Short Mount Kailash Tour by Flight - 9 Days

How Do You Reach Mount Kailash by Flight?

Since there is no airport for direct access to Mount Kailash, ‘Kailash tour by flight’ always means a mix-and-match of air and road journeys. Below are some common Kailash Yatra tour package itineraries using the air mode:

Route 1: Kathmandu → Nepalgunj → Simikot → Hilsa (Helicopter) → Overland to Darchen

It is the most popular and fastest route for those who want to get to Mount Kailash and have an opportunity to spend more money on transportation. First of all, you have to fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, which takes about 1 hour. Then you will take another plane to Simikot, a remote village surrounded by the Himalayas in western Nepal.

From Simikot, you can go to Hilsa, which is right on the border between China and Nepal, via helicopter for 20 minutes. You will have to cross the border on foot to meet a Tibetan guide. He will take you to Taklakot or Purang, from which you will have to go to Lake Mansarovar and further to Darchen, the starting point for the mountain Kailash Kora.

This way spares you from visiting Lhasa but saves a lot of time since it does not require going there and back. However, it can be canceled due to bad weather in Simikot and Humla, so it is worth considering that this trip is seasonal.

Route 2: Kathmandu → Lhasa (Direct Flight) → Overland to Darchen

For the pilgrims who prefer to get to know the culture, flying direct from Kathmandu to Lhasa is the preferred option. The flight takes about 90 minutes, and the view of the Himalayas is breathtaking. From Lhasa, there’s a road going through the G318 Friendship Highway towards Shigatse and, on the S214 Provincial Road, to Darchen. That’s a three-day drive passing through Saga.

This is the long way around (and can take between 16 and 20 days), but it allows one to marvel at the Potala Palace, shop at the Barkhor Street and visit the many Tibetan monasteries before heading for the Yatra.

Why "By Flight" Still Involves Driving

Regardless of which way you go, there's just no avoiding driving in and of itself. There is no airport in Darchen, nor a trailhead that comes with parking facilities. All driving in Tibet must happen on 4X4 private transport, and you'll have a truck to ferry your stuff from the driving parts and a support truck on the overland legs. And your overland sections, by the way, help with acclimatisation - Darchen itself is already nearly 4.7k metres in altitude!

Flight Routes and Schedules for the Mount Kailash Tour by Flight

International Connections to Kathmandu

Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport is the main gateway for all Mount Kailash Yatra routes. Being at the threshold of Tibet, Nepal provides the closest and easiest access to Tibet. A flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa is one of the swiftest international flights, as it covers 573 km in just 1 hour and 20 minutes, flying straight through the Himalayas.

At present, only Himalaya Airlines operates flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa without any stops. They have four weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Also, note that Air China and Sichuan Airlines provide direct flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa’s Gonggar Airport.

For the second leg of the Lhasa-Ali route, it is possible to fly either from Lhasa or Kashgar to the Mount Kailash region directly and quickly. For example, a flight from Lhasa to Ali (Ngari) takes no more than 2 hours; there are one or two daily options for it, and the tickets for these routes tend to be in high demand at all times. However, they are often expensive.

Domestic and Regional Flight Legs

For the Nepal Side: The easiest way to get yourself to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu is to take a 1-hour flight from the Tribhuvan International Airport. Several local airlines such as Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, and Shree Airlines provide these flights.

The flight from Nepalgunj to Simikot will take about 45 minutes to an hour via small planes (mostly 18- to 20-seater Twin Otters). Tara Air and Summit Air are some of the local airlines that operate these flights. They usually start in the mornings. From Simikot, you can take a 20-minute helicopter ride to a village called Hilsa, which is near the border.

Since there are limited seats available, it would be wise to get your flight tickets to Ngari as soon as possible, as flights can get fully booked during peak seasons such as the Saga Dawa Festival and summer holidays. The flights are also subject to weather conditions, which means there are days when flights to Simikot will be cancelled due to bad weather.

What Happens if Flights Are Delayed or Cancelled?

Common and perhaps the most underrated risk of the flight-based tour to Kailash is flight disruption. So here are my thoughts for the well-prepared traveller.

Why Disruptions Happen

The mountain leg of the flight itinerary anywhere in the Kailash circuit is highly dependent on weather conditions. The Nepalgunj-Simikot leg is particularly vulnerable as it is operated by small Twin Otter planes whose schedule is at the whim of the mountain winds, cloud cover, and the valley fog.

The only viable time to operate this particular sector is in the early hours of the morning, as the wind dies down significantly by the afternoon.

The Simikot-Hilsa sector is also not guaranteed, as the chopper traffic has a zero-tolerance policy for bad weather. Moreover, there are no alternative options to fly this sector if the foggy conditions persist on any given day. A rainy or cloudy day at either of these two sectors adds up to a delay of 48 hours.

