Itinerary
Char Dham Yatra
Uttarakhand, IndiaMore
PilgrimageSpiritualTrekkingHimalaya
₹29,167/person
+₹2,917 from base
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Weather Now · 3,293 m
Yamunotri
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Weather Profile
Yamunotri
Source of the Yamuna · 3,293 m altitude
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Best
May–Jun
Clear skies, manageable cold
Avoid
Jul–Aug
Monsoon, landslide risk
Extreme
Dec–Feb
Temple closed, heavy snow
Tip. The 6 km trek to Yamunotri from Janki Chatti is at 3,000+ m. Carry layers — temperatures swing 10–15°C between morning shade and midday sun.
Weather Now · 3,100 m
Gangotri
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Weather Profile
Gangotri
Origin of the Ganges · 3,100 m altitude
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Best
May–Jun
Warm days, snow-capped peaks
Avoid
Jul–Aug
Heavy rain, road closures
Extreme
Dec–Feb
Sub-zero, temple shut
Tip. Gangotri is accessible by road, unlike Yamunotri and Kedarnath. But the Bhagirathi valley road is narrow — start early to avoid traffic jams near Harsil.
Weather Now · 3,583 m
Kedarnath
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Weather Profile
Kedarnath
Highest Jyotirlinga · 3,583 m altitude
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Best
May–Jun
Post-snow, wildflower season
Avoid
Jul–Aug
Flash floods, trek unsafe
Extreme
Nov–Mar
Buried in snow, no access
Tip. The 16 km Gaurikund–Kedarnath trek gains 1,500 m elevation. Acclimatize in Guptkashi the night before. Ponies and palki (palanquin) are available but book early — they sell out by 6 AM.
Weather Now · 3,133 m
Badrinath
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Weather Profile
Badrinath
Abode of Lord Vishnu · 3,133 m altitude
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Best
May–Jun
Warm & clear, peak darshan
Avoid
Jul–Aug
Monsoon, Alaknanda floods
Extreme
Nov–Apr
Temple closed for winter
Tip. Badrinath is the warmest of the four Dhams thanks to Tapt Kund hot springs. Bathe in the 45°C mineral water before morning darshan — it eases altitude fatigue.
Hidden Gem
GEM 42Rarity Score
Mana Village
“India's last village before Tibet — and nobody stays overnight”
Every Badrinath pilgrim makes the 3 km detour to Mana Village for a quick selfie at the 'Last Indian Village' sign. But almost nobody stays. The village elders serve butter tea, the Saraswati River emerges from a cave behind ancient stone houses, and the Vasudhara Falls (5 km trek) is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Himalayas — completely empty at dawn. Stay at the GMVN rest house and have Mana to yourself after the tour buses leave at 4 PM.
Locals Say
“Ask for Negi ji's dhaba on the left side of the main lane — he makes the best rajma-chawal on the entire Char Dham route. No signboard, just follow the smoke.”
3 km from Badrinath Temple away
Best: Early morning or after 4 PM when day-trippers leave
Ironic Truth
56 Lakh Pilgrims. One Road.
The Char Dham circuit saw record 56 lakh visitors in 2023. Most squeeze into a 6-week May–June window.
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Peak
May–Jun, Oct
Extreme traffic. 10-hr jams on Rishikesh–Badrinath road common.
Shoulder
Apr, Jul–Sep
Apr is post-opening rush. Sep is post-monsoon sweet spot.
Off-Peak
Nov–Mar
Temples closed. Snow blocks all access roads.
Actually. September is the insider's month. Temples are open, monsoon is winding down, roads are freshly repaired, and crowds are a fraction of May. The tradeoff: occasional drizzle and cooler nights.
Culture
Char Dham Etiquette
Do
Remove footwear before entering any temple — carry a bag for your shoes
Dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees) at all four shrines
Walk clockwise (pradakshina) around the sanctum after darshan
Accept prasad with your right hand and consume it immediately
Carry a reusable water bottle — fill from natural springs along the route
Don't
Never point your feet towards the deity or any sacred fire
Don't take photographs inside the sanctum sanctorum of any temple
Don't consume non-vegetarian food or alcohol during the yatra
Don't litter on the trek — the 2013 floods were worsened by debris
Don't attempt Kedarnath trek if unwell — altitude sickness is real above 3,000 m
Tipping Guide
Temple priest (dakshina)₹51–₹501 per temple
Pony handler (Kedarnath)₹100–₹200 tip on top of fare
Palki carriers (4 people)₹200–₹500 tip total
Driver (full trip)₹500–₹1,000 at end
Dharamshala cook₹50–₹100
Key Phrase
Har Har Mahadev
Everyone is Shiva — the most common greeting on the Kedarnath trek
Safety
Char Dham Circuit
6/10
Emergency
SDRF Uttarakhand1070
Kedarnath Helipad (evacuation)+91 135 2710300
Ambulance108
Hospital: Base Hospital Rudraprayag — government facility. AIIMS Rishikesh for serious cases (5–8 hr drive from Kedarnath).
