Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026: Status, Routes and How Indian Pilgrims Can Go
Yes, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is running again. India and China restarted it in June 2025 after a break that began in 2020, and the 2026 season ran from June to August with 1,000 pilgrims in 20 batches through the Lipulekh Pass and Nathu La. The 2026 government yatra is now over, and applications for 2027 are expected in spring. Indian passport holders can also go privately through Nepal, but the Rasuwagadhi to Kerung border has been closed since the flood of 26 August 2026, so until it reopens, private groups go in by the Hilsa route in Humla or fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Do not leave India until your Tibet permit and Chinese group visa are approved.
- RestartedJune 2025, after no yatra from 2020 to 2024
- 2026 seasonJune to August, 1,000 pilgrims, 20 batches of 50
- Official routesLipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La (Sikkim)
- OrganiserIndia's Ministry of External Affairs, kmy.gov.in
- Private route via NepalHilsa (Humla) or a Kathmandu to Lhasa flight
- Kerung (Rasuwagadhi)Closed since the 26 August 2026 flood
- Kailash parikramaAbout 52 km, high point Dolma La about 5,630 m
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, one of the most cherished pilgrimages for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains, has officially resumed for Indian pilgrims.
The pilgrimage restarted in the summer of 2025 after a five-year pause (the last yatra before it was in 2019) caused by the 2020 global travel shutdown and escalated border tensions between India and China. The first official batches travelled in June and July 2025 via the Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La (Sikkim) routes, while operators also resumed the popular overland route through Nepal via Kerung. That route has had a hard two years: a flash flood cut it in July 2025, and the much larger flood of 26 August 2026 destroyed the Rasuwagadhi border post, so it is closed for now.
Recent Developments
Recent talks between Indian and Chinese officials have paved the way for the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. On December 18, 2024, during a high-level meeting on boundary issues, India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, and Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, discussed various steps to strengthen bilateral ties, including reopening the pilgrimage.
While Chinese media reported a “six-point consensus” to enhance relations, India’s Ministry of External Affairs clarified that no such formal agreement was made. Despite this, both sides acknowledged the importance of cultural and spiritual exchanges, indicating that the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a priority for both countries.
Those talks bore fruit. At a foreign secretary meeting in January 2025, India and China agreed to restart the yatra, and India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) ran registration and a computerised draw for the first batches. The 2025 yatra took 750 pilgrims in 15 batches of 50: five through the Lipulekh Pass and ten through Nathu La, between June and August.
The 2026 season was bigger. The MEA took applications from 30 April to 19 May 2026, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar ran the draw on 21 May, and 1,000 pilgrims were selected for 20 batches of 50, ten on each route. The first 2026 batch crossed into Tibet through Nathu La on 20 June, and the batches ran until the end of August. The yatra now runs every summer, with registration in spring.
The Significance of Kailash Mansarovar
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra holds immense spiritual and cultural importance for many faiths. Mount Kailash is regarded as the spiritual centre of the world and is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva in Hinduism. For Buddhists, it is the site of profound enlightenment and meditation, while for Jains, it is where their first Tirthankara, Rishabhadeva, attained liberation. The ancient Bön religion views the mountain as a powerful axis of the universe.
Lake Mansarovar, situated near Mount Kailash, is equally sacred. Its clear blue waters are believed to cleanse the soul and wash away sins. Pilgrims who visit this site often describe it as a deeply transformative experience, both physically and spiritually.
Why the Yatra Stopped from 2020 to 2024
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra faced multiple hurdles over the past few years. In 2020, the global travel shutdown brought all international travel to a halt, including the pilgrimage. Compounding this were the heightened border tensions between India and China, particularly in the Galwan Valley, which strained relations and made cross-border movements nearly impossible.
Additionally, logistical challenges like route closures added to the difficulties. The Nathu La Pass route in Sikkim, introduced in 2015 as a more accessible option, was shut down during the Doklam standoff in 2017. It reopened in June 2018, and both routes ran in 2018 and 2019 before the whole yatra stopped in 2020. The long gap after that left many devotees waiting years to make the pilgrimage.
