Char Dham Yatra by Road
The classic way to do the yatra: about 1,300 km of hill road from Haridwar through Barkot, Uttarkashi, Guptkashi and Joshimath to all four dhams. Every stretch, its distance, time and road condition is below, with the complete 11 day road package.
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Char Dham Yatra by Road Overview
The Char Dham Yatra by road is the way most pilgrims travel and the only way to see the whole of Garhwal: the Yamuna and Bhagirathi valleys, the confluences at Devprayag and Rudraprayag, the Chopta meadows and the Alaknanda gorge to Badrinath. The circuit from Haridwar is about 1,300 km, done over 11 days with no driving day over 9 hours.
Roads are two-lane national highways on most of the route, with narrow stretches near Gangotri, between Sonprayag and Gaurikund, and in the Alaknanda gorge. The Char Dham all-weather road project has widened long sections, but landslides and single-lane gates still cause delays in the monsoon. Night driving is not allowed on the hill sections, so every day is planned to end before dark.
Below is the road route stage by stage with distances, times and conditions, the rules that apply to vehicles on the yatra route, a comparison with the helicopter yatra, and the complete 11 day package with hotels, prices, inclusions, exclusions and taxi fares.
₹36,900 per person, twin sharing, 6 persons in an Innova from Haridwar
The Road Route Stage by Stage
Distances and times are for a car in good conditions. Add 1 to 2 hours in the monsoon or on peak weekends.
| Stage | Road | Distance | Time | Condition and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haridwar → Dehradun → Mussoorie → Barkot | NH 7 then Mussoorie to Yamunotri road via Kempty and Naugaon | 200 km | 7 to 8 h | Good two-lane; slow through Mussoorie; last fuel at Naugaon |
| Barkot → Janki Chatti | Yamunotri road via Hanuman Chatti | 45 km | 2 h | Narrow in places; parking at Janki Chatti; 6 km trek beyond |
| Barkot → Uttarkashi | Via Radi Top and Dharasu | 80 km | 3 to 4 h | Good; Radi Top pass can have fog early morning |
| Uttarkashi → Gangnani → Harsil → Gangotri | NH 34 | 100 km | 4 h | Narrow and landslide-prone between Gangnani and Harsil; gate timings apply |
| Uttarkashi → Tehri → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Guptkashi | Via Chamba and Tehri dam, then NH 7 and the Kedarnath road | 220 km | 8 to 9 h | Longest day; good highway after Srinagar; traffic at Rudraprayag |
| Guptkashi → Sonprayag → Gaurikund | Kedarnath road | 30 km | 1 h plus jeep | Private vehicles stop at Sonprayag; shared jeeps to Gaurikund; 16 to 18 km trek or helicopter |
| Guptkashi → Ukhimath → Chopta → Gopeshwar → Joshimath → Badrinath | Chopta road then NH 7 | 190 km | 7 to 8 h | Beautiful through Chopta; narrow gorge after Joshimath; one-way gate timings into Badrinath |
| Badrinath → Mana → Joshimath → Pipalkoti | NH 7 | 60 km | 3 h | Mana is 3 km beyond Badrinath; gorge road, slow |
| Pipalkoti → Rudraprayag → Devprayag → Rishikesh | NH 7 along the Alaknanda | 240 km | 7 to 8 h | Good highway; landslide zones near Nandprayag and Kaliyasaur |
| Rishikesh → Haridwar | NH 7 | 25 km | 1 h | Plains; Delhi is a further 220 km |
Road Rules on the Yatra Route
- Green card and trip card. Every commercial vehicle needs an Uttarakhand green card and a trip card for the yatra route, checked at Haridwar, Rishikesh and Rudraprayag. All our vehicles carry them.
- No night driving. Hill roads are closed to yatra traffic after dark. Days are planned to reach the hotel by sunset.
- Gate timings. One-way gates operate on narrow stretches near Gangotri and into Badrinath. Missing a gate can cost an hour, so we leave early.
- Sonprayag is the last stop. Private vehicles park at Sonprayag; the 5 km to Gaurikund is by shared jeep run by the local union.
- Landslide zones. Known zones near Gangnani, Nandprayag, Kaliyasaur and Sirobagarh can close for hours in rain. Keep a buffer day in the monsoon.
