
11 min read·May 12, 2026
Hindu Pilgrimage Cost from India: Nepal Yatras Compared
By The Kailash Holiday
Hindu pilgrimages from India to Nepal range from a 2-day Pashupatinath weekend (from USD $99) to the 11–20 day Kailash Mansarovar Yatra (rates on request). Prices below are per pilgrim, twin-share, ex-Kathmandu — add your international flight from India. Muktinath (from USD $450) is the most common first pilgrimage; Kailash Mansarovar is the longest and most demanding. Group discounts: 5% for 6+ pilgrims, 7% for 10+.
Current status: Kailash yatras are currently on hold after the August 2026 Rasuwa floods, and the Rasuwagadhi–Kerung road crossing is currently closed. We are building the 2027 priority list now — message us on WhatsApp to be added. 2027 dates and rates will be confirmed once the Tibet side confirms.
Quick facts — Hindu pilgrimage cost comparison
| Yatra | Duration | From (USD) | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pashupatinath Darshan | 2 days | $99 | Easy | Weekend pilgrims |
| Swargadwari Yatra | 4–7 days | $230 | Easy | Budget pilgrims |
| Pathivara Devi Yatra | 4–6 days | $299 | Moderate | Eastern Nepal Siddha Peeth |
| Khaptad Baba Ashram | 6–8 days | $329 | Moderate | Meditation pilgrims |
| Badimalika Yatra | 6 days | $349 | Moderate | Janai Purnima devotees |
| Lumbini Buddhist Pilgrimage | 4–6 days | $399 | Easy | Buddha's birthplace |
| Muktinath Yatra | 7–8 days | $450 | Easy | Most common first yatra |
| Damodar Kunda (Helicopter) | 7 days | $999 | Easy | Elders, time-pressed |
| Kailash Mansarovar (Overland) | 13–15 days | On request | Moderate | Full Tibet experience |
| Kailash Mansarovar (Helicopter) | 11 days | On request | Moderate | Pilgrims in their 60s, busy professionals |
| Simikot Trek + Kailash | 20 days | On request | Strenuous | Fit walkers |
Planning a Hindu pilgrimage from India? Whether you are considering Kailash Mansarovar, Muktinath, Damodar Kunda or one of Nepal's lesser-known Hindu sites, this guide gives an honest cost comparison for the main yatras, all bookable through The Kailash Holiday (TAAN 1586 registered).
All prices below are per pilgrim, twin-share basis, ex-Kathmandu — we handle everything from when you land at Kathmandu airport until you depart. Add international airfare from India based on your departure city. Prices are current "from" prices; confirm the exact rate for your dates when you ask for a quote.
Quick reference table
| # | Yatra | Duration | Starting price (USD) | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kailash Mansarovar (Helicopter) | 11 days | On request | Moderate | Pilgrims in their 60s, busy professionals |
| 2 | Kailash Mansarovar (Overland) | 15 days | On request | Moderate | Full Tibet experience |
| 3 | Muktinath Yatra | 7–8 days | $450 | Easy | Most common first yatra |
| 4 | Damodar Kunda (Helicopter) | 7 days | $999 | Easy | Elders, time-pressed |
| 5 | Pashupatinath Darshan | 2 days | $99 | Easy | Weekend pilgrims |
| 6 | Pathivara Devi | 4–6 days | $299 | Moderate | Eastern Nepal devotion |
| 7 | Swargadwari | 4–7 days | $230 | Easy | Budget, lesser-known site |
| 8 | Khaptad Baba Ashram | 6–8 days | $329 | Moderate | Meditation pilgrims |
| 9 | Badimalika Temple | 6 days | $349 | Moderate | Janai Purnima devotees |
| 10 | Lumbini Buddhist Pilgrimage | 4–6 days | $399 | Easy | Buddha's birthplace |
Kailash Mansarovar — why it says "on request"
Kailash rates depend on route (helicopter, overland or Simikot trek), group size and season, and they are confirmed only once the Tibet side confirms the season. Kailash also has rules the Nepal yatras do not:
- Pilgrims over 70 are not permitted on any route (Chinese authority rule)
- Every pilgrim needs a passport valid for at least 6 months — an Election/Voter ID is not accepted for Tibet
- Overland from Nepal, everyone travels on a Chinese Group Visa issued in Kathmandu, and any existing Chinese visa in the passport is cancelled
- Documents must reach us at least 30 days before entry into Tibet (2026 rules; 2027 terms confirmed later)
See our Kailash Yatra cost guide for what drives the price, or WhatsApp us for a quote.
