Yes, historically, walking was the only way to complete the pilgrimage. In the 8th century, Adi Shankaracharya established the circuit entirely on foot, and in the late 1700s, Bhagwan Swaminarayan famously trekked 1,600 km across the Himalayas wearing only a loincloth.
In modern times, most foot pilgrims still use vehicles to reach the base camps but complete the mandatory treks to the shrines themselves. However, a few extreme devotees still attempt the full 1,200 km loop to reconnect with the ancient tradition.
The main reason people switch to a chardham yatra by tempo traveller today is safety and time. The old forest tracks have been replaced by busy mountain highways that are dangerous for pedestrians. A vehicle allows you to complete the journey in 11–12 days instead of two months, ensuring your energy is saved for the challenging uphill climbs at Kedarnath and Yamunotri.
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