AMARNATH YATRA
Duration :
5 Night/6 Days
Destination Covered :
Delhi - Srinagar - Pahalgam -
Sheshnag - Panchtarni - Amarnath cave - Pahalgam - Srinagar Delhi.
Day 1: Pahalgam To Chandanwadi
The trail leaves Pahalgam on a bitumen road, past the Shankar temple and along
the east Liddar valley. The trail is easy to follow indeed it is suitable for
jeeps as far as Chandanwadi (2,900m). There are many obvious short cuts on the
route, and a number of tea stalls, as this first Day always seems to be quite
hot. The campsite is in a pleasant glade just before the main line of tea
stalls.
Day 2: Chandanwadi To Sheshnag
From Chandanwadi the trail winds steeply for 500m to the summit of ridge known
as Pisu Top (3,390m). From here, there are commanding views back down the valley
to the mountains beyond Pahalgam. During the main pilgrimage, the tea stall
owners do a thriving business, which keeps the pilgrims going on the long
incline to the next main resting area at Wawajana (3,550m). From here it is two
to three km further to Sheshnag (3,720m). The glacial lake is set in remarkable
surroundings, its waters reflecting the snow capped peaks of Vishnu, Shiva and
Brahma. Rumour among pilgrims has it that the lake is inhabited by a serpent of
Loch Ness monster proportions, so it\'s advisable not to camp too close to the
water\'s edge.
Day 3: Sheshnag To Panchtarni
The trail gradually ascends from Sheshnag with magnificent views of the
mountains immediately above. The ascent towards the Mahagunas Pass winds up to a
grassy plateau, and from there on to the pass it is a further hour\'s climb. The
sign at the top of the pass states the height as 4,270m. It is not a dramatic
pass, but it is still no mean achievement for the pilgrims, many of whom have
never been beyond the Indian plains before.
The descent to Panchtarni (3,450m) is quite long and tiring, but there are
frequent flowered meadows to rest in and admire. The campsite can be seen from
afar; and behind, on a further ridge, the bare, treeless mountainscape resembles
the terrain on the far side of the Himalayas. There are more spacious campsites
upstream from the main camping area, and these are also a little cleaner.
Day 4: Panchtarni To Amarnath Cave & Return
The actual time to the cave will depend on whether one\'s trek coincides with
the main pilgrimage. During the pilgrimage an early start is essential, with
many of the pilgrims move more steadily and slowly than on the rest of the trek,
as if in awe of their surroundings.
The climb to the Singh Pass (3,850m) is gradual before the trail enters the
Amarnath valley. It descends to a permanently blackened snow bridge, which fords
the Amarvati stream before ascending the true right back to the base of the
mountain. From here the final ascent is up a series of concrete steps to the
entrance to the Amarnath Cave (4,050m). The J&K police manning the entrance to
the cave only permit a limited number of pilgrims inside at any one time.
Day 5: Panchtarni To Chandanwadi
Many pilgrims return from Panchtarni to Chandanwadi in one day. After completing
their pilgrimage to the cave most are happy to trek as far as they can the
following Day.
Day 6: Chandanwadi To Pahalgam
On the final Day most pilgrims arrive back in the Pahalgam bazaar with enough
time to complete the drive to Srinagar or Jammu the same day.