Travel Tips For Chardham Yatra In India 2026 Guide

About Char Dham Yatra

Char Dham Yatra is a pilgrimage journey to four sacred sites, including Yamunotri , Gangotri , Kedarnath and Badrinath , nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. The yatra holds immense spiritual significance, believed to cleanse the sins of pilgrims and bring salvation for them. 

These holy shrines follow the traditional clockwise direction, starting from Yamunotri Dham and ending at Badrinath Dham . Each shrine is dedicated to a specific deity and located at a very high altitude. The yatra takes place during the summer season, from late April/May to October/November, and it takes place in winter, from October to April, due to heavy snowfall.

Every year, thousands of pilgrims undertake this yatra to seek the divine blessings of the deity and attain salvation (freedom from the cycle of birth and death), but it requires proper planning and preparation. 

Pilgrims who plan to visit Char Dham must prepare well, as it is important for safety and accessibility reasons, as the journey involves a mix of road travel and trekking. While Gangotri Dham and Badrinath are fully and easily accessible by road, on the other hand, Yamunotri and Kedarnath Temple require trekking (6 km for Yamunotri and 16 km for Kedarnath).

Here I’m going to tell you about Important Char Dham yatra travel tips that help you to plan a safe and memorable journey.

About Char Dham In India

Yamunotri

The Yamunotri temple is the first destination of the sacred Char Dham yatra. It is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, renowned as the origin of the Yamuna River, located at an altitude of 3,293 meters (10,804 feet) above sea level.

Holds great spiritual significance, is associated with sage Asit Muni, and features a black stone idol of goddess Yamuna, and natural hot springs named Surya Kund . It is accessible by a 6 km moderate trek from Janki Chatti, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayas. If you are travelling on your own and not with our Char Dham yatra package group, then you can refer to our blog on the Janki Chatti travel guide for a better understanding of all the possible routes and distances.

Gangotri

Gangotri Temple is the abode of Goddess Ganga, marked as the origin of the Ganga River, which is known as Bhagirath at this point. Featured with a unique idol of Goddess Ganga, Sacred Bhagirath Shilla and associated with the legend of King Bhagirath, who performed penance at this sacred spot. Gangotri has great accessibility by road via Uttarkashi. It also marks the starting point of the Gantotri Gaumukh Tapovan trek , which takes you exactly to the location from which Maa Ganga originates.

Kedarnath

Kedarnath Dham is the abode of Lord Shiva, the most remote site among Char Dham, situated at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,755 feet) above sea level, on the banks of the Mandakini River. 

The temple is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, and it is surrounded by the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. The temple is an integral part of  the Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuits, which include Tungnath temple , Madhyamaheshwar temple , Kalpeshwar temple and Rudranath temple in addition to this. In addtion to this it is also one of the  12 Jyotirlinga . It is accessible by a 16 km strenuous trek, starting from Gaurikund, Uttarakhand . 

Badrinath

Badrinath Temple is the last and most significant site, marked as the completion of lord Vishnu, part of his Panch Badri , Sapta Badri and 108 Divya Desam. It is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand at an altitude of 3,133 meters (10,279 feet) above sea level, on the banks of the Alaknanda River. Badrinath is easily accessible by road via the Joshimath road.

Popular Packages

Kedarnath Trip From Pune ⏳ 8 Days / 7 Nights ₹15,200 View Tour

Do Dham Yatra Package ⏳ 5 Days 4 Night ₹14,500 View Tour

Char Dham Yatra Packages from Ahmedabad ⏳ 12 Days / 11 Nights ₹26,500 View Tour

The Char Dham Route And Distance

Distance Between Char Dham Shrines: 

Traditional Char Dham Route Followed By Pilgrims:

Haridwar / Rishikesh /Dehradun to Barkot (for Yamunotri) : These cities serve as a gateway to Char Dham. You need to cover a distance of around 190 km, which takes almost 4-5 hours.

Barkot to Yamunotri and return to Barkot: Drive to Janki Chatti, which is about 45 km from Barkot, and head on a trek to the Yamunotri temple. 

Uttarkashi to Gangotri and back to Uttarkashi: Uttarkashi travellers from Barkot continue to Gangotri, which is about 100 km from Uttarkashi.

