There are certain trips which never truly end, you know?
They stay etched within your heart forever. Our Adi Kailash Yatra… was one such never-ending expedition.
The three of us from Lucknow had finally made it.
June 2026 will forever be a month that takes us back to the heart of the Indian Himalayas—Adi Kailash, also known as Chhota Kailash—accompanied by the ethereal Om Parvat. For years now, all of us have seen pictures of that uniquely carved ‘Om (ॐ)’ on the mystic Om Parvat and the snow-capped grandeur of Adi Kailash. Looking at them used to make us all question if such a magical place truly existed – and we decided this was indeed the year to experience it. Traveling on the Indo-Tibetan border line and because it required Inner Line Permits, we absolutely did not want to handle permits, booking hotels, transport, and local bookings as separate individuals.
Following lots of research and recommendations, we finally decided for our travel with Uttara Hikes and booked their 5 days/ 4 nights Adi Kailash Tour Package, which cost 19,000 per person.
An amazing package which included inner line permits, Haldwani to Haldwani transport, Hotel & Home stay, All the Dinners and breakfasts and all trip coordination! The entire planning was seamless, let us enjoy every bit of journey. As June’s calendar turned its leaf, it proved to be the perfect month to undertake the journey, as the climate was mild with not much of rain-fall during our entire 5-day and 4-night-long trip, with clear skies revealing Adi Kailash and the majestic Om Parvat for us—truly bliss!
In this blog post, I will detail out my complete Adi Kailash experience, the itinerary, some crucial traveling tips, our package and permits, and absolutely everything we experienced over our trip in these unforgettable 5 days in the Indian Himalayas.
We started early in the morning from Haldwani and met the Uttara Hikes team as well as other participants of the trek.
Everyone seemed super enthusiastic at the beginning of the trip. Some participants were travelling with their families, and few were like us experiencing Adi Kailash for the very first time.
As soon as we moved out of Haldwani, the plains gradually started changing to the amazing hills of Kumaon.
The journey itself was very scenic-it was a complete montage of cute hill stations, thick pine forests, deep valleys, and amazing Himalayan roads. Within few kilometers we experienced drastic changes in landscapes.
By the time we reached closer to Pithoragarh and Dharchula, Himalayan scenes were getting more and more majestic.
We took multiple stoppages for tea and snacks, photographs, and short breaks. Weather was nice throughout the journey making our long drive really easy and memorable.
Another amazing part of our journey was riding the bike along the Kali River which is actually a natural border of India and Nepal.
By evening we reached Dharchula which is a very serene hill station surrounded by massive peaks.
After checking into our hotel, freshening up and taking some time off we had our hot dinner by Uttara Hikes. Dinner never felt so satisfying after a tiring ride in entire day in the mountains. We then spent some time talking about tomorrow’s planned and went off for the night.
We were super excited because the real Himalayan trip was to begin from the very next day.
The second day, began with a wonderful breakfast at the hotel. Before moving to the village of Dharchula, Uttara Hikes completed all the permit verifications and got all travelers ready for inner line region. One big advantage of traveling through a good operator was that we never had to worry about the paperwork or permits.
Soon we left Dharchula and soon entered one of the best parts of our journey.
The roads now narrow, mountains growing taller with even more amazing scenes to look forward to. We passed by some remote villages of the Himalayas, where life was still in its traditional pace. Along with various waterfalls cascading on the cliffs and glacier streams crossing the roads, and colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind the snow-covered peaks appearing in the distance were a common sight on the way. Every corner, brought with it yet another Himalayan view.
The drive itself turned out to be an adventure, in comparison to the bustling tourist spots we left behind this place was quite peaceful and unspoiled.
By afternoon we reached the village of Nabi which was one of the last inhibited villages before Adi Kailash. It was a small but a beautiful village, surrounded by colossal Himalayas. The crisp mountain air, the stillness of mountains and the traditional culture of the natives, instantly made us detach from our cities and hustle that we left back in Lucknow.
We got ourselves to our homestay, had a satisfying meal, and took a walk through the village. As the Sun disappeared behind the snow-covered Himalayas, the valley was painted in gold. A surreal sunset that it was, the most peaceful sunset I’d ever seen.
