The Char Dham Yatra is a sacred pilgrimage circuit in Uttarakhand that covers Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath—four spiritually important shrines located in the Garhwal Himalayas. Many people also refer to it as the Uttarakhand 4 Dham Yatra or 4 Dham Yatra, as all four temples lie within the same Himalayan region.
For first-time pilgrims, it is essentially a yatra believed to help devotees attain salvation by visiting all four temples in one journey.
If you look at a Gangotri Yamunotri Kedarnath Badrinath map, you’ll notice that the temples follow a natural mountain sequence rather than a straight line. This is why pilgrims follow a fixed Char Dham circuit, starting from Yamunotri and ending at Badrinath.
Char dham yatra usually starts at the end of April and ends during early November. Below are the starting and ending dates for char dham yatra season 2026.
Char Dham in Uttarakhand | Yatra Starts | Yatra Ends |
Yamunotri | 19 April, 2026 | 11 November, 2026 |
Gangotri | 19 April, 2026 | 10 November, 2026 |
Kedarnath | 22 April, 2026 | 11 November, 2026 |
Badrinath | 23 April, 2026 | 13 November, 2026 |
If you’re confused how to plan Char Dham Yatra, start with these basics:
Proper planning ensures your Char Dham trip is safe, smooth, and spiritually fulfilling.
In case, you don’t want to plan your char dham tour on your own. Check out char dham packages curated by experts.
One of the most common questions is how many days are required for Char Dham Yatra.
Your total duration depends on weather, health, and whether you include rest days. A well-balanced Char Dham Yatra itinerary avoids rushing and altitude fatigue.
A traditional Char Dham Yatra route follows:
Yamunotri → Gangotri → Kedarnath → Badrinath
Every Char Dham yatra itinerary follows this sequence to ensure safety and proper acclimatisation.
For tourists across India, Delhi is the center point, so let’s discuss how char dham yatra from delhi to delhi works.
Your Char Dham Yatra begins with a drive from Delhi to Haridwar or Rishikesh, the spiritual gateways of Uttarakhand. This day is kept relaxed to prepare your body for the Himalayan journey ahead. In the evening, you may attend the Ganga Aarti, setting a devotional tone for the pilgrimage.
After breakfast, travel towards Barkot, a quiet town nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. This journey introduces you to mountain roads and changing landscapes. Barkot serves as the base for Yamunotri and allows proper rest before the first dham visit.
Yamunotri is visited first, marking the beginning of the four-dham pilgrimage. After reaching Janki Chatti, pilgrims trek to Yamunotri Temple, dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. Devotees perform darshan and take blessings near the sacred Yamuna Kund before returning to Barkot for the night.
The journey continues towards Uttarkashi, a spiritually important town located on the banks of the Bhagirathi River. The drive is scenic and relatively easy, allowing pilgrims to rest and acclimatise. Uttarkashi acts as the base for Gangotri.
From Yamunotri, the route moves towards Gangotri, the source of River Ganga. Gangotri Temple is dedicated to Goddess Ganga, where devotees seek blessings at one of Hinduism’s most sacred river origins. After darshan, return to Uttarkashi for overnight stay.
This day involves a longer drive through deeper Himalayan terrain towards Guptkashi. The journey gradually prepares pilgrims for higher altitudes. Guptkashi serves as an important halt before visiting Kedarnath.
The journey then continues to Kedarnath, the most spiritually intense and physically demanding part of the yatra. Pilgrims travel to Sonprayag and then proceed to Gaurikund, from where they trek (or take helicopter services) to Kedarnath Temple. Kedarnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the evening is kept calm for darshan and rest.
Begin the day with morning prayers at Kedarnath Temple. After darshan, start the return journey back to Guptkashi. This day allows the body to recover after the high-altitude visit.
Travel from Guptkashi to Joshimath via scenic mountain roads and sacred river confluences. Joshimath is an important spiritual town and the gateway to Badrinath. Overnight stay here helps with acclimatisation before the final dham.
Finally, the circuit ends at Badrinath, completing the Char Dham pilgrimage. Badrinath Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and devotees perform darshan along the banks of the Alaknanda River. After darshan, return to Joshimath for overnight stay.
