Chardham Yatra Package from Kolkata

Overview: 2,200 km | Flight: ~2 hours | Overnight train (Rajdhani): ~17 hours

Morning / Afternoon Your Char Dham Yatra from West Bengal begins the moment you step out of Kolkata. Board your morning or afternoon flight from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) to Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi. If you prefer the train, the Howrah–New Delhi Rajdhani Express is the most comfortable overnight option — book Tier-1 or Tier-2 AC well in advance during the April–June season.

On arrival at Delhi Airport or New Delhi Railway Station, our representative meets you with a name board. Transfer to hotel takes approximately 30–60 minutes depending on traffic.

Evening Full trip briefing at the hotel: route map, altitude safety notes, Kedarnath trek guidelines, and most importantly — confirmation of your biometric registration on the Uttarakhand portal. Pilgrims who have not registered online will be assisted tonight.

Overnight: Delhi (low altitude — intentional rest zone before mountain entry) Meals: Dinner at hotel

Distance: 230 km | Drive Time: 5–6 hours via NH 58

Morning Depart Delhi by 6:00 AM sharp — the only way to beat city traffic on the Meerut–Muzaffarnagar stretch. The drive passes through Roorkee, home of IIT Roorkee and the Ganga Canal — a brief glimpse of colonial-era water engineering before the Himalayan foothills begin.

Afternoon Check in at Haridwar hotel by 1:00–2:00 PM. This is your single most important logistical stop: visit the nearest ATM (Moti Bazaar, walking distance from most hotels) and withdraw ₹8,000–₹12,000 cash per person. Beyond Haridwar, ATM availability becomes unpredictable. Beyond Joshimath, do not rely on any ATM at all.

Biometric registration camps are located near the Haridwar bus stand. If your online registration was completed before departure, you only need to verify your fingerprint here — takes under 15 minutes with our coordinator.

Evening Attend Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri — the Aarti begins at approximately 6:45 PM in May–June and 6:15 PM in September–October. Hundreds of brass lamps are lit on the Ghat simultaneously. Our group position: upper-tier balcony section, away from the main crowd flow. Arrive 30 minutes early.

Overnight: Haridwar Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: 215 km | Drive Time: 7–8 hours via Rishikesh–Narendra Nagar–Dharasu

Morning Depart after an early breakfast by 7:00 AM. Route: Haridwar → Rishikesh → Narendra Nagar → Chamba → Dharasu → Barkot. The first hour through Rishikesh and the Shivpuri gorge is spectacular — the Ganga runs green and fast alongside the highway.

Tip for this day: The road via Mussoorie and Kempty Falls is a popular detour but adds 45–60 minutes. Our route takes the direct Yamunotri Highway via Dharasu Bend — faster, and the scenery is equally good. If your group specifically wants Mussoorie, inform our team in advance for a departure at 5:30 AM instead.

Afternoon The road narrows significantly after Dharasu — this is Himalayan terrain, and the vehicle slows accordingly. Barkot (1,220m) appears in the late afternoon, sitting above the Yamuna River valley. Check in, freshen up, and rest.

Evening Light dinner. Early to bed — tomorrow's Yamunotri trek starts before dawn. Lay out your trek clothes and carry a small daypack: water (2 litres minimum), glucose biscuits, a windbreaker, and your registration slip.

Overnight: Barkot Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Route: Barkot to Janki Chatti (40 km | ~1 hr drive) + Yamunotri Temple trek (6 km one way | 3–4 hrs)

Early Morning — The Trek Begins Depart Barkot by 5:00 AM. Drive to Janki Chatti (2,650m) — the trek base. At Janki Chatti, ponies and palkis are available for those who need them (approx. ₹1,200–₹2,500 one way, payable directly at the stand). Confirm your pony booking at the stand before starting — availability tightens after 8:00 AM.

The 6 km trail to Yamunotri Temple (3,291m) climbs steadily through pine and deodar forest. The path is stone-paved throughout. The ascent takes 2.5–3.5 hours depending on pace; the descent, 1.5–2 hours.

At the TempleDarshan timings (summer): 6:00 AM–1:00 PM and 3:00 PM–8:00 PM. Reaching before noon is essential. At the temple, the most important ritual is cooking raw rice in Surya Kund — the natural hot spring at 104°C. Pilgrims tie rice in a cloth, submerge it in the spring, and carry it home as prasad. This tradition is centuries old and specific to Yamunotri.

