Quick answer
The Char Dham Yatra covers four shrines in Uttarakhand: Yamunotri (a 5–6 km trek), Gangotri (by road), Kedarnath (a 16–18 km trek or helicopter) and Badrinath (by road). Worthwhile stops along the way include Devprayag, Uttarkashi's Kashi Vishwanath temple, Harsil, Triyuginarayan, Mana village and Har ki Pauri in Haridwar.
14 things worth your time in Char Dham
- 01
Yamunotri temple and Surya Kund
LandmarkThe source shrine of the Yamuna at about 3,290 m. Pilgrims cook rice and potatoes in a cloth in the boiling Surya Kund spring as prasad.
5–7 hours including the trekFree darshan; ponies and palkis at posted ratesThe trek from Janki Chatti is about 5–6 km and steep. Start by 6 am to beat the queues.
- 02
Gangotri temple
LandmarkThe white granite temple to Ganga at about 3,100 m, reached by road. The Bhagirathi runs fast and grey below it.
2–3 hoursFreeThe road from Uttarkashi is about 100 km; leave early to get back the same day.
- 03
Gaumukh trek
NatureAn 18-km trail from Gangotri to the snout of the Gangotri glacier, the traditional source of the Ganga. Entry is capped at about 150 trekkers a day.
2–3 daysNational park permit fee, guide and porter extraGet the permit at Uttarkashi or Gangotri, and allow for acclimatisation.
- 04
Harsil valley
NatureApple orchards, deodar forest and the Bhagirathi about 25 km before Gangotri. A peaceful break from temple queues.
2–3 hoursFree - 05
Kashi Vishwanath temple, Uttarkashi
LandmarkAn old Shiva temple in Uttarkashi town, the natural stop between Yamunotri and Gangotri.
45 minutesFree - 06
Kedarnath temple and trek
LandmarkOne of the twelve jyotirlingas, at about 3,580 m, reached by a 16–18 km trail from Gaurikund. The stone temple survived the 2013 flood.
2 daysFree darshan; ponies, palkis and pithus at fixed ratesStay a night at Kedarnath so you can do darshan early, then walk down.
- 07
Kedarnath by helicopter
ExperienceShuttles fly from Sersi, Phata and Guptkashi in about 8–10 minutes, which suits senior citizens and those short of time.
Half dayAbout ₹6,000–12,500 round trip plus GST, depending on the helipadBook only on IRCTC HeliYatra. Flights are often delayed or cancelled in bad weather, so keep a fallback day.
- 08
Bhairavnath temple and Shankaracharya samadhi
LandmarkBhairavnath sits on a ridge above Kedarnath, a short steep climb with views over the valley. Adi Shankaracharya's samadhi is just behind the main temple.
1–2 hoursFree - 09
Triyuginarayan temple
LandmarkBelieved to be where Shiva married Parvati, with an eternal fire in front of the shrine. About 12 km from Sonprayag and now a popular wedding venue.
1–2 hoursFree - 10
Badrinath temple and Tapt Kund
LandmarkThe Vishnu shrine at about 3,100 m, painted in bright colours, with a hot spring bath just below.
3–4 hoursFree darshan; special pujas booked through the temple committeeGo for the early morning abhishek darshan, when queues are shortest.
- 11
Mana village, Vyas Gufa and Bhim Pul
Day tripA village 3 km beyond Badrinath with Vyas Gufa, where the Mahabharata is said to have been dictated, and a natural rock bridge over the Saraswati.
2–3 hoursFree - 12
Devprayag confluence
LandmarkThe point where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet to form the Ganga, about 70 km from Rishikesh.
1 hourFree - 13
Dhari Devi temple
LandmarkA guardian goddess shrine on the Alaknanda near Srinagar (Garhwal), passed on the Badrinath road.
30–45 minutesFree - 14
Har ki Pauri aarti, Haridwar
ExperienceMost yatras start or end in Haridwar. The evening aarti at Har ki Pauri is the traditional send-off.
2 hoursFreeDuring the 2027 Ardh Kumbh (14 January–20 April), expect very large crowds.
How the Char Dham route works
The traditional order is west to east: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath. Most yatras start and end in Haridwar or Rishikesh and take 9–11 days by road.
| Shrine | Altitude | Access | Opens around |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamunotri | About 3,290 m | 5–6 km trek from Janki Chatti | Akshaya Tritiya |
| Gangotri | About 3,100 m | Road | Akshaya Tritiya |
| Kedarnath | About 3,580 m | 16–18 km trek or helicopter | Within days of Akshaya Tritiya |
| Badrinath | About 3,100 m | Road | Within days of Akshaya Tritiya |
Which parts are hardest?
Yamunotri and Kedarnath are the two treks. Ponies, palkis (carried chairs) and pithus (baskets for the elderly) are available at fixed rates posted at the start points. The Kedarnath helicopter from Sersi, Phata or Guptkashi cuts the trek to minutes but must be booked on IRCTC HeliYatra, and fake booking sites are common.
What should you not miss along the way?
Devprayag, where the Ganga takes its name, comes on the first or last day. Harsil and Mana are the two best breaks from temple queues. Triyuginarayan is a short detour from Sonprayag.
Practical rules
- Registration is compulsory and free. Register online before you travel and keep the QR slip handy.
- Mountain roads are closed to vehicles at night, roughly 10 pm to 4 am.
- Health screening kiosks run on the Kedarnath and Yamunotri routes. Pilgrims over 50 or with heart or lung conditions should see a doctor first.
Senior citizens: plan a rest day after Kedarnath. The trek down is harder on the knees than the climb.
See the best time for Char Dham, the day-by-day 10-day Char Dham itinerary and the Char Dham trip cost. Starting from Rishikesh? See things to do in Rishikesh.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct order for the Char Dham Yatra?
How long is the Kedarnath trek?
Can senior citizens do the Char Dham Yatra?
How do I book a Kedarnath helicopter?
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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.