After completing all four dhams, pilgrims begin their return journey towards Haridwar or Rishikesh. This day marks the closing phase of the pilgrimage, allowing time for reflection and rest.
The final day involves returning to Delhi by road or train. With darshan completed at Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, the Char Dham Yatra concludes with spiritual fulfilment and lifelong memories.
The best time to visit Char Dham in Uttarakhand is between May to June and September to October, when weather conditions are pleasant and road connectivity is reliable.
Choosing the right season plays a crucial role in ensuring a safe, smooth, and spiritually fulfilling Char Dham Yatra.
Helicopter ride is the fastest and comfortable option for pilgrims who want to complete the char dham yatra in less time and with minimal physical strain. It is commonly chosen by senior citizens, families, and devotees with limited travel days.
Char Dham Yatra by helicopter usually takes 5 days, with an additional buffer day making it 6 days depending on weather conditions. Your yatra starts from Dehradun, which acts as the main base for all helicopter operations. Pilgrims are flown close to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, followed by short road transfers or brief walks to the temples.
Most helicopter packages include helicopter transfers, accommodation, meals, local transfers, and assistance with darshan. However, flights to and from Dehradun, personal expenses, and any extra stay due to weather delays are generally not included.
The cost of Char Dham Yatra by helicopter usually ranges between ₹2.2 lakh to ₹2.8 lakh per person, depending on the operator and hotel category.
Reaching the Char Dham temples in Uttarakhand is easier than it looks when you plan it step by step. Most pilgrims start their journey from Delhi, Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Dehradun, as these places are well connected to the rest of India.
By Air:
The nearest airport for Char Dham Yatra is Dehradun (Jolly Grant Airport). It is well connected and has daily flights from Delhi and other major cities within India. From Dehradun, road travel begins towards Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.
By Train:
Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Dehradun are the main railway stations. Haridwar is the most commonly used railhead and is well connected with Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and other major cities. Once you reach the starting point all char dham will be covered in traditional sequence i.e., Yamunotri – Gangotri – Kedarnath – Badrinath by road travel.
By Road:
Delhi is well connected to Haridwar, Haridwar and Dehradun, the starting point of char dham yatra. Once you reach the starting point, road travel begins to cover the sacred dhams i.e., Yamunotri – Gangotri – Kedarnath – Badrinath.
The correct and traditional order of the Char Dham Yatra is Yamunotri → Gangotri → Kedarnath → Badrinath. This sequence is followed not only for religious reasons but also for practical travel planning. Starting with Yamunotri and Gangotri helps the body gradually adjust to increasing altitude before reaching Kedarnath, which is the highest and most physically demanding dham. Ending the yatra at Badrinath allows a smoother descent back toward lower regions.
A road-based Char Dham Yatra usually requires 10 to 12 days for a comfortable journey. This duration includes travel time, darshan at all four temples, overnight halts, and rest days for acclimatisation. Shorter itineraries may feel rushed and tiring, especially for first-time pilgrims or senior citizens. If you choose the helicopter option, the yatra can be completed in 4 to 6 days, depending on weather conditions.
The cost of a standard Char Dham Yatra Package generally ranges between ₹25,000 to ₹35,000 per person when starting from Haridwar or Dehradun. Packages starting from Delhi usually cost slightly more, around ₹30,000 to ₹45,000, depending on hotel category and vehicle type. These prices typically include accommodation, meals, and road transfers. The final cost may increase if you choose premium hotels, private vehicles, or additional services like helicopter rides for Kedarnath.
Yamunotri is the first temple to be visited in the Char Dham Yatra. It marks the spiritual beginning of the four-dham pilgrimage and is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. From Yamunotri, the yatra naturally progresses to Gangotri, then Kedarnath, and finally Badrinath. This order supports better acclimatisation and is followed in almost all traditional and modern Char Dham itineraries.
The Char Dham Yatra by helicopter usually costs between ₹2.2 lakh to ₹2.8 lakh per person. This price generally includes helicopter transfers from Dehradun, accommodation, meals, local transfers, and darshan assistance. The cost does not usually include flights to Dehradun, personal expenses, or extra stays caused by weather delays.
