Medical Requirements
Medical Preparation
Required Before Departure
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Medical fitness certificate | From any MBBS doctor โ confirms you are fit to travel to high altitude |
| Blood pressure check | Normal BP essential. Consult doctor if you have BP concerns. |
| Heart condition check | No active heart conditions. ECG recommended for age 50+ |
| Blood oxygen baseline | Know your baseline SpO2 level โ our guides monitor this on route |
โ ๏ธ Do NOT attempt the yatra if you have: Active heart disease, severe asthma, recent surgery (within 3 months), or any condition that significantly impairs breathing.
Personal Medical Kit to Carry
| Medicine | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Diamox (Acetazolamide) | Altitude sickness prevention โ consult doctor for dosage |
| Paracetamol / Crocin | Headache and fever |
| Ibuprofen | Pain and inflammation |
| ORS packets | Rehydration at altitude |
| Antacid (Digene / Gelusil) | Digestive issues at altitude |
| Loperamide | Diarrhoea |
| Antihistamine (Avil) | Allergies and mild reactions |
| Personal prescription medicines | Whatever you take daily โ carry 2x the required quantity |
Packing List
Complete Packing Checklist
๐งฅ Clothing
| โ Down jacket | Rated to -10ยฐC minimum โ essential even in summer |
| โ Thermal base layers | Top and bottom โ merino wool or synthetic |
| โ Fleece mid layer | For layering between thermal and outer jacket |
| โ Windproof outer shell | Waterproof jacket with hood |
| โ Trekking trousers | 2 pairs โ quick-dry material |
| โ Waterproof trekking boots | Ankle support โ broken in before the yatra |
| โ Woollen socks | 4โ5 pairs โ merino wool preferred |
| โ Gloves | Inner liner gloves + warm outer gloves |
| โ Woollen hat / balaclava | Covers ears โ critical at 4,500m |
| โ Gaiters | For snow sections โ especially May |
| โ Rain poncho | Essential JulyโAugust, useful anytime |
| โ Comfortable camp shoes | Light sandals or crocs for guesthouse evenings |
๐ Gear & Essentials
| โ Daypack (20โ25L) | For personal items during viewpoint visits |
| โ Water bottle (1.5L) | Insulated โ stays liquid in cold temperatures |
| โ Trekking poles | Highly recommended โ reduces knee strain on descent |
| โ Headlamp + spare batteries | Essential โ power outages common in mountain guesthouses |
| โ Sunscreen SPF 50+ | UV radiation is intense at altitude โ reapply frequently |
| โ UV sunglasses | Snow reflection at 4,500m is damaging to eyes |
| โ Lip balm with SPF | Lips crack badly at high altitude in dry air |
| โ Binoculars | Essential for Om Parvat darshan โ transforms the experience |
| โ Power bank (20,000 mAh) | Limited charging points at mountain guesthouses |
| โ Universal plug adapter | Some guesthouses have non-standard sockets |
| โ Dry bags / zip-lock bags | Keep valuables and documents dry |
| โ Toilet paper + hand sanitiser | Carry your own โ limited availability on route |
๐ Documents Checklist
๐ชช
Government ID
Original Aadhar / Passport / Voter ID. Carry 2 photocopies.
๐
Medical Certificate
Fitness certificate from MBBS doctor โ original required.
๐ธ
Passport Photos
4โ6 recent passport-size photos for permit and registration.
๐
Prescriptions
Copies of any prescription medicines you carry โ helpful at checkposts.
โ What NOT to Bring: Alcohol (restricted in border areas), non-vegetarian food items (sacred route), heavy camera tripods (difficult on mountain paths), excessive cash (secure ATMs available only until Pithoragarh โ we recommend carrying sufficient cash before Dharchula), single-use plastics (strictly avoid โ no waste disposal in high altitude areas).
On the Route
What to Expect Day by Day
๐ก
Temperature Swings
Daytime at Dharchula 25ยฐC+, nights at Jolingkong can drop to -5ยฐC. Always layer up.
๐ง
Stay Hydrated
Drink 3โ4 litres of water daily at altitude. Dehydration worsens altitude sickness.
๐ฝ
Vegetarian Food Only
The entire Adi Kailash route serves vegetarian food only. Simple but nutritious mountain cuisine.
๐ต
Limited Connectivity
Mobile signal available until Dharchula. Intermittent signal at Gunji. No signal at Jolingkong.
๐จ
Simple Accommodation
Guesthouses on the route are basic but clean. Expect shared bathrooms and simple bedding.
๐ถ
Walk Slowly
The golden rule at altitude โ slow and steady. Never rush uphill. Take 3 breaths for every step above 4,000m.
FAQ
Preparation Questions
Do I need to buy specific gear or can I hire it? +
Basic gear like trekking poles and sleeping bags can be hired in Dharchula. We can arrange rentals for you. However, personal items like boots, thermals and gloves should be your own โ ensure they fit properly and are broken in before the yatra.
Is there an age limit for Adi Kailash Yatra? +
There is no official government age limit. We have taken pilgrims aged 12 to 72 successfully. For seniors (60+) and children under 12, we assess fitness individually and recommend the most suitable package.
Can I take a wheelchair or walking aid? +
The route is not accessible for wheelchairs. Walking aids (sticks, trekking poles) are perfectly fine and recommended. If you have limited mobility, our VIP Helicopter package reduces physical exertion significantly.
Is vegetarian food available throughout? +
Yes โ the entire route serves exclusively vegetarian food. Dal, rice, roti, sabzi and simple mountain cuisine. Our team ensures meals are hygienic and nutritious.
Plan Your Sacred Yatra
2026 season is open. WhatsApp us for same-day response and personalised package.
Our Offices
๐๏ธ
Dharchula HQ
BASE OFFICE ยท UTTARAKHAND
Vinod Bisht
Dharchula Dehat Road, Near Ishwar Automobile, Village Haat, Dharchula Dehat, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand 262545
๐ +91 98115 91351 ๐ฌ WhatsApp
Dharchula Dehat Road, Near Ishwar Automobile, Village Haat, Dharchula Dehat, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand 262545
๐ +91 98115 91351 ๐ฌ WhatsApp
๐ธ
Jaipur Office
RAJASTHAN
Shivraj Singh Shekhawat
40, Shiv Kunj Villas, Hathoj Kalwar Road, Jaipur, Rajasthan
๐ +91 96506 86071 ๐ฌ WhatsApp
40, Shiv Kunj Villas, Hathoj Kalwar Road, Jaipur, Rajasthan
๐ +91 96506 86071 ๐ฌ WhatsApp
๐๏ธ
New Delhi Office
DELHI
Yatra Kailash Delhi Office
A20, St. No. 3, Guru Nanak Pura, Laxmi Nagar, New Delhi 110092
๐ +91 79766 93878 ๐ฌ WhatsApp
A20, St. No. 3, Guru Nanak Pura, Laxmi Nagar, New Delhi 110092
๐ +91 79766 93878 ๐ฌ WhatsApp