Char Dham Yatra by Tempo Traveller from Delhi: 12-Day Itinerary & Cost

The Char Dham Yatra (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath) is one of the most sacred journeys in Hinduism, and one of the most demanding road trips in India. For families and groups, a tempo traveller from Delhi is the most practical way to do it: one vehicle, one experienced hill driver and the freedom to travel at your own pace. This guide covers the route, a day-by-day itinerary, cost, registration and packing.

Char Dham Yatra at a glance

The traditional order is west to east: Yamunotri → Gangotri → Kedarnath → Badrinath. That is the route our tempo traveller itinerary follows.

12-day Char Dham itinerary by tempo traveller from Delhi

• Day 1: Delhi to Haridwar (~220 km)Early morning pick-up across Delhi NCR. Evening Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri.
• Day 2: Haridwar to BarkotDrive via Dehradun and Mussoorie to Barkot, the base for Yamunotri.
• Day 3: Yamunotri darshanDrive to Janki Chatti, trek about 6 km (or take a pony or palki) to Yamunotri temple, take a dip in the Surya Kund hot spring and return to Barkot.
• Day 4: Barkot to UttarkashiScenic drive along the Yamuna and Bhagirathi valleys. Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Uttarkashi.
• Day 5: Gangotri darshanDrive via Harsil to Gangotri temple, then return to Uttarkashi.
• Day 6: Uttarkashi to Guptkashi / SitapurA long mountain drive past Tehri Lake towards the Kedarnath base.
• Day 7: Kedarnath trekDrive to Sonprayag, take the shuttle to Gaurikund and trek (or take a pony or helicopter) to Kedarnath. Overnight near the temple.
• Day 8: Kedarnath darshan and returnEarly morning darshan, trek back down and rest at Guptkashi.
• Day 9: Guptkashi to BadrinathDrive via Chopta or Rudraprayag and Joshimath to Badrinath. Evening aarti.
• Day 10: Badrinath and Mana villageMorning darshan and Tapt Kund, then visit Mana, known as the last village before the Tibet border. Drive down to Joshimath or Pipalkoti.
• Day 11: Drive to RishikeshVia Devprayag, where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi meet to form the Ganga. Evening at Triveni Ghat.
• Day 12: Rishikesh to DelhiReturn drive with drop-off at your home.

Char Dham Yatra tempo traveller cost

For a group of 12, the vehicle cost works out to about ₹8,000 per person for the complete 12-day yatra. Hotels, meals, ponies, palkis and helicopter tickets are separate. Ask us what is included in your package quote.

Registration and documents

• Yatra registration is mandatory for every pilgrim. Register online on the official Uttarakhand tourism portal before you travel, or at counters in Haridwar and Rishikesh.
• Carry original photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or voter ID) for every traveller.
• Book Kedarnath helicopter tickets only through the official IRCTC heli-yatra website to avoid fraud.
• Senior citizens and people with heart or breathing conditions should get a medical check-up before the trip.

Best time for Char Dham Yatra

The temples open around Akshaya Tritiya (April–May) and close around Diwali–Bhai Dooj (October–November). The best windows are:

• May–June: pleasant weather, but the busiest period, so book the tempo and hotels early.
• September–October: clear skies after the monsoon and fewer crowds. Our favourite window.
• Avoid July–August: heavy rain and frequent landslides on mountain roads.

Packing list for the yatra

• Warm layers, a thermal inner, a woollen cap and gloves (Kedarnath and Badrinath are cold even in summer).
• Raincoat or poncho and a waterproof bag cover.
• Comfortable trekking shoes with good grip.
• Personal medicines, motion-sickness tablets, ORS and a small first-aid kit.
• Torch, power bank, sunscreen, sunglasses and a reusable water bottle.
• Some cash, as ATMs and card networks are patchy in the mountains.

Why a tempo traveller is best for Char Dham

Buses run fixed schedules and cars fit only four or five people. A tempo traveller gives a family or group one private vehicle for the whole yatra, a driver experienced on Garhwal hill roads, and space for luggage, elderly parents and puja items. You stop when you need to, rest when you need to, and travel together. For even more comfort, consider a Maharaja tempo, or combine the yatra with other shrines through our pilgrimage tempo packages.

Delhi Tempo Traveller Team

We run tempo traveller trips from Delhi NCR every week, from same-day Agra runs to 12-day Char Dham yatras. These guides are written from what our drivers and customers tell us on the road.