Overview
The Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand — comprising Yamunotri, Gangotri, 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 – Uttarkashi
- Day 05: Uttarkashi – Guptkashi
- Day 06: Guptkashi – Kedarnath
- Day 07: Kedarnath – Guptkashi
- Day 08: Guptkashi – Badrinath
- Day 09: Badrinath – Joshimath – Rudraprayag
- Day 10: 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
Drive from Haridwar via the beautiful hill station of Mussoorie, visiting Mussoorie Lake and Kempty Falls on the way. Check into your hotel at Barkot 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.
- 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 02: Barkot – Yamunotri – Barkot (36 km drive + 6 km trek each side)
Early morning drive to Jankichatti/Phoolchatti and start your trek to Yamunotri Temple. After a holy dip in Tapt Kund and darshan of Goddess Yamuna, return to Barkot.
Destination History
- Yamunotri Temple, dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, was built by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur in the 19th century. It marks the source of the Yamuna River, one of the two daughter rivers of Surya (the Sun God).
- Mythologically, it is believed that bathing in Yamuna’s waters frees devotees from the fear of untimely death.
Overnight stay in Barkot.
Day 03: Barkot – Uttarkashi (100 km / 4 hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Uttarkashi, visiting Shiv Gufa on the way. On arrival, visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and check in at your hotel.
Destination History
- Uttarkashi, meaning "Kashi of the North," is a sacred town located on the banks of the Bhagirathi River. It is home to many ashrams and temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
- The Kashi Vishwanath Temple here is said to mirror the temple of the same name in Varanasi, linking both cities as twin seats of Lord Shiva.
Overnight stay in Uttarkashi.
Day 04: Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Uttarkashi (100 km / 3–4 hrs each side)
After breakfast, drive through Harsil Valley to Gangotri. Take a holy dip in the Bhagirathi River, offer prayers at the Gangotri Temple, and return to Uttarkashi.
Destination History
- Gangotri marks the origin of the River Ganga. Legend says that King Bhagirath’s penance brought Goddess Ganga down from heaven to cleanse the souls of his ancestors.
- The Gangotri Temple was built by Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa in the early 18th century.
- Harsil, nestled along the Bhagirathi River, gained importance as a spiritual retreat and trade post on the ancient route to Tibet.
Overnight stay in Uttarkashi.
Day 05: Uttarkashi – Guptkashi (220 km / 8–9 hrs)
Drive to Guptkashi, following the scenic course of the Mandakini River. Visit Ardh Narishwar Temple, symbolizing the unity of Shiva and Parvati.
Destination History
- Guptkashi, meaning “Hidden Kashi,” derives from mythology. When the Pandavas sought forgiveness from Lord Shiva after the Mahabharata war, Shiva hid here before manifesting at Kedarnath.
- The region is also known for its winter rituals, as deities from Kedarnath and other shrines are brought down here when snow cuts off higher Himalayan routes.
Overnight stay in Guptkashi.
Day 06: Guptkashi – Kedarnath
Early morning, proceed to Sonprayag and then Gaurikund, the base for the Kedarnath trek (18 km). Trek or take a pony/doli (own cost). After darshan, stay overnight near the temple.
Destination History
- Kedarnath Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, stands at 3,583 m near the Mandakini River.
- According to mythology, after the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas sought 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 07: Kedarnath – Guptkashi
Morning pooja at the temple, followed by trek back to Gaurikund and drive to Guptkashi. Overnight stay in Guptkashi.
Weather Note: Kedarnath remains cool even in summer (8–20°C); winters bring heavy snowfall.
Overnight stay in Guptkashi
Day 08: Guptkashi – Badrinath (220 km / 9–10 hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Badrinath, the most revered of the four dhams. Upon arrival, take a dip in Tapt Kund and visit the Badrinath Temple for evening aarti.
Destination History
- Badrinath, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is said to have been discovered by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century.
- Legends describe Lord Vishnu meditating here while Goddess Lakshmi took the form of a Badri tree to shield him from the cold.
- The temple’s vibrant architecture and snow-clad backdrop of Neelkanth Peak make 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 09: Badrinath – Joshimath – Rudraprayag (160 km / 7 hrs)
After breakfast, visit Narsingh Temple in Joshimath — the winter seat of Lord Badrinath. Continue to Rudraprayag, where the Mandakini and Alaknanda Rivers converge.
Destination History
- Joshimath, founded by Adi Shankaracharya, is one of the four cardinal “maths” of Hinduism. The idol of Badrinath is worshipped here during winter.
- Rudraprayag is named after Lord Rudra (Shiva) and holds great significance as one of the Panch Prayags (five sacred river confluences).
Overnight stay in Rudraprayag.
Day 10: Rudraprayag – Rishikesh – Haridwar (165 km / 5–6 hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Rishikesh. Visit Laxman Jhula, Ram Jhula, and local temples before proceeding to Haridwar.
Destination History
- Rishikesh, meaning "Lord of the Senses," is where Lord Vishnu appeared to sage Raibhya.
- Known as the Yoga Capital of the World, it is home to ancient ashrams and the iconic Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat.
Tour Ends with Divine Blessings.
