Trip Overview
The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra by Helicopter via Simikot is a premium yatra to Mount Kailash and lake mansarovar. It is a sacred pilgrimage which can be done within 12 days including arrival and departures in Kathmandu. This 12 day journey is designed for international travelers who want to experience the Kailash Kora pilgrimage while reducing the long overland travel to and back from the Kailash.
The best time for this yatra is generally from May to September, when travel conditions in the Kailash region are more suitable. The helicopter route provides a shorter Nepal travel schedule while still including Lake Manasarovar, Mount Kailash, and the complete three day Kora.
Trip Detail
Information | Detail |
Trip Code | MK903N |
Starting Point / End Point | Kathmandu to Kathmandu |
Route | Kathmandu → Nepalgunj → Simikot → Hilsa → Purang → Lake Manasarovar → Darchen → Kailash Kora → Darchen → Purang → Hilsa → Simikot → Nepalgunj → Kathmandu |
Accommodations | Hotel in Kathmandu, hotel in Nepalgunj, guesthouse in Simikot, hotel or guesthouse in Purang and Darchen, guesthouse at Lake Manasarovar and along the Kailash Kora |
Max Altitude | Approximately 5,630 m at Dolma La Pass |
Duration | 12 Days, 11 Nights |
Country | Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China |
Trip Grade | Challenging, involving a rapid gain in altitude through domestic flights and a helicopter transfer, a three day Kailash Kora reaching approximately 5,630 m at Dolma La Pass. Best suited to physically fit pilgrims in good general health |
Activities | Doleshwar Darshan and special Puja at Pashupatinath, domestic flights within Nepal, helicopter flight from Simikot to Hilsa, Lake Manasarovar rituals, Kailash Kora trek over Dolma La Pass |
Season | Best undertaken between May and September, when flights on the Simikot Hilsa sector and the Kailash region are most reliably operational |
Transportation | Domestic flights in Nepal, helicopter between Simikot and Hilsa, land cruiser in Tibet, and on foot during the three day Kailash Kora |
Meals | Full board throughout the entire trip, meaning breakfast, lunch and dinner included on all days |
Best For | International travelers who want to reduce long overland travel in Nepal and have limited vacation time. |
Itinerary Overview
This 12 day, 11 night yatra combines sacred experiences in Kathmandu with a helicopter supported journey to the Kailash Manasarovar region. You begin in Kathmandu with Doleshwar Darshan and Puja at Pashupatinath Temple, followed by a detailed yatra briefing and preparation From Kathmandu, you fly to Nepalgunj and then continue to Simikot before taking a helicopter to Hilsa. From Simikot, a helicopter carries you over the mountains to Hilsa on the Nepal Tibet border, from where you drive to Purang. After a day of acclimatization, you continue to Lake Manasarovar and then to Darchen, the starting point of the Kailash Kora. Over three days you circle Mount Kailash on foot, crossing Dolma La Pass, before returning through Darchen and Purang to Hilsa, then flying back through Simikot, Nepalgunj and Kathmandu.
Here is a quick look at how your 12 day yatra unfolds.
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel, rest, and prepare for the pilgrimage.
Day 2: Doleshwar Darshan and special Puja at Pashupatinath Temple, followed by the yatra briefing and final preparations.
Day 3: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and stay overnight in Nepalgunj.
Day 4: Fly from Nepalgunj to Simikot, take a helicopter flight to Hilsa, and drive to Purang.
Day 5: Spend the day in Purang for acclimatization and preparation for the higher altitude journey.
Day 6: Drive from Purang to Lake Manasarovar and continue to Darchen.
Day 7: Begin the Kailash Kora from Darchen and trek toward Dirapuk.
Day 8: Trek from Dirapuk to Zuthulphuk through Dolma La Pass, the highest and most demanding section of the Kora.
Day 9: Trek from Zuthulphuk to Darchen, complete the Kailash Kora, and continue by road to Purang.
Day 10: Drive from Purang to Hilsa, take a helicopter flight to Simikot, and fly onward to Nepalgunj.
Day 11: Fly from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu.
Day 12: Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure from Kathmandu.
Why You Will Love This Trip
Reach Kailash Faster by Air: This itinerary replaces the long overland drive through Kerung with domestic flights and a helicopter transfer, allowing you to reach the Kailash region in a shorter overall time.
Doleshwar Darshan and Special Puja at Pashupatinath: Your yatra opens with Doleshwar Darshan and a special Puja at Pashupatinath Temple, one of the holiest Shiva shrines in the world, giving you a meaningful spiritual start to the pilgrimage.
Scenic Helicopter Flight to Hilsa: The helicopter flight from Simikot to Hilsa carries you over dramatic Himalayan terrain in Humla, offering views that are not possible on the overland routes.
Experience Lake Manasarovar: Spend time at the sacred Lake Manasarovar before continuing to Darchen. The lake provides an important spiritual experience and a peaceful setting within the high altitude landscape of Tibet.
