Perfect Guide To The Char Dham Yatra: Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri.

The Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra is a once-in-a-lifetime, spiritual adventure. Everyone agrees that a person should visit holy Char Dhams once in their lifetime to receive spiritual energies. In Uttarakhand, the high-altitude Char Dham Shrines are among India's most well-liked Hindu pilgrimages. Thousands of devotees travel the difficult Char Dham path each year to experience the essence of eternal serenity. Mythology claims that if you visit every one of the Char Dhams, you will undoubtedly be released from all of your life's karmic debts.

The doors to Char Dham will also open this year, drawing many devotees to immerse themselves in its heavenly pleasure.

Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.

Char Dham Opening Months, Duration and Routemap.

The Char Dham Yatra is a pilgrimage route that takes participants to four holy sites in the Indian state of Uttarakhand: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The pilgrims are believed to begin their journey at Yumnotri, proceed from there to Gangotri, Kedarnath to Kedarnath, and finally, from Kedarnath to Badrinath. It should be noted that the temples at the four Char Dham sites are open for a restricted period, from April to October/November, with each year having a different opening and closing date based on the Hindu tradition of parikrama, or clockwise circumambulation.

Self-planned travel may need a few extra days because you may need to spend more time arranging lodging or awaiting public transportation but the travel will be far more liberating and stress-free.

Char Dham Routemap.

Char Dham Nine days Trip.

The higher mountain regions in this area make it very difficult to connect directly between the four sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, forcing travellers to take longer detours and travel longer distances. Think about a 7–14 hour drive from one place to another.

1. Day 1: Rishikesh to The Yamunotri.

Since you have to hike there, seeing Yamunotri and Rishikesh in one day is impossible. Thus, the first day entails travelling to the Yamunotri trek's base camp. Buses departing at 4 am from Rishikesh arrive at Janki Chatti after over 10 or 11 hours of travel. Buses can be reserved in advance at Rishikesh's bus station or on the spot. It should be easy for individuals who missed the bus to locate shared taxis. The cost of shared cabs is slightly higher than that of buses. The trail ascends less than 500 meters to 2,800 meters above sea level.

Note that you must hike to Yamunotri from Janki Chatti, where the road ends. Additionally, it's a good idea to avoid doing the trek on the same day because it could take four to five hours total, plus an additional hour if the temple is full. There are sufficient low-cost lodging options in Janki Chatti. 

There are also a few guest houses at Yamunotri, though it's probable that they're all booked up at the busiest times of the year.

Rishikesh to The Yamunotri Char Dham

2. Day 2: Yamunotri Trek.

Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna River, which is thought to be pure in Hinduism and to be able to cleanse oneself of sins by swimming in its waters. There is very little possibility of someone losing their way on the Janki Chatti to Yamunotri walk because it is essentially a wide concrete route. One kilometre to the left of the starting point is a GMVN rest house. Stepping out of Janki Chatti, the journey becomes a little steeper. The first, the Ram temple, is located immediately to your right when the town ends.

There are three temples along the journey. Yamunotri will pamper you to a hot spring. The Yamunotri climb can take four to five hours, or perhaps more, depending on your walking speed and the amount of traffic at the temple. Take it easy at Janki Chatti.

Yamunotri Trek Char Dham

3. Day 3: Yamunotri to The Gangotri.

You are Googling the wrong thing on Google if you are looking for the distance between Yamunotri and Gangotri; the correct search term is Janki Chatti to Gangotri. Although it's not quite as difficult as travelling from Rishikesh, getting to Gangotri might still feel like a long journey. It should not turn dark in the town of Gangotri even if you take a bus at 6 or 7 in the morning. Since the Gangotri temple is now situated in the town of Gangotri, many people are unsure about whether or not to hike to Gomukh, the Ganga River's source, and make their homage there. 

Ideally, you are free to skip the trip to Gomukh from Gangotri if you so choose. It's a lengthy segment of the trip. You are free to enter and exit the Gangotri temple. The 18+18 mile track from Gangotri to Gomukh must be completed in at least two days.

Yamunotri to The Gangotri Char Dham.

4. Day 4: Gangotri to The Bhojbasa.

A town called Bhojbasa is the first stop on the two-day journey from Gangotri to Gomukh. Starting at the front courtyard of the Gangotri temple, the 14-kilometre trip to Bhojbasa begins with a strenuous ascent of about 100 stairs, leaving you nearly weary before you even begin. But once you're through with it, the rest of it is just a mild ascent. The walk could take six to eight hours to finish, depending on your level of fitness. Consistent pilgrimages will help you stay on course. It is advisable to hire a guide or walk in a group if you are visiting Char Dham during a time when it is less likely that you will see regular pilgrims. 

There is a GMVN government guesthouse in Bhojbasa, or you can stay at the much less expensive Lal Baba Ashram for 250 Rupees per night, which includes accommodation and meals.

Gangotri to The Bhojbasa Char Dham.

