Char Dham Yatra
This pilgrimage, known as the Char Dham Yatra, encompasses visits to four sacred sites nestled high in the Himalayas: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. In Hindi, 'char' signifies four and 'dham' denotes religious destinations. Tradition dictates completing the Char Dham Yatra in a clockwise direction, commencing from Yamunotri, progressing to Gangotri, then Kedarnath, and concluding at Badrinath.
The Yamunotri temple, situated in a narrow gorge near the source of the River Yamuna (the second-most sacred river in India after the Ganges) in Uttarkashi district, venerates Goddess Yamuna. Uttarkashi district also hosts Gangotri, dedicated to Goddess Ganga, the most revered among Indian rivers. Kedarnath, located in Rudraprayag district, is devoted to Lord Shiva. Badrinath, home to the sacred Badrinarayan Temple, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Char Dham Yatra is both spiritually enriching and physically demanding, yet it profoundly nourishes the soul.
Yamunotri
Gangotri
Kedarnath
Badrinath
Yamunotri
Yamunotri is one of the four revered Hindu pilgrimage sites nestled in the majestic Great Himalayas. Alongside Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, these destinations collectively form the Char Dham, considered sacred by most Hindus. Many believe that embarking on the Char Dham Yatra, visiting all these pilgrimage sites, is essential for completing their spiritual journey.
As the starting point of this pilgrimage circuit, Yamunotri marks the beginning of the journey that proceeds to Gangotri, Kedarnath, and finally to Badrinath. Each year, thousands of devotees flock to Yamunotri to embark on their spiritual quest. Here, at the origin of the sacred Yamuna River, located at the Yamunotri Glacier (6,387 m), devotees offer prayers, believing that bathing in these waters safeguards against untimely death. Goddess Yamuna presides over Yamunotri, and one of the holiest spots is Divya Shila, a dark rock from which the renowned hot springs emerge. Accessing this site entails a challenging journey through the formidable Himalayas.
Nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas at an altitude of approximately 3,293 m, the spiritual town of Yamunotri is adorned with a pristine landscape. It features lush green fields, the majestic Yamunotri glacier, hot springs, and serene lakes. Perched high on the western face of the Bandarpunch Peak, the town offers a sanctuary for spiritual seekers amidst the grandeur of nature.
Gangotri
Nestled amidst the towering Garhwal Himalayas, Gangotri, located in Uttarakhand, stands as one of the char dhams, revered pilgrimage sites for Hindus. As the highest temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga, it holds profound significance. Originating from the Gangotri glacier, the sacred River Ganges, known as Bhagirathi here, flows forth. At the heart of Gangotri lies its main attraction, the Gangotri Temple, where devotees worship Goddess Ganga. Crafted from white granite and soaring 20 feet high, this temple exudes exquisite charm. Gangotri envelops visitors in a surreal and sanctified atmosphere, drawing both devotees and tourists. The surrounding snow-clad peaks and the pristine waters of the Ganges further enhance the tranquility of this place.
In addition to temple visits, tourists can explore the Bhagirathi shila, a sacred stone where mythological King Bhagirath is said to have meditated to absolve his ancestors' sins. Nearby, Gaurikund and Surya Kund beckon visitors with their natural beauty.
For adventure seekers, Gangotri presents enticing opportunities amidst the majestic Garhwal Himalayas. The renowned Gangotri-Gaumukh trek, extending to Tapovan and Nandavan, is a favorite among trekkers and mountaineers. A short journey leads to the ancient Pandava Gufa, where the legendary Pandavas are believed to have meditated during the events of the Mahabharata. For a picturesque escape, trekking to Dayara Bugyal, a captivating meadow perched around 3,000 meters above sea level, promises breathtaking vistas of the Himalayas.
