Char Dham Yatra Route 2026

The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is one of India's most significant pilgrimage circuits, covering four high-altitude Himalayan shrines: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Navigating this terrain requires precise logistical planning due to the challenging geographical conditions, variable road connectivity, and high-altitude trekking requirements.

A factual understanding of the route map is essential for ensuring safety and timely completion of the circuit. This guide focuses strictly on the geographic layout, road distances, trekking points, and transport connectivity required for a successful journey.

Char Dham Yatra Route Overview

The Char Dham Yatra follows a traditional clockwise sequence (Parikrama), starting from the west and moving towards the east. This order is not just traditional but also practical for gradual altitude acclimatization.

• Start/End Point: Haridwar or Rishikesh.
• Direction: Yamunotri → Gangotri → Kedarnath → Badrinath.
• Total Road Distance: Approximately 1,350 km to 1,600 km (round trip from Haridwar).
• Terrain: National Highways (NH 34, NH 134, NH 107, and NH 7) and steep mountain roads.

Char Dham Yatra Route Map – Overview

The following table outlines the primary transit hubs and the nature of the approach to each shrine.

Sequence	Dham	Nearest Major Town	Road Head (Last Point)	Trek Distance
1	Yamunotri	Barkot	Janki Chatti	6 km
2	Gangotri	Uttarkashi	Gangotri	No Trek (Motorable)
3	Kedarnath	Guptkashi	Gaurikund	16–18 km
4	Badrinath	Joshimath	Badrinath	No Trek (Motorable)

Char Dham Yatra Route Map from Haridwar (Step-by-Step)

The journey is typically divided into sections based on overnight halts and the distance between the shrines.

Haridwar to Yamunotri (The First Leg)

• Route: Haridwar → Dehradun → Mussoorie → Kempty Fall → Barkot → Janki Chatti.
• Logistics: Most pilgrims halt at Barkot (1,220m elevation). From Barkot, a 45 km drive leads to Janki Chatti, which serves as the base for the Yamunotri trek.
• Trek: A 6 km paved uphill climb to the Yamunotri temple.

Barkot to Gangotri

• Route: Barkot → Radi Top → Uttarkashi → Harsil → Gangotri.
• Logistics: The route passes through the scenic Harsil valley. Uttarkashi is the major administrative hub here.
• Road Head: Vehicles go directly to the temple gates at Gangotri.

Uttarkashi to Kedarnath

• Route: Uttarkashi → Tehri → Srinagar → Augustmuni → Guptkashi → Sonprayag → Gaurikund.
• Logistics: This is the longest transit day. From Sonprayag, only local shuttle jeeps are allowed to reach Gaurikund (5 km).
• Trek: The 16–18 km trek to Kedarnath begins at Gaurikund.

Kedarnath to Badrinath

• Route: Kedarnath (Trek down) → Gaurikund → Sonprayag → Guptkashi → Chopta → Gopeshwar → Joshimath → Badrinath.
• Logistics: The route via Chopta (the "Mandal-Chopta road") is highly scenic but can be narrow. Joshimath is the final major town before Badrinath.

Badrinath to Haridwar (The Return Leg)

• Route: Badrinath → Joshimath → Chamoli → Karnaprayag → Rudraprayag → Srinagar → Rishikesh → Haridwar.
• Logistics: This involves a long descent along the Alaknanda River via the Panch Prayag (confluences).

Char Dham Yatra Distance Chart

Distances are approximate and can vary slightly based on road diversions or landslides.

Route Section	Distance (km)	Approx. Travel Time
Haridwar – Barkot	200 km	7–8 Hours
Barkot – Janki Chatti	45 km	2 Hours
Janki Chatti – Yamunotri (Trek)	6 km	3–4 Hours (one way)
Barkot – Uttarkashi	82 km	4 Hours
Uttarkashi – Gangotri	100 km	4–5 Hours
Uttarkashi – Guptkashi	200 km	8–9 Hours
Gaurikund – Kedarnath (Trek)	16–18 km	7–10 Hours (one way)
Guptkashi – Badrinath	190 km	7–8 Hours
Badrinath – Haridwar	310 km	10–12 Hours

Trekking Route Map Details

Two of the four shrines require physical trekking. Understanding the elevation and rest points is crucial for stamina management.

