Adi Kailash & Om Parvat Yatra – All Details, Itinerary, Cost
Region: Uttarakhand
Base Camp: Dharchula
Days: 7 Days
Altitude: 15,590 ft
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Min Age: 10+ Years
Meals: Included
Best Season: May, June, October, and November
Trek Description
Adi Kailash, also known as “Chota Kailash”, is a significant pilgrimage destination located in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India. The altitude of Adi Kailash is approximately 6000 m/ 19700 ft, and it is situated in Kuti village, which is the last village of Uttarakhand’s Kumaon region. The name of this village, “Kuti,” came from “Kunti,” the mother of the legendary Pandava family (a prominent character in the Mahabharata).
According to Puranas, when Shiva and Parvati were on their way from Kailash Mansarovar to Triyuginarayan for their marriage, they took a halt in Adi Kailash, Pithoragarh.
Adi Kailash is the second most significant peak among the Panch Kailash (Kailash Mansarovar, Adi Kailash, Kinnaur Kailash, Shrikhand Mahadev Kailash, and Manimahesh Kailash). Also, the peak’s resemblance to Kailash Parvat makes it special among spiritual seekers.
With Adi Kailash, we also go for Om Parvat Darshan. The main feature of Om Parvat is that it forms the shape of the ॐ/Om/Aum symbol by the interplay of snow on the darkened surface of the Om Parvat mountain. According to legends, there are only 8 mountains like this in the world, which Lord Shiva himself sculpted, but only one is found till date, that is Om Parvat.
This 7-day spiritual journey will give you a chance to explore prominent places of the Kumaon region. As you travel, you’ll come across the holy Kali Temple, Gaurikund, Parvati Sarovar, Om Patvat, and Golu Devta Temple.
Gauri Kund and Parvati Sarovar are great places for spiritual devotees, as both lakes are sacred in Hinduism. Many devotees take baths at Parvati Sarovar to cleanse their sins, and take blessings, and they also take the holy water to their homes. However, no one is allowed to take bath at Gauri Kund.
There are many historical connections of Adi Kailash and Om Parvat. It’s said that Ravana, the king of Lanka and a devoted worshipper of Lord Shiva, visited this sacred site.
Moreover, the Yatra also offers a miraculous stream called Sumchuma. It flows for three days and then pauses for the next three days.
During Yaatra, as you reach Om Parvat, situated at the height of 5,570 meters, you’ll see the sacred symbol of “Om” at the peak formed by melted snow.
This Yaatra will give you the spiritual awakening you need. It will take you close to Shiva himself.
Itinerary
Altitude: 7,100 ft
You’ll arrive at Kathgodam and meet with our team; they’ll answer if you have any questions. Kathgodam is a well-connected city, so you won’t have a hard time getting there.
The name Kathgodam means “timber depot”, and even today, you can see a huge collection of forest products here.
In Kathgodam, you can visit the local temples, like Sheetla Devi and Kali Chaud, both are ancient temples. The surroundings of this city are also beautiful; you can enjoy the view, and don’t forget to visit the vibrant market full of Tibetan vibes. Momos and Thukpa are two famous foods you can try here.
Drive Distance: 270 km
Trek Time: 10-12 hours
Altitude: N/A
Altitude Gain: N/A
On Day 2, we’ll begin our journey towards Dharchula. This long drive will take you through forests, waterfalls, mountains, and rivers. It will take us approximately 10-12 hours to reach Dharchula, depending on weather and traffic.
Upon reaching Dharchula, we’ll have accommodation ready for you. Dharchula is a border town, sharing its borders with Nepal.
Fun Fact: Dharchula was an ancient trading town, here the trade was based on Barter, and it was the primary source of income for local people. Local handcrafted carpets, here known as ‘dan’, were exchanged with the Tibetans for food and clothing.
Altitude: 940m / 3084 ft
Day 3 is a rest day and we will also complete our documentation. Inner Line Permits are required for Adi Kailash Yatra. You will need to provide us with your Govt ID and Medical Proof if you are old.
Later, explore the local culture and surroundings. Everywhere you go, you’ll see a mixture of Indian and Nepali cultures. You’ll love the local cuisine here, so you must try.
Moreover, you can explore the Kali River, the natural border between India and Nepal, and don’t forget to catch the sunset, which looks fabulous here.
By night, pack everything and keep your bag ready because we leave for Gunji early in the morning the next day.
Drive Distance: 70 km
Time: 6-8 hours
Altitude: 3200 m / 10,500 ft
Altitude Gain: N/A
On this day, we’ll say goodbye to Dharchula and start our journey towards Gunji, but we’ll definitely come back here on our way back, so don’t be sad.
So pack everything up and have breakfast. Then, let’s get ready for today’s journey. On this 70 km journey, we’ll see a lot of natural scenery, waterfalls, adventurous roads, old villages and lots more things.
Once we reach Gunji, check into your Homestay and enjoy the night.
