Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: Routes, Approximate Costs And How To Plan Your Journey

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra resumed in June 2025, marking a profound spiritual and cultural revival after a five-year pause. This sacred pilgrimage takes travellers through some of the world's most remote and breathtaking high-altitude terrain in Tibet, leading to the revered Mount Kailash and the tranquil waters of Mansarovar Lake. More than just a demanding trek, the journey is a deeply spiritual experience. With strict eligibility criteria and careful preparation, pilgrims can embark on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure to the legendary abode of Lord Shiva and the serene, sacred expanse of Mansarovar.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: What It Is

Nestled in the far western Himalayan ranges of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, the majestic, diamond-shaped Mount Kailash, standing 6,638 metres tall, and the pristine freshwater Lake Mansarovar are revered as sources of divine energy and inner peace. Known as Kailasa in Hinduism and Gang Rinpoche in Tibetan, Mount Kailash, along with Mansarovar (Mapam Yumtso in Tibetan), holds deep spiritual significance for followers of Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Bon traditions.

Every year, devotees and adventure seekers from around the world undertake the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, drawn by its religious importance and cultural heritage. Considered the sacred abode of Lord Shiva by Hindus, the pilgrimage is equally meaningful to Jains and Buddhists, making it one of the most spiritually resonant journeys in the region.

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Kailash Mansarovar. Photo Credit: Unsplash

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: When It Takes Place

The Ministry of External Affairs conducts an official Kailash Mansarovar Yatra each year between June and September.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: Who Is Eligible

To apply for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, applicants must meet the following conditions:

1. Be an Indian citizen.
2. Hold an Indian passport valid for at least six months as of September 1 of the current year.
3. Be between 18 and 70 years of age as of January 1 of the current year.
4. Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or below.
5. Be physically fit and medically suitable to undertake the pilgrimage.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: How To Apply And Book

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is open to eligible Indian citizens holding valid Indian passports who wish to undertake the pilgrimage for religious purposes.

Before starting the application process, keep the following documents ready:

• A scanned passport-size photograph in JPG format (not exceeding 300 KB).
• A scanned copy of your passport - the page with your photograph and personal details, and the last page with family information - in PDF format (each file not exceeding 500 KB).

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: Available Routes

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is organised through two main routes: the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim.

Route 1: Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand)

• Total batches: 5
• Duration: Around 22 days

Route 2: Nathu La Pass (Sikkim)

• Total batches: 10
• Duration: Around 21 days

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: Approximate Cost

The cost of the pilgrimage varies depending on the chosen route. The Lipulekh Pass route in Uttarakhand is estimated to cost around Rs 1.74 lakh per person. The Nathu La Pass route in Sikkim is comparatively more expensive, with an estimated cost of Rs 2.83 lakh per person.

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Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: A Traveller's Perspective

From a traveller's viewpoint, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is one of the world's most extreme and exclusive overland expeditions. It offers the rare opportunity to access the remote, high-altitude landscapes of the Tibetan Plateau. The main draw is the stunning and desolate geography, featuring Mount Kailash, a uniquely shaped, pyramidal peak unlike any other in the Himalayas. Another attraction is the vast, serene blue expanse of Lake Mansarovar at an elevation of over 15,000 feet. The journey is an epic logistical feat, demanding grit from the traveller to navigate the altitude and infrastructure challenges, but it rewards you with untouched, breathtaking views, a chance to witness ancient monastic cultures in action, and the satisfaction of completing the demanding, multi-day trek around the sacred mountain.

Ultimately, it's a distinctive travel accomplishment and a sensory journey through some of Earth's most majestic and least-visited terrain.