Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 Updates

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026: Key updates at a glance

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra status 2026: Expected to open from mid-May 2026

Open routes: Nepal route and Lhasa route

Cost range 2026: USD 2,800 to USD 3,000 per person (varies by route & group size)

Permit processing: Expected improvements with faster digital documentation

Trip booking: Early booking recommended due to high demand

Highest altitude: 5,630 m/18,471 ft (Dolma La Pass)

Best Months: May to September

Accommodation: Hotel and guesthouse

Private groups: Available

Fixed departures: Available 

Learn about Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 updates in this blog. As the 2026 season is approaching fast, it is the best time to book your Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and start preparing for the trip. 

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2026 is going to be very special. The Horse Year craze and improved infrastructure for the pilgrims are expected to attract many travelers from around the world. 

If you have ever dreamed of doing the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra but couldn’t do it yet, this is your time to do this pilgrimage. In this blog, we have shared all the Kailash Yatra updates for 2026. 

Before we dive deep into the blog, let us answer a few immediate questions that most pilgrims thinking about doing the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2026 may have. If you are interested to learn more about Mount Kailash, check this site. 

Is Kailash Mansarovar Yatra open in 2026?

Yes, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will open in 2026. The trips are available from May to October, and early bookings are open.

How much does Kailash Yatra cost in 2026?

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra costs around USD 3,350 to USD 2,800 per person. Depending on the route, group size, and itinerary, the tour cost may vary.

What are the new rules for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2026?

Below are some of the new and old rules travelers have to follow during the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2026:

• Age limit: Pilgrims must be between 18 and 70 years old.
• Medical requirement: A medical certificate is needed stating the pilgrim’s health and fitness for high altitude.
• Travel rules: Independent travel is not allowed, traveling with an authorized agency is a must, and pilgrims must travel in a group.
• Permits: Tibet Travel Permit (TTP), Aliens Travel Permit (ATP), and Chinese Group Visa. Foreign Affairs Permit and Military Area Permit may also be required for some routes.

Best route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 is possible through multiple routes. Each route has something special to offer. Although you will be traveling to the same destination following any route, the trip duration will be different, along with the overall experience.

Leaf Holidays offers different Kailash Mansarovar Yatra packages. Each package follows a distinct route and duration. You can choose the package that suits your preferences.

Kailash Mansarovar Overland Tour

The Kailash Mansarovar overland tour is a 14-day trip. It starts from Kathmandu, Nepal. The Kailash Mansarovar overland tour costs USD 2,800 to USD 3,000 per person. If the group is more than 25 people, we offer an additional USD 125 off per head.

The Kailash Mansarovar overland tour is by far the most famous, comfortable, and affordable way to do the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2026. We help with permits and visas in Kathmandu.

While you wait for a visa in Kathmandu, you can explore temples like Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath, Guheshwori temple, etc. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a high-altitude journey.

You will go beyond 5,500 meters on this trip. On the overland tour, you will experience a gradual ascent with an acclimatization break in Kerung. It is great to avoid altitude sickness, and you will feel better at high altitude.

Kailash Mansarovar Tour via Lhasa

The Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa is a 17-day trip. It is ideal for yatris who want to explore Tibetan cities such as Lhasa and Shigatse. Our Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa costs USD 3,200 per person. We also have group discounts available.

The journey begins in Kathmandu, Nepal, because flying in and out of Kathmandu is easy and less expensive than flying to Lhasa from other countries. You will spend four days in Kathmandu to apply for a Chinese group visa and receive it.

After acquiring the group visa, you will fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa and start the journey. Explore Tibetan cities, culture, architecture, and lifestyle. From Lhasa, you will drive to Shigatse, then to Saga, and finally to Mansarovar Lake.

After the Kailah Kora ends, you will drive back to Lhasa following the same route and fly back to Kathmandu. From Kathmandu, fly back to your home.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lucknow

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lucknow is another quite popular way to travel to Mansarovar Lake and Mt. Kailash. It is a 10-day trip that includes visiting Mansarovar Lake and Kailash Kora.

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lucknow starts from Nepalgunj (a city in Nepal). The trip includes two domestic flights (Nepalgunj – Simikot) and two helicopter flights (Simikot – Hilsa). The rest of the traveling you will do in a comfortable tourist bus.

