Char Dham Yatra (11N/12D)
Overview
The Char Dham of Uttarakhand are the four Himalayan shrines many Hindu pilgrims hope to visit at least once: Yamunotri, source of the Yamuna; Gangotri, where the Ganga begins as the Bhagirathi; Kedarnath, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva; and Badrinath, the abode of Lord Vishnu. This 12-day Char Dham Yatra from Delhi visits them in the traditional order, west to east, starting with a night in Haridwar on the banks of the Ganga.
From Barkot you trek to Yamunotri and bathe in the hot waters of Jamunabai Kund. From Uttarkashi you drive past the Gangnani hot spring and through the Harsil Valley to Gangotri. The longest day on foot is the trek of about 16 km from Gaurikund to Kedarnath, where you spend the night so you can attend the evening aarti and the morning pooja. At Badrinath you enjoy a bath in Tapt Kund and spot the Mana Village, Bhim Pul and Vyas Gufa while seeing through the way home which goes by the Joshimath in front of the Joshimath exit to Rudraprayag, where the confluence of two rivers is visible.
The yatra suits pilgrims and families who are fit enough for two treks and want the planning handled for them; ponies, palkis and helicopter services are available at extra cost. You stay in 3-star hotels (a simpler guesthouse or camp at Kedarnath) with breakfast every day, and travel in a private vehicle from Delhi and back.
Package Features
Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath in the traditional order.
Pick-up in Delhi and private road transfers on every day.
Evening aarti and early-morning pooja at the temple.
Jamunabai Kund, Gangnani's Garamkund and Tapt Kund at Badrinath.
Mana Village, Bhim Pul and Vyas Gufa near Badrinath.
Haridwar sightseeing, then Kempty Falls and Mussoorie Lake en route.
Included
- 3-Star double occupancy accommodation for 10 nights (1 night at Haridwar, 2 nights at Barkot, 2 nights at Uttarkashi, 2 nights at Sonprayag, 1 night at Kedarnath ( simpler guest house / camp), 1 night at Badrinath and 1 night at Rudraprayag); Kedarnath night move to simpler guest house or camp.
- Overnight return drive from Rudraprayag to Delhi on day 11
- Daily breakfast
- Pick-up and drop in Delhi
- All transfers and sightseeing by private vehicle as per the itinerary
- Sightseeing as listed in the itinerary (items marked at extra cost are not included)
- GST
Excluded
- Flights or train tickets to and from Delhi
- Lunch and dinner
- Pony, palki (palanquin), porter and helicopter services for the Yamunotri and Kedarnath treks
- Special puja bookings, temple offerings and donations
- Personal expenses such as shopping, laundry, phone calls and tips
- Travel insurance
- Anything not listed under Included
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Delhi to Haridwar
- Our driver picks you up in Delhi for the drive to Haridwar (about 240 km, 5 hours), one of India's holiest cities on the banks of the Ganga.
- Watch the plains of north India give way to the first foothills as you head north.
- Check in to your hotel in Haridwar and relax.
- The rest of the day is free to explore the local markets or visit nearby temples at your own pace. Overnight stay in Haridwar.
- Highlights of the Day: Drive to Haridwar, local markets and temples
Day 2 Haridwar to Barkot via Mussoorie
- After breakfast, set out for morning sightseeing in Haridwar, including the ghats around Har Ki Pauri.
- Drive on towards Barkot (about 200 km, 6 hours) by the Mussoorie road.
- On the way, stop at Mussoorie Lake and Kempty Falls, a waterfall in a green valley below the Mussoorie hills.
- Reach Barkot in the evening and check in to your hotel. Overnight stay in Barkot.
- Highlights of the Day: Haridwar, Mussoorie Lake, Kempty Falls
Day 3 Barkot – Yamunotri – Barkot
- After breakfast, drive to Janki Chatti (or Phool Chatti), the starting point of the trek to Yamunotri.
- Trek about 6 km to Yamunotri on foot, or hire a pony or palki (at extra cost).
- Bathe in the hot spring of Jamunabai Kund, then visit the Yamunotri Temple for darshan of Goddess Yamuna.
