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The Himalayas Calling
The Himalayas Calling
The stone spire of Kedarnath temple against cloud-wrapped snow peaks
  • Uttarakhand
  • 11 days
  • Moderate

Char Dham Yatra by road

Overview

All four shrines of the Char Dham by road from Haridwar: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, with time for the Ganga aarti, Mana village and rest between the walking days.

  • The evening Ganga aarti at Har ki Pauri
  • Dawn darshan at Kedarnath
  • Gangotri, near the source of the Ganga
  • Mana, the last village before Tibet

Day by day

Where you sleepHighest night 3,583 m
  1. Night 1: Haridwar, 314 m
  2. Night 2: Barkot, 1,220 m
  3. Night 3: Barkot, 1,220 m
  4. Night 4: Uttarkashi, 1,158 m
  5. Night 5: Uttarkashi, 1,158 m
  6. Night 6: Guptkashi, 1,320 m
  7. Night 7: Kedarnath, 3,583 m
  8. Night 8: Guptkashi, 1,320 m
  9. Night 9: Badrinath, 3,300 m
  10. Night 10: Rudraprayag, 895 m
  1. 1

    Day 1: Arrive in Haridwar

    The evening Ganga aarti at Har ki Pauri.

    • Night in Haridwar, 314 m
  2. 2

    Day 2: To Barkot

    Via Mussoorie to Barkot in the Yamuna valley.

    • Night in Barkot, 1,220 m
    • 210 km, 7 hours
  3. 3

    Day 3: Yamunotri

    Drive to Janki Chatti and walk 6 km up to Yamunotri temple, then back down.

    • Night in Barkot, 1,220 m
    • Highest point 3,293 m
    • 12 km on foot
  4. 4

    Day 4: To Uttarkashi

    To Uttarkashi on the Bhagirathi, with a visit to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

    • Night in Uttarkashi, 1,158 m
    • 100 km
  5. 5

    Day 5: Gangotri

    Via Harsil to Gangotri temple and back.

    • Night in Uttarkashi, 1,158 m
    • Highest point 3,100 m
    • 200 km return
  6. 6

    Day 6: To Guptkashi

    Past Tehri lake to Guptkashi, the base for Kedarnath.

    • Night in Guptkashi, 1,320 m
    • 220 km, 9 hours
  7. 7

    Day 7: Up to Kedarnath

    A shuttle to Gaurikund, then the 16 km walk to Kedarnath, or a helicopter if you prefer.

    • Night in Kedarnath, 3,583 m
    • 16 km on foot
  8. 8

    Day 8: Darshan and descent

    Dawn darshan at Kedarnath and Bhairavnath temple, then the walk down.

    • Night in Guptkashi, 1,320 m
    • 16 km on foot
  9. 9

    Day 9: To Badrinath

    Via Joshimath to Badrinath.

    • Night in Badrinath, 3,300 m
    • 200 km, 8 to 9 hours
  10. 10

    Day 10: Badrinath and Mana

    Morning darshan, the Tapt Kund hot spring and Mana village, then the drive to Rudraprayag.

    • Night in Rudraprayag, 895 m
    • 160 km
  11. 11

    Day 11: Back to Haridwar

    The drive down to Haridwar.

    • 165 km

What the price covers

Included

  • Hotels and guesthouses, twin sharing (stays at Kedarnath are simple)
  • Breakfast and dinner every day
  • Private car or Tempo Traveller with an experienced hill driver
  • Help with the free Char Dham registration
  • A trip planner on call throughout

Not included

  • Travel to Haridwar and back
  • Ponies, palkis and helicopter tickets
  • Puja and temple offerings
  • Lunches
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • 5% GST

Good to know

Permits

Registration for the Char Dham Yatra is mandatory and free, through the Uttarakhand government website or app, and we help you register. Kedarnath helicopter tickets can only be booked on IRCTC HeliYatra, using your registration number.

  • Start the Kedarnath walk by 5 or 6 am to avoid the afternoon rain.
  • There are no premium hotels at Kedarnath; stays are simple and bathrooms are often shared.
  • Many websites sell fake helicopter tickets. Book only through IRCTC HeliYatra.
  • The temples open in late April or May and close around Diwali and Bhai Dooj.

Questions travellers ask

Can elderly travellers do the Char Dham Yatra?

Yes, with ponies, palkis or a helicopter for Kedarnath and ponies for Yamunotri. We plan rest between the hardest days.

When is the best time for the Char Dham Yatra?

May to June and mid-September to October. July and August bring heavy rain and landslides.

Is the Kedarnath helicopter included?

No. Seats are released by IRCTC and sell out quickly, so we help you book as soon as registration opens.

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