This Yatra is considered one of the most highly revered Hindu pilgrimages. ... Read MoreThe shrines were established in the 8th century by saint “Sri Adi Shankaracharya”, whose aim was to bring everyone together in spiritual and religious unity. Each of the Dham sites has its legendary history. Ever since its establishment millions of devotees have completed and continue to complete the auspicious and holy Yatra and pay homage to the said temples every year. This Yatra guarantees to bring positive changes in your life and leave you feeling with a sense of belongingness.
The Char Dham Tour Package comprises a circuit visit to 4 of the holiest and sacred sites in India. The Dhams are visited every day by lakhs of devotees since according to Hindu mythology it is believed that completing the Dham circuit will help them in achieving ‘moksha’ and free them of the karmic cycle of birth and rebirth. There are two circuit options available to complete this Yatra. The Chota Char Dham whose locations are on the Himalayan lap of the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand includes Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, while the next one is bigger and is located as per the four directions of India, which covers Badrinath, Rameswaram, Dwarka and Puri.
The Char Dham Yatra packages offered by us offer comfortable accommodation, delicious food, and secure transportation services. There are various options available to reach the Yatra destination, some people walk while others utilize an alternative and quick option, like helicopter services. We also offer the comfortable facility of visiting the Dhams by helicopter. From covering Do Dham Yatras to all the Char Dhams and even one-day quick trips to the Dham, we make sure that your journey is completed in a hassle-free, relaxed, and comfortable manner.
Uttarakhand or Devbhoomi is the state where spirituality hovers in the air all around amidst the Garhwal Himalayan Ranges. The Yatra comprises visiting four holy shrines namely Yamunotri dedicated to River Yamuna, Kedarnath dedicated to Lord Shiva, Badrinath dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and Gangotri dedicated to River Ganga. Book our well-crafted Char Dham Yatra packages and plan one of the most remarkable and challenging spiritual journeys of your lifetime.
Being tucked at huge elevations, the holy shrines of Char Dham are not easily accessible, and reaching here requires you to put in a lot of physical and mental strength. Also, if you are not willing or unable to cover the trekking trails to reach the holy shrines then avail our Char Dham Helicopter Package and make your journey smoother and easier by avoiding those challenging and arduous treks. Our Char Dham Helicopter Package is inclusive of a VIP Darshan Pass that saves you a lot of time which you can utilize in exploring the nearby destinations to make your journey more than a spiritual and emotional travel journey.
Char Dham Yatra Guide
Char Dham Yatra is a spiritual journey that takes you to four of the most revered pilgrimage sites. All these four holy sites are located in Uttarakhand and are renowned for their blissful ambiance and sacred vibes. The Char Dham Yatra should be completed in a clockwise direction. The four Char Dham sites are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. All these four sacred sites were integrated by the Hindu scholar Adi Shankaracharya into one spiritual circuit which the pilgrims now follow as a tradition. Because of climatic and geographic variations each of the Char Dham sites has a different closing and opening date.
Yamunotri Dham is known to be the first Dham named after the goddess Yamuna. By taking a holy bath at Yamunotri you can relieve yourself of all the sins. At Gangotri Dham, the River Ganga is believed to have descended from heaven directly. Kedarnath Dham is considered to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. Badrinath Dham is known to be the holy abode of Shri Vishnu. It is located on the banks of the Alaknanda River and is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year.
April to June is considered to be the best time for Char Dham Yatra. The opening time of all the Char Dham temples is around Akshay Tritiya or after that date. September to early November is also considered to be a good time to visit Char Dham sites as the monsoon subsides and the weather becomes very pleasant. You should avoid visiting Char Dham sites during the monsoon season (July to August) due to potential road blockages and frequent landslides. You should also keep in mind that during the harsh winter months, the temples remain closed due to heavy snowfall and depending on weather conditions usually reopen in May.
How to Reach Chardham
Here’s a general guide on how to reach each of the Chardham destinations:
Yamunotri
By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (approximately 175 km from Yamunotri). From there, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Hanuman Chatti.
