Kathmandu: Over 2,500 foreign tourists traveling to Kailash Mansarovar have been stranded in Kathmandu for days, facing visa delays from the Chinese Embassy and route disruptions caused by floods in Rasuwa. The situation has caused distress among pilgrims and heavy financial losses to Nepali tour operators.

Tourism entrepreneurs say that the visa verification process, which used to take three days, is now taking more than 10 days without any assurance of approval. The backlog has left tourists, many of whom are Indian nationals and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) from countries like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, stuck in five-star hotels, racking up extra costs.

“Tourists are running out of money, and some have even returned home without completing their pilgrimage,” said Namraj Joshi, a tour operator from Mumbai.

Floods and landslides in the Rasuwa district have blocked the Kerung route, which is the primary path to Kailash Mansarovar via Rasuwagadhi. Tour companies are now trying to reroute pilgrims through Nepalgunj–Simikot–Hilsa, which is longer and costlier.

“Due to these hurdles, barely 1,000 tourists might reach Kailash this season,” said Surya Pathak, Managing Director of Soham Journeys Pvt. Ltd.

Companies say that the Chinese Embassy’s new policy of verifying visas only after foreigners arrive in Nepal is impractical during peak season. Previously, the visa would arrive within days once entry permission from Lhasa was granted.

Entrepreneurs also revealed that their commissions are being wiped out as they are forced to cover extended hotel stays and other unexpected costs.

In a recent parliamentary committee meeting, lawmakers raised the issue, urging the Tourism Minister to coordinate with the Chinese Embassy to expedite the visa process. Tourism Minister Badri Prasad Pandey pledged to initiate diplomatic talks via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On average, foreign tourists spend $5,000 to $7,000 for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, while Indian citizens spend around INR 250,000 to 300,000. The pilgrimage season lasts from May to September, and tour operators fear a massive loss in revenue and reputation due to this year’s complications.

With more than 30 Nepali tour companies under the Association of Kailash Tour Operators, the ongoing disruptions are being seen as a critical blow to Nepal’s religious and cross-border tourism economy.