Char Dham Yatra with Pony
The two treks of the Char Dham, 6 km to Yamunotri and 16 to 18 km to Kedarnath, done on a registered pony, with the booking, prepaid counters and handler arranged. Pony, palki, pithu and doli rates and rules are below, with the complete 11 day package that includes the ponies.
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Char Dham Yatra with Pony Overview
Most pilgrims who do not trek take a pony. Ponies and mules carry pilgrims from Janki Chatti to Yamunotri and from Gaurikund to Kedarnath on fixed rates set each season by the district administration, booked at prepaid counters with a registered handler. The Char Dham Yatra with pony package includes both rides for every pilgrim, so there is no bargaining at the trailhead and no cash to carry for the climb.
Palki, pithu and doli are the alternatives for pilgrims who cannot sit on a pony: a palki is a chair carried by four men, a pithu a basket on a porter's back for a child or a light adult, and a doli a covered seat for the very elderly. These are arranged at the same counters and charged at the district rate; their rates and the rules for weight, luggage and timing are in the tables below.
The package is otherwise our standard 11 day plan from Haridwar with hotels, breakfast and dinner, an Innova and registration, detailed below with itinerary, hotels, prices, inclusions, exclusions and taxi fares.
₹41,900 per person, twin sharing, 6 persons in an Innova, pony on both treks included from Haridwar
Pony, Palki, Pithu and Doli Rates
Rates are fixed by the Uttarkashi and Rudraprayag district administrations each season and may change. Pony on both treks is inside this package.
| Service | Yamunotri (6 km each way) | Kedarnath (16 to 18 km each way) | Suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pony or mule | ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 one way; ₹2,800 to ₹3,500 return | ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 one way; ₹5,000 to ₹6,500 return | Most pilgrims; 1 person per pony, up to about 90 kg |
| Palki (4 bearers) | ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 one way | ₹8,000 to ₹10,000 one way | Elderly and pilgrims who cannot sit on a pony |
| Pithu (porter basket) | ₹1,200 to ₹1,800 one way | ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 one way | Children under 12 and light adults |
| Doli (covered seat) | On request | ₹10,000 to ₹14,000 one way | Very elderly; booked a day ahead |
| Luggage porter | ₹500 to ₹800 per bag | ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 per bag | Overnight bag for the Kedarnath night |
- How booking works. Prepaid counters at Janki Chatti and Gaurikund issue a receipt with the handler's registration number. Only registered animals and handlers are allowed on the route; never pay a handler directly without a receipt.
- Timing. Ponies start from Gaurikund at 4 am and the last up-ride leaves around 1 pm. The ride to Kedarnath takes 4 to 5 hours, down 3 to 4. Yamunotri takes about 1.5 hours each way.
- Weight. One rider per pony, up to about 90 kg including a small bag. Heavier pilgrims are directed to a palki.
- Comfort. Wear trousers, hold the saddle grip, lean forward on climbs and back on descents. Riders prone to vertigo may prefer a palki on the steep Rambara stretch.
- Animal welfare. Rules require rest and water for the animals and limit daily trips; delays at the counters in peak weeks are usually for this reason. Report an injured or overloaded animal to the counter.
- Backup. In heavy rain ponies are stopped on parts of the route; palkis continue. The helicopter from Phata or Sersi is the alternative for Kedarnath.
Char Dham Yatra with Pony 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 with Pony 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 with Pony 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 ₹41,900 per person (standard, 6 persons in an Innova, pony on both treks included) |
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 | ₹41,900 |
| Deluxe | Better hotels and camps at every halt, heated rooms where available, all meals | ₹47,900 |
| Premium | Best available resorts, Harsil and Auli stays, all meals, Kedarnath helicopter included | ₹74,900 |
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 | ₹49,900 | ₹55,900 |
| 4 persons | SUV (Ertiga or Marazzo) | Standard | ₹43,900 | ₹49,900 |
| 6 persons | Innova Crysta | Standard | ₹41,900 | ₹47,900 |
| 8 to 12 persons | Tempo Traveller 12 seater | Standard | ₹37,900 | ₹43,900 |
| 13 to 17 persons | Tempo Traveller 17 seater | Standard | ₹35,900 | ₹41,900 |
| 18 to 26 persons | Tempo Traveller 26 seater or mini bus | Standard | ₹33,900 | ₹39,900 |
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 with Pony 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
- Registered pony for the Yamunotri trek, Janki Chatti to Yamunotri and back
- Registered pony for the Kedarnath trek, Gaurikund to Kedarnath and back
- Pony booking at the prepaid counters and a handler for the group
- 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 with Pony
Is the pony included in the Char Dham package?
Yes. Registered ponies for the Yamunotri and Kedarnath treks, both ways, are inside the ₹41,900 per person price, booked at the prepaid counters with a handler.
How much does a pony cost for Kedarnath?
About ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 one way and ₹5,000 to ₹6,500 return at the district rate, which changes each season. For Yamunotri about ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 one way.
What if I cannot sit on a pony?
A palki carried by four bearers costs ₹8,000 to ₹10,000 one way at Kedarnath and ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 at Yamunotri, or a doli for the very elderly. We swap the pony for a palki and charge the difference at the counter rate.
How long is the pony ride to Kedarnath?
Four to five hours up and three to four down, starting from Gaurikund as early as 4 am.
Is there a weight limit?
About 90 kg per rider including a small bag. Heavier pilgrims take a palki.
Can children ride a pony?
Children above 10 can ride with an adult walking alongside; younger children go in a pithu basket on a porter's back.
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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