Total cost from India (with flights)
For a realistic budget, add your international airfare to Kathmandu:
- From Delhi: about $200–400 return (Air India, IndiGo, Nepal Airlines)
- From Mumbai: about $250–450 return
- From Bangalore: about $300–500 return
- From Kolkata: about $180–350 return (shortest hop)
- From Chennai: about $300–500 return
Fares change by season; treat these as rough guides.
Total Muktinath Yatra from Delhi: about $700–850 Total Pashupatinath weekend from Kolkata: about $300–500 Total Kailash Yatra: package on request, plus flights, insurance and the extras listed in your quote
What's included in our prices
Our Nepal yatra packages include:
- Airport pickup and drop-off in Kathmandu
- Ground transportation in Nepal
- Hotel accommodation
- Meals as listed in each package (pure vegetarian; Indian-style cooking on request)
- English/Hindi-speaking yatra guide
- Temple darshan arrangements and puja arrangements
- Permits, conservation fees and paperwork
- Government and local taxes
For Kailash specifically: Tibet permits (included in our packages), Chinese Group Visa paperwork, vehicles in Tibet, oxygen support and parikrama support. Meals arranged; details in your quote. Duffel bag, sleeping bag and down jacket on loan for the trip; you can keep them for an extra charge — ask us.
What's NOT included
- International flights to/from Kathmandu
- Nepal entry visa (foreign passports only — about $30 for 15 days on arrival; Indian citizens do not need one)
- Travel insurance (mandatory for Kailash and high-altitude trips)
- Personal expenses (laundry, phone, snacks beyond meals)
- Tips for guide, driver, porter
- For Kailash: the China visa fee if not listed in your quote, and a pony or porter on the parikrama
Best value yatras under $500
If your budget is tight, these deliver a full pilgrimage at a modest cost:
- Pashupatinath weekend ($99) — sacred Shiva temple, easy add-on to any Nepal visit
- Swargadwari Yatra ($230) — Lord Brahma's eternal flame, lesser-known but powerful
- Pathivara Devi (Drive) ($299) — wish-granting Siddha Peeth in eastern Nepal
- Khaptad Drive package ($329) — meditation pilgrimage to Khaptad Baba Ashram
- Lumbini drive ($399) — Buddha's birthplace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Muktinath ($450) — 108 holy taps, Vishnu shrine
Where first-time pilgrims usually start
- Muktinath — the easiest entry-point pilgrimage from India
- Pashupatinath — often added to any other trip through Kathmandu
- Damodar Kunda (Helicopter) — chosen by elders who want a high-altitude site without trekking
- Lumbini — often combined with Buddhist circuits
- Kailash Mansarovar — usually a once-in-a-lifetime yatra planned well ahead
Group discounts
Travelling as a family or community group? Our group rates:
- 6+ pilgrims: 5% discount
- 10+ pilgrims: 7% discount
When to book
Recommended booking lead times:
- Kailash around Saga Dawa: Saga Dawa usually falls in May–June (4th Tibetan lunar month); 2027 dates will be published once confirmed. Join our priority list early.
- Janai Purnima Badimalika (August): book 60+ days ahead
- Dashain Pathivara (October): book 45+ days ahead
- Off-season anywhere: 30 days ahead minimum (helicopter seats fill fast)
Payment terms
- A deposit secures your booking; the balance schedule is set out in your quote
- Accepted: USD bank transfer, INR, NPR
- You do not need to pay in full upfront
How to start planning
- Choose your yatra from the table above
- Pick your dates — check our package pages for departure availability
- Get a quote — WhatsApp +977 9810 351 300 with your group size and dates
- Book — we send confirmation, payment instructions and a packing list
Combining multiple yatras
Combining two or three pilgrimages in one trip saves on flights and transfers. Popular combinations:
- Muktinath + Damodar Kunda (10 days, on request) — same route, helicopter accessible
- Kailash + Pashupatinath (on request) — Kailash with pre- or post-yatra Pashupatinath darshan
- Lumbini + Swargadwari (10 days, from $650) — central Nepal pilgrimage circuit
- Khaptad + Badimalika (12 days, from $850) — far-western Nepal goddess and meditation
Ask us for a custom combined itinerary.
