Your Char Dham Yatra begins as you depart from Delhi in the evening for Barkot, the gateway to Yamunotri Dham. As you leave behind the city’s hustle, the journey slowly transitions into a scenic drive through the plains of North India and into the lower Himalayan foothills.

This overnight drive, covering approximately 350–380 kilometers, takes around 10–12 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. En route, you’ll pass through spiritual hubs like Haridwar and Rishikesh, where the sacred Ganga River flows in its full glory. These holy towns mark the start of your spiritual adventure, even before reaching the mountains.

The drive offers a chance to bond with fellow pilgrims, enjoy peaceful nighttime views of hills and rivers, and mentally prepare for the journey ahead. It’s recommended to carry snacks, warm clothing, and basic travel essentials to stay comfortable during the night.

By early morning, you’ll arrive in Barkot, where your spiritual and scenic pilgrimage truly begins.

After your overnight journey from Delhi, you will reach the peaceful town of Barkot in the morning. It is a quiet place in the hills, surrounded by trees and mountains. Barkot is the starting point for your visit to Yamunotri Dham, the first of the four Char Dham temples.

Once you check into your hotel or guesthouse, the rest of the day is for rest and relaxation. You can enjoy the cool mountain air, eat warm food, and take a short walk nearby if you feel fresh.

Today is also a good time to prepare for tomorrow’s trek. Check your bag—make sure you have walking shoes, a water bottle, warm clothes, and anything else you may need. Your group leader may also tell you the plan for the next day.

Barkot is calm and quiet, which makes it the perfect place to rest before starting your spiritual journey.

Today is a special day—you will visit Yamunotri Dham, the first of the four holy temples in the Char Dham Yatra. After an early breakfast, you’ll drive to Janki Chatti, which is about 1 hour from Barkot.

From Janki Chatti, you will start a 6 km trek to reach the Yamunotri Temple. The path is full of beautiful mountain views, waterfalls, and small tea stalls where you can rest. You can also hire a pony, palki (palanquin), or porter if you find it difficult to walk.

Once you reach the temple, you can take a holy bath in the hot water spring (Surya Kund) and offer prayers to Goddess Yamuna, the river goddess. Many people also cook rice in the hot water as a prasad (offering).

After darshan (temple visit) and spending some peaceful time there, you will trek back to Janki Chatti and then return by vehicle to Barkot.

It will be a long but very meaningful day, filled with spiritual energy and scenic beauty.

After breakfast in Barkot, you’ll begin your journey to the next destination—Uttarkashi, the base for Gangotri Dham. The drive takes about 6 to 7 hours, covering beautiful mountain roads, river valleys, and small hill villages.

Uttarkashi is a peaceful town located on the banks of the Bhagirathi River. It is known for its ancient temples, calm surroundings, and spiritual atmosphere. Once you reach your hotel, take time to rest and enjoy the fresh mountain air.

In the evening, if you feel fresh, you can visit the famous Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It’s a quiet and holy place where many pilgrims offer prayers before visiting Gangotri.

This day is more relaxed, giving your body a break and preparing you for the next day’s visit to Gangotri Dham.

Today, you will visit the second Dham—Gangotri, the holy place where the River Ganga begins. After an early breakfast, you’ll leave from Uttarkashi and drive for about 4 to 5 hours to reach Gangotri Temple, passing through tall mountains, forests, and the beautiful Bhagirathi River.

Once you reach Gangotri, you can take a holy dip in the Ganga River at the sacred kund (pool). Then, visit the Gangotri Temple, a white stone temple built at an altitude of over 3,000 meters. Offer your prayers to Goddess Ganga and spend some peaceful time near the river.

The cool breeze, snow-covered peaks, and calm surroundings make this a beautiful and spiritual experience. You can also collect holy Ganga water to take home with you.

After darshan (temple visit), you’ll drive back to Uttarkashi, reaching by evening.

After breakfast, you will begin your journey towards Guptkashi or Sonprayag, the gateway to Kedarnath Dham. The drive takes about 7 to 8 hours, taking you deeper into the Himalayan mountains with winding roads and stunning views of rivers, forests, and valleys.

Guptkashi is a peaceful town with several temples and a calm atmosphere, making it a good place to rest before the trek to Kedarnath. Sonprayag, nearby, is the last motorable point before the trek starts.

Upon arrival, check into your hotel or guesthouse and spend the evening relaxing. Prepare your bags and clothes for the next day’s trek, as Kedarnath involves walking on mountain trails.

This day’s journey is important to help your body adjust to the higher altitude and rugged terrain ahead.

Today is the day you trek to the sacred Kedarnath Temple, one of the holiest shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. After an early breakfast, you will start the trek from Sonprayag, which is about 16 kilometers to Kedarnath.

The trail is surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery, pine forests, and fast-flowing rivers. Along the way, you will find several resting points and shops where you can take breaks and enjoy refreshments.

The trek is moderately challenging, so take your time and keep hydrated. The path gradually climbs through rocky terrain with some steep sections near the temple.

Upon reaching Kedarnath, you can visit the famous Kedarnath Temple, participate in the evening prayers, and soak in the spiritual atmosphere.

Spend the night near the temple in guesthouses or tents, resting for the return trek the next day.

After breakfast at Kedarnath, you will begin your trek down to Phata. The descent is easier than the climb but still requires careful steps on the rocky and sometimes uneven path.

As you walk down, enjoy the beautiful views of the mountains, rivers, and forests around you. The fresh air and peaceful surroundings make the trek relaxing.

Once you reach Gaurikund, you will take a shared taxi or private vehicle to Phata, which is about 15 km away by road. Phata is a small village with comfortable stay options and is known for its helipad for Kedarnath flights.

After a long day, you can relax, freshen up, and prepare for your journey to Badrinath the next day.

After breakfast, you will drive from Phata to Badrinath, a sacred town nestled in the Himalayas and home to the famous Badrinath Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The drive takes around 6 to 7 hours and passes through stunning mountain landscapes, valleys, and rivers.

On arrival in Badrinath, check into your hotel or guesthouse and take some time to rest and freshen up. Later, visit the Badrinath Temple to offer your prayers and participate in the rituals. The temple is set against the backdrop of the majestic Neelkanth peak, creating a breathtaking spiritual atmosphere.

You can also visit the nearby hot springs, which are considered holy and are popular among pilgrims for ritual baths.

Spend a peaceful evening soaking in the serene surroundings and preparing for your return journey.

Today marks the final travel day of your Char Dham Yatra. After breakfast in Phata, you will begin your return journey to Delhi by road. The drive is long—approximately 450 to 500 kilometers, and takes about 12 to 14 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.

The route passes through the scenic hills of Uttarakhand, crossing rivers, forests, and towns like Rudraprayag, Devprayag, and Rishikesh before entering the plains.

You can take breaks for meals and refreshments along the way, and reflect on the beautiful experiences, blessings, and memories gathered over the past few days.

After traveling overnight from Phata, you will arrive in Delhi early in the morning. Your Char Dham Yatra ends here.

You can rest, freshen up, or continue your travel plans. Remember all the good moments and blessings from your trip.

Thank you for being part of this special journey. May the blessings stay with you always.