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Char Dham Yatra 2026 — 9N/10D from Haridwar
📅 9N/10D📍 Haridwar → Haridwar🎯 Moderate🚌 Tempo Traveller / Innova📅 May – June & Sept – Oct 2026
✓ 50,000+ pilgrims served✓ Zero commission✓ Est. 2010 · Retd. Army Officer founderFlexible cancellation →
🗓️ Last updated: May 30, 2026 · Season open Apr 19 – Nov 2026✍️ Verified by: Dhanesh Chandra Mishra, Founder, Shiv Ganga Travels (Retd. Army Officer · 15 seasons)
Quick Answer
The Char Dham Yatra Package — 9 Nights 10 Days is a 9-night, 10-day pilgrimage from Haridwar priced from ₹20,999 per person. Run by Shiv Ganga Travels, a direct Haridwar operator since 2010, it is all-inclusive: tempo traveller / innova, twin-sharing hotels, daily breakfast and dinner, guide, VIP darshan assistance, and help with the mandatory Char Dham 2026 registration.
- Price: from ₹20,999/person
- Duration: 9N/10D
- Start: Haridwar
- Season: May – June & Sept – Oct 2026
- Operator: Shiv Ganga Travels (est. 2010)
⏱
Duration
9N/10D
👥
Group
10–40 pilgrims
🏔️
Altitude
Max: Kedarnath 3,583m
🎯
Difficulty
Moderate
🚌
Transport
Tempo Traveller / Innova
📅
Season
May – June & Sept – Oct 2026
Package Pricing — Budget, Deluxe & Premium
All packages cover the same temples and itinerary. The difference is the hotel standard and vehicle type. Choose based on your comfort preference and group size.
🚗 Vehicle-wise Private Taxi Fare (Full Char Dham Route)
| Vehicle | Capacity | Total Fare | Per Person (4 pax) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swift Dzire | 2–3 persons | ₹18,000–24,000 | ~₹10,000 | Budget couple/solo |
| Ertiga / Maruti | 4–5 persons | ₹45,000–60,000 | ~₹12,000 | Small family |
| Innova Crysta | 4–7 persons | ₹55,000–75,000 | ~₹11,000 | Most popular choice |
| Tempo Traveller 12-seater | 8–12 persons | ₹90,000–1.2L | ~₹9,000 | Groups & extended family |
| Tempo Traveller 17-seater | 13–17 persons | ₹1.1L–1.5L | ~₹7,500 | Large group |
* Fares include fuel, toll, parking and driver allowance. Prices are indicative for 2026 season.
Package Highlights
- ✓All 4 Dhams — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinath
- ✓6 km trek / pony ride to Yamunotri from Janki Chatti
- ✓Divya Shila puja + Surya Kund (94°C) hot spring ritual
- ✓Gangotri temple darshan + Bhagirathi holy river dip
- ✓16 km Kedarnath trek from Gaurikund (pony optional)
- ✓Brahma Muhurta rudrabhishek at Kedarnath Jyotirlinga
- ✓Badrinath darshan + Tapt Kund + Mana village visit
🗓️ Brief Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1:
Arrive Haridwar — Ganga Aarti
Day 2:
Haridwar → Barkot (220 km | 7–8 hrs)
Day 3:
Barkot → Yamunotri Darshan → Barkot
Day 4:
Barkot → Uttarkashi (100 km | 4 hrs)
Day 5:
Uttarkashi → Gangotri → Uttarkashi
Day 6:
Uttarkashi → Guptkashi (210 km | 7 hrs)
Day 7:
Guptkashi → Gaurikund → Kedarnath Trek
Day 8:
Kedarnath Full Darshan → Guptkashi
Day 9:
Guptkashi → Joshimath → Badrinath
Day 10:
Badrinath → Mana Village → Haridwar
🗓️ Day-wise Itinerary (Detailed)
D1
Arrive Haridwar — Ganga Aarti
Our representative receives you at Haridwar railway station. Check in to hotel, freshen up. Evening attend the magnificent Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri — the most auspicious welcome to your Char Dham Yatra 2026. Briefing by your guide. Overnight Haridwar.
