The best way of visiting Mount Kailash and Mansorrovar is from Lhasa and from Kathmandu Nepal. Since the overland tour to Kailash is not permitted and another way of Helicopter tour from Simikot is more trouble creating.
Why Overland Tour to Kailash is not open?
There was only one overland route from Nepal to enter Tibet and Mount Kailash. Kodari immigration (Tatopani), which is 5 hours driving from Kathmandu Nepal. After an earthquake in Nepal in April 2015, the road and other infrastructure were damage. Immediately Kailash/ Tibet tour and other entry from Kodari immigration stopped. Local villages and peoples of both countries were shifted to other saved cities. Overland tour to Kailash season of (May till September month) 2016 was totally closed. When government of both countries has removed all the abstractions and made good roads, heavy monsoons of 2016 hit the Kodari area again (Nepali town near Tibet border). There were big landslides that caused totally closed all the road access.
There is some improvement in road access toward the Kodari border but still entering Tibet/ Mount Kailash is not permitted. The big hope of opening another border between Nepal and Tibet Kerung border which is the northern part of Nepal is still not formally open for foreigners. Only 7/8 hours drive from Kathmandu reaches Kerung boarder. It is in Langtang National park and very narrow road access is there. High possibilities of the landslide at monsoon season are mainly caused the Kerung border is not permitted from Tibet government, though Chinese tourists and Nepalese can enter the border formally. As per hints from Tibet, there are very few possibilities to open the Kerung border for 2017.
Kailash Tour or Kailash Yatra by Helicopter from Simikot
As an optional way, Kailash Tour is being run from Simikot. It is a Helicopter tour. Simikot is a remote area of Nepal and belongs to the Himalayan range. Peoples arrive Nepaljung either from Kathmandu or from Lucknow India. From Kathmandu, 55 minutes flight reaches Nepaljung, and if driving, it takes 9 hours. There are a few tourist standard hotels. The next destination is to Simikot, another 1-hour flight from Nepaljung. This flight is really depending on whether condition. A tiny flight carries about 16 peoples at a time do not fly after mid-day because of the weather. There are big chances not flying continuously for long days. So more peoples may stock at Nepaljung. Which caused a lack of accommodation.
If Nepaljung – Simikot flight get success, another chartered helicopter flight from Simikot to Hilsa (Nepal Tibet boarder) should again succeed to reach finally at Nepal Tibet border. It is 20 minutes flight with a small 5/6 seater helicopter. This flight is also depending on the weather condition. If there will be no flight in the peak season only for a day, lack of accommodation is simikot create a big problem. There will be more passengers every day than the capacity of aircraft. Getting back up to Nepaljung from Kailash is also with the same position. There are many cases peoples got lose their original flight date to home. Another option is to trek simikot and reach Tibet Nepal border Hilsa. A week trek in Limi valley is the best Nepal Trekking.
Lhasa route is more convenient for Kailash Mansarovar Tour
Another best way to get Kailash Mansarovar is to take flight from Kathmandu Nepal to Lhasa. Now every day flights by two air companies from Kathmandu Lhasa are easier to accommodate. Kailash tour from Lhasa will reach every place as per schedule. This tour could be a little more costly but without any headache. Also have chances to visit historical cities like Lhasa, Shigatse, and Gyantse before reaching to Kailash region. The famous monasteries and other monuments including Potala Palace in Lhasa are including in this tour. It is also more helpful for Kailash Parikrama that you stay about 5 nights at high altitude and your body will acclimatize before reaching high land in Kailash Kora.
If you need more information about Kailash Mansarovar Tour, the cost of the Kailash Mansarovar tour for 2017, please contact Nepal Highland Treks. Email us at: [email protected] / [email protected] Call/ Viber/ WhatsApp: 00977-9851040871 (Hemanta)
View more details in our package page of Kathmandu Lhasa Kailash Tour