Drive Distance: 80 km [Both Sides]
Drive Time: 2 hours
Trek Distance: 1.5 Km ascend + 1.5 descend
Altitude: 4500 m / 14,700 ft
Altitude Gain: N/A
On this day, we’ll say goodbye to Dharchula and start our journey towards Gunji, but we’ll definitely come back here on our way back, so don’t be sad.
So pack everything up and have breakfast. Then, let’s get ready for today’s journey. On this 70 km journey, we’ll see a lot of natural scenery, waterfalls, adventurous roads, old villages and lots more things.
Once we reach Gunji, check into your Homestay and enjoy the night.
Drive Distance: N/A
Drive Time: N/A
Altitude: N/A
Altitude Gain: N/A
On Day 6, we’ll be moving towards the sacred Om Parvat, which is popular for its “Om” shape.
After breakfast, we’ll start our drive towards Om Parvat. 4×4 will go till Nabhidhang, and from the roadhead, we will see the sacred Om Parvat. This darshan sends positive vibes all over your soul. Spend some time here in silence and solitude, soak in every ounce of positivity and presence of the supreme God.
Once we are done with darshan, we’ll go back to Gunji to collect our luggage, and from there, we’ll move towards Dharchula.
This long road journey will give you the opportunity to see some amazing places. On our way, we’ll get to see Kali Mandir, Vyas Gufa, Nag Parvat, Ganesh Parvat, Nabhi Parwat, and others.
Check in to your hotel and take the much-needed rest you need.
Drive Distance: 270 km
Drive Time: 10-12 hours
Altitude: N/A
Altitude Gain: N/A
This is the final day, we have to say goodbye to Dharchula. With lots of memories and fun, we’ll start our journey towards Kathgodam after having Breakfast.
By evening, we will be back to Kathgodam.
What’s Included?
Price Inclusion
1. Transportation: Transportation from Kathgodam to Kathgodam is included in the package.
2. Accommodation: Enjoy comfortable accommodation during your yatra in hotels, or Homestays on a twin, triple or quad sharing basis.
3. Meals: Breakfast and Dinner are included in the package.
4. Inner Line Permits: Inner line permit is included in the package, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
5. Qualified Team: Our experienced, qualified team of guides, cooks, helpers and porters is dedicated to making your trek safe and enjoyable.
6. First Aid: A first aid kit with oxygen and a helmet is available to address health concerns during the trek.
7. Expert Assistance: Reach out to our experts for any queries or assistance during your trek at +91-8089693825.
Price Exclusion
1. Mules or Porters for Personal Bags: Mules or porters for personal bags are available at an extra cost.
2. Emergency Costs: Emergency expenses during the trek are not included.
3. Items Not Mentioned: Any expenses or items not mentioned in the inclusion section are not covered.
4. Lunch During Transportation: Lunches during Yatra are not included.
5. GST: A 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) applies, not included in the package.
Things to Carry
- 45-60 Ltr Bag Pack With Rain Cover & Comfortable Straps
- Hot & Cold Water Bottle Like Borosil & Milton
- Snacks Like Energy Bar, Dry Fruits & ORS
- Personal Medical Kit
- At Least 3/4 Full Sleeves (Non-Cotton)
- 1 Full Fleece T-Shirt
- 1 Fleece Jacket (Woollen Or Sweater)
- 1 Down Feather/Hollofil Jacket
- 1 Waterproof Jacket/Poncho
- Thermal Inners (Upper And Lower) – 1 Pair
- 2 Trek Pants (Avoid Shorts & Denim Pants)
- 1 Pair of Waterproof Gloves
- 1 Pair of Woollen Gloves
- Sun Cap
- Woollen Cap
- 4 Pairs Of Cotton Socks
- 1 Pair Of Woollen Socks
- 2 Pairs Of Sunglasses (U/V Protected)
- 2 Neck Gaiters (Buff)
- 1 Waterproof & High Ankle Trekking Shoes
- 1 Pair Of Floaters
- Hand Sanitizer & Sunscreen Lotion
- Toothbrush And Toothpaste
- Toilet Paper And Wet Wipes
- Quick Dry Towel
- Lip Balm & Antibacterial Powder
- Moisturizer
How To Reach
If you want to reach Kathgodam by air, the nearest domestic airport to Kathgodam is 34 km away. You can pick flights from Delhi to Pantnagar, you can get flights as low as 3000 INR. Upon reaching here, you can take the bus or hire a taxi.
Kathgodam is also well-connected with train lines, it serves as the last railway station in the north-eastern region of Uttarakhand. You can directly take the train from Delhi to Kathgodam or nearby cities of Kathgodam. The journey will take up to 6-8 hours on the train.
Roads are also great and well-connected with major cities in Kathgodam. Direct buses from major cities like Delhi, Dehradun, and others exist. Or you can also book private taxis to reach here.
