Kashmir Valley
Chandanwari
At 2,895 metres, the highest point reachable by road above Pahalgam — where snow bridges survive into summer and the Amarnath yatra begins.
2,895 m2–3 hoursBest: Apr–Sep
SnowPilgrimageTrekking
Kashmir Valley · Anantnag
Amarnath Cave
An ice lingam at 3,888 metres
- Pilgrimage
- Trekking
- Snow
- Altitude
- 3,888 m
- Ideal stay
- 2–5 days
- From Srinagar
- 141 km
- From Jammu
- 306 km
- Best months
- Jul–Aug
Overview
About Amarnath Cave
The Amarnath cave sits at 3,888 metres in a side valley of the upper Lidder. Inside, meltwater freezes into a natural ice stalagmite that waxes and wanes with the lunar cycle, and which has been venerated as a Shiva lingam for centuries. The yatra is one of the largest high-altitude pilgrimages in the world, drawing hundreds of thousands of people over a six to eight week season.
There are two routes. The traditional Pahalgam route runs 32 kilometres over four days via Chandanwari, Pissu Top, Sheshnag and Panchtarni — longer, higher and far more beautiful. The Baltal route from near Sonmarg is around 14 kilometres and can be done in a single hard day, with a helicopter service to Panchtarni for those who cannot walk it.
Registration through the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board is compulsory, as is a Compulsory Health Certificate. Dates are announced each spring and the season usually falls between late June and mid-August.
Also known as: Shri Amarnath Ji · Amarnath Yatra
Why people come here
The ice lingam
A naturally formed stalagmite of ice inside the cave, revered as a swayambhu manifestation of Shiva.
The Pahalgam route
Four days over Pissu Top, Sheshnag lake and Mahagunas Pass — one of the great Himalayan pilgrim trails.
Sheshnag Lake
A turquoise glacial lake at 3,590 m on the traditional route, named for the seven-headed serpent.
The Baltal route
Short, steep and fast — 14 km each way from near Sonmarg, with helicopter options to Panchtarni.
Things to do in Amarnath Cave
Register early
Shrine Board registration opens months ahead and slots for popular dates fill quickly.
Prepare physically
Both routes are high-altitude. Start walking daily at least a month before departure.
Choose your route deliberately
Pahalgam for the scenery and gradual acclimatisation; Baltal if time is short and you are fit.
Consider the helicopter
Services run to Panchtarni, leaving a 6 km walk to the cave — the practical choice for older pilgrims.
Photographs
Amarnath Cave across the seasons
Open-licence photography so you can see what the place actually looks like at different times of year — not a retouched brochure.
Spring and summer
Late June to mid-August, with exact dates announced each year by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.
Autumn and winter
Snowbound and closed to all movement.
Season by season
What Amarnath Cave is like through the year
Including the months when it is genuinely closed — because knowing that in advance saves a wasted trip.
Spring · Mar–May
Closed / inaccessibleRoutes under snow
The approach remains closed until the Shrine Board opens the yatra.
-8°C to 2°C
Summer · Jun–Aug
OpenThe yatra season
Late June to mid-August, with exact dates announced each year by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.
0°C to 13°C
- Pahalgam route trek
- Baltal route trek
- Helicopter yatra
- Darshan
Autumn · Sep–Nov
Closed / inaccessibleClosed
The yatra concludes on Shravan Purnima and the routes shut.
-6°C to 6°C
Winter · Dec–Feb
Closed / inaccessibleCompletely inaccessible
Snowbound and closed to all movement.
-20°C to -6°C
Getting there
How to reach Amarnath Cave
By air
Srinagar Airport (SXR) is the arrival point for both routes — 95 km to Pahalgam, 100 km to Baltal.
By rail
Jammu Tawi (306 km) is the main railhead for pilgrims travelling by train.
By road
Base camps at Nunwan (Pahalgam) and Baltal (near Sonmarg) are reached by road; the cave itself is on foot, pony or palanquin.
Nearby
Combine Amarnath Cave with
Places close enough to fold into the same itinerary without adding long drives.
Kashmir's most relaxed hill town, where the Lidder river runs through pine forest at 2,130 metres, with Aru, Betaab and Chandanwari branching off above it.
2,130 m2 daysBest: Mar–Nov
Hill stationValleyTrekking
A glacial valley at 2,730 metres on the road to Ladakh, surrounded by snow peaks, braided rivers and the walk-in Thajiwas glacier.
2,730 m1–2 daysBest: May–Oct
ValleySnowTrekking
A meadow village twelve kilometres above Pahalgam, base camp for the Kolahoi glacier and the Tarsar–Marsar lakes, and the prettiest overnight stop in south Kashmir.
2,414 mHalf day to overnightBest: May–Oct
ValleyTrekkingOffbeat
Questions
Amarnath Cave FAQs
Something not covered? Ask us directly — we answer every message personally.
When is the Amarnath Yatra held?
Usually between late June and mid-August, concluding on Shravan Purnima. The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board announces exact dates each spring.
Which route is easier, Pahalgam or Baltal?
Baltal is much shorter at about 14 km but very steep. Pahalgam is 32 km over four days, which is longer but allows proper acclimatisation and is far more scenic.
Is registration compulsory for the Amarnath Yatra?
Yes. Advance registration with the Shrine Board and a Compulsory Health Certificate are both mandatory. We handle the logistics around it — transport, stays and base camp support.
Start planning
Planning a trip to Amarnath Cave?
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will put Amarnath Cave into a full itinerary with the right stops around it, and tell you honestly whether your chosen month works.
A reply within hours
A planner in Srinagar reads your enquiry and responds personally, usually the same working day.
An itinerary, not a brochure
You get a day-by-day plan written for your dates, group and pace — then we refine it together.
One clear quote
Every inclusion listed in writing before you pay anything. No surprise charges on the ground.
Prefer to talk? +91 88991 23434 · Every day, 09:00-21:00