- Trek back down to Janki Chatti and drive to Barkot. Overnight stay in Barkot.
- Highlights of the Day: Yamunotri Temple, Jamunabai Kund
Day 4 Barkot to Uttarkashi
- After breakfast, drive to Uttarkashi (about 120 km, 4 hours).
- Stop at Shiv Gufa on the way.
- In Uttarkashi, visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the town's best-known shrine to Lord Shiva.
- Check in to your hotel; the rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight stay in Uttarkashi.
- Highlights of the Day: Shiv Gufa, Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Day 5 Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Uttarkashi
- After breakfast, drive towards Gangotri.
- Stop at Gangnani for a holy dip in the hot spring of Garamkund.
- Continue through the Harsil Valley, known for its apple orchards and deodar forests.
- At Gangotri, take a holy dip in the Bhagirathi, as the Ganga is called at its source, then join the pooja and darshan at the Gangotri Temple.
- After some time at leisure, drive back to Uttarkashi. Overnight stay in Uttarkashi.
- Highlights of the Day: Gangnani Garamkund, Harsil Valley, Gangotri Temple
Day 6 Uttarkashi to Sonprayag
- After breakfast, set out on the long drive to Sonprayag (about 250 km, 9 hours).
- Visit the Ardhnarishwar Temple on the way.
- Check in to your hotel in Sonprayag and rest well before the trek. Overnight stay in Sonprayag.
- Highlights of the Day: Ardhnarishwar Temple
Day 7 Sonprayag to Kedarnath – Trek to Kedarnath
- After breakfast, take the local shuttle from Sonprayag to Gaurikund, the starting point of the Kedarnath trek; private vehicles are not allowed beyond Sonprayag.
- Begin the trek of about 16 km to Kedarnath, with Himalayan views and waterfalls along the path. Ponies, palkis and helicopter services are available at extra cost.
- On arrival, check in to your accommodation and rest.
- If time permits, attend the evening aarti at Kedarnath Temple. Overnight stay in Kedarnath.
- Highlights of the Day: Kedarnath trek, Kedarnath Temple, evening aarti
Day 8 Kedarnath to Sonprayag – Morning Pooja at Kedarnath
- Rise early and visit Kedarnath Temple for the morning pooja.
- After breakfast, check out and trek back down to Gaurikund, then take the shuttle to Sonprayag.
- Check in to your hotel in Sonprayag and rest your legs. Overnight stay in Sonprayag.
- Highlights of the Day: Kedarnath Temple
Day 9 Sonprayag to Badrinath – Badrinath Sightseeing
- After breakfast, drive to Badrinath (about 250 km, 9 hours).
- Check in to your hotel and head out for a short sightseeing tour.
- Bathe in the hot waters of Tapt Kund, just below the Badrinath Temple, and visit the temple for darshan.
- See Mana Village, the Bhim Pul rock bridge over the Saraswati river and Vyas Gufa, and Vasudhara Falls if time allows.
- Return to the hotel for the evening. Overnight stay in Badrinath.
- Highlights of the Day: Tapt Kund, Mana Village, Vasudhara, Bhim Pul, Vyas Gufa
Day 10 Badrinath to Rudraprayag
- After breakfast, drive to Rudraprayag (about 160 km, 6 hours) via Joshimath.
- In Joshimath, visit the Narsingh Temple, the winter seat of Lord Badrinath.
- Reach Rudraprayag, at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers, and check in to your hotel. Overnight stay in Rudraprayag.
- Highlights of the Day: Narsingh Temple, Joshimath, Rudraprayag
Day 11 Rudraprayag to Delhi – Overnight Journey
- Have breakfast at the hotel and check out.
- Begin the long drive back to Delhi via Haridwar (about 400 km, 10 hours of driving).
- Travel on through the evening and night, with stops for meals and rest on the way. Overnight journey to Delhi.
- Highlights of the Day: Return drive to Delhi via Haridwar
Day 12 Arrival in Delhi – Tour Ends
- Arrive in Delhi in the early hours of the morning.
- Get dropped at your drop-off point in Delhi.
- Your Char Dham Yatra ends here, with the blessings of the four dhams and memories of the Himalayas.
