1. Char Dham By Road - Haridwar to Haridwar

Overview

The sacred Char Dham Yatra starts from Haridwar with a scenic drive to Yamunotri. From there, we proceed to Uttarkashi, then to Gangotri, and further to Guptkashi. Next, we trek to Kedarnath for Lord Shiva's blessings before returning to Guptkashi. A drive to Badrinath follows, and finally, we conclude the 10-day journey in Haridwar.

Route

Haridwar - Barkot - Yamunotri - Barkot - Uttarkashi - Gangotri - Guptkashi - Kedarnath - Badrinath - Rudraprayag - Haridwar

Inclusions

1. Accommodation on Double/Triple Sharing (Guest house, Camp & Cottages).
2. Basic Dorms stay (Guest house or GMVN camp) in Kedarnath Ji.
3. Daily Dinner and Breakfast.
4. Transportation by Tempo traveller/ Innova A/C/ Swift Dzire Vehicle with all road, state taxes, driver allowance, permit & night halt.
5. Daily Mineral Water x 01 Bottles (1Ltr) Per person.
6. Enroute Temple Darshan, Sightseeing in Badrinath (Mana) and Rishikesh.
7. Experienced Chardham Driver
8. 1 Tour Guide if group size is more than 8

Exclusions

1. GST Extra.
2. Any portage at hotels, tips, insurance, wine, mineral water, telephone charges, and all items of personal nature.
3. Costs and expenses for medical treatment in case of evacuation or in case of any medical condition or emergency or otherwise for any reason.
4. Room service, Telephone calls and Laundry.
5. Additional sightseeing or extra usage of the vehicle.
6. Daily Lunch.
7. Entry fees for Forest/Temples/Park/Monuments and Activities like Cable Car, Ropeway, Helicopter Services or wherever applicable.
8. Travel Insurance or any other kind of insurance (Trekkers/Yatris are advised to obtain applicable insurance on their own).
9. Neelkantha Temple, Lakhamandal, Triyuginarayan, Ukhimath, Kalimath, Chopta, Auli Sight Seeing not included in above cost.
10. Taxi fee from Sonprayag to Gaurikund (Approx 50 per person each way)

Things can be provided on demand and availability (participant has to pay extra for these things)

1. Satellite phone/satphone - a type of mobile phone that connects via radio links via satellites orbiting the Earth instead of terrestrial cell sites like cell phones. Therefore, they can operate in most geographic locations on the Earth.

2. Gamow/PAC HAPO Bag (Portable Hyperbaric Bag) - a unique, portable hyperbaric chamber for the treatment of acute mountain sickness (AMS), also known as altitude sickness.

3. AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) - are portable life-saving devices designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, a medical condition in which the heart stops beating suddenly and unexpectedly.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival In Barkot - Relish A Picturesque Drive

• Altitude (Barkot): 1220 m
• Distance: 210 km | Duration: 7-8 hrs
• Barkot is a town in the Uttarkashi district
• The ride passes through Mussorie and Kempty Falls
• It is recommended to have lunch near Kempty Falls as good restaurants are not available henceforth
• You will arrive at Barkot in the evening
• There are apple orchards and panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains of Bandar Poonch.

Day 2: Yamunotri Dham Darshan And Back To Barkot

• Altitude (Yamunotri): 3,293 m
• Drive Distance: 36 km approx. (Barkot - Jankichatti/Phoolchatti)
• Trek Distance: 6 km (Jankichatti/ Phoolchatti)
• The trek is through a lush valley, dense conifers, rhododendrons, cacti, and numerous Himalayan shrubs.
• Surya Kund - is one of several hot springs in the area.
• Many pilgrims carry rice in a cloth and dip it in the hot water to get cooked rice.
• The Divya Shila is a rock pillar worshipped before stepping into the temple.
• After hot water dips and a peaceful mind, return to Barkot.

Day 3: Drive From Barkot To Uttarkashi, An Ancient Spiritual Destination

• Altitude: 1352 m
• Drive Distance: 90 km | Duration: 4 hr
• Uttarkashi is the hub of adventures and spirituality
• Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) is located in Uttarkashi
• The town is considered comparable to Varanasi, which is also on the banks of the River Ganges.
• One of the pious temples is the Vishwanath temple believed to be the oldest one. If you believe the literature of Skanda Purana, Uttarkashi is the home to Lord Shiva for Kaliyug.
• It is also a part of the twelve Jyotirlingas.

