Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter from Lucknow

The journey from Nepalgunj to Simikot presents a challenging aspect of this trip, as the operation of the small aircraft is entirely contingent on weather conditions. The weather along this route is highly variable, often resulting in delays, whether brief or extended, for flights to and from Simikot. To facilitate boarding the earliest available flight to Simikot, we will arrive at Nepalgunj airport early in the morning as instructed by our guide. Upon arrival in Simikot, our representative will greet you at the airport and assist with your checked luggage. You will then have free time in Simikot to acclimatize to the weather conditions. Accommodation will be provided in a dormitory-style guesthouse. If the weather allows, we may also have the opportunity to take a helicopter trip to Hilsa on the same day.

Meals included: Vegetarian Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner,
Maximum Elevation: 2910m,
Distance Covered: 297 km by flight / 45 minutes,
Accommodation Type: Shared guesthouse.

It is important to note that, drawing from our previous experiences with weather-related issues, we have included an overnight stay in Simikot before proceeding to Tibet. Should the weather and circumstances allow, our local representative may arrange a helicopter transfer to Hilsa, followed by a drive to Taklakot on the same day.

The group will be transported to Simikot airport based on the scheduled departure times of our helicopters to Hilsa. From Simikot, a helicopter flight lasting 25 minutes will carry up to five travelers at a time to Hilsa. Upon arrival in Hilsa, participants will walk across a swinging bridge to reach the immigration counter on the Nepal side. After completing the necessary procedures, the group will cross the Nepal-China border on foot, where a bus will be waiting on the Chinese side. This bus will take you to the China immigration building, located just a five-minute drive from the border. Once immigration formalities are completed, a brief drive of 22 kilometers will take you to Taklakot. Before arriving at your hotel, there will be a stop at the China customs building for inspection. Afterward, you can check into your hotel and rest in your room to acclimatize. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be provided at the hotel in Taklakot.

Meals included: Vegetarian Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Maximum Elevation: 4025m.
Distance Covered: 25 minutes by helicopter on the Nepal side and a 22-kilometer drive on the China side.
Accommodation Style: 4-star equivalent hotel in Taklakot (or lodge if staying in Hilsa).

Important remark:  Hilsa is a remote border town in Nepal characterized by harsh climatic conditions. It is essential for all group members to cross the Nepal-China border together, as travel is conducted under a group permit and visa. Should there be any delays in crossing the border, individuals are encouraged to spend their time engaging in relaxation, yoga, meditation, or other personal activities. Such delays may lead to health issues due to the challenging environment, including dusty air, intense heat, or cold winds. Although a stay in Hilsa is not planned, unforeseen circumstances may arise, potentially resulting in a shortage of food and basic amenities. It is advisable to bring your own water bottles and light snacks, and to maintain patience during the journey. Please cooperate with the crew members, who are committed to ensuring your comfort to the best of their ability.

You will have a free day in Taklakot to acclimatize. Take this opportunity to relax at your hotel and enjoy some downtime. You can also explore the nearby markets, where you will find a variety of local shops, restaurants, and stores. This is a great chance to purchase travel essentials such as gloves, trekking poles, empty water bottles, and trekking shoes.

Meals included: Vegetarian Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Maximum Elevation: 4025 m.
Distance Covered: 0 km.
Accommodation: 4-star equivalent hotel in Taklakot.

This is the highly anticipated day as we depart from Taklakot to reach the sacred Mansarovar Lake. Not only will we have the chance to stay close to the lake, but we will also catch our first sight of the revered Mount Kailash. After breakfast, we will begin our journey from Taklakot. Along the way, we will pause at Lake Rakshas Taal, also known as Ravana’s Taal, where you can enjoy stunning views of Mount Kailash towering above the surrounding snow-capped peaks. Take some time at Rakshas Taal to create lasting memories and capture photographs with your loved ones. We will then continue to Chiu Gompa to check into our guesthouse near Lake Mansarovar. Later, you will have the opportunity to visit the lake for a holy bath and perform puja hawan according to your traditions. Afterward, join the group for a bus parikrama around the sacred lake. This 90-kilometer parikrama takes approximately three hours, and if time permits, the driver will stop at a vantage point to offer a different perspective of the lake and Mount Kailash. After completing the parikrama, return to your guesthouse to relax.

