Amarnath Yatra Tips 2027: What to Carry, Dos and Don'ts

Start with your registration permit, RFID card, Compulsory Health Certificate and photo ID, plus photocopies, kept in a waterproof pouch. Then pack laced waterproof trekking shoes, woollen socks, thermal inners, a fleece, a padded jacket, a full rain poncho, a walking stick, a torch, a power bank, your medicines, ORS, dry fruits and cash in small notes. Leave plastic bags and jewellery behind.

Wear layers: a thermal inner, a fleece and a padded jacket for mornings, nights and the passes, with a windcheater and poncho for the afternoon rain. Laced trekking shoes with ankle grip, never slippers. SASB advises women to wear a salwar kameez, tracksuit or trousers rather than a saree. Avoid cotton next to the skin because it stays wet. Nights and the high passes drop below 5°C even in July, so pack gloves and a woollen cap for Mahagunus Top and the early-morning cave visit.

Walk 4 to 5 km every day for at least a month before the yatra and practise deep breathing such as pranayam, as the SASB health advisory recommends. In the last two weeks, add one long weekend walk of 8 to 10 km in your trekking shoes and carry a 4 to 5 kg backpack on daily walks. See a doctor first if you have a heart, blood pressure or breathing condition.

Climb slowly, drink water regularly, eat small meals even without appetite, and avoid alcohol, smoking and sleeping pills. Spend a night in Srinagar, Pahalgam or Sonamarg before starting. If you get a headache, nausea or breathlessness, stop, tell your group and go to the nearest medical camp. If symptoms worsen, descend. Never keep climbing with worsening symptoms.

Non-vegetarian food, alcohol, tobacco, gutka and pan masala are banned, as are plastic bags. You cannot trek without registration and an RFID card, and phones and photography are not allowed inside the Holy Cave. The SASB food list also bans fried and junk food at langars and stalls, including puri, pakora, samosa, halwa, jalebi and cold drinks.

The Pahalgam route is easier on the body even though it is longer. It covers about 32 km from Chandanwari over 3 to 4 days, with night halts at Sheshnag and Panjtarni that help you acclimatise. The Baltal route is only 14 km but climbs steeply and continuously, and many pilgrims attempt it in a single day. First-timers and seniors usually do better on the Pahalgam route.