Uttarkashi to Guptkashi or Rudrapayag for Kedarnath: proceed to Guptkashi or Rudrapayag, which is about 180 km from Uttarkashi. 

Guptkashi/Rudraparyag to Kedarnath and back to Rudraprayag: drive to Gaurikund and embark on a trek to the Kedarnath temple. Return to Guptkashi or Rudraprayag. 

Rudraprayag to Badrinath: Drive to Badrinath, which is about 160 km from Rudraprayag. 

Return to Haridwar/Rishikesh: After getting darshan and blessings, return to Haridwar/Rishikesh on the next day. 

Trekking: required for Yamunotri and Kedarnath.

Accessibility: Helicopter service is available during the peak yatra season for the complete Char Dham Yatra, the best option for those who have a shortage of time or want direct access. But this is a costly option; if you have less budget, then you can just book Kedarnath helicopter services and take the shuttle services to avoid the Kedarnath trek , which is the hardest portion of the Char Dham trip from Haridwar .

Key Stages Of Char Dham Temples:

• Haridwar to Barkot Distance (for Yamunotri) : 190 km 

• Bakot to Yamunotri Distance : 45 km road + 6 km trek

• Barkot to Uttarkashi distance : 82 km by road

• Uttarkashi to Gangotri distance : 100 km by road

• Uttarkashi to Rudraprayag distance (for Kedarnath) : 177 km by road

• Rudraprayag to Kedarnath : 72 km + 16 trek

• Rudraprayag to Badrinath distance : 155 km by road

Best Time To Visit Char Dham

Char Dham temples are open for six months of the year, from May to October, and they are closed in winter from October to April due to heavy snowfall and harsh weather. Here are some brief travel tips for the best time to visit the Char Dham Yatra. 

Season	Weather	Why Visit
Summer (May to June)	Pleasant, 10°C–20°C	Best time, stable weather, ideal for darshan & trekking
Monsoon (July to August)	Heavy rain, landslides possible	Not recommended; routes often close
Autumn (September to October)	Clear skies, 8°C–15°C	Second-best time; fewer crowds & beautiful views
Winter (November to April)	Heavy snowfall, shrines closed	Char Dham remains closed for winter

T emple Op ening and Closing Dates : The exact Char Dham temple opening and closing dates are determined annually by the temple committees on auspicious days (like Maha Shivaratri for Kedarnath and Akshaya Tritiya for the start of the Yatra).

Char Dham Yatra Registration

Registration is required for the Char Dham yatra, as it assures pilgrims' safety and helps the government manage crowds during the yatra season. Without registration, you may not be allowed to travel beyond Rishikesh, so do the mandatory registration first. It can be done online and offline. 

Online Registration : Visit the official website of Uttarakhand tourism and follow local guidelines. 

Offline Registration : Visit the designated offline centres at various locations, such as Haridwar, Rishikesh, Barkot, Sonprayag, and Joshimath. You can complete your char dham process at any of these counters. 

Note: For a complete registration guide, check our blog on the Char Dham Yatra registration process .

Essential Travel Tips for Char Dham Yatra

Fitness & Health Preparation

Char Dham Yatra is a multi-day journey that involves travelling by road and trekking for the final approach to the temple, so it’s a journey that tests your patience and endurance. Be fit physically and mentally. 

Tips for Chadham Yatra: 

• Physical preparation : practice hikes, cardiovascular exercises and strengthening your muscles to get fit for high-altitude treks.

• Take Guide : If you are travelling with family, especially kids, women or elderly people, prefer to hire a local mountaineering expert guide. He will be your lifesaver during an emergency. If you are taking the Char Dham or Do Dham yatra package with us, we provide you with a well-experienced guide with certification in mountaineering and first aid.
  
  

• Eat Healthy : Avoid junk food and sleep well for a month before your trip.
  
  

• High-altitude sickness precautions : stay hydrated throughout your whole journey and acclimatise properly at lower altitudes such as Uttarkashi and Guptkashi, Uttarakhand .
  
  

• Pre-Yatra medical checkup : if you have prior health issues, consult your doctor before the trip.

• Make a prior booking : Make all your bookings well in advance, as last-minute bookings may lead to surcharges or non-availability. If you are making your Char Dham yatra package booking with Manchala Mushafir, you need not worry about anything. We have pre-purchased slots everywhere.
  
