Amarnath Yatra - Registration, RFID Card and Two Routes
ॐ नमः शिवाय - यात्रा पंजीकरण और मार्ग
Step-by-step registration guide, what you need before you go, Baltal vs Pahalgam route comparison and how to reach the base camps.
This is Page 2 of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra complete guide. It covers everything you need to do before leaving home - getting your health certificate, registering for a Yatra Permit, collecting your RFID card - and the comparison of the two routes to the cave. For the story of the ice lingam and the Amar Katha legend, see Page 1. For the milestone-by-milestone trek guide, see Page 3.
2026 Yatra - Helicopter service suspended: Government Order No. 321-HOME of 2026 declared a No-Fly Zone on all Amarnath Yatra routes from July 1, 2026 until the end of the yatra. No helicopter service was available in 2026, and none was available in 2025 either. Any website selling helicopter tickets for these years was unreliable. Verify helicopter availability for future years at jksasb.nic.in before planning.
Yatra Registration - Step by Step
यात्रा परमिट और RFID कार्ड - कैसे पंजीकरण करें
Registration is mandatory for every pilgrim. No permit means no entry at the access control gates.
Two separate things you need: (1) Yatra Permit (YP) - obtained at registration. (2) RFID Card - collected from SASB centres in Jammu or Srinagar after registration. Both are mandatory and both must be with you at all times during the yatra. The RFID card is worn around the neck throughout the trek. It tracks your location on the route for emergency use.
- Get your Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC) first. Before you can register, you must get a CHC from an authorised doctor or medical institution approved by your state government. The CHC must be issued on or after the date announced by SASB each year (for 2026, the CHC was valid from 8 April 2026 onwards). Without a valid CHC, registration is not accepted. The CHC tests your fitness for high-altitude trekking - it checks your heart, lungs and blood pressure. Do not try to get a CHC from a non-authorised source. The SASB format is mandatory.
- Check eligibility. You must be between 13 and 70 years old. Women more than 6 weeks pregnant are not permitted. Children below 13 are not allowed. If you have a serious heart condition, respiratory condition, high blood pressure or other condition that makes high-altitude trekking medically inadvisable, do not attempt the yatra regardless of what your CHC says.
- Register online or at a bank branch. Online: visit jksasb.nic.in (official SASB portal) or use the Shri Amarnathji Yatra mobile app. Upload your CHC, passport photo and ID proof (Aadhaar, Voter ID or Passport). Offline: visit any designated bank branch (PNB, SBI, Yes Bank, J&K Bank, and others). Registration fee is about Rs.150 offline and Rs.220 online per pilgrim (Indian citizens) and about Rs.1,510 for NRI / foreign pilgrims. Confirm the current fee at the portal as it is revised periodically.
- Select your route and date. You must choose at the time of registration: Baltal route or Pahalgam route, and your specific date of travel. Permits are issued for a specific route and date. You cannot change the route or date after registration. Popular dates and Saturdays fill up quickly. Register well in advance.
- Collect your Yatra Permit (YP). Once your registration is processed, you receive a Yatra Permit - online (PDF download) or through the bank. The YP specifies your name, photo, route and date. Carry it at all times during the yatra.
- Collect your RFID Card. This is separate from the YP and must be collected in person. RFID cards are issued at SASB centres in Jammu (Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas and other points) and in Srinagar. Biometric verification is done at this point. Arrive a day early in Jammu or Srinagar specifically to collect your RFID card before heading to the base camp. The RFID card is worn around your neck throughout the trek and is checked at all access control gates.