Practical note: Photography is not permitted inside the sanctum. The outer courtyard and ghat area are open for photographs.

Afternoon Descend to Janki Chatti after darshan. Drive back to Barkot. Freshen up.

Evening Rest and dinner. The body needs recovery before the next high-altitude section.

Overnight: Barkot Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: 105 km | Drive Time: 3.5–4.5 hours via Dharasu

Morning After breakfast, the drive to Uttarkashi (1,165m) follows the Bhagirathi River valley — wide, flat by mountain standards, and noticeably calmer after the tight roads toward Yamunotri. Uttarkashi means "the Kashi of the North," and the town's main street reflects that: ashrams, temple bells, and shops stocked with religious supplies.

Afternoon Check in, rest, and if time and energy permit, visit Vishwanath Temple — a 1,000-year-old Shiva temple in the town center. This is also your last market town before Gangotri. Stock up here: any medicines, warm layers, or trek gear you have forgotten will not be available further ahead.

Evening Dinner and an early briefing for tomorrow's Gangotri visit. Note the midday closure: the Gangotri Temple shuts from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM daily — your group needs to reach before noon.

Overnight: Uttarkashi Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: 100 km one way | Drive Time: 3 hours each way

Morning — The Source of the Ganga Depart Uttarkashi by 6:00 AM. The road climbs steadily through deodar forests, past waterfalls and narrow gorges. First glimpse of snow-capped peaks appears near Harsil (2,620m) — a brief stop here is worthwhile. Gangotri (3,048m) is reached by approximately 9:30–10:00 AM.

The Gangotri Temple sits directly on the Bhagirathi River, the upstream name of the Ganga. The sound of the river at this altitude — fast, cold, and mineral-white — is unlike anything at the plains-level ghats. Darshan queue here moves faster than Kedarnath; your group typically enters the sanctum within 30–45 minutes.

Important temple note: Photography is strictly prohibited inside the sanctum. The courtyard, the ghat, and the riverbank are open for photographs. Priests offer special pujas for ₹500–₹2,000 depending on the puja type.

Afternoon After darshan, pilgrims with good fitness can walk 4 km along the Bhagirathi to Chirbasa — the first campsite on the Gaumukh glacier trail. This gives a clear view of the glacier valley without requiring the 18 km permit-zone trek to Gaumukh itself. Back at Gangotri, lunch at a local dhaba (not included).

Depart for Uttarkashi by 1:30 PM at the latest to safely reach before dark.

Evening Return to Uttarkashi. Dinner. Rest. Tomorrow is the longest drive of the entire yatra.

Overnight: Uttarkashi Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: 220 km | Drive Time: 7–8 hours via Tehri–Rudraprayag

Morning — The Long Drive This is the pivot day of the entire yatra — from the Gangotri side of the Himalayas to the Kedarnath side. Depart after breakfast by 7:00 AM. Route: Uttarkashi → Tehri → Srinagar (Garhwal) → Rudraprayag → Augustmuni → Kund → Guptkashi.

The highlight en route is Tehri Dam — one of the tallest dams in Asia at 260m, creating the vast turquoise Tehri Lake. The road skirts the lake's edge for nearly 30 km. At Rudraprayag, the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers meet — the confluence is visible from the road bridge.

Afternoon The final stretch from Augustmuni to Guptkashi climbs steeply. Guptkashi (1,319m) is reached by 3:00–4:00 PM. Check in, rest, light dinner.

Why Guptkashi matters: The altitude here is 1,319m. Kedarnath is 3,583m — a gain of 2,264m that you will cover tomorrow. This overnight is not a stop for convenience. It is deliberate altitude preparation built into the itinerary. Skipping or rushing this night significantly increases the risk of altitude sickness the following day.

Evening Visit Vishwanath Temple in Guptkashi if energy allows — one of the oldest Shiva temples in the region, often overlooked by tour groups.

