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Flight to Mount Kailash: 3 Possible Ways to Reach Mount Kailash by Air
The fastest way to reach Mount Kailash is actually taking a flight from Lhasa to Ngari Gunsa Airport and then driving to Darchen at the foot of Mount Kailash.
Recently, you can take a direct flight to the Mount Kailash area from both Lhasa and Kashgar with no more than 2.5 hours. There is also a helicopter journey from Kathmandu, taking you to the border for the land journey to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.
Due to the limited flights, you need an early reservation if you plan to fly to Mount Kailash.
Here, we will share all the details about flights to Mount Kailash, providing more options for you to reach the sacred mountain in a short time.
Is it possible to fly to Mount Kailash directly? Fly to Ngari First and Travel by Road
#1. Flight to Mount Kailash from Lhasa: The Popular 2-Hour Flight and Overland Travel
#2. Flight to Mount Kailash from Kashgar: The Shortest 1.5-Hour Flight and Overland Travel
#3. Flight to Mount Kailash from Kathmandu: Helicopter to the Border and Travel Overland
How to Book a Flight to Mount Kailash?
Is It Safe to Take a Flight to Mount Kailash Directly?
Is it possible to fly to Mount Kailash directly? Fly to Ngari First and Travel by Road
Though there are no direct flights to Mount Kailash, it is possible to take a flight to nearby Ngari Gunsa Airport first, and then take an overland journey to Darchen Town for the Mount Kailash Yatra.
Ngari Gunsa Airport, the only airport in western Tibet, is 198.9 kilometers away from Mount Kailash. After landing, you need to take another 2.5 hours’ drive to Darchen at the foot of Mount Kailash.
With direct flights from Lhasa or Kashgar, you can get to Mount Kailash within 6 hours, including both the flight and overland travel.
Ngari Gunsa Airport operates the most frequent flights from Lhasa and Kashgar to Ngari.#1. Flight to Mount Kailash from Lhasa: The Popular 2-Hour Flight and Overland Travel
The flight from Lhasa Gonggar Airport to Ngari Gunsa Airport is a popular route for Mount Kailash tours. It takes about 2 hours to fly from Lhasa to Ngari.
After arriving at Ngari Gunsa Airport, you will take another 2.5-hour drive to reach Darchen Town, the starting point of Mount Kailash Yatra.
In peak season (May to October), there are around 2 to 3 direct flights daily from Lhasa Gonggar Airport to Ngari Gunsa Airport, while in low season (November to April), there are only 1 to 2 flights arranged.
The flight from Lhasa to Ngari is mainly arranged by Tibetan Airlines. All flights from Lhasa to the Mount Kailash area depart in the early morning before 8:00 AM and arrive in Ngari before noon.
In this way, you can get to Mount Kailash from Lhasa in around 5 to 6 hours by flying to Ngari and then overland to Darchen.
Updated Lhasa to Ngari (Mount Kailash) Flight Schedule
| Route | Flight Number | Dep. - Arr. | Duration | Frequency |
| Lhasa Gonggar - Ngari Gunsa | TV9807 | 07:35 - 09:40 | 2 hrs 5 mins | Daily |
| Lhasa Gonggar - Ngari Gunsa | TV9943 | 07:45 - 09:55 | 2 hrs 10 mins | Daily |
Updated Ngari (Mount Kailash) to Lhasa Flight Schedule
| Route | Flight Number | Dep. - Arr. | Duration | Frequency |
| Ngari Gunsa - Lhasa Gonggar | TV9808 | 10:20 - 12:10 | 1 hr 50 mins | Daily |
| Ngari Gunsa - Lhasa Gonggar | TV9944 | 10:40 - 12:30 | 1 hr 50 mins | Daily |
After landing, you’ll need to drive to Darchen at the foot of Mount Kailash.
Join our popular Mount Kailash tour from Lhasa.
#2. Flight to Mount Kailash from Kashgar: The Shortest 1.5-Hour Flight and Overland Travel
The flight from Kashgar to Ngari is the shortest flight journey to the Mount Kailash area. It takes only 1.5 hours from Kashgar Laining International Airport to Ngari Gunsa Airport.
Every day, there is at least one direct flight from Kashgar to Ngari. There are three airlines operating flights to Ngari from Kashgar, but not all are daily departures. Please check the flight schedule in advance when planning your trip to Mount Kailash from Kashgar.
After the short flight journey from Kashgar to Ngari, you will travel to Mount Kailash by land from the airport. The overland journey takes about 2.5 hours. You can arrive in Darchen in the afternoon.