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Travel Shutdown: The global travel shutdown of 2020 suspended international travel, including pilgrimages to Kailash Mansarovar.
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Geopolitical Tensions: The border clashes in Eastern Ladakh and Doklam strained India-China relations, leading to heightened restrictions on cross-border movements, including the pilgrimage.
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Route Issues: The Nathu La Pass route, introduced in 2015 to make the journey more accessible, was closed during the 2017 Doklam standoff and reopened in 2018.
Current Status in 2026
The yatra now operates through the official Indian government routes as well as via Nepal. Here are the key aspects:
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Routes: The pilgrimage is conducted through two primary routes:
- The Lipulekh Pass Route: This crosses from Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district. It used to involve days of trekking, but the MEA said in 2026 that both routes are now motorable with very little walking.
- The Nathu La Pass Route: This more accessible route in Sikkim allows pilgrims to travel part of the way by road
- Safety Measures: Selected pilgrims go through medical tests in Delhi before departure, with further checks on the way, and anyone found unfit at either stage is turned back. The routes include acclimatisation stops before the Tibetan plateau.
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Timelines: The MEA opens online applications on kmy.gov.in in spring (30 April to 19 May in 2026), selects pilgrims by computerised draw, and runs the batches from June to August. Applicants need an ordinary Indian passport valid for at least six months as of 1 September of the yatra year.
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Guidelines: Pilgrims must adhere to health and safety guidelines, especially since the yatra involves high-altitude trekking and extreme weather conditions.
Kailash Routes Compared, October 2026
There are two ways to go: the government yatra run by the MEA, or a private tour through Nepal. Status is as of 25 October 2026, when the summer season has ended.
| Route | Who runs it | How you travel | Typical length | Status, Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lipulekh Pass, Uttarakhand | MEA (government yatra) | Road from Delhi via Pithoragarh, then into Tibet | About 3 weeks | Season over next round 2027 |
| Nathu La, Sikkim | MEA (government yatra) | Road from Gangtok over Nathu La | About 3 weeks | Season over next round 2027 |
| Hilsa, Humla (Nepal) | Private tour operators | Fly Nepalgunj to Simikot, then Hilsa to Purang | About 10 to 14 days, longer on foot via Limi | Check main private route in 2026 |
| Kathmandu to Lhasa flight | Private tour operators | Fly to Lhasa, then overland west to Kailash | About 2 weeks or more | Check depends on Chinese permits |
| Tatopani to Kodari (Nepal) | Private tour operators | Road from Kathmandu via Sindhupalchok | About 2 weeks | Check used for returns in Aug 2026 |
| Rasuwagadhi to Kerung (Nepal) | Private tour operators | Road from Kathmandu via Syabrubesi | About 2 weeks | Closed since the 26 Aug 2026 flood |
Costs vary by year and route. Press estimates for the government yatra ran from about INR 1.7 lakh for Lipulekh to about INR 3.3 lakh for Nathu La, and the MEA publishes the official figure for each season on kmy.gov.in. Private tours from Nepal are priced by the operator and depend on the route and group size.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nepal
One of the most popular and convenient ways for Indian pilgrims to embark on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is through Nepal. It suits pilgrims who missed the government draw or want more flexible dates. By starting their journey from Nepal, pilgrims have the added opportunity to visit renowned temples in Kathmandu, such as the iconic Pashupatinath Temple, which holds immense religious significance for Hindus.
China reopened Kailash to Indian pilgrims travelling privately through Nepal in 2025, and most Indians go this way rather than through the government draw. Nepali operators expected at least 25,000 Indian pilgrims that year (Kathmandu Post, 11 July 2025). There are four ways in from Nepal: the Rasuwagadhi to Kerung (Kyirong) road, the Tatopani to Kodari road, the Hilsa crossing in Humla, and a flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa.
Kerung was the most used, but it is closed now. A flash flood on 8 July 2025 washed away the Miteri Bridge and forced pilgrims to return via Tatopani, and the flood of 26 August 2026 destroyed the Rasuwagadhi border post. On 28 August 2026 China suspended electronic border permits for Shigatse, the area that covers Kerung, and groups already in Tibet came back through Kodari and Tatopani or through Hilsa in Humla. Hilsa, reached by flying from Nepalgunj to Simikot, was the busiest crossing in 2026 even before the flood. See our flood update for the road situation.
