A Guide to Amarnath Yatra Routes

Tourists are waiting for the Amarnath Yatra dates to come near so that they can undertake this pilgrimage. The Amarnath Yatra season generally comes in the Hindu calendar month of Shravan (July to August). This is when you can visit Kashmir and go on the Amarnath Yatra to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. Tourists generally take two Amarnath Yatra route to reach the Amarnath Cave shrine. We have given details about both these routes in this blog. You can choose any of these routes and plan your Amarnath Yatra so that you can comfortably reach Amarnath Cave.

Here are the Complete Details about Amarnath Yatra Route:

1. How to reach Amarnath Cave
2. Baltal to Amarnath Route
3. Pahalgam to Amarnath Route
4. Amarnath Yatra helicopter routes
5. Accommodation on Amarnath Yatra routes
6. Food on Amarnath Yatra route
7. Facilities on the Amarnath Yatra route

How to reach Amarnath Cave?

Before we discuss the routes, let’s see how you can reach Amarnath Cave.

• Bus: Book a bus from Delhi to Amarnath. Non A/C, A/C, Volvo Bus, state-owned, and private buses are available. Traveling by bus will take a lot of time if you are traveling from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Chennai etc. We recommend you take flights or travel by train as it is more convenient in this way.
• Train: You can take trains to Jammu, or Pahalgam. Express trains like Jammu Rajdhani, Sarvodaya Express, Jhelum Express, Himgiri Express are available.
• Flight: Srinagar Airport is the nearest airport to Pahalgam. It is 90 km from Pahalgam. You can take Jet Airways, Air India, and Indigo and reach Srinagar Airport.

Which route suitable for Amarnath Yatra: Baltal or Pahalgam?

Amarnath Yatra routes

Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board gives us two routes by which tourists can reach Amarnath Cave, one from Jammu to Pahalgam and the other one is Jammu to Baltal.

Baltal to Amarnath route

• Places on the route: Baltal – Domali – Barari – Sangam – Amarnath Cave
• Total distance: 14 km trek (one way)
• Duration: 1-2 days

This is the Baltal to Amarnath route which is a shorter route, but tougher than the Pahalgam Amarnath route. It takes only 1-2 days to reach Amarnath Cave by this route. The route goes through a tougher terrain, which becomes tricky in rough weather. There may be the occasional snowfall which can further make the route difficult. Ponies are not available on this route and if you are an elderly person, then you should not take this route.

Pahalgam to Amarnath route

• Places on the route: Pahalgam – Chandanwadi – Pissu Top – Zoji Bal – Naga Koti – Sheshnag – Warbal – Mahagunas Top – Pabibal – Panchtarni – Sangam – Cave
• Total distance: 36 km – 48 km
• Duration: 3-5 days (one-way trek)

This pilgrimage starts from Pahalgam, which is the base village for Amarnath Yatra. Chandanwari is the next halt, which is 16 km from Pahalgam. From Chandanwari to Sheshnag, it is another 13 km trek to Sheshnag. Then after a trek of 4.6 km, you will reach Panchtarni. Amarnath Cave is just 2 km from Panchtarni.

This route is very popular as the terrain is easier and you will also find camps and medical facilities on the route. The Pahalgam Amarnath route is easier compared to the Baltal Amarnath route. Unlike the Baltal route, you can hire ponies on this route and save your energy. It takes 3-5 days for a way trek to Amarnath by this route which covers 36 – 48 km.

Amarnath Yatra Helicopter routes

You can also take the Amarnath Yatra Helicopter package to cover the distance by helicopter. You can lift off from Baltal and Pahalgam helipads and reach Amarnath Cave.

Amarnath Yatra helicopter routes

• Baltal > Panchtarni > Baltal
• You will have to trek for 2 km from Panchtarni to reach Amarnath Cave.

• Pahalgam > Panchtarni > Pahalgam
• You will have to trek 6 km from Panchtarni to reach Amarnath Cave shrine.

[Explore more Amarnath Yatra Packages]

Also read:

1. Amarnath Yatra Tips: Do’s and Don’ts During Yatra
2. Opening and Closing Dates of Amarnath Yatra 2025

Accommodation on Amarnath Yatra routes

• Camps at Baltal, Nunwan, Sheshnag, Panchtarni at Rs.240-400 per night
• Private tents and huts for Rs.250 – 1000 per night.

Food on Amarnath Yatra route

• Food available at Sheshnag, Baltal, Chandanwari, Panchtarni
• Tea stalls
• Food in camps
• Cafeteria at Baltal Helipad
• Langar food

Facilities on the Amarnath Yatra route

• Regular buses from Srinagar and Pahalgam for Amarnath Yatra
• Emergency Aid Centres, Medical Aid Centers, and base hospitals
• Cloakrooms at Nunwan, Baltal, Amarnath Cave
• Parking facility at Baltal base camp for two-wheelers, LMVs and MMVs
• BSNL mobile network with pre-loaded Yatra SIM cards

Conclusion

If you want to trek on easy terrain on this Amarnath Yatra route, then the Pahalgam route will be the best one. If you are more adventurous, then you can take the Baltal route. But whichever route you take, we highly recommend you compare the pros and cons of both these routes. Medical tests are essential to be done for the Amarnath Yatra.

You can take one of the Amarnath Yatra Packages offered by reputed tour agencies like Shrine Yatra. They offer hotel accommodations, transfers, meals, and a customized tour package for Amarnath Yatra.