Best Time To Do Kailash Mansarovar Yatra By Helicopter
The best time to go for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by helicopter is also flexible depending on personal wish but should be done in consideration of weather, visibility, and climate. Ideally, the best time of the year is during the Spring and Autumn Seasons as the weather is comparatively better and the sky is not so cloudy, but the view of Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake is very beautiful. These are the months when the climate is a little cool, and therefore, the trip is more comfortable. However, it is possible that personal characteristics like fatigue resistance, religious purpose, or proximity could affect the choice. Finally, planning with good weather avoids the risk of accidents and makes the experience more enjoyable.
Spring Season [March to May]
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by helicopter can be performed anytime, looking at the feasibility of weather conditions. However, the best time to visit the region is during the spring season. When the snow starts to thaw, the field is filled with the colors of spring and new foliage, making for a very peaceful setting for this kind of film. During spring, the weather is relatively moderate, and the sky is clear; this makes the helicopter experience very smooth and comfortable, and this enables the pilgrims to have a clear view of Mount Kailash and the crystal clear waters of Lake Mansarovar. Further, the spring season has less chance of disruptions by harsh weather and therefore makes the Yatra easy and spiritually fulfilling.
Autumn Season [September to October]
This Yatra by helicopter during the autumn is something that is beyond a spiritually enriching experience and physically challenging; it is also an experience that provides the best of the natural beauty that the Himalayas provide. Autumn season is usually very clear in this region, and one can get a bird’s eye view of the great Mount Kailash and the beautiful Mansarovar Lake while in the helicopter. The fact is that cooler temperatures and mild weather eliminate acute physical discomfort, so the journey is much easier.
Also, the autumn foliage contributes to the beauty of the region by giving the natural scenery a rich hue of colors in the fall season. The crowds are also fewer during this season, thus making this season one of the best times to make the pilgrimage by helicopter.
Accommodation during Kailash Mansarovar Yatra By Helicopter
The accommodation during the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by helicopter is quite basic as the terrain of the area is quite rigorous. Accommodation in Tibet is very basic, and pilgrims are likely to find themselves sleeping in dorms or twin-sharing rooms depending on the lodge or camp. At Taklakot, where the yatra has a considerable halt, the facilities are relatively better, where one can get double-bedded rooms.
Nevertheless, it should be pointed out that while rooms are available in Taklakot that offer en suite bathrooms, these do not include hot shower services. As for the lodging facilities, they are simple along the tracks of the yatra since the travelers who go through this route are mainly on pilgrimage. Yet, the emphasis is made on the fact that the mission is to create comfortable and safe conditions for the guests to relax after the journey and to carry on their pilgrimage to the blessed Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar.
Transportation During The Journey
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter is one of the easiest ways to experience the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra tour. The trekking starts with a helicopter from Nepalgunj to Simikot and from Simikot to Hilsa this reduces the time and energy required for trekking to the conventional method. After arriving at the Tibetan plateau, the actual trekking turns into more of a walking as you begin the Parikrama (Kora) around Mount Kailash, which is considered to be the holiest part of the journey.
In Parikrama, yaks are useful in porterage of your luggage, food, and equipment that you may require during the journey. These strong animals are supplied by the Indian Pilgrimage Service Centre (IPSC) in the proportion of one yak per two pilgrims. If there is extra baggage, additional yaks can be hired with prior notice, often 48 hours prior to the trip. Charges for hiring the yaks also vary from one time to another depending on the prevailing market demand, especially during the times of the year when most of the tourists visit the region. A yak handler attends to each three yaks to make sure your possessions are supervised and safe during the trek.
Difficulty Level of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra By Helicopter
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter is, in fact, a mixture of adventure and comfort, which has been designed to help those who wish to seek spirituality without going through the rigorous trekking trail. Although the use of the helicopter makes it easier and faster to get to the region, there is still some hiking and exploring of the Mansarovar area on foot. Thus, all the difficulties can be classified as easy to moderate.
