Trekking yātrā checklist

Vaishno Devi, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, Sabarimala, Sammed Shikharji

Many great shrines are reached only on foot — about 6 km at Yamunotri, 12–13 km from Katra to Vaishno Devi, about 16–18 km at Kedarnath, a forest climb from Pamba at Sabarimala, and a long night-and-morning parikramā at Shikharji. Walking is itself part of the yātrā; prepare for it.

• Footwear: broken-in walking shoes with a good grip, not new shoes and not slippers. Carry spare socks. Where the tradition is to walk barefoot, start slowly and protect your feet with care. • Pacing: walk slowly and steadily, rest briefly and often, and let the slowest walker set the pace. Chant or walk in silence — save your breath on steep stretches. • Start early: set out at dawn (or earlier where the custom is a pre-dawn start, as at Shikharji) so you reach before the afternoon heat, rain or fog.

• Ponies, palanquins and porters: use only registered providers at official counters with displayed rates, and keep the registration slip. Battery cars, ropeways and helicopters run on some routes — book only through official channels. • Water and food: carry a refillable bottle, some dry fruit or glucose, and drink before you feel thirsty. Eat light during the climb. • Light load: a small backpack with rain cover, a torch, a walking stick, and your documents. Leave heavy luggage at the base.

• Registration: Vaishno Devi requires a yātrā registration card, Sabarimala uses an online virtual-queue booking, and Kedarnath and Yamunotri come under the Char Dham registration — check the official portals before you travel.

Broken-in shoes, spare socks · Start at dawn · Official ponies/palanquins only · Check registration rules

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