Paperwork is the part that goes wrong. A private tour needs a Tibet Travel Permit and a Chinese group visa, arranged by the operator through its Tibetan partner. On 27 June 2026 the MEA warned pilgrims not to leave India until both are approved, after 52 Indian pilgrims were stranded in Kathmandu waiting for papers that never came. Ask your operator for the approved documents, not just a receipt for the application.
If you're planning to undertake the Kailash Yatra from Nepal, you can contact Swotah Travel and Adventure, a trusted travel agency based in Kathmandu. We specialize in organizing overland Kailash Yatra packages starting from Kathmandu, ensuring a smooth and well-coordinated journey. Before committing, read our guides on how difficult the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is and the Pashupatinath Temple, which most pilgrims visit in Kathmandu before departure. If you are short on time, a Kailash Mansarovar heli tour is also available.
What Pilgrims Can Expect?
The core of the yatra is the same on every route. Lake Mansarovar sits at about 4,590 m, and Mount Kailash rises to about 6,638 m and has never been climbed. The parikrama around the mountain is about 52 km over three days, by the MEA's count, and crosses the Dolma La at about 5,630 m (sources range from 5,600 to 5,700 m). That is higher than Everest Base Camp, so acclimatisation and fitness matter more than anything else. Our guide to how difficult the yatra is covers the altitude in detail.
The Indian government announces registration dates and batch details ahead of each season. Pilgrims should follow the official announcements on kmy.gov.in, or contact us for the private route. It is also important to begin preparations by enhancing physical fitness and ensuring all required travel documents are in order.
Timeline: 2015 to 2026
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| June 2015 | Nathu La route opens as a second official route |
| June 2017 | Doklam standoff, Nathu La batches stopped |
| 20 June 2018 | Nathu La reopens, first batch crosses |
| 2019 | Last yatra before the suspension |
| 2020 to 2024 | No yatra, after the pandemic shutdown and the Galwan clash of June 2020 |
| 18 December 2024 | Ajit Doval and Wang Yi discuss restarting the pilgrimage |
| January 2025 | Foreign secretaries agree to resume the yatra |
| June to August 2025 | Yatra resumes: 750 pilgrims, 15 batches |
| 8 July 2025 | Flash flood cuts the Rasuwagadhi to Kerung road |
| 20 June 2026 | First 2026 batch crosses Nathu La (1,000 pilgrims, 20 batches) |
| 27 June 2026 | MEA advisory after 52 private pilgrims are stranded in Kathmandu |
| 26 August 2026 | Flood destroys the Rasuwagadhi border post, Kerung route closed |
Frequently asked questions
Did the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra run in 2026?
Yes. The 2026 government yatra ran from June to August with 1,000 pilgrims, and private tours through Nepal ran through the summer. The season ends by mid-October, so the next chance is the 2027 season.
When does registration for the 2027 yatra open?
The MEA has not announced 2027 dates yet. In 2026 applications ran from 30 April to 19 May on kmy.gov.in, so expect a similar window in spring 2027.
Can Indians go to Kailash through Nepal?
Yes, with a private operator that arranges the Tibet Travel Permit and Chinese group visa. With Kerung closed since August 2026, the usual ways in are the Hilsa crossing in Humla or a flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa.
Is the Kerung route open?
No. The flood of 26 August 2026 destroyed the Rasuwagadhi border post, and China suspended border permits for the Kerung area two days later. Check with your operator before the 2027 season.
How high does the yatra go?
The highest point is the Dolma La on the parikrama, at about 5,630 m. Lake Mansarovar is at about 4,590 m.
Kailash Trips from Kathmandu
- Kailash Mansarovar via Limi Valley: 25 days through Humla and Hilsa, see the trip page for price
- Kailash Mansarovar Overland Tour: 18 days, see the trip page for the 2027 route and price
- Kailash Mansarovar Heli Tour: 10 days, see the trip page for price
