Chardham Yatra 9 Nights 10 Days

Commencing from the month of May, one can embark on this soulful journey till November, just before the harsh winters settle in and roads get blocked due to heavysnow. The temples remain closed from the end of November to mid-April due to uncertain weather conditions.

With multiple travel options and helicopter rides available, everyone can undertake this yatra. You can also hire palanquins and make it atop the mountains. However, people having acute respiratory or cardio-vascular problems must seek a doctor’s advice before enrolling for the yatra.

It is ideal to follow a fixed sequence that goes from the west and ends in the
east. That means, you typically start the yatra from Yamunotri, then head to Gangotri, Kedarnath and finally end the trip at Badrinath.

The destinations that service the helicopter route to Kedarnath are Phata, Guptkashi, Gaurikund, Sitapur and Sersi. You can book the helicopter ride on the Uttarakhand government website or get in touch with our travel agent who will guide you with all the necessary bookings.

Owing to the mountainous roads, the road journey can be tricky and you must
take extreme care of safety. Lookout for any landslide zones and avoid that route. The Chardham Expressway National Highway is also under construction and is projected to be completed by 2022.

The Chardham yatra pivots around towns of Mussoorie, Uttarkashi, Barkot,
Rudraprayag, Haridwar, Rishikesh and you can extend it to Dehradun and Delhi even.

The rituals at the Chardham shrines begin as early as 4:30 a.m. with the Abhishek Aarti. The gates open for public darshan at 7 a.m. and remain open till 8.30 p.m. Some shrines also close the temples in the afternoon between 1 p.m. to 4p.m.

To begin with, carry warm clothes as the Chardham destinations are pleasantly
cold throughout the seasons. Other must-have items include a woollen cap, extra batteries, umbrella, comfortable pair of trekking shoes, extra pairs of socks, first-aid kit with medicines for cold, fever and flu, handy torch and a moisturising cream. Also, carry insect repellent and lotions to avoid any diseases.

It is advisable to put your body in a routine and start preparatory exercises
such as brisk walking for about 4 to 5 kms every day, eating healthy food and practising yoga and breathing exercises. This will help keep you fit on the tedious journey and combat the lack of oxygen at higher altitudes.

The government offers free medical and emergency services for tourist en
route to Chardham Yatra. Medical check-up facilities are available at all locations and there are well-equipped hospitals as well. Basic first aid facilities are also provided in various Char Dham camps. They store medicines and bandages and also keep oxygen cylinders for people who are suffering from altitude sickness.

Yes, you will have to register yourself before embarking on the Chardham yatra. The Uttarakhand government has made the registration compulsory. It can be done online and offline at various Biometric Registration Counters. These are located on the route of Char Dham Yatra. You will require one ID proof – either Aadhar card, PAN or Passport and that is needed for the registration. It is advisable to carry the ID all throughout the trip. The registration charge for the Chardham yatra is a nominal fee of rupees 50/- only.

There are ample accommodation facilities available, ever at greater heights. All
you need to do is be pro-active and book your hotels well in advance. The hotels get sold out months prior, especially during the peak season.

The ideal duration to cover the Char dhams and also neighbouring villages is
10 days. However, if you are running short on the leaves, it is best to opt for helicopter rides so that the travel time gets cut down to almost half.

The best network for the hilly terrains is that of BSNL. Airtel is the next best
service provider in these regions. However, there is no guarantee of network owing to remote locations nestled in the Himalayas.

Yes, every individual aged 50 years and above require a medical certificate.
They will have to go through a medical test as well and present the certificate on the Chardham yatra. This is to ensure that they are ready to deal with the high-altitude sickness.

ATMs cannot be found easily on the route. There are a few installations near the temple area. Cards are also not widely accepted so it is advisable to carry sufficient cash to make transactions on the trip.

The ideal destinations to start your Chardham yatra from are Delhi, Dehradun,
Haridwar or Rishikesh. All four destinations have great air, road and rail connectivity and you will find ample opportunity for sightseeing and other activities as well.