The Amarnath Yatra 2026 will run for 57 days, starting July 3 and ending August 28, according to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB). Lakhs of devotees are expected to trek through the Jammu and Kashmir Himalayas to reach the cave shrine, where an ice formation revered as Lord Shiva takes shape naturally at over 12,000 feet. Registration costs just Rs 150, but getting a slot involves paperwork most first-timers don't expect.
Amarnath Yatra 2026 Date
There's a neat bit of tradition built into the yatra's calendar. The pilgrimage doesn't just wrap up on a random date — it closes when the Chhari Mubarak, the ceremonial holy mace, is carried into the cave on Raksha Bandhan. For 57 days before that, pilgrims stream in from two directions, choosing between a shorter, steeper route and a longer, gentler one.
Amarnath Yatra 2026 Dates:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Start Date | July 3, 2026 |
| End Date | August 28, 2026 |
| Registration Fee | Rs 150 per pilgrim |
| Cave Elevation | 3,888 m (12,756 ft) |
| Routes | Baltal (14 km) / Pahalgam (46–48 km) |
| Nearest Airport | Srinagar (62 km to Baltal, 90 km to Pahalgam) |
| Nearest Railway Station | Jammu Tawi (254–315 km); Udhampur & Banihal closer |
| Duration | 2–3 days via Baltal, 4–5 days via Pahalgam |
| Age Limit | 13 to 70 years (pregnant women beyond 6 weeks not permitted) |
Amarnath Yatra Route: Baltal Or Pahalgam
The Baltal route is the sprint version: just 14 km, but steep enough that most pilgrims finish it in two to three days. Pahalgam is closer to a proper trek, 46 to 48 km spread across four to five days, winding through meadows and river crossings before the final climb. Neither route is technically easy, and both demand a level of fitness the SASB checks for before it lets anyone register.
Amarnath Yatra 2026 Registration Process
Getting a Yatra Card isn't a walk-in affair. Here's what it takes:
- Visit the official SASB portal (jksasb.nic.in) or download the SASB mobile app.
- Create an account and fill in the registration form with personal details.
- Upload a valid photo ID (Aadhaar), a passport-size photo, and a Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC).
- Choose a route — Baltal or Pahalgam — and pick travel dates.
- Pay the Rs 150 fee online and download the Yatra Card.
Amarnath Yatra 2026 Medical Certificate Registraion
This is where a lot of pilgrims trip up. The CHC for 2026 must be issued on or after April 8, 2026, an older certificate simply won't be accepted, no matter how healthy the applicant is. It also needs the applicant's photograph and a signature from a licensed physician. The SASB publishes state-wise lists of approved doctors and facilities on its website, so pilgrims are expected to get certified from names on that list, not just any local clinic.
Amarnath Yatra 2026 Helicopter Service
For those who don't wants to trek the full distance, the SASB runs helicopter services connecting the base camps to Panchtarni to cut down travel time. But there's a catch worth knowing before booking: no helicopter lands at the cave itself. The final six kilometres from Panchtarni have to be covered on foot, horseback, or palki, regardless of how the rest of the journey was made.
Amarnath Yatra Helicopter Fare
Baltal – Panchtarni 8–10 minutes Rs 3,250
Pahalgam – Panchtarni 20 minutes Rs 4,900
