Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Hilsa Border

(*This is only an estimate and can be based on you, your group and your interests. Our team will help you plan the perfect itinerary based on your requirements.)

This route is the shortest and the fastest to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarover and hence is best suited for pilgrims who have little time to spare for the journey.

The reason this route is so popular is that it has a combination of road trips, flight and helicopter rides that allows devotees to cover their journey to Kailash in the shortest time possible while still providing a great deal of spiritual experiences.

Route Overview:

Starting Point: Lucknow, India.
Major Stops: Lucknow → Nepalgunj → Simikot → Hilsa (Nepal–China border) → Taklakot (Purang, Tibet) → Lake Mansarovar → Darchen (base of Mount Kailash).
Overall Time: 9-10 days
Transport Modes: Combination of road, domestic flights and helicopters.

Day-by-Day Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Lucknow & Drive to Nepalgunj:

1. About 5-6 hours drive by bus.
2. Orientation on the basics and document check by our team.

Highest elevation: 150m
Overnight stay: Nepalgunj
Primary travel mode: Bus
Approximate travel distance: 188km

Day 2: Flight and drive to reach Taklakot from Nepalgunj:

1. You will travel in the morning through a 1-hour domestic flight to Simikot.
2. From Simikot, you will fly in a helicopter to Hilsa, enjoying the scenic mountains.
3. Permit and documentation check at Hilsa to cross  the border to enter China.
4. A short 45-minute drive to reach Taklakot.

* NOTE: There can be delays due to unpredictable weather. The flights will be adjusted as per the weather conditions. So, a day or two might be added to the journey.

Highest elevation: 4,755m (excluding flight)
Overnight stay: Taklakot
Primary travel mode: Plane, Helicopter and Bus
Approximate travel distance: 272km

Day 3: Rest Day in Taklakot(for altitude adjustment)

• Short hikes and rest to prepare for higher altitudes.
• Explore the local market.

Day 4: Drive from Taklakot to Darchen through Mansarovar:

1. A short 2 hours drive to reach Lake Mansarovar from Taklakot.
2. A full day of exploration at the Mansarovar lake.
3. Indulge in ritual bathing and meditation by the sacred lake.(Pilgrims are no longer allowed to bathe in the lake)
4. Stop at Rakshas taal.
5. Visit to Chiu Gompa.
6. A drive to Darchen for your overnight stay.

Highest elevation: 4,670m
Overnight stay: Darchen
Primary mode of travel: Bus
Approximate travel distance: 160km

Day 5-7: Kailash Parikrama(52 km).

Travel clockwise through the following places:

Day 5: Darchen → Dira puk

• Drive from DARCHEN to Yamadwar.
• The Kailash Parikrama starts from here.
• If pilgrims opt out of the Kailash Parikrama, they return to Darchen. Else, others carry on with the Kailash Parikrama(Kora).
• Trek from Yamadwar to DIRA PUK.

Highest elevation: 4,860m
Overnight stay: Dira Puk
Primary mode of travel: Bus and Trek
Approximate travel distance: 8km (Bus), 7km (Trek)

 Day 6: Dira Puk → Zutul Puk

• We start our trek at 4am.
• Cross the DOLMA LA (5,630 m) border and descend to ZUTUL PUK(4,700 m).
• If we reach ZUTUL PUK by 2-3pm, we continue our journey to Taklakot without halt. Else, If we reach ZUTUL PUK later than 3-4 pm, we stay the night at ZUTUL PUK.
• This is the most challenging day of the trek.

Highest elevation: 5,630m
Overnight stay: Darchen or Zutul Puk
Primary travel mode: Trek
Approximate travel distance: 22km

Day 7: Zutul Puk → Taklakot

• If we stay in ZUTUL PUK the previous day, we continue our journey at 7am.
• Trek to Zongdui.
• This marks the end of the Kailash Parikrama(Kora).
• Drive from Zongdui to Taklakot following the same route back i.e. through Darchen and Mansarovar.

Highest elevation: 5,630m 
Overnight stay: Taklakot
Primary travel mode: Trek(12km), Bus(128km)
Approximate travel distance: 140km

Day 8: Drive from Takalkot to Hilsa and a helicopter flight from Hilsa to Simikot:

• We will leave early in the morning with a drive to Hilsa.
• Documentation check for exit from China and re-entry to Nepal at immigration offices.
• We re-enter Nepal and get on a flight to Simikot from Hilsa.
• We stay at Simikot and explore local villages and markets.

Highest elevation: 2,910m (excluding flight)
Overnight stay: Simikot
Primary travel mode: Helicopter and Bus
Approximate travel distance: 119km

Day 9: Fly from Simikot to Nepalgunj and Drive to Lucknow:

• Early morning flight from Simikot to Nepalgunj.
• Drive from Nepalgunj to Lucknow.
• Our team will safely drop you at your accommodation in Lucknow and then we will part ways till your next journey with us.

Primary travel mode: Plane and Bus
Approximate travel distance: 334km

Technical Details:

• Maximum Altitude: 5,630 m at Dolma La Pass.
• Altitude Adjustment Needs: Very high. This route has rapid altitude gains–rest days in Taklakot are essential to avoid AMS(Acute Mountain Sickness/Altitude Sickness).
• Physical Difficulty: Moderate. While travel days are shorter, high-altitude trekking during the Parikrama is demanding.

Permits Required:

1. Chinese Group Visa (Processed in Kathmandu or Lucknow)
2. Tibet Travel Permit.
3. Restricted Area Permits for Simikot and Hilsa (Nepal)
4. Military Permit(for Tibet border zones).

Why Choose This Route?

• Comparatively less time is needed . So, it is perfect for pilgrims with limited time.
• Great for travelers who prefer less road travel and more aerial travel.
• Perfect for devotees who want to spend maximum time at the sacred sites rather than on long road journeys.

Promotional Note:

Our Lucknow – Hilsa – Kailash package is the best option for pilgrims seeking a short, efficient and spiritually fulfilling yatra. We handle all logistics (including flights, helicopters, permits and experienced guides) so you can focus entirely on your inner journey.