The helicopter lifts off from Simikot and within minutes the green valleys of Nepal's far west fall away below you. Ahead, the Himalayas unfold — ridge after ridge of snow and rock stretching toward the Tibetan Plateau. The flight to Hilsa takes barely thirty minutes, replacing what would otherwise be days of trekking through the remote Humla gorge. When you land at the Tibet border, you step out into a different world entirely: the dry, wind-scoured silence of the plateau, prayer flags snapping against a sky that seems impossibly close. Mount Kailash is still ahead, but you've already crossed the hardest barrier. The helicopter has given you something precious on a pilgrimage like this — time. Time to spend at Lake Mansarovar. Time to walk the Kora without rushing. Time to be present.
This 11-day tour is designed for pilgrims who want the full Kailash Mansarovar experience without the long overland travel days. You'll fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, then Nepalgunj to Simikot, and take a helicopter from Simikot to Hilsa near the Tibet border. From there, you'll drive across the Tibetan Plateau to Lake Mansarovar (4,590 m, one of the highest freshwater lakes on earth) and complete the sacred 52 km Kora around Mount Kailash, crossing the Dolma La Pass at 5,636 m. The helicopter saves you four to nine days of travel compared to the overland or Simikot trekking routes — but the spiritual heart of the journey, the Kora itself, remains exactly the same.
What Makes This Pilgrimage Unforgettable
- Helicopter flight from Simikot to Hilsa replaces days of trekking, giving you more time at Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash where it matters most. Spectacular aerial views of the western Himalayan ranges included.
- Complete the sacred 3-day Kora (circumambulation) around Mount Kailash — 52 km on foot, crossing the Dolma La Pass at 5,636 m, revered by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bon followers.
- Stand on the shores of Lake Mansarovar (4,590 m), one of the highest freshwater lakes on earth. Perform rituals, take a holy dip, or meditate in the profound silence of the plateau.
- Ideal for pilgrims with limited leave, seniors, or anyone who wants to reduce the physical strain of the long overland journey while keeping the authentic Kora experience fully intact.
- All permits arranged: China Group Visa from the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, Tibet Travel Permit, Alien Travel Permit, and Military Permit. We handle every piece of paperwork.
- Visit the ancient Khojarnath Temple, devoted to Lord Ram, Sita, and Laxman — a cultural highlight unique to the helicopter route through Nepal's far-western Humla region.
- Experience a pilgrimage sacred to four world religions. Mount Kailash is the throne of Lord Shiva for Hindus, Kang Rinpoche for Buddhists, Mount Ashtapada for Jains, and the seat of spiritual power for Bon followers.
- Acclimatisation time built into the itinerary at Taklakot (Purang), with its ancient monasteries and cross-cultural trading history, before the high-altitude Kora begins.
- Horse and porter support available during the Kora. Emergency oxygen supplied in Tibet. No one gets left behind.
11-Day Kailash Mansarovar Helicopter Tour Overview
The helicopter option exists because not everyone has 15 or 20 days to spare — but everyone deserves to experience Kailash. This itinerary cuts the travel time dramatically by flying you from Simikot to Hilsa by helicopter, bypassing days of trekking through the Humla gorge. What you don't lose is the experience itself. The Kora, the lake, the plateau, the border crossing, the spiritual immersion — it's all here, condensed into 11 focused days.
Your journey begins in Kathmandu with cultural sightseeing and Pashupatinath Temple darshan. You then fly to Nepalgunj, overnight, and continue to Simikot the next morning. From Simikot, a helicopter carries you to Hilsa in about 30 minutes — a flight that offers jaw-dropping views of the Api and Saipal Himal ranges. You cross into Tibet at Hilsa, drive to Taklakot (Purang) for acclimatisation, and then continue to Lake Mansarovar and Darchen for the Kora.
The three-day Kora is identical to every other route: Darchen to Dirapuk along the western face, over the Dolma La Pass at 5,636 m, and back to Darchen via the eastern valley. After the Kora, you return through Tibet and back to Nepal. It's the same pilgrimage that millions have undertaken — just with a smarter, faster way to get there.
Before You Arrive
We recommend arriving in Kathmandu by 4:00 pm the day before departure. This gives you time for a final gear check and trip briefing with your guide.
Your Online Briefing
After you book, we'll send you an email with available times for a video call. We'll go through the full itinerary, discuss fitness requirements, what to pack for the Kora, dietary needs, and answer every question. We'll also explain the helicopter logistics, the border crossing procedure, and what to expect in Tibet.
China Group Visa and Permits — We Handle Everything
Tibet requires a China Group Visa, Tibet Travel Permit, Alien Travel Permit, and Military Permit. We handle all of it — you send us your passport details in advance, we coordinate with the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, and everything is ready before you reach Hilsa. Arrive in Kathmandu one to two days early so we can process the final visa paperwork.
