The Amaranth cave is one of the most popular Hindu temples in India. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this holy shrine is located at about 3888m high and is reported to be about 5000 years old. The Amarnath caves are about 141 km from Srinagar, Kashmir (India). There are 2 routes which can get you to the Amarnath caves – one from the Pahalgam town (approximately 96 km from Srinagar) which is usually chosen by devotees to cover the distance by foot in 4 to 5 days and the other from the town of Baltal town(approximately 94km from Srinagar).

Old aged people usually prefer to ride on horse backs to reach the Amarnath caves. What is most important for the trip to Amarnath is that you and your family are required to be medically, physically and mentally fit to reach the top.

There are also helicopter tours for those who cannot trek such heights to reach the Amarnath caves. Look out for tourist packages which are reasonably safe and comfortable to travel to Amarnath. For instance, some helicopter tour facilities include – pick up from Srinagar airport, travel to Baltal, visit to the Amarnath caves, overnight lodging and some sightseeing in Srinagar coming to a total of about 15000 rupees or $350 per person.

Though the helicopter fares are a little expensive it could be worth the money if traveling to Amarnath is challenging due to old age or inability to sustain the weather conditions.

The internet gives you abundant information about Amarnath tours. Try scrutinizing the details before feeding in your credit card number for booking a trip to the Amarnath caves.

If you wish to travel to Amarnath by railway, then the nearest railway station is Jammu. There are private or shared taxis also available from the Jammu railway station. Buses both deluxe and state buses are available from the Jammu bus stand to Pahalgam town from where you can choose to travel up to the Amarnath caves by foot, helicopter or horse backs.

The Amarnath tour is referred to as the “Amarnath Yatra”in India. This yatra is usually arranged by the Jammu and Kashmir government in the months of July and August. During other months, that is, between September to June, the Amarnath route is covered with snow and hence closed for tourists and/r devotees.

It is in the month of June that the Amarnath Yatra dates are declared in leading newspapers of India. About 2500 people alone can visit the ice Shivling in the Amarnath caves in one day. People have to register themselves in order to book a trip to Amarnath. The bookings are made on a first come first served basis for each day.