A note before you begin
Many people make pilgrimages later in life. Retirement, children grown up, bereavement, or a long-held wish can all lead someone to finally make the journey. Age on its own says little about what a person can or cannot do, because health, fitness and experience vary enormously.
This article offers general considerations only. It is not medical advice. Please talk to your doctor or a qualified travel health service about your own circumstances well before you travel, and follow their guidance over anything written here.
Start with a medical conversation
Before booking anything, it is sensible to discuss your plans with a health professional. Useful topics may include:
- Whether the destination’s heat, cold, altitude or humidity raise particular concerns for you.
- Long journeys and sitting for many hours, including advice about circulation.
- Current medications, how to carry them, and what to do if you lose them or run out.
- Vaccinations and other preventive measures recommended for the region.
- What to do about existing conditions, such as heart, lung, joint or blood pressure issues.
Altitude is especially important for Himalayan, Tibetan and Ladakh routes. Altitude sickness awareness is worth reading, but a doctor who knows your history can give far better guidance than a general article. Some itineraries may simply not suit everyone, and choosing a lower-altitude pilgrimage can be a wise decision, not a lesser one.
Choose a pace that fits
A slower journey usually makes for a better journey. Some thoughts:
- Fewer sites, longer stays. Spending two nights in a place often gives more rest than moving every day.
- Rest days. Build them in from the start, rather than treating them as a failure when needed.
- Realistic daily plans. Allow generous time for transport, meals, queues and rest. Delays are common.
- Choose the season carefully. Heat on pilgrimage can be tiring and, in northern India for example, intense in some months, while winter brings its own concerns. Cold weather pilgrimage travel and monsoon travel considerations are both worth reading to see how seasons may affect you.
- Time of day. Many sites are most pleasant, and cooler, in early morning or late afternoon.
It is perfectly acceptable to skip a site, shorten a visit or sit while others climb. In Buddhist thought generally, the worth of a visit does not depend on how much you see.
Think about the physical details
Common physical features of pilgrimage sites include steps, uneven paths and barefoot areas. For older travellers, and for anyone with balance concerns, it can help to:
- Ask in advance about steps and seating at your destinations; conditions change, so check directly with current sources. Steps, uneven ground and a lack of seating are the usual obstacles.
- Pack supportive footwear that is easy to remove, since temple entry customs often involve taking shoes off many times a day. Slip-on shoes are convenient.
- Consider a walking stick or poles if you use them at home, and check whether they are permitted.
- Bring a small cushion or folding stool for sitting, if allowed, since floor seating in some temples can be uncomfortable.
- Take care with slippery stone, especially when wet.
Customs such as circumambulation practice involve walking, sometimes for a long time. You can take a shorter route, rest on the way, or pay respect in another way, and local people are generally understanding. If in doubt, ask politely.
Food, water and comfort
Digestive upsets can be more troublesome on a long journey. Travel food hygiene covers general principles, and your doctor or travel clinic can suggest what suits you. Keep fluids and light snacks with you, and give yourself time to eat properly. Pack layers: temples can be cold in the morning and warm by midday, and hall floors can be chilly through socks.
Travel companions and support
Some older pilgrims travel alone and enjoy it; others prefer company. Whatever you choose:
- Share your itinerary and medical information with someone at home and, where suitable, with your travel companion.
- Carry a list of your medications, allergies, conditions and emergency contacts.
- Know the nearest medical facilities and how to reach them.
- Agree a simple plan with companions for splitting up, for example if one wants to climb and the other prefers to rest.
- Think carefully about travelling in remote areas, where help may be far away.
Pilgrim travel insurance is worth discussing too. Policies differ in what they cover, especially regarding pre-existing conditions, age limits, altitude and activities, so read the terms carefully and ask the insurer questions directly. Government travel advice for your destination also offers useful current information.
Crowds and festivals
Large festivals can be inspiring and overwhelming. Crowd safety awareness is particularly relevant if you tire easily or have balance issues. Consider visiting outside the busiest days, and if you do attend a major event, choose a position with an exit, keep close to a companion and be prepared to leave if conditions become uncomfortable.
Keeping the purpose in view
Many older pilgrims describe a desire to travel with attention rather than speed, which can be a real advantage. You may have more experience of patience, and fewer reasons to hurry. Whatever you plan, be willing to change it, and to treat each day as complete in itself. A pilgrimage does not need to be arduous to be meaningful.