Complete the Sacred Kailash Kora: This itinerary gives you time to acclimatize in Purang before completing the three day Kailash Kora. The route includes the challenging crossing of Dolma La Pass and the sacred landscapes around Mount Kailash.
Built In Acclimatization: The itinerary includes a dedicated acclimatization day in Purang before continuing to Lake Manasarovar. This helps you prepare for the higher elevations reached during the pilgrimage and Kora.
Cross the High Dolma La Pass: The Kora includes the crossing of Dolma La Pass at approximately 5,630 m. This is the highest and most demanding section of the pilgrimage and an important milestone of the Kailash journey.
Designed for Limited Vacation Time: With domestic flights and a helicopter connection replacing much of the long overland travel in Nepal, this itinerary is particularly suitable for international travelers with limited vacation time.
A Compact Kailash Pilgrimage: In 12 days, the journey combines Kathmandu's sacred sites, Nepalgunj, Simikot, helicopter travel to Hilsa, Purang, Lake Manasarovar, Mount Kailash, and the complete Kailash Kora into one structured pilgrimage experience
Altitude and Activities
This 12 day pilgrimage combines domestic flights, a helicopter transfer, high altitude acclimatization, sacred site visits, and the three day Kailash Kora. The highest point is Dolma La Pass at approximately 5,630 m, making the Kora the most physically demanding part of the journey.
Day | Location | Altitude | Activities | Travel Time |
Day 1 | Kathmandu | 1,324 m | Airport transfer and rest | Airport transfer |
Day 2 | Kathmandu | 1,324 m | Doleshwar Darshan, special Puja at Pashupatinath, yatra briefing | Local sightseeing within Kathmandu Valley |
Day 3 | Nepalgunj | Approximately 150 m | Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj | Approximately 1 hour flight |
Day 4 | Purang | Approximately 3,900 m | Flight to Simikot, helicopter flight to Hilsa, drive to Purang | Approximately 1 hour flight, short heli flight, and 2 to 3 hours drive |
Day 5 | Purang | Approximately 3,900 m | Acclimatization day, short local walks | Rest day |
Day 6 | Darchen | Approximately 4,670 m | Drive to Lake Manasarovar, rituals at the lake, continue to Darchen | Approximately 5 to 6 hours drive |
Day 7 | Dirapuk | Approximately 4,900 m | Drive to Yam Dwar, begin trek to Dirapuk | Approximately 5 to 6 hours trek |
Day 8 | Zuthulphuk | Approximately 4,760 m | Trek over Dolma La Pass at approximately 5,630 m to Zuthulphuk | Approximately 8 to 9 hours trek |
Day 9 | Purang | Approximately 3,900 m | Final short trek to Darchen, Kora ends, drive to Purang | Approximately 3 hours trek plus 4 to 5 hours drive |
Day 10 | Nepalgunj | Approximately 2,910 m in Simikot | Drive to Hilsa, helicopter flight to Simikot, flight to Nepalgunj | Approximately 2 to 3 hours drive, short heli flight, and 1 hour flight |
Day 11 | Kathmandu | 1,324 m | Flight from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu | Approximately 1 hour flight |
Day 12 | Kathmandu | 1,324 m | Departure | Airport transfer |
Accommodation and Meals
You will spend two nights in comfortable hotels in Kathmandu, one night in a hotel in Nepalgunj, and guesthouse accommodation in Simikot. In Purang and Darchen, accommodation is in hotels or guesthouses depending on availability, while at Lake Manasarovar and along the Kailash Kora at Dirapuk and Zuthulphuk, accommodation is in guesthouses, as these remote locations do not have hotel infrastructure. This yatra is offered on a full board basis, meaning breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on all days as per the itinerary below.
Day | Location | Accommodation | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
Day 1 | Kathmandu | Hotel in Kathmandu | N/A | N/A | Included |
Day 2 | Kathmandu | Hotel in Kathmandu | Included | Included | Included |
Day 3 | Nepalgunj | Hotel in Nepalgunj | Included | Included | Included |
Day 4 | Purang | Hotel or guesthouse in Purang | Included | Included | Included |
Day 5 | Purang | Same hotel or guesthouse as Day 4 | Included | Included | Included |
Day 6 | Darchen | Hotel or guesthouse in Darchen | Included | Included | Included |
Day 7 | Dirapuk | Guesthouse | Included | Included | Included |
Day 8 | Zuthulphuk | Guesthouse | Included | Included | Included |
Day 9 | Purang | Hotel or guesthouse in Purang | Included | Included | Included |
Day 10 | Nepalgunj | Hotel in Nepalgunj | Included | Included | Included |
Day 11 | Kathmandu | Hotel in Kathmandu | Included | Included | Included |
Day 12 | Departure | N/A | Included | N/A | N/A |