The Kailash Holiday is a division of The Everest Holiday Pvt. Ltd. (TAAN 1586), serving Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims from India, Nepal and the diaspora since 2016. WhatsApp +977 9810 351 300 for booking help.
Frequently asked questions about Hindu pilgrimage cost from India
What is the cheapest Hindu pilgrimage from India to Nepal?
The 2-day Pashupatinath Darshan package from USD $99 per pilgrim. Other options under USD $400: Swargadwari Yatra (from $230, 4–7 days), Pathivara Devi Drive (from $299), Khaptad Drive (from $329), Badimalika (from $349, 6 days) and Lumbini (from $399, 4–6 days). All start in Kathmandu; add your international flight.
How much does Kailash Mansarovar Yatra cost from India?
Kailash rates are quoted on request, because they depend on route, group size and season. Kailash yatras are currently on hold after the August 2026 Rasuwa floods; 2027 rates will be confirmed once the Tibet side confirms. Add your flight to Kathmandu, insurance and the extras listed in your quote.
Which Hindu yatra from India offers the best value?
Muktinath Yatra (from USD $450 ex-Kathmandu) is the most common first pilgrimage from India and good value for a week. For a short trip, the Pashupatinath weekend (from USD $99) is the simplest.
Are flights from India to Kathmandu included in yatra packages?
No. All our prices are ex-Kathmandu. Rough return fares: Delhi USD $200–400, Mumbai $250–450, Bangalore $300–500, Kolkata $180–350, Chennai $300–500. We can suggest flights that match the departure dates.
Do you offer group discounts?
Yes. 5% for 6+ pilgrims and 7% for 10+ pilgrims.
Can I combine multiple Hindu pilgrimages in one trip from India?
Yes. Popular pairings: Muktinath + Damodar Kunda via the same Pokhara route; Lumbini + Swargadwari (10 days, from USD $650) in central Nepal; Khaptad + Badimalika (12 days, from USD $850) in far-western Nepal; and Kailash + Pashupatinath (on request).
What's included in yatra packages from Kathmandu?
Airport pickup and drop in Kathmandu, ground transport, hotel accommodation, meals as listed in each package (pure vegetarian), an English/Hindi-speaking guide, darshan arrangements, permits and conservation fees, and taxes. For Kailash: Tibet permits, Chinese Group Visa paperwork, oxygen support and parikrama support; meals arranged, details in your quote.
Plan ahead
Pilgrim newsletter
Hear first when 2027 Kailash dates are confirmed, plus Muktinath and Damodar yatra dates. Two emails a month.
Plan your 2027 yatra
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2027
Kailash yatras are on hold at present after the August 2026 Rasuwa floods, and the Rasuwagadhi–Kerung crossing is currently closed. Join our 2027 priority list and choose the route that suits your time, budget, and fitness. Packages include Tibet permit and Chinese group visa applications, accommodation, meals arranged, an English/Hindi-speaking guide, and a duffel bag, sleeping bag and down jacket on loan. Prices on request.
Kailash Helicopter Yatra (11 days)
Fastest route — 11 days from Kathmandu, minimal walking
Price on request
Kailash Mansarovar Overland Yatra — 13 Days (Group)
Group departure, overland via Kerung (crossing currently closed) — most economical
Price on request
Kailash Mansarovar Overland Yatra — 15 Days
Full 15-day overland with extra acclimatisation
Price on request
Kailash Yatra for Indian Pilgrims (12 days)
Designed for Indian pilgrims — Delhi / Lucknow departures
Price on request
Kailash Yatra via Simikot Trek (20 days)
Classic high-altitude trek through Humla and western Tibet
Price on request
TAAN 1586 registered · A division of The Everest Holiday