Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter from Kathmandu
- Duration:
- 11 Days
- Price:
- From USD3200
- Route:
- Kathmandu - Nepalgunj - Simikot - Hilsa - Taklakot - Mansarovar - Darchen - Mt Kailash Kora - Hilsa - Simikot - Nepalgunj - Lucknow
- Season:
-
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Tour Type:
- Group Tour
- Group Size:
- Max 20
Overview
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter package is not just an adventure but a soulful spiritual journey. The journey begins in Kathmandu, with visits to Pashupatinath, Gujeswari Shaktipith, and Jalnarayan Temple. These visits symbolize reverence to the three divine cosmic powers—Shiva, Shakti, and Vishnu—preparing the body and soul for the sacred Kailash Yatra in a complete and blessed state. Then you will be flying from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and from Nepalgunj to Simikot with scheduled flights. On Simikot /Hilsa/Simikot sectors, you will take a special chartered helicopter flight. Then drive across the Nepal-Tibet border to Taklakot (also called Purang in Tibet).
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is named after two holy, spiritual and religiously significant sites: Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. Lake Mansarovar lies at the foot of Mt.Kailash. The lake is considered a symbol of purity and it is believed that a dip in its holy water can cleanse one’s sins. After visiting the holy lake, you will start your Mt.Kailash kora/parikrama on foot, an ancient ritual of devotion that is believed by pilgrims to bring good fortune in one’s life. Afterward, you will return to Lucknow and next day take an onward flight with fresh energy and a refreshing perspective on life.
Day | Route | Attractions & Activities | Accommodation | Meals |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Arrival in Kathmandu | Pick up from the airport | Kathmandu, 3★/5★ | D |
2 | Half-Day Kathmandu Pilgrimage Sightseeing & Fly to Nepalgunj | Pashupatinath, Gujeswari Shaktipith, Jalnarayan Temple | Nepalgunj, 3★/5★ | B,L,D |
3 | Fly from Nepalgunj to Simikot then to Hilsa, Drive to Taklakot | Combination of flights and drive | Taklakot, 3★ | B,L,D |
4 | Taklakot | Acclimatization in Taklakot | Taklakot, 3★ | B,L,D |
5 | Taklakot - Mansarovar Lake, 80km, Approx. 2hrs | Mansarovar Parikrama | Mansarovar, Guesthouse | B,L,D |
6 | Mansarovar – Darchen, 35km, Approx. 1hr | Puja, Mansarovar Parikrama | Darchen, Guesthouse/4★ | B,L,D |
7 | Mt Kailash Kora①: Darchen - Dirapuk, Trek 10km, Approx. 6~7hrs | Mount Kailash Kora | Dirapuk, Guesthouse | B,L,D |
8 | Mt Kailash Kora②: Dirapuk - Zutulpuk, Trek 22km, Approx. 8~9hrs | Mount Kailash Kora | Zutulpuk, Guesthouse | B,L,D |
9 | Mt Kailash Kora③: Zutulpuk - Darchen, Trek 8km, 3hrs; Drive to Hilsa, 120km, 2hrs | Mount Kailash Kora | Hilsa, Guesthouse | B,L,D |
10 | Fly to Simikot and then Nepalgunj, Drive to Lucknow | Nepalgunj Airport | Lucknow, 3★/4★/5★ | B,L,D |
11 | Final departure to Lucknow | Send off to the airport | B |
Daily Itinerary
CollapseUpon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be greeted at the Tribhuvan International Airport and transferred to the hotel. It’s only 6km from the airport to the downtown area. Later, we will have a small briefing session on the trip and meet the other members of the group and stay overnight at the hotel.
Stay overnight in Kathmandu
- Meals:
- Dinner
Today, we will visit several famous Hindu temples in the Kathmandu Valley, including Pashupatinath, Gujeswari Shaktipith, and Jalnarayan Temple, to seek blessings from Lord Shiva, the Shakti Peeth, and Lord Vishnu, respectively. After lunch, we will head to the domestic terminal of the airport and board a flight to Nepalgunj.
