Chardham Yatra Packages

About the Chardham Yatra

The Chardham Yatra is one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Hinduism — a four-temple Himalayan journey that connects the source rivers of north India: Yamuna, Ganga, Mandakini and Alaknanda. Set across the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, the four dhams are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.

Yamunotri is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna; Gangotri to Goddess Ganga; Kedarnath is the abode of Lord Shiva; and Badrinath the abode of Lord Vishnu. Together, they form what is considered the most important pilgrimage every Hindu hopes to undertake at least once in a lifetime — said to free the soul from the cycle of birth and death.

But the Chardham is more than a pilgrimage. It is also a Himalayan adventure of high-altitude treks, snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows and pristine glacial rivers — drawing both pilgrims and adventure travellers from across India and the world.

The temples open every year on Akshaya Tritiya (April–May) and close around Diwali (October–November), after which the deities of Kedarnath and Badrinath move to their winter abodes at Ukhimath and Joshimath respectively.

Best Time to Visit

Uttarakhand’s mountain weather is famously unpredictable, so timing matters.

• Late April – Mid June — the ideal window. Pleasant weather, freshly opened temples, longer days.
• July – September — avoid the heavy monsoon. Roads in this region are highly prone to landslides and flash floods.
• Late September – Early November — second-best window. Crisp autumn skies just before the temples close for winter.
• November – April — the temples are closed. The deities of Kedarnath and Badrinath move to their winter abodes (Ukhimath and Joshimath respectively) for daily darshan.

The Four Dhams

1. Yamunotri — Source of the Yamuna

At an altitude of 3,293 m (10,804 ft), Yamunotri is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and is the first stop of the traditional Chardham route. The temple sits on the Bandarpoonch peaks and the river is sourced from the Champasar Glacier on Kalind Mountain.

The mythological belief: prayer at the idol, a dip in the holy waters and partaking the prasad will free a devotee from sins and lead the soul towards heaven. Yamuna is described in the Mahabharata as one of the seven tributaries of the Ganga.

Places to Visit Around Yamunotri

• Janki Chatti hot springs
• Hanuman Chatti
• Kharsali — winter home of Goddess Yamuna
• Barkot — gateway town with hotel options
• Uttarkashi
• Raithal & Barsu villages
• Dayara Bugyal — high-altitude meadow trek

Local Food in Yamunotri Region

The Garhwal kitchen is hearty and healthy. Try Phaanu (a thick lentil-cake gravy), Baadi (potato fry with red chillies and coriander), Aloo ke Gutke (boiled-and-crushed potatoes with garlic and cumin — said to help blood circulation in cold weather), and Chainsoo, a unique soup of roasted black lentils and grains.

2. Gangotri — Source of the Ganga

Perched at 3,042 m in the Uttarkashi district, Gangotri is dedicated to Goddess Ganga. The river that India worships is born here from the Gangotri Glacier — though for the first stretch she is called Bhagirathi, taking the name Ganga only after the river meets the Alaknanda at Devprayag.

The town strictly observes vegetarian rules out of respect for the temple’s sanctity — non-vegetarian food and alcohol are prohibited within the area. Pick up handwoven Gangotri woollens as a souvenir.

Places to Visit Around Gangotri

• Gangotri Temple
• Bhagirathi Glacier (3 km from temple)
• Gaumukh — true source of the Ganga (18 km trek)
• Tapovan — high-altitude meadow above Gaumukh
• Kedar Tal — challenging glacial lake trek
• Dodi Tal
• Gangotri National Park
• Auden’s Col / Kalindi Khal — expert-only treks

Local Food in Gangotri

Strict vegetarian only. Try Pahari Mixture (mountain radish and potato fry with whole spices), Black Magic Dal (roasted-and-ground black lentils — earthy and distinctive), and the simple comfort of hot khichdi with desi ghee at riverside dhabas.

3. Kedarnath — Abode of Shiva

Kedarnath sits at a breathtaking 3,583 m (11,755 ft) and is the most physically demanding of the four dhams. The temple is reached only via a 16 km uphill trek from Gaurikund, or by helicopter from Phata, Sersi or Guptkashi.

For pilgrims with respiratory or heart conditions, the helicopter option is strongly recommended. Trekking pilgrims must start by 1:30 PM at the latest — the trail closes for ascent after that for safety.

The reward: cotton-candy clouds, glaciers, waterfalls, alpine meadows and one of the most powerful spiritual atmospheres of any Indian pilgrimage. The temple was rebuilt by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century AD.

Places to Visit Around Kedarnath

• Kedarnath Temple itself
• Bhairavnath Temple — protector of Kedarnath, just behind the main shrine
• Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi
• Gandhi Sarovar (Chorabari Tal)
• Vasuki Tal — alpine lake trek
• Triyuginarayan Temple — believed to be where Shiva and Parvati were married
• Gaurikund — trek base, hot springs
• Sonprayag & Phata — road-end and helicopter base

Local Food Around Kedarnath

Sample authentic Garhwali fare in Sonprayag and Guptkashi: Thechwani (mountain radish curry), Kode ki Roti (finger-millet flatbread, rich in iron), Bhatt ki Churkani (black-soybean and rice curry — high in protein) and Dubuk, a special-occasion dal made with ground arhar or gahat lentils.

