Navigating the Divine: Everything to Know About Adi Kailash Trek

Navigating the Divine: Everything to Know About Adi Kailash Trek

Adi Kailash Yatra is a spiritual odyssey that has the power to transform the lives of pilgrims. Even though the Adi Kailash trek is extremely risky, pilgrims from different parts of the country want to walk on it.  This spiritual journey connects you with the divine power. Once you are here, you will feel a strong connection with the deity. The followers of Lord Shiva have a great reverence for Adi Kailash Mountain as it is believed to be his abode. They book the best Adi Kailash yatra package to reach here.  Located in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, this peak attracts innumerable visitors from all over the world. The Adi Kailash trek leads you to one of the most revered peaks that most pilgrims want to visit. This site is considered sacred not only by the Hindus but also by Buddhists and the followers of the Bon religion. Whether you are planning to visit this mountain as a tourist or a pilgrim, trekking in this area will fill you with excitement. This is an adventurous journey that you will never forget in your lifetime.

Overview of Adi Kailash Trek

This is a trek that will offer you the spiritual growth you have never experienced before. With its serenity and mystical environment, it has the power to change one’s perspective towards life.  As you cross the Byans, Chaudans, and Byans valleys, you will get to see the breathtaking waterfalls, different varieties of flora and fauna, and thick wooded forests. During the Adi Kailash trekking activity, you will see the splendid views of snowy peaks, the dense forest, the gurgling Kali River, and Naryan Asharam. This trek will also lead you to the popular Kali Temple at Kalapani. This place is extremely auspicious and is 14 km away from Om Parvat. Each step you take on the trek will bring you closer to nature and tranquility. Some of the valuable information about this trek is as follows:

  • Region: Kumaon Division, Uttarakhand, India
  • Duration of the Journey: Approximately 9 to 12 days
  • Difficulty Level of the Trek: Moderate and Challenging
  • Maximum Altitude of the Mountain Peak: Approx. 6191 meters.
  • Distance of Adi Kailash Trek: Around 100-120 kilometers
  • Types of Trails: The path of the trek has motorable paths that connect with the trekking trail.
  • Base Camp: Dharchula
  • Best Season: September to October and May to June

History of Adi Kailash Trek

Adi Kailash Yatra connects you with Lord Shiva. This peak is also known as Chhota Kailash due to its religious significance. According to the Hindu mythology, the Adi Kailash peak is considered the home of Shiva. It is believed that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati chose this mountain because they wanted to live close to their devotees. Sage Pulastya Rishi and Vyasa Rishi also mediated at this place. Paravati Sarovar is a famous place close to the peak. It is believed that this is the exact site where Goddess Parvati took a bath. Gauri Kund is also related to her.

In the medieval era, the Chand and Katyuri dynasties promoted the trade between Tibet and India through old Himalayan caravan routes. These routes were passed near Adi Kailash. During this time, the traders who carried grains, wool, and salt used to stay at these places. This was also an important region for Nath Yogis, who passed their time here in tranquility.

After the war between India and Tibet in the year 1962, the Adi Kailash trek became less accessible to the people. But in recent times, the trek has been reopened by the tourism authorities.

Difficulty Level of Adi Kailash Trek

This is a moderate to challenging trek, which is perfect for those who have prior experience in trekking. The highest point of its peak is approximately 5,945m. However, trekkers climb to 4,700 meters near Gaurikund and Parvati Sarovar. Due to the challenging terrain, this trek is not for everyone. Thus, Children and elderly people should avoid trekking to this region. It is not for people who do not have any trekking experience. The trails in this region test the patience of the pilgrims as they need to walk for approximately 5 to 7 hours on a daily basis. Plus, they are bound to walk on steep ascents and uneven terrain. The duration of the Adi Kailash trek is approximately 10 to 12 days. There are small villages along the way where the pilgrims can stop during the journey.

You do not need any kind of mountaineering skills to undertake this trek. However, due to the difficulty of the terrain, you should walk on it carefully. You must be medically fit before going on this trek. Due to the limited emergency facilities and the difficulty of the path, you should prepare yourself before undertaking the yatra. It is advisable to practice trekking in low-oxygen environments. This will help you undertake Adi Kaiash Yatra without any trouble. Solo trekking is not advisable in this area. You should also take a few special permits before going on this trek.

Best Time to Go for Adi Kailash Trek

The ideal time to go for this trek is between May and June, and September to October. This is the best time of the year to undertake the Adi Kailash Yatra, as the weather is extremely pleasant during this time. Moreover, the sky is clear with moderate temperatures.

May-June

During these months, the snow melts and opens up the trek. However, you can still find snow at the higher camps. It is a good time to trek to this region as the weather is pleasant. The temperature during the day is between 12 degrees to 20 degrees. However, the night temperature remains between 5 degrees to 0 degrees in higher areas. You might experience sudden rainfall during these months. Thus, you need to keep a check on the weather before going for the trek.

