National News: The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is regarded as one of the most challenging, yet deeply spiritual and fulfilling pilgrimages in the world. Every year, this pilgrimage is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, where 60 pilgrims are sent in 16 different batches between May 29 and September 26. Each batch completes the yatra in 28 days.
An Extraordinary Path to the Divine
The total distance from Delhi to Kailash Mansarovar is around 900 kilometers, with altitudes ranging from 15,000 feet to 19,000 feet. This journey challenges not only one’s physical endurance but also their mental resilience. Due to the harsh conditions, travel insurance is not available, and pilgrims must take the journey at their own risk, cost, and responsibility.
Pilgrims are allowed to carry up to 25 kg of luggage, including 5 kg of food. Only Indian citizens between the ages of 18 and 70 who are physically and mentally fit are eligible to undertake the yatra.
Route Options for the Yatra
Route 1: Through Uttarakhand (India)
This is the traditional and most challenging route. It includes trekking, steep climbs, and narrow paths.
Travel Path: Delhi → Kathgodam → Haldwani → Kausani → Bageshwar → Dharchula → Tawaghat → Pangla → Sirkha → Gala → Malpa → Budhi → Gunji → Kalapani → Lipulekh Pass → Taklakot (Tibet) → Barkha → Tarchen → Deraphuk → Mount Kailash
India side journey: 14 days (127 km on foot + 1,306 km by road = 1,433 km)
China side journey: 13 days (53 km on foot + 411 km by vehicle = 464 km)
Total journey: 27 days (180 km on foot + 1,717 km by road = 1,897 km)
After reaching Dharchula, the trek begins from Pangla, and pilgrims walk through difficult mountain terrains before crossing into Tibet via the Lipulekh Pass. This route was shut down in 1962 after the India-China war but reopened in 1981 due to efforts by leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Subramanian Swamy.
There are ashrams, dharamshalas, porters, mules, and yaks available en route. The first Tibetan town on this path is Taklakot, where the body is acclimatized to the high altitude.
Route 2: Via Kathmandu (Nepal)
This is a more convenient and shorter route, lasting about 15 days. It is operated by Nepalese private travel agencies authorized by the Chinese government.
Travel Path: Delhi → Kathmandu (by flight) → Friendship Bridge → Naylam → Saga → Prayang → Mansarovar → Mount Kailash
After completing permits and health check-ups in Delhi, pilgrims fly to Kathmandu, where they often visit Pashupatinath Temple before heading toward the Nepal-China border at the Friendship Bridge.
At the border, Chinese officials verify documents. The first stop in Tibet is Naylam (altitude: 3,700 meters), where pilgrims rest to acclimatize. Daily road travel covers 260–270 kilometers, stopping at towns like Saga and Prayang along the way before reaching Mansarovar.
Route 3: Helicopter Journey via Nepalganj (Fastest but Most Expensive)
This route is the quickest and most convenient way to reach Kailash, though it is also the most expensive option.
Travel Path: Nepalganj → Simikot (by flight) → Hilsa → Taklakot (by helicopter) → Lake Mansarovar (by road) → Mount
In this route, pilgrims travel from Nepalganj to Simikot, then fly by helicopter to Hilsa, and from there to Taklakot. The remaining part of the journey is carried out by road travel. This route is ideal for those who want a shorter and less physically demanding option, but it comes with a high price tag.
Mansarovar and Mount Kailash
Once pilgrims arrive in Taklakot, they travel 72 kilometers by road to reach Lake Mansarovar, where they perform ritual bathing and offer prayers. From there, they head to Tarchen, the base camp of Mount Kailash. The sacred Parikrama (circumambulation) of Mount Kailash is done on foot and is the most spiritual part of the journey.
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is more than just a pilgrimage—it's a test of faith, endurance, and devotion. No matter which route a pilgrim takes—be it the traditional trek through India, the road journey via Nepal, or the aerial route from Nepalganj—each path comes with its unique set of hardships and spiritual rewards. With divine landscapes and spiritual energy all around, it remains one of the most unforgettable journeys a devotee can undertake.
