Map of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and its Route

Map of Mansarovar:-

How to reach Mansarovar:-

There are 4 ways to reach Mount Kailash from India.

 1) By road from India. The Government of India organises tours to Lake Manasarovar. This is a 28-30 day trek but the disadvantage is that it has to be booked well in advance and there is no certainty that one can go despite being in physical shape, because the number of seats is limited and participants are chosen by a draw by MInistry of External Affairs, India. About 400 people make it from the 6000 that apply each year.

  2) By air to Kathmandu and from there by road to Lake Manasarovar at the base of Mount Kailash. One may fly to Kathmandu from Delhi, Varanasi, Kolkata & Mumbai. Banglore flight is suspended as of now. This has become the most popular route.

 3) Helicopter tours of Kailash for those who are short of time or cannot take the rigours of a grueling high altitude road journey. The tour uses fixed wing aircraft for the flight from Kathmandu to Nepalganj and from there to Simikot. From Simikot a helicopter flies to Hilsa. Landcruisers are then used to reach Manasarovar.

 4) Tour via Lhasa wherein one will fly to Kathmandu and then to Lhasa by China Air and from there one will visit various towns in Tibet like Shigatse, Gyantse, Lhatse, Prayang etc. and will reach Mansarovar. On the way back, there are three options a) drive back to Lhasa and fly back to Kathmandu b) drive to Hilsa and fly via Helicopter and fixed wing aircraft to Kathmandu c) Drive back to Kathmandu via Kodari Border (Friendship Bridge).

 Map of Kailash Parivar:-

A High Risk Journey

Kailash Manasarovar Yatra Yatra is extremely arduous (more so than the Vaishnodevi / Amarnath routes), involves trekking at high altitudes up to 19,500 feet, under inhospitable conditions including extreme cold and rugged terrain and may prove hazardous for those who are not physically or medically fit. The Indian Mountaineering Foundation has recognized the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra as a trekking expedition. There is a considerable element of risk to life and property.


The primary purpose of one's pilgrimage to the Kailash region is the ritual circumambulation of the sacred mountain and lake. Called parikrama in Sanskrit or kora in Tibetan, this is an ancient ritual of devotion. Pilgrims to Kailash believe that spiritual merit is gained by circumnavigating its 53 km path. A single circuit wipes out a lifetime's worth of sins while 108 circuits bring enlightenment or nirvana. The parikrama is done either on foot, horses or yaks. Most pilgrims prefer to perform 3 parikramas while for the hardy ascetics, 13 is considered an auspicious number.

Maps of Mansarovar and rashas Tal:-