Indian adventure tourists, pilgrims are gearing up to travel to China for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, notwithstanding the fact that China is yet to officially announce the number of visas they would be issuing.
“The Yatra begins in May and ends in September. Everyday Indians are lining up to block their seats by paying an advance. Group visas are issued by China and we are optimistic that before the season an announcement would be made,” said a travel agent.
Webinars and zoom meetings are being conducted by travel agents for first timers to familiarize them with what to expect once they are on the tour. Besides, there are many health related tests that need to be done so enthusiasts are in the process of aligning all that.
“The Yatra was stopped post 2021, however in 2023 there was a renewed interest and optimism was built around Indians being allowed to undertake the Yatra. It did not fructify then, but we are hoping that it would this year,” the agent added.
The package costs for the Yatra (which is for approximately 10 days and includes mixed transport -flight, helicopter and bus- could be close to Rs 300,000 per person (little over $3000). For people willing to take only land routes the package is close to Rs 200,000 (little over $2000) per person.
In 2019, approximately 1,346 Indian pilgrims undertook the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. The yatra through Lipulekh Pass involved 18 batches with 1,005 pilgrims, while 10 batches through Nathu La Pass included 341 pilgrims, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) annual report 2019-2020.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in Delhi refrained from making any comment on when the visas would be issued for the upcoming Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Regarding regular visas for Indians for China, as of April 9, 2025, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in India have issued more than 85,000 visas to Indian citizens traveling to China this year.
The Chinese Embassy says, “welcome more Indian friends to visit China, experience an open, safe, vibrant, sincere and friendly China.”