Difficulty Level
Due to the low trek distance, the Yatra Trek is not categorized as a Hard Trek, it is a pretty easy and safe Yatra. But, Adi Kailash presents a challenge in the form of Altitude. The total Altitude of Adi Kailash is 15,590ft, due to the high altitude, it triggers Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) among the people.
When we climb to a high altitude area, our body does not get enough time to adapt to the lower air pressure of high altitude areas. Also, the oxygen level decreases at high altitudes, so people have Headaches, Loss of Appetite, Vomiting, Fatigue, Dizziness, and others. It also varies from person to person due to physical health.
If we calculate the Altitude, then 8000 ft to 12,000 ft altitude can be marked as High Altitude. Whereas 12,000 ft to 18,000 ft altitude can be marked as “Very High Altitude”. So the Adi Kailash is a Very High Altitude Yatra Trek.
Mountain Sickness can start from as low as 8,000 ft altitude, and anyone, regardless of age, sex, and health conditions, can get Mountain Sickness.
If you have heart disease, you must avoid such high-altitude Yatra treks.
However, to manage the risk of Mountain Sickness, we have a rest day on our itinerary for Adi Kailash Yatra. Day 3 in Dharchula is completely for rest, so your body can adjust to the altitude.
We also recommended to follow our suggestions,
- Start doing Cardio exercises such as running, walking, and others before going Trekking.
- Eat good foods and avoid alcohol.
- You can carry medicines while Trekking. But, consult with a doctor before taking any medicines.
- While climbing, make sure you start slowly to give your body enough time to adjust to the atmosphere.
- Drink enough water while Trekking to stay hydrated.
Best Time for this Trek
The Adi Kailash Yatra starts in May and continues until October or November. But here are the best months to visit there:
May to June: May and June are the best times to visit Adi Kailash. During these months, the weather is sunny with clear skies, the weather is bearable, and people have the perfect time for a summer vacation Yatra.
September – November: The next best time is to visit during Autumn. Monsoon season just went by, and greenery can still be spotted. Clear skies and moderate temperatures make these months perfect for Yatra.
More Info of Adi Kailash & Om Parvat
Adi Kailash is believed to be the residence of Lord Shiva, the supreme deity of Hinduism, accompanied by Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartikeya. People join this journey seeking Lord Shiva’s blessings. According to Puranas, Adi Kailash was the place of Halt when Shiva and Parvati went towards Triyuginarayan for their marriage.
Another belief is that Mata Parvati learned Yog (now Yoga) from Lord Shiva in this very place. Shiva is the origin of Yog, thus he is called Adiyogi.
It is also believed that Pandavas stayed around the Adi Kailash during their exile.
Moreover, there are some historical connections; the legendary king Ravana, a devotee of Lord Shiva, visited Adi Kailash.
At Nabhidhang, we see the heavenly view of Om Parvat; the local belief is that Nabhidhang is also called the Nabhi of Maa Parvati (Navel of Goddess Parvati).
1. Kainchi Dhaam: Located near Nainital, this place is the Ashram of Neem Karoli Baba.
2. Jageshwar Dhaam: Ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
3. Golu Devta Temple: Situated in Ghorakhal, this temple of Golu Devta is a well-known temple. Golu Devta is a chief deity of the Kumaon region. People come here to tie bells, which represents people seeking justice.
4. Panchachuli Base Camp: This base camp offers a view of five snow-capped peaks.
5. Bhimtal: It is a beautiful lake town. The place is very relaxing, and you can also try boating.
6. Gaurikund: A sacred lake that reflects the beauty of Adi Kailash Parvat and also has religious and spiritual significance.
7. Parvati Sarovar: Another religious and spiritual lake near Adi Kailash, people bathe here to cleanse themselves and also take the water to their homes.
8. Sumchuma: A miraculous stream near Adi Kailash, it is known for its unique flow pattern. This stream flows for three days and then stops for the next three days.
9. Dharchula: The starting point of our journey, it is popular for its rich culture and natural beauty. One can cross the border and visit Nepal during the rest day.
Gallery
Maps
FAQs
Adi Kailash is renowned for its religious significance, believed to be the divine abode of Lord Shiva. The mountain’s unique formation, resembling the OM symbol, adds to its spiritual allure.
The days required depend on how you approach Adi Kailash. It typically spans around 7 days, allowing you to explore the sacred sites and diverse landscapes along the journey.
No, Adi Kailash and Kailash Mansarovar are not same. Adi Kailash is located in Uttarakhand, while Kailash Mansarovar is in Tibet.
Yes, an Inner Line Permit is required, obtainable from Dharchula, with fees ranging from 300-400 INR.
Peaks visible include Panchachuli, Adi Kailash, Om Parvat, and the Nepal Ranges.
Every campsite is equipped with dry pit toilets. It is essential to carry your own toilet paper for your convenience.
It’s advisable to bring power bank, as charging points may be limited during the trek.
You can find the last ATM in Dharchula. Limited ATM options are available, and it’s recommended to carry sufficient cash, especially in remote areas.
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