Kailash Mansarovar, Muktinath and Pashupatinath

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Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar

About Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Hindus believe Kailash is the home of Lord Shiva, and the mountain is also sacred to Buddhists, Jains and followers of Bon. The Chinese names are Kangrinboqe for the peak and Mapam Yumco for the lake.

Pilgrims bathe or take a sip of water at Lake Mansarovar, then walk the Kailash parikrama (kora), a circuit of about 52 km around the mountain, usually done over 3 days. Nobody climbs the peak itself. Walking around it is the act of devotion. The Indus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra and Karnali rivers are said to rise in this region.

The yatra is a high-altitude journey. You will spend days above 4,500 m, so fitness, slow acclimatisation and a medical check beforehand matter as much as the booking.

Why it is sacred

Hinduism

Kailash is the abode of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. A parikrama is believed to wash away the sins of a lifetime.

Buddhism

Buddhists see Kailash as the centre of the world and link it with Demchok, a deity of supreme bliss.

Jainism

Jains call the mountain Ashtapad, where the first Tirthankara, Rishabhadeva, is said to have attained liberation.

Bon

In the Bon tradition the mountain is the seat of spiritual power, and its pilgrims walk the kora in the opposite direction.

How a typical yatra runs

  1. Arrive in Kathmandu, Lucknow, Delhi or Lhasa, depending on the route.
  2. Cross into Tibet and spend a few days acclimatising on the way.
  3. Reach Lake Mansarovar for the holy dip, prayers and havan.
  4. Drive to Darchen, the base town for the Kailash parikrama.
  5. Walk the 3-day kora, then return by the same route.

What to carry

  • Warm layers, a windproof jacket and thermal wear.
  • Sturdy, broken-in trekking shoes and a walking stick.
  • Sun cap, sunglasses and sunscreen for strong UV at altitude.
  • Your regular medicines, as advised by your doctor.

Check with the operator what the package covers, such as stay, meals, permits, guide and transport.

See 2027 dates and routes Read the itinerary

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2027

Season, routes and how to book for 2027. Updated November 2026. Dates are indicative until confirmed, so check before you pay.

Government yatra (MEA)

Run by the Ministry of External Affairs through Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La (Sikkim). The 2027 schedule is not announced yet. In 2026 it ran June to August, with 10 batches of 50 pilgrims on each route, and applications were open from 30 April to 19 May on kmy.gov.in.

Registration and booking

By road via Kathmandu

Private tour of about 13 to 14 days, overland through Kerung. Indian passport holders can join. Season: May to September 2027.

From Nepal From Delhi

By helicopter via Nepalgunj

The shortest private option, about 10 days from Lucknow, flying in over the Simikot route. Season: May to September 2027.

Helicopter tour From Lucknow

Via Lhasa (Tibet route)

A longer overland tour of about 18 days that starts from Lhasa. Open to Indian and non-Indian travellers.

Lhasa to Kailash

Season

MayJuneJulyAugustSeptember

Full moon (Purnima) batches fall around 20 May, 19 June and 17 August 2027. They are the most popular and fill first.

Before you book

  • Valid passport, and a medical fitness check for high altitude.
  • The Nathu La route is motorable. The Lipulekh route involves trekking.
  • With a private operator, confirm that all travel documents are complete before departure.

Frequently asked questions

When will Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2027 take place?

Private tours via Nepal and Tibet generally run from May to September. The government (MEA) yatra for 2027 has not been announced yet. In 2026 it ran from June to August, so check kmy.gov.in each spring for the 2027 schedule.

How do I apply for the government Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?

Apply online on kmy.gov.in when the Ministry of External Affairs opens registration. In 2026 applications opened on 30 April and closed on 19 May. Selection is a computerised, random, gender-balanced draw, with 10 batches of 50 pilgrims each through Lipulekh Pass and Nathu La Pass.

Can I go with a private tour operator in 2027?

Yes. Private tours run overland via Kathmandu, by helicopter via Nepalgunj and Simikot, and via Lhasa. In June 2026 the MEA advised pilgrims using private operators to keep their documents complete, after some Indian citizens were stranded in Nepal.

Which route is best for senior citizens?

The MEA describes the Nathu La route in Sikkim as motorable and suitable for senior citizens who cannot do long treks. The helicopter route is the shortest private option at about 10 days from Lucknow. Choose by fitness and time available.

What is the best time to go in 2027?

May to September. Full moon (Purnima) batches, around 20 May, 19 June and 17 August 2027, are the most popular and fill first, so book early.

Ask for 2027 dates and price Official updates: kmy.gov.in

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