September-October

This is also the right time to go to the Adi Kailash trek. The sky is clear during these months. Thus, you will not have any difficulty in viewing the mountain during your journey. Due to the clear visibility, you can capture the best photos of this region. The temperatures in the day during these months are around 5 to 16 degrees Celsius. However, at night, the temperature drops to 0°C. The trails during this time are dry, so you can easily walk on them without any difficulty.

Months You Should Avoid

The pilgrims must avoid undertaking the Adi Kailash Yatra in July and August. There is heavy rainfall during this time, which can land you in trouble during your journey. The trails get slippery during these months, which pose many challenges for the pilgrims. Apart from July and August, you should also avoid going on the Adi Kailash trek between October and April.

How Can You Reach Adi Kailash Trek?

Located in the Pithoragarh district, Adi Kailash or Chhota Kailash attracts pilgrims from all over the country. The nearest town is Dharchula, which becomes the base of the Chota Kailash yatra. This trek is near the Indo-Tibet Border. If you want to reach here, you must first go to Tanakpur or Kathgodam by train. Both these places are connected to all metro cities, including Delhi. Thus, if you are coming from Delhi, you should catch a train to Kathgodam or Tanakpur. After arriving there, you can take a bus to the base camp of Adi Kailash, i.e., Dharchula. The road to Dharchula passes through the beautiful towns such as Almora and Pithoragarh. If you want to take a flight to Dharchula, you must travel to Pantnagar, which is approximately 330 km away from Dharchula. After arriving here, you can continue your journey via a bus or taxi.

Pilgrims need to get an Inner Line Permit from Dharchula, as this region is near the international border. If you are on the Adi Kailash tour, you need to contact the SDM office in Dharchula to get this permit. You need to undertake your journey from Dharchula on foot and by jeep. If you hire a jeep or any other vehicle from Dharchula, they will take you to Nabhi Dhang or Gunji, depending on the conditions of the road. From there, you can use the trek to reach Adi Kailash Mountain.

During your Chhota Kailash Yatra, you can also visit Om Parvat, where the snow makes the sacred symbol ‘Om’. You must be medically fit to undertake the Yatra. If you are looking for a smooth journey, it is advisable to book an Adi Kailash Yatra package through a reputable tour operator. They will provide you with valuable guidance, permits, and transportation to make your journey much smoother.

Things You Can Do at Adi Kailash Trek

The path to Chhota Kailash is highly challenging. However, you can indulge in a variety of activities during your trip. Some of the activities that you can enjoy during your Adi Kailash tour are as follows:

View the Om Symbol on Om Parvat

The snow formation of the symbol ‘Om’ is one of the interesting things to experience during your Chhota Kailash visit. Every year, innumerable tourists and pilgrims tread on the Adi Kailash trek to see this sacred symbol and to experience the divine energy of this place.

Holy Bath at the Parvati Sarovar

Another activity that you can indulge in while treading on the Adi Kailash trek is taking a holy bath at Parvati Sarovar. Bathing in this sarovar is considered a sacred act. Pilgrims who come here from any part of the country take a dip in the holy sarovar to get freedom from their sins. It is believed that this is the exact place where Goddess Parvati bathed. Thus, you must bathe in this sacred river and make your journey more sacred and memorable during your Adi Kailash trip. Most pilgrims take a bath in Parvati Sarovar and take this holy water to their homes.

Know about the Culture of Kuti Village

The Adi Kailash trek also provides you with an opportunity to visit Kuti village and meet its people. After interacting with them, you will get to know about the ancient rituals, the daily life of the Bhotia Tribes, and their traditions. You can rest at this point for a short time and catch a glimpse of the Himalayan life, the local cuisines, and wooden houses. This makes your Yatra culturally enriching and spiritually rewarding.

Camping at Jolingkong

Many visitors camp at Jolingkong during their Chhota Kailash visit. They come here for stargazing. If you, too, are interested in stargazing, you can stay here and see the stars. Seeing Adi Kailash in the morning from this place is an unforgettable experience for the pilgrims.

Visit Old Kali Temple

You can also consider visiting the Old Kali Temple in Gunji during your yatra. Nature’s beauty is at its peak in this region. A large number of pilgrims seek the blessings of the deity here to complete their yatra successfully.

Visit Ved Vyas Gufa

You can also explore Ved Vyas Gufa when you are on the Adi Kailash trek. You need to go from Gunji to Nabi to visit this cave. It is believed that Ved Vyas performed meditation here. He dictated the great epic Mahabharat to Lord Ganesha at this site. This event makes this site sacred. Many pilgrims visit this cave during their trip to the sacred mountain. If you wish to visit this place during your Chhota Kailash journey, you can choose the Adi Kailash Yatra package that includes a visit to this cave.

Adi Kailash Trek Guide: Conclusion

The Adi Kailash Trek requires you to be medically fit, as this path is full of challenges. The journey to the terrain offers you an opportunity to admire the beautiful Om Parvat and the holy water at Parvati Sarovar. This trek is perfect for those who are adventurous and nature lovers. If you want to experience ultimate enjoyment, you can embark on the Chhota Kailash yatra. However, it is advisable to choose the right Adi Kailash Yatra tour package to experience a smooth journey to this region. 

Let's Convert Your Idea into Reality