- Check in at the base camp. On your assigned date, report at the base camp (Nunwan/Pahalgam for Pahalgam route, Baltal for Baltal route) at the appointed time. Join the yatri convoy. Keep your Yatra Permit and RFID card visible at the access control gate (Chandanwari for Pahalgam route, Domal for Baltal route). Without both documents, you will not be allowed to proceed.
| Registration detail | As confirmed for 2026 |
|---|---|
| Official portal | jksasb.nic.in - the ONLY official SASB registration portal. Also available: Shri Amarnathji Yatra mobile app. |
| Registration fee | About Rs.150 offline and Rs.220 online per pilgrim (Indian). About Rs.1,510 for NRI / foreign pilgrims. Confirm the current fee at the portal before applying. |
| CHC valid from | For 2026: CHC issued on or after 8 April 2026. CHCs issued before the SASB-announced date are not valid. Confirm date for each year at jksasb.nic.in. |
| Age limit | 13 to 70 years. Under-13 not allowed. Over-70 not allowed. Women over 6 weeks pregnant not allowed. |
| Registration opening 2026 | Registration opened 15 April 2026 at bank branches and online. Source: Newsonair.gov.in (April 10, 2026). |
| Permit type | Specifies route (Baltal OR Pahalgam) and date. Non-transferable. Cannot be changed after registration. |
| RFID card collection | In person only - at SASB centres in Jammu or Srinagar before heading to the base camp. Not available at the base camps or on the route. |
Two Routes to the Cave - Baltal or Pahalgam?
दो मार्ग - बालटाल या पहलगाम?
Every pilgrim must choose one. Here is what each route involves, honestly explained.
Base camp: Baltal, Ganderbal district. About 95 km from Srinagar by road. The access control gate is at Domal, about 2.5 km from Baltal.
The route: Baltal - Domal (access gate) - Barari Marg - Sangam - Holy Cave. The Baltal route is significantly shorter than Pahalgam but it is also significantly steeper. The elevation gain over 14 km is intense - pilgrims go from Baltal at about 2,743 metres to the cave at 3,888 metres. The steep gradient means the climb is physically harder per kilometre than the Pahalgam route.
Who should take Baltal: Physically fit pilgrims who can handle a steep climb, have limited time (can complete darshan and return in one day or two), and do not need the gentler walking experience of Pahalgam. Most regular yatra-goers who have done the trek before choose Baltal for its speed.
Ponies and palkis: Available on the Baltal route. Day-return is possible for fit pilgrims. Camping at Sangam is available for those who want to split the journey.
Important note: Ponies are not permitted beyond a certain point on the Baltal route (check current SASB rules). From the last permitted pony point to the cave, pilgrims must walk.
Base camp: Nunwan (near Pahalgam), Anantnag district. About 90 km from Srinagar. The access control gate is at Chandanwari, about 12 km from Nunwan base camp.
The route: Nunwan - Chandanwari (access gate) - Pissu Top - Sheshnag - Mahagunas Top - Panchtarni - Holy Cave. This is the traditional pilgrimage route - the one that follows the same path Shiva is said to have taken in the Amar Katha legend. Each stop along the way carries significance from the story. The route is longer but the gradient is gentler, and it passes through some of the most beautiful Himalayan landscapes in India - including Sheshnag Lake (one of the most photographed sights of the yatra) and the dramatic Mahagunas Pass.
Elevation profile: Pahalgam base at about 2,130 metres - Chandanwari 2,896 m - Sheshnag 3,576 m - Mahagunas Pass 4,276 m (the highest point, where altitude affects most people) - Panchtarni 3,657 m - Cave 3,888 m. The Mahagunas Pass at over 4,200 metres is the point where altitude sickness most commonly strikes. Take it slow.
Who should take Pahalgam: First-time pilgrims, older pilgrims, those with any history of altitude sensitivity, families with children (aged 13 and above), and anyone who wants the full traditional pilgrimage experience with stops at each landmark from the legend.
Ponies, palkis and battery car: All available on the Pahalgam route. Ponies operate from Chandanwari through the route. Palki (palanquin) services also available for those who cannot walk the full distance.
| Factor | Baltal Route | Pahalgam Route |
|---|---|---|
| One-way distance | About 14 km | About 43-48 km (varies by start point) |
| Days required | 1-2 days | 3-5 days |
| Gradient | Very steep | Gradual and gentler |
| Base camp | Baltal (Ganderbal dist.) | Nunwan/Pahalgam (Anantnag dist.) |
| Base camp from Srinagar | About 95 km | About 90 km |
| Highest point on route | The cave at 3,888 m | Mahagunas Pass at about 4,276 m |
| Scenery | Dramatic cliffs, fast river | Lakes, glaciers, meadows - very scenic |
| Recommended for | Fit, experienced pilgrims with limited time | First-time pilgrims, families, seniors |
| Access control gate | Domal (2.5 km from Baltal) | Chandanwari (12 km from Nunwan) |
How to Reach the Amarnath Base Camps
बेस कैंप तक कैसे पहुंचें
Srinagar and Jammu are the two gateways. Most pilgrims route through Srinagar.
