Ahmedabad: For devout pilgrims who have spent years planning their journey to Kailash Mansarovar, this season brings an unwelcome surprise: the yatra now costs nearly Rs 3 lakh, up by roughly Rs 50,000 from last year. The 20% hike is driven by mandatory rate revisions, higher airfares, rising transport costs, and increased spending on hotels and food supplies amid global disruptions.

A new directive by the Association of Kailash Tour Operators Nepal (Akton) has formally notified Indian tour operators of mandatory price increases for the Nepal route. Its communication states: "Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, there has been a substantial and unavoidable increase in operational costs, including hotels, food supplies (groceries), transportation and airfares. These cost escalations make it no longer feasible to operate under previous pricing structures. The new contract also introduces stricter policies governing Nepali support staff, which operators say must be strictly followed.

Arvind Goswami, a travel agent who is associated with the yatra, said, The overall package cost for pilgrims has risen. Earlier, the yatra package was around Rs 2.5 lakh. Now it has gone up to nearly Rs 3 lakh because of the war situation.

The increase is mainly in amenities and transport."

According to the revised rates, Indian pilgrims will now pay an additional $150 per person on the China side across all routes, he said. On the Nepal side, the increase is Rs 5,000 per person for the overland tour, Rs 15,000 for the helicopter route (Lucknow to Lucknow), and Rs 25,000 for the helicopter route (Kathmandu to Kathmandu).

Another tour operator said that pilgrims taking the Nepal route will also have to handle increase in airfare from their destination to either Lucknow or Kathmandu. This is not factored into the Rs 50,000 figure, and will further increase the burden.

The costs could climb further. Akton has flagged the possibility of an additional $150 per person if Chinese authorities implement a centralised kitchen system for yatris, providing fixed breakfast, lunch, and dinner at an estimated food cost of $250 per pilgrim.

Despite the price jump, demand from Gujarat appears undeterred. Tour organiser Mahesh Dudakia said around 5,000 Gujaratis prefer the Nepal route each year. The route had been suspended for five years before resuming only last year, making this the first full season, and immediately, a costlier one.