- Fuel. Fill up at Naugaon, Uttarkashi, Guptkashi and Joshimath. There is no fuel at the dhams.
Road or Helicopter?
| By road (this page) | Road with Kedarnath helicopter | Full helicopter yatra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days | 11 | 10 to 11 | 5 to 6 |
| Price per person | ₹36,900 | ₹56,900 | ₹2,20,000 |
| What you see | The whole of Garhwal, valleys, confluences, villages | Same, minus the Kedarnath trek | The dhams and aerial views |
| Effort | Two treks, long drives | One trek, long drives | Almost none |
| Best for | Most pilgrims, families, groups | Senior citizens, families with children | Pilgrims short on time |
Char Dham Yatra by Road Package Itinerary: Day by Day
The order of sightseeing can change with weather, road conditions, temple timings and darshan queues.
Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Route | Distance and time | Night stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Haridwar → Dehradun → Mussoorie → Barkot | About 200 km, 7 to 8 hours | Barkot |
| Day 2 | Barkot → Janki Chatti → Yamunotri → Barkot | 45 km drive, 6 km trek each way | Barkot |
| Day 3 | Barkot → Uttarkashi | About 80 km, 3 to 4 hours | Uttarkashi |
| Day 4 | Uttarkashi → Harsil → Gangotri → Uttarkashi | About 100 km each way, 4 hours each way | Uttarkashi or Harsil |
| Day 5 | Uttarkashi → Tehri → Rudraprayag → Guptkashi | About 220 km, 8 to 9 hours | Guptkashi or Sitapur |
| Day 6 | Guptkashi → Sonprayag → Gaurikund → Kedarnath | 30 km drive, 16 to 18 km trek or helicopter | Kedarnath |
| Day 7 | Kedarnath → Gaurikund → Guptkashi | 16 to 18 km trek down, 30 km drive | Guptkashi |
| Day 8 | Guptkashi → Chopta → Joshimath → Badrinath | About 190 km, 7 to 8 hours | Badrinath |
| Day 9 | Badrinath → Mana → Joshimath → Pipalkoti | About 60 km, 3 hours | Joshimath or Pipalkoti |
| Day 10 | Pipalkoti → Rudraprayag → Devprayag → Rishikesh | About 240 km, 7 to 8 hours | Rishikesh |
| Day 11 | Rishikesh → Haridwar drop | About 25 km; Delhi drop add-on 240 km | Tour ends |
Holy Places Covered
Char Dham Yatra by Road Package Price Details
Starting prices per person on twin sharing. Final price depends on dates, hotel category, vehicle and group size.
| Tour name | Char Dham Yatra by Road Package |
|---|---|
| Duration | 11 Days / 10 Nights |
| Route | Haridwar → Barkot → Yamunotri → Uttarkashi → Gangotri → Guptkashi → Kedarnath → Badrinath → Pipalkoti → Rishikesh → Haridwar |
| Start point | Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun airport; Delhi pick-up as an add-on |
| Tour price | From ₹36,900 per person (standard, 6 persons in an Innova) |
Price by Hotel Category
| Hotel category | Stay and meals | Price from (per person) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Comfortable 2 and 3 star hotels and GMVN rest houses, breakfast and dinner | ₹36,900 |
| Deluxe | Better hotels and camps at every halt, heated rooms where available, all meals | ₹42,900 |
| Premium | Best available resorts, Harsil and Auli stays, all meals, Kedarnath helicopter included | ₹69,900 |
Price by Group Size and Vehicle
Standard hotels. The vehicle cost is shared, so bigger groups pay less per person.
