Kailash Mansarovar by Helicopter ex-Lucknow 9N/10D: Hilsa Route with Parikrama

Highlights

• Road from Lucknow to Nepalgunj, flight to Simikot
• Helicopter from Simikot to Hilsa on the Tibet border
• Holy dip and puja at Lake Mansarovar
• Darshan at Yamadwar and Darchen
• Three-day parikrama of Kailash over Dolma La
• Darshan-only version for older pilgrims

This is the quickest way for Indian pilgrims to reach Kailash without the MEA lottery, and it ran through the 2026 season. Departures for 2027 are on enquiry for now: China sets the Tibet permits each season, and we confirm dates only after they’re announced and your Chinese visa and Tibet permit are in hand. Pilgrims who shouldn’t cross Dolma La can take the 7-night darshan version, which skips the two hardest days.

Day-wise itinerary

Day 1: Lucknow to Nepalgunj

Meet the group in Lucknow. You can get there by flight or overnight train from Mumbai, Pune or Delhi. We drive about 190 km to the border and on to Nepalgunj, which takes roughly three hours plus the border formalities. The operator’s team checks every passport and permit with you in the evening. Night in Nepalgunj.

Day 2: Fly to Simikot

A morning mountain flight from Nepalgunj to Simikot, the headquarters of Humla district. Luggage limits on these small planes are tight, so pack light. The rest of the day is for short walks and rest, which helps you adjust to the height. Night in Simikot.

Day 3: Helicopter to Hilsa, into Tibet, Taklakot

A short helicopter hop to Hilsa on the Nepal–China border. Cross into Tibet on foot, clear Chinese immigration, and meet the Tibetan guide and vehicle. Drive to Taklakot (Purang) for the night. Go easy today, because the altitude is now high.

Day 4: Lake Mansarovar

Drive to Mansarovar, then go round the lake by vehicle, stopping at the ghats for the holy dip, puja and havan. In clear weather Kailash is visible across the water. Night in a guesthouse by the lake.

Day 5: Darchen and Yamadwar

A short drive to Darchen, the base town for the parikrama. In the afternoon visit Yamadwar, the gateway where the kora begins. Pilgrims who aren’t doing the parikrama have darshan here and stay in Darchen until the group returns. Hire ponies and porters for the next three days now.

Day 6: Parikrama day 1, to Dirapuk

Walk or ride up the valley to Dirapuk, below the north face of Kailash. It’s long but steady. Night in a basic guesthouse at Dirapuk.

Day 7: Parikrama day 2, over Dolma La to Zuthulphuk

The hardest day of the yatra. Start very early for the climb to the Dolma La pass at about 5,630 m, then make the long descent to Zuthulphuk. Anyone who feels unwell at Dirapuk turns back to Darchen with a guide rather than crossing the pass. Night at Zuthulphuk.

Day 8: Finish the parikrama, back to Taklakot

A short, easy walk out to the road, where you rejoin anyone who stayed in Darchen, then drive back to Taklakot. Night in Taklakot.

Day 9: Hilsa, Simikot, Nepalgunj

Drive to Hilsa and cross back into Nepal, then take the helicopter to Simikot. If the weather allows, you connect to Nepalgunj the same day. If it doesn’t, you spend the night in Simikot and everything moves by a day.

Day 10: Nepalgunj to Lucknow

Drive back across the border to Lucknow for your train or flight home. Book onward tickets for the evening or the next day, never for the morning.

Weather delays and the darshan-only option

The Simikot flights and the Hilsa helicopters only fly in good weather. A lost day on the way in or out is common enough that you should plan for it: keep two days of leave spare and buy flexible return tickets. If a parent shouldn’t cross Dolma La, the 7-night darshan version drops days 6 and 7. They have darshan from Darchen and Yamadwar and do Mansarovar in full, which is the part most older pilgrims care about.

What's included and what isn't

Visa, costs, best time and travel tips: Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.