Nepal's government has taken a significant step for Indian pilgrims. The Nepal Tourism Department and local businesses are fully prepared to welcome Indian citizens.
Nepal has made an important official demand to the Chinese government to increase the quota for Indian travelers this year. The Kailash Yatra strengthens the deep cultural ties and relationships between the two countries. Given the large number of Indian travelers, the current quota set by China is proving to be very low.
Therefore, the Nepalese government and local travel agents are making continuous and strong efforts to increase it. This important step will also greatly benefit Nepal's local tourism and economy. According to Nepali tourism entrepreneurs, China has set a quota of 24,000 for Indian pilgrims this year.
However, Nepal has demanded that this be increased to 40,000 due to high demand. Last year, this quota was 20,000, and this time there is a significant demand for an additional 15,000. The Indian government allows travel through the Lipulekh and Nathu La passes, but this number is quite limited.
The Indian government sets a limit of only 500 people per route each year, totaling 1,000 pilgrims. As a result, most Indian pilgrims prefer to travel via Nepal's easier routes using private vehicles. Currently, there are four major routes open for traveling to Kailash through Nepal.
The increase in the number of travelers on the Hilsa route has created new employment opportunities for local people. Dozens of hotels and several small lodges have opened in Simkot and Hilsa for the convenience of Indian pilgrims. This large journey has created a high demand for porters, guides, and hotel staff in remote areas like Humla.
A significant new market has emerged for local products such as apples, walnuts, and beans. Farmers are rapidly shifting from traditional farming to commercial vegetable farming. Due to the continuously rising prices of fuel and food, the travel packages for Kailash Yatra have become quite expensive this year.
The cost of the 10-day Rasuwagadhi-Kerung package has now risen to approximately $1,700 per person, a significant increase from last year's price of $1,500. The cost of the eight-day Nepalgunj-Simkot-Hilsa route has now reached $1,550, up from $1,300. Travelers on this route first reach Hilsa Mountain via small planes and then helicopters.
A helicopter makes 15 trips daily, carrying only 4 passengers per flight. Chinese authorities had recently closed the route for three days, but travel has now resumed.
More than 1,200 Indian pilgrims are set to depart via this route between Thursday and Saturday. The Managing Director of Touch Kailash Travel, Basu Adhikari, mentioned that inquiries are continuously and rapidly increasing.
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