How Operators Handle It

Most of the tour operators usually include one or two days in the itinerary as a buffer to accommodate any schedule loss due to weather problems. During such occurrences, your operator’s representatives on the ground will assist you with alternate accommodations and meals.

However, please note that extra hotel expenses occurring due to such delays cannot be claimed from your tour operator; you would have to bear those costs individually.

On the other hand, if the delays are extensive, your operator will make every effort to arrange alternate transportation (such as chartering a helicopter from Nepalgunj to Simikot) to ensure that you do not miss your permits and border crossing slots.

What Travellers Should Do

• Choose Itineraries With Some Extra Days: Because you don’t want to miss a second of the adventure, but a full schedule leaves no room for the unpredictable weather peculiar to this region.
• Get Travel Insurance That Covers Cancellations Due to Delays - It’s your best option for reimbursement for any lost expenses due to a canceled or delayed flight
• Stay in Touch With Your Operator and Avoid Checking Airline Sites - Your tour company will be able to help you navigate cancellations and delays better than you can on your own
• Remain Flexible When It Comes to Your Itinerary - The Kailash Yatra is an exercise in faith that requires leaving everyday worries behind, and seasoned travelers know to expect the unexpected.

Accommodation Standards on the Kailash Route

It also lets travellers pack properly, keep their expectations reasonable, and concentrate entirely on the purpose of their trip: to experience the sacred rituals of Mount Kailash. But one shouldn't lose sight of the vast differences in these forms of lodgings, ranging from hotels in the surrounding cities to austere dorms in the monasteries.

Guesthouses and Basic Lodges Near Kailash

Near Darchen (and along the Kailash Kora), there is a choice of basic guesthouses and one or two acceptable (but nothing special) hotels, including the Himalaya Kailash Hotel, but don't expect anything close to mainland China or other international standards.

On the three-day Kora, you will be staying in the local monasteries' guesthouses (Dirapuk and Zutulpuk Guesthouses), where you share small, windowless rooms with four to ten other people. There are no private rooms and no showering facilities, and you should not expect any heating.

In the evening, the power may be off for all but a few hours. Outdoor pit toilets are the norm. And you should bring your own sleeping bag, flashlight, and warm clothing, as the ones provided may not keep you warm at night at these elevations.

Hotel Standards in Lhasa and Kathmandu

Both Lhasa and Kathmandu are much better in terms of comfort, as they provide a greater range of choice, including many familiar comforts. Thus, Lhasa has the best accommodations in terms of 3-5 star hotels with central heating, hot water, bathrooms, and WiFi, which is vital for the first few days when acclimatizing to the altitude before heading west.

As for the Kathmandu area, it serves as the starting point and the endpoint of the tour so that you can choose between various guesthouses, luxury Radisson and Aloft hotels, and other popular chain establishments. This way, both cities serve as perfect bases for exploring the region and recovering after the Kailash Yatra.

Food, Meals, and Drinking Water During the Yatra

Meals during the Kailash Pilgrimage are simple but wholesome, consisting mostly of vegetarian items. Most tour operators provide 3 meals a day, which include breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner that mainly consist of locally grown food.

You can expect to find rice, lentils, chapati, noodles, and soups in your meal plan alongside Tibetan specialties such as Thukpa and Tsampa. In Kathmandu and Lhasa, there is an option to eat a variety of foods.

However, in the Tibetan Plateau and along the Kora, you will find yourself eating basic food that serves a particular purpose. It is advisable to inform your tour operator of any specific dietary requirements you have as a Jain or a person who does not prefer onions and garlic.

It is important to stay hydrated, especially at higher altitudes, since the body tends to dehydrate easily. You can buy packaged water in most guest houses and road stops along the trail. However, hydration can be a problem near the Kailash Kora monasteries.

As such, it is advisable to carry an empty flask, water tablets, or a water filter from your own country as backup. It is always better to warm up than to cool down at altitude, and as such, it is advisable to avoid cold drinks as much as possible. Hot drinks such as herbal teas, hot lemon drinks, and soups do a better job of keeping you warm and warding off sicknesses.

Altitude, Acclimatization, and What to Expect Physically

The altitude of the Kailash Yatra route is quite challenging, as it is situated above 4500 meters. The major attraction points situated here are Lake Mansarovar, which is at 4590m, Darchen at 4675m, Dirapuk monastery at 5080 m, and Dolma La Pass, which is the highest point on the Kora. At the height of 5636 meters on the Dolma Pass, the oxygen level is half of that at sea level.

Common symptoms of AMS are headaches, vomiting, dizziness, extreme tiredness, loss of appetite, and sleeplessness. If not taken care of, it can lead to severe cases like HAPE and HACE.

