Zuthulphuk to Maniwall and TaklakotAltitude 4,500 m4,500 m
About 8 km down to the pickup point at Maniwall, then the drive back to Taklakot past Mansarovar.
- Day 8Taklakot to Simikot and NepalganjLow altitude
Cross the border, helicopter to Simikot and fly on to Nepalganj for the night.
- Day 9Return to LucknowLow altitude
Transfer to Lucknow airport for your onward flight home.
Inclusions
- Accommodation in the hotels and guest houses listed for each journey
- All meals, pure vegetarian Indian food on full board, cooked by an Indian cook who travels with the group
- Transport by bus or van throughout Nepal and Tibet
- Tibet China visa, Tibet entry permit, area entry permits, local taxes and the Mansarovar parikrama fee
- A support truck for food and luggage, and yaks with their handlers during the parikrama
- Nepalese guide speaking English and Hindi, a Chinese guide speaking English, and Sherpa support
- Medical first aid and an oxygen cylinder carried with the group
- A down jacket, duffle bag, day pack and passport holder
- Flights between Nepalganj and Simikot, both ways
- The helicopter between Simikot and Hilsa
Exclusions
- Personal horse hire during the parikrama
- A personal porter
- Travel insurance
- Rescue and emergency evacuation
- Medical and hospital expenses if you fall ill on the journey
- Extra nights caused by weather, landslides or any change outside the plan
- Drinks, tips and anything else of a personal nature
Where You Sleep
Hotels in the towns, guest houses on the plateau and the circuit. Simple by necessity, not by choice.
- NepalganjNepalganjHotel Soaltee, Cignet Krishna or similar
- Simikot and HilsaSimikot and HilsaHotel Mansarovar
- TaklakotTaklakotHotel Himalaya
- Lake MansarovarLake MansarovarParmartha or Lake View guest house
- DarchenDarchenHotel Himalaya
- DerapukDerapukWangda guest house
- ZuthulphukZuthulphukTorfe guest house
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the 2027 dates open?
The Government of India had not announced the 2027 schedule or registration dates at the time of writing. They are published on kmy.gov.in, and selection for the official Yatra is by computerised draw. Private journeys through Nepal run on their own dates and do not use the ballot.
What is the difference between the official Yatra and a private journey?
The official Yatra is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs through Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand or Nathu La Pass in Sikkim, and you have to be selected in a draw. A private journey travels through Nepal into Tibet, has no ballot, and has its own permits, itinerary, cost and border arrangements. They are separate things, and the details of either should be confirmed with the operator and the authorities before you commit.
Do I have to walk the Kora?
No. The Kora is the three-day walk around Mount Kailash and it is demanding because of the altitude rather than the gradient. Pilgrims who are not walking it go to Yamadwar, take darshan of Mount Kailash and complete three parikramas there, then wait at Darchen while the group walks. The journey is planned so this is a normal choice, not a failure.
How high does the journey go?
The highest night is at Derapuk, 4,890 m. Lake Mansarovar is 4,500 m and Darchen 4,600 m. Both journeys build in acclimatisation days before reaching that height, which is why neither is shorter than it looks.
How fit do I need to be?
Fit enough to walk for several hours on consecutive days at altitude. Being fit at sea level does not make the altitude easier, which surprises people every year. Walking regularly in the months beforehand is the preparation that actually helps.
What You Need to Travel
Permits and the Tibet China visa are arranged for the group, so documents have to reach us well before departure. Exact deadlines depend on your passport.
- A colour scan of your passport, for the permit application
- An ordinary passport valid six months or more. Diplomatic passports are not accepted
- Your original passport with four photographs, for the China visa stamp
- Indian passport holders should also carry a voter card
- Foreign passport holders reach Kathmandu three working days early for the Chinese visa
Begin Your 2027 Journey
Tell us your dates. We will handle the permits, the plan and the altitude.