Char Dham Yatra Planning Guide: Best Time, Route and What to Pack

The Char Dham Yatra covers four Himalayan shrines — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath — and is one of the most requested pilgrimages we plan each year. Because it involves high-altitude travel, changeable mountain weather and long driving days, a little planning goes a long way.

Best time to go The shrines typically open around late April or early May and close around Diwali (October/November), depending on the year's calendar set by temple authorities. May–June and September–October tend to have the most stable weather, while the monsoon months (July–August) bring a higher risk of landslides and road closures on Himalayan routes.

How the route works Most itineraries, including ours, run in a loop from Haridwar: Yamunotri and Gangotri first (via Barkot and Uttarkashi), then Kedarnath (via Guptkashi and Gaurikund), and finally Badrinath (via Joshimath), before returning to Haridwar via Rudraprayag and Rishikesh. Kedarnath is reached either by a trek from Gaurikund or by helicopter, subject to seat availability and weather.

What to pack Layered woollens (temperatures drop sharply at altitude even in summer), comfortable broken-in trekking shoes, a poncho or rain cover, a basic first-aid kit, and any personal medication. Carry a printed copy of your booking details and ID, since mobile network coverage is patchy in several stretches.

Physical preparedness The Kedarnath trek from Gaurikund is roughly 16–18 km one way at altitude, so reasonable fitness matters even if you plan to use pony or palanquin services for part of the route. Travellers with health concerns should consult a doctor before booking and consider the helicopter option.

Our Char Dham Yatra package covers the full 10-day circuit ex-Haridwar with a dedicated tour driver and group assistance — see the package page for the day-by-day itinerary, inclusions and current starting price.