D2
Haridwar → Barkot (220 km | 7–8 hrs)
Depart 6 AM via Rishikesh, Chamba, Naugaon to Barkot — gateway to Yamunotri. En route enjoy views of the Yamuna Valley and dense forests. Check in, dinner, overnight Barkot (1,220m).
D3
Barkot → Yamunotri Darshan → Barkot
Early morning drive to Janki Chatti (36 km). Begin 6 km trek (pony/palki available). Worship at Divya Shila before entering Yamunotri temple (3,291m). Cook potatoes in Surya Kund (94°C) as prasad. Seek blessings of Goddess Yamuna. Return trek, drive to Barkot. Overnight.
D4
Barkot → Uttarkashi (100 km | 4 hrs)
Scenic drive via Dharali valley to Uttarkashi — "Kashi of the Mountains." Visit the ancient Kashi Vishwanath temple and Shakti Devi temple with its legendary 6-metre trident. Walk on the banks of Bhagirathi river. Overnight Uttarkashi (1,165m).
D5
Uttarkashi → Gangotri → Uttarkashi
Drive 100 km to Gangotri (3,415m) through Harsil valley. Morning aarti at the riverside Gangotri temple. Perform Asthapadhi Snana (holy dip in Bhagirathi). Visit Suryakund, Brahma Kund and Bhagirath Shila. Evening aarti. Return to Uttarkashi. Overnight.
D6
Uttarkashi → Guptkashi (210 km | 7 hrs)
Long scenic drive via Tehri Dam, Devprayag (confluence of Bhagirathi & Alaknanda), Srinagar, Rudraprayag to Guptkashi — gateway to Kedarnath. Visit twin temples of Kashi Vishwanath & Ardhanarishwar. Overnight Guptkashi (1,319m).
D7
Guptkashi → Gaurikund → Kedarnath Trek
3 AM departure. Drive to Sonprayag, shared jeep to Gaurikund. Ritual dip in Gaurikund hot spring. Begin 16 km trek: Jungle Chatti (4 km) → Bheem Bali (9 km) → Linchauli (13 km) → Kedarnath temple (16 km, 3,583m). Evening darshan at the Jyotirlinga. Overnight at Kedarnath.
D8
Kedarnath Full Darshan → Guptkashi
4 AM Brahma Muhurta rudrabhishek puja. Morning aarti. Visit Shankaracharya Samadhi (behind temple) and Bhairavnath temple. Optional: 1 km walk to Gandhi Sarovar glacial lake. Descent begins 9 AM. Return Guptkashi. Overnight.
D9
Guptkashi → Joshimath → Badrinath
Drive via Ukhimath, Chamoli, Pipalkoti, Joshimath (Narsingh Temple). Arrive Badrinath (3,133m) by afternoon. Tapt Kund thermal bath (45°C). Evening mahabhishek darshan at Badrivishal. Overnight Badrinath.
D10
Badrinath → Mana Village → Haridwar
4 AM Bal Bhog darshan. Visit Mana village (3 km) — Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, Bhim Pul, Saraswati River origin. Brahamakapal pitru puja. Return drive via Joshimath, Rishikesh. Evening Ganga Aarti Haridwar. Tour ends. Certificate + prasad.
✅ What's Included / Excluded
✅ Included
✓Accommodation on twin/triple sharing basis at hotels/lodges
✓Daily vegetarian breakfast & dinner (Jain options available)
✓Private AC vehicle — Tempo Traveller / Innova Crysta / SUV
✓Local experienced guide + pujari for temple darshans
✓All toll charges, parking, state taxes, driver allowance
✓Basic first-aid kit + oxygen cylinder on vehicle
✓Yatra biometric registration assistance
✓Pickup & drop at Haridwar railway station / bus stand
❌ Not Included
✗Train / flight tickets to / from Haridwar or Dehradun
✗Pony, palki or porter charges at Yamunotri & Kedarnath
✗Helicopter charges (available at extra cost)
✗Personal expenses — laundry, tips, room heater, phone calls
✗Temple donations, special puja or abhishek fees
✗Medical expenses and travel insurance
✗Lunch on road journey days
✗Anything not specifically mentioned in inclusions
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much does the Char Dham Yatra package from Haridwar cost in 2026?