Stay overnight in Nepalgunj
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
In the early morning, you will be transferred to Nepalgunj airport for your flight to Simikot. The flight between Nepalgunj and Simikot takes about an hour. Next, you will take a chartered helicopter flight of approximately 20 minutes to the village of Hilsa. Here, the Karnali River flows out from the Tibetan Plateau into the mountain ranges and eventually heads toward the Ganges. We will complete the immigration process in Hilsa before traveling 30 kilometers upstream along the Karnali River to the town of Taklakot (3,900 meters).
Stay overnight in Taklakot
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Today you will spend the day in Taklakot to adapt to the high altitude and the surrounding environment. There are options for short hikes in the nearby area.
Stay overnight in Taklakot
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
After breakfast, we will drive to Mansarovar, one of the most sacred and beautiful lakes in the world, located at an altitude of 4,560 meters. We will make a brief stop at Rakshas Tal to appreciate its serene beauty. This lake is also known as the "Lake of the Demon" or Ravana Tal, as legend has it that Ravana built it to gain powers by meditating on Lord Shiva. Locals believe the saltwater lake is poisonous.
Afterward, we will continue toward Mansarovar Lake. It is said that the lake overflows and flushes out the salty water of Rakshas Tal. After lunch, we will do a partial Mansarovar parikrama and get back in the evening.
Overnight by the lakeside of Mansarovar
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
We will get into our spiritual selves, and perform some rituals – puja at the bank of the holy lake Mansarovar. Our staff will provide a bucket of hot holy water for each yatri from Lake Mansarovar for bathing. After our puja and prayers, we will complete the parikrama of the Mansarovar Lake by jeep and continue to Darchen, situated on the foothills of Mount Kailash and considered the base camp for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. From Darchen, you can see the mighty west face of Mount Kailash.
Stay overnight in Darchen
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Welcome Dinner
We will begin the sacred three-day Kailash Parikrama. After breakfast, we will drive about 6 km to the small settlement of Tarboche, also known as Darboche. This is the starting point of the Kailash Kora, and is often referred to as the “Valley of Gods.” The legendary Yama Dwar, the “Gate of the Lord of Death,” is also located here.
From this point, you will begin your trek toward Diraphuk. After about 6 km, we will reach Chukku Monastery. We then continue our trek and eventually arrive at Diraphuk village, which sits directly beneath the north face of the sacred Mt. Kailash. Then, continue trekking to Dirapuk , standing at an elevation of 4,920m. This is the only place where you can see up close the mighty north face of Mt. Kailash.
Stay overnight stay at a guesthouse
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Today is the longest, hardest, but holiest day of your pilgrimage Yatra, and you will continue your Parikrama. After leaving Dirapuk for 3km, you will go uphill and see the sky burial platform. Keep moving 2 kilometers, you will reach the highest point of this divine trip - Droma La Pass (5,585m), full of fluttering prayer flags. After a short break, you will make a gentle descent from this pass, and you will spot a tiny glacial lake on the right side of the trail. This is Gauri Kunda. The legend of this pool is connected with Mata Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva.
After Gauri Kunda, you will be led downward along a steep and stony trail and eventually arrive at Juthulpuk village. This place is named after the renowned Juthulpuk Cave, also known as the “Miracle Cave” (Zruthulpuk Cave). Along the way, you will also see the legendary Buddha’s Footprints.
Stay overnight stay at a guesthouse
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
In the morning, we will visit the nearby famous Milarepa Cave and its temples. Then, we will follow an easy and flat trail, taking about 3 to 4 hours to complete the parikrama. We will return to the village of Darchen for lunch before heading back to Hilsa.
Stay overnight in Hilsa
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
After breakfast in Lucknow, we will fly to the village of Simikot. Upon reaching Simikot, we will fly again to Nepalgunj, one of the largest cities in Nepal. From there, we will either drive to Lucknow for our final departure or take a flight to Kathmandu for an overnight stay (the cost from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu and night stay in Kathmandu of INR 14,000 is not included).