  

Things To Carry For Char Dham Yatra

Packing is a crucial part of your char dham yatra, so pack wisely, carry all the essential things and avoid unnecessary things to pack.  These are some essential things to carry for the Char Dham yatra :

• Clothing : Layering is key to travel in a remote region of Uttarakhand, the Char Dham Yatra. Pack a heavy woollen layer, including sweaters, fleece jackets, gloves, socks, & ponchos to protect from cold weather.
  
  

• Trekking gears : carry the required trekking gear, such as trekking pants, sturdy walking stick, trekking shoes,cks, a flashlight, etc., for a safe trek to Yamunotri and Kedarnath.
  
  

• Medicines & first aid : carry a small medical kit along with basic medicines, band-aids and sprays.
  
  

• Essential documents : Documents such as the Char Dham yatra registration slip and personal ID, like the Aadhaar card and photo, are required for completing any necessary formality regarding the yatra.
  
  

• Other essentials : backpacks, reusable water bottles, a compass, a power bank, etc., are required things to pack for the Char Dham Yatra .
  
  

Travel Tips For Chardham Yatra

• Landslide-prone zones : Check road conditions and weather before planning a trip.
  
  

• Avoiding night travel : Avoid travelling after sunset, as it is not safe because wild animals come on roads during the night.
  
  

• Follow local authority updates : Follow the local guidelines as they assure our safety.
  
  

• Ensuring safe transport : Ensure the reliability of the vehicle that you choose for your trip, as you need to travel in a hilly region.
  
  

 Food & Hydration

• Staying hydrated : To avoid the risk of dehydration, drink enough water. Drink safe water, buy from the local shops.
  
  

• Satvik food availability : Eat satvik food, and avoid eating onion and garlic as you travel to holy sites.
  
  

• Avoid heavy meals and trans fat food, like Maggi, at high altitude.
  
  

 Cash & Network Connectivity

• ATM availability : ATMs are limited in a remote region, so carry enough cash for your whole trip to pay for your personal expenses.
  
  

• Network coverage details : Networks are also very limited in this area. Use JIO and BSNL SIM cards for better connectivity. 
  
  

• Offline maps : If you have not booked a Char Dham tour package with Manchala Mushafir or hired a professional guide, then you should download offline maps on your phone or carry physical maps for directions.
  
  

• UPI working zones : Use digital payments in a network zone area.
  
  

Accommodation Tips For Chardham

For a comfortable and memorable char dham trip , choosing the right hotel and the right timings is required. Before choosing a stay for your char dham journey, consider your needs, budget and essential amenities such as hot water and clean rooms. Here are some accommodation tips for Chardham:

Types of Stay: There is a wider range of accommodation along the Char Dham yatra route options for all budgets. Options include GMVN guesthouses, Dharamshalas, Homestays, and Hotels, from basic to luxury. 

GMVN guesthouses: choose GMVN rest houses for a comfortable experience at a lower price.

Dharamshalas: Perfect for budget travellers, they provide basic amenities at a lower price. 

Hotels: if you want a luxurious experience, choose premium hotels, according to your needs and budget.

Where To Stay In Char Dham Temples

Here is a brief of the places that are chosen by many pilgrims to stay at the Char Dham temples:

At Yamunotri: Janki Chatti (one of the Winter Char Dhams of Uttarakhand ), Sayana Chatti and Hanuman Chatti are the places that offer accommodation options near the Yamunotri temples. These sites provide options from basic homestays to luxury resorts.

At Gangotri: Near the Gangotri temple area and nearby villages such as Harsil , Nelong valley, Dharali, peaceful and comfortable stays are offered. 

At Kedarnath: There are many hotels in Guptkashi , Gaurikund , Sonprayag, and the Kedarnath temple area offer a wide range of accommodation, such as camps, dharamshalas and Ashrams. 

At Badrinath: offering GMVN rest house, budget hotels and luxury stays near Badrinath temple, Joshimath, Pandukeshwar and Mana Village .  

Tips For Chardham Hotel Booking

• Booking Tips: Book early, especially during the peak yatra season, to avoid any last-minute hassle. 

• Check and compare prices: Compare the prices of hotels while booking for a hotel and choose that suits you.