Chardham Yatra Package from Kolkata

Overview: About 1,300 km by air | Flight: ~2 hours | Overnight train (Rajdhani): ~17 hours

Morning / Afternoon: 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 First AC or AC 2-Tier 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 a check of your yatra registration on the Uttarakhand portal. Pilgrims who have not registered online will be assisted tonight.

Overnight: Delhi Meals: Dinner at hotel

Distance: About 220 km | Drive Time: 5–6 hours via Meerut and Roorkee

Morning: Depart Delhi by 6:00 AM sharp to beat city traffic on the Meerut–Muzaffarnagar stretch. The drive passes through Roorkee, home of IIT Roorkee and the Ganga Canal, before the Himalayan foothills begin.

Afternoon: Check in at Haridwar hotel by 1:00–2:00 PM. This is your most important logistical stop: visit the nearest ATM and withdraw ₹8,000–₹12,000 cash per person. Beyond Haridwar, ATM availability becomes unpredictable.

If anyone in the group has not registered online, our coordinator takes them to the offline registration counter in Haridwar.

Evening: Attend Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri. The Aarti begins around sunset, at approximately 6:45 PM in May–June and 6:15 PM in September–October. Hundreds of brass lamps are lit on the Ghat together. Arrive 30 minutes early for a good spot.

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.

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 road via Dharasu Bend, which is faster. 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, and the vehicle slows down on this hill terrain. 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 (about 45 km | 1.5–2 hrs drive) + Yamunotri Temple trek (about 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, as 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 Temple: Darshan timings (summer) are 6:00 AM–1:00 PM and 3:00 PM–8:00 PM. Reaching before noon is essential. The most important ritual here is cooking raw rice in Surya Kund, a natural hot spring of about 88°C. Pilgrims tie rice in a cloth, dip it in the spring, and carry it home as prasad. This ritual is specific to Yamunotri.

Practical note: Phones and cameras are not allowed inside the temple premises in 2026. The ghat area outside is fine 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: About 90–100 km | Drive Time: 3.5–4.5 hours via Dharasu

Morning: After breakfast, the drive to Uttarkashi (1,158m) follows the Bhagirathi River valley, and the road is noticeably easier than the tight stretch 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 the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, an old Shiva temple in the town center. This is also your last big market town before Gangotri. Stock up here: medicines, warm layers, or trek gear you have forgotten may be hard to find 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, so your group needs to reach before noon.

Overnight: Uttarkashi Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: About 100 km one way | Drive Time: 3.5–4 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. The first snow-capped peaks appear near Harsil (2,620m), where a brief stop is worthwhile. Gangotri (about 3,100m) 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 darshan queue here moves faster than at Kedarnath; your group typically enters the sanctum within 30–45 minutes.

Important temple note: Phones and cameras are not allowed inside the temple premises in 2026; the ghat and riverbank outside are fine for photographs. Priests offer special pujas for ₹500–₹2,000 depending on the puja type.

Afternoon: After darshan, spend some time at the ghat on the Bhagirathi. Lunch at a local dhaba in Gangotri (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: About 220 km | Drive Time: 8–9 hours via Tehri–Rudraprayag

Morning: The Long Drive Today you move from the Gangotri side of the Himalayas to the Kedarnath side. Depart after breakfast by 7:00 AM. Route: Uttarkashi → Tehri → Srinagar (Garhwal) → Rudraprayag → Agastyamuni → Kund → Guptkashi.

The highlight en route is Tehri Dam, India's tallest dam at about 260m, with the large Tehri Lake behind it. At Rudraprayag, the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers meet, and the confluence is visible from the road bridge.

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

Why Guptkashi matters: Guptkashi is about 30 km from Sonprayag, which lets the group start the Kedarnath day before dawn. Rest well tonight.

Evening Visit the Vishwanath Temple in Guptkashi if energy allows. It is one of the older Shiva temples in the region and is often skipped by tour groups.

Overnight: Guptkashi Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Route: Guptkashi → Sonprayag (about 30 km | ~1 hr) → Gaurikund (5 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. The 16 km trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath takes 6–8 hours for most pilgrims. Authorities can stop late starters, so the group aims to start walking from Gaurikund by 6:00 AM. The early start leaves enough daylight for the climb.

At Sonprayag: Private vehicles cannot proceed beyond Sonprayag under local administration rules. Shared jeeps run from Sonprayag to Gaurikund (5 km); the fare is set locally and paid at the counter. 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/palki/doli booking counters. Doli (palanquin) and palki are available for those who cannot walk. Pony rates are roughly ₹3,000–₹5,000 one way depending on season, paid directly at the counter in Gaurikund.

The trail passes through Jungle Chatti, Bhimbali and Lincholi, which are natural rest points with tea stalls and basic medical facilities. The final stretch from Lincholi to the temple is the steepest. Walk slowly, breathe deeply, and do not rush, as altitude sickness is more likely when you hurry.

