The short answer
The Char Dham Yatra is the pilgrimage to the four Himalayan shrines of Uttarakhand: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, visited in that order from west to east. By road it takes 10 days from Haridwar or 12 days from Delhi, with treks at Yamunotri and Kedarnath. By helicopter from Dehradun it takes 6 days. The 2027 season is expected to open in early May 2027 and run to early November.
Char Dham Yatra 2027 dates
Gangotri and Yamunotri traditionally open on Akshaya Tritiya, which falls on 9 May 2027. Kedarnath and Badrinath usually open within a few days of it; their exact dates are declared early in 2027, on Maha Shivratri for Kedarnath and Basant Panchami for Badrinath. The 2026 season is still open until Gangotri closes on 10 November, Yamunotri and Kedarnath on 11 November and Badrinath on 13 November, all tentative. See Char Dham opening and closing dates for updates.
Bookings for 2027 can be held now. The first two weeks after opening and the June school holidays fill first.
Char Dham packages and prices
| Programme | Duration | From (per person) |
|---|---|---|
| Char Dham from Haridwar | 9N / 10D | ₹26,900 |
| Char Dham from Delhi | 11N / 12D | ₹32,300 |
| Char Dham by helicopter from Dehradun | 5N / 6D | ₹2,25,000 |
Rates are per person, vary with hotel grade and group size, and exclude 5% GST. The helicopter rate applies on a minimum of six passengers; see Char Dham helicopter cost for how the day works.
Day-by-day route from Haridwar
- Day 1, Haridwar to Barkot: about 220 km via Mussoorie, 7 to 8 hours.
- Day 2, Yamunotri: drive to Janki Chatti, then a 5 km trek each way to the temple and the Surya Kund hot spring. Back to Barkot.
- Day 3, Barkot to Uttarkashi or Harsil: about 100 km, 4 hours.
- Day 4, Gangotri: a road day, about 200 km there and back, with darshan at the source shrine of the Ganga.
- Day 5, Uttarkashi to Guptkashi or Sitapur: about 240 km, 8 to 9 hours, the longest drive of the circuit.
- Day 6, Kedarnath: Sonprayag, government taxi to Gaurikund, then the 21 km trek (or pony, palki or helicopter). Night at Kedarnath.
- Day 7, back to Guptkashi or Sitapur: morning darshan and the walk down.
- Day 8, to Pipalkoti or Govindghat: about 196 km via Chopta and Joshimath.
- Day 9, Badrinath and Mana village: darshan, Tapt Kund and Mana.
- Day 10, back to Haridwar: via the Panch Prayag and Rishikesh.
The Delhi version adds a Haridwar night at the start and a Rishikesh night at the close.
The two treks
Yamunotri: about 5 km each way from Janki Chatti. Kedarnath: about 21 km one way from Gaurikund, climbing to roughly 13,000 feet before the temple at 11,760 feet; every road programme includes a night at Kedarnath. Gangotri and Badrinath are reached by road. Pony, palki and pithu are available at both trek starts and are paid directly. More in the Kedarnath trek guide.
Best time for the Char Dham Yatra
- May to June: the main season; pleasant days, cold nights, busiest weeks.
- July to August: monsoon. The shrines stay open, but landslides and road closures make travel unpredictable.
- September to October: clear skies and smaller crowds; nights at Kedarnath can drop below zero.
Before you book
- Registration with the Uttarakhand government is mandatory for every pilgrim; carry the registration and a photo ID.
- Families with elderly members should take the Delhi version or the helicopter, and plan a pony or palki for both treks.
- Short on time? The Do Dham Yatra covers Kedarnath and Badrinath in 6 days, and Do Dham or Char Dham compares the two.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Char Dham Yatra take?
Ten to twelve days by road. From Haridwar the circuit is 9 nights and 10 days from ₹26,900 per person; from Delhi it is 11 nights and 12 days from ₹32,300. The helicopter circuit covers the same four shrines in 5 nights and 6 days.
What is the best time for Char Dham Yatra?
May to June and September to October, for better weather and smoother road movement. The monsoon months between them bring landslides and road closures across the Garhwal ranges.
Should I go by road or by helicopter?
Road suits travellers with ten or more days and a tolerance for long mountain drives. The helicopter circuit suits those short on time or comfort, at ₹2,25,000 per person on a minimum of six passengers.
Is the yatra suitable for senior citizens?
It can be, with a relaxed pace and no long back-to-back driving days. The ex-Delhi version is the better paced of the two road options, and the helicopter circuit removes the driving almost entirely.
Where do the road itineraries start?
Haridwar or Delhi. From Haridwar the circuit is 9 nights and 10 days from ₹26,900 per person; from Delhi it is 11 nights and 12 days from ₹32,300, which adds two nights — a day of its own for the Delhi–Haridwar transfer and a closing night at Rishikesh.
What should a good itinerary account for?
Altitude, weather buffers, hotel quality, vehicle condition and darshan support. Rates are per person, vary with hotel grade and group size, and exclude 5% GST.
What is the Char Dham Yatra?
The Char Dham Yatra is the Hindu pilgrimage to four Himalayan shrines in Uttarakhand: Yamunotri (Goddess Yamuna), Gangotri (Goddess Ganga), Kedarnath (Lord Shiva) and Badrinath (Lord Vishnu). It is traditionally made in that order, from west to east.
When does the Char Dham Yatra 2027 begin?
In early May 2027. Gangotri and Yamunotri traditionally open on Akshaya Tritiya, which falls on 9 May 2027. Kedarnath and Badrinath opening dates are declared early in 2027 and usually fall within a few days of it.
Is registration mandatory for the Char Dham Yatra?
Yes. Every pilgrim must register with the Uttarakhand government before the yatra and carry the registration and a photo ID; it is checked on the way to the shrines.
चारधाम यात्रा 2027 कब शुरू होगी?
मई 2027 की शुरुआत में। गंगोत्री और यमुनोत्री के कपाट परंपरागत रूप से अक्षय तृतीया को खुलते हैं, जो 9 May 2027 को है। केदारनाथ और बद्रीनाथ की तारीख 2027 की शुरुआत में घोषित होगी।
चारधाम यात्रा में कितना खर्च आता है?
हरिद्वार से 9 रात 10 दिन की चारधाम यात्रा ₹26,900 प्रति व्यक्ति से, दिल्ली से 11 रात 12 दिन ₹32,300 से, और देहरादून से हेलीकॉप्टर द्वारा 5 रात 6 दिन ₹2,25,000 प्रति व्यक्ति। कीमतों में 5% GST शामिल नहीं है।