By Train: The nearest railway station is also in Dehradun. From there, you can proceed by road to Hanuman Chatti.
By Road: Yamunotri is accessible by road up to Hanuman Chatti. From there, you need to trek or hire a pony/doli to reach Yamunotri temple.
Gangotri
By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (approximately 236 km from Gangotri). From there, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Gangotri.
By Train: The nearest railway station is in Rishikesh (approximately 265 km from Gangotri). From Rishikesh, you can travel by road to Gangotri.
By Road: Gangotri is well-connected by road. You can reach Gangotri by bus or taxi from major cities in Uttarakhand.
Kedarnath
By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (approximately 245 km from Kedarnath). From Dehradun, you can hire a taxi or take a helicopter ride to Kedarnath.
By Train: The nearest railway station is in Rishikesh (approximately 225 km from Kedarnath). From Rishikesh, you can travel by road to Gaurikund, and then trek or take a pony/doli to Kedarnath.
By Road: Kedarnath is accessible by road up to Gaurikund. From Gaurikund, it’s a trek of about 16 km to Kedarnath, or you can hire a pony/doli.
Badrinath
By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (approximately 322 km from Badrinath). From there, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Badrinath.
By Train: The nearest railway station is in Rishikesh (approximately 286 km from Badrinath). From Rishikesh, you can travel by road to Badrinath.
By Road: Badrinath is well-connected by road. You can reach Badrinath by bus or taxi from major cities in Uttarakhand.
Places To Visit During Chardham Yatra
Ukhimath: Ukhimath is a quaint village that becomes Lord Madhyamaheshwar and Lord Kedarnath’s winter sanctuary when the main temples are closed.
Haridwar: Haridwar holds lots of relevance for the Hindus as it has many sacred attractions including the Mansa Devi Temple, Har Ki Pauri, Chandi Devi Temple, and Shanti Kunj. At Har Ki Pauri you can attend the famous Ganga Aarti.
Dehradun: Dehradun is Uttarakhand’s capital and the largest city in the state. It has many popular attractions including the Tapovan Temple, Malsi Deer Park, Sahastradhara, and Robber’s Cave.
Rishikesh: Rishikesh is known to be the birthplace of yoga. It has numerous ashrams where you can meditate and perform yoga. You can also enjoy here many adventurous activities including river rafting and bungee jumping. The Ganga Aarti is performed on the banks of the Ganges every day.
Guptkashi: Guptkashi is one of the most sacred destinations in Uttarakhand situated in the Mandakini River valley. It houses many significant temples including Ardhnarishwar Temple and Vishwanath Temple.
Gaurikund: Gaurikund is situated in the Garhwal Himalaya at an altitude of 1982 m. It is also considered the Kedarnath trip’s base camp. The Gaurikund Thermal Spring is one of the holiest Hindu destinations in Gaurikund where you can take a holy dip.
Harsil: Harsil is a hidden gem known for its cascading waterfalls, picturesque landscapes, and vibrant culture. It has bountiful apple orchards and serves as a gateway to the Gangotri National Park.
Ukhimath: Ukhimath is a Hindu pilgrimage site and a small town perched at an elevation of 1311 meters. It houses many ancient temples dedicated to Goddesses and Gods such as Aniruddha, Parvati, Usha, Shiva, and Mandhata. Ukhimath offers breathtaking views of Neelkanth and Kedarnath peaks.
Valley of Flowers National Park: Valley of Flowers National Park is a high-altitude Himalayan valley that houses around 300 varieties of alpine flowers. It is spread over 55 miles and borders Nanda Devi National Park.
Gangotri National Park: Gangotri National Park is situated in the magnificent Himalayan landscape of Uttarakhand and testifies to the region’s biodiversity and natural beauty. It spans a sprawling expanse of breathtaking wilderness and is a haven for adventurers, spiritual seekers, and nature enthusiasts.
Joshimath: Joshimath is a hill town in the Chamoli district of the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is perched at the height of 6150 feet and is known to be Lord Badri’s winter home.
Things to Do during Chardham Yatra
Attend the aarti at the temple and partake in the morning rituals.
