Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is an expedition to Mount Kailash. It is a sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and the Bon religion. This is an arduous trek but a rewarding spiritual experience for devotees, providing a glimpse of the sacred peak in the Tibetan Plateau and the great Himalayan peaks. It is an annual pilgrimage that occurs between May and late September or early October. Every year, hundreds of pilgrims, mountaineers, and trekkers take part in the expedition for their own purposes. If you are planning a Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2026, here is your comprehensive travel guide to help you plan the journey. From the complete information about the permits to the best time to visit, we have covered everything crucial for the trip.
Kailash Mansarovar is a sacred site for Hindus, which is a popular religion in India, but Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are not a part of India. They are located in western Tibet in Ngari. It is situated at a high altitude of 6638 metres above sea level in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. It is near the tri-junction of India, Nepal, and China.
Near Mount Kailash, two lakes, Mansarovar and Rakshastal, are located. Mansarovar is a freshwater lake, situated at an elevation of 4600 m. Whereas, Rakashastal or the “Lake of Demons”, is located near Mansarovar Lake, symbolizes darkness and is known as the poison lake.
Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are the pilgrimage sites for devotees, who come from all around the world for the circumambulation of the lake and sacred peak.
Mount Kailash is a sacred mountain in four religions. Let’s see the spiritual significance associated with different faiths in:
Hindus believe that Mount Kailash is the heavenly abode of Lord Shiva, where he resides with his family, including his wife, Goddess Parvati, and sons Kartikeya and Ganesha. Kailash is also described as the “Axis Mundi”, the centre of the universe, and they see it as a sacred pillar that connects heaven and earth. The Hindu mythological story is also associated with the demon Ravana, who once tried to lift the mountain, leading to the hymn of praise, Shiva Stotram.
Even the lake Mansarovar and the poison lake, Rakshastal, are also important for Hindus. They complete the circumambulation (Parikrama) of Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar for spiritual purification and salvation. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for Hindus is a path to spiritual awakening, inner peace, and a profound connection with the divine.
For Buddhists, especially Tibetan Buddhists, Mount Kailash (Kangri Rinpoche) is an important spiritual center, representing the cosmic axis (Mount Meru). They consider Mount Kailash as the abode of the deity Chakrasamvara (Demchok), the site of important legends. Buddhist pilgrims also perform a circumambulation (Kora) of Mount Kailash to purify karma and connect with profound spiritual energy. This is also the place where the great Tantric masters, like Milarepa, meditated and attained enlightenment.
Jains associate Kailash Mansarovar with the first Tirthankara, Rishabhdeva, where he attained Nirvana (liberation). For them, the region is known for the Ashtapada, the site where Rishabhdeva attained liberation.
Mount Kailash is also an important and sacred site for the Bon religion. They consider it the spiritual heart of the ancient Zhang Zhung kingdom, the center of the universe, and the abode of powerful deities like the sky goddess Sipaimen (Sipe Gyalmo) and the founder, Tonpa Shenrab Miwo.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a spiritual pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet. But the journey is not easy, as devotees and travelers have to navigate rugged terrain and harsh weather conditions. The pilgrimage takes place annually, when hundreds of devotees and trekkers alike participate. Apart from the spiritual significance, people are drawn to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra because of the majestic beauty and the challenging, transformative experience.
The official dates of the Mansarovar Kailash Yatra 2026 have been finalised. It will start from the month of April and end in October 2026. It is important to plan the journey with a registered tour operator by booking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra package. They organize group tours, where you get the facilities of accommodations, meals, and logistics for the Yatra. They even assist in getting the travel permits for the different routes and entry points.
To plan your Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, you must know the routes to reach the destination and complete your Yatra. You can embark on this spiritual expedition from India and Nepal. Here are the different routes and entry points of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra:
There are two official Kailash Mansarovar Yatra routes from India, organized by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Organized by the government of India, this route is a 25-day-long pilgrimage via Lipulekh Pass, Uttarakhand. This route involves traveling from Delhi to Dharchula. Then, trekking through villages like Budhi, Gunji, and Kalapani to finally reach Lipulekh Pass. Then you cross into Tibet towards Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash.
The trek difficulty is moderate to difficult. Also, it becomes an arduous journey because of its long duration, which lasts for 24-25 days. Pilgrims with even in good physical condition and shape, sometimes face difficulty in completing the pilgrimage.