Our 9N/10D Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar starts at ₹19,500 per person on the budget tier (shared Tempo Traveller, clean guesthouses). Deluxe with an Innova Crysta and 2–3 star hotels runs ₹27,500–₹35,000. A private couple package is roughly ₹39,000–₹70,000 depending on tier. These are direct operator rates — no agent margin sits on top.
Q. What is included in the package?
AC transport for the full route, twin-sharing hotels, daily breakfast and dinner, an experienced driver-cum-guide, pujari assistance at the temples, an oxygen cylinder in the vehicle, help with the mandatory Char Dham registration, and pickup/drop at Haridwar railway station. Pony, palki and helicopter at Kedarnath are extra.
Q. Is the Char Dham 2026 registration mandatory, and do you handle it?
Yes. Every pilgrim must register on the Uttarakhand government Tourist Care portal (registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in) before darshan, and you cannot enter Kedarnath or Yamunotri without the QR slip. We complete the registration for every guest on the package using your ID and photo — you do not have to fight the portal yourself.
Q. Is the Kedarnath trek mandatory?
No. The 16 km from Gaurikund can be done on foot, by pony (₹3,500–4,500), palki (₹8,000–12,000) or helicopter (from ₹3,043 one way, official IRCTC fare). We book any of these for you. Most fit pilgrims walk up and ride down; senior travellers usually take the pony both ways.
Q. Can I do this Char Dham Yatra from Delhi or Noida instead of Haridwar?
Yes. The package is built around a Haridwar start, but we run pickups from Delhi, Noida, Gurugram and Dehradun for an add-on of roughly ₹2,000–₹3,500 per person, or you can take a train to Haridwar and we receive you at the station. See our Char Dham Yatra from Delhi page for the door-pickup version.
Q. How is this different from the IRCTC Char Dham package?
IRCTC runs large fixed-departure group tours on a set calendar. We are a Haridwar-based operator, so departures are flexible (any date you pick), groups are smaller, the itinerary can be customised, and you deal directly with the people running your trip rather than a call centre. Our rates also tend to undercut the equivalent IRCTC tier because there is no middle layer.
Q. Is this package suitable for senior citizens and families?
Very much so — it is our most-booked family option. We arrange ground-floor rooms, a slower pace where needed, pony or palki at Kedarnath, and the oxygen cylinder travels with you. For pilgrims over 70 or with heart/BP conditions, tell us in advance and we adjust rest days and the Kedarnath plan.
Q. When does Char Dham Yatra 2026 open and close?
Confirmed 2026 dates: Yamunotri and Gangotri open April 19 (Akshaya Tritiya), Kedarnath April 22 (8:00 AM), Badrinath April 23. Closing on Bhai Dooj: Yamunotri Nov 11, Gangotri Nov 10, Kedarnath Nov 11, Badrinath Nov 13. May–June and Sept–Oct are the most comfortable windows.
📖 Related Guides & Resources
🔄 You Might Also Like
🎒 Packing List for This Yatra
Clothing
✓Heavy jacket / down vest
✓Thermal inner layers (2 sets)
✓Woollen cap, gloves, socks
✓Waterproof poncho / raincoat
✓Comfortable trekking shoes
Health
✓Personal medicines (with extra)
✓Altitude sickness tablets
✓ORS sachets & glucose tablets
✓Pulse oximeter (small, cheap)
✓Sunscreen SPF 50+
Documents
✓Aadhaar card / valid ID
✓Char Dham registration QR
✓Medical fitness certificate (50+)
✓Travel insurance document
✓Emergency contact card (printed)
Practical
✓Power bank (20,000 mAh)
✓Cash (₹5,000–10,000 minimum)
✓Reusable water bottle (1L)
✓Light torch / headlamp
✓Walking stick (collapsible)
💡 We share a detailed packing checklist PDF with every confirmed booking. WhatsApp us to receive it in advance.
