Do Dham: Kedarnath & Badrinath — The Two Sacred Abodes
The Do Dham Yatra covers the two most revered Himalayan temples — Kedarnath (Lord Shiva) and Badrinath (Lord Vishnu). A focused 5–6 day pilgrimage from Delhi through some of the most dramatic landscapes in Uttarakhand.
Explore Tour PackagesQuick Facts About the Do Dham Yatra
1,319m – 3,583m
May–June & September–October
₹1,500–₹5,000
5–6 days (from Delhi)
Best Time for Do Dham Yatra
May–June (Pre-Monsoon)
Weather: Pleasant 10–25°C, clear skies, occasional rain
Why: Peak season, all services open, best trekking weather
September–October (Post-Monsoon)
Weather: Cool 5–20°C, crystal-clear skies, stunning views
Why: Fewer crowds, excellent visibility, autumn colours
July–August (Monsoon)
Weather: Heavy rain, 10–20°C, landslide risk
Why: Avoid — dangerous conditions, road closures
Late April (Opening Season)
Weather: Cold 0–15°C, possible snow at Kedarnath
Why: Portal opening ceremonies, fewer crowds early on
🚁 Kedarnath Helicopter Service
Helipads: Phata, Guptkashi, Sirsi
Flight Time: ~10 minutes each way
Cost: ₹6,000–₹8,000 return
Operators: Pawan Hans, private charter operators
🛕 The Two Sacred Dhams
Kedarnath (3,583m)
One of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Ancient stone temple at 3,583m survived the devastating 2013 floods. Reached via a challenging 16 km trek or helicopter from Guptkashi.
Badrinath (3,133m)
One of the four Char Dhams dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Colourful temple in the Alaknanda valley with the sacred Tapt Kund hot springs. Gateway to Mana — the last Indian village.
🎯 Things to Do on the Do Dham Route
Kedarnath Trek
The spiritual and physical heart of the Do Dham Yatra. 16 km uphill through Himalayan terrain alongside the Mandakini river.
Mana Village Visit
Last Indian village before Tibet. Home to Vyas Gufa, Bheem Pul (natural rock bridge), and the vanishing Saraswati river.
Tapt Kund Holy Dip
Natural hot spring at Badrinath (45°C). Pilgrims bathe before temple darshan. Separate sections for men and women.
Triyuginarayan Temple Visit
Temple where Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. An eternal flame burns in front of the temple. Located 8 km from Guptkashi.
Prayag Confluences Photography
The route passes Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, and Nandprayag — sacred river confluences where two rivers merge in spectacular fashion.
🏨 Where to Stay
Budget: Dharamshalas & Lodges
₹300–₹800/night
Basic rooms at Kedarnath (temple trust), Guptkashi, and Joshimath. Shared facilities at Kedarnath. Meals at dhabas.
Examples:- Kedarnath temple trust rooms
- Budget lodges in Guptkashi
- GMVN guesthouses
Comfortable Hotels
₹1,500–₹3,500/night
Clean rooms with attached bath and hot water. Available in Guptkashi and Joshimath. Valley views from many properties.
Examples:- Hotels in Guptkashi main market
- River-facing guesthouses in Joshimath
- Mid-range hotels near Badrinath
All-Inclusive Tour Packages
₹8,500–₹30,000/person (6 days)
Organised group or private tours from Delhi. Includes vehicle, accommodation, meals, guide, and registration.
Examples:- Budget group tour by tempo traveller
- Private vehicle with hotel package
- Helicopter + hotel premium package
🗺️ Do Dham Yatra Itineraries
6 Days (Most pilgrims)
Comfortable pacing covering both Kedarnath and Badrinath from Delhi. Includes the 16 km Kedarnath trek.
Early start (3–4 AM). Drive via Haridwar, Rishikesh, Devprayag, Rudraprayag. Register en route. Overnight Guptkashi.
Drive to Gaurikund (30 km). Trek 16 km to Kedarnath or take helicopter (₹6,000–8,000). Evening darshan. Overnight Kedarnath.
Early morning darshan. Trek/helicopter back to Gaurikund. Drive to Guptkashi. Rest. Optional: Visit Triyuginarayan Temple.
Scenic drive via Chamoli. Stops at Nandprayag and Karnaprayag confluences. Arrive Joshimath by evening.
Drive to Badrinath (45 km). Temple darshan, Tapt Kund, Mana village (Vyas Gufa, Bheem Pul, Saraswati river). Return to Joshimath.
Early start. Break at Rishikesh for Ganga aarti (optional). Continue to Delhi or stay overnight in Rishikesh/Haridwar.
5 Days (with Helicopter) (Time-constrained, elderly pilgrims)
Uses helicopter for Kedarnath to save one day. Same quality darshan, shorter trek.
Summary: Day 1: Delhi → Guptkashi. Day 2: Helicopter to Kedarnath + darshan + helicopter back. Day 3: Guptkashi → Joshimath. Day 4: Badrinath darshan. Day 5: Joshimath → Delhi.
🎫 Our Curated Do Dham Tour Packages
📖 Do Dham Travel Guide
Detailed guide with day-by-day breakdown, packing lists, and helicopter booking tips.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Do Dham refers to the pilgrimage covering Kedarnath (Shiva) and Badrinath (Vishnu) — the two most popular temples of the Char Dham circuit in Uttarakhand.
6 days from Delhi with trekking to Kedarnath. 5 days if using the helicopter. This gives comfortable pacing without rushed driving days.
Moderate to hard. 16 km uphill gaining 1,500m altitude. Reasonably fit adults can manage 6–8 hours. Alternatives: pony, palki, or helicopter.
Book online through Pawan Hans or authorised private operators. Peak season (May–June) sells out 2–4 weeks in advance. Weather cancellations are common — keep a buffer day.
Budget: ₹8,500–14,000/person. Comfortable: ₹18,000–30,000. Group of 4, 6 days. Helicopter adds ₹6,000–8,000.
Yes. Badrinath is fully accessible by road. For Kedarnath, use the helicopter (10 min) or pony/palki. Medical fitness certificate recommended for 60+.
Yes — same biometric registration as Char Dham (₹50, RFID card). Register online or at Haridwar/Rishikesh centres.
Do Dham is ideal if you have limited time (5–6 days) and want to cover the two most popular dhams. Char Dham (10–12 days) is the complete pilgrimage covering all four dhams.
Warm layers (0–10°C at Kedarnath), rain jacket, trekking shoes, torch, water bottle, medicines, sunscreen, trekking poles (recommended for Kedarnath).
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