Another route for the Mount Kailash Yatra from India is Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. It either starts from Delhi to Gangtok, crossing through the strategic Nathu La border into Tibet at Yadong. Then, pilgrims proceed through the motorable roads passing through the towns, like Kangma, Lhaze, and Saga, to reach Darchen and Kailash Mansarovar. The Yatra takes approximately 20-21 days. The best advantage of this route is the fully motorable roads that reduce strenuous trekking. Best for people who want to complete the Yatra, spending less time and putting less effort.
Your chances of going on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra are uncertain despite being in good physical condition. It is because there are limited seats. Pilgrims are selected by the computerized lottery system by MEA. About 400 people make it from the total of 6000 applicants.
Private tour operators plan the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra tour from the Nepal route. It is the popular overland Gyirong route, which takes you from Kathmandu to the Kerung border, then drives through Tibet. Even the popular route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by helicopter is via Simikot to Hilsa. Both routes, by road and by air, involve crossing the Nepal-China border into Tibet for the final journey to Kailash Mansarovar.
The duration of the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage via the Nepal route is 10-14 days by road, and by helicopter it takes 4-5 days. This route may be more expensive than the other Indian routes, but it is faster and more flexible.
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra takes place in the rugged terrains of the Tibet Plateau. Due to the arduous journey, the trek is physically demanding. Hence, every pilgrim undertaking this arduous expedition must be physically fit. Not everyone can undertake this journey. You must meet the eligibility criteria for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 takes place at a high altitude of 18600 ft with extreme weather conditions in the Tibet Autonomous Region in China, with limited infrastructure for tourism. Hence, special permits with a mandatory health certificate are required to be submitted by every pilgrim undertaking this journey.
You will have to register and get the special permit to enter the restricted region for the Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar pilgrimage. You can register directly on the official government portal or book a tour package from a reliable operator, who will take care of your registration. Let’s see the complete process of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra registration 2026.
Pilgrims traverse through the rugged terrain at high altitude with sometimes harsh weather conditions, which also means low oxygen levels. Therefore, medical fitness is a must. Every pilgrim will have to go through a few mandatory medical tests to be eligible for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, which includes:
General Physical Examination
ENT and Vision Check
Blood Test for
When applying for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, you will have to submit the medical self-declaration and get a health certificate from a doctor. However, even after providing the health certificate, you will have to go through medical screening during the Yatra. Here are the two stages of medical screening that every yatri has to go through:
Once you fill out the registration form, you will go through a medical examination to be eligible for the Yatra. The tests are conducted at the government hospitals in Delhi and Kathmandu. Considering all the basic medical tests as stated above, this fitness screening determines your eligibility for the pilgrimage.
This is the final medical screening, which is done to check your readiness for extreme altitude conditions. This is done during the course of the journey in Gunji. If you are found medically unwell or unfit, you will not be permitted to take the journey.
The best time for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is between May and October. The rest of the months are not suitable for an expedition because of the harsh weather conditions and heavy snowfall that cause road blockage. From May to September, you get good weather for the journey with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 15°C, while the night temperature can range from –5°C to 5°C.
However, pilgrims cannot completely choose their time freely, considering their schedule and preferences. They go in groups with registered operators, either the MEA or a tour company. They select the date and batch and inform pilgrims about the Yatra dates during the May-October season through the government route. But private tour operators or companies give pilgrims more flexibility in choosing their preferred dates within that window. For this, they must book the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra package well in advance to secure permits and slots.
Not only your health, but you should also take care of the environment when visiting Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. Here are the top tips on what to pack for the Yatra, how to maintain the sanctity of the sacred site, and make your Yatra safe and comfortable for you and your family:
Before planning your trip to Kailash Mansarovar, it is important to note that you need permits and approvals from the respective authorities in Nepal and China. We hope our comprehensive Kailash Mansarovar Yatra guide provides you with the necessary information on the registration process, medical screening, and even booking a Kailash Mansarovar Yatra package.
You can also contact us to plan and book the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra tour package. From managing the Yatra permit to arranging the accommodation and logistics, we handle everything to plan your Kailash Yatra, giving you peace of mind.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is not only a spiritual awakening journey but also a life-changing experience for devotees of lord Shiva, as well as trekkers alike. Plan your tour with Pilgrim Packages India and experience the mystic sacred places, a glimpse of the holy mount Kailash, immerse yourself in the freshwater of Lake Mansarovar for soul purification, and enjoy a trip worth a lifetime.