Members should expect both aerial tours in helicopters and short hikes and hence need moderate fitness levels. This is further compounded by the high altitude, which is typical of the region. The helicopter route reduces some of the more rigorous aspects of the traditional pilgrimage. If one preplans and gets used to the conditions, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by helicopter is a worthy experience that a wide range of people can undertake.
Required Permits for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra By Helicopter
Tibet Travel Permit
For a foreigner to travel to Tibet, you will require the Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) that is required for entry into the country. This has to be acquired from the Tibet Tourism Bureau, and it can only be done through a licensed tourism company. Without it, tourism to Tibet in general and Mount Kailash in particular is impossible.
Alien's Travel Permit
But for such places as Mount Kailash in western Tibet, you will also require the Alien’s Travel Permit. This permit is provided by the local authorities of the Tibetan Autonomous Region and, similar to the TTP, can be secured exclusively through an officially registered travel company.
Military Permit
Besides, if you are going to visit military-restricted areas such as Ngari (which has Mount Kailash and Mansarovar), Nyingchi, or Chamdo, you need a Military Permit. The military also issues this permit, which has to be obtained through an accredited travel agency.
Foreign Affairs Permit
For some locations in China, including such places as Mt. Kailash and eastern Tibet, you will require both a Foreign Affairs Permit and a Military Travel Permission. The Lhasa Foreign Affairs Office is responsible for the issuance of Foreign Affairs Permits, while the Cultural Antiquities Department deals with the permits for western Tibet destinations such as Tholing, Tsaparang, and the Saga Dawa Festival. It usually may take around 10-15 business days, and the application is done through a travel agency. Always ensure that you have a Chinese Group Visa or China visa, which you should produce together with a photocopy of your passport. Because of the processing time for these permits, it is wise to apply for these permits before you plan for your trip to Tibet.
Inner Line Permit
Besides the permit mentioned above, if you are an Indian citizen and wish to travel directly to Mount Kailash from the India-China border, you will require an Inner Line Permit, which is a travel document issued by the authorities in India. This permit is needed to get to some of the specially controlled areas inside the territory of India.
These permits can be rather difficult to get, and the process can take a rather long time. If possible, it is preferable to contact a licensed Kailash Operator with a good network of contacts in Tibet. They can help in obtaining the required permits and as for the accommodations, food, and transportation, everything will be arranged for you.
Things To Consider | Required Preparations
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter is an adventurous trip, but it is not easy. One needs to plan well before doing it. Among the factors that can be considered to be major challenges, the first one is the meteorological conditions in the Simikot and Hilsa areas. Changes in weather conditions characterize these areas, and this poses a great problem to travelers. For instance, the flights between Nepalgunj and Simikot may take one or two days extra or may be completely canceled due to bad weather. This could lead to some likely alterations in your timetable; therefore, it is advisable to add a day before flying back and make sure that your tickets permit you to make alterations in case they are necessary.
Another factor is the need to arrive in Simikot for immigration control on the way to Kailash Mansarovar and again on the return. This compulsory halt makes it a little more challenging for the trip. Depending on the size of your group and the current weather conditions, you may need to use a helicopter and then change to a fixed-wing aircraft for the Nepalgunj to Simikot sector. But the Simikot to Hilsa segment has no other option than to be built by helicopters only, which underlines the need to consider and plan these logistic peculiarities.
Is Travel Insurance Required?
Every time one is planning a journey as sacred as the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by helicopter, one is bound to ask – is travel insurance compulsory? Although it is not a legal requirement to obtain proper insurance coverage for the trip, it is highly advised. The yatra, which is religious and physically strenuous, is undertaken in one of the most inaccessible and most elevated tracts of the globe. The combination of these factors brings some certain risks, such as high altitude sickness, and abrupt changes in the weather, as well as the shortage of medical facilities.
Travel insurance is always helpful in case of an emergency, for example, in case of having to be evacuated due to illness, having to cancel the trip because of an illness, or other situations that are not foreseen. Be it for medical expenses, for coverage against mishaps during the travel or for a hassle-free journey, availing the travel insurance for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter should be considered a wise financial investment for any devotee.
You can purchase travel insurance from the following sites:
