Tourism Special Secretary Sarala Rai, who undertook the 'Yatra' via Kathmandu and onwards to Lhasa and Kailash Mansarovar in 2011, affirmed that travel even in luxury vehicles is difficult but adventurous.
The proposed 'Yatra' through Sikkim, scheduled to begin from June, is the first luxury route to 'Kailash Mansarovar' from India and pilgrims, after crossing over from Nathu la, will travel to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet, the official said.
Thus far, from India, the only route to Kailash involved an arduous and dangerous trek through Uttarakhand. The only vehicular travel option was via Nepal which was explored by Rai four years back.
The new motorable route through Nathu la is scheduled to accommodate around 250 pilgrims this season, the official said.
As things stand, Sikkim does not have enough experienced porters to escort pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar.
Pilgrims have the option of taking yaks or ponies on this leg, but these come at a high premium.