Char Dham Yatra

Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is one of India’s most sacred pilgrimages covering four holy temples of the Himalayas – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The yatra generally begins in April/May and continues till October/November.

Opening & Closing Dates

• Yamunotri: Opens on Akshaya Tritiya, closes after Diwali
• Gangotri: Opens on Akshaya Tritiya, closes on Diwali
• Kedarnath: Opens on Akshaya Tritiya, closes on Bhai Dooj
• Badrinath: Opens in May, closes after Diwali

Exact dates change every year based on temple committee announcements.

Mandatory Registration

All pilgrims must register online/offline for Char Dham Yatra.

• Government Portal: UK Tourism Char Dham Registration
• Biometric & QR Code compulsory
• Use Aadhaar / ID proof for registration

Char Dham Route Sequence

The traditional route follows the west-to-east Himalayan circuit:

1. Yamunotri – Source of River Yamuna
2. Gangotri – Source of River Ganga
3. Kedarnath – Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva
4. Badrinath – Temple of Lord Vishnu

Main Route (From Haridwar/Rishikesh)

• Haridwar → Barkot → Yamunotri
• Barkot → Uttarkashi → Gangotri
• Uttarkashi → Guptkashi → Gaurikund → Kedarnath
• Guptkashi → Joshimath → Badrinath

Distances & Trek Details

1. Yamunotri

• From Barkot to Janki Chatti: 45 km
• Trek: 5–6 km from Janki Chatti

2. Gangotri

• From Uttarkashi to Gangotri: 100 km (no major trek)

3. Kedarnath

• From Gaurikund: Trek ~16–18 km
• Options: Trek, Pony, Palki, Helicopter (to Kedarnath Base / Helipad)

4. Badrinath

• Accessible by road (no trek needed)

Helicopter Options

Helicopter services are widely used for Kedarnath and sometimes for full Char Dham packages.

• Kedarnath Helicopter: From Guptkashi / Phata / Sersi
• Full Char Dham Helicopter Packages: Dehradun → Yamunotri → Gangotri → Kedarnath → Badrinath

Advance booking required; weather-dependent.