ADI KAILASH – LIPULEKH
SELF DRIVE EXPEDITIONS 2026
Drive Beyond the Ordinary.
Enter the Himalayas on Your Own Terms.
A professionally led self-drive expedition into the remote high Himalayas of Uttarakhand — taking you through Chaukori, Vyas Valley, Nabi, Kuti, Adi Kailash, Om Parvat, Kalapani and, subject to permission, Lipulekh Pass.
THE EXPEDITION
THIS IS NOT JUST A TOURTHIS IS A HIMALAYAN SELF-DRIVE EXPEDITION
The Adi Kailash–Om Parvat Self Drive Expedition takes you deep into one of the most remote and spectacular regions of Uttarakhand.
Here, the road becomes part of the experience.
You bring your own SUV, car or motorcycle, drive with the expedition team and experience the changing Himalayan landscape kilometre after kilometre.
From the peaceful mountains of Kumaon to the remote villages of Nabi, Gunji and Kuti, from the sacred landscape of Jolingkong and Adi Kailash to the high-altitude frontier of Nabhidhang and Lipulekh, this expedition is about much more than reaching a destination.
It is about driving, exploring, experiencing and becoming part of the mountains.
WHY THIS EXPEDITION?
WHY SELF DRIVE?Because some Himalayan journeys are meant to be driven — not simply travelled.
Bring your own vehicle and take control of your journey.
YOU DRIVE.
WE LEAD.
THE HIMALAYAS DECIDE.
Travel as part of a professionally led expedition team while experiencing the route from behind your own steering wheel.
Every kilometre brings a different landscape:
Kumaon → Chaukori → Dharchula → Tawaghat → Vyas Valley → Nabi → Kuti → Jolingkong → Nabhidhang → Lipulekh
This is for travellers who don't want a conventional packaged holiday.
This is for people who want the road itself to be part of the adventure.
WHAT YOU'LL EXPERIENCE
🌄 B H I M T A L
The expedition begins amidst the peaceful mountains of Kumaon.
🏔️ C H A U K O R I
Spectacular Himalayan panoramas and our strategic overnight halt before entering the remote frontier.
🕉️ P A T A L B H U V N E S H W A R
An ancient underground cave temple, subject to available time.
🏔️ V Y A S V A L L E Y
Enter one of the most remote and dramatic regions of the Kumaon Himalayas.
🏡 N A B I & G U N J I
Experience authentic Himalayan village life.
🏔️ K U T I
A remote Himalayan settlement traditionally associated with Kunti and the Pandava mythology.
🕉️ A D I K A I L A S H
Reach Jolingkong and experience the sacred landscape of Adi Kailash.
🕉️ O M P A R V A T
Witness the naturally formed sacred marking on the mountain face from Nabhidhang.
🏔️ K A L A P A N I
Drive through one of the most remote sections of the Vyas Valley.
🏔️ L I P U L E K H P A S S
An optional high-altitude frontier experience, subject to required permission and on-ground conditions.
WHY CHAUKORI?
WHY SELF DRIVE?WE CHANGED THE ROUTE FOR A REASON.
Our earlier May–June 2026 expeditions taught us something important.
The conventional Bhimtal → Dharchula drive can be nearly 300 km and may take around 12–14 hours.
That means spending most of Day 2 simply sitting behind the wheel.
So for the post-monsoon 2026 batches, we redesigned the itinerary.
INSTEAD OF RUSHING TO DHARCHULA...
We stop at Chaukori.
This gives you:
More time in Kumaon.
A better-paced expedition.
A Himalayan sunset/sunrise experience.
Less unnecessary driving on Day 2.
Chaukori also offers spectacular panoramic views of the Himalayan ranges.
ITINERARY
WHY SELF DRIVE?6 DAYS • 5 NIGHTS
DAY 01
HALDWANI / KATHGODAM → BHIMTAL
ARRIVE • UNWIND • CONNECT
Your expedition begins at Haldwani/Kathgodam.
Participants arrive from their respective cities and meet the expedition team.
From there, we move towards peaceful Bhimtal.
STAY
Pragati Resort, Bhimtal
The evening is intentionally relaxed.
Meet your fellow travellers, check the vehicles, exchange stories, enjoy chai and get ready for the Himalayan roads ahead.
Nearby attractions include:
Kainchi Dham – approx. 7 km
Ghorakhal Temple – approx. 1 km
Nainital – approx. 15 km
DAY 02
BHIMTAL → CHAUKORI
Approx. 175–180 km
THE JOURNEY BEGINS.
After breakfast, we inspect our vehicles and begin the drive towards the deeper Himalayas.
Depending on traffic and road conditions, we may take either:
Route 01
Bhimtal → Kainchi Dham → Almora → Jageshwar Dham → Chaukori
Route 02
Bhimtal → Padampuri → Dol Ashram → Almora → Chaukori
Approximate driving time: 7 hours
The objective isn't simply to cover kilometres.
The changing roads, forests, valleys and Himalayan landscapes are already part of the expedition.
STAY IN CHAUKORI
Hotel Neerja Paradise
Comfortable 3-star accommodation with twin/triple sharing.
If time permits, there may also be an opportunity for Patal Bhuvneshwar Darshan.
DAY 03
CHAUKORI → DHARCHULA → TAWAGHAT → NABI / GUNJI
Approx. 185 km
INTO THE VYAS VALLEY
Today the expedition enters a completely different world.