Appreciate the beauty of the cascading waterfalls and relax and unwind in the hot springs.
Go on rejuvenating walks to Kedarnath and Yamunotri and enjoy the breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains.
Stock up on souvenirs from the local market as a memoir of your trip.
Sample local cuisines that will satisfy the cravings of your taste buds.
Seek tranquility and eternal bliss at the temples.
Click beautiful pictures that will remind you about the trip.
Char Dham Yatra Tips
If you’re dealing with any pre-existing health conditions such as high blood pressure, asthma, or heart problems you should consult your physician before heading out on this journey. You should pack the right medicines during this pilgrimage to ensure you do not have to deal with any kind of health-related complications.
May and October are the best times for Char Dham Yatra, but you should plan your journey keeping in mind the closing and opening dates of the temple. While it is important to plan your trip at the right time professional guidance will ensure your journey is effortless.
Dress moderately and follow the rules laid by the temple administration.
The Himalayan weather remains quite cold, so you’re advised to pack warm clothing to stay comfortable during the trip. If you have any pre-existing conditions you should prioritize your health.
Have all the important permits, travel insurance, and a valid ID.
Ascend slowly and take breaks in between the trek to the temples to ensure you don’t feel out of breath or tired.
Book the tickets in advance to avoid last minute rush and reserve your slot for the sacred tour.
Various Char Dham Packages We Offer
Char Dham Bus Tours: This tour is ideal for those who want to travel on a budget. They have a fixed date departure from Rishikesh, Delhi, or Haridwar.
Char Dham Luxury tour packages: These packages have been curated for those who want to travel with the utmost luxury. These packages can be customized and include stays at luxurious hotels and transfers in deluxe air-conditioned SUVs and cars.
Char Dham Helicopter Tours: With these packages, you get a chance to have a hassle-free tour of the Char Dham sites via charter flights or helicopters. If the tour is for more than one day then you’ll stay at deluxe hotels and savor delicious meals.
Char Dham Deluxe Package: These packages are available for both individuals and groups. These include a stay in premium category hotels and meals. You’ll be transferred to different places via Safari, Tavera, Innova, etc.
VIP Darshan: With this package, you don’t need to stand in long lines for darshan. It will save you precious time and ensure you can enter the temples directly and have the darshan without any issues.
Char Dham Tour Excursions: With the Char Dham Tour you can visit other popular attractions located nearby the Char Dham sites. Some of the places you can visit along with the Char Dham sites include Mussoorie, Tehri Dam, Roopkund, Har ki Dun, Gaumukh, Dodital, Panch Badri, Chopta-Tungnath, Panch Kedar, Valley of Flowers, Auli, Lansdowne and Hemkund Sahib. These places are known for their scenic beauty and peaceful ambiance and will help you cut off from the stress of daily life.
Departure Cities for Char Dham Yatra: We can arrange departure from various cities like Delhi NCR (Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurgaon, Faridabad), Haridwar, Haldwani, Kathgodam, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Chandigarh, Shimla, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Ambala, Jaipur, Pune, Bangalore, Bhopal, Nagpur, Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Kanpur, Patna, etc.
Naresh Sudarshan Shah, king of Tehri built the shrine of Yamunotri in 1839. Besides the idol of Yamuna Devi (goddess), Ganga Devi’s idol is also housed in the temple. Among the most important hot water springs close to the temple is the Surya Kund. Devotees boil potatoes and rice in the Kund and accept it as devi’s prasad.
Amar Singh Thapa who was a brave Gurkha general built the Gangotri temple in the early nineteenth century. It is believed that Bhagirath’s meditation brought Ganga to earth. Lord Shiva tied Ganga to save the earth from the water’s mighty force and distributed it in several streams.
It is believed that the Kedarnath temple was originally built by Pandavas. The present structure was built by Adi Shankaracharya adjacent to the old temple site in the 8th century. The grey stone structure is considered an architectural splendor because of its ability to survive for years in such harsh terrain and its imposing design.