Day 4: Uttarkashi To Gangotri And Back To Uttarkashi; Bask In The Mystical Essence

• Altitude: 3,048 m
• Trekking Distance: 100 km
• Second Dham after Yamunotri
• Gangotri is by far one of the world’s most eminent religious destinations.
• Along the way at Gangnani take the chance to bathe in the Garam Kund
• The Ganga River here is also called Bhagirathi
• The revered Gangotri Temple was built by the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th century
• Another attraction is the submerged Shivling which comes into sight only in winter when the water level in winter has receded.
• Around 100 yards from the Ganga Temple flows the river Kedar Ganga
• There is also a Kedar Ganga River that you must visit
• After a full day of exploration return back to Uttarkashi

Day 5: Drive From Uttarkashi To Guptkashi; The Hidden Varanasi In The North

• Altitude: 1,319 m
• Drive distance: 220 km | Duration: 8 to 9 hrs
• The route is extremely tranquil through Moolgarh and Lambgaon
• Guptkashi means hidden ‘Varanasi’ as per the Puranas.
• Some people say that hereditary priests stay in GuptKashi in winter when the Kedarnath temple is closed.
• Visit ArdhNarishwar Temple, it's stunning at night lights.
• Stay in a hotel

Day 6: Trek To Kedarnath; Journey To One Of The 12 Jyotirlingas

• Altitude: 3,553 m
• Drive distance: 30 km
• Trek distance: 16 km
• It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva’
• Kedar is the synonym name of Lord Shiva who is both protector and destroyer
• Kedarnath is also part of the Panch Kedar Yatra

Day 7: Descend From Kedarnath And Drive To Guptkashi; Leave With The Blessings Of Shiva

• Trek Distance: 16 km
• Drive Distance: 30 km | Duration: 1 hr
• Visit the temple early morning by 4:45
• Everyone can go inside the Garbha Griha and touch the idol
• You can also prostrate with your head touching the deity, etc
• After Temple Darshan trek down to Sonprayag
• Drive to Guptkashi and check in at the hotel.

Day 8: Drive From Guptkashi To Badrinath; Pay Homage To Lord Vishnu

• Altitude: 3,133 m
• Drive Distance: 215 km | Duration: 7 hrs
• Badrinath is the final stop of the Char Dham
• You will take a 7-hour-long ride to Badrinath via Joshimath
• Badrinath is protected by Nar and Narayan mountains sideways
• This religious place is also filled with hot water springs of which Tapt and Narad kunds are popular.
• Tapt Kund is on the Alakananda River banks and it is compulsory to bathe in this Kund before stepping into the Badrinath Temple.
• Narad Kund is the pool where the Badrinath idol was discovered
• Brahma Kapal - a platform where rituals for the deceased are performed.
• Sheshnetra - it is a boulder 1.5 km away from Badrinath and has the impression of a snake.
• Charan Paduka - another boulder 3 km away from Badrinath that has an impression of Vishnu’s footprint
• Maha Murty - A shrine dedicated to the mother of Badrinath
• Vasundhara - a waterfall, 5 km from Badrinath
• Mana Village - near Badrinath, has attractions like Bhim Pul and Vyas Gufa
• Bhim Pul - on the other side of Mana village, a massive rock believed to have been placed there by Bhim forming a natural bridge.
• Vyas Gufa - A cave near Mana Village, this rock cave is where Ved Vyas is believed to have composed the Mahabharata and the Pauranic commentaries.

Day 9: Badrinath - Rudraprayag

• Distance: 160 km
• Time to head back home after your Yatra
• Usually, the devotees take a quick bath in Taptkund before starting the return journey
• You can capture the tourist locations of Mana Village if you missed them yesterday
• To Rudraprayag via Joshimath (Rudraprayag is a holy confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini)
• Joshimath is one of the four ‘Maths’ established by Adi Shankaracharya

Day 10: Rudraprayag - Rishikesh - Haridwar

• Distance: 160 km | Duration: 5 hr
• The final destination of the trip is Rishikesh or the place of Sages
• As the saga says, Raibhya Rishi did his meditation and a god appeared using the name ‘Hrishikesh’.
• Rishikesh has become extremely popular amongst youth and adventure seekers for rafting and bungee jumping.
• Major attractions for sight-seeing are the Beatles Ashram, Triveni Ghat, Laxman Jhula, and Ram Jhula
• Enjoy your night in the beautiful mountain town of Rishikesh