Even the best laid plans incorporate 5-7 days of gradual altitude acclimatization ahead of starting the Kora, featuring rest days in places like Kathmandu, Saga, and Darchen itself. We focused on drinking lots of water, walking at a measured pace, and avoiding alcohol, as our bodies seemed to be telling us: go easy.

Connectivity, Electricity, and Charging Facilities on the Route

Travellers should take into consideration that their Internet connection might be available only in the big cities during the Kailash Yatra. In Kathmandu, most of the hotels provide excellent WiFi and 4G mobile network coverage.

Nevertheless, when crossing to Tibet, an adventure traveller should expect that Internet access will be unavailable, which can last for several weeks.

It is recommended to inform yourself about the local Internet availability before visiting places like Kerung, Saga or Darchen, as some guesthouses provide poor WiFi. Moreover, no mobile network operators and WiFi connections are available during the three-day Kailash Parikrama, including the highest point of Dolma La Pass.

Your guide will have a satellite phone or a radio device to contact the outside world in case of emergency, and there are no other options to be connected with people.

In terms of electricity, it is better to bring a portable charger as well, as a lot of guesthouses have solar panels, which are often underperforming on cloudy days. Electricity is provided only for a few hours during the evening, and there are usually no sockets at your disposal.

Is Travel Insurance Required for the Mount Kailash Tour?

Yes - the travel insurance is mandatory for the Kailash Yatra as it involves hikes at a height of 4,500 meters to 5,636 meters above sea level in one of the world’s most inaccessible and sparsely populated regions.

It is usually not possible to get a helicopter evacuated to Kathmandu or Delhi when you are in Kailash, which makes medical evacuation costs from Kailash to Kathmandu or Delhi, if you have to pay for it yourself, can cost more than USD 50,000.

Standard health or travel insurance policies do not provide any coverage for hiking at heights of 3,000 to 4,500 meters and above, which is the highest point for the Dolma La Pass.

Your policy must specifically cover the following:

• High-altitude trekking up to at least 6,000 metres
• Emergency helicopter evacuation with a minimum benefit of USD 25,000-50,000
• Hospitalisation and medical treatment in Tibet and Nepal
• Trip cancellation or interruption due to altitude sickness or border closures
• Repatriation to your home country if required

Always purchase your policy before departure and carry both a digital and printed copy throughout the Yatra.

Best Time to Visit Mount Kailash by Flight

When deciding on the "right season" for your Kailash Mansarovar Tour, this will rank as one of the most significant decisions of the planning stage! Everything that contributes to this trip relies on the season, including the consistency of weather, access to the road, the dependability of flights (especially to/from Nepalgunj to Simikot), and safety concerns around the Kailash Kora itself. Let's take a look at what's on offer in each season:

Spring Season (April - June)

Spring, specifically May and June, is considered one of the best times to go to the Kailash Mansarovar tour. As winter snows melt, the mountain passes open, and the road to Tibet via Nepal becomes navigable again.

With daytime temperatures varying between 5C and 15C, clear skies and great views of the surrounding Himalaya peaks, and most importantly, normal flight operations on the Simikot sector, this season appears to be the most rewarding.

Additionally, the Kathmandu to Lhasa and vice versa flights operate frequently and without delay. The Saga Dawa festival, which falls in the Tibetan lunar month of May or June depending on the leap year, draws thousands of pilgrims to the region, making it the most spiritual time of the year to witness the Kora.

Autumn Season (September - October)

Autumn is more spectacular and is the best time to visit. The post-monsoon skies are at their clearest, providing a good view of Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar.

September is considered the "sweet spot" for this reason, since it's free of the rainy season, relatively empty of crowds (compared to June), and still warm enough for trekking.

The days are mostly warm but cool at night. The roads are passable throughout the plateau. Flights in the region are largely dependable, including the crucial Kathmandu to Lhasa route.

October is also a great month to see the region, but temps begin to plummet rapidly after mid-month, so plan to depart by mid-October at the latest.

Off-Season Tour to Kailash (November - March)

The Kailash Pilgrimage during the off-season is a tricky time of year. During the months of November to March, temperatures can dip as low as -20 degrees Celsius at night. The road to the Dolma La pass becomes completely snowed up, and the road to Darchen can also become blocked by snow.

Most tour companies cancel trips to Kailash because of these conditions, and it is generally not the best idea to visit Kailash during this time of year. Flights to Simikot can be cancelled due to bad weather, and border guards sometimes refuse entry to China.

This period should only be attempted by seasoned mountaineers who can handle extreme cold weather conditions.

What Permits Are Required for the Mount Kailash Tour?

Acquiring the right permits is one of the most crucial and time-consuming processes involved in your Kailash Mansarovar Tour.

Given that Mount Kailash lies in the heart of the restricted region of Ngari Prefecture in Tibet, you can understand how important it is to get all of them. And since they are mandatory, you cannot make it even a step without any of these permits issued by the government authorities.

