Chardham Yatra
10 Night / 11 days
- Area : Uttarakhand Himalayas
- Duration : 11 Days
- Best Season : April - June
- Grade : Tough
- Altitude : 3987 mts
- Total Trekking : 76 K.M
Char Dham Yatra: Gateway To Spiritual Bliss
Besides being the most beautiful hill station destination with unparalleled natural splendors, Uttarakhand is also the land of spirituality and divinity. Located in the Garhwal Himalayan region, the place houses the most important Hindu pilgrimage place called Char Dham. The four shrines- Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, are collectively known as the Char Dham where Gods and Goddesses made their abodes many centuries back.
The hundreds of thousands of devotees embark on a Char Dham yatra with utter devotion to find the path to salvation (Moksha). This holy yatra is open for all for around six months every year, generally from April to November. The Char Dham pilgrimage yatra starts clockwise from Yamunotri towards Gangotri, Kedarnath, and ends at Badrinath. Visitors can complete the journey either via KAI Taxi service or add a helicopter service to your Char Dham yatra package.
Chardham Yatra Overview
Shri Yamunotri Dham : Among all 4 Dham sites, Yamunotri is the first shrine to visit when commencing the Char Dham Yatra tour. Famous for its shrines and thermal springs, it is the source of the second most sacred river in India- Yamuna. Perched at the top of the Bandarpunch Peak at an altitude of about 3,293meters, the Yamunotri Temple is home to Goddess Yamuna and the holy springs at Janki Chatti. Thousands of devotees pay homage to the goddess on their way to the 4 Dham pilgrimage yatra and take a holy dip in the river to cleanse their dainty souls and protect them from untimely and cursed death.
Shri Gangotri Dham : Surrounded by lofty mountains, roaring chilled waters, glaciers, and thick forests, Gangotri is the second and one of the highest pilgrimage sites in India situated at the height of about 3,415meters above sea level. The most sacred river of Hindus, River Ganga originates here at Gaumukh, which is a 19km trek from Gangotri. According to the Hindu mythological legend, Lord Shiva released Goddess Ganga from his mighty locks, who took the form of the river to wash the sins of King Bhagirath’s ancestors followed by his own penance for centuries. It is believed that Maa Ganga first touched the earth at the Bhagirath Shila where the king meditated to please Lord Shiva. Another mythology follows the legend of great Pandavas who meditated and rested in a cave here on their journey to Kailash. Devotees believe that bathing in the Ganges cleanses the sins of one committed in past and present life and the ancestral rites on the Bhagirathi’s banks free the ancestors’ spirits from the cycle of rebirth.
Shri Kedarnath Dham : Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the third pilgrimage site of the Char Dham Yatra circuit after completing a journey from Yamunotri to Gangotri is Kedarnath. The Kapat of the temple is open to the devotees between April and November after that the deity of the temple is carried down to Ukhimath to be worshiped for the coming six months. According to the Hindu legends, the Kedarnath temple was built by the Pandavas more than a thousand years ago after the sins they committed by killing their cousins, Kauravas, and Brahmins in the epic war in Kurukshetra and sought the blessings of Mahadev for redemption. Kedarnath Temple is the first of the Panch Kedar pilgrimage temples and is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, the holiest shrines of Lord Shiva.
Shri Badrinath Dham :Starting from Yamunotri to Gangotri to Kedarnath, Badrinath is the fourth and last pilgrimage site of the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is also a major part of Chota Char Dham Yatra including Puri, Dwarka, and Rameswaram. Located in the mighty Garhwal Himalayas, on the banks of River Alaknanda, the sacred town is snuggled between Nar and Narayana mountain ranges and is one of the Panch Badri among Yogadhyan, Bhavishya, Bridha, and Adi Badri. Adorned with hot springs, glaciers, dense forests, pristine lakes, and snow-peaked mountains, the temple was originally built by Adi Shankaracharya who discovered an idol of Lord Badrinarayana made of Shaligram stone in the Alaknanda River. He then placed it in a cave near the Tapt Kund hot springs. Another legend associated with it said that Pandavas climbed Swargarohini, the stairs to the heavens, via Badrinath and Mana town. This sacred abode of Vishnu attracts thousands of devotees from the time Kapat or gates of the temple open.
Best time to visit:
There is no ill time when it comes to showing your devotion to the gods and goddesses. However, specifically going to pay homage to a deity and on a sacred Char Dham Yatra, one must consider every aspect of the trip very carefully, primarily outlining the weather, stays, and meals. So, here is the best time to visit Char Dham Yatra.