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Kedarnath
The Kedarnath Temple, one of the revered Char Dhams, attracts lakhs of devotees annually. Pilgrims embark on a challenging yet deeply spiritual journey to reach this shrine perched at an altitude of 3,584 meters, dedicated to Lord Shiva. As one of the country's 12 Jyotirlingas, sacred shrines of Lord Shiva, it holds exceptional sanctity. Within its sanctum sanctorum resides a conical rock formation venerated as Lord Shiva's Sadashiva, the eternally auspicious form. This millennium-old temple, constructed from massive stone slabs atop a rectangular platform, bears inscriptions in the Pali language on its steps. Adorning its inner walls are sculptures depicting various deities and scenes from Hindu mythology. Legend has it that the sage Adi Shankaracharya built the temple in the 8th century, with subsequent renovations undertaken over time. Annually, in November, the idol of Lord Shiva is moved from Kedarnath to Ukhimath as the temple becomes enveloped in snow during winter. Come May, the idol is returned to Kedarnath.
Pandavas sought Lord Shiva to relieve themselves from the guild of killing their blood relatives. But shiva didn’t want to release them from their sins, so he discusses himself as a bull. On being found by the pandavas, Shive drove underground. But Bhim could manage to get hold of his hump. Other parts of Shiva in the form of bull showed up at different places. The Hump was found in Kedarnat, the Navel in Madhya Maheshwar, two forelegs in Tungnath, face in Rudranath and hair in Kalpeshwar. Collectively these five sacred places are called Panch Kedar. The original temple was build by Pandavas and the present temple was established by Ali Sankaracharya in 8th Century by restoring the glory of the shrine.
Badrinath
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Ancient texts speak of numerous pilgrimage sites across heaven, earth, and the world, yet none rival the significance of Badri, as it's commonly known, nor shall any compare. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Badrinath Temple stands as one of India's most revered pilgrimage destinations, counted among the four sacred sites or char dhams, highly esteemed by Hindus.
Pilgrims embark on a challenging journey through the formidable Himalayas to reach this sacred sanctuary. The temple's architecture resembles a cone, topped with a small cupola featuring a gilt bull and spire. Various tales trace its origins back to the Vedic era, although prevailing belief attributes its establishment to Guru Adi Shankaracharya in the 9th century.
Structured into three parts—the garbha grih or sanctum sanctorum, darshan mandap or prayer hall, and sabha mandap where devotees gather—the temple's present form is credited to the Garhwal kings. Inside, one encounters the revered idol of Lord Badrinath, also known as Badri Vishal, depicted with two uplifted arms holding the shankh (conch) and chakra, while the remaining two arms rest in yogic posture. Crafted from black stone, the primary idol of Lord Vishnu is depicted in a meditative stance. Additionally, the temple houses idols of the mythical bird Garuda, Lord Narayan's celestial vehicle, along with figures of Adi Shankaracharya, Swami Desikan, and Shri Ramanujam.
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Please find below an itinerary that covers all the dhams. We can also customise it to cover 02 dhams as per requirement.
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Day 01: Transfer from Haridwar/ Dehradun/ Rishikesh to Barkot (210kms/7-8hr)
After breakfast, depart from your hotel and head towards Barkot. Along the journey, explore Mussoorie Mall Road and Kempty Falls. Upon reaching Barkot, check into the hotel and unwind. Overnight stay in Barkot.
Barkot: Situated near the Yamuna River in Uttarkashi district, Barkot serves as a gateway to the revered Yamunotri Temple, with a population of approximately 16,000 residents. Enjoy a pleasant summer climate with temperatures ranging from 25-30 degrees Celsius, while winter brings cooler days and colder nights, with temperatures between 10 to 5 degrees Celsius.
Day 02: Barkot to JankiChatti and back {35kms drive & 6kms Trek (one side)}
Early morning, embark on a journey to Jankichatti / Phoolchatti after breakfast. Commence a trek of 6 kilometers to Yamunotri, or opt for a horse or Doli ride at your own expense. After reaching Yamunotri, bathe in the warm waters of Surya Kund and pay your respects to "Yamunaji". Return trek to Jankichatti and then drive back to Barkot. Overnight stay in Barkot.
Yamunotri Temple: Constructed in the 19th Century by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur, the temple was rebuilt after being destroyed twice. At Yamunotri, One can cook rice by packing it in a cloth and dipping it in the hot water of the Tapt kund. Pilgrims take this cooked rice home as "Prasad". Here near the temple "Pooja" can be offered to Divya Shila.
