The Char Dham (meaning: four abodes) is a set of four pilgrimage sites in India. It is believed that visiting these sites helps achieve moksha (salvation). The four Dhams are, Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri and Rameswaram. It is believed that every Hindu should visit the char dhams during one's lifetime. The Char Dham as defined by Adi Shankaracharya consists of four Hindu pilgrimage sites. Another small circuit in Uttarakhand of four pilgrimage sites-Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath is referred to as Chota Char Dham. In the Puranas Hari (Vishnu) and Hara (Shiva) are referred as eternal friends. It is said wherever Lord Vishnu resides, Lord Shiva resides nearby. The Char Dham follows this rule. So Kedarnath is considered as the pair of Badrinath, Rama Setu is considered the pair of Rameswaram, Somnath is considered as the pair of Dwaraka. However, according to some traditions, the Char Dham are Badrinath, Rangnath-Swami, Dwarka and Jagannath-Puri, all of which are Vaishnava sites, and their associated places are Kedarnath, Rameswaram, Somnath and Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneswar (or maybe Gupteshwar) respectively. The Char Dham Highway project is still under completion and is proposed to get functional by end of 2018, but currently, many service providers offer a Char Dham Yatra by helicopter for the ease of pilgrims.
Chardham Yatra
11 Nights/12 Days
- Darshan at Yamunotri Gangotri temple
- Darshan and Attend aarti at Badrinath Kedarnath temple
- Attend the mesmerizing evening Aarti in Rishikesh
- Ponies and Palkies at Yamunotri Temple
- Doli, Ponies and Palkies at Kedarnath Temple
- Halt at Kempty Falls in Mussoorie
- Camp stays at various destinations
- Visit to Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi in Kedarnath
- Visit to Mana village, the last village before border of Tibet
Tour Name: Chardham Yatra
Destinations: Delhi – Haridwar – Barkot - Yamnotri - Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Kedarnath - Guptkashi – Badrinath - Joshimath – Rudraprayag – Haridwar - Delhi
Duration: 11 Nights & 12 Days
Day 01: Delhi – Haridwar (230 Kms/6-7hrs) Ht : 314 Mts.
Arrival Delhi Airport / Delhi Railway Station, Meet & Assist further drive to Haridwar. Transfer to your Hotel. If time permits visit Mansadevi Temple, Chandidevi Temple, Daksha Mahadev Temples & Others. Also visit Har-ki-Pauri for Ganga Aarti. The ‘Aarti’ worship of the Ganga after sunset and the floating ‘dia’ (lamp) is a moving ritual. Back to your hotel, Night halt.
Day 02: Haridwar – Barkot (210kms/7-8hr) Ht : 1352 Mts.
Drive to Barkot via Mussoorie, Enroute visit Mussoorie Lake and Kempty Fall (Suggestible to have your lunch at Kempty fall as further no good restaurants are available before Badkot). Later drive straight to Barkot, transfer to your Hotel. Rest of the day is free to relax and store your energy for the Pahad (hill) Yatra of Yamunotri the next day. Overnight stay at Barkot.
Barkot Weather – Generally pleasant in summer, the temperature ranges from 25-30 degree Celsius, Winter: The Days are pleasantly cool but the nights are cold,temp ranges from 10 deg to 05 deg.
Day 03: Barkot – Yamunotri – Barkot {36kms Drive & 6kms Trek (One Side)} Ht : 3291 Mts.
Early morning, Drive to Jankichatti/Phoolchatti, trek start from here to Yamunotri (6kms). Either by walk or by horse or by Doli at own cost. The trek passes through lush green valley, a profusion of conifers, rhododendrons, cacti and several species of Himalayan shrubs.
Arr. Yamunotri, One can cook rice by packing it in a cloth and dipping it in the hot water of the hot kund. Pilgrims take this cooked rice home as “Prasad”. Here near the temple “Pooja” can be offered to Divya Shila, After taking bath in Jamunabai Kund’s warn water and having “Darshan” of pious “Yamunaji” returning to Jankichatti. Return back to Barkot, Overnight stay.
Yamunotri Temple: Maharani Gularia of Jaipur built the temple in the 19th Century. It was destroyed twice in the present century and rebuilt again. At Yamunotri, One can cook rice by packing it in a cloth and dipping it in the hot water of the Tapt kund. Pilgrims take this cooked rice home as “Prasad”. Here near the temple “Pooja” can be offered to Divya Shila.
Surya Kund: There are a Number of thermal springs near temple, which flows into numerous pools. The most important of these is Surya Kund.
Yamunotri Weather – In summer the maximun temp is 18 degrees and the minimum is 10 degrees celsius. The days are pleasantly cool but the nights are cold.