4. Badrinath — Abode of Vishnu

The final dham sits at 3,133 m in the Chamoli district, between the Nar and Narayan mountain ranges, with the Alaknanda flowing past the temple. Badrinath is the most accessible of the four — you can drive almost up to the temple steps.

Just 3 km away is Mana Village — the last village on the Indian side of the Indo-Tibet border. The temple is open for darshan from 4 AM to 10 PM daily during the season.

Places to Visit Around Badrinath

• Badrinath Temple — the main shrine
• Tapt Kund — natural hot spring at the temple base
• Mana Village — India’s last village before Tibet
• Vasudhara Falls (9 km) — at 12,000 ft, a Pandava resting place
• Charanpaduka — 3 km uphill, said to bear Vishnu’s footprint
• Neelkanth Peak (6,597 m) — visible from temple
• Valley of Flowers + Hemkund Sahib (UNESCO) — extension trek
• Trek to Satopanth Tal

Local Food in Badrinath

Strict vegetarian, no eggs or alcohol. Try Kaafuli (boiled and mashed greens cooked with rice powder and spices), Chainsoo (roasted-and-ground black lentil curry), and the local sweets — Arsa (deep-fried jaggery-rice), Singori (khoya in malu leaf wrapping) and Jhangora ki Kheer (millet pudding instead of rice).

Travel Tips for Chardham

• Pack light — every extra kg matters at altitude.
• Warm but lightweight clothes — windproof jacket, fleece, thermal innerwear, woollen cap, gloves, scarf, thermal socks.
• Sturdy non-slip trekking shoes — Kedarnath especially demands good grip.
• Personal medication — altitude sickness tablets (Diamox), pain relief, anti-nausea, gastric medicine, antiseptic, basic bandages.
• Energy snacks — protein bars, dry fruits, chocolate, biscuits.
• Stay hydrated — carry a refillable bottle, drink small sips often.
• Cash + small change — many areas have weak network and limited UPI.
• Power bank + extra camera batteries — once-in-a-lifetime views, don’t run out.
• Respect local customs — strictly vegetarian zones, dress modestly inside temples, no leather inside shrines.

How to Reach

By Air

The closest airport is Jolly Grant Airport (DED), Dehradun — the transit hub for all four dhams. Daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai. The Delhi–Dehradun flight is just 45–60 minutes. Approximate distances from Dehradun: Kedarnath 109 km, Gangotri 114 km, Badrinath 146 km, Yamunotri 210 km.

For Kumaon (Jim Corbett, Nainital), use Pantnagar Airport. International travellers should fly into Delhi (DEL) and connect by domestic flight or rail to Dehradun.

By Helicopter (recommended for elderly / limited mobility)

Helicopter Yatras range from 2 days / 1 night (fast-paced, all four covered) to 6 days / 5 nights (luxurious pace). Departures are early morning from Sahastradhara Helipad, Dehradun. Book 2–3 months in advance — peak-season slots fill quickly.

By Rail

The nearest major railheads are Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun. Major trains include the Jan Shatabdi Express, Dehradun Express, Doon Express and Nanda Devi Express. From the railhead, continue by road or helicopter.

By Road (most popular)

The classic Chardham road route is:

Delhi → Haridwar → Barkot → Yamunotri → Uttarkashi → Gangotri → Guptkashi → Kedarnath → Badrinath → Rishikesh → Delhi

The full circuit takes 10–12 days by car. National Highways 34 and 7 connect Delhi to Haridwar/Rishikesh via Dehradun. Buses are available all the way to Gaurikund (the road-end for Kedarnath); from there, you trek or take a helicopter.

Most travellers do this with a private chauffeur-driven SUV (Innova Crysta or Fortuner) — far more comfortable on mountain roads, with the freedom to stop for photographs and meals. See our fleet for options.

Important Guidelines

• E-pass / Yatra Registration is mandatory for all pilgrims. Register on the official Uttarakhand Char Dham Devasthanam Board website before travel.
• Daily darshan limits (subject to change each season): Badrinath ~15,000 · Kedarnath ~13,000 · Gangotri ~9,000 · Yamunotri ~6,000.
• Health declaration — pilgrims with heart, lung or BP conditions are advised to consult a doctor before high-altitude travel.
• Trek timings for Kedarnath: ascent allowed only between 4:00 AM and 1:30 PM.
• Photography inside the main sanctums is generally not permitted.
• Network: BSNL has the best coverage; Jio & Airtel work in major towns but not always at high altitudes.

Ready to plan your Chardham journey? Use the booking card on the right or chat with Prithvi directly on WhatsApp — we’ll craft a yatra package tailored to your pace, comfort level and travel dates. Helicopter and road-only options both available.