The journey starts in Lucknow. You will drive from Lucknow to Nepalgunj and take a domestic flight to Simikot. From here, you will fly in a helicopter to Hilsa and drive to Taklakot.

The altitude gain between Nepalgunj and Taklakot is huge, so we also take an acclimatization day in Taklakot. From Taklakot, you can reach Mansarovar Lake in just a two-hour drive.

After the Kailash Kora, you will follow the same route and return to Lucknow.

Kailash Mansarovar Heli Tour

The Kailash Mansarovar Heli tour is a 13-day program. You will start the journey from Kathmandu. Explore the temples in Kathmandu and fly to Nepalgunj. From Nepalgunj, you will fly to Simikot and take a helicopter flight to Hilsa.

A short drive from Hilsa will take you to Taklakot, where you will spend an acclimatization day and drive to Mansarovar Lake. You will then do the Kailash Parikarma and return to Kathmandu the same way to end the journey.

*Instead of Kathmandu, we can also drop you off in Lucknow.

The Kailash Mansarovar Heli tour package costs a couple of hundred more than other Kailash Mansarovar trip packages, but it is also comparatively short and comfortable.

The Kailash Mansarovar Heli tour costs USD 3,350 per person. Group discounts available. 

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 cost and booking

Below, we have made a comparison table for all four Kailash Mansarovar Yatra packages that we have shared above. We have fixed departures available for all packages. Pick the one that best meets your fitness and preferences.

*For a private Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2026, kindly contact us. If you have enough travelers in your group, we can help you arrange a private Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. It will be customized to your requirements.

*You can check fixed departure dates for each package on the respective package pages that we have linked above. 

*It requires a minimum of 45 days to issue the permits for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, so we advise the interested travelers to book their seats early. 

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 opening date & season

Expected opening: 

Mid-May to October 2026

Best travel months:

May to June

The weather is stable and clear between May and June. The route opens after the long winter closure, and pilgrims from all over the world begin to flock to Kailash Mansarovar. The temperature ranges between 8°C and 15°C during the day and below –8°C at night.

In May, there can be snow on Dolma La Pass, but in June, the snow melts significantly. Likewise, May usually has clear skies in the morning but windy afternoons. The oxygen level is higher in early May.

May is also the starting time of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, so the crowd is also low. By mid-June, the crowd increases. Overall, the air is crisp and cold in May, warmer in June, and relatively less crowded in both months.

*Snow-covered peaks, frozen edges of Mansarovar Lake, and bright sunlight.

*Kailash Parikarma is more peaceful.

July to August

July to August has a warmer climate in the Kilash area, and the oxygen level is also high. July and August are two of the most popular times for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra because of festivals.

July is the warmest month with temperatures up to 18°C. The nights are a bit colder, but the daytime is pleasant. There can be occasional rainfall in Nepal, but Tibet remains dry.

August is similar to July but slightly colder. Clouds are intense, so the views may be obstructed. There may be possible light rainfall in the late afternoons.

*Kailash is in the rainshadow area. So, apart from occasional light rainfall, you do not have to worry about heavy rain and ruined trails. The light rain will make the views even more magical.

*Heavy rainfall in Nepal and India. 

*The meadows are green around Hilsa, Taklakot, and Darchen between July and August. Likewise, Mansarovar Lake is at its beautiful turquoise blue color.

*The crowd level is at its peak between July and August because most pilgrims from Nepal, India, Bhutan, and other Southeast Asian countries visit Kailash Mansarovar in July and August.

September to October

The weather is stable between September and October, and the crowd of pilgrims also decreases. It is the last two months of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. If you want to avoid crowds, traveling in these two months is recommended (especially October).

The temperature ranges between 5°C and 15°C (day) and –3°C to –8°C (night). The skies are not that cloudy, so the mountain views and scenery are crystal clear.

As mid-October approaches, temperatures drop quickly. Mornings and evenings are colder. Visibility is great, but Dolma La Pass has strong winds. And there is a possibility of snowfall after mid-October.

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra season ends by the end of October. The temperature drops to –10°C or lower at night. Teahouses at higher elevations begin to close.

