Char Dham Yatra guide: route, registration and cost
By Ganesh ·
How to do the Char Dham Yatra (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath) with the mandatory free registration, opening dates, an 11-day road route, Kedarnath trek and helicopter options, costs and health tips.
The short answer: the Char Dham Yatra visits four Himalayan shrines in Uttarakhand (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath) usually in that order, starting from Haridwar or Rishikesh. By road it takes 10–12 days; the temples open around late April or May and close around Diwali (October–November). Registration with the Uttarakhand government is mandatory and free. Kedarnath needs a trek of about 16 km (or a pony, palki or helicopter); Yamunotri needs about 6 km on foot; Gangotri and Badrinath are reached by road.
Updated for 2026. Dates, fees and rules change every season. Always confirm on the official portals linked below.
The four dhams
- Yamunotri (about 3,300 m): source of the Yamuna, in Uttarkashi district. Road ends at Janki Chatti; the trek is about 6 km. Pilgrims cook rice in the hot spring of Surya Kund.
- Gangotri (about 3,100 m): the temple of the Ganga on the Bhagirathi river, reached by road via Uttarkashi and Harsil. The true source, Gaumukh glacier, is a separate permit-controlled trek of about 18 km.
- Kedarnath (about 3,580 m): one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, in Rudraprayag district. The road ends at Sonprayag; shuttles take you to Gaurikund, where the trek of about 16 km begins.
- Badrinath (about 3,300 m): the Vishnu temple on the Alaknanda, reached by road via Joshimath. Mana village, Vasudhara falls and the Tapt Kund hot springs are nearby.
Registration (mandatory)
Every pilgrim must register before starting, online on the Uttarakhand Tourism portal registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in or its "Tourist Care Uttarakhand" app, or at registration counters in places such as Haridwar and Rishikesh. Registration is free. Carry the registration letter or QR code and the ID you used; it is checked at several points. In peak weeks the government may cap daily numbers per dham, so register as soon as your dates are fixed.
Opening and closing dates
The temples follow traditional calendars. Yamunotri and Gangotri usually open on Akshaya Tritiya (April or May). Kedarnath's opening date is announced on Mahashivratri and Badrinath's on Basant Panchami, typically for late April or early May. All four close for winter around Diwali and Bhai Dooj in October–November, Badrinath usually a little later. Check the announced dates for the current year before booking travel.
Kedarnath: trek, pony or helicopter
- On foot: about 16 km each way from Gaurikund, steep in places; most fit people take 6–8 hours up. Start before dawn.
- Pony, palki or pithoo: available at Gaurikund at government-fixed rates; book only at official counters.
- Helicopter: shuttles fly from helipads near Guptkashi, Phata and Sirsi. Official bookings are only through IRCTC's Heli Yatra portal (heliyatra.irctc.co.in). Beware of fake websites and social-media "agents" selling helicopter tickets.
How long does the Char Dham Yatra take?
By road from Haridwar or Rishikesh, plan 10–12 days for all four dhams with sensible rest. A "Do Dham" trip to Kedarnath and Badrinath only takes about 5–6 days. Helicopter packages from Dehradun cover all four in about 5–6 days at a much higher cost.
Sample 11-day Char Dham route by road
- Day 1: Haridwar/Rishikesh to Barkot (about 7–8 hours).
- Day 2: Barkot to Janki Chatti, trek to Yamunotri and back, return to Barkot.
- Day 3: Barkot to Uttarkashi; visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple there.
- Day 4: Uttarkashi to Gangotri for darshan, back to Uttarkashi or stay at Harsil.
- Day 5: Uttarkashi to Guptkashi or Sitapur (a long drive).
- Day 6: Sonprayag–Gaurikund, trek to Kedarnath; overnight near the temple.
- Day 7: Early darshan, trek down, back to Guptkashi.
- Day 8: Guptkashi to Badrinath via Chopta or Rudraprayag and Joshimath.
- Day 9: Badrinath darshan, Mana village and Vasudhara; drive down to Joshimath or Pipalkoti.
- Day 10: Drive to Rudraprayag or Srinagar (Garhwal), with a stop at Devprayag.
- Day 11: Back to Rishikesh or Haridwar.
How much does the Char Dham Yatra cost?
| Item | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Registration | Free |
| Private car with driver (per day, by vehicle type) | ₹3,000–₹6,000 |
| Basic hotels / GMVN guesthouses (per room per night) | ₹1,000–₹4,000 (more in peak weeks) |
| Pony or palki at Kedarnath / Yamunotri (one way) | government-fixed rates; check at the counter |
| Kedarnath helicopter (round trip, per person) | several thousand rupees; check IRCTC Heli Yatra |
| Meals per person per day | ₹400–₹1,000 |
By shared transport and simple stays, the full yatra costs roughly ₹20,000–₹35,000 per person; a private car for a family of four with mid-range stays typically comes to ₹80,000–₹1,50,000 in total. Helicopter packages from Dehradun cost much more.
Best time to go
May–June is the busiest window: pleasant weather and long queues. September–October, after the monsoon, is quieter with clear views and colder nights. Many consider it the best time. July–August is monsoon: frequent landslides and road closures make it the riskiest period; avoid it if you can. Search interest peaks in April–May, when most people plan.
Health and safety tips
- Kedarnath and Badrinath are above 3,000 m. Ascend steadily, drink water and rest; people with heart, lung or blood-pressure conditions should consult a doctor before going. Health screening points operate on the route.
- Pack warm layers, a rain jacket and good walking shoes even in May; temperatures near the temples drop close to freezing at night.
- Start each day's drive early and avoid driving after dark on mountain roads.
- Keep a buffer day for landslide delays, and follow police and SDRF advisories.
- Book special pujas only through the official Badrinath–Kedarnath Temple Committee channels.
Plan it on Sancharees
Build the route Haridwar → Barkot → Uttarkashi → Guptkashi → Badrinath as a Sancharees trip to see each day's driving time, keep your registration, hotels and helicopter tickets in one place, and share the live plan with family at home.
FAQ
Is registration compulsory for Char Dham?
Yes. It is free; register online on the Uttarakhand Tourism portal or app, or at an official counter, before you start.
Which order should I visit the Char Dham in?
Traditionally west to east: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath.
How difficult is the Kedarnath trek?
About 16 km each way with a steady climb. Fit walkers manage in a day; others use ponies, palkis or the helicopter.
Can senior citizens do the Char Dham Yatra?
Many do, with a slower itinerary, a medical check-up beforehand, and ponies, palkis or helicopters for the treks.
Photo: Kedarnath temple in uttarakhand by Nehasnaps0306, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
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