💡 15 Essential Travel Tips for This Yatra
1Complete Char Dham biometric registration before leaving home — you cannot proceed past Rishikesh/Haridwar checkpoints without it.
2Start driving by 6 AM every day. Night driving is prohibited on Himalayan roads after 9 PM for safety reasons.
3Pack warm clothes even in May–June. Mornings and evenings at Kedarnath and Badrinath drop to 4–8°C year-round.
4Carry at least ₹7,000–10,000 in cash. ATMs are sparse, unreliable, and frequently out of cash in peak season.
5Book hotels in advance at Barkot, Uttarkashi, Guptkashi, and Joshimath — all four fill up by noon in May-June.
6Pre-book Kedarnath helicopter from the IRCTC portal (heliyatra.irctc.co.in) 60+ days in advance for peak season.
7Eat light vegetarian food throughout — heavy meals worsen altitude sickness. Dhabas along the route serve dal-rice and rotis.
8Stay hydrated — drink 3–4 litres of water daily at high altitude. Avoid alcohol entirely; it worsens acclimatisation.
9Jio and Airtel work better than Vi/BSNL on the Char Dham route. Airtel is more reliable near Kedarnath.
10Poncho / raincoat is essential even in May. Afternoon showers are common at all four dhams.
11For Kedarnath trek, start no later than 6 AM. The path gets crowded and unsafe to return after 2 PM.
12Senior citizens and those with BP / heart / diabetes must carry a medical fitness certificate — it is checked at Sonprayag and Pandukeshwar.
13Respect the "no photography inside temple sanctum" rule strictly. Cameras and phones are banned inside Kedarnath temple from 2026.
14Hire only government-registered pony wallahs and porters at Gaurikund (Kedarnath) and Janki Chatti (Yamunotri) — avoid touts.
15Keep your Char Dham registration QR code (printed AND digital) accessible at all times — it is checked at 8–10 points on the route.
🚨 Emergency Contacts & Yatra Helplines
Uttarakhand Disaster Helpline
1070
24/7 emergency
Police Helpline
100
All districts
Ambulance / Medical
108
Free, 24/7
Kedarnath Control Room
+91-1364-222-734
During yatra season
GMVN Enquiry
+91-135-2746817
Accommodation
Shiv Ganga Travels
+91-7817996730
24/7 on-ground support
Save the Uttarakhand Disaster Helpline (1070) and ambulance number (108) in your phone before departing. Mountain networks can be patchy — also note numbers on paper. Our team at Shiv Ganga Travels is on WhatsApp 24/7 during your yatra.
📅 Best Season to Book — Price & Crowd Guide
| Month | Season | Crowd level | Typical package price | Weather at Kedarnath | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | Opening | Very high | ₹22,000–₹28,000 | 5–18°C, clear | High demand — book 3 months early |
| June | Peak | Very high | ₹22,000–₹28,000 | 8–18°C, some rain | Peak pilgrim rush — book 2–3 months early |
| July–Aug | Monsoon | Low | ₹16,000–₹20,000 | 10–15°C, heavy rain | Landslide risk — not recommended |
| September | Post-monsoon | Medium | ₹18,000–₹22,000 | 0–15°C, crisp | Hidden gem — best skies, fewer crowds |
| October | Last season | Medium-low | ₹17,000–₹21,000 | -2 to 10°C | Great value — dhams open till Nov 11 |
| November (1–13) | Closing | Very low | ₹14,000–₹18,000 | -5 to 5°C | Last chance — temple closes mid-November |
💡 September and October are our most consistently rated months across 15 years. Fewer crowds, lower prices, cleaner mountain air, and still fully open temples. Many repeat pilgrims specifically choose October.