From Chaukori we drive towards Dharchula and continue to Tawaghat, where the journey enters the legendary Vyas Valley.
The landscape changes dramatically.
Taller mountains.
Deeper valleys.
Remote roads.
Roaring rivers.
Fewer settlements.
Eventually we reach Nabi / Gunji, deep inside the Vyas Valley.
STAY IN A HIMALAYAN HOMESTAY
This isn't a luxury-resort experience.
We stay in local Himalayan homestays in triple/quad sharing rooms with attached toilets and running water.
Electricity is limited. Generators generally operate around 7 PM–10 PM.
Hot water is available in the morning.
This is where the expedition becomes real.
Silence. Simplicity. Community. Mountains.
DAY 04
NABI / GUNJI → KUTI → JOLINGKONG → ADI KAILASH
Approx. 36 km
Altitude: Up to 4,500 m / 14,500 ft
INTO THE ABODE OF MAHADEV
Today is the day we came all this way for.
After breakfast, we leave Nabi and drive deeper into the high Himalayas.
KUTI VILLAGE
Approximately 18 km from Nabi, we reach Kuti — a remote Himalayan settlement traditionally associated with Kunti and the Pandava mythology.
From Kuti, another approximately 18 km takes us towards Jolingkong.
The landscape gradually transforms.
Trees disappear.
Greenery fades.
The mountains become barren, raw and immense.
FIRST DARSHAN OF ADI KAILASH
At approximately 14,500 ft, we reach Jolingkong.
And then comes the moment everyone has been waiting for.
ADI KAILASH — MAHADEV
From Jolingkong, we park our vehicles and continue on foot towards the sacred sites.
Parvati Kund – approx. 1.5 km
Gaurikund – approx. 3 km
At this altitude, every step demands effort.
But that's what makes the moment unforgettable.
You don't simply reach Adi Kailash.
You earn the moment.
EVENING IN THE VYAS VALLEY
After Darshan, we return towards Nabi.
The evening is yours.
Explore Nabi Village and, if time permits, nearby Rongkong Village.
Interact with locals, walk through the village and experience the valley after the expedition slows down.
DAY 05
NABI / GUNJI → KALAPANI → NABHIDHANG → LIPULEKH → CHAUKORI
Approx. 220 km
OM PARVAT & THE FRONTIER
Today is another unforgettable Himalayan drive.
We start early from Nabi/Gunji and head towards Kalapani and Nabhidhang.
OM PARVAT DARSHAN
At approximately 14,500 ft, we reach Nabhidhang.
From here, we get the opportunity to witness the sacred Om Parvat, where the naturally formed Om-like marking appears on the mountain face.
A moment of silence.
A moment of Darshan.
A moment that stays with you long after the expedition ends.
OPTIONAL: LIPULEKH PASS
KAILASH PARVAT DARSHAN
SUBJECT TO PERMISSION & ON-GROUND CONDITIONS
The route beyond Nabhidhang towards Lipulekh Pass is not a regular tourist route.
Access requires special permission.
The final decision depends upon:
- Permission from the concerned authorities
- Weather conditions
- Army movement
- Border-related restrictions
- Prevailing on-ground conditions
If permission is granted and conditions are favourable, we proceed approximately 15 km further towards Lipulekh Pass.
ALTITUDE
Approx. 18,000 ft
And from there, you may get the opportunity for:
KAILASH PARVAT DARSHAN
The Lipulekh experience cannot be guaranteed in advance.
The PDF states that the special local permit is generally confirmed 1–2 days before the visit, and the final decision is made only after reaching the region.
After the day's high-altitude experience, we begin the long return journey towards Chaukori.
STAY
Hotel Neerja Paradise, Chaukori
DAY 06
CHAUKORI → HALDWANI / DELHI
THE GOODBYE
After breakfast, we begin our final drive back towards Haldwani / Delhi.
Six days ago, most of us arrived as strangers.
Now we leave with stories of:
Bhimtal
Chaukori
Vyas Valley
Nabi
Kuti
Adi Kailash
Om Parvat
The Himalayan Roads
The expedition ends here.
THE JOURNEY ENDS HERE.
THE STORIES DON'T.
FIXED BATCHES POST-MONSOON 2026
Limited expedition batches for the post-monsoon season before winters.
Price
- Including 5% GST
- 5 Nights / 6 Days
- Self-Drive / Riders Batch
BOOKING ADVANCE
- Non-refundable
- Remaining balance payable at least 10 days before the trip starts.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
YOUR EXPEDITION INCLUDES
- Quality hotel accommodation in Haldwani/Bhimtal & Chaukori
- Twin/triple sharing accommodation
- Himalayan village stay at Gunji/Nabi
- Triple/quad sharing village accommodation with attached washrooms
- Daily breakfast
- Vegetarian dinner
- Inner Line Permit
- Entire ride & sightseeing
- Oxygen cylinder in vehicle for emergencies
- Vix Expeditions Trip Captain
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
PLEASE NOTE
- Your car/bike
- Fuel
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Highway meals/refreshments
- Mineral water
- Alcoholic beverages
- Monument/monastery entry fees
- Camera/video charges
- Laundry & telephone expenses
- Room heater charges
- Emergency evacuation
- Additional stay/food caused by weather or roadblocks
- Expenses caused by landslides, roadblocks or permit delays
- Anything not specifically mentioned under inclusions