Frequently Asked Questions

No, passport is not required for Indian citizens. Adi Kailash and Om Parvat are located entirely within Indian territory. However, you will need a valid government-issued ID card like Aadhaar Card or Voter ID card to obtain the mandatory Inner-Line Permit.

You must send clear scans of the following documents 15 days before the departure:
1. Aadhaar Card (Front & Back) or Passport
2. Police Verification Certificate (obtained from your local police station or online portal)
3. Physical Fitness Certificate signed by a registered MBBS doctor
4. 2 recent passport-size photographs.

No, due to security reasons and proximity to borders, the Ministry of Home Affairs currently does not permit foreign tourists (including OCI cardholders) to travel beyond Dharchula to Adi Kailash, Om Parvat, or Darma Valley. Only Indian citizens are permitted.

For Adi Kailash and Darma Valley, most travel is by 4x4 Scorpios, with short walks of 1-3 kilometers to reach viewpoints. However, because of the high altitude, you must have good cardiovascular fitness. We recommend doing light jogging, walking, or breathing exercises (Pranayama) for 20-30 minutes daily starting a month prior to the trip.

There are primary health centers run by the government and military camps at Gunji and Dharchula. Our guides carry basic medicines and oxygen cylinders. In case of serious altitude sickness, the guest will be immediately escorted back to lower altitude (Dharchula). In extreme situations, military/private helicopter evacuation can be organized at the client's expense.

In Dharchula and Pithoragarh, we provide neat, standard hotels with private bathrooms and geysers. In high altitude spots like Gunji, Dantu, and Kutti, hotels do not exist. We stay in local homestays (sharing basis) to experience local culture. These homestays are neat, clean, and run by warm villagers. Blankets and hot water are provided.

BSNL mobile network is active in Gunji and Dharchula, but data speeds are very slow (often 2G) and network signals can be erratic. Jio/Airtel work well in Dharchula but do not have towers in Gunji yet. Electricity in high-altitude villages is generated by solar panels and is usually available for 3-4 hours in the evening to charge mobile phones.