Nepal6 days
Mount Kailash & Lake Manasarovar by Helicopter — 6 Days from Nepal
Helicopter access to Mount Kailash's south face and Lake Manasarovar from Nepalgunj, with overland crossing into Tibet
This six-day itinerary reaches Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar without the multi-week commitment of a full parikrama circuit. The route departs from Nepalgunj in western Nepal, using a combination of scheduled mountain flight and chartered helicopter to reach Hilsa at the Nepal-Tibet border. From there, ground transport crosses into Tibet to Taklakot (3,400 meters) for acclimatization, then continues to Lake Manasarovar at 4,550 meters, where Mount Kailash's south face is visible across the water. The itinerary includes one night camped at Manasarovar's edge and a drive into Yamadwar (Valley of the Gods) before returning to the border and flying back to Nepal. The tour operates May through September and is designed for travelers with limited time who do not wish to add Kathmandu to their schedule. Access to this region requires Tibetan entry permits and border crossing formalities handled by the operator.
Highlights
- Scheduled mountain flight from Nepalgunj to Simikot, then chartered helicopter to Hilsa at the Nepal-Tibet border
- Overnight stay on the shore of Lake Manasarovar (4,550 m) with direct views of Mount Kailash's south face
- Drive through Yamadwar (Valley of the Gods) with Mount Kailash visible from multiple vantage points
- Acclimatization rest day at Taklakot (3,400 m) before ascent to high altitude
- Ground transport through Tibet from Hilsa to Manasarovar via well-maintained roads (90 km from Taklakot)
Day by day
1Lucknow to Nepalgunj by RoadLucknow to Nepalgunj · Hotel Siddhartha
Travelers arrive in Lucknow by air or train and are collected for a four-hour overland drive to Nepalgunj, a town in western Nepal that serves as the gateway for this expedition. Check-in is at Hotel Siddhartha in Nepalgunj. The day is designed as a transfer and arrival point, allowing time to rest before the early departure the following morning.
2Mountain Flight to Simikot and Helicopter Crossing to HilsaSimikot · Hilsa · Nepalgunj · Taklakot (Purang)
An early-morning scheduled flight departs Nepalgunj for Simikot in a small aircraft, crossing the Nepal foothills to reach higher elevations. From Simikot, a chartered helicopter carries the group to Hilsa, located on the Nepal-Tibet border. After a 15-minute walk through immigration formalities, the group transfers to a Tibetan vehicle that drives inland to Taklakot (Purang), a small settlement at 3,400 meters on the Tibetan plateau. Overnight accommodation is in a guest house.
3Taklakot Acclimatization Rest DayTaklakot
A rest day at Taklakot allows your body to adjust to the high altitude before continuing higher.
4Drive to Lake ManasarovarLake Manasarovar · Taklakot to Lake Manasarovar · Manasarovar's shore
The 90-kilometer drive south from Taklakot to Lake Manasarovar (4,550 m) follows a well-maintained road through high-altitude terrain. Mount Kailash becomes visible during the approach, rising above the landscape as the road reaches the lake. Evening is spent camped at Manasarovar's shore, where the mountain can be seen across the water. This location allows time for ritual activities and exploration along the lakeshore with Mount Kailash as backdrop.
5Return to Taklakot and Helicopter to SimikotTaklakot · Simikot · Hilsa
The drive back to Taklakot retraces the 90-kilometer route north. Upon arrival, immigration procedures are completed at the border, and the group is transported to Hilsa for the chartered helicopter flight back to Simikot. Overnight accommodation is in Simikot, subject to helicopter availability and weather conditions. Final logistics are coordinated with the tour guide.
6Return Flight to NepalgunjNepalgunj · Simikot
The scheduled flight from Simikot to Nepalgunj departs in the morning, arriving by late morning. This allows time for onward travel or the four-hour drive back to Lucknow.
Where you go
- 1Nepalgunj
Included
- Included
- Accommodation in Nepalgunj hotel on twin sharing basis
- Accommodation in a group sharing a guest house in Kailash
- Schedule flight of Nepaljung - Simikot - Nepaljung
- Chartered Heli flight from Simikot-Hilsa-Simikot
- Transportation with a comfortable bus
- Immigration formalities and baggage transfer
- Tibet entry permit and Visa
- Entrance fees for Lake Manasarovar
- Freshly cooked veg foods for the entire trip
- Trip co-ordinator, cooking team, and Helpers
- Emergency evacuation arrangement
- Enough oxygen cylinders and necessary accessories
Not included
- Excluded
- Personal expenses like shopping, phone calls, extra drinks, laundry, yak, etc.
- Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control, such as natural calamities, flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, accidents, etc.
- Tips to drivers and hotel staff.
- The extra cost of transportation, Porterage, etc involved due to landslides and snowfall.
- Trip cancellation charge due to the Tibetan government rules and others that are not in our hands.
- Air ticket/ transportation till Lucknow and from Lucknow
- Services other than specified
- Visa Cancellation charge while returning from Tibet and extra transportation