How to Plan a Char Dham Pilgrimage by Taxi from Delhi?

The Char Dham Yatra — covering Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath — is one of Hinduism's most sacred pilgrimages. Nestled deep in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, these four shrines sit between 3,000m and 3,900m altitude and are accessible only from May to October/November when the mountain passes are clear of snow. Planning this pilgrimage by private taxi from Delhi gives you the most flexibility, comfort, and control over your sacred journey.

This guide covers everything — route planning, daily itinerary, temple timings, costs, what to carry, and all practical details for a complete Char Dham Yatra from Delhi.

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What is Char Dham?

The four dhams of Uttarakhand Char Dham are:

1. Yamunotri — Source of the Yamuna River, dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. Altitude: 3,293m
2. Gangotri — Origin of the Ganga River, dedicated to Goddess Ganga. Altitude: 3,100m
3. Kedarnath — One of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Altitude: 3,583m
4. Badrinath — One of the 4 Char Dhams of all India, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Altitude: 3,133m

The traditional clockwise circuit goes: Yamunotri → Gangotri → Kedarnath → Badrinath

Official Uttarakhand Tourism: www.uttarakhandtourism.gov.in
Char Dham Registration (mandatory): registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in

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When to Go: Temple Opening & Closing Dates

Char Dham temples open in April/May (exact date based on Hindu calendar, usually Akshaya Tritiya) and close in October/November (Diwali period).

2025 Char Dham Opening Dates (approximate):
- Yamunotri: Opens late April / early May
- Gangotri: Opens late April / early May
- Kedarnath: Opens early May
- Badrinath: Opens early May

Closing Dates: All four close by November (Bhai Dooj/Diwali period)

Best time for Char Dham: May-June and September-October. July-August is monsoon — heavy rains, potential landslides, roads can close briefly.

IMPORTANT: Online registration for Char Dham is mandatory since 2023. Register at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in — free of charge.

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Vehicle Requirements

An SUV is mandatory for Char Dham Yatra. The mountain roads have narrow sections, steep climbs, and rough patches especially near Yamunotri, Kedarnath base (Gaurikund), and the approaches to Gangotri.

Recommended vehicles: Toyota Innova Crysta, Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV700

For groups of 7–10: Tempo Traveller with experienced Uttarakhand hill driver

EZPZ Taxi provides verified, mountain-experienced drivers for the full Char Dham circuit. All vehicles are serviced, GPS-equipped, and insured. Call +91-9871121217 or book at ezpztaxi.com at least 1 week in advance.

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Complete Day-by-Day Itinerary (12 Days from Delhi)

Day 1: Delhi to Barkot (360 km, 8–9 hours)

Depart Delhi by 5:00 AM. Route: Delhi → Haridwar (220 km, 4 hrs) → Rishikesh → Chamba → Barkot.

Barkot is a small town at 1,220m altitude — your base for Yamunotri. Check into your hotel and rest.

Stay: Hotel Manhar, Hotel Yamunotri, or Forest Rest House Barkot (₹800–2,500/night)

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Day 2: Barkot to Yamunotri and Back to Barkot

Yamunotri Temple is not accessible by road — it requires a 6 km trek from Janki Chatti (14 km from Barkot).

Trek options:
- Walk 6 km each way (allow 4–5 hours total)
- Pony/horse ride: ₹600–800 one way from Janki Chatti
- Doli (palanquin): ₹1,500–2,500 one way — ideal for elderly pilgrims

At Yamunotri Temple:
- Surya Kund — boiling natural hot spring where pilgrims cook rice and potatoes in cloth bags as prasad
- Divya Shila — sacred rock pillar worshipped before entering the temple
- Temple aarti timings: 6:15 AM (morning) and 8:15 PM (evening)

Return to Barkot for overnight.



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Day 3: Barkot to Uttarkashi (100 km, 3–4 hours)

Drive from Barkot to Uttarkashi along the Bhagirathi River valley.

Uttarkashi is a significant town with important temples. Visit Vishwanath Temple (a form of Kashi Vishwanath, very important) and the Shakti Temple which has a 6-metre trident said to be thousands of years old.

