Accommodation, Costs, and Significance of Lipulekh Pass for Pilgrims
Uttarakhand to Resume Kailash Mansarovar Yatra After 6 Years
Dehradun, February 7, 2025: After a hiatus of six years, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is set to resume in June 2025. The first batch of Indian pilgrims is expected to depart in the first week of June. The yatra had been suspended since 2019, but following an agreement between India and China, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Uttarakhand government recently held their first meeting to discuss preparations for the pilgrimage.
Changes in the Yatra Route and Timeline:
Significant changes are expected in the yatra route and travel time. Unlike previous years, pilgrims will now stop at Tanakpur, approximately 330 km from New Delhi, instead of Haldwani. From there, the journey will continue by road to Lipulekh Pass, which marks the border with China. The two-lane road from Lipulekh will allow buses to travel directly to the Kailash region.
Tourism Officer Kiirtiraj Arya confirmed that preparations are underway. The new route will reduce travel time significantly. Pilgrims are expected to reach the Kailash region on the 4th or 5th day, a drastic reduction from the previous 8-day trek. The entire yatra, which once took 24 days, will now be completed in just 10 days.
Accommodation and Facilities:
The Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) has made arrangements for pilgrims with tents and homestays at key locations such as Budhi, Gunji, Nabhidhang, and Lipulekh. These accommodations will provide food, warm clothing, and transportation facilities for the pilgrims.
Cost and Visa Details:
The cost of the yatra is still being finalized. In 2019, China charged a visa entry fee of $100, but the fee for the 2025 yatra has not yet been confirmed. Travelers opting for the Nepal route are expected to pay around ₹1.84 lakh, with an additional fee for porters.
Significance of Lipulekh Pass:
Lipulekh Pass is one of the three major routes to Kailash Mansarovar. The other two routes are through Nathu La Pass in Sikkim and Kathmandu, Nepal. Lipulekh Pass holds historical and religious significance and is mentioned in the Skanda Purana, which describes the route passing along the banks of the Sharada and Kali rivers in Uttarakhand.
For more details, pilgrims can check with the Uttarakhand Tourism Department or the Ministry of External Affairs.