*The view of Mt. Kailash’s north and south faces are crystal clear between September and October.

*Deep blue Manasarovar Lake.

What’s new for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026?

Compared to 2025, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2026 is going to be a more well-organized and accessible pilgrimage season.

After the first post-pandemic opening in 2025, the 2026 Kailash pilgrimage season is going to be better because of enhanced safety, comfort, logistics, and overall travel efficiency for pilgrims.

• Upgraded roads in Tibet for smoother travel: Tibet has heavily invested in improving roads between Saga, Paryang, Darchen, and the Mansarovar area. The Kailash Kora route is well-established, and road closures due to landslides are also less frequent.
• Improved lodge quality around Darchen: Darchen is situated at the base of Mt. Kailash. It is the starting and ending point of the Kailash Kora. As the numbers of pilgrims and travelers are expected to increase in 2026, the locals have increased their capacity for large groups. Rooms are better insulated with hot water and better hygiene standards.
• Expected a faster permit processing system: The timing required to obtain the permits for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is still the same. But the difference is how well Leaf Holidays is going to handle in 2026 after our 2025 experience. So, travelers do not have to worry about permits and group visas.
• Digital ID verification for group visas: The Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu has introduced digital ID verification for travelers. It includes facial recognition-based verification with an electronic matching immigration system. You will spend less time at the visa office.
• More flexible departure dates from Nepal: 2025 was a trial and run period for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after the pandemic opening. However, 2026 is going to be a fully packed Kailash Mansarovar Yatra season. With clear legal obligation information, a better system, and logistics on point, Leaf Holidays is ready for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026. 

Essential tips for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026

We have gathered helpful tips for anyone planning to do the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2026. These tips are based on our 2025 Kailash trips.

Book early to secure permits:

It takes time to secure permits for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. We need at least 45 days to arrange all the permits. So, you have to book your Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 seat at least 1.5 months ahead of your intended departure date.

We even recommend booking earlier than this to secure your seat on the date you are interested in. Our Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 fixed departure groups are going to be small, so you may miss the season on your intended departure if you do not book early.

Choose an operator with Tibet contacts:

You have to travel with a reliable travel operator with strong connections in Tibet and first-hand experience in organizing the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

*We, Leaf Holidays, had a successful 2025 Kailash season. Our groups are very satisfied with the journey and our service.

We have a direct partnership with a licensed Tibetan agency that works with us to streamline our Kailash Mansarovar trips. Likewise, we have experience in handling Kailash Mansarovar Yatra permits and group visas.

We can take care of logistics and transportation. In short, you do not have to worry about anything during the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and just follow our lead.

We can get you:

• Better rooms in Darchen, Saga, and the Mansarovar area
• Priority permit processing
• Smoother coordination during the Kailash Kora
• Accurate weather updates

Hydrate frequently to avoid AMS:

You will travel above 4,000 meters during the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. And most of the time, pilgrims are not used to this kind of elevation. The environment and oxygen level are different at higher altitudes. So, you may find it hard to adjust to a higher altitude.

But acclimatization is important to complete the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra without suffering from altitude sickness. Hydration is one of the best ways to avoid altitude sickness, but you have to follow a few other measures for the best results.

• Drink 2 to 3 liters of water daily.
• Avoid alcohol, excessive caffeine, sugar drinks, and smoking
• Add electrolytes to your water
• Drink ginger-honey teas and soups daily
• Maintain food intake and sleep schedule
• Listen to your body

Carry extra snacks & electrolytes:

Pack your snacks for the journey, as the options can be limited around the Kailash Mansarovar area. Pack electrolyte packets, nuts, energy bars, and other food for snacking.

Avoid sudden physical exertion:

Traveling at high elevations can be challenging on your body. So, it is important that you avoid sudden physical movement that can increase your heart rate. Let your body slowly adapt to the environment.

Be patient (Tibet logistics can involve delays):

You have to be patient during the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. There can be delays caused by weather changes, permit verification, border clearances, flight scheduling, roadblocks, etc. We are here to help you with these troubles. But you have to be patient and work with us.

Conclusion

We have shared all the latest updates for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 in this blog. In the coming days, we will share more updates as they come.

If you have any questions about the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2026, feel free to reach out to us. Our bookings are open for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026.