Days required for Uttarakhand’s Char Dham Yatra

Char Dham refers to the four abodes of the Hindu gods in the Garhwal Himalayas – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarn

ath and Badrinath. Nestled amidst snow-capped mountain peaks, each Dham is home to one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is of high religious importance to Hindus. 

The Char Dham Yatra thus involves an exhilarating pilgrimage to all these four holy shrines to seek blessings, attain moksha and get a deeper spiritual experience. The journey takes you through winding mountain roads, gushing rivers, quaint hamlets and meadows while feasting your eyes on the majestic Himalayan vistas. 

The Four Sacred Destinations of Char Dham Yatra Here is a brief on each of the four dhams that are part of the Char Dham circuit: 

1. Yamunotri Dham – The holy source of River Yamuna at a height of 3293 m which also has the Yamunotri temple dedicated to the goddess Yamuna. 
2. Gangotri Dham – The sacred origin of River Ganga at 3140 m altitude housing the 18th century Gangotri temple devoted to Goddess Ganga. 
3. Kedarnath Dham – A 1200 year old Shiva temple at 3580 m located next to the Chorabari Glacier with a majestic view of Kedarnath peak. 
4. Badrinath Dham – The holy Badrinath temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu situated at 3133 m near the Alaknanda river with a backdrop of snowy Neelkanth peak. 

HillWayTravels in Rishikesh helps you to get the best affordable package for Char Dham Yatra. You can visit their site for more information. 

Best Time for Char Dham Yatra 

The ideal time for undertaking the Char Dham yatra is during summer between April and June when the weather is pleasant and perfect for trekking. Heavy snowfall blocks access to the dhams during winter months while the monsoon brings the risk of landslides.

Hence, the Chota Char Dham opens every year on Akshaya Tritiya which falls sometime in April or May after the winter snow gets cleared. The journey can then be safely completed before the monsoon arrives by mid-June. 

Duration for Char Dham Yatra by Road 

The Char Dham circuit is spread over 1300 km across the Garhwal region. The duration can range from 10 days to 2 weeks based on factors like: 

• Mode of transport – taxi, bus or own vehicle 
• Number of pilgrims in group 
• Fitness levels and ability to trek 
• Whether return route is different & other sightseeing plans 

On average, the Char Dham Yatra takes between 10-15 days by road. Here’s an indicative itinerary: 

Day 1: Haridwar to Barkot (210 km/ 7 hours) 

Day 2: Barkot to Yamunotri & return (36 km / 5 hours) 

Day 3: Barkot to Uttarkashi (97 km/ 5 hours) 

Day 4: Uttarkashi to Gangotri & return (100 km / 5 hours) 

Day 5: Uttarkashi to Guptakashi (230 km / 9 hours) 

Day 6: Guptakashi to Kedarnath & return (19 km / 5 hours) 

Day 7: Guptakashi to Joshimath via Badrinath (155 km / 7 hours) 

Day 8: Joshimath to Badrinath & return (44 km / 4 hours) 

Day 9: Joshimath to Rudraprayag (165 km / 8 hours) 

Day 10: Rudraprayag to Rishikesh (140 km/ 5 hours) + return home 

This includes a night stay at each base camp to adjust for altitude and prevent AMS. At least 2 days are required for each Dham to complete the trek and darshan comfortably. More buffer can be added in case of traveling with elders or kids. 

Char Dham Yatra Route Map 

While the highways and access roads to Char Dham are well laid out, knowing the routes between various destinations helps plan better. 

The starting point is usually Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun. From there, Char Dham Yatra follows this route: 

Haridwar – Rishikesh – Devprayag – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Augustmuni – Ukhimath – Chopta – Gopeshwar – Guptakashi – Sonprayag – Kedarnath – Gaurikund – Kedarnath – Guptakashi –

Ukhimath – Chopta – Joshimath – Govindghat – Pandukeshwar – Badrinath – Joshimath – Rudraprayag – Rishikesh – Haridwar 

This covers the key destinations for darshan at the four dhams along with overnight stays at places like Guptakashi, Ukhimath and Joshimath. You can customize the route based on where you start from. 

The return journey usually takes the same route. Some people opt to return via an alternate route like Badrinath to Kedarnath route via Ghastoli or Rudraprayag to Kedarnath via Gaurikund. This allows covering new places but takes longer. 

How to Reach Char Dham 

Here are the transportation options to reach Char Dham Yatra start points: 

By Air: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun has connectivity from Delhi and other major cities. Taxis are available from Dehradun to Rishikesh/Haridwar. 

By Train: Haridwar has a railway junction while Rishikesh has small stations. Many trains connect these to Delhi and other northern cities. 

By Road: Buses ply frequently between Delhi/Dehradun and Rishikesh/Haridwar. The Char Dham route itself can be covered by taxi or own car. 

Char Dham Yatra Packages 

Many tour operators like GMVN and private agencies offer all-inclusive Char Dham tour packages. These take care of accommodation, meals, cab, guide etc so you simply turn up and travel without any hassles. Packages range from budget to luxury tours. 

What to Carry for Char Dham Yatra 

Due to high altitude terrain, cold weather and long journeys, carrying proper clothing and gears is a must for Char Dham Yatra: 

• Woolen clothes, jacket, socks 
• Trekking shoes, slippers, gloves 
• Cap, sunglasses, umbrella 
• Sunscreen, moisturizer 
• Medicines if required 
• Torch, water bottle 
• Snacks and dry fruits
• Valid ID proof 

Having a comfortable journey with the right preparation is key to enjoying this spiritual voyage. While Char Dham Yatra might seem tough initially, the sheer divine bliss awaiting at the four dhams makes every bit of effort worthwhile! 

So visit this holy pilgrimage to attain moksha, witness breathtaking Himalayan sights and experience spiritual awakening.