5. Day 5: Bhojbasa to Gomukh then Gangotri.

Proceed with your travel early the following day and get to Gomukh in an hour and a half, as Bhojbasa is 4 km away from the town. Your journey to Gangotri comes to an end at the source of the Ganga, also known as the Ganges, at Gomukh. After seeing Gomukh for a while, stroll back to Bhojbasa. Return to Gangotri on foot or have another cup of tea at Bhojbasa if you'd like. It should be easy to finish the walk from Bhojbasa to Gangotri in about 4 hours because it is essentially a moderate downhill stroll. Find a location to spend the night in Gangotri.

Bhojbasa to Gomukh then Gangotri Char Dham.

6. Day 6: Gangotri to The Kedarnath.

As previously said, you are searching in the incorrect place if you are looking for Gangotri to Kedarnath. Instead, look for Guri Kund to Gangotri. From there, the journey to your Kedarnath tour begins. Now, at a massive 310 km and a potential travel time of 14 hours, the trek from Gangotri to Gauri Kund is the longest of your entire Char Dham tour. There are no direct buses after 4 am and 7 am, therefore you might have to split up your trip (Gangotri to Uttarkashi to Gauri Kund). The end of the road is at Gauri Kund. You have to hike to Kedarnath from here.

If you have ever done or heard of the Valley of Flowers journey, this journey is extremely similar to that. You must get a medical fitness certificate to participate in the Kedarnath yatra. The Sonprayag Medical Centers are the source of this certificate. They take a look at your medical history and blood pressure. You will not be permitted to hike to Kedarnath if you cannot demonstrate that you are fit to walk. In this scenario, you will need to take a helicopter to reach Kedarnath. After the bus drops you off in Sonprayag, you can receive the medical certificate and take a shared taxi (which takes ten minutes) to Gauri Kund.

Gangotri to The Kedarnath Char Dham.

7. Day 7: Gaurikund to The Rambara.

People believe that the trekking route from Gauri Kund to Kedarnath is extremely dangerous and treacherous after the June 13 flood in Uttarakhand. However, this is untrue. With an 8 to 10-foot wide trail and a makeshift iron railing along the margins, the hike is now maybe as safe as the one to Vaishno Devi. Some hikers finish the Gauri Kund to Kedarnath route and get back in a single day. However, if you don't mind staying an extra day, the trip to Kedarnath takes two days and is rather pleasant. Rambara, about 11 kilometres from Gauri Kund, offers GMVN tent accommodations with hot showers and fresh cuisine.

Gaurikund to The Rambara Char Dham.

8. Day 8: Rambara to Kedarnath then Gauri Kund.

The well-known Kedarnath temple is only three kilometres or an hour's walk away from Rambara. The large commercial helipad is the first thing you see when you arrive at Kedarnath. Ahead of the helipad, NIM has constructed campgrounds and cottages for visitors to spend the night. However, as these are reserved during peak season, it's advisable to stay in Rambara, unless you have a reservation.

Additionally, it could take up to two or three hours to enter the Kedarnath temple, so be there early. After finishing, make your way back to Gauri Kund and spend the night there.

Rambara to Kedarnath, Gauri Kund Char Dham

9. Day 9: Yamunotri to The Badrinath.

The 300 km trip from Gauri Kund or Sonprayag to Badrinath can be completed in 10–12 hours. Buses can be reserved in advance to guarantee a seat, and they depart from the same location in Sonprayag where you got off to get the medical certificate earlier. Visit the temple at night and reserve a bus ticket for the following day if you intend to depart for Rishikesh and board the early morning bus. As early as 4 A.M., buses depart.

Yamunotri To Badrinath Char Dham

Please Keep These Points in Mind for a Safe and Healthful Char Dham Yatra.

1. Ensure that you always have at least one picture ID card on you.

2. Because May and June are the busiest travel months, avoid going to Char Dham during these times.

3. Before starting the Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra, always check the weather and pack your bags appropriately.

4. Bring raincoats, woollen clothing, blankets, umbrellas, shoes, and other items.

5. Make prior hotel reservations, it will be challenging to find decent hotels during the busiest time of year due to the massive influx of pilgrims.

6. Always keep a medical kit with you, filled with medications for fever, chills, and discomfort. To complete the Chardham Yatra, you must be physically fit.

Char Dham

Conclusion.

You now understand the importance of the Char Dham Pilgrimage Tour to the Indian people's spirituality. Why not take up this exquisite and magnificent Himalayan Pilgrimage trek to deepen your spiritual understanding? Undoubtedly, one of the top pilgrimage sites in India is the Chardham Yatra. The pilgrims' hearts and minds are permanently altered by the experience of making this holy journey, and they return home feeling enlightened and rejuvenated spiritually. The Char Dham Yatra is a once-in-a-lifetime event that will enrich and transform you if you're looking for a journey of self-discovery, spiritual awakening, and closer communion with the divine.