Updated Kashgar to Ngari (Mount Kailash) Flight Schedule
| Route | Flight Number | Dep. - Arr. | Duration | Frequency |
| Kashgar Laining - Ngari Gunsa | 8L9681 | 10:05 - 11:40 | 1 hr 35 mins | Not Daily |
| Kashgar Laining - Ngari Gunsa | MU2131 | 09:45 - 11:20 | 1 hr 35 mins | Not Daily |
| Kashgar Laining - Ngari Gunsa | TV6005 | 11:30 - 13:10 | 1 hr 40 mins | Not Daily |
Updated Ngari (Mount Kailash) to Kashgar Flight Schedule
| Route | Flight Number | Dep. - Arr. | Duration | Frequency |
| Ngari Gunsa - Kashgar Laining | 8L9682 | 12:20 - 14:15 | 1 hr 55 mins | Not Daily |
| Ngari Gunsa - Kashgar Laining | MU2132 | 12:00 - 13:45 | 1 hr 45 mins | Not Daily |
| Ngari Gunsa - Kashgar Laining | TV6006 | 13:50 - 15:40 | 1 hr 50 mins | Not Daily |
You can take a flight from Kashgar Airport to Ngari for your Mount Kailash tour.#3. Flight to Mount Kailash from Kathmandu: Helicopter to the Border and Travel Overland
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by helicopter from Kathmandu actually includes a 20-minute flight from Simikot to the village of Hilsa near the border. To take the helicopter, you need to travel from Kathmandu to Nepalguni and take a one-hour flight to Simikot first.
As you can not take a flight to Mount Kailash from Kathmandu directly, you need to cross the land border and then take the road trip from the border to Darchen, where you will start your Mount Kailash pilgrimage.
This route to Mount Kailash is commonly taken by pilgrims from Nepal and India and is not a typical option for ordinary tourists.
It's possible to take a helicopter to the border and then drive to Mount Kailash.How to Book a Flight to Mount Kailash?
The flight to Ngari can be booked through the airline’s official websites, or we can book it together with your Mount Kailash tour package.
Due to the limited number of seats, flight tickets to Ngari sell out quickly, especially during the Saga Dawa Festival and summer holidays. So it is essential to book your flight to Ngari as early as possible.
To take the flight to the Mount Kailash area, you need to prepare your valid passport and the Tibet Travel Permit. All these will be checked at the airport before you board the flight.
Join us for a hassle-free Mount Kailash journey with all travel documents prepared and the Tibet Travel Permit guaranteed.
Is It Safe to Take a Flight to Mount Kailash Directly?
At 4,274 meters above sea level, the altitude of Ngari Gunsa Airport is the fourth-highest airport in China. Flying directly to Mount Kailash can increase the risk of altitude sickness due to the rapid ascent.
Whether you fly to Mount Kailash from Lhasa or Kashgar, after landing, it is essential to move slowly and avoid starting your Kailash trek in a rush. You can rest well at your hotel in Darchen and give yourself enough time to acclimatize to the altitude. To stay one more day in Darch could help you better acclimate to the high altitude of the Mount Kailash area.
Our guests enjoy the classic 3-days kora around Mount Kailash.More Travel Tips for Taking a Flight to Mount Kailash
All flights to Ngari depart in the morning and usually arrive at Ngari Gunsa Airport around noon. After arrival, you need to take another 2.5-hour drive to Darchen at the foot of Mount Kailash. It’s essential to give your body enough time to acclimatize to the high altitude of over 4,500 meters in the Mount Kailash area.
If you are short on time but still wish to complete the trek, consider taking an overland trip to Mount Kailash and flying out after your Kailash Kora.
Due to the high altitude of Mount Kailash area, the flights to/from Ngari may be delayed by strong winds or snow, especially in early spring or late autumn. It is essential to check the weather conditions and prepare a Plan B for your flight journey to Mount Kailash.
It's time to plan your 2026 Mount Kailash tour!
Conclusion
Although there is no flight to the sacred mountain directly, it is possible to fly to Ngari Gunsa Airport, the closest airport to Mount Kailash.
There are daily flights to Ngari from both Lhasa and Kashgar, making it possible to reach Mount Kailash within half a day.
The helicopter tour from Kathmandu to Mount Kailash actually takes you to the border, and you still need to drive to the Mount Kailash area after the border crossing.
Helping over 10,000 global tourists fulfill their dream pilgrimage tours to Mount Kailash each year, we at Tibet Vista are ready to help you complete your lifetime Mount Kailash Yatra according to your needs. Feel free to contact us for your next journey to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar.
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