Meals included: Vegetarian Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Maximum Elevation: 4590m.
Distance Covered: 70 km to Chiu Gompa + 90 km parikrama of Mansarovar by bus.
Accommodation Style: Guesthouse Dormitory Style.

Night view of Lake Mansarovar:  It is completely safe to visit Lake Mansarovar at night to admire its beauty under the stars. However, it is recommended to travel in a small group and, if possible, to have a Sherpa guide accompany you for assistance. Additionally, be sure to dress warmly and bring a flashlight and walking stick.

Important Remark: Please be advised that taking a holy dip in the lake is no longer allowed and has been classified as an offense by the Chinese government. At the lake, you are required to request our sherpas to fetch water from the lake in a bucket, allowing you to bathe on the shore and conduct your puja.

In the early morning, if anyone wishes to visit Lake Mansarovar for a holy bath and puja, please do so promptly and after consulting with your guide. Today marks the beginning of our trek to Mount Kailash from Darchen, and we have a lengthy day ahead of us. After breakfast, we will embark on a 35-kilometer drive to Darchen, a sizable settlement located near the base of Mount Kailash, featuring numerous hotels, guest houses, shops, and markets. From Darchen, the parikrama of Mount Kailash commences as we continue with a 6-kilometer bus ride to the Tarboche flagpole. At Tarboche, you will have the opportunity to hire horses/ponies and porters for the trek; however, please be aware that during peak pilgrimage times, there may be a shortage or unavailability of these services.

Note: Don’t forget to fill hot drinking water in your flask and carry your snacks packet.

From this vantage point, you can enjoy a stunning view of the South Face of Mount Kailash, and Yam Dwar is just a short walk away. Yam Dwar, known as the Gate to Moksha, marks the beginning of the trek to Dirapuk, which is our destination for the day, located 12 kilometers ahead. Pilgrims typically take 4 to 6 hours to walk this distance. The trek is mostly flat, with some gentle inclines and declines. The thin air can lead to restlessness, making the journey a bit challenging. It is advisable to walk slowly, stay hydrated with water or juice, and keep progressing towards your goal. We will pause at a tea stall along the way, where you can purchase additional water and refreshments if needed.

Upon completing our trek, we will arrive at a vast valley adorned with small structures and chortens. To the right, a prominent black diamond-shaped mountain will rise majestically, representing the North Face of the sacred Mount Kailash. Feel free to take photographs, meditate, enjoy your meal, and then retire to your bed quickly, as the night temperatures can be quite low.

Meals included: Vegetarian Breakfast, Packed Lunch/Snacks, Light Dinner.
Maximum Elevation: 5210m.
Distance Covered: 35 km drive + 13 km trek.
Accommodation Style: Guesthouse Dormitory.

Note : Individuals who prefer to modify their itinerary and opt out of trekking will remain in Darchen, where they can directly settle their costs for lodging, meals, and any other supplementary expenses. Nevertheless, if their health allows, they are encouraged to visit Yam Dwar for a closer darshan of Mt. Kailash.

Visit Charan Sparsh from Dirapuk : Charan Sparsh, located at an elevation of 5,475 meters, is a 3-kilometer trek from Dirapuk. Travelers are encouraged to consult with a tour guide to embark on this short journey to reach the feet of Mt. Kailash, which is revered as the embodiment of Lord Shiva. Please note that this trek is not included in the standard package and is subject to weather conditions and the guide's recommendations. The trek covers a distance of 3 kilometers and typically takes about 2 hours one way, presenting a significant challenge.

