What this journey covers

Starting from Lucknow saves the flight to Kathmandu and is a convenient option for Indian pilgrims and international travellers in northern India. The route uses ground transfers to Nepalgunj, flights to Simikot, and a chartered helicopter crossing at Hilsa, followed by the Lake Manasarovar parikrama and Mount Kailash kora.

Highlights

• Pickup from Lucknow airport or railway station
• AC vehicle transfer to Nepalgunj
• Flight to Simikot and chartered helicopter to Hilsa
• Lake Manasarovar parikrama and holy dip
• Full three-day Mount Kailash kora
• Pure vegetarian Indian meals during the yatra

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Lucknow and drive to Nepalgunj Your tour operator picks you up from Lucknow Airport or Railway Station. Drive four to five hours across the border into Nepalgunj. Evening briefing and final documentation check. Overnight in Nepalgunj.
• Day 2: Fly Nepalgunj to Simikot Take the early morning domestic flight from Nepalgunj to Simikot, a remote Himalayan town at 2,900 metres. Rest in the afternoon for acclimatization. Overnight in Simikot.
• Day 3: Helicopter to Hilsa and drive to Taklakot Board a chartered five-seater helicopter from Simikot to Hilsa, the border town. Complete Nepal-China border formalities, meet your Tibetan guide and vehicle, and drive about one hour to Taklakot (Purang) at 3,900 metres. Overnight in Taklakot.
• Day 4: Acclimatization day at Taklakot Rest to help your body adapt to the altitude. Take a gentle walk around the local Tibetan market for last-minute supplies. Overnight in Taklakot.
• Day 5: Drive to Lake Manasarovar Drive through breathtaking plateau landscapes to holy Lake Manasarovar at 4,550 metres. Catch your first clear view of Mount Kailash from Horchu. Perform vehicle parikrama of the lake, holy dips, and puja. Overnight near Mansarovar.
• Day 6: Drive to Yamdwar and trek to Dirapuk Drive to Yamdwar, the starting point of the holy Kailash Kora. Trek or ride a horse about 12 kilometres to Dirapuk. Stand before the magnificent north face of Mount Kailash. Overnight in Dirapuk.
• Day 7: Trek Dirapuk to Zuthulphuk via Dolma La A challenging 22-kilometre trek. Climb steeply to Dolma La Pass at 5,620 metres, pass sacred Gauri Kund, and descend to Zuthulphuk. Overnight in Zuthulphuk.
• Day 8: Complete parikrama and return to Hilsa / Simikot Walk the final 8 kilometres to complete the kora, where your vehicle picks you up. Drive back to Taklakot, cross the Hilsa border, and take the helicopter back to Simikot. Overnight in Simikot.
• Day 9: Fly Simikot to Nepalgunj and drive back to Lucknow Fly back to Nepalgunj in the morning, then take a private vehicle transfer back to Lucknow by late afternoon or evening, concluding your sacred journey.

What is included

• Lucknow-Nepalgunj ground transfers
• Domestic flights and chartered mountain helicopter (Simikot-Hilsa)
• China Group Visa, Tibet Travel Permit, and restricted area permits
• Hotels in cities and clean guesthouses in Tibet
• Pure vegetarian Indian meals cooked by accompanying kitchen crew
• Experienced Nepali and Tibetan guides, Sherpa support, oxygen, and first aid

What is not included

• Pony, porter, or yak for personal luggage during the kora
• Personal trekking gear and warm clothing
• Travel insurance with high-altitude evacuation cover
• Tips, personal expenses, and extra buffer days

Lucknow-Nepalgunj transfers, flights, helicopter, Tibet permits, accommodation with vegetarian meals, guides, support staff, oxygen, and first aid.