Nehru Institute of Mountaineering is here — a famous mountaineering school where many Everest climbers trained.

Stay: Hotel Mandakini, Shreya Resorts (₹1,000–3,000/night)

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Day 4: Uttarkashi to Gangotri (100 km, 3 hours) and Back to Uttarkashi

Gangotri is at 3,100m altitude. The road from Uttarkashi to Gangotri is scenic and well-maintained but narrow in places.

Gangotri Temple — dedicated to Goddess Ganga, this white temple on the banks of the Bhagirathi River is serene and powerful. The river here is crystal clear and ice cold.

Temple timings: 6:15 AM – 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Nearby: Gangotri Glacier trek (19 km to Gaumukh — actual source of Ganga) is a separate 2–3 day trek requiring permits from the forest department. Most pilgrims do Gangotri temple only.

Bhagirath Shila — the rock where King Bhagirath meditated to bring Ganga to Earth — is right by the temple.

Return to Uttarkashi for overnight.

Gangotri official info: www.gangotri.org

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Day 5: Uttarkashi to Guptkashi (220 km, 7–8 hours)

Long drive day through beautiful Himalayan scenery. Route: Uttarkashi → Chamba → Rishikesh → Rudraprayag → Guptkashi.

The Panchprayag (five confluences) of Uttarakhand are along this route — Devprayag (most sacred, confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi forming the Ganga) is a 30-minute stop worth making.

Guptkashi at 1,319m is the base town for Kedarnath. Check in and rest — tomorrow is the hardest physical day.

Stay: Hotel Kedar Palace, Swiss Cottage Guptkashi (₹1,200–3,500/night)

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Day 6: Kedarnath — The Most Challenging Dham

Kedarnath at 3,583m is the most demanding of the four dhams. Your taxi takes you from Guptkashi to Gaurikund (30 km, 1 hour) — this is where the trek or helicopter begins.

Trek to Kedarnath: 16 km one way
- Moderate-difficult trek gaining 1,800m altitude
- Allow 5–7 hours uphill, 4–5 hours downhill
- Pony: ₹2,000–3,000 one way
- Doli (palanquin): ₹5,000–8,000 one way

Helicopter to Kedarnath: Highly recommended for elderly, unwell, or time-limited pilgrims.
- Operators: Heli Services from Phata, Sirsi, or Guptkashi helipad
- Cost: ₹4,500–7,500 per person one way
- Book online well in advance: heliservices.uk.gov.in
- Flight time: 7–8 minutes vs 6–7 hours trek

Kedarnath Temple:
- One of 12 Jyotirlingas — supremely sacred to Shaivites
- Built in 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya
- The self-manifested Shivalinga is a natural rock formation
- Temple timings: 4:00 AM (Mahabhishek) to 8:30/9:00 PM
- Rudra Abhishek puja: ₹500–1,500

Stay near Kedarnath: Basic tents and lodges available near the temple (₹500–1,500) — very basic but a profound experience. Or return to Guptkashi.



Kedarnath official: www.badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in

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Day 7: Rest Day at Guptkashi / Kedarnath

If you trekked on Day 6, use Day 7 to rest and recover. Alternatively, complete a slow Kedarnath visit and return to Guptkashi this day.

Optional: Visit Triyuginarayan Temple (25 km from Guptkashi) — where Lord Shiva and Parvati were married according to Hindu mythology. The eternal flame here has reportedly burned since the wedding.

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Day 8: Guptkashi to Badrinath (200 km, 6–7 hours)

Drive from Guptkashi toward Badrinath via Rudraprayag and Joshimath.

Joshimath (1,890m) is an important stop — it is the winter seat of Badrinath. The Narasimha Temple here is ancient. Note: Joshimath has faced land subsidence issues in recent years — stay updated on current conditions.

Mana Village (3 km from Badrinath) is India's last village before the Tibet border — a fascinating stop.

Vasudhara Falls (5 km trek from Mana) is a beautiful 122m waterfall.