| Group size | Vehicle | Hotels | From Haridwar (per person) | From Delhi (adds 1 day) (per person) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | Sedan (Dzire or Etios) | Standard | ₹44,900 | ₹50,900 |
| 4 persons | SUV (Ertiga or Marazzo) | Standard | ₹38,900 | ₹44,900 |
| 6 persons | Innova Crysta | Standard | ₹36,900 | ₹42,900 |
| 8 to 12 persons | Tempo Traveller 12 seater | Standard | ₹32,900 | ₹38,900 |
| 13 to 17 persons | Tempo Traveller 17 seater | Standard | ₹30,900 | ₹36,900 |
| 18 to 26 persons | Tempo Traveller 26 seater or mini bus | Standard | ₹28,900 | ₹34,900 |
Add-ons and Optional Charges
| Add-on | Charged | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi pick-up and drop (adds 1 day) | Per vehicle | ₹6,500 sedan, ₹8,500 SUV, ₹13,000 tempo traveller |
| Kedarnath helicopter (Phata or Sersi to Kedarnath and back) | Per person | Government portal fare, about ₹5,500 to ₹8,000 return, changes each season |
| Kedarnath same-day helicopter with VIP darshan | Per person | From ₹12,900 including helipad transfer and darshan slot |
| Pony or palki for Kedarnath and Yamunotri | Per person | Paid locally at district rates, see the trek table |
| Extra night at any halt (landslide or rest day) | Per room per night | ₹2,500 standard, ₹4,500 deluxe, ₹8,000 premium |
| Single room supplement | Per person | ₹9,900 for the full tour |
| Child 5 to 11 years with extra bed | Per child | 25% less than the adult price |
| Lunch add-on | Per person | ₹350 per lunch |
Prices are for the 2027 season and are starting prices. Peak dates in May, June and the October holidays may cost more. Helicopter fares are set by the government portal and change every season. GST is extra where applicable.
Hotels Used on the Char Dham Yatra by Road Package
Hotel names are confirmed on your booking voucher. Rooms at the dhams are simple, so most comfort is at the halts below the temples.
| Night | Halt | Standard | Deluxe | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Night 1 and 2 | Barkot | Clean hotel with attached bath and hot water | Resort or camp with garden and valley view | Best available riverside resort |
| Night 3 and 4 | Uttarkashi or Harsil | Hotel in Uttarkashi town | Hotel in Uttarkashi or camp at Harsil | Harsil valley resort with apple orchards |
| Night 5 and 7 | Guptkashi or Sitapur | Hotel with attached bath | Resort with Chaukhamba view | Premium resort with spa or heated rooms |
| Night 6 | Kedarnath | GMVN dormitory or lodge near the temple | Private lodge or tent with attached bath | Premium tent or guest house, or same-day helicopter return |
| Night 8 | Badrinath | Hotel or dharamshala near the temple | Hotel with heated rooms near Tapt Kund | Best available hotel near the temple |
| Night 9 | Joshimath, Pipalkoti or Rudraprayag | Hotel in Pipalkoti | Hotel or resort in Joshimath | Resort in Joshimath or Auli |
| Night 10 | Rishikesh or Haridwar | Hotel near Tapovan or Haridwar | Riverside hotel or ashram-style resort | Luxury riverside resort |
All hotels have attached bathrooms, hot water in the morning and evening, and pure vegetarian food. At Kedarnath, electricity and hot water are limited and rooms are shared in GMVN dormitories on the standard plan. Heated rooms are available at Badrinath, Joshimath and Guptkashi on the deluxe and premium plans. Family rooms with three or four beds can be arranged at most halts on request.
If you prefer to book the stay yourself, see Char Dham hotel booking and Kedarnath hotel booking, or ask us for a vehicle-only taxi package below.
Package Inclusions and Exclusions
Package Inclusions
- 10 nights hotel stay on twin sharing as per the category booked
- 10 breakfasts and 10 dinners, pure vegetarian
- Dedicated AC vehicle from Haridwar to Haridwar for the full route (AC is switched off on hill climbs)
- Uttarakhand-registered hill driver with the same vehicle for the whole tour
- Fuel, driver allowance, tolls, parking, state tax and green tax
- Uttarakhand yatra registration for every pilgrim
- Shared jeep from Sonprayag to Gaurikund and back
- Darshan, aarti and temple timing guidance by our tour coordinator on call
- Pick-up and drop at Haridwar railway station, Rishikesh or Dehradun airport
- All hotel and vehicle taxes except GST
Package Exclusions
- Train or flight tickets to Haridwar, Dehradun or Delhi
- Delhi pick-up and drop unless added
- Kedarnath helicopter tickets in the standard and deluxe plans
- Pony, palki, pithu, doli and porter charges on the treks
- VIP darshan, special puja, rudrabhishek and donation
- Lunch, tea, snacks, mineral water and any meal not listed
- Entry fees, camera fees and Mana village or Kempty Falls parking
- Room heater charges where hotels charge separately
- Medical, travel and trip cancellation insurance
- Personal expenses such as laundry, calls and tips
- Extra stay or vehicle cost due to landslide, weather, strike or road closure
- GST at the applicable rate
Char Dham Taxi Fare: Vehicle Only
Round trip for the full circuit with the same driver. Fuel, driver allowance, tolls, parking and taxes included.