Yamunotri Trek Route (6 km)

• Base: Janki Chatti.
• Path: Paved, steep incline.
• Intermediate Points: Phool Chatti (midway).
• Services: Ponies, Palkis (palanquins), and Pitthus (porters) are available at the Janki Chatti stand.

Kedarnath Trek Route (16–18 km)

Following the 2013 floods, a new trekking path was established. It is significantly longer and steeper than the old route.

• Base: Gaurikund.
• Primary Waypoints:
  1. Gaurikund to Jungle Chatti (4 km): Initial steep climb.
  2. Jungle Chatti to Bheembali (3 km): Gradual ascent.
  3. Bheembali to Linchauli (4 km): High altitude gain; medical camps available here.
  4. Linchauli to Kedarnath Base Camp (4 km): Steepest section before leveling out near the temple.
• Infrastructure: The route features rain shelters, bio-toilets, and oxygen facilities at Linchauli and Bheembali.

Road Conditions and Transport Types

The Char Dham All-Weather Road Project has significantly widened most sections, but certain patches remain sensitive.

Vehicle Suitability

• Private Taxi: Sedans are acceptable for 2-3 people, but SUVs (Innova, Bolero) are recommended for better ground clearance.
• Tempo Traveller: Ideal for groups of 10–12. Best for the Haridwar-Barkot-Badrinath circuit.
• Buses: GMOU (Garhwal Motor Owners' Union) and UTC (Uttarakhand Transport Corporation) operate regular services.
• Self-Drive: Not recommended for those inexperienced with high-gradient mountain hairpins and single-lane traffic.

Hazard Zones

• Landslide Prone Areas: Lambagarh (near Badrinath), Kaliasaur (between Srinagar and Rudraprayag), and the stretch near Sonprayag during heavy rains.

Char Dham Yatra Route Map by Helicopter

For pilgrims with time constraints or physical limitations, helicopter services provide an alternative.

Feature	Road Route	Helicopter Route
Duration	10–12 Days	2–5 Days
Landing Points	N/A	Sahastradhara (Dehradun), Phata, Sersi, Guptkashi
Trek Required	Yes (Yamunotri & Kedarnath)	Minimal (Only for Yamunotri if flying from Dehradun)
Reliability	High (Except in Monsoon)	Dependent on Weather/Visibility

Note: Kedarnath shuttle flights operate from Phata, Sersi, and Guptkashi. Badrinath has a dedicated helipad near the temple.

Price Details Per Person

S.No	No Of Pax	Standard	Deluxe	Luxury	Vehicle
1	02 Pax	42,000/-	47,000/-	54,000/-	Vehicle Dezire (Non A/C on Hils)
2	04 Pax	31,000/-	37,000/	44,000/	Vehicle Dezire (Non A/C on Hills)
3	04 Pax	36,000/-	42,000/-	49,100/-	Innova Crysta A/C (Non A/c on Hills)
4	06 Pax	31,000/-	37,500/-	45,000/-	Innova Crysta A/C (Non A/c on Hills)
5	08 Pax	30,500/-	37,000/-	44,500/-	12 Seated Tempo ( Non A/c on Hills)
6	10 Pax	28,000/-	35,500/-	42,500/-	12 Seated Tempo ( Non A/c on Hills)
7	12 Pax	27,500/-	34,000/-	41,000/-	12 Seated Tempo ( Non A/c on Hills)
8	14 Pax	27,200/-	33,700/-	40,800/-	16 Seated Tempo ( Non A/c on Hills)
9	16 Pax	26,500/-	37,000/-	40,000/-	16 Seated Tempo ( Non A/c on Hills)

 

