Amarnath Yatra

On your arrival to Srinagar, the most popular yet beautiful town of Kashmir, you will be greeted by our friendly agent who will then escort you to Pahalgam, which is a small, quaint town that acts as the base for your trek to the Amarnath Cave.

But, before you start from Srinagar, you will collect your RFID card from the designated point for your spiritual yatra.

Enroute Pahalgam, you will make a small halt at the Avantipora Ruins to visit the ancient Avantiswami Temple and the Avantishwara Temple, that were constructed in the 9^th century during the reign of King Avantivarman.

After this, you will continue your journey towards Pahalgam, where you will first check-in to your hotel to grab some rest and to freshen-up.

This will be followed by a visit to the Mamaleshwar Temple, which is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is a good example of the traditional Kashmiri architecture, and it is also believed that Lord Shiva left his bull, Nandi Maharaj here in Pahalgam.

Next, you may also opt in for a leisurely horse ride or partake in thrilling white water rafting on the Lidder River for a more immersive and a unique experience, but at your own expense.

Later, you will return to your cozy hotel to relish a delectable dinner and to grab a peaceful night’s sleep.

Today, wake up, freshen up, and then you will begin your journey towards Chandanwadi, which is approximately 16 kilometres.

Ideally, the walk from Pahalgam to Chandanwadi takes about 4 to 5 hours and offers a mesmerizing journey through picturesque landscapes, providing travelers with a blend of natural beauty and spiritual ambiance.

As you walk from Pahalgam to Chandanwadi, you will be greeted by lush greenery, towering pine forests, and cascading waterfalls. Your journey involves traversing through narrow pathways, crossing wooden bridges, and meandering alongside the Lidder River, which offers enchanting views of the crystal-clear waters gushing through the valley.

Enroute Chandanwadi, you will also pass through the famous and picturesque Betaab valley, that was named after the Bollywood movie ‘Betaab’ which was shot here in the early 1980s. You can spend some time relaxing here amidst the beautiful, picturesque landscape before heading out towards Chandanwadi.

After grabbing some rest at the Betaab Valley, you will continue your journey to Chandanwadi, where you will check-in to your cozy tent to grab some rest. You will have to get in que for the dinner (langar) or you may also choose to have your dinner at a private local eatery (at your own expense).

Please Note: Depending upon your devotion to Lord Shiva, you may choose to walk towards Chandanwadi, or if you are short on time, you can also take a comfortable ride in your cab which would take about 30 to 45 minutes. If you choose to go by cab, you will have to wake up early, as you will trek directly from Chandanwadi to Sheshnag and skip your stay for the day in Chandanwadi.

Today, wake up to the fresh rays of the morning sun, and have a wholesome breakfast to energize yourself for the day’s trek which is of about 12 kilometres and takes about 5 to 6 hours.

As you start your journey from Chandanwadi, you will walk for a couple of kilometres to reach the Pissu Top, which is a beautiful mountain pass that is believed to have been formed during the event when both Devtas (gods) and Rakshas (demons) were racing against each other to first get the divine darshan (glimpse) of Lord Shiva. This resulted in a war between the two, and with the will & power of Lord Shiva, the Devtas defeated the Rakshas, leaving heaps of corpses of dead Rakshas. It is believed that the Pissu top (mountain) was formed due to the piles of these dead bodies.

On reaching Pissu Top, you can expect a langar (meal) organized by various NGOs/societies. Here, you must take a moment to soak in the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

After this, you will continue your journey towards Sheshnag. On the way, you can choose to grab a little rest at Zojibal, which is a scenic rest point on the way to the Amarnath Shrine. After a 1.5 kilometre ascend further up towards Sheshnag, you will reach Naga Koti, which is another beautiful vantage point situated amidst nature that also has a captivating seasonal waterfall.

The next attraction that awaits you on your pilgrimage is the Sheshnag Lake, which is a beautiful lake that is located at an altitude of about 3,574 metres above sea level. According to the legend, Sheshnag is believed to be the abode of the mythical serpent king, Sheshnag, who is said to have protected Lord Shiva during his meditation. The lake situated here is surrounded by snow-capped peaks of which seven peaks resemble the heads of the mythical snake, Sheshnag.

You will spend the night here at Sheshnag in a cozy tent at one of the campsites. Here, also you will have to get in que for the dinner (langar) or you may also choose to have your dinner at a private local eatery (at your own expense).

Wake up to another refreshing day in the Himalayas, relish a hearty breakfast (langar), and then continue your journey further towards Panjtarni, which is located around 15 kilometres from Sheshnag. This journey takes about 7 to 8 hours.

On the way to Sheshnag, you will ascend to the Ganesh Top, which is also known as Mahagunas Pass that is situated at an altitude of about 14,000 ft. (4,276 metres). Here, you can take a short break to grab a little rest and to enjoy the stunning picturesque views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks. This Pass is named after Lord Ganesha, as it is believed that Lord Shiva asked Lord Ganesha to wait here and ensure that nobody follows them on their way up to the Amarnath Cave.

After crossing the Mahagunas Pass, you will descend to the lush green meadows of Posh Patri, where you can relish a delicious meal (langar) and grab some rest.