Kedarnath Valley: The temple complex at 3,583m sits in a high-altitude meadow surrounded by snow peaks. The air is noticeably thinner. If you feel a severe headache, breathlessness or disorientation, tell our coordinator at once. The Uttarakhand Health Department and SDRF run medical and rescue support on the route during the yatra.

Evening: Check in at Kedarnath guesthouses or GMVN camps (basic but sufficient). Dinner. Sleep by 8:00 PM, since the morning puja begins around 4:00 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 Jyotirlinga. Kedarnath Temple timings are usually around 4:00 AM–3:00 PM and 5:00 PM–9:00 PM (confirm on the day). 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. Mobile phones are not allowed anywhere in the temple premises.

Our coordinator helps book the BKTC Sugam Darshan slip when it is available. The general queue at Kedarnath can run several hours in peak season, and the slip shortens it. The Shiva Lingam in the inner chamber is a natural rock formation, worshipped in Hindu tradition as self-manifested.

The early morning slot usually has the smallest crowd, so be in line before sunrise.

Morning: Descent Begin descent after darshan. The 16 km downhill takes 4–6 hours and is harder on the knees than the ascent, so walk slowly and wear shoes with good grip. Shared jeep from Gaurikund to Sonprayag, then private vehicle.

Afternoon / Evening: Drive to Guptkashi, or on to Rudraprayag if the group comes down early and the road is clear. Your coordinator decides on the day. Dinner and rest.

Overnight: Rudraprayag / Guptkashi Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: About 160 km from Rudraprayag, or about 200 km if you stayed in Guptkashi | Drive Time: 7–9 hours via Karnaprayag–Chamoli–Joshimath

Morning: Depart after breakfast. The route follows the Alaknanda River northward. Pass through Karnaprayag (confluence of the Pindar and Alaknanda) and Chamoli, the district headquarters.

Afternoon: At Joshimath (now officially Jyotirmath, 1,875m), a brief stop is worthwhile. Adi Shankaracharya established Jyotirmath here, one of the four mathas (monastic centres) he founded along with Sringeri, Dwarka and Puri. The Narsingh Temple here houses an ancient idol said to be losing thickness in one arm; local belief holds that when the arm breaks, the route to Badrinath will close and worship will move to Bhavishya Badri. It is worth a 15-minute visit.

Beyond Joshimath, the road climbs to Badrinath (3,133m), reached by 4:00–5:00 PM. Check in. The 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 Abhishek. Badrinath Temple timings are roughly 4:30 AM–1:00 PM and 4:00 PM–9:00 PM (they vary by season). Plan to finish darshan by late morning. Attend the Maha Abhishek at 4:30 AM (booked through BKTC), when Lord Vishnu's idol is bathed in ghee, milk, and Gangajal to the sound of Vedic mantras.

Post-abhishek darshan in the Garbhagriha (inner sanctum): in Hindu tradition, the idol of Badrinarayan (Vishnu): here is regarded as one of the eight Swayambhu (self-manifested) forms. Phones and cameras are not allowed beyond the Singhdwar.

Morning: Mana Village: After darshan, go 3 km to Mana village, signposted as the "First Indian Village" near the Tibet border. Mana 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, it joins the Alaknanda at Keshav Prayag, close to the village

The Mana visit is mostly easy walking and takes about 2 hours.

Afternoon: Return to Badrinath. Lunch (own expense). Depart for Joshimath in the afternoon, an important overnight stop at a more manageable 1,875m after two nights above 3,000m.

Evening: Dinner at Joshimath hotel. Rest.

Overnight: Joshimath Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: About 145 km | Drive Time: 5–6 hours

Morning: Depart after breakfast. The descent from Joshimath follows the Alaknanda valley southward through Chamoli, Karnaprayag and Rudraprayag.

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

Overnight: Srinagar Garhwal Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: About 105 km | Drive Time: 3.5–4 hours

Morning: Stop at Devprayag (about 830m), the point where the Bhagirathi (coming from Gangotri) meets the Alaknanda (coming from Badrinath) and the combined river takes its name: the Ganga. You have now seen both rivers near the dhams they flow from.

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. Continue to Rishikesh, arriving by early afternoon, and check in.

Afternoon: Walk across the Ram Jhula suspension bridge (Laxman Jhula has been closed since 2019). Browse the ghats. Triveni Ghat is where the three sacred rivers (Ganga, Yamuna and the unseen Saraswati) are said to meet. Afternoon is also the right time for optional white-water rafting on the 16 km Shivpuri–Rishikesh stretch (bookable locally at approximately ₹600–₹800 per person, not included in package).

Evening: Triveni Ghat Ganga Aarti begins at approximately 6:00 PM. Smaller and calmer than Haridwar's Har Ki Pauri, this aarti is a fitting close to the yatra that began at Haridwar on Day 2.

Overnight: Rishikesh Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: Rishikesh to Delhi about 240 km | 6–7 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. Book an evening flight or train back to Kolkata to allow for traffic. Our ground team stays in contact until the Delhi drop, where the tour concludes.

Meals: Breakfast