Planning a Char Dham Yatra can feel overwhelming — four high-altitude shrines, 10–12 days of travel, mountain weather, and complex logistics. This complete guide covers everything from the route and cost to registration and what to pack, so you arrive fully prepared for one of Hinduism's most sacred journeys.
What is the Char Dham Yatra?
The Char Dham Yatra consists of four sacred shrines in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand state, India. The four dhams are:
Yamunotri (3,291m)
Goddess Yamuna
Source of the Yamuna river. First stop on the circuit.
Gangotri (3,415m)
Goddess Ganga
Origin of the holy Ganga river. Accessible by road.
Kedarnath (3,583m)
Lord Shiva
12th Jyotirlinga. Requires a 16 km trek from Gaurikund.
Badrinath (3,133m)
Lord Vishnu
Final dham. Motor road to temple. Mana village nearby.
You don't conquer the Char Dham — you surrender to it. Our only job is to make sure the logistics never break your focus.— Dhanesh Chandra Mishra, Founder — Shiv Ganga Travels
Best Time for Char Dham Yatra 2026
The temples open in May (Akshaya Tritiya) and close in November (Bhai Dooj). The ideal windows are:
May – Mid June — Spring season, post-opening rush, pleasant weather. Book 90 days ahead.
Mid September – October — Post-monsoon, crystal-clear views, less crowded. Best season overall.
July – August — Heavy monsoon, landslide risk. Avoid.
November – April — Temples closed, snow-covered roads. Not accessible.
Char Dham Yatra Route from Haridwar
The complete route follows a clockwise direction and covers approximately 1,200 km by road plus trekking:
A complete Char Dham Yatra package from a reputable operator like Shiv Ganga Travels costs between ₹13,900 and ₹30,000 per person by road, depending on the package type — the helicopter charter is a separate product at ₹2,30,000. Here is what is typically included:
Hotel Accommodation
✅ Included
All nights, twin sharing
Daily Meals
✅ Included
Breakfast + dinner, veg
Private AC Vehicle
✅ Included
Innova / Tempo Traveller
Local Guide
✅ Included
Experienced Garhwali guide
Biometric Registration
✅ Included
Mandatory, handled for you
Toll & Parking
✅ Included
All charges covered
Kedarnath Trek
✅ Included
Pony/helicopter extra
Train Tickets
❌ Extra
Delhi/city → Haridwar
Char Dham Yatra Registration 2026
Since 2017, all Char Dham Yatra pilgrims must complete mandatory biometric registration on the Uttarakhand Tourism portal. Daily pilgrim limits are enforced at Kedarnath and Badrinath. Shiv Ganga Travels handles the complete registration for all our pilgrims — just provide your Aadhaar/passport, a photo, and travel dates.
Char Dham Yatra Packing List
👗 Clothing
Heavy jacket / fleece
Rain poncho
Thermal innerwear
Trekking shoes
Woollen socks & cap
💊 Health
Your regular medicines
Diamox (altitude)
ORS sachets
Sunscreen SPF 50
Lip balm
📋 Documents
Aadhaar / Passport (original)
Yatra registration card
Emergency contact list
Cash ₹5,000+ extra
🎒 Essentials
Power bank
Reusable water bottle
Dry snacks & energy bars
Small torch / headlamp
Frequently Asked Questions
Travel in May or September–October. May (8–22°C) gives you blooming rhododendrons, clear skies and smooth trekking conditions. September–October delivers post-monsoon crystal visibility, fewer crowds, and vivid autumn colours on the Kedarnath descent. Avoid July–August — the monsoon causes landslides on both the Kedarnath and Gangotri routes. The 2026 season opens April 19 (Yamunotri and Gangotri), April 22 (Kedarnath), and April 23 (Badrinath).
Yes — registration is mandatory and enforced at police checkpoints. You register online at the Uttarakhand Tourism portal or in person at biometric centres in Haridwar and Rishikesh. Register before you leave home. Police turn back unregistered pilgrims at Sonprayag (Kedarnath route) and other checkpoints, even if you have driven 6 hours from Haridwar. We handle registration for all pilgrims in our packages.
Our Char Dham packages start at ₹13,900 per person for 9N/10D all-inclusive from Haridwar — that covers your vehicle, hotels, guide, meals, pony/palki charges and VIP darshan assistance at all 4 dhams. Note: AC is standard in plains; in hilly areas it can be availed at ₹2,000 extra. Deluxe options (Innova Crysta, 3-star hotels) run ₹30,000. The Char Dham by helicopter package is ₹2,30,000 — helicopter charter is genuinely expensive and any "helicopter package" advertised near ₹85,000 is a road package with IRCTC shuttle tickets bought separately. All prices are direct — no agent commission, no hidden charges.
The circuit follows a clockwise direction: Haridwar → Barkot → Yamunotri (Day 3) → Uttarkashi → Gangotri (Day 5) → Guptkashi → Kedarnath (Day 7) → Rudraprayag → Badrinath (Day 9-10) → return to Haridwar (Day 11). Total road distance: approximately 1,100km. Yamunotri requires a 6km trek from Janki Chatti. Kedarnath requires a 16km trek from Gaurikund. Gangotri and Badrinath are fully motorable.
Yes — with the right package and planning. We run a dedicated Senior Citizen Char Dham package (12N/13D) that includes pony charges at Yamunotri and Kedarnath, palki service if needed, ground-floor hotel rooms, an extra acclimatisation day before Kedarnath, and oxygen cylinders in every vehicle. Over 30% of our pilgrims each year are 60+ years old. Our drivers and guides are trained for altitude-related health situations.
You need to be able to walk 6km uphill (Yamunotri) and 16km (Kedarnath). Badrinath and Gangotri are fully motorable — no trekking required. For Kedarnath, pony (₹1,200–1,500 one way) and helicopter (from ₹3,043 one way via IRCTC) are available as alternatives. Most pilgrims aged 18–70 with no serious cardiac or respiratory conditions complete the Kedarnath trek without assistance. Carry a medical fitness certificate if you are 60+ or have any pre-existing condition.
WhatsApp us at +91-7817996730 with your preferred dates, group size, and city. We send a detailed custom itinerary with exact pricing within 2 hours. A 25% advance payment secures your booking and holds your hotel and darshan slots. We accept UPI, bank transfer and major cards. No booking fee, no processing charge.
Yes. Our Char Dham by helicopter package covers all 4 dhams in 5N/6D from Dehradun (Sahastradhara Helipad). Helicopters land at dedicated helipads near each temple: Kharsali (Yamunotri, 1km walk), Harsil (Gangotri, 25km road), Phata or Sersi (Kedarnath, VIP darshan), Badrinath (adjacent to temple). Package price: ₹2,30,000 per person all-inclusive, with the charter flown by a DGCA-approved third-party operator. Note the distinction: this is a full charter. Kedarnath shuttle seats booked individually are a separate product and are sold only on the IRCTC HeliYatra portal.
Dhanesh Chandra Mishra is a retired Indian Army officer who founded Shiv Ganga Travels in Roorkee, Uttarakhand in 2010. His military background — precision, accountability, zero tolerance for shortcuts — defines how the company operates. He has personally driven the Kedarnath and Badrinath routes hundreds of times and remains actively involved in every yatra season.
✓ Retired Indian Army Officer✓ Founded Shiv Ganga Travels 2010✓ 50,000+ pilgrims served✓ 15 seasons on Char Dham routes