Surya Kund: Numerous thermal springs near the temple, with Surya Kund being the most significant.
DivyaShila: A revered rock pillar worshipped before entering the Yamunotri Temple.
Yamunotri Weather: During summer, temperatures range from a maximum of 18 degrees Celsius to a minimum of 10 degrees Celsius, offering cool days and cold nights.
Day 03: Barkot to Uttarkashi (100kms/4hr)
After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely morning before driving to Uttarkashi. En route, visit Shivgufa and explore Kashi Vishwanath Temple upon arrival. Check into your hotel and rest for the day. Overnight stay in Uttarkashi.
Uttarkashi, often referred to as the Kashi of the North, boasts numerous ashrams and temples along the banks of the River Ganga.
Vishwanath Temple: Vishwanath Temple is one of the oldest Shiva temples in Northern India. Re-constructed in 1857 by Maharani Khaneti Devi of Tehri State in the ancient architectural style. It is situated at the heart of the town. A massive iron trident, symbol of divine mother, is erected and worshiped from ancient time at the temple complex. Ganeshji, Sakshi Gopal, Akhand Jyoti & Markandeya Rishi’s small shrines are also part of the temple complex. Special Aarti & Abhishek is done every day morning and evening. As per Skund Puran, Uttarkashi is known as ‘Saumya Varanasi’, the abode of Lord Shiva in Kaliyug.
Shakti Temple: Right in front of the Vishwanath temple is Shakti temple. It has a big trident (Trishul) about 6 meters in height and a circumference of 90 cms at bottom. Though there are different materials for making this trident, the upper part of it seems to be made up of iron and the lower one is of copper. As per the religious belief this trident was thrown by Shakti (Durga) on the devils hence it gets its name.
Uttarkashi Weather: Summers are generally hot with temperatures ranging from 30-35 degrees Celsius, while winters are cold with pleasant nights, with temperatures dropping to around 10 degrees Celsius.
Day 04: Uttarkashi to Gangotri and back (100kms/3-4 each side)
Early morning, depart for Gangotri after breakfast. Stop at Gangnani Hot Spring along the way and immerse yourself in its holy waters. Continue your journey to Gangotri via the picturesque Harsil valley. Upon arrival, take a holy dip in the sacred river Ganges at its origin, also known as Bhagirathi. Perform Pooja and Darshan before returning to Uttarkashi. Overnight stay in Uttarkashi.
Gangotri Temple: Constructed in the 18th Century by Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa, the temple sits on the right bank of Bhagirathi River.
Gangotri Weather: During summer, temperatures can reach up to 20 degrees Celsius during the day and drop to around 10 degrees Celsius at night.
Day 05: Uttarkashi to Guptkashi (220kms/8-9hr)
After breakfast, drive to Guptkashi via Moolgarh & Lambgoan, enjoying views of the beautiful Mandakini River at Tilwara. Visit Ardh Narishwar Temple upon arrival in Guptkashi and check into your hotel. Overnight stay in Guptkashi.
Guptkashi, known as the "Hidden Benares", is associated with the legend of Lord Shiva and serves as a winter residence for Kedarnath pandits.
Guptkashi Weather: Pleasant summers with temperatures ranging from 25-30 degrees Celsius, and cold winters.
Day 06: Guptkashi to Kedarnath (30kms by road & 14 kms Trek one way) Height: 3384 MTS.
After breakfast, proceed to Kedarnath. Choose between trekking or a helicopter ride to reach Kedarnath. After reaching, visit Kedarnath Temple and Shankaracharya Samadhi. Overnight stay in Kedarnath.
By Helicopter: Morning our driver will transfer you to your Helipad location (Phata, Guptkashi, Sirsi etc) as per helicopter ticket time. Kindly inform the driver timings of helicopter mentioned on the ticket previous day. Different aviation has different location for their helicopter service. Our driver will provide you pick and drop to hotel. Kindly inform the driver timings of helicopter mentioned on the ticket. Advance booking is highly recommended for the helicopter.