The idol of Lord Badri was founded by Adi Shankaracharya in Alaknanda River. He later put it up near the Tapt Kund in a cave. In the sixteenth century, the temple was erected by a Garhwal King. Because of natural calamities, the temple has been renovated many times. It is perched between the peaks of Nar and Narayan and its beauty is enhanced with the Neelkanth peak’s background.
You should book your Char Dham yatra package in advance to reserve your spot on the desired date. During peak pilgrimage season you may face difficulties in getting tickets as the slots are full.
Booking a Char Dham Yatra tour package is very easy. You just need to follow these steps.
Explore all the Char Dham Yatra packages offered by different operators and government organizations. Compare the pricing and inclusions and select the one that caters to your unique needs and is offering the best deal.
You can contact reputable travel agencies and inquire about the packages they offer through their emails, chat, or phone numbers.
Request them to provide in-depth information about the inclusions of the tour package such as accommodation, sightseeing, transportation, and other details. If you have any questions in your mind ask them about the same.
Look for testimonials or reviews from previous travelers about their experiences with the tour from the selected agency. This will offer you insight into the quality of services they offer.
Before booking the package compare the cost, customer reviews, and amenities. Choose the one that perfectly aligns with your budget and preferences.
Before making the booking, carefully review the package’s terms and conditions including refund rules, cancellation policies, and other information. Most travel agencies offer the option to make the booking from their website.
You will get the confirmation of the booking once you have made the payment.
Prepare for the yatra by packing appropriately and organizing your essential documents.
What are the Char Dham destinations included in the package?
We have all kinds of packages that include a single site to the complete Char Dham Yatra. The complete package includes a visit to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. Choose according to your travel plan.
What is the best time to undertake the Char Dham Yatra?
The most favorable time for the Yatra is from the month of May to June and September to October. These months generally see clearer skies and stable weather conditions, making them perfect for traveling to the hilly areas of the Garhwal region.
How physically demanding is the Yatra?
Before going on the Char Dham Yatra, it is best for you to understand the physical toll it will take on your body. The Yatra is known for its high-altitude locations and steep treks. So, while the spiritual journey is rewarding, it does demand good physical fitness and stamina. You should prepare with regular exercise and consult a doctor before partaking in this spiritually rewarding journey.
Are there any age restrictions for the Yatra?
No, there is not. However, we should point out that the demanding nature of the Yatra can be quite challenging for very young children and older adults.
What types of accommodations are available during the Yatra?
Accommodation options will vary depending on the package you choose. It could range from basic Dharamshalas and guesthouses to more comfortable houses. However, keep in mind that facilities in remote will be basic but equipped to provide the necessary comfort after a day’s journey.
Is travel insurance necessary for the Yatra?
While it is not compulsory, we recommend our passengers to opt for one anyway. Your travel insurance should provide coverage for unexpected medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or delays due to weather. Given the unpredictable nature of the weather during the Char Dham Yatra, even during the good months, and the nature of high-altitude travel, having insurance is only beneficial.
Can Char Dham be visited by helicopter?
Yes, Char Dham helicopter tours are available for all the pilgrims from Dehradun. It takes around 4-5 days to complete Char Dham helicopter yatra tour from Dehradun. You can also book same-day 2 Dham tours that cover Badrinath and Kedarnath.
Are Char Dham shrines open during winter?
Due to heavy snowfall and adverse weather conditions, Char Dham shrines remain closed during winter from late November to April. Therefore, you should avoid visiting the Char Dham sites during winter. However, you can visit all Char Dham Temple winter shrines during this season.
What route is followed during the Char Dham yatra?
The Char Dham Yatra should be completed in a clockwise direction. The four Char Dham sites are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
Is Char Dham Yatra ideal for differently abled or elderly individuals?
Chard Dham yatra can be undertaken by elderly or differently abled individuals as there are various options such as helicopter services, palanquins, and ponies for those who do not want to undertake the rigorous trek on foot.
Where does the Char Dham yatra commence?
Most of the Char Dham tours start from Haridwar. Some travel agencies may offer Char Dham Packages from Dehradun or Rishikesh as well.
Explain Chardham Yatra - Exploring the Divine Destinations of India By Video