The Char Dham Yatra — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath — is one of Hinduism's most revered pilgrimages, set deep in the Uttarakhand Himalayas. It's also a serious mountain journey that rewards good planning. Here's everything you need to know before you go.
The four dhams
- Yamunotri — source of the Yamuna; a ~6 km trek (ponies and palkis available) from Janki Chatti.
- Gangotri — source of the Ganga; reachable by road, the easiest of the four.
- Kedarnath — the most demanding; a ~16–18 km trek from Gaurikund, or a helicopter hop.
- Badrinath — Lord Vishnu's abode; road-accessible and usually the final dham.
Best time to go
The dhams open around late April/early May (Akshaya Tritiya) and close around Diwali (late Oct/Nov). The sweet spots are May–June and September–October — July–August brings monsoon landslides that can disrupt roads. We generally recommend the post-monsoon September window for clearer, safer travel.
How many days?
A full Char Dham from Haridwar/Delhi realistically needs 10–12 days by road. Short on time? A Do Dham (Kedarnath + Badrinath) covers the two most sought-after shrines in about 8 days. Our full Char Dham package lays out the day-by-day plan.
Fitness & health
The Kedarnath and Yamunotri treks are strenuous and at altitude. Start walking daily a few weeks before, carry any regular medication, and don't over-schedule the days. Travellers with heart or breathing conditions should consult a doctor and consider the helicopter option for Kedarnath.
Helicopter options
Helicopter services operate to Kedarnath (from Phata/Guptkashi/Sersi) and there are packages that link all four dhams by chopper. They cut days off the trek and are popular with elderly pilgrims — but slots sell out early and depend on weather. Ask us and we'll check current availability.
What to pack
- Warm layers and a windproof jacket — even summer nights are cold
- Sturdy trekking shoes and a walking stick
- Raincoat/poncho, torch, power bank
- Basic medicines, ID, and your registration printout
Let us plan the hard part
We arrange the full circuit — stays, a hill-experienced driver through our own EZPZ Taxi fleet, registrations, and optional helicopter — so you can focus on the darshan, not the logistics. Prefer to ease in? Many pilgrims start with Haridwar & Rishikesh.
Planning your Yatra?
Tell us your dates and group — we'll build the safest, best-value plan and quote in 2 hours.