Char Dham Yatra

Kathmandu → Uttarakhand

Highlights

• The journey of a lifetime through the four sacred abodes of the Himalayas — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinath.
• Pilgrimage · 10 days / 9 nights
• Small group, guide-led

Day-by-day itinerary

1. D1

   Haridwar to Barkot (Yamunotri Base)

   Depart Haridwar at 6:00 AM and drive to Barkot (1,220m). En route, stop at Kempty Falls and Mussoorie viewpoints. Evening briefing on the yatra route, altitude preparation, and spiritual significance. Preparation: Pack woolens, rain gear, and basic medicines for altitude; Char Dham requires walking at high altitude — build stamina before travel.

   Uttarakhand As per plan

2. D2

   Yamunotri Trek & Darshan

   Drive to Janki Chatti, then trek 6km to Yamunotri (3,293m). The trail passes through dense forests of rhododendron and pine. Darshan of the black marble Divya Shila marking the goddess Yamuna's presence. Dip in the hot water spring at Surya Kund — a miracle of geothermal heat in the freezing Himalayas. Descend to Barkot by evening.

   Uttarakhand As per plan

3. D3

   Barkot to Uttarkashi (Gangotri Base)

   Drive through the Bhagirathi valley to Uttarkashi (1,158m). Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple of Uttarkashi and the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. Evening: Attend a satsang (spiritual discourse) at a local ashram. Cultural tip: Listen to stories of King Bhagiratha, who performed severe penance to bring the Ganga from heaven to earth.

   Uttarakhand As per plan

4. D4

   Gangotri Darshan & Return

   Drive 100km to Gangotri (3,100m), the source of the Ganga River. Darshan at the white granite temple built by the Gorkha general Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th century. Walk to the submerged Shiva rock (Bhagirath Shila) where King Bhagiratha is believed to have meditated. Collect Ganga Jal (sacred water) in copper vessels. Return to Uttarkashi.

   Uttarakhand As per plan

5. D5

   Uttarkashi to Guptkashi (Kedarnath Base)

   Long scenic drive to Guptkashi (1,319m), stopping at the Tehri Dam viewpoint. Visit the ancient Vishwanath Temple at Guptkashi, where Shiva is said to have hidden (gupt) from the Pandavas. Evening preparation for the Kedarnath trek: Pack light, carry energy bars, and prepare for a 16km uphill trek.

   Uttarakhand As per plan

6. D6

   Kedarnath Trek & Darshan

   Drive to Gaurikund, then trek 16km to Kedarnath (3,583m). Pass through meadows with views of the Chaukhamba peaks. Evening Aarti at the ancient stone temple. The hump-shaped Jyotirlinga represents Shiva in his Sadashiva form — the eternal, unmanifest divine. Cultural learning: Note the absence of Nandi at Kedarnath — a unique feature among Shiva temples.

   Uttarakhand As per plan

7. D7

   Kedarnath to Badrinath via Joshimath

   Trek down to Gaurikund and drive to Badrinath via Joshimath. En route, cross the 3,000m high mountain passes with panoramic Himalayan views. Stop at Joshimath, the winter seat of Badrinath when the main temple is snowbound. Overnight at Badrinath (3,133m).

   Uttarakhand As per plan

8. D8

   Badrinath Darshan & Mana Village

   Early morning darshan of Lord Badrinath — the black stone idol of Vishnu seated in padmasana, flanked by Nara and Narayana. After Aarti, visit Mana Village (3km away) — India's last village before Tibet. See the Bhim Pul (natural rock bridge) and the Saraswati River emerging from a cave. Cultural tip: Purchase locally woven shawls from Bhotia weavers.

   Uttarakhand As per plan

9. D9

   Badrinath to Rudraprayag

   Drive to Rudraprayag, stopping at the five sacred confluences (Panch Prayag). At each Prayag, perform a small ritual offering to Mother Ganga. The Vishnuprayag, Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag, and Devprayag together represent the complete merging of Himalayan rivers into the Ganga. Evening: Reflect on the journey's spiritual significance.

   Uttarakhand As per plan

10. D10

    Return to Haridwar

    Final drive to Haridwar via Rishikesh. Dip in the Ganga at Har Ki Pauri and attend the evening Aarti — the perfect culmination of your Char Dham journey. Receive a yatra completion certificate and sacred Ganga water from all four dhams. Depart with blessings believed to liberate the soul.

    Uttarakhand As per plan

Price includes

• Local storyteller guide
• Stays as per itinerary
• Daily breakfast
• All ground transfers

Make it yours (upsells)

Everything apart from the trip itself is an upsell — tick what you want.