Here is a list of all the permits you will have to apply for.

Chinese Group Visa

For those arriving in Tibet from Nepal, a Chinese Group Visa is required, a particular category of Chinese tourist visa, which is significantly different from individual tourist visas. It is important to know that single-entry Chinese tourist visas are not valid for entry into Tibet via Nepal.

Thus, a trip to Kailash is not possible for citizens of China, either first-time visitors or those who have previously travelled to the People’s Republic of China.

A Group Visa should be applied for in advance at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. Usually, a tour group has to have at least 5 participants for a Kailash tour. The application is submitted on behalf of the entire group by your tour operator in Nepal. Your group passports and other necessary documents must be presented several weeks before departure.

Please note that visa regulations are subject to change; while some countries enjoy a visa-free regime, which is granted on an experimental basis. Therefore, it is important to check the latest information with your tour operator before travelling.

Tibet Travel Permit (TTP)

The Tibet Travel Permit (also known as Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit) is one compulsory document without which no foreign tourist can enter the Tibet region.

The permit must be applied for through a Tibet-registered travel agency on the tourist’s behalf, as foreign visitors are not able to apply for this permit themselves.

It normally takes eight to nine working days to obtain this permit, and it is advisable to apply for it at least twenty days before your tour commences.

The permit is only valid for the approved tour programme and route; if you wish to extend or change your Tibet tour itinerary, you must apply for another Tibet permit.

Alien's Travel Permit (ATP)

The Alien's Travel Permit, also referred to as the PSB Permit (issued by the Public Security Bureau), is mandatory for any trip beyond Lhasa into Tibet's western and more remote regions, including the region of Ngari, where Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are located.

Unlike the TTP, which is applied for in Kathmandu, the ATP, as it is also called, is arranged for you while you are already in Tibet, usually by the tour guide, while you are staying in either Lhasa or Shigatse.

It is a relatively simple procedure, taking no more than an hour or two. For those arriving in Tibet from Nepal via Kerung, who do not pass through Lhasa, your Tibetan tour guide will have the permit waiting for you upon arrival or during the transfer to Shigatse or during the trip to Saga.

In any case, you do not have to worry about getting this permit or showing it at various roadblocks along the way from Saga to Darchen; your guide will take care of it for you.

Military Area Entry Permit

The Military Area Permit is mandatory because Kailash-Mansarovar lies on the border of China (Tibet), where there are military restrictions. It is issued by the Military Affairs office in Lhasa; this document is organized by your tour operator; most travelers will not see it.

This permit is applied for upon arrival in Lhasa and usually issued right away so that your guide can collect it before your group heads for western Tibet and the beginning of the trek.

It is necessary for entry to the region of Ngari Prefecture, you will have to show it to the troops at the roadblocks along the way to Darchen. This permit cannot be obtained by a traveler on a private basis; only a pre-organized tour with an approved itinerary can apply for it.

Foreign Affairs Permit

The Foreign Affairs Permit is an additional visa required for foreign visitors wishing to enter the Ngari Prefecture (the region encompassing Mount Kailash, Lake Mansarovar and the KORA), which is issued by the Tibet Foreign Affairs Office and should be applied for at least 15 days in advance, as it can take up to 1 or 2 weeks to process.

It will be arranged by your tour operator as part of the permit package and presented to you together with the other permits at the checkpoints in the region of Kailash. You cannot leave certain regions of Tibet without it, particularly those of the western part of the country.

Documents Required to Obtain Kailash Yatra Permits

If you submit all of your documentation in the right format, on time, and with accuracy, then you are giving your permits the green light to be approved as quickly as possible. To save you any stress, take this full tour operator checklist away with you.

1. Valid Passport: Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months after you depart from the Tibet Autonomous Region. In addition, make sure it has at least two empty pages, as you may need to stick in various visas, stamps and permits while you are there.
2. Passport-Sized Photographs: You will need between four and six recent colour photographs. The background must be plain white, and you must be able to see both ears and have no glasses on. The photos must also have been taken within the last three months.
3. Comprehensive Travel Insurance: A copy of your travel insurance policy is mandatory. The policy should include high-altitude trekking, emergency medical treatment, and helicopter evacuation above 5,000 metres since the standard insurance policy is not covered.
4. Completed Visa Application Form: A completed visa application form, as instructed and issued by your chosen and registered tour operator, must accompany the group visa application to the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu.
5. Proof of Tour Booking: A copy of a confirmed tour booking with an authorized and government-approved Kailash Yatra operator is mandatory to ensure that you are traveling on a registered group tour, which is required to enter Tibet.
6. OCI Card (In case of OCI Holders): A valid OCI card along with a copy of your current foreign passport is necessary for the verification process and to confirm eligibility for the permit.

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