Overnight: Guptkashi Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Route: Guptkashi → Sonprayag (35 km | ~1 hr) → Gaurikund (8 km shared jeep) → Kedarnath Temple (16 km trek, ascending from 1,982m to 3,583m)

Before Dawn — The Most Important Day Depart Guptkashi by 4:30 AM. This is not dramatic — it is practical. The 16 km trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath takes 5–7 hours. SDRF-recommended departure from Gaurikund is no later than 2:00 PM; experienced pilgrims start by 6:00 AM. An early Guptkashi departure gives your group full control of the day.

At Sonprayag Private vehicles cannot proceed beyond Sonprayag — this is a National Green Tribunal order, not a seasonal restriction. Shared government-run jeeps and tempos run from Sonprayag to Gaurikund (8 km) at approximately ₹40–50 per seat. Our team coordinates the boarding; expect a 15–30 minute wait at the jeep stand.

The Trek — Gaurikund to Kedarnath (16 km | 3,583m) Gaurikund (1,982m) has hot springs, a small market, and pony/doli booking counters. Ponies are available up to approximately 14 km; doli (palanquin) to the full 16 km for those who cannot walk. Rates are approx. ₹3,000–₹5,000 one way depending on season — payable directly at Gaurikund.

The trail passes through Jungle Chatti (2,645m), Bheembali (3,100m), and Lincholi (3,175m) — these are natural rest points with tea stalls and basic medical facilities. The final ascent from Lincholi to the temple is the steepest section (5 km, +408m elevation gain). Walk slowly, breathe deeply, and do not rush — altitude sickness begins here for those who hurry.

Kedarnath Valley — A Different World The temple complex at 3,583m sits in a high-altitude meadow surrounded by peaks above 6,000m. The air is noticeably thinner. Speak to your body. If you feel a severe headache or disorientation, inform our coordinator immediately — our team has oxygen on site.

Evening Check in at Kedarnath guesthouses or GMVN camps (basic but sufficient; the altitude and the sacred environment make every other consideration secondary). Dinner. Sleep by 8:00 PM — tomorrow's abhishek begins before 5:00 AM.

Overnight: Kedarnath (3,583m) Meals: Breakfast, Dinner (packed lunch on trek)

Route: Kedarnath → Gaurikund (16 km descent) → Sonprayag → Rudraprayag / Guptkashi (driving)

Before Sunrise — Abhishek at the JyotirlingaKedarnath Temple timings: 4:00 AM–3:00 PM and 5:00 PM–9:00 PM. The first puja of the day is the Maha Abhishek at 4:00 AM — followed by Nirvan Darshan (plain darshan without offerings) from 6:00 AM onward.

Our coordinator registers the group for the Vishesh Darshan queue (approximately ₹300–₹500 per person, arranged by our team). The general queue at Kedarnath during peak season runs 3–5 hours. With Vishesh Darshan, your group typically enters within 45–90 minutes. The temple inner chamber houses the naturally occurring Shiva Lingam — a rock formation that is not man-made, which is the reason this dham holds particular spiritual weight.

The 5:00 AM time slot is the most sacred window — minimal crowd, direct view, and the early light over the Kedarnath range through the temple doorway is something that stays with every pilgrim permanently.

Morning — Descent Begin descent after darshan. The 16 km downhill takes 3–4 hours — harder on the knees than the ascent. Take it slowly; most injuries on this trail happen during the descent. Shared jeep from Gaurikund to Sonprayag, then private vehicle.

Afternoon / Evening Drive to Rudraprayag or Guptkashi. Dinner and rest. The Kedarnath section is complete.

Overnight: Rudraprayag / Guptkashi Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: 175 km | Drive Time: 6–7 hours via Karanprayag–Chamoli–Joshimath

Morning Depart after breakfast. Route follows the Alaknanda River northward — one of the most beautiful river drives in the Himalayas, with the gorge walls narrowing and widening as the valley shifts. Pass through Karanprayag (confluence of the Pindar and Alaknanda) and Chamoli, the administrative headquarters of the region.

Afternoon At Joshimath (1,890m), a brief stop is worthwhile. Joshimath is where Adi Shankaracharya established a peeth (monastic center) in the 8th century after unifying Hinduism's four pilgrimage corners — Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri, and Sringeri. The Narsingh Temple here houses an ancient idol said to be losing thickness in one arm — local belief holds that when the arm breaks, Badrinath valley will close permanently and a new dham will form at Bhavisya Badri. Curious and worth a 15-minute visit.

