Pilgrims to Mansarovar Fill Simikot and Nepalgunj Hotels Ahead of Festival Season

After the long closure, the Kailash–Mansarovar route has reopened and Indian pilgrims traveling via Humla have surged, filling flights and local hotels. Authorities and hoteliers report heavy bookings through the second week of Asoj (September).

District officials said flights from Nepalgunj to Simikot rose dramatically: 13 aircraft operated at Simikot on Wednesday, and daily flights have varied from 5 up to 82 depending on demand. The Simikot airstrip is also keeping five helicopters on standby to cope with the rush.
The Humla District Police Office reported that 2,998 pilgrims have visited Mansarovar since last Chaitra, and on Wednesday about 200 Indian pilgrims arrived in Humla, said Simikot Airport chief Mahendra Bahadur Singh. To meet demand, Summit, Sita and Tara airlines have kept two aircraft each at Nepalgunj, while Simikot has placed Simrik, Fishtail, Mountain, Prabhu and Kailash helicopters on standby.

Bookings for hotels are already made through the second week of Asoj (second week of September), local operators said. Nearly 3,000 Indian pilgrims have visited Mansarovar since Chaitra of last year, and hoteliers expect demand to continue through the festival season.

Shorter Humla Route Draws Pilgrims

The Humla–Hilsa route is the shortest path to Kailash–Mansarovar from Nepal’s side, which has increased its popularity, said Namgyal Tamang, former president of the Humla Industry and Commerce Association. “This route is shorter, easier and less physically taxing than other routes,” he said, adding that pilgrims also enjoy scenic views along the way.

Compared with other routes that take 12 to 24 days, the Nepalgunj–Humla route can allow pilgrims to complete the pilgrimage in 6 to 10 days. “Because the route was closed for so long, many Indian pilgrims are eager to visit. We are trying to accommodate as many as possible,” Namgyal Tamang said. Local officials expect nearly 10,000 visitors this year, noting that many hotels are already booked until the end of September.

How Pilgrims Travel

Pilgrims fly from Nepalgunj to Simikot, then proceed by helicopter and jeep to the Nepal–China border at Hilsa. Local operator Vijay Lama says the 95 km road from Simikot to Hilsa can be covered in about six hours. Pilgrims usually stay one night in Simikot, travel to Hilsa, and then head by road toward Kailash–Mansarovar; the Hilsa–Mansarovar stretch is about 79 km. After visiting Mansarovar, many pilgrims return the same way and spend another night in Simikot.

Other routes to Kailash include road via Kathmandu–Kerung, air plus road via Kathmandu–Lhasa, or overland via India (Uttarakhand—Lipulekh pass) and Sikkim–Nathu La. But tourism operators say Hilsa remains the shortest option.

Hotels, Local Economy and Services

Hotel managers in Nepalgunj report full occupancy. Laxman Panthi, manager of Hotel Kalpataru (Nepalgunj), said up to 80 pilgrims stay daily and bookings are in place for the next two months. Deepakbahadur Shah, Summit Air’s Nepalgunj head, confirmed flight pre-bookings are filled through the end of September.

Simikot has opened nearly a dozen tourist hotels targeting pilgrims; Manoj Rokaya, a local tourism operator, said 35 hotels operate in Hilsa. Most package bookings came from South India — Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. Local hoteliers are offering a one-night stay and meals package at around NPR 2,500 per pilgrim.

Namkha Rural Municipality charges an entry fee of NPR 1,000 per tourist; 60% of the fee goes to Simikot and 40% to Namkha Rural Municipality, said Namkha vice-chair Takdir Lama.

Jobs and Local Benefits

Local officials say the pilgrimage boom has created temporary jobs and boosted demand for local agricultural produce. Vijay Bhandari, chair of Simikot Rural Municipality, reported increased employment for porters, drivers and hotel staff. “Locals are earning from carrying goods, driving and hotel work,” he said. Pilgrims often buy local products such as walnuts, beans and buckwheat as gifts, helping farmers find markets and better prices.

Religious Significance and Pilgrim Reactions

Mount Kailash and Mansarovar are sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. The pilgrimage season typically runs from April to September each year. Pilgrim Kailash Patel from Mumbai said he had long wished to visit Kailash: “Seeing Kailash fulfilled my lifelong desire. I felt blessed.” Another pilgrim, Govind Gupta from Uttar Pradesh, said local hospitality and the pilgrimage experience gave him spiritual satisfaction.

Background: Route Reopening and History

China had closed pilgrimage travel for nearly four years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pilgrims began using the Hilsa route from India in 2006 (2006 AD) and the number increased sharply after the 2015 earthquake (Baisakh 2072 B.S. / April 2015 A.D.) when the Tatopani crossing closed. Humla’s administration reports that about 18,000 Indian pilgrims visited Mansarovar between the 2015 quake and the COVID-19 closures.

Chief District Officer Narayan Pandey said authorities have arranged secure and smooth transport and safety measures for pilgrims. “We expect as many pilgrims as possible to complete their pilgrimage comfortably,” he said. “This will benefit Karnali’s tourism industry and local economy.”