For the first time in its history, the Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrimage will be significantly easier this season. Pilgrims now have the option to drive over 80 kilometers of roadway between Dharchula and Lipulekh Pass, a journey that previously required an arduous 8 to 9-day trek. This new development is expected to reduce the overall travel time from 17-21 days to approximately 10 days.

After a five-year hiatus imposed by the Chinese government in 2019, the Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake Pilgrimage will resume in June 2025. Restrictions were enforced primarily due to border tensions between India and China, particularly following the Galwan conflict, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this year, the pilgrimage has started again, with around 250 devotees already registered for the journey to Mount Kailash in the Tibet region controlled by China.

According to officials from the Pithoragarh district administration, pilgrims will be able to reach Gunji from Dharchula in just five hours, thanks to the completion of the 80-kilometer road by the Border Road Organisation (BRO) nearly four years ago. The administration is making all necessary arrangements to ensure the comfort of the pilgrims.

This improvement is largely due to the newly constructed road leading to Lipulekh, the gateway to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake in Tibet. Unlike in the past when travelers had to trek the entire route, they will now be able to cover this journey by vehicle. Pithoragarh officials mentioned that while some sections of the road require repair, these will be completed on time for the pilgrimage, which starts after June 10. The Indo Tibet Border Police (ITBP) will also assist in ensuring the safe passage of pilgrims.

Historically, pilgrims headed toward Mount Kailash had to walk approximately 95 kilometers from Dharchula’s Ghatabagarh to Lipulekh, a trek on a metal road established in 2020. This involved several halts at Gala, Bundi, Gunji, Nabi, Kalapani, Nabhidhang, Taklakot, and Darchin in Tibet, with each stop requiring an overnight stay. This made the journey span 8 to 9 days, with an additional six days spent for the pilgrimage to Kailash and the circumambulation of Mansarovar Lake.

The overall travel time from Dharchula to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar previously required about 17 days; including travel from Delhi, it could extend to 21 days. With the new road now open, this has been reduced to around 10 days.

District Magistrate Vinod Goswami spoke to the media, stating, “Preparations for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra are in full swing. The road has sustained some damage from heavy snowfall and glacier movements, but we have instructed all relevant agencies to expedite the repair process.”

He added, “Pilgrims heading to Mount Kailash will be accommodated in tourist rest houses operated by the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN), the primary tourism body for the Kumaon region. We are making all necessary arrangements for the comfort of the pilgrims and will facilitate help from the ITBP to ensure the safety of the devotees.”