⛰️ Altitude & Health — What Every Pilgrim Must Know
🩺 Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS)
Kedarnath (3,583m) and Badrinath (3,133m) are high-altitude shrines. AMS symptoms — headache, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness — can affect anyone regardless of fitness. Our driver carries an oxygen cylinder. Spend one night at Guptkashi (1,319m) before ascending to acclimatize. If symptoms worsen, descend immediately.
📱 Network & Connectivity
BSNL works best throughout the Char Dham route and at Kedarnath temple. Jio works at Gaurikund and lower altitudes. Airtel/Vi have limited to no signal above Sonprayag. Buy a BSNL SIM before departure if you need to stay connected during the trek.
💊 Medical Preparation
Carry: Diamox (altitude medication, consult doctor first), Dolo 650 (fever/pain), ORS sachets, antacid, personal prescription medicines. Medical camps are placed every 3–5km on the Kedarnath route. Our vehicle carries a basic first aid kit and oxygen.
🍽️ Food & Hydration
Eat light vegetarian meals — dal, rice, sabzi, chapati. Avoid oily or heavy food at altitude. Drink 3–4 litres of water daily. Do NOT drink tea/chai at altitude as it dehydrates. Packaged biscuits and dry fruits for energy during the trek.
📍 Why Start Your Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar?
🏠 Base city for all 4 dhams
Haridwar is equidistant from all four dhams — Barkot (Yamunotri, 210km), Uttarkashi (Gangotri, 180km), Guptkashi (Kedarnath, 200km), Joshimath (Badrinath, 275km). Rishikesh is only 24km from Haridwar and adds 1 hour. Starting from Delhi adds 250km (4–5 hours) each way.
🚂 Best rail connectivity
Haridwar Railway Station has direct trains from Delhi (Mussoorie Express, Jan Shatabdi), Mumbai (Dehradun Express), Kolkata (Doon Express), Lucknow, Jaipur, Chandigarh and almost every major city. Rishikesh station is 3km further. Dehradun station adds 55km drive.
🙏 Sacred start — Ganga Aarti
Every Char Dham Yatra begins with the evening Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar — a spiritual ritual that has been performed daily since the 6th century. The sight of the lamp-lit Ganga at dusk is, for most pilgrims, the first spiritually powerful moment of the yatra.
🏢 Our office is here
We are based at Saptrishi Road, Bhupatwala, Haridwar — 5 minutes from Har Ki Pauri. Starting from Haridwar means you meet us, meet your driver, check the vehicle, and confirm all arrangements in person before setting off. This is not possible if we send a vehicle from Delhi.
📋 Char Dham Yatra 2026 Registration — and How We Handle It For You
Registration is compulsory in 2026. No pilgrim is allowed darshan at any of the four dhams without a valid Tourist Care Uttarakhand registration, and at Kedarnath and Yamunotri the QR slip is checked before you start the trek. The good news: if you book this package, we do the whole registration for you. You send us your photo and a government ID, and we hand you the printed QR slips at Haridwar before departure. You never touch the portal.
If you would rather register yourself, it is free and takes about ten minutes on the official government site — registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in. Register one ID per traveller, pick your darshan dates, and save the slip to your phone. Avoid the dozens of look-alike sites that charge a fee; the government portal never asks for payment.
🗓️ Char Dham 2026 Opening & Closing Dates (Confirmed)
| Dham | Opens (Kapat) | Closes | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamunotri | 19 April 2026 | 11 Nov 2026 | Mandatory |
| Gangotri | 19 April 2026 | 10 Nov 2026 | Mandatory |
| Kedarnath | 22 April 2026 | 11 Nov 2026 | Mandatory |
| Badrinath | 23 April 2026 | 13 Nov 2026 | Mandatory |
Yamunotri and Gangotri open together on Akshaya Tritiya; Kedarnath and Badrinath follow a day or two later. Dates are set by the temple committees each year and are confirmed for 2026. Keep a digital and a printed copy of your registration slip — network drops on the higher stretches and a paper backup saves trouble at the check posts.
