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Grey stone Kedarnath Temple below steep Himalayan slopes, Uttarakhand

Home › Sacred places › Char Dham — Uttarakhand

Pilgrimage & heritage route · from Haridwar

Char Dham — Uttarakhand route, cost & what to book

Four Himalayan shrines on one long loop, with a registration system that is mandatory and enforced at checkpoints.

Photo: Shaq774 at en.wikipedia · Public domain · source

Duration10–12 days
Starts fromHaridwar
Cost from₹18,000 each
Stops6
Best timeMay to June and September to October
Good forFamilies, Groups, Solo

Four Himalayan shrines on one long loop, with a registration system that is mandatory and enforced at checkpoints. State-run buses do the whole circuit for a fraction of any package price. The only leg that needs real planning is Kedarnath, which is a 16 km walk up or a helicopter that sells out months ahead.

Step 2 of 6Next: Route
Your trip plan · PDF

Char Dham, planned for you

Day-by-day timings, the route, what each part costs, where to sleep and eat, and a checklist. One PDF that works offline: print it, or send it to everyone going.

  1. Day 1 Haridwar
    • TravelHaridwarFree
  2. Day 2 Yamunotri
  3. Day 3 Gangotri
  4. Day 4 Kedarnath
  5. Day 5 Badrinath
  6. Day 6 Haridwar

₹49 once, 7 pages. Secure payment by Razorpay, instant download. Already bought? Get your download

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The route, stop by stop

The whole route first. Tap any stop and the map zooms to just that place.

Route

Stops

Haridwar → Yamunotri → Gangotri → Kedarnath → Badrinath → Haridwar · Directions in Google Maps ↗

  1. 1
    Rail head for the whole circuit. Registration done here Map ↗
  2. 2
    Bus to Janki Chatti, then a 6 km walk or pony Map ↗
  3. 3
    Bus, 10 h. Roadhead shrine — no walk required Map ↗
  4. 4
    Bus to Gaurikund, then a 16 km climb or helicopter Map ↗
  5. 5
    Bus via Joshimath, 9 h. Roadhead shrine Map ↗
  6. 6
    Return bus, 10 h Map ↗

Travel legs add up to about ₹4,600 per person.

Step 3 of 6Next: Cost

What it costs

Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Prices last updated 6 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book. Spot a wrong price? Tell us and we fix it.

Your group₹36,000
Couple · from Haridwar
Per person₹18,000

A do-it-yourself budget: trains and buses, simple lodges and temple meals. Paid darshan and donations are extra.

Step 4 of 6Next: What to book

What to book ahead

Step 5 of 6Next: Stay & food

Where to stay and eat

Stay

GMVN government rest houses at every shrine, ashrams, and seasonal tented camps. Book the Kedarnath night; improvise the rest as you go.

Food

Bhandaras and langars along every route, free and constant. Simple dhabas at each roadhead. Food is genuinely not a cost on this trip.

Local tip: Sort the registration before anything else — it is free, mandatory, and the single thing that stops people at the barrier. Then book the Kedarnath night. Everything else can be decided the morning you do it.
Step 6 of 6Next: FAQ

Photos

Questions people ask

How many days do you need for Char Dham?

10–12 days, starting from Haridwar.

What is the best time for Char Dham?

May to June and September to October. The shrines close for winter around Diwali and reopen at Akshaya Tritiya.

How much does Char Dham cost?

From about ₹18,000 per person doing it yourself, with the travel legs adding up to roughly ₹4,600.

What needs to be booked in advance?

Char Dham registration (must book): Mandatory, free, done online or at Haridwar. Checked at barriers on every route — without it you are turned back. Kedarnath accommodation (must book): The night at Kedarnath is the scarce one. GMVN rest houses and private lodges sell out months ahead in season. Helicopter tickets: Only if you cannot do the 16 km walk. Released in batches and gone immediately; buy only from the official portal. Buses: State buses run the circuit daily and rarely need booking. This is where package tours make their margin.

Where do pilgrims stay?

GMVN government rest houses at every shrine, ashrams, and seasonal tented camps. Book the Kedarnath night; improvise the rest as you go.

What about food?

Bhandaras and langars along every route, free and constant. Simple dhabas at each roadhead. Food is genuinely not a cost on this trip.

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Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we don't sell packages or bookings, we take no commission, and we link to maps and official sites, never to booking sites. Every guide is free; our only paid products are optional downloadable trip plans and itineraries. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.

By Gokul · Updated 6 October 2026 · Photo: Shaq774 at en.wikipedia · Public domain · source · Photo: Vishwanath Negi · CC BY 4.0 · source · Photo: envybalki · CC BY 2.0 · source · Photo: Anurag.vq · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

10–12 days · —
Route