Char Dham Yatra is a popular pilgrimage circuit in India that includes four holy shrines – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. This yatra is considered sacred by Hindus and attracts thousands of devotees every year. The journey is not only spiritual but also offers stunning views of the Himalayas. In this itinerary, we will guide you through the entire journey, including places to stay, eat, and visit.
Itinerary for Char Dham Yatra: A Journey to the Abode of Gods
Day 1: Delhi to Haridwar
- Travel: You can take a train from Delhi to Haridwar or hire a taxi. The journey takes around 5-6 hours.
- Stay: There are many budget and mid-range hotels in Haridwar. Some of the popular ones are Hotel Ganga Azure, Hotel Arjun, and Hotel Ganga Darshan.
- Eat: Haridwar is famous for its street food. You can try out the famous chole bhature, kachori, and aloo puri at Mohan Ji Puri Wale or Mathura Walo Ki Pracheen Dukan.
Day 2: Haridwar to Barkot
- Travel: You can hire a taxi from Haridwar to Barkot. The journey takes around 7-8 hours.
- Stay: There are several budget hotels in Barkot. Some of the popular ones are Hotel Devbhoomi, Hotel Aditya Palace, and Hotel Bhawana Palace.
- Eat: There are several small restaurants in Barkot that serve local cuisine. You can try out the famous Garhwali thali or aloo ke gutke at the local restaurants.
Day 3: Barkot to Yamunotri and back to Barkot
- Travel: From Barkot, you can hire a taxi or take a shared jeep to Janki Chatti. From Janki Chatti, you need to trek for around 6 km to reach Yamunotri. After darshan, you need to trek back to Janki Chatti and then take a taxi or shared jeep back to Barkot.
- Stay: Same as day 2.
- Eat: You can have lunch at the many small eateries near Yamunotri. You can try out the famous kachoris, pakoras, and rajma chawal.
Day 4: Barkot to Uttarkashi
- Travel: You can hire a taxi from Barkot to Uttarkashi. The journey takes around 5-6 hours.
- Stay: There are several budget hotels in Uttarkashi. Some of the popular ones are Hotel Shivlinga, Hotel Mahima, and Hotel Swagat Palace.
- Eat: You can try out the famous aloo puri, kachoris, and sweets at the local eateries in Uttarkashi.
Day 5: Uttarkashi to Gangotri and back to Uttarkashi
- Travel: You can hire a taxi or take a shared jeep from Uttarkashi to Gangotri. The journey takes around 3-4 hours. After darshan, you need to return to Uttarkashi.
- Stay: Same as day 4.
- Eat: You can have lunch at the many small eateries near Gangotri. You can try out the famous chana bhatura, aloo puri, and Maggi.
Day 6: Uttarkashi to Guptkashi
- Travel: You can hire a taxi from Uttarkashi to Guptkashi. The journey takes around 8-9 hours.
- Stay: There are several budget hotels in Guptkashi. Some of the popular ones are Hotel Mandakini, Hotel Shivalik Valley Resort, and Hotel Kailash Residency.
- Eat: You can try out the famous Garhwali thali, aloo paratha, and rajma chawal at the local restaurants in Guptkashi.
Day 7: Guptkashi to Kedarnath and back to Guptkashi
- Travel: From Guptkashi, you can hire a taxi or take a shared jeep to Sonprayag. From Sonprayag, you need to trek for around 16 km to reach Kedarnath. After darshan, you need to trek back to Sonprayag and then take a taxi or shared jeep back to Guptkashi.
- Stay: Same as day 6.
- Eat: You can have lunch at the many small eateries near Kedarnath. You can try out the famous aloo puri, kachoris, and maggi.
Day 8: Guptkashi to Badrinath
- Travel: You can hire a taxi from Guptkashi to Badrinath. The journey takes around 7-8 hours.
- Stay: There are several budget hotels in Badrinath. Some of the popular ones are Hotel Narayan Palace, Hotel Snow Crest, and Hotel Sarovar Portico.
- Eat: You can try out the famous chole bhature, aloo puri, and lassi at the local eateries in Badrinath.
Day 9: Badrinath to Joshimath
- Travel: You can hire a taxi or take a shared jeep from Badrinath to Joshimath. The journey takes around 1-2 hours.
- Stay: There are several budget hotels in Joshimath. Some of the popular ones are Hotel Mount View, Hotel Dronagiri, and Hotel Badri Vishal.
- Eat: You can try out the famous aloo paratha, rajma chawal, and momos at the local eateries in Joshimath.
Day 10: Joshimath to Haridwar
- Travel: You can hire a taxi or take a shared jeep from Joshimath to Haridwar. The journey takes around 9-10 hours.
- Stay: Same as day 1.
- Eat: Same as day 1.
Day 11: Haridwar to Delhi
- Travel: You can take a train from Haridwar to Delhi or hire a taxi. The journey takes around 5-6 hours.
- Stay: N/A
- Eat: N/A
Costs:
- Accommodation: The cost of budget hotels ranges from INR 500-1500 per night.
- Transport: The cost of hiring a taxi ranges from INR 5000-10000 per day, depending on the type of car and the distance traveled. The cost of shared jeeps ranges from INR 200-500 per person, depending on the distance traveled.
- Food: The cost of meals ranges from INR 100-300 per person, depending on the type of restaurant and the dishes ordered.
Note: The costs mentioned are approximate and subject to change based on season and availability. It is always advisable to do your research and plan accordingly.
Conclusion
Char Dham Yatra is a journey that takes you to the abode of the Gods, amidst the lofty Himalayas. It is a spiritual experience that rejuvenates the soul and gives a sense of inner peace. The itinerary mentioned above covers all the necessary details required for a comfortable and hassle-free journey. We hope that this itinerary helps you plan your Char Dham Yatra and make it a memorable experience.
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