Char Dham: The Four Sacred Abodes of the Himalayas
Embark on the ultimate Himalayan pilgrimage — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. A journey through sacred rivers, ancient temples, and awe-inspiring mountain passes in Uttarakhand.
Explore Tour PackagesQuick Facts About the Char Dham Yatra
1,200m – 3,583m
May–June & September–October
₹1,500–₹5,000
10–12 days (from Delhi)
Best Time for Char Dham Yatra
May–June (Pre-Monsoon)
Weather: Pleasant 10–25°C, clear skies, occasional rain
Why: Peak season, all services open, best weather for trekking
September–October (Post-Monsoon)
Weather: Cool 5–20°C, clear skies, spectacular mountain views
Why: Fewer crowds, excellent visibility, autumn colours
July–August (Monsoon)
Weather: Heavy rain, 10–20°C, high landslide risk
Why: Avoid — road closures, dangerous conditions
Late April (Opening)
Weather: Cold at altitude, 0–15°C, possible snow at Kedarnath
Why: Portal opening ceremonies, spiritual significance
📋 Mandatory Registration
Fee: ₹50 per person
How: Online at Devasthanam Board portal or at registration centres
Documents: Aadhaar card (biometric), photo ID, 2 passport photos. Foreigners: passport + visa.
🛕 The Four Sacred Dhams
Yamunotri (3,293m)
Source of the River Yamuna. Dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. Accessed via a 6 km trek from Janki Chatti through scenic rhododendron forests.
Gangotri (3,100m)
Origin of the sacred River Ganga (Bhagirathi). The 18th-century temple sits beside the roaring river surrounded by deodar forests.
Kedarnath (3,583m)
One of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Set against a dramatic backdrop of snow-capped peaks. The temple survived the devastating 2013 floods, adding to its mythic stature.
Badrinath (3,133m)
One of the four Char Dhams of Lord Vishnu. Colourful temple in the Alaknanda valley. Also gateway to Mana — the last Indian village before Tibet.
🎯 Things to Do on the Char Dham Route
Kedarnath Trek
The most physically demanding part of the yatra. 16 km uphill trek gaining 1,500m altitude through stunning Himalayan terrain.
Gaumukh Glacier Trek
Optional 18 km trek from Gangotri to the actual source of the Ganga. Requires a permit from the forest department.
Mana Village Visit
Last Indian village before the Tibetan border. See Vyas Gufa (where Ved Vyas composed the Mahabharata), Bheem Pul (natural rock bridge), and the vanishing Saraswati river.
River Confluence Photography
The route passes through Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, and Nandprayag — sacred confluences where rivers merge in spectacular fashion.
Tapt Kund Hot Springs
Natural thermal spring at Badrinath. Pilgrims take a holy dip before temple darshan. Water temperature is around 45°C.
🏨 Where to Stay on the Char Dham Route
Dharamshalas & Budget Lodges
₹300–₹800/night
Basic but clean rooms at each dham and base town. Run by trust boards and local families. Expect shared facilities at higher altitudes.
Examples:- GMVN guesthouses at each stop
- Temple trust dharamshalas at Kedarnath
- Budget lodges in Barkot and Uttarkashi
Comfortable Hotels
₹1,500–₹3,500/night
Clean rooms with attached bathrooms, hot water, and restaurant. Available at base towns like Barkot, Uttarkashi, Guptkashi, and Joshimath.
Examples:- Hotels in Guptkashi with valley views
- Guesthouses in Joshimath
- Riverside lodges in Uttarkashi
Tour Packages (All-Inclusive)
₹15,000–₹50,000/person (10 days)
Organised group tours with vehicle, accommodation, meals, guide, and registration handled. Range from basic to premium with helicopter options.
Examples:- Budget group tours (tempo traveller)
- Private vehicle packages
- Helicopter + hotel premium packages
🗺️ Char Dham Yatra Itineraries
10 Days (Most pilgrims)
Optimal pace covering all four dhams from Delhi with comfortable driving days.
Drive via Haridwar and Mussoorie bypass. Register for yatra. Overnight Barkot.
Drive to Janki Chatti → 6 km trek to Yamunotri → Surya Kund → Temple darshan → Return to Barkot.
Scenic drive along Yamuna valley → Visit Vishwanath Temple → Acclimatize.
Drive to Gangotri → Temple darshan → Bhagirathi river → Return to Uttarkashi.
Long drive via Tehri Dam → Arrive Guptkashi → Rest for Kedarnath trek.
Drive to Gaurikund → 16 km trek (or helicopter) → Evening darshan → Overnight Kedarnath.
Early morning darshan → Trek back to Gaurikund → Drive to Guptkashi → Rest.
Drive via Chamoli → Nandprayag and Karnaprayag confluences → Overnight Joshimath.
Drive to Badrinath → Temple → Tapt Kund → Mana village → Vyas Gufa → Return Joshimath.
Early start → Optional Rishikesh stop for Ganga aarti → Continue to Delhi.
12 Days (Elderly, families, or those wanting buffer days)
Same route with buffer days at Uttarkashi and Joshimath for rest and acclimatisation.
Highlights: Extra rest day at Uttarkashi after Gangotri, buffer day at Joshimath before/after Badrinath, break return journey at Rishikesh.
🎫 Our Curated Char Dham Tour Packages
📖 Char Dham Travel Guides
Planning in detail? Our guides cover registration, packing, and day-by-day breakdowns.
🚉 Book Char Dham Yatra from Your City
Complete packages with transport, accommodation, permits, and guides.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Expected dates: Yamunotri & Gangotri: 19 April, Kedarnath: 22 April, Badrinath: 24 April. Exact dates are announced by the Devasthanam Board. Season closes mid-November.
Moderate to hard. 16 km uphill gaining 1,500m altitude. Takes 6–8 hours for reasonably fit adults. Alternatives: pony (₹3,000–6,000), palki (₹8,000–14,000), or helicopter (₹6,000–8,000).
Yes, with planning. Helicopter for Kedarnath, pony/palki at Yamunotri, and vehicle access to Gangotri and Badrinath. Medical fitness certificate recommended for 60+.
10 days is optimal for all four dhams from Delhi. 12 days with buffer. 7–8 days is possible but very rushed.
Budget: ₹15,000–22,000/person. Comfortable: ₹25,000–40,000. Premium (helicopter + best hotels): ₹50,000–80,000+. For a group of 4 sharing a vehicle, 10 days.
No special permits for Indian nationals — only mandatory biometric registration (₹50). Foreigners need passport + valid visa. Register online or at Haridwar/Rishikesh centres.
Helicopter is available for Kedarnath only (₹6,000–8,000). Full Char Dham by Helicopter packages (₹1.5L–2.5L per person) cover all four dhams in 4–5 days.
Warm layers (0–5°C at Kedarnath), rain jacket, trekking shoes, torch, water bottle, medicines (Diamox, painkillers), sunscreen SPF 50+, trekking poles (recommended).
Not recommended. July–August sees heavy rainfall, landslides, and road closures. If you must travel, keep buffer days and check road conditions daily.
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