Adi Kailash, also called Chhota Kailash, is one of the Panch Kailash, and its dome-shaped peak looks strikingly like Mount Kailash in Tibet. A short drive away, Om Parvat carries a natural “ॐ” formed by snow on its face. Until 2021, reaching both meant a trek of around 200 km from Dharchula. Today a new motorable road lets pilgrims reach the darshan points by vehicle, and the Adi Kailash Om Parvat yatra has become one of the fastest-growing pilgrimages in Uttarakhand.
Demand is rising fast. According to the Pithoragarh administration, more than 30,000 inner line permits were issued by 2 June 2026, compared with about 29,000 in all of 2024 and 36,500 in 2025. The 2026 season is now ending, so this guide helps you plan Adi Kailash Yatra 2027 early, when the best dates and stays are still available.
Where are Adi Kailash and Om Parvat?
Both lie in the Vyas Valley of Dharchula tehsil, Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, close to the India–Nepal–Tibet border.
| Place | Approx. altitude | What you do there |
|---|---|---|
| Adi Kailash (Chhota Kailash) peak | 5,945 m | Darshan from Jolingkong; the peak is not climbed |
| Jolingkong & Parvati Sarovar | About 4,200–4,400 m | Darshan, short walk to the sacred lake and Shiv-Parvati temple |
| Om Parvat | About 6,191 m | Darshan from the Nabhidhang viewpoint |
| Gunji village | About 3,200 m | Base for both darshans; the road splits here |
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Parvati Kund in October 2023 brought the yatra national attention, and pilgrim numbers have climbed every year since.
How to reach Adi Kailash from Delhi?
There is one motorable route for Delhi to Adi Kailash. Most itineraries follow Kathgodam (or Tanakpur) → Pithoragarh → Dharchula → Gunji → Jolingkong (Adi Kailash) → Gunji → Nabhidhang (Om Parvat) → Dharchula → back. Gunji is the fork: the left branch goes via Kuti to Jolingkong, the right branch via Kalapani to Nabhidhang.
| Leg | Approx. distance | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi → Kathgodam/Almora | Overnight train or about 7 hours by road | Train / tempo traveller / car |
| Kathgodam/Almora → Pithoragarh → Dharchula | 2 days by road with a night halt | Tempo traveller / car |
| Dharchula → Gunji | 70–90 km, 5–6 hours | Local 4×4 vehicle |
| Gunji → Jolingkong | About 36–40 km | Local 4×4 vehicle |
| Gunji → Nabhidhang (Om Parvat) | Short drive via Kalapani | Local 4×4 vehicle |
Nearest railway station: Kathgodam or Tanakpur. Nearest airport: Pantnagar, about 300 km from Dharchula, or Pithoragarh’s Naini Saini airstrip when flights operate.
Important: beyond Dharchula, travel is by local 4×4 vehicles on mountain roads. Groups travelling from Delhi in a tempo traveller can ride comfortably up to Dharchula, switch to local jeeps for the high-altitude section, and rejoin their vehicle for the return. Rules on which vehicles may go beyond Dharchula can change, so confirm with your operator. You can contact us for booking Tempo Traveller on Rent in Delhi for Adi Kailash Om Parvat Yatra 2027.
Inner line permit: documents and process
An inner line permit (ILP) is mandatory because the area is close to the border. It is issued by the SDM office in Dharchula. In 2026, registration could also be started online through the KMVN and Uttarakhand eDistrict portals.
Documents usually required:
- Valid photo ID (Aadhaar, voter ID or passport)
- Passport-size photographs
- Medical fitness certificate from an MBBS doctor (keep it recent)
- Notarised affidavit / indemnity bond on stamp paper
- Police verification, where asked
The SDM office is closed on Sundays and national holidays, so plan your Dharchula arrival accordingly. The permit is checked at several posts, so keep copies handy. Foreign nationals face restrictions in this border area.
Best time for Adi Kailash and Om Parvat Yatra
| Months | Conditions | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| May – June | Roads open after BRO snow clearance; clear views; cold nights | Best, but busiest |
| July – August | Monsoon landslides and road damage | Avoid |
| September – October | Crisp skies, sharp mountain views, fewer crowds | Best for views and photography |
| November – April | Heavy snow; route closed beyond Dharchula | Closed |
The 2026 yatra was formally flagged off from Dharchula on 1 May. Expect a similar start in 2027, but official dates are announced closer to the season. Book May–June slots early; KMVN batches and good homestays fill months ahead.
