Nepal’s travel industry is set to benefit from a surge in Indian visitors as bookings for the revered pilgrimage site, Kailash Mansarovar, reopen after a prolonged hiatus. Following high-level diplomatic discussions between India and China, Indian pilgrims will once again be permitted to visit Kailash Mansarovar in the summer of 2025.

The holy site, located in Tibet, was closed to Indian visitors after the Galwan Valley clash in 2020. While China gradually resumed foreign visits post-pandemic, Indian nationals remained restricted. With the recent agreement lifting this ban, Nepali tour operators have swiftly resumed bookings, expecting a significant rise in demand.

Travel companies in Nepal are offering various routes and packages to Kailash Mansarovar, catering to Indian pilgrims with different preferences and budgets. Mountain Gaze Travels and Trek has introduced four key routes, combining bus and helicopter travel including Lucknow-Helicopter Route: An 8-night, 9-day journey priced at $2,830 per person, Kathmandu-Bus Route: A 12-night, 13-day pilgrimage costing $2,850 per person, and Kathmandu-Helicopter Route: An 11-day trip with an initial booking discount, priced at $4,130 per person.

Additionally, Kailash Visit Treks' tour officer, Purushottam Poudel, confirmed that Nepali travel firms are receiving bookings through their Indian agents. “Indian pilgrims will commence their journey from Nepal, and we are offering special discounts for early bookings,” he said.

For decades, Nepal has served as a vital gateway for Indian pilgrims visiting Kailash Mansarovar. In 2019, over 18,000 Indian pilgrims made the journey through Nepal. Narayan Prasad Pokhrel, Managing Director of First Tours and Travels, predicts a further increase, estimating over 25,000 Indian tourists in 2025.

There are three primary routes from Nepal to Kailash Mansarovar including the Nepalgunj-Humla-Simikot Route – A preferred choice for Indian pilgrims, using helicopters extensively, the Rasuwagadhi Route – Used by nearly 50% of travelers from Nepal and the Lhasa Route – An alternative route through Tibet’s capital city.

Nepali tourism entrepreneurs have reported a rise in Nepali visitors to Kailash Mansarovar, with 10,000 Nepalis making the pilgrimage last season. As the 2025 pilgrimage season approaches, Nepal’s travel sector is preparing for a substantial economic boost from both Indian and domestic travelers.

With renewed accessibility and competitive tour packages, Kailash Mansarovar is poised to welcome thousands of devotees, reaffirming Nepal’s strategic role in religious tourism.