Char Dham Yatra 2026: Complete Guide to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinath
14 min read
Updated 20 March 2026
What is the Char Dham Yatra?
Char Dham (Four Abodes) refers to the four Hindu pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand's Garhwal Himalayas: Yamunotri (source of River Yamuna, 3,293m), Gangotri (source of River Ganga, 3,100m), Kedarnath (Lord Shiva jyotirlinga, 3,583m), and Badrinath (Lord Vishnu temple, 3,133m). The yatra traditionally follows a west-to-east sequence starting from Yamunotri.
Opening Dates 2026
Portals open based on the Hindu calendar — dates are announced by the Devasthanam Board each year. Expected 2026 dates: Yamunotri: 19 April 2026, Gangotri: 19 April 2026, Kedarnath: 22 April 2026, Badrinath: 24 April 2026. Season closes mid-November (Diwali period). Always confirm dates on the official Uttarakhand Devasthanam Board website before booking.
Registration & Permits
Since 2022, biometric registration is mandatory for all Char Dham pilgrims. Register online at the official Devasthanam Board portal or at registration centres in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Janki Chatti, Uttarkashi, Guptkashi, and Joshimath.
Required Documents
Aadhaar card (mandatory for biometric), valid photo ID, 2 passport-size photos. Foreign nationals: passport + visa copy. Medical fitness certificate recommended for pilgrims above 60 years or with health conditions.
Registration Fee
Rs 50 per person (online). Processing is immediate. You will receive a QR code and RFID card that must be carried throughout the yatra and shown at every dham checkpost.
10-Day Recommended Itinerary (Delhi to Delhi)
This is the optimal pace that avoids over-exertion and allows buffer days for weather delays. Total driving: ~1,500 km over 10 days.
Day 1: Delhi to Haridwar to Barkot (310 km, 9-10 hrs)
Start early (5 AM). Drive via Dehradun and Mussoorie bypass. Register at Haridwar if not done online. Overnight in Barkot (1,220m) — comfortable base for Yamunotri.
Day 2: Barkot to Janki Chatti to Yamunotri to Barkot
Drive to Janki Chatti (45 km, 2 hrs). Trek 6 km to Yamunotri temple (or hire a pony/palki Rs 1,500-3,000). Hot water springs (Surya Kund), darshan at temple. Return trek and drive back to Barkot.
Day 3: Barkot to Uttarkashi (100 km, 4 hrs)
Scenic drive along Yamuna valley. Visit Vishwanath Temple in Uttarkashi. Rest and acclimatize. Uttarkashi has ATMs, medical shops, and decent restaurants.
Day 4: Uttarkashi to Gangotri to Uttarkashi (100 km each way)
Drive to Gangotri (3,100m). Darshan at temple, visit the sacred Bhagirathi river origin. Return to Uttarkashi by evening. Note: road can be affected by landslides — carry snacks and water.
Day 5: Uttarkashi to Guptkashi (220 km, 8-9 hrs)
Long drive day. Route via Tehri Dam (photo stop) and Srinagar. Arrive Guptkashi (1,319m) — base for Kedarnath. Rest well; next day involves a tough trek.
Day 6: Guptkashi to Gaurikund to Kedarnath (trek 16 km)
Drive to Gaurikund (30 km, 1 hr). Begin 16 km trek to Kedarnath (3,583m). Options: walk (6-8 hrs), pony (Rs 3,000-6,000), palki (Rs 8,000-14,000), or helicopter (Rs 6,000-8,000, book in advance). Evening darshan. Overnight at Kedarnath (basic rooms Rs 500-2,000).
Day 7: Kedarnath to Gaurikund to Guptkashi
Early morning darshan (less crowded). Trek back to Gaurikund (4-5 hrs downhill). Drive to Guptkashi. Rest day — optional visit to Triyuginarayan temple (where Shiva and Parvati married).
Day 8: Guptkashi to Joshimath (250 km, 8-9 hrs)
Long scenic drive via Chamoli. Stop at Nandprayag and Karnaprayag (river confluences — photography opportunities). Arrive Joshimath. Note: Joshimath has land subsidence issues — confirm hotel is in a safe zone.
Day 9: Joshimath to Badrinath to Joshimath (45 km each way)
Drive to Badrinath (3,133m). Darshan at Badrinath temple, visit Tapt Kund hot springs, Mana village (last Indian village before Tibet), Vyas Gufa, and Bheem Pul. Return to Joshimath.
Day 10: Joshimath to Rishikesh/Haridwar to Delhi (520 km, 12-14 hrs)
Early start. Long return drive. Option: break journey at Rishikesh (Ganga aarti) and continue to Delhi next morning. Alternatively, take Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) flight home.
Honest Cost Breakdown (Per Person, 10 Days)
Based on 2026 prices for a group of 4 persons sharing a vehicle.
Budget: Rs 15,000-22,000
Shared tempo traveller (Rs 2,000-3,000 per person), dharamshala/budget lodges (Rs 300-800/night), simple meals at dhabas (Rs 200-400/day), walking on all treks.
Comfortable: Rs 25,000-40,000
Private vehicle or small group (Rs 5,000-8,000 per person), decent hotels (Rs 1,500-3,000/night), restaurant meals, pony rides at Yamunotri, helicopter to Kedarnath (Rs 6,000-8,000).
Premium: Rs 50,000-80,000+
Organized group tour with guide, helicopter at Kedarnath, best available hotels, all meals included, medical support vehicle.
What to Pack
Essentials: warm layers (temperatures drop to 0-5 degrees C at Kedarnath), rain jacket, comfortable trekking shoes (broken in), torch/headlamp, water bottle, basic medicines (Diamox for altitude, pain killers, Electral), sunscreen SPF 50+, sunglasses, reusable bag. Optional: trekking poles (very helpful for Kedarnath trek), portable charger, dry bags for electronics.
Health & Safety Tips
Altitude sickness can occur above 3,000m — acclimatize gradually, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol. Kedarnath trek is physically demanding (16 km, steep gradient); start early. Carry basic first-aid and any personal medication. Travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking is recommended. Keep emergency contact numbers: Uttarakhand Disaster Management: 1070.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
No special permits for Indian nationals beyond mandatory biometric registration (Rs 50). Foreign nationals need passport + valid visa. Registration is done online or at registration centres in Haridwar, Rishikesh, and dham base towns.
May-June (pre-monsoon, pleasant weather, full services open) and September-October (post-monsoon, clear skies, fewer crowds). Avoid July-August (heavy rainfall, landslide risk). Opening dates are usually late April.
Yes, with proper planning. Helicopter services to Kedarnath, pony/palki options at Yamunotri, and vehicle access to Gangotri and Badrinath make it feasible. A medical fitness certificate is recommended for pilgrims above 60.
10 days is the sweet spot for all four dhams from Delhi. 12 days gives comfortable buffer. 7-8 days is possible but very rushed with long driving days.
Moderate to hard. The 16 km uphill trek gains ~1,500m altitude. Reasonably fit adults can manage it in 6-8 hours. Alternatives: pony (Rs 3,000-6,000), palki (Rs 8,000-14,000), or helicopter (Rs 6,000-8,000).
Helicopter services are available only for Kedarnath (Guptkashi/Phata helipad to Kedarnath, Rs 6,000-8,000). The other three dhams are accessible by road. Full Char Dham by Helicopter packages exist (Rs 1.5L-2.5L per person) covering all four dhams in 4-5 days.