Do Dham Yatra 2026: Kedarnath & Badrinath Complete Pilgrimage Guide
11 min read
Updated 20 March 2026
What is the Do Dham Yatra?
Do Dham (Two Abodes) refers to the pilgrimage covering Kedarnath (one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, at 3,583m) and Badrinath (one of the four Char Dhams of Lord Vishnu, at 3,133m). Situated in Uttarakhand's Garhwal Himalayas, these two temples are the most visited dhams and can be combined into a focused 5-6 day trip from Delhi.
Opening Dates 2026
Kedarnath portal opens: 22 April 2026. Badrinath portal opens: 24 April 2026. Season closes mid-November. Biometric registration is mandatory — same process as Char Dham.
6-Day Itinerary (Delhi to Delhi)
Optimised route covering both dhams with comfortable pacing.
Day 1: Delhi to Haridwar to Guptkashi (460 km, 11-12 hrs)
Very early start (3-4 AM) or overnight Volvo bus to Haridwar. Drive to Guptkashi via Rishikesh, Devprayag, and Rudraprayag. Alternatively, fly to Dehradun and drive (saves 3 hrs). Register at Haridwar/Rishikesh. Overnight Guptkashi.
Day 2: Guptkashi to Gaurikund to Kedarnath (30 km drive + 16 km trek)
Drive to Gaurikund. Trek 16 km to Kedarnath or take helicopter from Phata/Guptkashi (Rs 6,000-8,000). Evening darshan at temple. Overnight in Kedarnath lodges (Rs 500-2,000/night, basic facilities).
Day 3: Kedarnath to Gaurikund to Guptkashi
Early morning darshan. Trek down to Gaurikund (4-5 hrs). Drive to Guptkashi. Rest and recover. Visit Triyuginarayan Temple (optional, 8 km).
Day 4: Guptkashi to Joshimath (250 km, 8-9 hrs)
Scenic drive through the valley. Stops at Nandprayag and Karnaprayag confluences. Arrive Joshimath by evening. Hot meal and rest.
Day 5: Joshimath to Badrinath to Joshimath (45 km each way)
Drive to Badrinath. Darshan at temple, Tapt Kund hot springs, Mana village (last Indian village, Vyas Gufa, Bheem Pul, Saraswati river origin). Return to Joshimath.
Day 6: Joshimath to Rishikesh/Delhi (480 km, 12-14 hrs)
Early start for return journey. Break at Rishikesh for Ganga aarti. Continue to Delhi or stay overnight in Rishikesh/Haridwar.
Cost Breakdown (Per Person, 6 Days, Group of 4)
Realistic 2026 pricing for different comfort levels.
Budget: Rs 8,500-14,000
Tempo traveller share (Rs 2,000-3,000), dharamshala stays (Rs 300-600/night), dhaba meals (Rs 200-300/day), walking to Kedarnath.
Comfortable: Rs 18,000-30,000
Private vehicle (Rs 5,000-7,000 share), decent hotels (Rs 1,500-2,500/night), helicopter to Kedarnath (Rs 6,000-8,000), restaurant meals.
Kedarnath Helicopter: Booking & Tips
Helicopter services operate from Phata, Guptkashi, and Sirsi helipads. Return flight is ~10 minutes each way. Book well in advance (2-4 weeks) during peak season. Operators include Pawan Hans and private charters. Weight limit: 80-90 kg per passenger. Flights are weather-dependent — keep a buffer day.
Packing Essentials
Warm layers (0-10 degrees C at Kedarnath), rain jacket, trekking shoes, torch, water bottle, snacks, personal medicines, sunscreen, sunglasses, portable charger. Trekking poles recommended for the Kedarnath trek.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if you use the helicopter for Kedarnath (saves one day of trekking). Without helicopter, 6 days is the comfortable minimum from Delhi.
Kedarnath requires a 16 km trek (or helicopter). Badrinath is fully accessible by road. The trek to Kedarnath is moderate to hard; basic fitness is needed.
Badrinath is suitable for all ages. Kedarnath trek is challenging for young children — consider helicopter or pony ride for kids under 10.
May-June for pleasant weather and full services. September-October for post-monsoon clarity and fewer crowds. Avoid July-August (monsoon, landslides).
Yes. Same biometric registration required as Char Dham — Rs 50 per person, mandatory RFID card at checkposts. Register online or at Haridwar/Rishikesh centres.