Adi Kailash Yatra

Pantnagar is the last airport 35 km from Kathgodam; you can reach Kathgodam via Pantnagar with the help of commercial flights. You can book a taxi from Pantnagar to reach Kathgodam. Pantnagar offers domestic flight services to Delhi, Dehradun and Lucknow, services provided by Indigo and SpiceJet. It takes about an hour to reach Pantnagar from Delhi. Also, if you are travelling from a distant state of India, then you can book your flight to Delhi and then to Pantnagar.

• Kathgodam to Pithoragarh: 196 km/ 7 hours approx
• Pithoragarh to Dharchula: 100 km/ 3:30 hours approx
• Dharchula to Gunji/Napalchu: 71 km/ 5:30 hours approx
• Gunji/Napalchu to Jolingkong to Adi Kailash to Gunji: 40 km/ 3:30 hours approx
• Gunji/Napalchu to Om Parvat to Gunji: 22 km/ 2 hours approx
• Gunji /Nabi/Napalchu to Dharchula to Didihat: 144km/5 hrs 20 min approx

• Gunji/Nabi/Napalchu to Dharchula to Chaukori: 173 km/ 6hrs 12 min approx
• Didihat to Bhimtal: 189 km/ 8 hours approx

• Chaukori to Bhimtal  covering Patal  Bhuvaneshwar: 211 km/ 7 .5 hrs
• Bhimtal to Kathgodam: 21 km/ 45 minutes approx

The total distance covered in Adi Kailash and Om Parvat Yatra is 825 km approx (Kathgodam to Kathgodam). The real adventure of Adi Kailash Om Parvat starts from Dharchula by road, which is approximately 130 km and Dharchula to Om Parvat distance by road is approximately 110 km. So, a total stretch of 250 km both ways is covered from Dharchula to Dharchula on the newly constructed road. The road is not well pitched and is unequal in several spots, that's why it might take more than an expected time to reach Gunji/Napalchu or Nabhidhang.

Coordinates of Adi Kailash and Om Parvat:

Adi Kailash (Chota Kailash /Baba Kailash ), Latitude 30.3188’North and Longitude 80.6328 ’ East, stands at an Elevation of 6310 metres (20702 feet), and Om Parvat, Latitude 30.1988’ North and Longitude 81.0310 ’ East, stands at an elevation of 5590 metres (18340 feet).

Location of Adi Kailash:
Adi Kailash is located in the upper Himalayan range of Uttarakhand in the Pithoragarh district of the Kumaon region. It is situated at an Aerial distance of approximately 105 km from Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet. Adi Kailash / Baba Kailash in Uttarakhand itself is such a holy shrine that must be visited once in a lifetime. It is believed that Mount Kailash, which is believed to be the foremost abode of Lord Shiva and the first of Panch Kailash, and Adi Kailash, which is the second abode of Lord Shiva, also the second in the tally of Panch Kailash, lie in the same mountain range. The distance of Gunji from Dharchula is approximately 90 km, and Gunji to Adi Kailash base /Jolingkong is approximately 40km. So we traveled a total of 130 km from Dharchula to reach Adi Kailash Base.

Location of Om Parvat:
Though Om Parvat is shared by all three countries, China, Nepal, and India. But its true glory can only be seen from the Nabhidang, which is a viewpoint located on the Indian side. It is believed that there are a total of eight naturally formed Om in the world, but only one has been discovered so far. Many pilgrims feel a mesmerizing spiritual connection when they are in the region, looking at the natural formation of Om. It is as if the holy word has itself taken a shape of its own to bless people.

Lipulekh Pass:
Nabhidhang, which is the viewpoint for Om Parvat, is only around 10 km from Lipulekh Pass. Mount Kailash is around 90 to 96 km from Lipulekh Pass. The Distance of Gunji from Dharchula is approx 90 km, and Gunji to Nabhidhang viewpoint, from where we get the darshan of Om Parvat, is approx 20 km, so a total of 110 km is covered from Dharchula to Om Parvat viewpoint (Nabhidang).

As for now, Adi Kailash and Om parvat Yatra can be completed by road with Trip To Temples. Most of the time, helicopters are used only for the rescue or evacuation process.

Until 2021, the Adi Kailash yatra required a 200 km trek from Dharchula. However, due to a new road network up to Jolingkong and Nabidhang, the trek is now optional. Pilgrims can trek 2-3 km to Parvati Sarovar and Chhota Kailash Temple, or 3-4 km to Gauri Kund from Jolingkong.

Vehicles can reach Jolingkong Base, but further access is prohibited to maintain the sanctity of the area. The Holy Peak of Adi Kailash is visible from the base, making the trek non-mandatory.

Mules and porters are available for hire at Jolingkong Base, with charges around Rs 2000 for Parvati Sarovar and Rs 4000 for Gauri Kund. It’s advisable not to trek alone due to high altitudes—14,200 ft at Parvati Sarovar and 15,000 ft at Gauri Kund. 

In summary:
- Jolingkong Base: Vehicle drop-off
- Trek to Parvati Sarovar: 2-3 km
- Trek to Gauri Kund: 3-4 km

Adi Kailash is a serene destination, revered as the former abode of Lord Shiva. The stunning Om Parvat, located at the borders of India, Nepal, and Tibet, attracts countless pilgrims seeking divine blessings. 

Accessible exclusively through the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, both Adi Kailash and OM Parvat have historical significance, once visited by ancient sages on their way to Kailash Mansarovar. While the trek to Adi Kailash extended 200 km from Dharchula until 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic halted this route, now considered the Old Route. Fortunately, with the construction of a new motorable road for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, access to Adi Kailash has been revitalized, allowing the yatra to resume by vehicle in 2021.

The primary route for the Adi Kailash and Om Parvat Yatra begins at Tanakpur or Kathgodam and follows: Pithoragarh-Dharchula-Gunji-Jolingkong (Adi Kailash)-Gunji-Nabhidang (Om Parvat)-Dharchula-Didihat/Chaukori-Kathgodam or Tanakpur.

As you journey from Dharchula to Gunji, you'll be enchanted by the scenic villages, including:
Dharchula → Dobat → Tawaghat → Pangla → Garvadhar → Lakhanpur → Malpa → Lamari → Budhi → Chiyalekh → Garbyang → Napalchu → Gunji → Kutti → Jyolingkong (Adi Kailash) → Gunji → Nabhidhang (Om Parvat).