Rise early today and step outside your guesthouse to experience the enchanting moment when Mount Kailash transforms its colors at dawn, offering you the divine sight of ‘Golden Kailash’. Stay alert and focused, as you may also be fortunate enough to observe other extraordinary occurrences around the mountain.

Following this unforgettable experience, embark on your challenging 19-kilometer trek to Zuthulpuk. Approximately one hour into your journey from Dirapuk, you will arrive at Dolma La pass, the highest and most demanding section of the trek. Close to Dolma La, you will encounter ‘Shiva Tsal’ (sometimes referred to as Shiva Sthal), where pilgrims leave behind clothing, jewelry, a drop of blood, or a lock of hair as a symbolic gesture of relinquishing their earthly ties and seeking liberation from suffering. After navigating the steep ascent to Dolma La and the subsequent descent, you will spot Gauri Kund (also known as Parvati Kund) on your right. Take a moment for a sacred darshan before continuing your trek to Zuthulpuk for the night. The path after Dolma is predominantly flat, but it is essential to pace yourself and remain with the group.

Meals included: Vegetarian Breakfast, Packed Lunch/Snacks, Light Dinner.
Maximum Elevation: 5630m.
Distance Covered: 19 km trekking.
Accommodation Style: Guesthouse Dormitory Style.

Important remark: Hot drinkable water and packed snacks for lunch will be made available in the morning by our crew. Please remember to carry it.

Important Note:  Individuals who choose to modify their itinerary at Dirapuk and wish to return to Darchen are required to cover all associated costs directly, including accommodation in Darchen, meals, transportation, and other expenses.

Breakfast will be served near the guesthouse/camp and one can enjoy the morning time in exploring the caves, visiting the temples and shrine built around. Here you will see a married old couple supervising the temple. The temple is a residence for over half a dozen Tibetan devotees, helpers or relatives who keep themselves busy with the maintenance of the buildings. The cave also contains meditation platforms. Climbing up to these caves before ending the final trek of the holy Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is worth. After a 06 kms / 2-3 hours walk we reach to the final destination of our Mansarovar Yatra trek near Chongdo where our vehicles are waiting to pick us. A 6 kms drive will bring us to Darchen where other group members are waiting to welcome us. After some refreshment continue drive back to Taklakot. Stay in the hotel.

Important Note: The air travel routes from Hilsa to Simikot to Nepalgunj are highly complex and entirely dependent on weather conditions. It is common to experience delays, rescheduling, or interruptions in flights along this route. Should you find yourself stranded in Hilsa due to weather, flight shortages, or other unforeseen circumstances, please be aware that Hilsa offers only basic accommodations and limited amenities for visitors. Health issues, particularly among older individuals, can arise, so it is recommended to remain with your group to ensure assistance is readily available if needed. Any additional nights spent in Hilsa, Simikot, or Nepalgunj upon your return are not included in the package. Should such a situation arise, the costs for extra accommodation and meals will be the responsibility of the travelers, payable directly to the Nepalese team. There will be no refunds or adjustments for any unused accommodations, meals, or services. While we do provide first aid facilities, any further medical expenses related to hospitalization or emergency evacuation must be covered by the traveler. Additionally, please note that hotel accommodations in Nepalgunj are not included in this package upon your return and will incur charges if requested.

Following an early breakfast, embark on a 45-kilometer drive to the China-Nepal border. After completing immigration procedures, proceed on foot across the border to reach Hilsa on the Nepal side. From there, take a 25-minute helicopter flight to Simikot, followed by a connecting flight to Nepalgunj. Upon arrival in Nepalgunj, drive to Lucknow for your onward journey. If all flight connections are timely, we should arrive in Lucknow by the evening. However, if there are delays, we may need to extend our stay at the previous location and wait for the next available flight.

Meals included: Vegetarian Breakfast
Maximum Elevation: 3640m (if Hilsa), 2910m (if Simikot), 152m (if Nepalgunj)
Total Distance: 1.5 hours drive + 25 minutes helicopter + 45 minutes flight + 190 meters drive.