8-day Adi Kailash & Om Parvat itinerary from Delhi
| Day | Route | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delhi → Almora (about 370 km, 9–10 hrs) | Early start; drive via Moradabad, Haldwani and Bhowali into the Kumaon hills |
| 2 | Almora → Jageshwar Dham → Pithoragarh (about 120 km, 5–6 hrs) | Darshan at Jageshwar, a cluster of 100+ ancient Shiva temples |
| 3 | Pithoragarh → Dharchula (about 95 km, 4 hrs) | Inner line permit and medical check at the SDM office (closed Sundays and holidays) |
| 4 | Dharchula → Gunji (70–90 km, 5–6 hrs by 4×4) | Switch to local 4×4; Tawaghat, Budhi and Chhiyalekh valley; acclimatise at about 3,200 m |
| 5 | Gunji → Jolingkong → Gunji | Adi Kailash darshan via Kuti village, Parvati Sarovar, Shiv-Parvati temple |
| 6 | Gunji → Nabhidhang → Dharchula | Om Parvat darshan at dawn, Kali Mata temple at Kalapani; long drive down |
| 7 | Dharchula → Bhimtal or Almora (about 250 km, 9–10 hrs) | Rejoin your tempo traveller for the drive back through the hills |
| 8 | Bhimtal → Delhi (about 300 km, 7–8 hrs) | Return via Haldwani; arrive Delhi by ev |
Adi Kailash yatra cost: How Much budget you should plan for?
Costs depend on your starting city, group size, stay type and transport.
- Road packages from Kathgodam or Delhi: Commonly start from around ₹45,000–50,000 per person on twin sharing for 8–9 days.
- Helicopter packages: significantly higher, but shorter.
- Group travel by tempo traveller: for families and groups of 9–20, booking an Urbania on rent from Delhi or Haridwar to Dharchula and back, plus local 4×4 jeeps above, often brings the per-head cost down. Get best deal for booking tempo traveller for Adi Kailash Yatra from Delhi.
Know Here: Why Urbania Van hire is best for long journeys and Group travel?
Complete Adi Kailash Yatra Packages include stays in KMVN rest houses or homestays, meals, local 4×4 transport and permit support. Check whether medical certificates, porters and add-on temples are included.
Is the Adi Kailash Yatra difficult?
The driving is long, but the walking is limited. At Jolingkong, the walk to Parvati Sarovar is short, and the optional climb to the Adi Kailash temple is steeper. The real challenge is altitude. You will sleep at around 3,200 m in Gunji and visit points above 4,000 m.
- Get a medical check-up before the trip, especially if you have heart, lung or BP conditions.
- Acclimatise: don’t rush from Dharchula to Jolingkong in a day.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol.
- Carry warm layers even in May–June; nights are near freezing.
- Keep a spare day for landslides or weather.
Suggested Read: How to go Mahavtar Babaji Cave?
Packing checklist
- Thermal innerwear, down jacket, woollen cap and gloves
- Good walking shoes and rain jacket
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm
- Personal medicines and a basic first-aid kit
- Power banks (electricity is limited in villages)
- Cash; ATMs and card payments are unreliable beyond Dharchula
- Several copies of ID, photos and permit
FAQs
How to reach Adi Kailash from Delhi?
Train or road to Kathgodam or Tanakpur, road to Dharchula via Pithoragarh, then local 4×4 vehicles to Gunji and Jolingkong.
Is a permit required for Adi Kailash and Om Parvat?
Yes. An inner line permit is mandatory and is issued through the SDM office in Dharchula.
Can I do Adi Kailash Om Parvat Yatra in one trip?
Yes. Both are covered from a Gunji base on separate days.
When does Adi Kailash Yatra 2027 start?
Official dates aren’t announced yet. Recent seasons opened in early May.
How many days are needed for Adi Kailash Yatra?
About 8–9 days from Kathgodam by road; 5 days from Dharchula.
Can senior citizens do the Adi Kailash Om Parvat Yatra?
Many do, with a medical clearance, slow acclimatisation and minimal walking.
Plan your Adi Kailash Yatra 2027 with us
The roads are new, the permits take planning, and the best batches fill fast. Let us handle the hard parts: inner line permit support, comfortable tempo traveller transport from Delhi or Haridwar, local 4×4 jeeps, stays and meals.
Call / WhatsApp: · Enquire now for May–June 2027 group departures.