Day 04: Barkot – Uttarkashi (100kms/4hr) Ht :1352 Mts.
Morning after breakfast, drive to Uttarkashi. Check into the hotel arrival in Uttarkashi. Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Uttarkashi. Overnight stay at Uttarkashi.
Uttarkashi is home to a number of ashrams, temples. The name of the town reflects its similarity to and location (as north of) the city of Kashi (Varanasi). Similar to Varanasi, town of Uttarkashi is also situated on the banks of River Ganga.
Vishwanath temple – Vishwanath temple is one of the oldest Shiva temples in Northern India. Re-constructed in 1857 by Maharani Khaneti Devi of Tehri State in the ancient architectural style. It is situated at the heart of the town. A massive iron trident, symbolic of divine mother’s, is erected and worshiped from time immemorial at the temple complex. Ganeshji, Sakshi Gopal, Markandeya Rishi’s small shrines are also part of the temple complex. Akhand Jyoti as well as Akhand Abhishek, special aarti at morning and evening are offered. As per Skunda Puran, Uttarkashi is known as ‘Saumya Varanasi’, the abode of Lord Shiva in Kaliyug and counted as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
Shakti temple – Right in front of the Vishwanath temple is Shakti temple. It has a big ‘Trishul’ of about 6 meters in height and a circumference of 90 cms. at bottom. Though there are different views about the making of this, the upper part of it seems to be made up of iron and the lower one is of copper. As per the epics this Shakti was thrown on the devils by the Goddess Durga(Shakti), hence it gets its name. Since then this Shakti is erected over here.
Uttarkashi Weather – Generally hot in summer, the temperature ranges from 30-35 degree Celsius but nights is pleasant, Cold in winters.
Day 05: Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Uttarkashi (100kms/3-4 Each Side) Ht : 3048 Mts.
Early morning (packed breakfast) drive to Gangotri, enroute at Gangnani take a holy dip in Garam Kund, further drive to Gangotri via beautiful Harsil Valley. Harsil is famous for its nature beauty and for the majestic views of the Deodar trees and mountains. On arrival at Shree Gangotri, take a holy dip in the sacred river Ganges which is also called Bhagirathi at its origin. Perform Pooja and Darshan, after that relax for some time in the lovely surroundings. Later drive back to Uttarkashi. Overnight stay at Uttarkashi.
Gangotri Temple: The temple was constructed by the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th Century, is situated on the right bank of Bhagirathi.
Gangotri Weather – The maximum temperature during summer can go up to 20° Celsius. Summer nights can get cooler with a minimum temperature of 10° Celsius. Light woolen clothes are required while visiting Gangotri during summer. Winter season is very chilly in Gangotri. Gangotri will be covered in sheets of snow during winter. Pilgrim centers remains closed throughout winter due to heavy snow falls.
Day 06: Uttarkashi – Guptkashi (220kms/8-9hr) Ht : 1319 Mts.
Morning after breakfast, drive to Guptkashi via Moolgarh & Lambgoan. Enroute you can see the beautiful river Mandakini at Tilwara. The Mandakini river comes from Kedarnath, drive alongside the river to reach Guptakashi, visit Ardh Narishwar Temple in Guptakashi. Check into the hotel arrival in Guptakashi. Overnight stay at Guptakashi.
Guptakashi:- The name Gupt Kashi means “Hidden Benares. Mythology describes how when the Pandava brothers were searching for a glimpse of Shiva, Shivji first concealed himself at Guptkashi, but later fled from them further up the valley to Kedarnath, where the Pandavas finally got their wish fulfilled.
Guptkashi Weather – pleasant in summer, the temperature ranges from 25-30 degree Celsius. Cold in winters.
Day 07: Guptkashi – Kedarnath (30kms By Road & 19kms Trek)
Morning after breakfast departure for Kedarnath dham. Enjoy Kedarnath Darshan & back your hotel. Overnight stay at Kedarnath.
By Helicopter: Morning our driver will transfer you your prebook Helipad. You can inform driver about your arrival time whether it will by helicopter or by trek, so that Driver will be there to pick you up. (note: helicopter ticket is not included in this package).
By Trek: Morning our driver will drop you at Sonprayag then you have to take local jeep for Gaurikund & then your trek strat for kedarnath ji. After darshan you follow same & back to Sonpraag. There is big parking issue so driver will back tp other palace if his contact no. in not working then you have to arrange other taxi or wait for your driver.