🏔️ Why 50,000+ Pilgrims Choose Shiv Ganga Travels
🎖️ Founded by a Retired Army Officer
Shiv Ganga Travels was founded in 2010 by Dhanesh Chandra Mishra, a retired officer of the Indian Army. Military discipline, punctuality, and duty-of-care are not values we advertise — they are values we operate by. Every single departure runs on schedule.
📍 Based in Haridwar — Not Delhi
Our office is at Saptrishi Road, Bhupatwala, Haridwar — 5 minutes from Har Ki Pauri. We are the operator, not a broker. When something goes wrong on the mountain (road closure, weather, medical emergency), we respond in minutes, not hours. Delhi-based aggregators call a subcontractor. We call our own driver.
⭐ 4.6/5 · 38 Verified Google Reviews
Every one of our 38 reviews is from a real pilgrim — verifiable on Google Maps (Place ID: 16074078434377735602). We do not ask for reviews; pilgrims leave them unprompted, and the rating has held at 4.6/5 over 15 seasons. Verify on Google Maps →
📋 Uttarakhand Tourism Registered
Registered with the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board. Member of IATO (Indian Association of Tour Operators). All our vehicles have valid tourism permits and are insured. Our drivers hold Uttarakhand hill-route licences. You can verify our registration at the Haridwar Tourism office.
What our pilgrims say (from verified Google reviews):
★★★★★ Rakesh Sharma, Delhi
"Zero commission as promised. Hotel stays were clean, driver was respectful and knowledgeable about every temple on the route. The VIP darshan at Kedarnath saved us 4 hours of queue. Will do Char Dham again next year with Shiv Ganga."
★★★★★ Priya Mehta, Mumbai
"My 72-year-old mother did Char Dham with them. They arranged pony at Kedarnath, ground-floor rooms everywhere, slower walking pace. Dhanesh ji personally called twice to check on her. This is not what you get from an online aggregator."
★★★★★ Suresh & Kamla Gupta, Jaipur
"We did the senior citizen package. The driver Ramesh ji was with us for 12 days like family. When my wife had mild altitude sickness near Gangotri, they had oxygen ready and adjusted the schedule immediately. No panic, complete professionalism."
Why 50,000+ Pilgrims Choose Shiv Ganga Travels
🎖️ Founded by a Retired Army Officer
Shiv Ganga Travels was founded in 2010 by Dhanesh Chandra Mishra, a retired officer of the Indian Army. Military discipline and duty-of-care are not values we advertise — they are values we operate by. Every departure runs on schedule.
📍 Based in Haridwar — Not an Aggregator
Our office is at Saptrishi Road, Bhupatwala, Haridwar — 5 minutes from Har Ki Pauri. We are the operator. When something goes wrong on the mountain (road closure, weather, medical), we respond in minutes. Delhi-based aggregators call a subcontractor. We call our own driver.
⭐ 4.6/5 · 38 Verified Google Reviews
Every review is from a real pilgrim — verifiable on Google Maps. We do not solicit reviews; pilgrims leave them unprompted. Our 4.6/5 rating over 15 years has currently at 4.6/5.
📋 Uttarakhand Tourism Registered
Registered with Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board. Member of IATO. All vehicles hold valid tourism permits and hill-route licences. Registration verifiable at the Haridwar Tourism office.
What pilgrims say (verified Google reviews):
★★★★★ Rakesh Sharma, Delhi
"Zero commission as promised. Hotel stays were clean, driver knowledgeable. VIP darshan at Kedarnath saved us 4 hours of queue. Will return next year."
★★★★★ Priya Mehta, Mumbai
"My 72-year-old mother did Char Dham with them. Pony at Kedarnath, ground-floor rooms, slower pace arranged. Dhanesh ji personally called twice to check on her. This is not what you get from an online aggregator."
★★★★★ Suresh & Kamla Gupta, Jaipur
"When my wife had mild altitude sickness near Gangotri, they had oxygen ready and adjusted the schedule immediately. No panic, complete professionalism. 12 days felt like travelling with family."
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