Kailash Pilgrimage: Rekindling Nepal’s Religious Tourism Economy

On April 28, 2025, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it would once again allow Indian pilgrims to visit sacred sites in Tibet, lifting a ban that had been in place since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions. For Nepali tour operators, hoteliers and airlines, this reopening marked the return of an important seasonal income stream and renewed regional cooperation.

“The pilgrimage of Indian devotees to the sacred mountains and lakes in Tibet is an important part of cultural exchange between China and India,” said Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, while announcing the reopening of Kailash Mansarovar region for Indian pilgrims.

A Sacred Journey with Deep Significance

Located in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar hold immense religious significance. Hindus believe Mount Kailash is the abode of Lord Shiva, Buddhists revere it as the seat of Demchok, Jains associate it with the liberation of their first Tirthankara, and Bon practitioners consider it a sacred axis of the universe.

Although China reopened the route to international tourists in 2023, pilgrimage visas for Indian citizens remained suspended until April 2025. This delay, despite other visa categories being available, had caused frustration among pilgrims and tour operators alike. Now, with the borders finally reopened, thousands of pilgrims from India and beyond are once again traversing Nepal’s rugged terrain en route to Tibet.

Routes to Kailash

Pilgrims can reach Mount Kailash three primary routes through Nepal: Hilsa, Kerung and Tatopani.

The Nepalgunj–Simkot–Hilsa route is the fastest but also the most expensive due to multiple flights and helicopter transfers. Pilgrims first fly from Nepalgunj to Simkot and then take a helicopter ride to the Nepal-China border town of Hilsa. After completing customs and immigration formalities, they proceed by jeep toward the Kailash-Manasarovar region.

The Kerung route is cheaper and fully accessible by road, but physically more demanding and prone to disruptions from landslides and flooding. The recent landslides and flooding have made this route inoperable. Chances of this route opening for pilgrims this year remain very low.

The Tatopani route has remained largely inactive since the 2015 earthquakes, with Chinese infrastructure development concerned on the Kerung corridor instead.

Despite its complexity and higher cost, the Hilsa route has emerged as the most preferred option for its speed and scenic mountain landscape.

This year, Himalaya Airlines introduced two new direct flight routes — from Kathmandu and Pokhara to Lhasa — offering pilgrims an alternative to land and helicopter travel. While currently not much popular due to cost and connectivity challenges, these air routes present a promising opportunity for Nepal to strengthen its role as a gateway to the Kailash-Manasarovar region.

Hotel Industry in Nepalgunj Gets a Boost

The resumption of pilgrimage has given a shot in the arm to Nepalgunj's hospitality market. According to Raj Bikram Shah, General Manager of Soaltee Westend Nepalgunj, the hotel has recorded a 10% rise in business since the start of the pilgrimage season in early June.

Once primarily catering to banks, NGOs and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), Soaltee Westend has seen a remarkable shift in its guest profile. Pilgrims are booking in large numbers and showing a greater willingness to pay above the Average Room Rate (ARR).

“Pilgrims are not just coming in greater numbers, they are also showing strong price acceptance. This reflects growing confidence in Nepalgunj as a transit hub,” said Shah.

Other hotels in the city are seeing similar trends with overall occupancy up by approximately 10%. While Kathmandu and Pokhara experience leans-season during monsoon rains, Nepalgunj has remained vibrant due to the growing movement of pilgrims, development sector workers and business travelers.

Although the main flow of pilgrims is expected to taper off by late August, hotel operators are optimistic. Shah is hopeful that by 2026, pilgrim numbers could double or even triple, especially if visa processing becomes more efficient and infrastructure along the route improves.

“With better coordination, Nepalgunj has the potential to become the pilgrimage hub of western Nepal,” he added.

A Record Year for Nepalgunj–Simkot Flights

Pilgrim traffic has turned Nepalgunj Airport into one of the busiest airfields in the country this season. According to Gyanendra Bhul, Spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), 80 to 100 flights are operating daily between Nepalgunj and Simkot—an all-time high for this remote mountain route.

To manage the surge, seven aircraft have been stationed at Simkot, which normally accommodates just two. The fleet includes planes from Sita Air, Tara Air, Summit Air and Nepal Airlines, all operating near-continuous shuttle services to transfer pilgrims.

Summit Air has scaled its operations from two daily flights last year to 10–16 flights this season. Sita Air is running 9–10 times daily, and Tara Air is operating 8–9 flights using its Twin Otter fleet. Aircraft on this route typically seat 16 to 19 passengers, necessitating multiple rotations to meet demand.

However, passenger flow has been inconsistent, with under booked return flights due to visa delays and access issues at the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border.

“One day, you might have 100 passengers leaving Nepalgunj and only 30 returning. The next day, it is the opposite,” a Summit Air representative told New Business Age.

Fares also vary significantly. Nepali passengers are charged around Rs 9,000 for a one-way flight to Simkot, Indian pilgrims are charged Rs 15,000-Rs 17,000, depending on demand and availability.

Despite logistical challenges, the 2025 Kailash pilgrimage season is being hailed as a turning point for Nepal’s regional aviation, especially in demonstrating the viability of remote airfields like Simkot for high-volume religious tourism.