Adi Kailash, a grand mountain located in the Uttarakhand state, is one of the most popular pilgrimages and trekking destinations for many people. Adi Kailash can be reached through many types of transportation and the journey is a mixture of fabulous scenic beauty and adventure. Thus, this guide elaborates the means to get to Adi Kailash by air, rail, buses, and taxis which includes distance and major transport centers.
By Flights
Pantnagar Civil Aerodrome
- Distance to Adi Kailash: Approximately 301 km
Location: Pantnagar, Uttarakhand
Pantnagar Civil Aerodrome serves as the nearest airport for Adi Kailash. Travelers can reach Pantnagar by air and further proceed to Adi Kailash by road from there.
Flights to Pantnagar
- Airlines: Indigo, Air India, Spice Jet
- Time from New Delhi: Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes
By Trains
Nearest Railway Station: Tanakpur
- Distance to Adi Kailash: Approximately 245 km
- Location: Tanakpur, Uttarakhand
For Adi Kailash, Tanakpur becomes the closest railway station. From Tanakpur, travelers can continue the journey by road to get into the mountains.
Trains to Tanakpur
- Options: Ndls-Kgm Shatabdi Express, Ranikhet Express, Purnagiri Express, etc.
- Time from New Delhi: Approximately 5 hours 35 minutes
Kathgodam Railway Station
- Distance to Adi Kailash: Approximately 272 km
Location: Kathgodam, Uttarakhand
Kathgodam railway station is the ideal starting point of the journey to Adi Kailash. Trains depart from the major cities and terminate at Kathgodam.
By Road
ISBT New Delhi to Dharchula by Bus
- Distance to Dharchula (Base Camp): Varies based on the route taken
Location: Dharchula, Uttarakhand
Buses from ISBT New Delhi go directly to many areas of Kumaun. Travelers can explore places like Almora, Champawat, and Tanakpur. From these regions, taxis or public transport can be hired locally and one can go to Dharchula, which is the base for Adi Kailash Yatra.
Local Transport from Nearby Towns to Dharchula
- Almora to Dharchula: Approximately 208 km, 6 hours 35 minutes
- Tanakpur to Dharchula: Approximately 238 km, 7 hours
- Kathgodam to Dharchula: Approximately 272 km, 8 hours 51 minutes
- Pithoragarh to Dharchula: Approximately 92 km, 2 hours 51 minutes
By Taxis
Adi Kailash can be reached by hiring taxis from the adjacent towns of Pantnagar, Tanakpur, Kathgodam or Pithoragarh. Taxis offer passengers a more comfortable and flexible travel choice considering that the road leading to Adi Kailash is rough.
Starting Point | Mode of Transport | Available Options | Fastest Time | Distance to Dharchula |
New Delhi | Air | Indigo, Air India and Spice jet to Pantnagar | 2hr 15 min | |
Rail | Various Trains to Kathgodam, Tanakpur and Lalkuan | 5hr 35 m | ||
Road | Direct buses to Almora, Kathgodam, Pithoragarh and Tanakpur | —— | Almora (6 hrs. approx.), Tanakpur (7 Hrs. approx.) Kathgodam (8 hrs.) and Pithoragarh 2 Hrs. approx.) New Delhi to Dharchula (13hrs approx.) | |
Mumbai | Air | Air India to Pantnagar | 7 hr. | |
Rail | BDTS-LKU Weekly, SF Express etc. | 24hr 35 m | ||
Road | ——- | —— | 1 D 13 hr. approx. | |
Ahmedabad | Air | Air India, Spice jet to Pantnagar
| ||
Rail | Chain Trains via Delhi to Kathgodam | |||
Road | ——– | 1 D 5 Hrs. approx. | ||
Chennai | Air | Air India to Pantnagar | 8 hr. 50 m | |
Rail | Chain Trains to Kathgodam | |||
Road | ——- | Chennai to Dharchula (2 d approx.) | ||
Hyderabad | Air | Air India to Pantnagar | 8hr 30 m | |
Rail | Chain Trains to Kathgodam | |||
Road | ——– | 1 d 14 hr. | ||
Lucknow | Air | Air India to Pantnagar | 6 hr. 5 m | |
Rail | Various Trains to Kathgodam, Tanakpur and Lalkuan | 5 hr. 50 m | ||
Road | ——- | 13 hr. 12 m | ||
Kolkata | Air | Flights to Delhi/Dehradun then to Pantnagar | ||
Rail | Various Trains to Kathgodam, Tanakpur and Lalkuan | 22 hr. 45 m | ||
Road | ——— | 1 d 8 hr. | ||
Indore | Air | Flights to Delhi/ Dehradun then to Pantnagar | ||
Rail | Chain Trains via Delhi to Kathgodam | |||
Road | —— | Indore to Dharchula (1 d 2 hr.) | ||
Raipur | Air | Flights to Delhi/ Dehradun then to Pantnagar | ||
Rail | Chain Trains via Delhi to Kathgodam | |||
Road | ——– | 1 d 6 hr. approx. |
Tips and Considerations
- Inner Line Permit: The Inner Line Permit (ILP) is as vital as Air for Adi Kailash Yatra. The permit is released at Dharchula and it is critical because of the adventure on the Indo-Nepal border.
- Network Connectivity: The trail ahead of Dharchula towards Adi Kailash may have poor network reception. Hence, planning in advance and having basic communication devices with you is recommended.
- Early Arrival: In order to commence the Adi Kailash Yatra, it is advisable to reach Kathgodam or Dharchula one day in advance since the tour starts early in the morning.
Conclusion
Getting to Adi Kailash is a journey of its own, with so many means of transportation to suit different preferences and different points of beginning. Whether by air, train, bus, or taxi, the trip offers eye-catching views and a soul-filling experience. Pilgrims departing for the Adi Kailash Yatra can choose a mode of transport for their journey as per their convenience and personal time preferences to ensure a memorable spiritual journey to the holy Adi Kailash Mountain in the Himalayas.