Embassy: Not applicable — domestic pilgrimage. District Magistrate Rudraprayag: +91 1364 233218
Arrival
Arriving DED
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
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Getting to HaridwarDehradun Airport → HaridwarTaxi ₹1,200–₹1,800 (55 km, 1.5 hrs)
Shatabdi Express (Delhi)4.5 hrs, ₹600 (AC Chair). Departs New Delhi 6:45 AM
Volvo bus (Delhi → Haridwar)₹500–₹800, 5–6 hrs. Overnight options available
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Registration (Mandatory)Online registrationregistrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in — complete before travel
Biometric centresAvailable at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Sonprayag, and Joshimath
Medical certificateRequired for pilgrims above 50 years or with health conditions
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Essentials to PackWarm layersTemperatures drop to 0–5°C at Kedarnath even in May
Trekking shoesWaterproof with ankle support — crucial for the 16 km Kedarnath trek
Rain gearLightweight poncho + waterproof bag covers. Rain is unpredictable
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Money & ConnectivityATMsAvailable at Uttarkashi, Guptkashi, Joshimath. Carry cash — ATMs above these towns are unreliable
Mobile networkBSNL works best. Jio/Airtel patchy beyond Uttarkashi. No signal at Kedarnath
Carry cash₹10,000–₹15,000 in small denominations. UPI works in some towns but not on treks
Tourist emergencySDRF: 1070 · Police: 112 · Medical: 108
Budget
Delhi vs Char Dham Route
Your money goes 1.8× higher in season further
Delhi
Char Dham Route
Thali meal (dhaba)
₹120
₹200–₹300
+100%
Dharamshala room
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₹500–₹1,500/night
0%
Hotel room (basic)
₹1,000
₹2,000–₹4,000
+150%
Pony to Kedarnath
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₹3,000–₹5,000 (one way)
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Palki to Kedarnath
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₹15,000–₹20,000 (return)
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Helicopter (Kedarnath)
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₹7,000–₹12,000 (return)
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Chai (roadside)
₹15
₹30–₹50
+133%
Full trip taxi (12 days)
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₹25,000–₹35,000 total
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Daily budget: ₹3,000/day (budget) · ₹6,000/day (comfortable) · ₹12,000/day (premium)
Prices surge 40–60% in May–Jun peak season. Sep–Oct rates are 20–30% lower.
Events
Festival Radar
Char Dham — 2026 Season (Apr–Nov)
Apr 19–23, 2026Akha Teej — Temple Openingshigh
Apr 19–23, 2026
Akha Teej — Temple Openings
The Char Dham season begins. Yamunotri and Gangotri open April 19, Kedarnath opens April 22, and Badrinath opens April 23. Temple doors are opened with Vedic ceremonies after 6 months of winter closure. The most auspicious days to begin the yatra.
Hotels booked months ahead. Roads jam-packed. Worth it for the spiritual energy.
May 12, 2026Buddha Purnimamedium
May 12, 2026
Buddha Purnima
Full moon pilgrimage. Many devotees time their Kedarnath visit around this auspicious full moon. The moonlit trek to Kedarnath is unforgettable.
Extra crowds at Kedarnath. Book helicopter and ponies 2 weeks ahead.
Jun 2026 (dates TBC)Badri-Kedar Festivalmedium
Jun 2026 (dates TBC)
Badri-Kedar Festival
Week-long cultural festival with classical music, dance performances, and spiritual discourses at both Kedarnath and Badrinath. A rare chance to see Garhwali folk traditions performed at the temple complexes.
Joshimath hotels fill up. A wonderful bonus if your dates align.
Oct–Nov 2026Navratri & Temple Closingsmedium
Oct–Nov 2026
Navratri & Temple Closings
The final weeks of the season. Closing ceremonies (Kapat band) are deeply moving — the deity at Kedarnath is moved to Ukhimath for winter, and Badrinath's doors close with a flame left burning inside for 6 months.
Less crowded, colder nights. Witnessing the closing ceremony is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Photography
Golden Hour Today
Char Dham Circuit (May)
5:38 AM
6:52 PM
Sunrise
5:38 AM
Golden: 5:10 AM – 6:10 AM
Sunset
6:52 PM
Golden: 6:20 PM – 7:15 PM
Sky quality
88/100
Nearby Photo Spots
Kedarnath Temple at DawnAt the temple — snow peaks glow pink behind the shrine
Bhagirathi Valley near Gangotri2 km from Gangotri — river of light through pine forests
Mana Village Vasudhara Falls5 km from Badrinath — 145 m cascade in golden mist
Auli Meadows16 km from Joshimath — Nanda Devi panorama at sunrise
Devprayag ConfluenceOn return — two rivers merge in different colours