The Char Dham Yatra covers four sacred shrines in the Garhwal Himalaya: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Doing it by road with a dedicated vehicle and an experienced hill driver is the most flexible way to travel.
The usual route
The yatra is traditionally done from west to east: Yamunotri first, then Gangotri, Kedarnath and finally Badrinath. Most journeys start from Dehradun, Haridwar or Rishikesh.
How many days should you keep?
By road, most families keep around 9 to 12 days for all four dhams. This allows for long driving days, the treks and some buffer for weather or traffic. Do Dham (Kedarnath and Badrinath only) trips are much shorter.
Treks to know about
- Yamunotri: a trek of about 6 km from Janki Chatti. Ponies and palkis are available.
- Kedarnath: a trek of about 16 km from Gaurikund. Ponies, palkis and helicopter services operate in season.
- Gangotri and Badrinath are reachable by road.
When to go
The temples usually open between late April and May and close for winter around October and November. May to June and September to October are the most popular months. During the July and August monsoon, landslides can block roads, so keep extra days if you travel then.
Registration
Registration with Uttarakhand Tourism is mandatory for Char Dham pilgrims. Register online on the official portal before you travel and keep a copy with you.
What to pack
- Warm layers, even in summer. Kedarnath and Badrinath get cold at night.
- Rain jacket and good walking shoes.
- Basic medicines and anything you take regularly.
- ID proof and your yatra registration.
Plan it with us: message Panwar Tour & Travels on WhatsApp or call +91 85339 23736 with your dates and group size, and we will share a quote.