Soon, you will leave Posh Patri and continue your journey towards Panjtarni, which is also referred to as Panchatarni as it is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva released the ‘panchatantra’ (five elements) from his hair, which further formed the five streams that flow here. These five streams, symbolizes the five elements of life (nature), which are ‘jal’ (water), ‘vayu’ (air), ‘agni’ (fire), ‘prithvi’ (earth) and ‘akash’ (sky).

On reaching Panchtarni, you can check-in to your camp to grab some rest, and then you can feast on a delicious langar, which is served by some humble pilgrims.

Later, return to your accommodation to have a well-deserved restful sleep.

Wake up early today, have an appetizing breakfast, and then you will embark on the final leg of your sacred journey to the Amarnath Cave, where the divine presence of Lord Shiva awaits your devout prayers. This distance from Panjtarni to the Amarnath Cave is about 6 kilometres and it would take you roughly about 2 to 3 hours.

After starting your journey from Panjtarni, you will reach the Sangam point, where you will see the confluence of the Amravati and the Panjtarni rivers. It is believed that taking a dip here at the Sangam purifies the soul and many pilgrims do take a bath here before heading for the darshan (glimpse) of the Amarnath shrine. However, be cautious as the water flowing at the confluence is ice cold and the current could also be way faster than it may seem. So, bathing here totally depends upon your fitness levels and the level of your devotion.

After crossing Sangam, you will soon reach the Amarnath Cave, where you will witness the divine aura of the sacred ice-lingam. Apart from the main Shivling, there are two more small Shivlings, which represent Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha.

According to the mythology, it is believed that Lord Shiva disclosed the secrets of immortality to Goddess Parvati at the Amarnath Cave. In order to ensure complete secrecy and privacy, Lord Shiva left his companion Nandi (the bull) at Pahalgam, the moon from his hair at Chandanwadi, and he released Vasuki or Naag (the snake) from his neck at Sheshnag. He further asked Lord Ganesha to stay and guard the way at the Mahagunas Peak (Ganesh Top), and then he released the ‘panchtantra’ (five elements) air, water, fire, earth and sky at Panjtarni, before ascending towards the Amarnath cave.

On reaching the cave, he further released ‘Kalagni’, his fierce form to eliminate all life in the vicinity. After this, he performed the tandava with Goddess Parvati before telling her the secret. Despite all these precautionary measures, two eggs survived as they were lying below his deer hide and they heard the secret of immortality. If you happen to see a pair of white pigeons, you must consider yourself quite lucky, as these birds are believed to have hatched from those eggs.

After seeking the blessings from the awe-inspiring ice lingam that is believed to symbolize the presence of Lord Shiva, you will come to stay at the Amarnath campsite, near the cave for a peaceful overnight stay and to relish a delicious langar.

In case of unavailability of accommodation near the cave, you will have to descend to Panjtarni for an overnight stay and dinner.

Wake up early today, offer your prayers to the almighty Lord Shiva, and then you must head towards the langar to have a hearty breakfast.

After this, take the final glimpse of the holy Amarnath Cave and then you will begin your trek down to Baltal to conclude your trek to Amarnath. Your journey today will be through a steep and narrow route that is characterised by the natural beauty of rugged mountain terrain, lush greenery, meandering rivers, and cascading waterfalls. However, you must be cautious while walking as you are responsible for your own safety during the trek.

As you descend from Amarnath, you will have soon reach Sangam, from where, you will have to take the path that goes towards Baltal. On this route there are few langar points, which are generally at Barari Marg, Railpathri, Domail and finally at the Baltal. The total journey today is of approximately 14 kilometres, and it should take you about 5 to 6 hours.

On reaching Baltal, you can relish the delicious langar at the Baltal base camp. Here, you will be greeted by our friendly agent who will then escort you to your cozy hotel in Sonamarg (Sonmarg). After checking-in you can grab a well-deserved rest at your hotel or if you are still thirsty for an adventure, you can also partake in the white water rafting on the Sind River. Later, return to your hotel to relish a delicious dinner and to settle in for a restful night’s sleep.

Wake up to a refreshing new day in Sonamarg, freshen up, have a delectable dinner and then you will head towards Srinagar to continue your journey back home.

After a short 2-hour journey, you will soon reach Srinagar, where you will first visit the Adi Shankaracharya Temple, which is located on the Shankaracharya Hill and offers beautiful panoramic view of the Srinagar city, Dal Lake, and the surrounding mountains. The Adi Shankaracharya Temple is also known as the Jyesteshwara Temple and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is considered as the oldest temple in Kashmir and is believed to have been established in the 8^th century by the great saint and philosopher Adi Shankaracharya.

This will be followed by a visit to the Dal Lake, which is the biggest lake in Srinagar. Here you can indulge in a leisurely boat ride on a shikara through the tranquil waters of this lake, but at your own expense.

After exploring the beautiful Dal Lake, we will then drop you at the Srinagar airport, railway station or the ISBT to help you onboard on your journey further home.

With this, your enchanting ‘Amarnath Yatra’ comes to an end and you will bid farewell to the picturesque valleys of Kashmir with a heart filled with gratitude for the spiritual blessings of Lord Shiva, and unforgettable memories that will continue to inspire and uplift you for the years to come.

Please Note: You must plan your departure from the Dal Lake carefully to ensure that it aligns with your onward journey for a smoother transition back home.

You also have an option to extend your stay in Srinagar, but at an additional expense. You have the option to stay in a hotel, homestay, houseboat, or a camp.