| Vehicle | Seats | Suited for | Haridwar to Haridwar, 11 days | Delhi to Delhi, 12 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan (Dzire, Etios, Aura) | 4 | Couple or 3 pilgrims with light luggage | ₹32,000 | ₹38,500 |
| SUV (Ertiga, Marazzo, Xylo) | 6 | Small family | ₹40,000 | ₹48,000 |
| Innova Crysta | 6 to 7 | Family or senior citizens who want more comfort | ₹50,000 | ₹58,000 |
| Tempo Traveller 12 seater | 12 | Joint family or small group | ₹72,000 | ₹85,000 |
| Tempo Traveller 17 seater | 17 | Group of friends or society | ₹85,000 | ₹99,000 |
| Tempo Traveller 26 seater | 26 | Large group or satsang mandal | ₹1,10,000 | ₹1,30,000 |
Only vehicles with an Uttarakhand green card and a trip card from the transport department are allowed on the yatra route, and we use those. Night driving is not allowed on the hill roads, so every day ends before dark. Each extra day costs about ₹3,500 for a sedan, ₹4,500 for an SUV or Innova and ₹7,000 for a tempo traveller. Local taxis from Sonprayag to Gaurikund are shared jeeps run by the local union and are paid on the spot.
See also Char Dham taxi booking, tempo traveller booking and Haridwar to Char Dham taxi.
Trek, Pony, Palki and Helicopter Options
Rates are set by the district administration and the government helicopter portal each season and are paid locally unless pre-booked.
| Dham | Route | Distance | Options and approximate rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamunotri | Janki Chatti to Yamunotri | 6 km each way | Pony ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 one way; palki ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 one way; pithu ₹1,200 to ₹1,800 |
| Kedarnath | Gaurikund to Kedarnath | 16 to 18 km each way | Pony ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 one way; palki ₹8,000 to ₹10,000 one way; pithu ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 |
| Kedarnath helicopter | Phata, Sersi or Guptkashi to Kedarnath | 8 to 10 minutes | About ₹2,700 to ₹3,900 one way, set by the government Heli Yatra portal |
| Gangotri and Badrinath | By road to the temple | No trek | Short walk from the parking; wheelchair help can be arranged |
The Kedarnath helicopter flies from Phata, Sersi and Guptkashi helipads and the ride takes under 10 minutes. Tickets are sold only on the official IRCTC Heli Yatra portal, need the yatra registration number and a photo ID, and open in phases before the season. Weight above 80 kg is charged extra and weather can cancel flights, so keep the trek as a backup. Read our Kedarnath helicopter booking guide for the current fare and timings.
Registration and Documents Checklist
- Yatra registration. Compulsory for every pilgrim on the Uttarakhand Tourism portal. We complete it for you and send the slip on WhatsApp. Carry a printout.
- Photo ID. Aadhaar, voter ID, passport or driving licence for every traveller, original and one copy.
- Medical fitness. A doctor's certificate is advised for pilgrims above 50 and anyone with heart, blood pressure or breathing conditions. Health screening is done at the check posts.
- Helicopter tickets. Carry the IRCTC e-ticket and the same photo ID used for booking.
- Hotel vouchers. We send a single voucher with all hotel names, driver name and vehicle number before departure.
- Emergency contacts. Our coordinator's number, the Uttarakhand tourist helpline 1364 and the police helpline 112.
Travel Tips and What to Pack
- Start early every day. Hill roads have gates that close at dusk, and the Kedarnath trek should begin by 6 am.
- Go slow on altitude. Kedarnath is at about 3,580 m and Badrinath at 3,300 m. Drink water, avoid alcohol and tell the driver if you feel breathless or dizzy.
