The Char Dham yatra visits four Himalayan shrines in Uttarakhand: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Many pilgrims do a shorter Do Dham yatra to Kedarnath and Badrinath only.
How many days?
- Do Dham (Kedarnath and Badrinath): about six to seven days from Haridwar.
- Char Dham (all four shrines): about ten to twelve days by road from Haridwar.
Mountain roads are slow and landslides can cause delays, so build in at least one spare day.
The usual route
Pilgrims traditionally travel west to east: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and then Badrinath, starting and ending in Haridwar or Rishikesh.
- Yamunotri involves a trek of about 6 km each way from Janki Chatti.
- Gangotri is reachable by road.
- Kedarnath involves a trek of about 16 km from Gaurikund, or a helicopter from bases such as Phata or Sersi.
- Badrinath is reachable by road; the village of Mana is nearby.
When the temples are open
The shrines open around late April or May, depending on auspicious dates, and close around Diwali to early November. The monsoon months of July and August bring landslide risk; May, June, September and October are generally preferred.
Registration and helicopters
- Registration with the Uttarakhand government is mandatory for the yatra.
- Kedarnath helicopter tickets are sold only through the official booking portal. Seats are limited and flights depend on weather.
Planning for elders
- Ponies and palanquins (palkis) are available on the trek routes.
- Altitude is significant (Kedarnath is about 3,580 metres). Consult a doctor before travelling, especially with heart or lung conditions.
- Pack warm layers, rain gear and basic medicines.
Accommodation
Facilities near the shrines are basic and fill up in peak season. We plan stays at convenient points such as Guptkashi, Sitapur or Joshimath.
See our Pilgrimage tours and Uttarakhand pages for itineraries.
When to go
When to go
When to go
When to go