Travel guide · Simikot
The Kailash Route via Simikot
The Nepal route to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar runs via Simikot in Humla and the Hilsa border crossing into Tibet.
The Kailash route via Simikot is the classic Nepal-side approach to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, the most sacred pilgrimage in the Himalaya. Pilgrims fly to Simikot in Humla, travel up the Humla Karnali to the Hilsa border, cross into Tibet, then continue overland to Kailash — a journey that blends deep spiritual significance with serious far-western logistics.
Why this route
Mount Kailash (Kang Rinpoche) and the sacred lake of Mansarovar lie just across the border in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, and they are holy to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and the Bon faith alike. The Simikot–Hilsa approach is the traditional Nepal pathway to them, threading through the dramatic Karnali gorges of Humla rather than taking the longer overland drive via the Kerung border. It allows for gradual acclimatisation through the high valleys and connects the pilgrimage to one of Nepal's wildest regions — part of the country's great tradition of sacred sites and pilgrimages.
How the journey unfolds
A typical pilgrimage runs two to three weeks door to door. You fly Kathmandu → Nepalgunj → Simikot with weather buffers (see how to get to Simikot), then travel up the Karnali to Hilsa — historically a five-to-seven-day trek, now often shortened by rough road and helicopter shuttles. At Hilsa you cross into Tibet, drive on toward Kailash and Mansarovar, and complete the kora (parikrama) — the roughly three-day circumambulation of the sacred peak over the 5,600 m Dolma La pass. The return reverses the route back through Simikot.
Permits and operators
This is a cross-border journey, so the paperwork is substantial. You need Nepal's Humla restricted-area and entry permits for the Simikot–Hilsa section, and a Chinese visa plus Tibet travel permits for the crossing and the Kailash region. These can only be arranged through a registered operator working with partners on both sides, and must be organised well in advance. Independent travel across this border is not possible.
Preparing for the altitude
Kailash and Mansarovar sit on the high Tibetan plateau, and the kora crosses a pass above 5,600 m, so altitude is the defining challenge. The gradual ascent through Humla helps, but careful acclimatisation, fitness and pacing are essential — read our notes on altitude sickness in Nepal. The pilgrimage season mainly runs late spring to early autumn; time it with the best time to visit Simikot.
Good to know
- Flights drive everything: A grounded Simikot flight can delay the whole pilgrimage — build in buffer days and never book a tight return.
- Two sets of permits: Nepal-side and Tibet-side paperwork are both required — your operator arranges them; see getting around Nepal.
- Pair with Limi: Some travellers combine the Kailash crossing with the Limi Valley trek for a fuller Humla journey.
- Plan: See where the route fits among the best things to do in Simikot.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Kailash route via Simikot?+
It is the main Nepal-side pilgrimage route to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet. Pilgrims fly to Simikot in Humla, travel up the Humla Karnali to the Hilsa border, cross into the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, then drive on toward Kailash and Mansarovar.
Why go to Kailash via Simikot rather than Kathmandu overland?+
The Simikot–Hilsa route is the traditional Nepal approach and avoids the longer Kerung overland drive. It crosses the Humla Himalaya through dramatic Karnali gorges and lets pilgrims acclimatise gradually, though it depends on reliable Simikot flights and is logistically demanding.
What permits do you need for the Kailash route?+
You need Nepal's Humla restricted-area and entry permits for the Simikot–Hilsa section, plus a Chinese visa and Tibet travel permits arranged through a registered operator for the crossing and the Kailash region in Tibet. These must be organised well in advance by your agency.
How long does the Kailash pilgrimage via Simikot take?+
Allow roughly two to three weeks door to door, including Kathmandu–Nepalgunj–Simikot flights with buffer days, the journey to Hilsa, the Tibet crossing, the drive to Kailash and Mansarovar, and the Kailash kora (parikrama) of about three days, plus the return.
