Every year the Char Dham Yatra draws pilgrims from across India to four temples high in the Garhwal Himalaya: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Rishikesh is where the roads to all four begin, which is why so many yatris spend a night with us in Tapovan before and after. Here’s how to plan it.
When the temples are open
The temples open in late April or May (the dates are announced each year around Akshaya Tritiya and Basant Panchami) and close for winter around Diwali. May–June and September–October are the most comfortable months; July and August bring the monsoon and a higher risk of landslides on the mountain roads.
The route and the order
The traditional order is west to east: Yamunotri, then Gangotri, then Kedarnath, then Badrinath. The full circuit takes 10 to 12 days from Rishikesh by road. If you have less time, a Do Dham trip to Kedarnath and Badrinath takes about a week, and a Kedarnath-only yatra about five days.
Registration
Registration with Uttarakhand Tourism is compulsory for every pilgrim and is checked on the way. Register online well before you travel and keep the confirmation on your phone. We help every guest on our Char Dham package with this.
The Kedarnath trek
Kedarnath is the only dham you can’t drive to. From Gaurikund it’s a trek of about 16 km; ponies, palkis and helicopter services are available for those who need them. Start early, carry rain gear and warm layers, and plan a night at the top.
What to pack
- Warm layers even in summer; nights at Kedarnath and Badrinath are cold.
- A rain jacket and good walking shoes.
- Basic medicines, and a copy of your ID and registration.
- Cash: ATMs and card machines are unreliable higher up.
Start and finish in Rishikesh
A night in Rishikesh before the yatra lets you start early and rested; a night after lets you come down slowly. Book a room with us in Tapovan, or see all our Uttarakhand packages, which can be customised to your dates. For the season-by-season picture, read when to visit Rishikesh.