Helicopter Flight Details
The helicopter flight from Simikot to Hilsa carries up to five passengers per flight and takes approximately 30 minutes. Flights are weather-dependent and operate in the early morning when conditions are calmest. We build buffer days into the itinerary for weather delays. The flight itself is one of the highlights — you'll see the western Himalayan ranges from above, a perspective very few people ever experience.
Compare Our Packages
| Standard | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | USD 3,499 | USD 4,999 |
| Meals | Full board throughout | Full board throughout |
| Kathmandu Hotel | 3-star hotel (BB basis) | Luxury hotel (full board) |
| Tibet Hotels | Best available hotel (twin-share) | Best available hotel (luxury room) |
| Transport (Tibet) | Air-conditioned minibus | Air-conditioned minibus |
| Flights + Helicopter | All flights and helicopter included | All flights and helicopter included |
| Kora Support | Yaks for luggage, emergency oxygen | Yaks for luggage, emergency oxygen |
| Permits Included | All Tibet permits arranged | All Tibet permits arranged |
| Extras | Company T-shirt and cap | Company T-shirt and cap |
| Best for | Time-efficient pilgrimage | Premium comfort, minimal strain |
Same sacred Kora, less travel time — helicopter assistance gets you to Kailash faster so you can spend more time where it matters.
Your Pilgrimage, Our Family
When Hari Lal Simkhada helped international travellers experience the Himalayas in the 1960s, he could not have imagined his grandson would still be doing the same thing six decades later. His son, Ganesh Prasad Simkhada, went on to hold senior positions in Nepal's tourism and mountaineering institutions. Today, Shreejan Simkhada carries that legacy forward as CEO of The Everest Holiday, personally designing every itinerary and coordinating the helicopter logistics, Tibet permits, and ground operations that make this tour possible.
For this tour, you'll have a Nepali team leader fluent in English and Hindi, plus a local Tibetan guide once you cross the border into Tibet. Shreejan briefs every team personally before departure.
Need anything? WhatsApp Shreejan directly: +977 9810351300.
Why Travellers Trust Us
- 320+ Reviews Across TripAdvisor, Google, and Trustpilot — 4.9 out of 5 stars, TripAdvisor Travellers Choice 2024
- TAAN Certified — Member #1586, Government Reg: 147653/072/073
- Secure 10% Deposit — pay just USD 350 to reserve your Standard tour, via Himalayan Bank
- All Permits Handled — China Group Visa, Tibet Travel Permit, Alien Travel Permit, and Military Permit all arranged by us
- Three Generations — family guiding in the Himalayas since the 1960s
- Helicopter Logistics Experts — we coordinate flights, buffer days, and contingency plans so weather delays don't derail your pilgrimage
Solo Travellers Welcome
Travelling alone on a pilgrimage can feel daunting — but you won't be alone for long. Most of our Kailash groups include solo travellers, and the shared experience of the Kora creates deep bonds quickly. Group size ranges from 1 to 20 pilgrims, and the helicopter flights (5 passengers per flight) naturally create small, tight-knit groups.
If you're a solo traveller, we'll add you to the next available group departure. Many of our solo pilgrims tell us the friendships formed on the Kora are one of the most meaningful parts of the journey.
Difficulty: Strenuous (4 out of 5)
The helicopter eliminates the trekking days in Nepal's Humla region, but the Kora itself is still physically demanding. You'll walk 52 km over three days at altitudes above 4,500 m, with the Dolma La Pass reaching 5,636 m. The thin air, cold temperatures, and uneven terrain require good fitness. The helicopter also means you gain altitude faster than the overland route, so proper acclimatisation at Taklakot is essential. Our guides carry pulse oximeters and altitude-sickness medication, and horse support is available during the Kora. We recommend walking 8-10 km daily for at least six weeks before departure. This route is rated 4/5 rather than 5/5 because the helicopter reduces total physical demand, but the Kora itself is the same challenge regardless of how you get there. If you have concerns about fitness, talk to Shreejan — he'll give you an honest assessment.
Trek With a Purpose — Changing Lives, One Pilgrimage at a Time
In 2019, Shreejan Simkhada and Shamjhana Basukala founded the Nagarjun Learning Center to give back to the communities that shaped their family. Today, 70 children receive free education and hot meals daily at the flagship centre in Saldum Village, Dhading District. The centre has expanded to 7 locations across Nepal, provided free medical care to over 600 people, and brought internet access to 65 children for the first time in their village's history.
A portion of every booking with The Everest Holiday supports the Nagarjun Learning Center, which is verified and listed on the UN Partner Portal. When you walk the Kora, your pilgrimage helps change a life.
