Though, Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri and Rameswaram consist of main Char Dham of India , four holy adobes in the Himalayan state Uttrakhand – Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri, together are also popularly referred as “Char Dham” or "Chhota CharDham".
Badrinath represents Vaishnava, Kedarnath Shaiva while Gangotri & Yamunotri represent Shaakt.
It used to be a difficult journey
Until few years back, travelling to these holy shrines used to be a quite a difficult proposition. However, with increased options for accommodation, better roads now one doesn’t need to worry much to plan the sacred trips to these holy destinations.
There is an easier option with helicopter tour facility available for a part of the trip or the entire trip.
Read more about the Helicopter Service.
When to visit:
Ceremonial opening of the Kapat’s ( doors) open in the months of April-May and they close the doors in October-November every year and remain closed during the winter months.
The best time to visit are the months of May-June and October-November. May – June is the high-season, while October-November months are colder and see lesser rush of pilgrims. July, August and September being monsoon season, we do not recommend the trip due to the risk of landslides.
2022 Opening Dates of Char Dham :
- Kapat of Gangotri & Yamunotri will open on 3rd May 2022.
- Kapat of Shri Kedarnath temple will open on 6th May 2022.
- Kapat of Shri Badrinath temple will open on 8th May 2022.
Chradham Yatra by helicopter:
Helicopter rides for part of the tour or even the entire tour are available for Devotees who wish to visit these holy shrines but are unable to go on a long trip or have difficulty in walking. For example, one may avail the helicopter ride to avoid the trek to Kedarnath.
Helicopter services to Kedarnath ji are available from Guptkashi, Phata and Sersi.
Charter Helicopter services are available for the entire trip with minimal drive and no trekking. The entire trip can be completed within one day. However, the helicopter services operation depend on the weather and hill areas the weather changes frequently.
Read more about the Helicopter Service here https://www.pipaltrips.com/tours/helicopter-service-chardham
What is included in the tour
Accommodation as per package selected.
Meals as per package selected.
Transfers and sightseeing by Exclusive vehicle with all toll tax, parking fuel and driver allowance.
Palki or Pony at Yamunotri - subject to availability.
Two bottles of packaged water per person per day.
What is NOT included in the tour
Personal expenses like laundry, tips & gratuity, telephone charges.
Guide services.
Medical and travel insurance.
Flight tickets for Kedarnath helicopter service.
VIP Darshan or special puja arrangements.
Anything not mentioned in Inclusions.
How to reach:
The trip can be started from either Dehradun ( the nearest Airport being located there) or Haridwar (nearest railway station). One can also start the trip from New Delhi and include Haridwar and / or Rishikesh as stopovers.
How to prepare:
Due to the nature of the terrain and strains involved in the trek one needs to prepare physically as well as mentally. Regular exercises help improve flexibility, stamina and strength. If you are above 50 or have any medical issues, then please consult your physician.
How diffcult is Kedarnath Trek:
To reach Kedarnath temple devotees have to trek. It is a steep 16 km trek from Gauri Kund. The trek ascends to about 1500 m between Gaurikund and Kedarnath.
From Gaurikund, there is a concrete road to walk. Small shops for refreshments and resting shades are available at regular intervals. Govt has also made arrangement of camps and medical on the route.
Horses / palanquins / mules are available for hire for those who are not able to go on foot.
Quality of Accommodation:
In recent years, accommodation options and standards have improved noticeably and we arrange the tours in Economy, Standard, Deluxe and Premium categories. However, even then the standards are not comparable to hotels in the plains.
Ground Transportation
We offer Sedan car, Innova, Innova-Crysta and Tempo Travellers with highly skilled professional drivers experienced in driving on mountain roads. Innova-Crysta is most recommended as the Yatra involves long and strenuous drives. Heath advisory :
All the Char Dhams are at High altitude and Kedarnath being the highest. It is advisable to acclimatize and adjust to low oxygen levels for high altitude. You have to be careful and walk slowly. Over exersion can lead to high altitude sickness, which could be life threatening. You need to consult your physician whether you should take this trip.
Itinerary for Char Dham Yatra in 11 nights 12 Days
Day 1- Delhi- Haridwar (210 Kms/approx. 6 Hrs)
Day 2- Haridwar- Barkot (180 Kms/ approx. 6 -7 Hrs)
Day 3- Barkot - Yamunotri - Barkot - (36 Kms drive & 6 Kms Trek one way)
Day 4- Barkot – Uttarkashi (100 Kms/ approx. 4- 5 Hrs)
Day 5- Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Uttarkashi (100 Kms/ approx. 3 Hrs one way)
Day 6: Uttarkashi - Guptkashi (220 Kms/approx. 9 Hrs)
Day 7- Guptkashi – Kedarnath By Trek
Day 8- Kedarnath – Gaurikund – Guptkashi (20kms/8-9hrs)
Day 9- Guptkashi – Badrinath (210 Kms/ approx. 7- 8 Hrs)
Day 10- Badrinath – Rudraprayag (160 Kms /approx. 6 Hrs)
Day 11- Rudraprayag – Haridwar via Rishikesh (165 Kms /approx. 6 Hrs)
Day 12: Haridwar – Delhi (210 Kms/ approx. 6 Hrs)
Itinerary for Do Dham Yatra (Badrinath & Kedarnath) in 7 nights & 8 days
Day 1- Arrival Delhi- Haridwar (250 Kms/approx. 6-7 Hrs)
Day 2- Haridwar- Guptkashi (220kms/ 9 hrs)
Day 3- Guptkashi- Kedarnath By Trek
Day 4- Kedarnath – Gaurikund – Guptkashi (20kms/8-9hrs)
Day 5- Guptkashi- Chopta- Badrinath (250 Kms/8-9 Hrs)
Day 6- Badrinath – Rudraprayag (160 Kms / 6 Hrs.)
Day 7- Rudraprayag– Haridwar (165 Kms /6 hrs.)
Day 8- Haridwar– Delhi (250 Kms/ approx. 6 Hrs)