Hotels Details Of Char Dham Yatra 2026

SR. No	Destination	Standard Room	Deluxe	Luxury
1	02 Barkot	Hotel Chandralok/ Hotel 7 Oaks/ CJ Resort	Raturi Estate / Camp Advanta – ( Tent Stay )	Monkey Tail Camp Veda Camp Or Similar
2	02 Uttarkashi	Hotel Shiv Ganga view/Ganga Ashray/ Hotel swarnim	River View Resort / Ganga Valley Resort	The Great Ganga / Akash Ganga
3	01 Guptkashi/Phata/Sonpryag	Hotel Shivay inn/ Hotel shivoyà/Hotel priya	Amritara Sun Inn / Himalayan Comfort / White Heaven Camps	Charmachan/ Villa Adhya
4	01 Kedarnath	Sitapur House/ Aggarwal Bhawan	Sharing dormitory as per availability or similar	Sharing dormitory as per availability or similar
5	01 Guptkashi/Phata/Sonpryag	Hotel Shivay inn/ Hotel shivoyà/Hotel priya	Amritara Sun Inn/ Himalayan Comfort	Charmachan/ Villa Adhya
6	01 Badrinath	Shloka inn / Hotel Shloka	Lords Centric / Indra Ganga Inn	New Snow Crest / Amritara Avadh
7	01 Rudraprayag / Srinagar	Mantara palace/ Hotel CP residency/ Batallion 10	Tulip Resorts/Pride Rudraprayag or similar	Monal Resort/ Riverside Resort Srinagar or similar

 

Best Time to Follow the Route

The Char Dham route is only accessible for approximately six months a year (May to October/November).

• Peak Season (May–June): Best weather, but maximum congestion on roads and long wait times at shrines.
• Monsoon (July–August): Not recommended. High risk of landslides, road blockages, and cloudbursts. Trekking paths become slippery.
• Post-Monsoon (September–October): Clearer skies and less crowded. Temperatures drop significantly, especially at Kedarnath and Badrinath.

Common Route Mistakes to Avoid

1. Incorrect Sequence: Attempting Gangotri before Yamunotri can lead to altitude sickness as the elevation gain is not gradual.
2. Ignoring Night Driving Bans: For safety, driving on hill roads in Uttarakhand is generally prohibited after 8:00 PM and before 4:00 AM.
3. Underestimating the Kedarnath Trek: Many pilgrims attempt to trek up and down on the same day. Given the 18 km length, an overnight stay at the Kedarnath top is logistically safer.
4. Skipping Biometric Registration: It is mandatory for all pilgrims to register online or at physical counters (Haridwar/Rishikesh) to track movement across the route.

Kedarnath Puja Details

Puja / Service	Timing	Rate (₹)	Description
Morning & Daytime Paths
Ved Path	07:30–12:00 & 15:00–18:00	₹2,500/-	Scripture chanting session
Geeta Path		₹2,500/-	Bhagavad Gita recitation
Evening Aarti / Puja / Path	18:00–19:45
Kapoor Aarti	18:00–18:10	₹201/-	Traditional incense flame ceremony
Chandi Aarti	18:15–18:30	₹401/-	Flame ceremony with Chandi offerings
Swaran Aarti	18:30–18:45	₹501/-	Golden flame offering
Astotari Puja	18:45–19:00	₹401/-	Puja with mantra recital
Vishnusahastanam Path	19:00–19:20	₹701/-	Vishnu Sahasranama recital
Vishnusahastranaamawali	19:20–19:45	₹601/-	Extended Vishnu Sahasranama chant
Temple Closing Puja	Uncertain timing
Shayan Aarti with Geet Govind Path	After evening rituals	₹3,100/-	Night prayer & devotional song chant

 

Badrinath Puja Details

Puja Name	Category	Government Fee (₹)
Mahabhishek Puja	Morning Special Puja	4700/-
Abhishek Puja	Morning Puja	4500/-
Veda Path	Day Path	2500/-
Geeta Path	Day Path	2500/-
Ashtotari Puja	Evening Path	401/-
Vishnu Sahasranam Path	Evening Path	701/-
Vishnu Sahasranamawali Path	Evening Path	601/-
Shayan Aarti (Geet Govind Path)	Night Puja	3100/-
Entire Day Puja	Full Day Puja	12000/-

 

Route Map FAQs

Q: What is the correct Char Dham Yatra route order?

A: The traditional and most practical order is Yamunotri → Gangotri → Kedarnath → Badrinath.

Q: How many km is the Char Dham Yatra by road?

A: Starting and ending at Haridwar, the total road distance is roughly 1,350 km to 1,550 km depending on side trips.

Q: From where does the Kedarnath trek start?

A: The motorable road ends at Sonprayag. You take a local shuttle to Gaurikund, where the 16–18 km trek begins.

Q: Is the route safe for senior citizens?

A: Yes, provided they use ponies/palkis for treks and carry portable oxygen cylinders. A medical check-up is advised before the journey.