Stay overnight in Lucknow
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Our Service
Inclusions
Documentation
- Tibet Permits
- Tibet Visas
- Special Kailash Mansarovar Permit
- Applicable Entrance Fees to above mentioned places
Transportation
- All ground transportation in private vehicles
- Airport Pickup and Drop Off Service
- Lucknow – Nepalgunj – Lucknow Drive
- Nepalgunj – Simikot – Nepalgunj Flight
- Simikot – Hilsa – Simikot Helicopter Flight
Accommodation
- 3/4/5* Accommodation in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj and other Best Available
- Twin Sharing Basis in Kathmandu, Nepalgunj, and Tibet, Group Sharing in Kailash Region
Support and Crew
- Nepali Guide and Tibetan Guide
- Nepali Crew Members in Kailash Region
Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (VEG)
- Drinking Water (3 bottles per day)
Sightseeing
- TIBET: Lake Mansarovar, Holy Mount Kailash, Milarepa Cave, Drolma La Pass, Yamadwar, Gauri Kunda
Equipment
- Medical Kits
- First Aid
- Oximeter daily check (Pulse and Oxygen Level)
- Enough Oxygen Cylinders
- Other Necessary Equipment
- Stick for Parikrama
Clothing
- Down Jacket on a returnable basis
- Duffle Bag
- Day Backpack
EXCLUSIONS
- The cost for hiring ponies and horsemen and the porters
- Items of personal nature as trekking equipment, bar bills, landry, telephone, calls internet, SIM card, extra mileage, personal gratuities such as tips to the staff at hotels, guide, driver, porter, Horse / Pony ride, etc.
- Expenses incurred by re-routing, inclement weather, floods, famine, political disruptions, strikes, riots and other disturbances;
- International Airfare
- Extra costs that may arise due to delay to receive Tibet Travel Permit and Visa, prolonged delays or postponement of flights due to technical reasons;
- All the obligations and fines like the death penalty of USD 1,000.00 and early return expenses, etc
- Personal insurance policy - suggested comprehensive travel insurance covering tour and flight cancellations, loss of valuables, thefts, illness, accidents and hospitalization
- Insurance that covers Trekking/ Travel/ Accident /Medical/Emergency evacuations, [Helicopter rescue]
- Emergency Circumstances
- Personal Expenses
- Extra Nights
- Any items and services not mentioned in the PRICE INCLUDE section;
Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients
Asked by Prad***
Hi,
We are from Kathmandu and interested in mansarovar trip. We wanted to understand the cost and availability of horses etc as one of the travellers will be an elderly.
Dear Prad***,
May I know your nationality, please? If you are entering Tibet from Nepal, you will be required to a China Group Visa which requires 4 participants to issue one. Also getting to Tibet in the middle of April, your military permit may not be able to secure in time, so usually we arrange the Kailash tour after 20 April. Is it possible to postpone your trip a little bit?
After your confirmation, I will quote you, as well as the cost of hiring horses.
Asked by Ajay***
Hi I am a Dutch national (Netherlands passport) of Indian origin (OCI card holder). I would like to take the 12 day Kathmandu - Kailash kora (helicopter) trip in september this year. Let me know the possibility. Thank you.
Dear Ajay****,
We can arrange the Mt.Kailash tour for you. However, few people take the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter from Kathmandu. It will be a private tour, and the price is high. So I suggest you consider the 12 Days Lhasa Mt Everest & Mt Kailash Kathmandu Group Tour.
Asked by anan***
We are 2 of us ( Indian passport holder) who are interested in Kailash manasarovar trip late September or early October 2023. can you please suggest how to proceed.
Dear anand***,
I'm afraid we can't arrange the Kailash Manasarovar tour for you this year as it's not yet resumed for Indian passport holders.
Please let me know without hesitation if you have any further questions or doubts. It is my pleasure to work with you at any time.
Asked by Taru***
Group of 4 age 41/72/72/72. Will like trip start from New Delhi or Kathmandu for Man Sarovar Lake and view of Kailash without trekking around Kailash Helicopter ok. Trip duration 10-11 days end of September beginning of October to include full moon at man sarovar
Dear Tarun,
May I know your nationalities, please? Are you from the US or India?
Also I noticed that there're three people in your group over 70s. Usually people with high blood pressure, respiratory, cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases, heart disease, pulmonary edema, etc. should avoid going to high-altitude places. Please consult your doctor before going to Tibet.