Checklist for Kedarnath yatra
As the name suggests Kedarnath means the lord of the field. It is devoted to lord Shiva. Being a long trek, it is also considered as one of the hardest treks. The spiritual aura produced by the area's undisturbed, serene beauty more than makes up for the difficult travel to the huge Shiva shrine. So, if you are planning to go on kedarnath trip, there are some dos and don’ts for the yatra to be smooth. You can also invest in a good kedarnath yatra package. There are various travel agencies providing kedarnath yatra packages at reasonable costs. Just leave all the planning and plotting for them and you get to enjoy the trip without any worries. Now let's discuss some of the important things to keep in mind and luggage to carry during your Kedarnath yatra for it to be hassle free:
First of all, if you ever plan to go on the Kedarnath yatra, the most appropriate time of the year is May to June, when the temple opens or September to October, which is the time of closing of kedarnath doors until next year. During both the times, the weather will be most suitable for kedarnath trek, with the gentle breeze and light sun it is easy to trek up to the temple. And even for sightseeing and enjoying the serene beauty up there, both of these times are appropriate.
You must get your registration done prior if you are going for a kedarnath trip. Registration can be done on the counters made at various public places near Rishikesh, but for that you might have to wait in long queues. So a better option is to get your registrations done in advance through an online registration portal. In case you are getting a kedarnath yatra package through a travel company, they will manage all your registrations and bookings.
You must carry your photo identity cards on every trip you plan. Similarly for kedarnath, photo identity proof is required. You can keep your Aadhar card, Pan card or Voter Id Card.
Carry enough cash. Nowadays people prefer cards over cash. But during the kedarnath trek there will be limited ATMs after a certain point. So, carry cash all the time.
To escape the strong sunlight at noon, begin your trek early in the day or at midnight. This will be the ideal time when you will feel fresh and will have the energy to trek for a long time without the tension of scorching heat of the sun.
A good and comfortable pair of shoes is the best friend while going for kedarnath trek. Also take care that the shoes must not be slippery and have a nice grip as you might face rainfalls or snowfall up there. Invest in a suitable pair of shoes and enjoy the trek without facing shoe bites and other such issues. Also carry a pair of slippers with you.
Travel light for kedarnath trip. Carry a light weight baggage preferably waterproof with only the most required things. A heavy bag will be a hurdle in doing a long trek and you will soon start feeling tired. So, carry only necessary products with you.
Pack suitable clothing items with you. 2 to 3 pairs of change are a must. Even if you are visiting during summers, do not forget warmers. Due to high altitudes, weather is cold all time of the year. So, woolens are a necessity there. Pack jackets, gloves and mufflers.
Do not forget to carry an Umbrella as the weather is unpredictable up there. A raincoat should also be packed. You can witness a rainfall or even a snowfall all of a sudden. So, you must be ready to face weather extremes with all your equipment.
A medical kit is one of the most important things, be it kedarnath trek or any other treks. Equip it with all the required tablets for fever, cough and cold. Some bandages and band aids and an antiseptic ointment are also important. A pain killer will also be a good option to carry in a medical kit.
A Sim card which has network connections while trekking and up there is a very important point. So, you must have either a BSNL or Jio Sim card. Ohers Sim cards don’t have connections up there.
For personal hygiene, some face masks and a bottle of sanitizer should also be packed.
Some snacks and dry fruits are a must to keep your energy intact. And also don’t forget to keep a water bottle as being hydrated is very important for such a long trek.
Other miscellaneous but important stuff that can be carried includes basic toiletries, torch, tissue papers, insect repellant, sunglasses, hat or cap, camera.
16. Booking of ponies, palanquins and helicopter:
For those who are unable to cover the trek by foot, there are various options of ponies, palanquins and helicopters. For ponies or palanquins you can do booking on the spot, but for helicopters you have to do advance online booking. There is a government owned portal for helicopter booking and it gets booked very fast, so try to book nearly 60 days prior.
17. Be Aware of the scammers:
Be aware of the scammers up there who will allure you to book tickets at low prices. As reported in many cases and highlighted in news regarding fraud companies claiming to book helicopter tickets at cheap prices.
Take care of all the Dos and Don’ts while planning a Kedarnath yatra. Keep your cash, cards and gadgets safe. Be safe and enjoy the trip.