Check into Badrinath — thousands of dharmashalas (pilgrim rest houses) are available.

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Day 9: Badrinath Darshan

Badrinath Temple — one of Hinduism's most important shrines, dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his aspect as Badrinarayan.

Temple timings: 4:30 AM – 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Morning Abhishek (Mahabhishek): 4:30 AM — the most auspicious time, queue is long but deeply spiritual
Evening aarti: 8:30 PM — very atmospheric

What to see near Badrinath:
- Tapt Kund — natural hot sulphur spring right below the temple where pilgrims bathe before darshan (temperature: 45°C year-round)
- Brahma Kapal — sacred platform on the Alaknanda River for ancestor rituals (pind daan)
- Charan Paduka — 3 km trek, rock bearing Lord Vishnu's footprint

Badrinath official: www.badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in



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Day 10: Badrinath to Rishikesh (295 km, 8 hours)

Begin return journey. Stop at Devprayag (the sacred confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi forming the Ganga) for a 30-minute halt and photograph the dramatic meeting of the two rivers.

Reach Rishikesh by evening. After 9 days in the high mountains, the warm Ganga air of Rishikesh feels remarkably different. Attend Triveni Ghat Ganga Aarti at sunset — a beautiful conclusion to the pilgrimage.

Stay: Rishikesh has excellent accommodation from budget ashrams (₹500) to quality hotels (₹3,000–8,000).

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Day 11: Rishikesh to Delhi (240 km, 5 hours)

Depart Rishikesh by 8 AM. Stop at Haridwar (25 km) for 1 hour — visit Har Ki Pauri, collect Gangajal if desired.

Reach Delhi by 3–4 PM via NH44.

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Cost Breakdown (Per Couple, 11 Nights)

| Item | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|
| EZPZ Taxi SUV (12 days) | ₹35,000–50,000 |
| Hotels (10 nights, mid-range) | ₹15,000–25,000 |
| Kedarnath helicopter (2 persons) | ₹9,000–15,000 |
| Temple entry & pujas | ₹3,000–8,000 |
| Food (12 days, 2 persons) | ₹8,000–15,000 |
| Miscellaneous & tolls | ₹3,000–5,000 |
| TOTAL | ₹73,000–1,18,000 |

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What to Pack for Char Dham Yatra

Clothing:
- Heavy woollen sweater and thermal innerwear
- Down jacket or parka (nights are 0–5°C even in June)
- Waterproof windcheater
- Comfortable trekking shoes with grip (mandatory)
- Woollen socks (3–4 pairs), gloves, muffler, cap

Medical:
- Diamox (for altitude sickness — consult doctor before using)
- Paracetamol, cold and cough medicine
- Personal prescription medicines (carry extra supply)
- Pulse oximeter (to monitor oxygen levels at altitude)
- Basic first aid kit

Documents:
- Aadhaar card / passport
- Char Dham online registration printout/screenshot
- Hotel booking confirmations

Other:
- Power bank (charging points are limited at high altitude)
- Offline maps (Google Maps works offline if downloaded)
- Small day backpack for treks
- Reusable water bottle

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Health Advice

Altitude Sickness (AMS): At Kedarnath (3,583m) and Badrinath (3,133m) you may experience headache, nausea, and breathlessness. Symptoms usually pass with rest in 24 hours. Descend immediately if symptoms worsen.

Acclimatise: Don't rush. The itinerary above builds altitude gradually.

Consult your doctor before the trip if you have heart conditions, respiratory issues, diabetes, or are over 60.

Kedarnath helicopter bookings are strongly recommended for elderly pilgrims or anyone with health concerns.

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Book Your Char Dham Taxi

EZPZ Taxi offers complete Char Dham Yatra packages from Delhi with:
- Mountain-experienced drivers who know every route
- Well-maintained SUVs serviced before departure
- 24/7 support throughout the journey
- Flexible itinerary based on your pace

Call: +91-9871121217
Book online: ezpztaxi.com

Have you done the Char Dham Yatra? Share your experience, tips, or questions below — your insight helps future pilgrims plan better!