The Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage season has begun this year with the arrival of 25 Indian tourists on a chartered flight on Thursday.

Tour operators say nearly 15,000 Indian pilgrims have already booked packages for the Mansarovar journey this season. The Association of Kailash Tour Operators Nepal (AKTON) said bookings have increased compared to last year.

Bimal Naharki, president of AKTON, said the Hilsa border crossing has become a key attraction for pilgrims heading to Mansarovar, citing favourable weather conditions, shorter travel distance, geographical convenience and lower costs. He said Indian pilgrims are booking trips through 35 travel agencies this season. Last year, around 6,500 Indian pilgrims travelled to Mansarovar via the Humla route.

Tour operators said pilgrims using the Hilsa route travel from Lucknow in India to Nepalgunj before heading to Humla. “Lucknow is the closest Indian airport to Nepal, located 190 km from Nepalgunj, a distance that can be covered in about three hours,” Naharki said. “From Nepalgunj, pilgrims fly to Simikot and then take a helicopter to Hilsa on the Chinese border. From there, the 105-km journey to Mansarovar can be completed in around four hours.”

According to Naharki, pilgrims spend the first night in Nepalgunj and the second night in Simikot, the district headquarters of Humla. From Simikot, they fly by helicopter to Hilsa and reach Darchen base camp on the shores of Mansarovar on the third day. On the fourth day, they travel around 60 km to Mount Kailash for the pilgrimage before returning.

“Those who are physically fit complete the 52-km circumambulation of Mount Kailash, while others return after viewing the peak from Darchen base camp,” said tourism entrepreneur Bijay Singh. “On the return journey, they spend one night in Simikot and the next in Nepalgunj. The entire trip takes at least seven days.”

Tour operators said alternative routes from Nepal take at least 10 days. Pilgrims can also travel overland via Kerung through the Rasuwagadhi border in Rasuwa, while some opt to fly via Lhasa in China. The Tatopani border point in Sindhupalchok remains closed.

Tek Kumar Regmi, chief district officer of Humla, said 25 Indian tourists arrived in Simikot by air on the first day of the season. He said the start of the pilgrimage season has brought economic activity back to Simikot, with helicopter flights from Simikot to Hilsa now operational. Five private helicopter companies have begun overnight operations in Humla for the service.

Tourism entrepreneur Bijay Lama said the resumption of the pilgrimage has directly benefited local hotels, farmers, porters and transport operators.