Things to Carry for the Char Dham Yatra

Three rules for packing

• One soft bag per person plus a small backpack. Rooms in Kedarnath and Yamunotri are basic, and porters charge by weight. Keep the main bag in the vehicle on trek days and carry only the day pack.
• Layers beat bulk. A thermal, a fleece or sweater and a windproof or down jacket handle everything from 30 °C in Haridwar to below zero at Kedarnath at dawn.
• Plan for rain, always. Even in October, a shower can roll in on the Kedarnath trail in the afternoon.

Documents and money

Registration is free and mandatory; do it before you leave home using our registration guide. If you hope to fly to Kedarnath, shuttle tickets come only from IRCTC HeliYatra; see IRCTC helicopter booking.

Clothes: what changes with the month

Basic clothing list per person

• 2 sets of thermal innerwear
• 3–4 comfortable shirts or kurtas and 2–3 pairs of trousers (avoid jeans on trek days; they stay wet)
• 1 fleece jacket or thick sweater and 1 down or padded jacket
• 1 waterproof rain jacket, ideally with a hood, or a good poncho
• Woollen cap, gloves, muffler or neck warmer
• 4–5 pairs of socks, including 2 woollen
• Nightwear and a light shawl for temple visits
• Modest clothing for temples; see the do's and don'ts

Footwear and trek gear

The 16 km Kedarnath trail and the 6 km Yamunotri path are paved but steep, wet in places and shared with ponies. Good shoes matter more than any other item.

• Walking or trekking shoes with a firm grip, already worn in. New shoes cause blisters.
• Slippers or sandals for hotels and temple stands.
• A walking stick or trekking pole; sticks are also sold at Gaurikund and Janki Chatti.
• A 20–25 litre day pack with a rain cover.
• Torch or headlamp, for early starts and power cuts.
• Refillable water bottle and a few energy snacks: dry fruit, glucose biscuits, chikki.
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm; the sun is strong at 3,500 m.
• A plastic bag or dry bag for your phone and documents.

Medicines and personal care

Pharmacies exist in Uttarkashi, Guptkashi and Joshimath, but stock is limited higher up. Carry your own kit, and discuss altitude medicines with your doctor before you travel.

• Your regular prescription medicines, enough for the trip plus a few spare days
• Tablets for headache, fever, motion sickness, acidity and loose motions, as advised by your doctor
• ORS sachets and glucose
• Band-aids, antiseptic cream, crepe bandage and blister plasters
• Cold cream, moisturiser and vapour rub
• Hand sanitiser, wet wipes, tissues and a small towel
• Spare spectacles and contact lens supplies

Puja items and useful extras

• A small bag or steel container to bring back Ganga jal from Gangotri or Yamuna jal from Yamunotri; containers are also sold locally.
• Cloth bag for prasad (avoid plastic).
• Small notes and coins for offerings.
• Power bank and charging cables; electricity can be erratic in Kedarnath.
• A multi-plug, since hotel rooms often have one socket.
• A small lock for your bag.
• Earplugs and an eye mask for early nights in busy towns.

Image space
images/gangotri.jpg
1400 × 610 px

What to leave at home

• Heavy suitcases with hard shells; soft bags fit better in hill vehicles.
• Expensive jewellery and large amounts of cash.
• Too many sets of clothes. You can wash or buy basics in Uttarkashi or Joshimath.
• Single-use plastic: bottles, bags and wrappers add to waste on the trails.
• High heels and fashion footwear.

Packing is easier once the plan is fixed. Check the best time to visit for weather in your month, read the Char Dham route map to see which nights are at altitude, and see the Char Dham package 2026–27 for a full itinerary. Shorter trips such as the Kedarnath yatra need the same essentials.

Packing for Char Dham: FAQ

Related pages