Char Dham circuit

You arrive, your guide gives a full route briefing, gear check, and an early night. The Char Dham circuit runs east to west: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath.

Permits arranged, helicopter slot confirmed if booked.

Drive east to Barkot at 1,220m — the overnight base for Yamunotri. The road passes Chamba and Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand's Garhwal hills.

Mountain road. ~7 hours.

A 6 km trek from Janki Chatti to Yamunotri shrine at 3,293m — source of the Yamuna river. You cook rice and potatoes in the Surya Kund hot spring, a Yamunotri tradition.

Surya Kund is near boiling. Let your guide handle the cooking.

Drive west to Uttarkashi, through the Bhagirathi valley. Evening walk along the river.

Overnight in Uttarkashi.

Drive to Gangotri at 3,415m — source of the Bhagirathi, which becomes the Ganga. Morning aarti at the temple, short walk to Gaumukh viewpoint if weather allows.

Short 2 km walk to viewpoint optional.

The longest drive of the circuit — back through Rishikesh and south to Rudraprayag, then up the Mandakini valley to Sitapur.

Longest transit day. Packed lunch.

Helicopter option: 8-minute flight from Phata or Sersi helipad, 45 minutes at the shrine, return flight. Trek option: 18 km from Gaurikund at 1,982m to Kedarnath at 3,583m — a full day each way. Your booking determines which you take.

Helicopter slot at 7 am. Trek departs Gaurikund at 5 am.

Drive north through Rudraprayag and up the Alaknanda valley to Joshimath at 1,875m — base for the last dham.

Rest day if needed before Badrinath.

The fourth and final dham. Morning aarti, Tapt Kund, Mana village, the last chai before Tibet. The circuit is complete.

Full day at Badrinath and Mana.

The drive back down the Alaknanda to Rishikesh. You arrive in the evening.

Drop at Rishikesh, Haridwar, or Dehradun airport.