Travelling to Kailash: The Shiva’s Abode

Dhruv Razdan

In this article, I write about how one can reach Mount Kailash/Mansarovar, a highly significant mountain to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and specifically Kashmiri Pandits.

Kashmiri Pandits celebrate the festival of Shivratri a bit differently than mainstream Hindus in the form of “Herath”. The mountain Kailash is situated in the most beautiful part of the Land of Snows, Tibet. It is considered highly sacred by all Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. Indeed, it seems to be an essential element in their beliefs. 

Visiting Shiva and Parvati’s home must have been in our bucket lists, considering how significant it is to us KPs. Hence, on that note, I thought I shall share some options to travel to help you with your research in case you were planning. 

How to reach from India via Nepal by Road

Probably the most adventurous way, going overland from Delhi to Mount Kailash is an epic excursion of more than 1,838 kilometers. 

The initial segment of the course is from New Delhi to Kathmandu, which is moderately simple as Indian nationals have unhindered admittance to going into and around Nepal. 

From Kathmandu, you should take a vehicle to the boundary with China at Gyirong Port. Once across the boundary, you will be met by our aide and driver to make the long excursion to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. 

From Kathmandu, it is an excursion of around 846 kilometers to get to the sacrosanct mountain, an excursion of only five days.

This course takes you direct from Kathmandu overland to Kailash, crossing the line at the now-well known Gyirong Port. The excursion requires 2-3 days, contingent upon how quick you travel; however, it is smart to stay a night in Gyirong Town as you are moving from a somewhat low elevation in Kathmandu (2,700 meters) to Darchen (4500 meters.) This helps your body acclimatise better and reduces risk of Altitude Sickness. 

After acclimatising in Gyirong Town, it is then a drive up through Gyirong County to the G219 National Road, which takes you the whole way to Darchen.  The outing is long, requiring 8-9 hours to get to the sacrosanct mountain, yet takes you through the absolute most incredible meadows loaded up with a plenty of level untamed life and a huge number of lakes and mountains.

(Independent travel in Tibet is prohibited, hence, a booking with an authorised tour operator is mandatory.)

How to reach from India/Europe via Nepal by Flight

The quickest method for getting to Kailash is by flight. First you will have to take a flight to Kathmandu. From Kathmandu, you will then have to travel to Lhasa, and then afterward catch a flight to Ngari Gunsa Airport, another 2 hour journey.

There is no non-stop trip to Gunsa Airport from Kathmandu. 

There are a few day-by-day non-stop departures from Kathmandu to Lhasa, which takes around an hour and a half and flies straight over the culmination of Mount Everest in transit to Lhasa. 

Flights are not modest, however, beginning at more than 500 dollars for an economy ticket, hence, it very well may be a costly course to take.

From Lhasa, the corresponding flight takes you to the recently built Ngari Gunsa Airport, at Shiquanhe. 

There is just one flight each day to Gunsa from Lhasa, which leaves at around seven AM. The flight requires only 2 hours to get to Ngari, and costs from around 380 US dollars. 

It is to be noted that traveling by flight doesn’t allow you to acclimatise as well as you would while traveling by road, which leaves you at a higher risk of getting altitude sickness.

The flights shorten your trip of days to a mere few hours, though if you have the time, I will certainly recommend traveling by road as I firmly believe it is the journey, not the destination, that enhances your travel. 

Do note that traveling to Tibet requires extensive paperwork and permit arrangements, hence, it is recommended that you plan your travel much in advance. 

For any requirements, you can reach me at [email protected]