That night we slept early since the next day was the most important day in our entire trip.
The day we would finally witness the divine Adi Kailash.
This day was a thing of expectation for us from the very moment we decided about the tour.
It’s an entirely different excitement though as we were about to see the sacred Adi Kailash or otherwise as ‘Chota Kailash’, considered as one of the most holy bodes of Lord Shiva.
Woke up much before sunrise, stepped out from our homestay at Nabi Village greeted by the pristine mountain air and awe-inspiring views of Himalayan peaks. Birds chirp and the sounds of mountain streams flow filled this surreal environment. After having an early morning freshly made hot breakfast from our hosts we left for our drive up to Adi Kailash.
Driving up to the Himalayas with every KM leading us to the most mesmerizing of the scenery was the highlight itself. Snow clad peaks, streams of glacial rivers, water falls kicking from mountainsides, meadows full of alpine flower sand a never-ending rugged road.
Also, what is amazing about visiting in June the skis are clear as a blue glass and we had uninterrupted vistas of entire Himalayas for the entire day.
Finally, there it was!
It was perhaps the first ever time that we were to stand in front of that magnificent Adi Kailash Peak.
It’s inexplicable that I write it on a digital platform- a profound sense of stillness washed over all of us as for the next few mins, not a single among us had even breathed or uttered a word – they simply stood there watching the beauty of the sacred mountain, the air around filled with a palpable spirituality which wasn’t just another Himalayan Peak but a presence.
The tranquility of the space took away every notion of city stress.
Also there stands Parvati Sarovar on the other side of the trek to Adi Kailash where in addition to being an extremely beautiful high-altitude lake of serene still water reflecting the snow-capped peaks of the mighty Himalayas, also considered very holy and the Adi kailash is often viewed from the banks of it. On the foothills of adi Kailash is a beautiful small Lord Shiva Temple which many pilgrims visit to pay respects and spend some peaceful time meditating in this heavenly abode.
A combination of Adi Kailash, Parvati Lake and the Temple makes the ambience truly divine and overwhelmingly peaceful.
Clicked a hell lot of photos of course but then put our devices aside for some time just to take in each moment.
Every memory and every experience should be etched in our heart and soul, not just seen through the lens of a camera.
After several heavenly hours of sitting and witnessing the divinity of Adi Kailash, we made our way back to Nabi village, our hearts fuller than ever, though tired from the journey, and spent our evening narrating and reliving the entire incredible day over dinner at our homestay, pouring over our pictures and finally acknowledging the fact that we are experiencing one of the most cherished moments of our life.
If Day 3 was about experiencing the divine presence of Lord Shiva, Day 4 was about witnessing one of nature’s greatest mysteries.
Our destination today was the legendary Om Parvat.
After an early breakfast, we left Nabi Village and drove towards the Indo-Tibet border region.
The drive itself was spectacular.
Towering Himalayan cliffs, waterfalls, colorful mountain flowers, glacial streams, and endless valleys surrounded us from every direction.
As we got closer, everyone in the vehicle became noticeably quieter.
We all knew we were about to witness something extraordinary.
Then came the moment we had been dreaming about.
There it was—
The naturally formed “ॐ (Om)” symbol on the snow-covered face of Om Parvat.
Unlike any man-made artwork, the sacred Om symbol appears naturally on the mountain due to the unique pattern of snow and dark rock formations.
Seeing photographs of Om Parvat online is one thing.
Standing before it with your own eyes is an entirely different experience.
The weather was incredibly kind to us.
The sky remained bright blue, there were very few clouds, and we enjoyed crystal-clear darshan of the sacred mountain.
Many travelers wait for hours hoping for clear visibility, but we were fortunate enough to witness the Om symbol in all its glory.
We spent a long time simply admiring the mountain, offering prayers, capturing photographs, and appreciating the silence that surrounded us.
The beauty of the Himalayas, combined with the spiritual significance of Om Parvat, created a moment that none of us will ever forget.
After completing our darshan, we began the return journey to Dharchula.
The drive back gave us enough time to reflect on everything we had experienced over the past four days.
By evening, we checked back into our hotel in Dharchula.
After dinner, we packed our bags for the final day of the journey.
