Char Dham Yatra 2023 Delhi by Road

DELHI – HARIDWAR (222 KM: 6 TO 7 HRS)

Arrive New Delhi and we’ll drive to Haridwar. On arrival at Haridwar, check in to your hotel. In the evening, proceed to Har Ki Pauri to enjoy Ganga Aarti on the banks of Ganges. Dinner and Overnight stay at Haridwar.

HARIDWAR – BARKOT/KARSALI (205 KM: 7 TO 8 HRS/250 KM: 8 TO 9 HRS)
This morning depart for Barkot, located on the foot of Yamunotri. Drive via Mussoorie and visit Kempt Falls on the way. On arrival at Barkot, check-in to your hotel/camp. Rest of the day is free to relax and store your energy for the Pahad (hiII) Yatra of Yamunotri the next day. Dinner and Overnight stay at Barkot.

DAY 03: BARKOT/KHARSALI – YAMUNOTRI (45 KM: 2 HRS + 5 KM START TREK) – BARKOT/KHARSALI
After breakfast, depart for Hanuman Chatti (40 Km), Janki Chatti (5 km). Here you will begin the First Pahad Yatra of Yamunotri (5 Km trek). You can hire a Doli or a horse, for your trek (Cost Not Included). The trek passes through lush green valley, a profusion of conifers, cacti and several species of Himalayan shrubs. Yamunotri (altitude 3,291 m), the western most shrine of the Char Dhams, is dominated by Banderpunch (6,361 m).

Yamunotri is the source of the river Yamuna, the twin sister of Varna, the Lord of Death. Yamuna is also the daughter of Surya the Sun. The actual source of the river originates from Champasar Glacier 1 km a head of the shrine, at an altitude of 4,321 mts. On arrival by afternoon in Yamunotri take holy dip in Yamuna River and perform Pooja, and take the same route back to Barkot, check in at Hotel / Camp. Dinner and Overnight stay at hotel in Barkot.

Yamunotri Temple: Maharani Gularia of Jaipur built the temple in the 19th Century. It was destroyed twice in the present century and rebuilt again.

Surya Kund: There are a Number of thermal springs in the vicinity of the temple, which flows into numerous pools. The most important of these is Surya Kund.

DivyaShila: A rock pillar, worshipped before entering the Yamunotri Temple

DAY 04: BARKOT/KHARSALI – UTTARKASHI (85 KM: 3 HRS/132 KM: 4 TO 5 HRS)
After breakfast check out from the Barkot hotel and drive to Uttarkashi. On arrival check in into the hotel. Uttarkashi is situated on the banks of river Bhagirathi and is famous for its historical monuments, Temples & Ashrams. In the evening, Visit the famous Vishwanath Temple. Dinner and Overnight stay at Uttarkashi.

DAY 05: UTTARKASHI – GANGOTRI (97 KM: 3 TO 4 HRS) – UTTARKASHI

Early morning breakfast at hotel and drive to Gangotri. Nestled in the magnificent Garhwal Himalayas, Gangotri is set at an altitude of 3048 mts. Upon arrival at Gangotri take a holy dip in the sacred river Ganges which is also called Bhagirathi at its origin Visit the Gangotri Temple. The 18th century’s temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga is located near a sacred stone where King Bhagirathi worshipped Lord Shiva. Ganga is believed to have touched earth at this spot. The temple is an exquisite 20 ft. high structure made of white granite. After performing Pooja Late afternoon drive back to Uttarkashi. Dinner & Overnight stay at Uttarkashi.

Gangotri Temple:Gangotri temple is 18th Century temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga. It is located near a sacred stone where king Bhagirath worshipped Lords Shiva. Ganga “Deva Yagna”hear to atone the death of their kinsmen in the epic battle of Mahabharat. The temple is an exquisite 20ft.high structure made of white granite…..

Submerged Shivling: Submerged in the river, this natural rock Shivling is the place where, according to mythology Lord Shiva sat when he received the Ganga in his matted lock. It is visible in winter months when water level decreases.

Kedar Ganga Sangam: Around 100 Yards from the Ganga Temple flows the river Kedar Ganga. Starting from the Kedar Valle, this river meets the Bhagirathi on its left bank.

DAY 06: UTTARKASHI – GUPTKASHI (203 KM / 7 TO 8 HRS)

After early morning breakfast check out from the hotel and drive for Guptkashi. On arrival check in at hotel.Rest of the day free to explore the Guptkashi town. Dinner and Overnight stay in Guptkashi hotel/Camps.

DAY 07: GUPTKASHI – SONPRAYAG – KEDARNATH (30 KM + 20 KM TREK)

Early morning after breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Sonprayag. From where, you will start your 20 km trek to Kedarnath. You can hire a Doli or a horse, for your trek (Cost Not Included). Mandakini, one of the main tributaries of the Ganges originates at Kedarnath and flows through Gaurikund. Trudging with you are pilgrims chanting “Jai Bholenath.” Sometimes the mist would envelop the mountains and slowly lift away, revealing a shiny blinding-white peak that threatens to rupture the skies.

On arrival check in at Govt. Camps/Lodges. Dinner and Overnight at Govt. Camps/Lodges (only basic accommodation is available on sharing basis with only room basis, you can take meal directly).

Kedarnath Temple: The Kedarnath shrine, one of the 12 jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva, is a scenic spot situated, against the backdrop of the majestic Kedarnath range. Kedar is another name of Lord Shiva, the protector and the destroyer. According to legend, the Pandavas after having won over the Kaurava in the Kurukshetra war, felt guilty of having killed their own brothers and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption.

He eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. On being followed he dived into the ground, leaving his hump on the surface. The remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four other places and are worshipped there as his manifestations. The arms appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the belly at Madhmaheshwar and his locks (hair) with head at Kalpeshwar. Kedarnath and the four above-mentioned shrines are treated as PanchKedar.

The present temple built in 8th century AD by Adi Guru Shankracharya lies adjacent to the site of an ancient temple built byPandavas. Temple has a Conical Lingam – the assemblies of pilgrims and visitors. The temple is more than 1000 year old. Behind the Kedarnath temple lies the Samadhi of final resting place of Adi Guru Shankracharya. It is believed that after establishing the four Dham in India he went for his Samadhi at an early age of 32 years….

DAY 08: KEDARNATH – SONPRAYAG – GUPTKASHI (20 KM TREK + 30 KM DRIVE)

Early morning you get up before dawn and after taking bath you are at the temple by 4:45 am for the ‘abhishek’ to Kedarnath Shiva. Everyone can go inside GarbhaGriha and touch the idol. You can also prostrate with your head touching the deity etc. After darshan and puja you come out of the temple and return to the Govt. Camps / Lodges. Later you’ll start the return trek of 20 km from Kedarnath to Sonprayag. The vehicles wait for you in Sonprayag Car Parking and you’ll drive to your hotel/Camps. Dinner and Overnight at Guptkashi.

DAY 09: GUPTKASHI – JOSHIMATH – BADRINATH (200 KM: 7 TO 8 HRS)

This morning, you check out of the hotel at 08:00 am and drive to Badrinath via Joshimath. After driving through some wonderful Ghat road you arrive at Badrinath. On arrival check into the hotel. After some rest and refreshments you are all set to go to Badrinath Temple for darshan in the evening. But first you have to go to TaptKund (Hot Spring), take bath and then go to the temple.

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple of Shri Badrinath Ji is 15 meters in height, built in the form of a cone with a small cupola of a gilt bull and spire. Later back to hotel. Dinner and Overnight stay at hotel.

Badrinath: Cradled in the twin Mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan is the holies of the four main shrines-Badrinath along the left bank of Alaknanda with the towering Neelkanth peak as the splendid backdrop. Once the spot was carpeted with “Badri “orwild berries and hence was famous as Badrivan.

Legend has it when the ganga was requested to descend to earth to help suffering humanity, the earth was unable to with stand the force of its descent, There for the mighty ganga was split in to 12 holy channels, Alaknanda was one of then that later became the abode of Lord Vishnu or Badrinath Ji…..

Badrinath one of the ‘Four Dhams’ is one of the most celebrated pilgrimage spots of the country and is situated at an elevation of 3,133 meters, this revered spot was once carpeted with wild berries. Thus the place got the name “Badri van”, meaning “forest of berries”.

Tapt Kund: Natural thermal springs on the bank of the river Alaknanda, where it is customary to bathe before entering the Badrinath temple.

Narad Kund: A recess in the river, near TaptKund, forming a pool from where the Badrinath idol was recovered.

Braham Kapal: A flat platform on the bank of river Alaknanda. Hindus perform propitiating rites for their deceased ancestors.

Sheshnetra: 1.5kms away is a boulder having an impression of the legendary serpent, better known as the Sheshnag’s eye.

Charanpaduka: 3kms away is a beautiful meadow where the footprint of Lord Vishnu is seen on a boulder.

Mata Murty Temple: Devoted to the mother of Sri Badrinath Ji. Other important temples include SeshNetra Temple, Urvashi Temple and Charanpaduka.

Mana Village: Inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, it is the last Indian village before Tibet.

Vasundhara: As the name suggests, vasundhara is a magnificent water fall. This place is 5 kms. FromBadrinath out of which 2 kms is motorable up to Mana.

BhimPul: On the other side of Mana village, a massive rock forming a natural bridge, lies over the roaring Saraswati River. It presents a spectacular view of water thundering down through the narrow passage under the rock and is believed to have been placed there by Bhim, the second eldest among the five Pandavas brothers.

VyasGufa (cave): Near Mana Village, this is a rock-cave where VedVyas is believed to have composed the Mahabharata and the pauranic commentaries.

DAY 10: BADRINATH – JOSHIMATH – RUDRAPRAYAG (165 KM: 6 HRS)

This morning, go for BadrinathDarshan. After Darshan return back to hotel, breakfast at hotel and proceed for Badrinath local sightseeing visit Mana Village, VyasGufa, Ganesh Gufa, and Mata Murti temple. Afternoon driver back to Rudraprayag via Karanprayag.Rudraprayag is a small pilgrim town on the holy confluence of river Alaknanda and Mandakini. On arrival check in at hotel.Rest of the day free to explore the Rudraprayag town. Dinner and Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 11: RUDRAPRAYAG– RISHIKESH/HARIDWAR (230 KM: 7 TO 8 HRS)

Early morning, after breakfast, you drive downhill to Rishikesh a spiritual city and the Yoga capital of the world. On reaching Rishikesh you’ll do the Rishikesh sightseeing visit Ram Jhula and LaxmanJhula. Evening drive to Haridwar.On arrival check in at hotel. Dinner and Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 12: HARIDWAR – DELHI (225 KM / 6 TO 7 HRS)

Morning breakfast at hotel, and you are on your last lap of this ChardhamYatra journey. Drive back to Delhi. On reaching Delhi transfer to Railway Station/Airport.