By Trek: To reach Kedarnath by trekking route first you have to reach Gaurikund. We will drive to Sonprayag early in the morning after breakfast. Our car will drop to Sonprayag. From Sonprayag 5 kms drive to Gaurikund local jeep is available. This sharing basis jeep guests can book directly at own cost. Gaurikund to Kedarnath is further 14 Kms trek.
Kedarnath, one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, sits against the majestic Kedarnath range, offering a scenic and spiritual experience.
Kedarnath Weather: Cool and pleasant summers with temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius, while winters are severe with temperatures dropping to as low as 0 degrees Celsius.
Day 07: Kedarnath to Guptkashi (30kms by road & 14 kms Trek one way) Height: 3384 MTS.
Morning exploration around Kedarnath followed by your chosen mode of return journey to Guptkashi. Overnight stay in Guptkashi.
By Helicopter: Inform the driver when you leave for Kedarnath about your approximate return time and helipad name according to ticket. Our driver will pick up you from helipad and transfer you to your hotel.
By Trek: Inform the driver approximate return time. Once you reach Gaurikund from Kedarnath by trek you can take local jeep till Sonprayag. Our driver will meet here. Due to parking issue keep driver’s contact number with you and call him when you reach sonprayag so he can pick up you.
Gaurikund to Sonprayag local jeep at your own cost. Get packed breakfast from hotel to start early. Horse / Pony / Palakhi is also available for trekking at Gaurikund. Guests can book that at own cost.
Day 08: Guptkashi to Badrinath (220kms/9-10hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Badrinath. Upon arrival, take a bath in Taptkund and attend the evening Aarti at Badrivishal. Overnight stay in Badrinath.
Brahamakapal is significant for Pinddan - Shraddh of ancestors (Pitrus). There are other interesting sightseeing spots like Mana, Vyas Gufa, Maatamoorti, Charanpaduka, Bhimkund and the "Mukh of the Saraswati River”. Just within the three kms of Badrinath.
Badrinath, one of the 'Ancient Four Dhams', is a revered pilgrimage spot located at an elevation of 3,133 meters.
Tapt Kund: Natural thermal springs on the bank of the river Alaknanda, where it is customary to bath before entering the Badrinath temple.
Mana Village: Inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, it is the last Indian village before Tibet.
Vasundhara: As the name suggests, vasundhara is a magnificent water fall. This place is 5 kms. From Badrinath out of which 2 kms is by road upto Mana.
BhimPul : On the other side of Mana village, a massive rock forming a natural bridge, lies over the roaring Saraswati river. It presents a spectacular view of water thundering down through the narrow passage under the rock and is believed to have been placed there by Bhim, the second eldest among the five Pandava brothers.
Vyas Gufa (cave): Near Mana Village, this is a rock-cave where Ved Vyas is believed to have composed the Mahabharata and the pauranic commentaries.
Badrinath Weather: Average maximum temperature around 18 degrees Celsius and average minimum around 8 degrees Celsius. Warm clothing is essential throughout the year.
Day 9: Badrinath to Rudraprayag (via Joshimath) (160kms/7hr)
After breakfast, drive to Rudraprayag via Joshimath. Visit VishuPrayag, Narsingh Temple, KarnPrayag, and NandPrayag en route. Overnight stay in Rudraprayag.
Joshimath: is situated on the slopes above the confluence of the rivers Alaknanda and Dhauliganga. One Of the four 'Maths' established by AdiShankaracharya, Joshimath is the winter seat of Badrinath. The idol is brought down to Joshimath and installed in the temple for people to worship. There are many other temples in the township. The most important is the temple of Nar Singh with the idol of Lord Vishnu
Rudraprayag, one of the PanchPrayag, is the confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Mandakini.
Rudraprayag Weather: Hot summers with temperatures ranging from 35-40 degrees Celsius, and pleasant but cold winters.
Day 10: Rudraprayag to Haridwar / Dehradun / Rishikesh (150kms/05 hrs)
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Haridwar / Rishikesh / Dehradun for your onward journey. En route, visit Dev Prayag where Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers converge to form the Ganga.