When the shrines’ gates open:
The gates to the Char Dham shrines remain open for a short period of time of about six months once a year every year. The gates are open for devotees from all around the world from May till mid of November or when the snowfall starts.
Not the ideal time when gates are closed:
The regions on the way to Char Dham receive hilly rainfall in the monsoon season from July to September which makes it difficult to commute and drive. And due to the heavy snowfall in winter, there’s no access to the places as well, and hence the monsoon season is not considered to be the best time to go on a Char Dham Yatra.
Treking Highlights
- Rare Glimpses of Darma Valley
- Scared Lake of Parvati Tal
- Cross gorges, alpine meadows and ridges
- The villages of remote Uttrakhand
- Nights in Hotel/Guest House/Camps
Trek Detailed Itinerary
Day1: Drive from Dehradun to Barkot
Arrive at Dehradun Airport/Railway Station/Bus Stand early in the morning and embark on the way to Barkot with KAI Taxi Service (extra transportation fees are applicable for airport pick-up). Located about 125km away from Dehradun, Barkot is the commencing point to reach the first shrine of 4 Dham Yatra, Yamunotri. Reach your hotel room in Barkot and soak in the breathtaking views of snow-covered Bandarpunch Peak. Have a delicious dinner and go to bed early to leave for Yamunotri the next morning.
Day2: Trek to Yamunotri and Back to Barkot
Post having breakfast, leave early in the morning for Yamunotri. You need to drive to Janki Chatti or Phool Chatti which is about 36 km away from Barkot and then start your trek to Yamunotri via Hanuman Chatti from here which is about 7km each way. After arrival, take a holy bath in the warm waters of Surya Kund and attend the blissful aura at the Yamunotri Temple during the Aarti and pay your respect by doing 'visarjan' on the Divya Shila. Spend some time amid the spiritual and natural atmosphere and start heading back to Barkot for an overnight stay at your pre-booked hotel here.
Day3: Drive From Barkot to Uttarkashi
On this 4th day of your Char Dham Yatra trip package, you will drive to Uttarkashi after a scrumptious breakfast in Barkot. Also known as Shivnagri or the abode of Lord Shiva, Uttarkashi is one of the most sacred and religious places in Uttarakhand to visit. Explore the land of Mahadev and visit Shiv Gufa and Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Stay overnight at the hotel here and rest your day to begin your journey to the second Char Dham site the next morning.
Day4: Drive to Gangotri and Back to Uttarkashi
Situated by the banks of the Bhagirath river, Gangotri is the second pilgrimage destination in the Char Dham Yatra package dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Ganga. According to the Hindu mythological legends, the goddess took the form of a river to relieve the sins of King Bhagirath’s ancestors, following his own atonement and hence considered one of the most important Do Dhams in India. Witness the grand Ganga Aarti in the Gangotri Temple resonating a spiritual peace all around. Visit the Gaumukh or Gangotri Glacier- the origin point of the River Ganges and take a holy dip in the river to seek blessings from Maa Ganga. Drive back to Uttarkashi after a delicious vegan lunch and stay overnight at a hotel.
Day5: Drive From Uttarkashi to Guptkashi
Wake up to the chirping melodies of birds and cold mountain breeze and get ready to leave for Guptkashi after a lip-smacking breakfast at the hotel in Uttarkashi. You will cover the distance of approximately 200km via Ghansali to Tilwada, which is about 70km from Guptkashi. Upon reaching, check in to your booked hotel here, freshen up, and get ready for sightseeing at the ancient temples like Vishwanath temple and Ardhnarishwar temple. If the time allows, explore the quaint villages of Fatta. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Day6: Guptkashi - Gaurikund - Kedarnath
Start your trek to Kedarnath from Gaurikund after a delicious breakfast early in the morning at the hotel. The trek to the Kedarnath is about 18km in distance from the kund which will take approximately 7-8 hours. Head to your pre-booked, all-inclusive hotel/camp and cherish the nature residing under the foot of Lord Shiva. Head towards the Kedarnath temple and heed yourself in the Mantras and Aarti dedicated to Mahadev. Have a delicious dinner near the temple’s vegetarian hotel. Return to your hotel for a sound sleep.
