Char Dham Yatra Guide: Routes, Timing and Tips

The Char Dham yatra is one of Hinduism's most revered pilgrimages, a circuit of four Himalayan shrines in Uttarakhand: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Here is a clear, practical guide to planning it.

The Four Dhams

• Yamunotri (3,293 m): source of the Yamuna, reached by a 6 km trek from Janki Chatti.
• Gangotri (3,100 m): source of the Ganga, accessible by road.
• Kedarnath (3,583 m): the Shiva temple, a 16 km trek from Gaurikund or by helicopter.
• Badrinath (3,300 m): the Vishnu temple, accessible by road, near Mana village.

The Traditional Route

The yatra is traditionally done west to east: Yamunotri, then Gangotri, then Kedarnath, then Badrinath. Most road-based itineraries run 10 to 12 days from Haridwar or Dehradun.

When to Go

The shrines open around Akshaya Tritiya (late April or May) and close around Diwali (October or November). May to June and September to October are the most comfortable windows. Avoid the peak monsoon (July to August) when landslides are most likely.

Do Dham vs Char Dham

Short on time? Do Dham (Kedarnath and Badrinath) can be done in 6 to 7 days and covers the two most popular shrines. We can plan either based on your days and energy.

Helicopter Options

Helicopter services run to Kedarnath from Phata, Guptkashi and Sersi, cutting out the demanding 16 km trek. There are also premium same-day and multi-day heli packages covering all four dhams. These sell out fast, so book well ahead.

Important: Char Dham requires a Tourist Registration (the green card). We handle registration, permits and heli bookings as part of your package.

Tips for a Comfortable Yatra

• Allow time to acclimatise; the shrines are at high altitude.
• Carry warm layers, the temples are cold even in summer.
• For elderly pilgrims, arrange ponies, palki or helicopter in advance.
• Keep medication and valid ID handy throughout.

Ready to plan? See our Uttarakhand tour packages for a comfortable, fully arranged yatra, and read the best time to visit Uttarakhand to fix your dates.