What Essentials to Pack for Chardham Yatra

For many Indians, planning the Char Dham yatra is a spiritual milestone, but it’s important that you understand the difference between a peaceful journey and an exhausting one. This is where I can help you by giving you some tips and guidelines on smart packing, especially if you’re opting for the Char Dham by helicopter. What you need is thoughtful preparation, given the altitude demand, the weather, terrain, etc. Even if you’re choosing a traditional Chardham Yatra from Rishikesh, pack smart. So let’s dive in and understand the topmost packing essentials for the Char Dham yatra. 

Understand the Journey

Your packing list depends on your route. So the first thing you should determine is whether you are making Chardham Yatra from Bangalore, Chardham Yatra from Kolkata or Chardham Yatra from Chennai, because you will experience drastic climate shifts from all these locations to the Char Dham base location. 

Travelling from humid plains to cold Himalayan landscape, it’s important to pack good options for layering like heavy sweaters, a warm jacket, a scarf and gloves. If you choose to make a yatra to Char Dham by helicopter, you will enjoy a shorter travel time, but with the changing high altitude conditions and weather, you need to pack smartly as well.

Even in peak season, temperatures can drop suddenly…

Start by packing the following items: 

• Thermal wear (especially mornings and evenings)

• Lightweight sweaters or fleece jackets

• A waterproof jacket or poncho

• Comfortable trekking pants

• Full-sleeve cotton tops for daytime

• Woollen cap, gloves, and socks

Your feet will thank you for planning well for the Chardham yatra

• Well-broken-in walking shoes with a good grip

• Extra pairs of socks

• Slippers or sandals for hotel stays

Health & Personal Care Essentials

You must remember that high altitude and long hours of travel to Chardham can affect the body. So pack the following: 

• Personal medications (with prescriptions)

• Basic first-aid kit

• Pain relief spray or balm

• ORS packets

• Sunscreen and lip balm (UV exposure is strong at high altitudes)

• Hand sanitiser and wet wipes

Bottom Line

If you’re travelling via Chardham Yatra from Rishikesh, these items become even more crucial due to longer road journeys. I booked an individual package for 6 days, 5 nights from Vaayu Aviation, where they offer the Chardham yatra by helicopter. You can choose to make the journey through road (by car or bus) which is also offered by Vaayu Aviation. It will certainly take more time, but the scenic views along the way will make it worth it!