Beyond Joshimath, the road climbs to Badrinath (3,133m) — reached by 4:00–5:00 PM. Check in. Temple is open in the evening but our group rests today and does full darshan tomorrow morning.

Evening Walk to the temple for a brief preliminary view of the Tapt Kund (hot spring), where pilgrims traditionally bathe before morning darshan. Optional evening darshan if the group is energetic.

Overnight: Badrinath Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Route: Badrinath Temple + Mana Village (3 km each way, easy walk)

Early Morning — Maha AbhishekBadrinath Temple timings: 4:30 AM–12:00 PM (noon) and 3:00 PM–9:00 PM. The temple closes sharply at noon — lateness is not tolerated. Attend the Maha Abhishek at 4:30 AM — Lord Vishnu's idol is bathed in ghee, milk, and Gangajal to the sound of Vedic mantras inside an 8th-century stone temple. The ceremony lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Post-abhishek darshan in the Garbhagriha (inner sanctum): the idol of Badrinarayan (Vishnu) here is one of the eight Swayambhu (self-manifested) idols in the Hindu tradition. Photography strictly prohibited inside. The outer hall's painted ceiling — restored in the 1980s — is permitted to photograph.

Morning — Mana Village After darshan, walk 3 km to Mana village — the last Indian settlement before the Tibet border. Mana is not a tourist attraction; it is a working village where the Bhotiya community lives. Visit:

• Vyas Gufa — the cave where sage Ved Vyasa is said to have dictated the Mahabharata to Ganesh
• Bhim Pul — a single large rock that forms a natural bridge over the roaring Saraswati River
• Saraswati River — visible at Mana, the mythological river that "disappears" underground just 800m downstream

Most Chardham packages skip Mana entirely. This 3 km walk is flat, takes about 2 hours, and is the most unexpectedly moving stop of the entire circuit.

Afternoon Return to Badrinath. Lunch (own expense). Depart for Joshimath in the afternoon — an important overnight stop as it sits at a more manageable 1,890m after two nights above 3,000m.

Evening Dinner at Joshimath hotel. Rest.

Overnight: Joshimath Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: 140 km | Drive Time: 5 hours

Morning Depart after breakfast. The descent from Joshimath follows the Alaknanda valley southward. Stop at Devprayag (760m) — the geographically precise point where the Bhagirathi (coming from Gangotri) meets the Alaknanda (coming from Badrinath) and the combined river earns its name: the Ganga. Two sacred rivers completing their separate journeys from the two dhams you have visited — the symbolism is not lost on most pilgrims.

Practical note: Devprayag is a 15–20 minute stop. The confluence is visible from the pedestrian bridge. Steps lead down to the ghat for those who want to touch the water.

Afternoon Continue to Rudraprayag or Srinagar Garhwal for the night. Check in, rest, dinner.

Overnight: Rudraprayag / Srinagar Garhwal Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: 110 km | Drive Time: 3–4 hours

Morning Arrive Rishikesh by noon. Check in. Rishikesh at this point in the yatra feels dramatically different from Day 2 — you are returning from four Himalayan shrines, 16 km of trekking, and 14 days of the mountain circuit. The town's café-lined alleys and ashrams along the Ganga feel warmer than they did at the start.

Afternoon Walk the Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula suspension bridges. Browse the ghats. Triveni Ghat is where the three sacred rivers — Ganga, Yamuna, and the underground Saraswati — are said to meet. Afternoon is also the right time for optional white-water rafting on the 8 km Shivpuri stretch (bookable locally at approximately ₹600–₹800 per person — not included in package).

EveningTriveni Ghat Ganga Aarti begins at approximately 6:00 PM. Smaller and more personal than Haridwar's Har Ki Pauri, this aarti feels like a fitting conclusion to the circuit that began here on Day 2.

Overnight: Rishikesh Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: Rishikesh to Delhi 230 km | 5–6 hours

Morning Early departure from Rishikesh. Drop at IGI Airport or New Delhi Railway Station by 1:00–2:00 PM, giving 2–3 hours for check-in and boarding. Board your return flight or train to Kolkata. Our ground team stays in contact until the Delhi drop — tour concludes at the Delhi point.

Meals: Breakfast

End of Chardham Yatra Package from Kolkata 2026.