Every year, thousands of devotees ask the same questions before planning their pilgrimage: Char Dham Yatra dates kya hain? Kitna paisa lagega? Kitna samay lagega? This Char Dham Yatra Blog answers all those questions clearly with detailed information about costs, routes, risks, and practical arrangements.
The first thing that comes in mind is budget of trip that depends on your yatra time, mode of travel, accommodation options, guided or non-guided tour and starting city. If you live near Haridwar, Dehradun or any city in Uttarakhand, the cost is comparatively low. But if you are planning a trip from South India, West or East India, the cost of reaching Haridwar will get added. On average the Chardham Yatra cost per person lies between Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 per person considering standard accommodation, food and transportation in sharing.
• Budget trip: ₹22,000 – ₹30,000 per person
• Standard tour: ₹35,000 – ₹55,000 per person
• Premium / helicopter tour: ₹1.8 – ₹2.5 lakh per person
Breakdown of Chardham Yatra cost per person
If you are travelling by road (tempo traveller or car), per person cost comprises of various factors:
• Transport (Delhi/Haridwar/Rishikesh/Dehradun start): ₹10,000 – ₹20,000
• Hotels & guesthouses: ₹6,000 – ₹15,000
• Food & local travel: ₹3,000 – ₹6,000
• Temple Darshan & registration: ₹1,000 – ₹2,000
Apart from budget, here are answers to the queries about Char Dham Yatra.
Char Dham Yatra Dates- When Does It Start and End?
The Char Dham Yatra begins every year in late April or early May and continues till October or early November, tallying with date of Diwali and Bhaidooj. Due to extreme cold weather and snowfall, Temples get closed for pilgrims in winter season.
For Char Dham Yatra 2026, tentative opening dates are:
• Yamunotri & Gangotri: 19 April 2026
• Kedarnath: 22 April 2026
• Badrinath: 23 April 2026
What is the right time to Plan Char Dham Tour?
The best time is May–June when the yatra just begins with clear road, pleasant weather, but it is a peak season. You may have to wait longer for darshan and face crowd of pilgrims especially in Kedarnath. To avoid crowd, the right time for yatra is post monsoon that is from September to October. July–August is monsoon season and not recommended due to landslides.
How Much Time Does it take to Complete Char Dham Yatra?
A complete yatra takes 11 to 12 days from Delhi and 9 to 10 days from Haridwar or Rishikesh. Key highlights of the yatra is to visit all 4 Dham Temples, enroute places and temples, sacred rivers and towns.
For each temple, there is estimated time for visit and darshan.
• Yamunotri: 2 days
• Gangotri: 2 days
• Kedarnath: 2–3 days (includes trek)- Depends on crowd and weather
• Badrinath: 2 days
If you are short in time, you can choose Chardham Helicopter Yatra that takes 5 to 6 days beginning and ending in Dehradun. There is one risk about this yatra is bad weather- Helicopter doesn’t fly and your dates can be delayed.
Char Dham Yatra Route
Itinerary to visit Chardham Yatra is fix and everyone follows common route. Roads to Chardham temples pass through hilly regions and scenic places, so following guidelines is very important.
The most common route from Haridwar is:
Haridwar → Barkot → Yamunotri → Uttarkashi → Gangotri → Guptkashi → Kedarnath → Joshimath → Badrinath → Rishikesh → Haridwar
The Yatra includes visit to four sacred shrines:
• Yamunotri Temple
• Gangotri Temple
• Kedarnath Temple
• Badrinath Temple
Visiting them in an order is always suggested. They are not connected in a straight sequence, so the trip includes return trip to many places as indicated in route map.
What about the Stay & Accommodation facilities in Char Dham Journey?
Not very lavish, but you will get budget to standard accommodation options near to each temple. Some of the best facilities include:
• Government guest houses (GMVN)
• Budget hotels & dharamshalas
• Camps near Kedarnath
• Mid-range hotels in towns like Barkot, Uttarkashi, and Joshimath
Rooms are basic but clean. Luxury hotels are limited due to terrain.
Can I Go to Char Dham Alone?
Yes, solo Char Dham Yatra is possible, but it’s better for:
• Physically fit travelers
• People with prior hill-travel experience
For first-timers, families, or senior citizens, traveling with a group or tour operator is safer and more comfortable.
Is Char Dham Yatra Risky?
Char Dham Yatra is not dangerous, but it is challenging, it needs time and proper planning. The yatra involves trek and challenging weather conditions as less oxygen, snowfall, temperatures below zero degree, so preparing yourself mentally and physically is more important than budget planning.
Possible risks include:
• High altitude sickness
• Sudden weather changes
• Narrow mountain roads
• Long walking/trekking (especially Kedarnath)
Risk can be minimized by:
• Avoiding monsoon months
• Taking medical check-ups
• Moving slowly and staying hydrated
• Choosing experienced drivers and operators
Final Thoughts
Char Dham Yatra is not just a journey, it is a spiritual and physical transformation to connect with soul and God. Whether you are calculating kitna kharcha aayega, kitna time lagega, or safe hai ya nahi, proper planning makes all the difference. You can get exact idea about trip budget of Chardham Yatra from Delhi.
If you choose the right season, realistic budget, and comfortable travel option, Char Dham Yatra can be one of the most fulfilling experiences of your life.
