Every Year Chardham Yatra begins from the month of April or May onwards and continues until October/November as the doors of all four temples (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yumunotri & Gangotri) remain open till the day of “Diwali Festival” which is celebrated every year during the month the month of October/November. “Diwali festival-Also called Deepawali” is considered as one of the main festival of Hindus and dates of this festival to be decided by the holy saints/Gurus/Priests according to Hindu calendar). After Diwali doors of all temples remain close for the next five or six months due to heavy snow fall and very cold weather as all these temples are located in the remote places of Himalayan Mountain where life is not easy to survive due to uncertain weather conditions.

Char Dham – means four sacred places in India as per Hindu belief. They are PURI, DWARKA, BADRINATH and RAMESHWARAM – collectively known as the Chardham of India are the most sacred of all pilgrimages. It is believed that undertaking a journey to these holy shrines located in the four corners of India washes away one’s sins and relieves one from the cycle of birth and death.

However, some people called these places as Char Dham – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinathji (in Uttaranchal) – which although sacred, are not actually char dham. Any Dham is a revered place, but “Char Dham” actually refers to – Puri, Dwarka, Badrinath & Rameshwaram – where live four Shankaracharyas.

Chardham Yatra can be starts either from Delhi or Haridwar as being a capital of India, Delhi is connected with almost entire World & all major Cities of India through various flight connections and Trains. Road connectivity from Delhi to Haridwar is very good as by road it is just 210 km/ 5 hours drive (approx). One can travel by air from Delhi to Dehradun (Joly Grant Aiport) which is just 41 Km away (1 hrs drive approx) from Haridwar. Nearest Railway station of Haridwar is just 16 Km before of “Har-Ki-Pauri” (Haridwar) and train journey from Delhi to Haridwar takes only 4-5 hrs approx. Chardham Yatra starts from Delhi – Hardiwar – Barkot – Yamunotri – Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Guptkashi- Kedarnath- Rudraprayag- Badrinath- Joshimath- Srinagar(Garwal)- Rishikesh – Delhi. These places can be covered in approx 12 days from Delhi to Delhi and from Haridwar to Haridwar it takes approx 11 days.

Chardham Yatra is considered is as one of the toughest Yatra in Himalayan region, so don’t take it lightly as one should physically and mentally fit to travel this circuit. Weather of Char Dham Circuit is very uncertain as temperature changes almost three times in a day since day time is hot and evening is pleasant but nights are some time very cold. It is advisable to take heavy woollen cloths such as warm Jacket, Coat, Sweater, Gloves & woollen socks and good walking shoes with grip, slippers & sandals, first aid kit. Also carry Insect repellent or lotions to avoid any mosquito infection. One can carry rain coat as well as some time its rain in this circuit as weather can be changed at any time here.

Don’t forget to bring personal medicines during your trip to Char Dham Circuit if you are patient of any such dieses like any kind of allergies, diabetes or asthma or any such conditions that may require emergency treatment and are specially advised to carry prescriptions of the medicines and also preferably carry a letter from your physician during your trip.

It would cost anywhere between Rs.200 per day to Rs.500 per day. If you get a guide who has done NIM course, then that would be on the higher end (near Rs.500/day).

Plus, you will have to look after his food and stay. A meal would cost approximately Rs.40/meal. So the cost of food comes out to be Rs.100/day/guide.

The fare of helicopter ticket to Kedarnath is approx Rs 7,990/- per person from Phata, which includes return helicopter fare with exclusive of priority darshan as per the prevalent rate.

Char dham Yatra tour by helicopter will take 4 days to complete from Sahastradhara Helipad Dehradun.

Price per Helicopter for six person cost INR 190000 approx with 3 night stay in luxury hotels.