Manimahesh Kailash stands in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the Panch Kailash, along with Kailash Mansarovar, Adi Kailash, Shrikhand Mahadev and Kinnaur Kailash. The Gaddi shepherds of Bharmour say Lord Shiva lives on this peak for six months of the year. Many families who book the Manimahesh helicopter package travel with parents or grandparents who have waited years for this darshan; others simply don't have a week free for the trek.
Manimahesh helicopter tour: package details
| Tour | Manimahesh Helicopter Yatra |
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| Duration | 4 Nights / 5 Days |
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| Pickup and drop | Amritsar Airport or Pathankot Railway Station |
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| Starting time | Amritsar: around 6:00 AM. Pathankot: around 7:00 AM |
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| Finishing time | Amritsar: around 8:00 PM. Pathankot: around 6:00 PM |
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| Helicopter route | Bharmour to Gaurikund and back |
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| Flight time | About 10 minutes each way |
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| Highest altitude | 4,080 metres (Manimahesh Lake) |
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| Yatra dates | Roughly 2 to 17 September |
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| Stay | Hotels in Bharmour and Banikhet (Dalhousie), 1 night camping near Manimahesh Lake |
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| Price | On request: a written quote for your date and group size, inclusive of taxes, before anything is paid |
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From Amritsar the route goes Amritsar, Bharmour, Manimahesh Lake, back to Bharmour, Dalhousie and home to Amritsar. From Pathankot it is the same loop, ending at Pathankot.
What you see on the Manimahesh helicopter tour
The flight is short, about 10 minutes, but it is the part people talk about afterwards. The helicopter to Manimahesh lands at Gaurikund, and Manimahesh Lake is a short walk away. There is time for darshan at Gaurikund Temple, Kailash Darshan and the parikrama, without anyone hurrying you along.
Back in Bharmour you visit the Chaurasi Temple Complex; locals will tell you not to skip the Dharmraj and Chitragupt temples there. Brahmani Mata Temple sits above Bharmour, and the evening night fair and market are worth a slow walk. On the drive out there are stops at Khajjiar, Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary and Barota Hill before the last night near Dalhousie.
What the Manimahesh helicopter package includes
Included
- Helicopter to Manimahesh and back (Bharmour to Gaurikund and return)
- Rooms on double sharing in Bharmour and Dalhousie
- One night's camp stay at Manimahesh
- Veg meals, from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 5
- A guide, all permits and entry fees
- Sightseeing in and around Bharmour and Dalhousie
- Local taxi to Kugti and Brahmani Mata temples
- Road transport for the whole trip, Amritsar to Amritsar or Pathankot to Pathankot
- First aid kit with portable oxygen
Not included
- Insurance of any kind
- Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, phone calls, tips or camera fees
- Non-veg food and bottled water
- A single room, or an extra night in Amritsar, unless added to your quote
- Costs from things nobody controls, such as flight or train changes, landslides, bad weather or local disturbances
- Anything not listed above
Manimahesh helicopter booking: price and notes
The Manimahesh Yatra helicopter service runs only for a couple of weeks in September, and seats go quickly. Manimahesh helicopter booking is simple: pick your batch, accept the written quote, pay the advance and send a valid photo ID for each person. The price is on request, quoted for your starting point, date and group size, inclusive of taxes, before anything is paid. A single room or an extra night in Amritsar can be added to the quote.
Weather in the Chamba valley decides a lot, and the helicopter flies only when it is safe. Hotels are fixed as per the itinerary, so an extra night caused by weather is charged separately and quoted to you first. Pickup and drop points can shift a little if roads are blocked. Manimahesh Lake is at about 4,080 m, so tell us about any health conditions when you book. The operator flying the sector is named on your quote; BookHelicopter.com arranges the trip and does not fly the aircraft.
Cancellation and date changes
Cancel for any reason, at any time, and everything you paid is refunded. If the helicopter cannot fly, you get a full refund or a new date free of charge, and moving to another batch is free, subject to availability. The full terms are in our terms and conditions.
What to pack
Nights at the Manimahesh camp are cold, so bring warm layers, a windproof jacket, a cap and gloves. Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably from Gaurikund to Manimahesh Lake, and carry a rain jacket or poncho. Add your own medicines, sunscreen, sunglasses and the original photo ID you need for the flight and permits.
More helicopter yatras
For other flights in the state, see helicopter service in Himachal Pradesh. Other shrine yatras by helicopter include Amarnath Ji, Vaishno Devi and the Chardham Yatra.
