Tirth Yatra GuideHealth and safety on a yatra
Plain health advice for pilgrims: altitude sickness in the Himalaya, heat and dehydration, crowd safety, safe water and when to see a doctor before the journey.
A pilgrimage often involves long walks, crowds, heat or altitude, and travellers who have never done such a thing before. A little preparation reduces the risk. This page is general information and not medical advice; please talk to your own doctor, especially if you have a heart, lung, blood pressure, diabetes or joint condition.
Altitude
Kedarnath and Badrinath are at heights above 3,000 metres, where the air has less oxygen. Headache, nausea, breathlessness or unusual tiredness can be signs of altitude sickness. Go up slowly, rest, drink water, avoid alcohol and do not hurry; if the symptoms get worse, go down and get medical help.
Heat and water
In the plains in summer, avoid the middle of the day, wear light clothes and a hat, and drink water often. Carry your own bottle and refill it only from sealed or purified sources. Eat fresh food and avoid raw salads and cut fruit from roadside stalls.
Crowds
At festivals and on holy days the queues can be very long and tightly packed. Keep children and the elderly close, agree in advance on a meeting place if you are separated, carry a phone with a charged battery and a paper with the numbers of your group, and follow the instructions of the staff. If a crowd begins to push, move to the side and do not fight the current.
Medicines and insurance
Carry enough of every regular medicine for the whole trip and a day or two more, with the prescription, and a basic kit: pain reliever, oral rehydration salts, plasters, an antacid and a thermometer. Some people take travel insurance for mountain journeys; check what it covers.
Emergencies
The national emergency number in India is 112. In the hills, state helplines and temple medical posts operate during the yatra season; the official yatra portal lists them for the year.
Temple rules, opening seasons, booking arrangements and routes change. Before you travel, check the official website of the temple or the state tourism board, and be careful of anyone who asks for money to book darshan or a stay by phone or message. We do not sell tours or packages. Information on this page was last checked in November 2026.