Kedarnath: The Kedarnath shrine, one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, is a scenic spot situated, against the backdrop of the majestic Kedarnath range. Kedar is another name of Lord Shiva. According to legend, the Pandavas after having won over the Kaurava in the Kurukshetra war, felt guilty of having killed their own brothers and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption. He eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. On being followed he dived into the ground, leaving his hump on the surface.
Kedarnath Weather – Due to its high altitude the weather in Kedarnath remains cold for most part of the year. Summer here is cool and pleasant while winter is severe. During summer season the temperature varies around 20°Celsius. Light woolen wear is recommended. Winter season in Kedarnath is severe with mercury falling to as low as 0°Celsius. During this time the place experiences snowfall as well. Due to the extreme climatic conditions, this time is usually avoided by tourists.
Day 08: Kedarnath – Guptkashi (19kms Down Trek & 30kms/1hr By Road)
Morning after Pooja & breakfast, you can check out of Kedarnath hotel start your journey back to Sonprayag. Our driver will be there at designated place which was discussed with you. Drive back to Guptkashi hotel for night stay.
Day 09: Guptkashi – Badrinath (215kms/7hr) Ht : 3133 Mts.
Morning after breakfast, drive to Badrinath. Check in to the hotel arrival in Badrinath. Pilgrims after having a bath in the Taptkund have the Darshan of Badrivishal & Aarti in evening. Brahamakapal is significant for Pinddan Shraddh of ancestors (Pitrus). There are other interesting sightseeing spot like Mana, Vyas Gufa, Maatamoorti, Charanpaduka, Bhimkund and the “Mukh” of the Saraswati River. Just within the three kms of Badrinathjee. Overnight stay at Badrinath.
Mana Village : Inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, it is the last Indian village before Tibet.
Vasundhara : As the name suggests, vasundhara is a magnificent water fall. This place is 5 kms. from Badrinath out of which 2 kms. is motorable upto Mana.
Bhim Pul : On the other side of Mana village, a massive rock forming a natural bridge, lies over the roaring Saraswati river. It presents a spectacular view of water thundering down through the narrow passage under the rock and is believed to have been placed there by Bhim, the second eldest among the five Pandava brothers.
Vyas Gufa (cave): Near Mana Village, this is a rock-cave where Ved Vyas is believed to have composed the Mahabharata and the pauranic commentaries.
Badrinath Weather: The average maximum temperature will be around 18° Celsius and the average minimum is 8° Celsius. Warm and woolen clothes are hence required for a stay in Badrinath throughout the year. Winter in Badrinath is often accompanied by snow falls. Winter is very chilly with an average temperature of 5° Celsius. Due to the extreme climatic conditions, this time is usually closed for tourists.
Day 10: Badrinath – Joshimath – Rudraprayag (160kms)
Morning after breakfast, driver for Rudraprayag via Joshimath. Visit on the way Narsingh Temple in Joshimath later drive back to Rudraprayag via Joshimath. Check into the hotel arrival in Rudraprayag. Overnight stay at Rudraprayag.
Rudraprayag Weather – Generally hot in summer, the temperature ranges from 35-40 degree Celsius, Winter: The Days are pleasantly cool but the nights are cold, temp ranges from 20 deg to 05 deg.
Day 11: Rudraprayag – Haridwar (165kms/5-6hr)
Morning after breakfast, drive for Haridwar via Rishikesh. Rishikesh ‘place of sages’ is a celebrated spiritual town on the bank of Ganga and is surrounded by Shivalik range of the Himalayas on three sides. It is said that when Raibhya Rishi did hard penances, God appeared by the name of ” Hrishikesh ” and this area hence firth came to be known as Rishikesh. Check in Hotel. Later visit Rishikesh Temples & Sight Seeing – Laxman Jhulla, Ram Jhulla. Overnight stay at Haridwar.
Day 12: Haridwar – Delhi (220kms/6-7hr)
Morning after breakfast, drive for Delhi. Dropping at Delhi airport / station / home / hotel.
TOUR ENDS..!!
- Assistance on arrival & departure at airport and railway station.
- Accommodation at hotels/resorts as per the itinerary.
- Daily chosen meals at the hotels/resorts
- All transfers, excursions and sightseeing tours will be by non-air-conditioned vehicle
- Road taxes, parking fee, fuel charges and interstate taxes.
- GST (5%)
- Any Airfare or Train
- Helicopter Fare
- Pony Ride
- Ropeway Charges
- Anything other than mentioned in the includes list.
- Early Check In and Late Check Out in properties.
- Personal Exp. / Extras during Stay in Resort like laundry, Telephone calls, Medicines, Liquor.
- Tip for Driver/Lunch/Travel Insurance / Air Tickets / Train Tickets.
- Monument Entry Charges/Heating system/Any Local Ride Not Included.
