Quick answer
A 10-day Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar runs Barkot for Yamunotri, Uttarkashi for Gangotri, Guptkashi and a night at Kedarnath, then Badrinath and Mana before driving back via Rudraprayag and Devprayag. Expect 6–9 hours of mountain driving on most days and two treks: about 5–6 km at Yamunotri and 16–18 km at Kedarnath.
The route
- Haridwar
- Barkot
- Yamunotri
- Uttarkashi
- Gangotri
- Guptkashi
- Kedarnath
- Badrinath
- Rudraprayag
- Haridwar
Day-by-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Haridwar to Barkot
Morning: Leave Haridwar by 6 am. The drive to Barkot via Dehradun and Mussoorie is about 210–220 km and 7–8 hours.
Afternoon: Lunch on the way near Kempty or Naugaon.
Evening: Check in at Barkot, have an early dinner and prepare for the Yamunotri trek.
Stay: Barkot
Complete your Char Dham registration before leaving home and keep the QR slip handy for checkpoints.
- 2
Day 2
Yamunotri darshan
Morning: Drive about 45 km to Janki Chatti and start the 5–6 km trek, or take a pony or palki, to Yamunotri temple.
Afternoon: Darshan, then cook rice in the Surya Kund spring as prasad. Trek back down.
Evening: Return to Barkot and rest.
Stay: Barkot
Start the trek by 7 am. Afternoon queues and rain are common.
- 3
Day 3
Barkot to Uttarkashi
Morning: Drive about 85–100 km to Uttarkashi, 4–5 hours.
Afternoon: Check in and rest; it is an easier day before Gangotri.
Evening: Aarti at the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Uttarkashi.
Stay: Uttarkashi
- 4
Day 4
Gangotri day trip
Morning: Leave by 6 am for Gangotri, about 100 km and 4 hours, through Harsil's apple orchards.
Afternoon: Darshan at Gangotri temple and a holy dip at the Bhagirathi ghat.
Evening: Drive back to Uttarkashi.
Stay: Uttarkashi
If you prefer a shorter day, stay overnight at Harsil instead.
- 5
Day 5
Uttarkashi to Guptkashi
Morning: The longest drive: about 220 km and 8–9 hours via Ghansali and Tilwara.
Afternoon: Lunch on the road; stretch breaks every couple of hours.
Evening: Check in at Guptkashi or Sitapur and pack a small day bag for Kedarnath.
Stay: Guptkashi or Sitapur
Helicopter passengers fly from Sersi, Phata or Guptkashi on Day 6. Confirm your slot the night before.
- 6
Day 6
Trek to Kedarnath
Morning: Drive to Sonprayag, take the shared jeep to Gaurikund and start the 16–18 km trek. Ponies, palkis and pithus are available.
Afternoon: Keep walking at a steady pace; fit walkers reach Kedarnath in 6–8 hours.
Evening: Evening aarti at the temple. Sleep at Kedarnath to avoid a same-day descent.
Stay: Kedarnath (tents or basic lodges)
Carry a rain poncho, thermals and a torch. Rooms at Kedarnath are basic and cold.
- 7
Day 7
Kedarnath darshan and descent
Morning: Early darshan, then Bhairavnath temple and the Shankaracharya samadhi.
Afternoon: Trek down to Gaurikund and drive back to Guptkashi.
Evening: Rest. Your knees will feel it.
Stay: Guptkashi or Sitapur
- 8
Day 8
Guptkashi to Badrinath
Morning: Drive about 190 km and 7–8 hours via Ukhimath and Chopta, or via Rudraprayag if the Chopta road is closed.
Afternoon: Pass Chamoli and Joshimath, now officially Jyotirmath.
Evening: Bath at Tapt Kund and evening darshan at Badrinath temple.
Stay: Badrinath
- 9
Day 9
Mana and the drive to Rudraprayag
Morning: Early darshan, then visit Mana village, Vyas Gufa and Bhim Pul, 3 km away.
Afternoon: Drive about 160 km and 6 hours to Rudraprayag or Srinagar (Garhwal), stopping at Dhari Devi temple.
Evening: See the Alaknanda–Mandakini confluence at Rudraprayag.
Stay: Rudraprayag or Srinagar (Garhwal)
- 10
Day 10
Devprayag and back to Haridwar
Morning: Drive to Devprayag, where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet to form the Ganga.
Afternoon: Continue to Rishikesh and Haridwar, about 5–6 hours in total.
Evening: Aarti at Har ki Pauri to close the yatra, or an evening train or flight home.
Don't book a same-day flight before 8 pm. Landslides and traffic can add hours.
Is 10 days enough for the Char Dham Yatra?
Yes. Ten days from Haridwar is the standard road itinerary. It gives each shrine its own day, keeps the Kedarnath trek to a sensible two-day plan with a night at the top, and avoids night driving, which is banned on the mountain roads between about 10 pm and 4 am. There is little slack, though, so we usually add a buffer night in the monsoon shoulder months.
How tough is it?
The drives are long, with 6–9 hours on five of the ten days on narrow mountain roads. The two treks are the hard part: about 5–6 km to Yamunotri and 16–18 km to Kedarnath, both at altitude. Ponies, palkis and helicopters make it possible for most pilgrims, including senior citizens.
What does it cost?
From about ₹31,000 per person, twin sharing, for nine nights in clean 2- to 3-star hotels with breakfast and dinner, a private car with driver from Haridwar, and taxes. Ponies, palkis, helicopter tickets and pujas are extra. See the full Char Dham trip cost for budget and premium tiers.
How to change this plan
- Helicopter to Kedarnath: fly up and back on Day 6 and gain a day.
- More time: add Harsil, Chopta–Tungnath or a rest day after Kedarnath.
- Do Dham only: Kedarnath and Badrinath fit in five to six days from Haridwar.
Register before you go. It is compulsory and free, and the QR slip is checked at several points on the route.
Read the best time for Char Dham for 2027 opening dates and the key stops on the route. Many pilgrims spend a night in Rishikesh first; see our 3-day Rishikesh itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Char Dham Yatra start?
Should I stay overnight at Kedarnath?
Can the Char Dham Yatra be done faster?
Is the 10-day itinerary suitable for senior citizens?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