Day 7: Drive From Kedarnath to Ukhimath/Chopta
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the roadside restaurant, and trek down to reach Gaurikund and commence your journey to the fourth important 4 Dham pilgrimage site- Badrinath. Your journey to the last Char Dham pilgrimage shrine will commence upon reaching Ukhimath or Chopta (home to one of the Panch Kedars, Tungnath) from Kedarnath. The journey will take approximately 1-2 hours to cover the distance of approximately 47km and 80km to reach either Ukhimath or Chopta, respectively. Put your belongings in your hotel room and explore the nearby famous tourist attractions of the place. Head back to the hotel for an overnight stay and mouth-watering dinner.
Day 8: Drive From Ukhimath to Joshimath
Have a stomach-full breakfast at the hotel in Ukhimath, check out, and drive to reach Joshimath, which is about 159km away from the village. Upon reaching, place your bags in your pre-booked hotel, have refreshments/lunch, and get ready to explore one of the four Hindu ‘maths,’ Joshimath founded by Guru Shankracharya in the 8th century AD. Offering such spectacular snow-peaked Himalayas, it is bliss for every devotee to visit Tapovan and Narasimha Temple. Stay overnight to get energized for the next pilgrimage yatra.
Day 9: Joshimath - Badrinath - Mana - Joshimath
Leave early in the morning for Badrinath from Joshimath after a lip-smacking meal at the hotel. You will reach the fourth most sacred Dham of this pilgrimage yatra in around 5 hours by covering the distance of around 46 km via road. Upon reaching, soak in the blissful sight and offer prayers to Lord Badrinath, a form of Lord Vishnu, at the Badrinath Temple and visit the nearby places like Narad Kund and Brahma Kapal situated near the Alaknanda banks. Rest and pray till you feel content and head to explore the last village on the Tibet-China border- Mana, which is only 5 minutes away from the Badrinath temple. Explore the charming places of the village like Vyas Cave, Ganesh Cave, and Saraswati Pul. Head back to your hotel in Joshimath and give your muscles the rest for a night.
Day 10: Drive From Joshimath to Srinagar
After absorbing the sacred sight to the sore eyes, wake up early in the morning and get ready to check out from Joshimath after a delicious breakfast with a hot cup of tea. Get ready to drive to Srinagar to start heading back to your home. The drive to Srinagar, Uttarakhand will take about 6-7 hours to cover a distance of about 147km from Joshimath. Put your belongings in your pre-booked hotel upon reaching Srinagar and head out to enjoy the pleasant weather. Visit the famous Kamleshwar Mahadev Temple in Srinagar and admire the abundant natural beauty all around. Stay overnight at the hotel in Srinagar, UK.
Day 11: Drive From Srinagar to Dehradun
This day marks the last day of your trip with us. Pack your belongings and everything mindfully in your bags and check out from the hotel in Srinagar after a mouth-watering breakfast in bed. This journey will cover the distance of approximately 147km from Srinagar to Dehradun. Take in the splendid views in Teen Dhara or Byasi when you stop for lunch. Upon reaching Dehradun, catch a convenience on your way back home along with the lots of great memories from the road.
Char Dham Yatra Cost
This 11 days and 10-night sacred trip to Char Dham Yatra is customizable according to your preference and availability of your days. If you book a complete 4 Dham Yatra package with us, it will cost you a minimum of Rs. 25, 645 per person, all-inclusive, from taxi services, sightseeing, clean hotel rooms and camp, and breakfast and dinner throughout the trip.
However, many devotees and travelers go on a Do Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand that includes two pilgrimage destinations from Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. You can now book 2 Dham Yatra customizable packages hassle-free by calling our travel experts at Kailash Adventure India and also get to know the latest offers and deals on itinerary trip packages.
Treking Inclusions:
- Accommodation in clean and well-maintained rooms and camps throughout the trip
- Breakfast and dinner in the hotel every day during your entire Char Dham Yatra.
- Entry fees in any temples and monuments, if any
- Transportation, toll tax, parking, driver allowance, and sightseeing charges.
- water bottles per day.
Treking Exclusions:
- 5% GST charges
- Travel insurance
- Offerings and donations you may want to make at the temples
- Anything explicitly not mentioned in the 'inclusions'.
Why book with us?
- We keep the payment method to transact securely through the PayPal online payment gateway.
- Compared to what other travel operators provide, we offer the lowest possible cost of the Char Dham Yatra package which includes accommodation, food, and transportation.
- We provide instant confirmation about your trip package booking via email and text messages after successful payment completion.
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