- Pack for cold and rain. Thermals, a down or fleece jacket, raincoat, warm cap, gloves, trekking shoes with grip, two pairs of socks a day, sunscreen and a torch.
- Medicines. Your regular medicines for the full trip plus a basic kit: pain relief, ORS, antacid, motion sickness tablets, band-aids and a pulse oximeter if you have one.
- Cash and network. ATMs and mobile network are unreliable beyond Uttarkashi, Guptkashi and Joshimath. Carry cash for pony, prasad and local jeeps. BSNL and Jio work best.
- Keep buffer days. Landslides and rain can block roads for a few hours or a day. Do not book a flight or train on the evening you return.
- Respect temple rules. Photography is not allowed inside the temples. Dress modestly and follow the queue system.
This is a likely schedule. The tour coordinator may adjust it for weather, road conditions, temple timings or local rules. Extra stay caused by landslides, bad weather, road closures or flight cancellations is payable by the guest.
How to Reach the Yatra Base and Best Time to Visit
| Mode | Gateway | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air | Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED) | About 35 km from Rishikesh and 40 km from Haridwar; flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad |
| Train | Haridwar Junction (HW) | Direct trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chennai and many cities; the main yatra base |
| Train | Rishikesh, Yog Nagari Rishikesh or Dehradun | Vande Bharat and Shatabdi from Delhi to Dehradun in about 4.5 hours |
| Road | Delhi to Haridwar | About 220 km, 5 to 6 hours by car or Volvo bus from Kashmere Gate ISBT |
| Helicopter | Phata, Sersi or Guptkashi to Kedarnath | Optional sector; tickets sold only through the IRCTC Heli Yatra portal |
Month by Month
| Month | Weather | Crowd and advice |
|---|---|---|
| Late April to May | Cold nights at the dhams, pleasant days; snow still around Kedarnath | Opening days are the busiest of the year; book hotels and helicopter 2 to 3 months ahead |
| June | Warm days, cool nights; pre-monsoon showers | School holidays, very busy; expect queues at Kedarnath |
| July to August | Monsoon; heavy rain, landslides and road closures | Low crowd and low prices, but keep extra days and travel insurance |
| September to October | Clear skies, cold nights, best mountain views | Best months for the yatra; moderate crowd, pleasant walking weather |
| November | Very cold; temples close after Diwali | Only the first week or so; check the closing dates |
FAQs for Char Dham Yatra by Road
How many kilometres is the Char Dham Yatra by road?
About 1,300 km from Haridwar and back, or about 1,750 km from Delhi. The longest day is Uttarkashi to Guptkashi at about 220 km and 8 to 9 hours.
How many days does the Char Dham Yatra take by road?
Eleven days from Haridwar is comfortable; 12 from Delhi. It can be done in 9 or 10 days with longer driving days, or 12 to 13 with rest days for senior citizens.
What is the road condition on the Char Dham route?
Mostly good two-lane highway after the all-weather road widening, with narrow stretches near Gangotri, between Sonprayag and Gaurikund and in the Alaknanda gorge to Badrinath. The monsoon brings landslides and delays.
Can I drive my own car on the Char Dham Yatra?
Yes, private cars need only the yatra registration and a trip card, issued online or at Haridwar and Rishikesh. Hill driving experience matters; many pilgrims prefer a hired vehicle with a hill driver.
What is the Char Dham Yatra by road package price?
From ₹36,900 per person on twin sharing for 6 persons in an Innova from Haridwar with hotels, breakfast and dinner, vehicle and registration. Vehicle-only taxi fares start at ₹32,000 for a sedan.
Is night driving allowed?
No. Hill roads on the yatra route are closed to yatra traffic after dark, so every day ends at the hotel before sunset.
Is registration compulsory?
Yes. Every pilgrim must register on the Uttarakhand Tourism portal and carry the slip with a photo ID. We complete the registration for you once you share names, ages and ID numbers.
What is the best time for the yatra?
May to June and September to October. July and August are monsoon months with landslide risk and slower drives. The temples close after Diwali and reopen in late April or May.
Can senior citizens do this tour?
Yes, with a slower pace. We advise a medical check before travel, the Kedarnath helicopter or palki, and an extra rest night at Guptkashi. Pilgrims above 50 may be asked for a health screening at the check posts.
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