Char Dham Yatra with Gaumukh

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

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 – Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand
🌊 Panch Prayag – The confluence of sacred rivers
🏔️ Joshimath – Gateway to Badrinath
⛷️ Auli – India’s premier ski destination
🚶 Govindghat – Starting point of the Valley of Flowers trek
🏡 Mana Village – The last Indian village near the Indo-Tibet border
🌅 Devprayag – Where Alaknanda meets Bhagirathi to form the Ganga
🕉️ Rudraprayag – A divine junction of rivers Mandakini & Alaknanda
🧘 Rishikesh – The Yoga Capital of the World

Detailed Itinerary with Destination History

Day 01: 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 en route. On arrival at Barkot, check in to your hotel and relax after the long journey.

Destination History

Haridwar is one of the seven holiest cities (Sapta Puri) in Hinduism and is 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 famously called the “Queen of Hills.”
Barkot is a serene Himalayan town on the banks of the Yamuna River, serving as the base for the sacred Yamunotri trek. Historically, it was a resting point for sages and traders traveling through the Garhwal region.

Overnight stay in Barkot.

Day 02: Barkot – Yamunotri – Barkot

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

Early morning drive to Jankichatti / Phoolchatti, the starting point of the Yamunotri trek. Begin your trek to Yamunotri Temple. After a holy dip in Tapt Kund and darshan of Goddess Yamuna, trek back and return by road to Barkot.

Destination History

Yamunotri Temple, dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, was built by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur in the 19th century. It marks the origin of the Yamuna River, one of the two sacred daughter rivers of Surya, the Sun God.
According to Hindu mythology, bathing in the holy waters of the Yamuna frees devotees from the fear of untimely death.

Overnight stay in Barkot.

Day 03: Barkot – Uttarkashi

Distance/Time: ~100 km / 4 hrs

After breakfast, drive to Uttarkashi, visiting the sacred Shiv Gufa en route. On arrival, visit the renowned Kashi Vishwanath Temple and check in to your hotel.

Destination History

Uttarkashi, meaning “Kashi of the North,” is a sacred town located on the banks of the Bhagirathi River. It is an important spiritual center with many ashrams and temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple here is believed to mirror the famous temple of the same name in Varanasi, linking both cities as twin sacred seats of Lord Shiva.

Overnight stay in Uttarkashi.

Day 04: 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, known for its deodar forests and stunning 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 the trek to Bhojbasa around 11:00 AM via Chirbasa. The trail follows the Bhagirathi River and gradually turns into a rugged high-altitude landscape. On reaching Bhojbasa, camps are set up near the river. Evening is free to relax and enjoy a mesmerizing sunset over the Bhagirathi peaks.

Gangotri Temple – Overview

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.

Gangotri Weather

Summer temperature: up to 20°C
Nights can drop to around 10°C
Light woollen clothing is recommended
In winter, heavy snowfall keeps the region closed

Overnight stay in camps at Bhojbasa.

Day 05: Bhojbasa – Gaumukh – Bhojbasa

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

After breakfast, enjoy panoramic views of the majestic Bhagirathi peaks. Begin your trek to Gaumukh Glacier, the sacred source of the River Ganga. The name “Gaumukh” is derived from the glacier’s shape, which once resembled a cow’s mouth.

Spend time exploring the glacier area and soaking in the serene spiritual atmosphere before trekking back to Bhojbasa.

Overnight stay in camps at Bhojbasa.

Day 06: Bhojbasa – Gangotri – Uttarkashi

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

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

Overnight stay in Uttarkashi.

Day 07: Uttarkashi – Guptkashi

Distance/Time: ~220 km / 8–9 hrs

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

Destination History

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

Overnight stay in Guptkashi.

Day 08: Guptkashi – Kedarnath

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

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

Destination History

Kedarnath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, located near the Mandakini River at an altitude of 3,583 meters.
According to mythology, after the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas sought Lord Shiva’s forgiveness. He 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 09: Kedarnath – Guptkashi

Early morning pooja and darshan at Kedarnath Temple. After breakfast, trek down to Gaurikund and continue by road to Guptkashi.

Weather Note: Kedarnath remains cool even in summer (8–20°C), while winters bring heavy snowfall.

Overnight stay in Guptkashi.

Day 10: 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 Tapt Kund and attend the evening aarti at Badrinath Temple.

Destination History

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

Nearby attractions include Mana Village, Vyas Gufa, Bhim Pul, and Charan Paduka.

Overnight stay in Badrinath.

Day 11: Badrinath – Joshimath – Rudraprayag

Distance/Time: ~160 km / 7 hrs

After breakfast, visit the sacred Narsingh Temple in Joshimath, the winter seat of Lord Badrinath. Continue the drive 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. The idol of Lord Badrinath is worshipped here during winter.
Rudraprayag is named after Lord Rudra (Shiva) and is one of the Panch Prayags, the five sacred river confluences.

Overnight stay in Rudraprayag.

Day 12: Rudraprayag – Rishikesh – Haridwar

Distance/Time: ~165 km / 5–6 hrs

After breakfast, drive to Rishikesh. Visit Laxman Jhula, Ram Jhula, and nearby temples. Later, proceed to Haridwar / Dehradun Airport for departure.

Destination History

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

Tour ends with divine blessings.