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.