Char Dham Yatra with Gaumukh

Ex–Delhi / Delhi Airport

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Overview

The Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand — comprising Yamunotri, Gangotri, Gaumukh, Kedarnath, and Badrinath — is one of the holiest pilgrimages in India. This sacred journey through the Garhwal Himalayas is believed to cleanse the soul and grant moksha (liberation). Each destination holds deep mythological significance, natural splendor, and centuries-old spiritual tradition.

Short Tour Itinerary

Day 01: Delhi – Haridwar
Day 02: Haridwar – Barkot
Day 03: Barkot – Yamunotri – Barkot
Day 04: Barkot – Uttarkashi
Day 05: Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Bhojbasa
Day 06: Bhojbasa – Gaumukh – Bhojbasa
Day 07: Bhojbasa – Uttarkashi
Day 08: Uttarkashi – Guptkashi
Day 09: Guptkashi – Kedarnath
Day 10: Kedarnath – Guptkashi
Day 11: Guptkashi – Badrinath
Day 12: Badrinath – Joshimath – Rudraprayag
Day 13: Rudraprayag – Rishikesh – Haridwar
Day 14: Haridwar – Delhi / Delhi Airport

Main Sightseeing Highlights

🌄 Mussoorie – The Queen of Hills
💦 Kempty Fall – Refreshing cascades surrounded by lush greenery
🕉️ Shiv Gufa – A serene and sacred cave temple
🛕 Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Uttarkashi) – Divine peace by the Bhagirathi River
🌿 Harsil Valley – A hidden Himalayan paradise
🌄 Chopta – The Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand
🙏 Panch Prayag – The five sacred river confluences of Alaknanda
🏔️ Joshimath – Gateway to Badrinath and Auli
🎿 Auli – Snow-covered slopes and panoramic Himalayan views
🚩 Govindghat – Sacred base for Hemkund Sahib and Valley of Flowers
🏡 Mana Village – India’s last village near the Indo-Tibetan border
🌊 Devprayag – Holy confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers
🌊 Rudraprayag – Sacred meeting point of Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers
🧘 Rishikesh – The Yoga Capital of the World on the banks of the Ganga

Detailed Itinerary with Destination History

Day 01: Delhi – Haridwar

Distance/Time: ~220 km / 6–7 hrs | Altitude: ~310 m

Pick-up from Delhi (airport / station / hotel / home; typically 8:00–11:00 AM). Scenic drive to Haridwar. Check-in on arrival. Evening visit to Mansa Devi Temple (by ropeway or steps, time permitting). Attend the soulful Ganga Aarti at Har-ki-Pauri.

Destination History — Haridwar

Haridwar, literally the “Gateway to the Gods,” is among the Sapta Puri—seven holiest cities of Hindu tradition. Mythology says drops of Amrit from the cosmic churning fell here, sanctifying the ghats. For centuries, pilgrims have gathered at Har-ki-Pauri to offer prayers on the Ganga’s banks, creating a vibrant yet reverent spiritual atmosphere.

Good to Know:

Respect temple dress codes; keep shoulders and knees covered.
Footwear isn’t allowed on ghats or temple premises—carry a small bag for shoes.
Evenings can feel cooler by the river—keep a light layer.

Overnight stay in Haridwar.

Day 02: Haridwar – Barkot

Distance/Time: ~210 km / 7–8 hrs

Drive from Haridwar via the beautiful hill station of Mussoorie, visiting Mussoorie Lake and Kempty Falls on the way. Continue the scenic journey to Barkot. Check into your hotel on arrival and relax.

Destination History

Haridwar is one of the seven holiest cities (Sapta Puri) in Hinduism, known as the gateway to the Gods. According to legend, drops of Amrit (elixir) from the Samudra Manthan fell here.
Mussoorie, founded in the 19th century by the British, became a popular hill retreat for officers of the Raj and is fondly called the “Queen of Hills.”
Barkot is a serene Himalayan town along the Yamuna River, serving as the base for the sacred Yamunotri trek. Historically, it was a resting stop for sages and traders traveling through the Garhwal region.

Overnight stay in Barkot.

Day 03: Barkot – Yamunotri – Barkot

Distance/Time: ~36 km drive + 6 km trek (each side)

Early morning drive from Barkot to Jankichatti/Phoolchatti. From here, begin your trek to the sacred Yamunotri Temple. On arrival, take a holy dip in the natural hot spring Tapt Kund and perform darshan of Goddess Yamuna. After completing the rituals, trek back to Jankichatti and drive back to Barkot.

Destination History

Yamunotri Temple, dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, was originally built by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur in the 19th century. It marks the origin of the Yamuna River, one of the two sacred rivers born from Surya, the Sun God.
According to Hindu mythology, bathing in the holy waters of the Yamuna is believed to protect devotees from untimely death and purify the soul.

Overnight stay in Barkot.

Day 04: Barkot – Uttarkashi

Distance/Time: ~100 km / 4 hrs

After breakfast, drive towards Uttarkashi, enjoying the scenic mountain views along the way. En route, visit the sacred Shiv Gufa. Upon arrival in Uttarkashi, visit the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple and check in to your hotel for rest.

Destination History

Uttarkashi, meaning the “Kashi of the North,” is a revered spiritual town located on the banks of the Bhagirathi River. It is an important center for pilgrimage, yoga, and meditation, with numerous ashrams and ancient temples.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple of Uttarkashi is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be spiritually connected to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple of Varanasi, making both towns sacred seats of Shaivism.

Overnight stay in Uttarkashi.

Day 05: Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Bhojbasa

Drive: ~100 km / 4 hrs | Trek: ~14 km / 6–7 hrs | Altitude: ~3,775 m

Early morning departure from Uttarkashi with a packed breakfast, driving through the scenic Harsil Valley, famous for its peaceful atmosphere, deodar forests, and breathtaking Himalayan views. On arrival at Gangotri, take a holy dip in the sacred Bhagirathi River and perform darshan and pooja at Gangotri Temple. After some rest, begin your trek to Bhojbasa around 11:00 AM via Chirbasa. The trail follows the Bhagirathi River and gradually turns into a rugged high-altitude landscape beyond Chirbasa.

Enjoy spectacular mountain scenery, forests, and open valleys during the trek. On reaching Bhojbasa, camps are set up near the river. Evening is free to relax and witness a beautiful sunset over the Bhagirathi group of peaks.

Destination History

Gangotri Temple, built in the 18th century, is a white granite shrine dedicated to Goddess Ganga. Nearby lies the sacred Bhagirath Shila, believed to mark the spot where the Ganga descended to Earth.
The temple opens on Akshay Tritiya and closes on Diwali. During winter, the idol of Goddess Ganga is shifted to Mukhba Village near Harsil.
Other nearby sacred sites include Surya Kund, Vishnu Kund, and Brahma Kund.

Overnight stay in camps at Bhojbasa.

Day 06: Bhojbasa – Gaumukh – Bhojbasa

Trek Distance: ~8 km (round trip) | Altitude: ~3,890 m / 12,760 ft

After breakfast, enjoy panoramic views of the Bhagirathi peaks before trekking to Gaumukh Glacier, the sacred source of the River Ganga. The name “Gaumukh” comes from the glacier’s shape, which once resembled a cow’s mouth.

Spend time exploring the glacier area and absorbing the spiritual atmosphere before trekking back to Bhojbasa.

Overnight stay in camps at Bhojbasa.

Day 07: Bhojbasa – Gangotri – Uttarkashi

Trek: ~14 km / 6–7 hrs | Drive: ~100 km / 4 hrs

After breakfast, trek downhill from Bhojbasa to Gangotri. Upon arrival, continue your journey by road to Uttarkashi. Check in to the hotel on arrival and relax after the long journey.

Overnight stay in Uttarkashi.

Day 08: Uttarkashi – Guptkashi

Distance/Time: ~220 km / 8–9 hrs

Drive to Guptkashi, following the scenic course of the Mandakini River. On arrival, visit the Ardh Narishwar Temple, symbolizing the divine unity of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Destination History

Guptkashi, meaning “Hidden Kashi,” holds great mythological significance. It is believed that Lord Shiva hid here when the Pandavas sought forgiveness after the Mahabharata war, before manifesting at Kedarnath.
The region is also known for its winter rituals, as the deities from Kedarnath and nearby shrines are brought here when heavy snowfall blocks higher Himalayan routes.

Overnight stay in Guptkashi.

Day 09: Guptkashi – Kedarnath

Trek: ~18 km (from Gaurikund) | Altitude: ~3,583 m

Early morning, proceed to Sonprayag and then Gaurikund, the base point for the Kedarnath trek. Begin your trek on foot or opt for a pony/doli (at own cost). After darshan at Kedarnath Temple, check in near the temple for an overnight stay.

Destination History

Kedarnath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, situated near the Mandakini River at a height of 3,583 meters.
According to mythology, after the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas sought Lord Shiva’s forgiveness. Shiva appeared as a bull and disappeared into the ground, leaving his hump visible at Kedarnath.
The temple is believed to have been established by the Pandavas and later revived by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century.

Overnight stay in Kedarnath.

Day 10: Kedarnath – Guptkashi

Trek: Kedarnath to Gaurikund | Drive: Gaurikund to Guptkashi

Early morning pooja and darshan at Kedarnath Temple. After breakfast, trek downhill to Gaurikund and continue by road to Guptkashi. On arrival, check in to your hotel and relax.

Weather Note: Kedarnath remains cool even in summer (8–20°C), while winters experience heavy snowfall, making the region inaccessible.

Overnight stay in Guptkashi.

Day 11: Guptkashi – Badrinath

Distance/Time: ~220 km / 9–10 hrs

After breakfast, drive to Badrinath, the most revered of the four Dhams. On arrival, take a holy dip in the natural hot spring Tapt Kund and visit Badrinath Temple for evening aarti.

Destination History

Badrinath, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is believed to have been rediscovered by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century.
According to legend, Lord Vishnu meditated here while Goddess Lakshmi took the form of a Badri tree to protect him from the cold.
The temple’s colorful architecture, set against the snow-clad backdrop of Neelkanth Peak, makes it one of India’s most iconic pilgrimage sites.

Nearby attractions include Mana Village (India’s last village), Vyas Gufa, Bhim Pul, and Charan Paduka.

Overnight stay in Badrinath.

Day 12: Badrinath – Joshimath – Rudraprayag

Distance/Time: ~160 km / 7 hrs

After breakfast, drive to Joshimath and visit the sacred Narsingh Temple, the winter seat of Lord Badrinath. Continue your journey to Rudraprayag, the holy confluence of the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers.

Destination History

Joshimath, founded by Adi Shankaracharya, is one of the four cardinal maths of Hinduism. During winter, the idol of Lord Badrinath is worshipped here.
Rudraprayag is named after Lord Rudra (Shiva) and is one of the Panch Prayags—the five sacred river confluences of Uttarakhand.

Overnight stay in Rudraprayag.

Day 13: Rudraprayag – Rishikesh – Haridwar

Distance/Time: ~165 km / 5–6 hrs

After breakfast, drive to Rishikesh. Visit iconic landmarks such as Laxman Jhula, Ram Jhula, and nearby temples. Later, proceed to Haridwar or Dehradun Airport as per your departure plan.

Destination History

Rishikesh, meaning “Lord of the Senses,” is believed to be the place where Lord Vishnu appeared before sage Raibhya.
Known as the Yoga Capital of the World, it is famous for ancient ashrams and the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat.

Overnight stay in Haridwar / Rishikesh.

Day 14: Rishikesh – Delhi / Delhi Airport

Distance/Time: ~245 km / 6–7 hrs

After breakfast, drive back to Delhi. Drop-off at the airport, railway station, hotel, or home as per your departure schedule, marking the end of the sacred Char Dham Yatra.