Although we were excited to return home, none of us wanted this incredible adventure to end.
Our final morning in the Himalayas was a mixture of feelings.
After a hearty breakfast, we checked out of the hotel and headed towards Haldwani for our return journey.
Slowly, the mountains started receding to the back, and all we could do was keep chatting about the memories we had made in the past five days.
Every single stop, every road along the mountains, every conversation that we shared, and every breathtaking view has been etched into a journey that will be very hard to forget.
And it wasn’t just about visiting any random place or merely to reach Adi Kailash or see Om Parvat.
It was more about taking a pause from the materialistic world and be one with the mountains, the Almighty and us.
And soon by evening, we were back in Haldwani, and our mission was fulfilled…
While we said our goodbyes to our travel companions and the team at Uttara Hikes, one thought kept us hooked on.
Some journeys end at your destination, but Adi Kailash begins a journey within you.
Even today, whenever we look back at the photographs from this trip, we remember the silence of the Himalayas, the crystal-clear darshan of Adi Kailash and Om Parvat, and the unforgettable hospitality that made our pilgrimage truly special.
Our journey became completely hassle-free because we chose Uttara Hikes, a trusted adventure and pilgrimage tour operator specializing in Himalayan expeditions.
Since Adi Kailash lies in a restricted border region, arranging permits, accommodation, and transportation independently can be challenging. Uttara Hikes handled every aspect of the trip professionally, allowing us to focus entirely on the experience.
Package Details
Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Route:
Haldwani → Dharchula → Nabi → Adi Kailash → Nabi → Om Parvat → Dharchula → Haldwani
Package Price: ₹19,000 Per Person
Package Includes
There are many travel companies offering Adi Kailash tours, but our experience with Uttara Hikes stood out because of their professionalism and local expertise.
Here’s what we loved:
The journey felt safe, organized, and enjoyable from start to finish.
Choosing the right season plays a huge role in your overall experience.
We visited in June 2026, and honestly, we couldn’t have asked for better weather.
The skies remained clear throughout most of the trip, giving us spectacular views of Adi Kailash and Om Parvat.
Best Months
During these months, you’ll usually experience:
Since Adi Kailash is located close to the Indo-Tibet border, every traveler must obtain an Inner Line Permit.
If you’re traveling with Uttara Hikes, the permit process is taken care of by their team, making the journey completely stress-free.
Always carry:
Even during summer, temperatures in the Himalayas can change quickly.
Carry the following essentials:
Based on our experience, here are a few useful tips:
Our journey to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat was far more than a road trip through the Himalayas.
It was a journey filled with faith, breathtaking landscapes, unforgettable friendships, and moments of complete peace.
From the scenic drive through Kumaon to the peaceful nights in Nabi Village, from the divine presence of Adi Kailash to the unforgettable sight of the naturally formed Om symbol on Om Parvat, every single day offered a new experience.
The clear June weather made the journey even more special, blessing us with spectacular views that we had only seen in photographs before.
If you are looking for a Himalayan destination that combines spirituality, adventure, natural beauty, and cultural richness, Adi Kailash Yatra deserves a place on your travel bucket list.
For us, this wasn’t simply another holiday.
It became one of the most meaningful journeys of our lives.
Planning your own Adi Kailash & Om Parvat Yatra?
Let Uttara Hikes take care of everything—from permits and transportation to accommodation and delicious meals—so you can focus on what truly matters: experiencing the divine beauty of the Himalayas.
Join them for a professionally organized 5 Days / 4 Nights Adi Kailash Tour and create memories that will stay with you for a lifetime.
Where is Adi Kailash located?
Adi Kailash is located in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, close to the India-Tibet border.
Is Adi Kailash different from Kailash Mansarovar?
Yes. Adi Kailash, also known as Chhota Kailash, is located in Uttarakhand, India, while Kailash Mansarovar is in Tibet.
Is a permit required?
Yes. Every visitor requires an Inner Line Permit to enter the restricted border region.
What is the best time to visit?
The best months are May, June, September, and October.
Is the road suitable for families?
Yes. With a well-organized tour operator, families, couples, and senior citizens can comfortably complete the journey.
What was included in our ₹19,000 package?
Our package included: