Char Dham yatra 2026 — confirmed dates, routes, and planning guide

Char Dham ("four abodes") refers to four Hindu shrines in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The traditional pilgrimage circuit follows this west-to-east order, starting at Yamunotri (the source of the Yamuna) and ending at Badrinath (the abode of Lord Vishnu).

Together, these temples sit at altitudes between 3,042 m (Gangotri) and 3,583 m (Kedarnath) and are accessible only from late April to mid-November each year. The full circuit covers approximately 900-1,000 km by road from Haridwar or Rishikesh, plus mandatory trekking sections at Yamunotri (6 km from Janki Chatti) and Kedarnath (18 km from Gaurikund).

Char Dham yatra is one of the most important pilgrimages in Hinduism. Many pilgrims also choose the shorter Do-Dham format — Kedarnath and Badrinath only — which takes 5-7 days and skips the western dhams.

Opening dates are confirmed and announced by the respective temple committees. Closing dates are tentative and will be finalised closer to November based on the Hindu calendar. All four dhams remain closed during winter (November to April) due to heavy snowfall.

Registration is mandatory for all four dhams. Without a valid registration, you will be turned away at checkpoints.

How to register (step by step):

Visit registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in

Click "New Registration" and enter your name, phone number, and Aadhaar or ID details

Select the dhams you plan to visit — you can select all four in a single registration

Upload a passport-size photo

Submit — you will receive separate QR-code passes for each dham

Download and save the QR passes on your phone or take printouts

Important details:

Registration is free of charge

The process takes 10-15 minutes online

You can also register via the official app, WhatsApp, or at offline counters at Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Dehradun (offline counters opened 17 April 2026)

Kedarnath has a daily cap of 12,000 pilgrims with mandatory timed slot booking. Book your slot early — peak-season slots fill up days in advance

The other three dhams do not have a daily quota, but the QR pass is still checked at road checkpoints

Kedarnath helicopter tickets also require completed Char Dham registration before booking

Classic circuit from Haridwar/Rishikesh (12-14 days)

This is the traditional west-to-east pilgrimage covering all four dhams. Total road distance: approximately 900-1,000 km plus treks.

Day 1-2: Rishikesh → Barkot → Janki Chatti → Yamunotri (6 km trek) → darshan → return to Barkot

Day 3-4: Barkot → Uttarkashi → Gangotri → darshan → return to Uttarkashi

Day 5-6: Uttarkashi → Guptkashi or Sitapur (Kedarnath base)

Day 7-8: Guptkashi → Gaurikund → Kedarnath (18 km trek) → darshan → return to Gaurikund

Day 9: Gaurikund → Rudraprayag → Joshimath

Day 10-11: Joshimath → Badrinath → Mana village (last Indian village) → darshan

Day 12-13: Badrinath → Joshimath → Rishikesh

Planning tip: Do not rush the circuit into fewer than 10 days. You need rest days after the Kedarnath trek, and the mountain roads are slow — average speed is 25-30 km/h on most stretches. Budget 12-14 days for a comfortable pace.

Do-Dham: Kedarnath + Badrinath (5-7 days)

The most popular format for first-time visitors with limited time.

Day 1: Rishikesh → Guptkashi/Sitapur (220 km, 8-9 hours)

Day 2: Guptkashi → Gaurikund → Kedarnath trek (18 km) → overnight at Kedarnath

Day 3: Morning darshan → trek down to Gaurikund → drive to Rudraprayag or Chopta

Day 4: Drive to Joshimath (via Rudraprayag-Karnaprayag-Chamoli)

Day 5: Joshimath → Badrinath → Mana village → darshan

Day 6-7: Badrinath → Joshimath → Rishikesh

Total road distance: approximately 600 km.

Pro tip: Book your Kedarnath trek-night accommodation (Kedarnath base camp or Lincholi) at least 4-6 weeks in advance for May and June. Rooms at Kedarnath are extremely limited and fill up within days of opening. For Badrinath, Joshimath (44 km away, 1,875 m altitude) is a comfortable and more affordable base.

All prices below are based on current market rates and may vary by season, vehicle type, and availability.

Private taxi (vehicle cost, not per person)

Daily rates from Haridwar/Rishikesh: Dzire Rs 4,000/day, Ertiga Rs 5,500/day, Innova Crysta Rs 6,200-7,000/day. Toll, parking, and driver allowance are usually included. Confirm before booking.

Accommodation per night

Meals on route

Dhaba thali (dal, rice, roti, sabzi): Rs 100-200

Restaurant meals in larger towns (Uttarkashi, Joshimath, Rudraprayag): Rs 200-400

Kedarnath trek route food stalls: Rs 150-300 per meal

Kedarnath helicopter (round trip per person)

Helicopter service is operated via IRCTC HeliYatra portal (heliyatra.irctc.co.in). These are shuttle flights, not charters.

IRCTC adds a Rs 300 convenience fee plus 18% GST on top. One-way tickets are not available — all bookings are round trip. Private charter services cost Rs 1,40,000-2,35,000 per person.

Pony, palki, and kandi

Kedarnath (Gaurikund to Kedarnath, 18 km):

Pony (one way): Rs 2,300 (government rate from prepaid counter)

Palki/Doli (one way, 4 bearers): Rs 7,500-10,000

Kandi/Pitthu (porter carry, one way): Rs 5,500-7,000

Yamunotri (Janki Chatti to Yamunotri, 6 km):

Pony (one way): Rs 640-1,200

Palki/Dandi (one way, 4 bearers): Rs 1,900-4,000

Always book at the government prepaid counter at Gaurikund or Janki Chatti — not from individuals approaching you on the road.

Budget summary

A complete Do-Dham trip (Kedarnath + Badrinath) for two people, staying in budget hotels with a sedan taxi, costs approximately Rs 30,000-45,000 total including taxi, accommodation, and meals. Full Char Dham for two people runs Rs 55,000-85,000 at budget level.

May (post-opening to 31 May)

Rating: Excellent for early-season visitors

The dhams open between 19-23 April 2026. May offers pleasant daytime temperatures (12-20 degrees C at temple altitudes) with clear skies. Crowds build through the month but are manageable compared to June. Snow may still be present on the Kedarnath trek in early May — carry warm layers. This is the best month for photography with snow-capped peaks still visible.

June (1-30 June)

Rating: Good but crowded

Peak pilgrim season. Temperatures are comfortable (15-25 degrees C) but hotels, ponies, and helicopter slots are in highest demand. Book everything 6-8 weeks ahead. The Kedarnath daily cap of 12,000 fills regularly. Late June sees pre-monsoon rain starting in some areas.

July-August (monsoon)

Rating: Not recommended

The monsoon hits Uttarakhand hard from early July through late August. Landslides frequently block the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway and other routes. Road closures of 12-48 hours are common. The Kedarnath trek becomes slippery and risky. Many years see major disruptions. Avoid this window unless you have extreme flexibility and accept the risk of being stranded.

September (post-monsoon)

Rating: Very good

The monsoon retreats by mid-September. Skies clear, the valleys are lush green, and crowds thin significantly. Temperatures start dropping (8-18 degrees C). This is an excellent window for those who want a quieter yatra. Roads may still have monsoon damage being repaired — check conditions before departure.

October (pre-closing)

Rating: Excellent

The clearest skies and most dramatic mountain views of the season. Daytime temperatures of 5-15 degrees C. Nights are cold (near freezing at Kedarnath). Crowds are minimal. This is the best month for experienced travellers who can handle the cold. The dhams close in late October to mid-November, so plan to finish well before closing dates.

For the Kedarnath trek

The Kedarnath trek is 18 km one way from Gaurikund, with an altitude gain of approximately 1,600 m (from 1,982 m to 3,583 m). This requires reasonable cardiovascular fitness.

Preparation (start 4-6 weeks before):

Walk 3-5 km daily on hilly terrain if possible

Climb stairs for 15-20 minutes daily to build leg endurance

If you are over 50 or have any medical conditions, get a fitness clearance from your doctor

On the trek:

Pace yourself — most people take 7-9 hours going up

Drink 3-4 litres of water throughout the day

Avoid alcohol and heavy meals

Stop and rest every 30-45 minutes

Carry glucose, ORS, and light snacks

For Badrinath

Badrinath town (3,133 m) is fully road-accessible — no mandatory trekking. However, the altitude will leave unacclimatised visitors breathless during even short walks. Spend a night at Joshimath (1,875 m) before ascending to allow partial acclimatisation.

Altitude sickness (AMS)

Altitude sickness can affect anyone regardless of age or fitness. Symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath. If symptoms worsen, descend immediately. Carry Diamox only if prescribed by your doctor.

Medical conditions

Consult your doctor before the yatra if you have heart conditions, respiratory issues, high blood pressure, or diabetes. Oxygen availability on the Kedarnath trek route is limited (some shops carry cylinders, but do not rely on this).

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