Char Dham Yatra

Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath by road from Haridwar, with registration handled.

Your route

1. 1 Barkot 2 nights
2. 2 Uttarkashi 2 nights
3. 3 Guptkashi 1 night
4. 4 Kedarnath 1 night
5. 5 Guptkashi 1 night
6. 6 Badrinath 1 night
7. 7 Rudraprayag 1 night

1. Day 1 Barkot

   Haridwar to Barkot via Mussoorie.

   Our driver meets you in Haridwar for the drive to Barkot, about 210 km and seven to eight hours, via Dehradun and Mussoorie. Stop at Kempty Falls on the way if time allows. The road climbs into the Yamuna valley through pine forests and terraced villages. Your yatra registration, which is mandatory for all pilgrims, is arranged by us in advance, so please carry the same ID used to register. Check in at Barkot, rest and have an early dinner, as tomorrow begins early. Overnight in Barkot.

2. Day 2 Yamunotri

   Trek from Janki Chatti, darshan, back to Barkot.

   Drive about 45 km to Janki Chatti, the base for Yamunotri. From here, a trek of about 6 km on a paved path leads up to the Yamunotri temple at around 3,290 metres, the source of the Yamuna. Ponies, palkis and porters are available at extra cost. Bathe in the hot spring at Surya Kund, where pilgrims cook rice in cloth to take home as prasad, and offer prayers at Divya Shila. Trek back down and drive to Barkot by evening. Overnight in Barkot.

3. Day 3 Uttarkashi

   Drive to Uttarkashi, Vishwanath temple.

   After breakfast, drive to Uttarkashi, about 100 km and four hours, along the Yamuna and then down into the Bhagirathi valley. Uttarkashi is an old pilgrim town on the banks of the Bhagirathi. Check in and rest after yesterday's trek. In the evening, visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple of Uttarkashi, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the Shakti temple opposite, with its giant ancient trident. Stroll along the river ghats and attend the evening aarti. Uttarkashi is also a good place to buy warm woollens if you need extra layers. Overnight in Uttarkashi.

4. Day 4 Gangotri

   Day trip to Gangotri and back.

   An early start for Gangotri, about 100 km and four hours each way, following the Bhagirathi through deep gorges and deodar forests. Stop at Gangnani for a dip in the hot springs. Gangotri temple, at about 3,100 metres, marks the place where the Ganga descended to earth. Take a holy dip in the icy river, offer prayers, and see the Bhagirath Shila. The glacier source at Gaumukh is a separate trek with a permit. Return to Uttarkashi by evening. Overnight in Uttarkashi.

5. Day 5 Guptkashi

   Long drive to Guptkashi.

   Today is a long drive of about 220 km and eight to nine hours to Guptkashi in the Mandakini valley, crossing hills and river valleys via Tehri and Ghansali or the Srinagar route depending on roads. Guptkashi is the base for Kedarnath and has the Vishwanath temple and the Ardhanareshwar temple. Check in and rest. If you have booked the Kedarnath helicopter, our team confirms the slot and timings this evening. Keep a small bag ready for the overnight stay at Kedarnath. Overnight in Guptkashi.

6. Day 6 Kedarnath

   Trek or helicopter to Kedarnath, evening aarti.

   Drive early to Sonprayag and take the shared jeep to Gaurikund, where the trek to Kedarnath begins. The trek is about 16 km on a paved mountain path, taking six to eight hours, with ponies, palkis and porters available. Helicopters fly from Phata, Guptkashi or Sersi to Kedarnath when booked in advance on the official portal. Kedarnath temple, at about 3,583 metres, is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Attend the evening aarti. Nights are very cold, so carry warm layers. Overnight in Kedarnath.

7. Day 7 Guptkashi

   Morning darshan, return to Guptkashi.

   Join the early morning darshan at Kedarnath, when queues are shorter, and visit the Bhairavnath temple above the town and the samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya behind the temple. After breakfast, trek or ride back down to Gaurikund, then take the shared jeep to Sonprayag, where our driver is waiting. Drive back to your hotel in Guptkashi to rest your legs after two days of walking. A hot meal and an early night are recommended. Drink plenty of water and stretch your legs before bed. Overnight in Guptkashi.

8. Day 8 Badrinath

   Drive to Badrinath, evening darshan.

   Drive to Badrinath, about 200 km and seven to eight hours, through Chopta or Rudraprayag, then along the Alaknanda past Chamoli and Joshimath. Badrinath sits at about 3,300 metres between the Nar and Narayan mountains. After check-in, take a dip in the Tapt Kund, a hot spring below the temple, before darshan of Lord Badrinarayan in the colourful temple. Attend the evening aarti. Roads in this region can be slowed by landslides, so we keep buffer time. Overnight in Badrinath.

9. Day 9 Rudraprayag

   Mana village, drive to Rudraprayag.

   Attend the early morning prayers at Badrinath, then drive about 3 km to Mana, called the first village of India near the Tibet border. See Vyas Gufa, where Ved Vyas is said to have composed the Mahabharata, Ganesh Gufa and Bhim Pul, a natural rock bridge over the roaring Saraswati river. Then drive down to Rudraprayag, about 160 km, where the Alaknanda meets the Mandakini. Stop at viewpoints along the way. Rudraprayag is lower and warmer, so it is a restful night after the high temples. Overnight in Rudraprayag.

10. Day 10 Haridwar

    Drive back for departure.

    After breakfast, drive back to Haridwar, about 165 km and five to six hours, passing Devprayag, where the Alaknanda and the Bhagirathi meet to form the Ganga, a beautiful sight from the road. Stop in Rishikesh for a short walk if time allows. Our driver drops you at Haridwar railway station or Dehradun airport. We recommend evening trains or flights. The Char Dham season runs roughly from late April to early November, with dates announced each year. Your Char Dham Yatra ends here.

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