| Mode | Route | Distance / Time |
|---|---|---|
| Air | Fly to Srinagar International Airport (SXR) - the nearest major airport. Direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and other cities. From Srinagar airport, hire a taxi to Pahalgam (~90 km, about 2.5 hours) or to Baltal (~100 km, about 3 hours via Sonamarg). | Srinagar to Pahalgam: ~90 km, ~2.5 hrs. Srinagar to Baltal: ~95 km, ~3 hrs. |
| Train | Jammu Tawi (JAT) is the nearest major railway station with broad gauge connectivity from across India. From Jammu, take JKSRTC buses or taxis to Pahalgam (~315 km, 7-8 hours) or Baltal (~400 km, 9-10 hours). Many pilgrims halt overnight in Srinagar to break the journey. | Jammu to Pahalgam: ~315 km, 7-8 hrs. Jammu to Baltal: ~400 km, 9-10 hrs. |
| Road from Jammu | National Highway NH-44 from Jammu to Srinagar, then branch roads to Pahalgam (via Anantnag) or Baltal (via Sonamarg). JKSRTC runs special yatra buses from Jammu to both base camps during the yatra season. Private taxis and shared vehicles also available from Jammu and Srinagar. | Jammu to Srinagar: ~270-290 km, 6 hrs. Jammu to Pahalgam: ~315 km, 7-8 hrs. |
| Rail link to Kashmir | The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) is running and a Vande Bharat service between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar has been reported since April 2026. Check IRCTC for current trains and timings before you plan. From Srinagar, take a taxi to Pahalgam or Baltal. | Check IRCTC for current timings. |
| Bus (JKSRTC) | Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) runs special yatra buses from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu to Pahalgam and Baltal during the yatra season. Both deluxe and ordinary buses available. Book at the Yatri Niwas or JKSRTC counter in Jammu. | Confirm current fares at the JKSRTC counter. |
Always halt for acclimatisation: Whether you go via Srinagar or Jammu, arrive at least one day before your trek date. Spend that day resting at Srinagar (1,585 m altitude) or at the base camp level. Do not travel from sea level to the Amarnath cave (3,888 m) in a single day. Altitude sickness (AMS - Acute Mountain Sickness) can affect anyone, even very fit people, if ascent is too fast. Symptoms: headache, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath. If you feel these, stop, rest and descend if they worsen. Do not push through altitude sickness - it can become dangerous.
Important for 2026 and future years: Due to the No-Fly Zone in 2026 (and no helicopter service in 2025), all pilgrims must reach the base camps entirely by road. There was no helicopter service from Srinagar or Jammu to the base camps, and no helicopter from the base camps to Panchtarni. Check the status for your year at jksasb.nic.in.
Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra - Complete Guide
- Page 1: Story, Ice Lingam, Amar Katha Legend, Significance
- Page 2 (this page): Registration, RFID Card, Routes, How to Reach
- Page 3: Trek Milestones - Baltal and Pahalgam Routes Stop by Stop
- Page 4: Facilities, Safety, Best Time, Hotels, FAQ
- Page 5: Fact Check - True or False, Myths and Data Corrections
Sources and References
- Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) - Official Registration Portal
- SASB - How to Reach (official base camp distances)
- Newsonair.gov.in - Registration opens April 15, 2026 (April 10, 2026)
- Gulistan News TV - No-Fly Zone Government Order No. 321-HOME of 2026
- StayVista - Route distances, elevation profile (SASB-sourced)
Registration fees, CHC dates, and helicopter rules change each year. Always confirm current rules at jksasb.nic.in before registering.
ॐ नमः शिवाय. जय बाबा अमरनाथ.