- Highlights of the Day: Arrival in Delhi, tour ends
Payment Policy
- An advance payment is required to secure your booking; the balance is paid as per the schedule in your booking confirmation.
- Your booking is confirmed only after the itinerary is agreed, the advance is received and Luxe Trail Holidays sends you a written confirmation.
- All cash might require booking on the date in peak season or on special rates at hotels and some activities.
- When a payment is not received by the due date of the booking, the booking is subject to the terms for cancellation as applicable
- Each person for the package will be charged at double sharing basis inclusive of GST.
Refund Policy
- Cancellation fees are based on the date of our request, and the hotel and transport suppliers' policies and any peak season restrictions.The applicable charges are shared with your quotation.
- Refunds are processed once the relevant suppliers approve them, so timelines can vary.
- Refunds are made to the original payment method or another method agreed with you.
- Non-refundable amounts, supplier fees and bank or payment-processing charges may be deducted.
- If a service cannot be provided because of weather, road closures, government orders or other events beyond our control, a refund or an alternative arrangement is offered as per the supplier's terms.
Policy & Important Terms
- Every traveller must carry a valid government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence). Foreign nationals need a passport with a valid Indian visa.
- Registration with the Uttarakhand government is mandatory for every Char Dham pilgrim. Please register online on the official yatra registration site or the yatra app before travelling and bring the certificate and a photo ID as they will be checked during the yatra.
- Each of the 4 temples opens only during summer (typically from late April/May until October/November - precise dates are always published the year before).
- Kedarnath is on elevation of approximately 3,580 m. and Yamunotri and Kedarnath treks are demanding. Make sure to check with your doctor before booking if you have heart, lung or blood-pressure issues and bring warm clothes with you for cold nights. Ponies, palkis and helicopters are provided on additional cost and the helicopter ticket in IRCTC HeliYatra website is available.
- Landslides and closures of roads (particularly July and August) can cause traffic delays and may result in traffic being stopped or in overnight stays being canceled; the route or overnight stops of the yatra may change or authorities may stop traffic for safety reasons.
- This vehicle is reserved for the trips on the itinerary and any additional trips or detours will cost extra.
- Standard hotel check-in/out is in effect; extra fees may be charged for early or late check-in.
Most Booked
Frequently Asked Questions
Is registration required for the Char Dham Yatra?
Yes. In Uttarakhand, every pilgrim will have to register before the yatra, which can be done online, on the government's official registration portal or through the government's app. Registration is monitored throughout the course – please ensure that registration document and QR code on phone or photo ID is present. This process can be explained to you when you place your booking.
When is the best time to do the Char Dham Yatra?
The temples are open from late April/May to October/November. The most popular months are May, June, September and October, and the skies are typically clearer, and the crowds less after the monsoon, on September and October. Heavy rains and landslides occur in the above months, so please avoid July and August if you are flexible with your dates.
Are the Yamunotri & Kedarnath treks tough or easy?
Yamunotri is a trek of about 6 km each way from Janki Chatti, and Kedarnath is a trek of about 16 km from Gaurikund, climbing to around 3,580 m. Most healthy adults manage both at a steady pace. Ponies and palkis are available at extra cost, and helicopter services run to Kedarnath if you prefer not to walk.
Are meals included during the yatra?
Only breakfast is included every day, not lunch and dinner, so you will need to pay for these outside the package. Simple vegetarian meals are available in the towns along the way and at stops during the trek, and your driver will help you plan meal stops on the long driving days.
What kind of stay should I expect at Kedarnath?
Accommodation at Kedarnath is limited and simple because of the altitude and the size of the town, so the night there is spent in a guesthouse or camp with basic facilities. Nights are cold even in summer, so pack warm layers, a cap and gloves. All the other nights are in 3-star hotels on double occupancy.
Can older pilgrims join this yatra?
Yes, many older pilgrims complete the Char Dham Yatra. We suggest a medical check-up before you travel and a pony or palki for the Yamunotri and Kedarnath treks, or a helicopter to Kedarnath. Tell us about any health needs when you book and we will plan the pace and rest stops around them.
