Are you looking for the Char Dham Yatra Trekking Guide?
This article is about how you can complete the Char Dham Yatra by trekking.
Char Dham as the name suggests, refers to the four (Char) Dham – Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri.
Dham refers to the home or abode of the deity. The Dhams represent the residence of God Kedarnath, Badrinath and the Goddesses Yamunotri and Gangotri.
These four (char) pilgrimage sites are in the beautiful Garhwal area of the state of Uttarakhand in India.
Char Dham Yatra is done by thousands of people looking for spiritual guidance every year and are important holy places in Uttarakhand.
By visiting the sacred places, people learn more about God and find peace within. They are also thought to be freed from sins and move closer to salvation.
Every temple in the Char Dham is known for its religious and historical significance.
Here’s a detailed Char Dham Yatra trekking guide to help you plan it with ease –
1. Yamunotri Temple
The first stop of the Char Dham Yatra is Yamunotri at an altitude of 3,293 meters in Uttarkashi district. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna.
It is believed that taking a dip in the Yamuna river washes away all the sins of a person and gives him peace in the afterlife.
Photo Source – AaS, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The temple was originally built by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal and is located near the Champasar Glacier, the actual source of the Yamuna, which is unreachable to pilgrims.
Know about the Yamunotri Trek
Starting Point and Route
Janki Chatti is a small town in Uttarakhand where the trek to the Yamunotri Temple starts.
Many pilgrims and trekkers choose Janki Chatti, which is about 6 km away from the Temple, as their base camp.
Beautiful scenery, like lush green slopes, cascading streams, and views of the Himalayas, can be seen along the well-paved path.
Hanuman Chatti and Phool Chatti are also stops on the way for pilgrims that offer rest and food.
Trekking Difficulty and Duration
The trek to Yamunotri Temple is not too hard or too easy. There are some steep parts on the 6 km trail, but the trail mostly goes uphill.
The one-way walk usually takes between 4 and 6 hours, but this depends on how fit you are and the weather.
For people who might find the trip hard on their bodies, there are ponies, palanquins (palkis), and porters available.
Best Time to do the Yamunotri Trek
May to June and September to October are the best times to do the Yamunotri Temple trek. The weather is pleasant during these months, and the roads are clear.
Because it snows a lot in the winter (November to April), the temple is closed.
People usually stay away from the mountains from July to August, when it rains a lot because the roads can get slippery.
Essential Tips for Trekkers
→ Wear Comfy Clothes: Layered clothes for temp changes and trekking shoes with good grip.
→ Stay Hydrated: Carry water and energy snacks.
→ Start Early: Begin trek early in the morning.
→ Carry Essentials: Walking stick, raincoat, first aid kit and sunscreen.
→ Respect the Place: Keep clean, don’t litter and respect the sacred site.
→ Check the Weather: Always check the weather before you start the trek.
2. Gangotri Temple
Gangotri is another sacred pilgrimage site in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. It is believed to be the origin of the river Ganges.
The temple is located in Uttarkashi district at an altitude of about 3,100 meters above sea level.
Gangotri temple is dedicated to Goddess Ganga and is considered highly revered in Hinduism.
According to mythology, Goddess Ganga descended from heaven to earth after the rigorous penance of King Bhagirath.
To control her velocity, Lord Shiva held Ganga in his matted hair and then slowly let her flow to the earth. For this reason, Ganga is also called “Bhagirathi”.
The actual origin of the river Ganges is the Gautammukh River, located about 19 km from Gangotri, which originates from the Gangotri Glacier.
Built in the 18th century by Amar Singh Thapa, this temple is an important site for spiritual seekers and trekkers.
Know about the Gangotri Trek
Starting Point and Route
The Trek to Gangotri Temple starts in the holy town of Gangotri, which is in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
Trekkers can start their journey in Gangotri and follow the beautiful trails to places like Gaumukh, where the holy Ganga River starts, and Tapovan, a high-altitude field.
The path goes through beautiful scenery with rushing streams and sweeping views of snow-capped mountains.
Trekking Difficulty and Duration
It takes about 18 kilometres to walk from Gangotri to Gaumukh, which is considered a modest trek.
Depending on how strong you are and the weather, it usually takes two to three days to finish.
For people who want to continue their trip to Tapovan, they need to trek an extra 5 kilometres.
This makes the trek a little more difficult and is only recommended for experienced trekkers.
Best Time to do the Gangotri Trek
The best times to trek to the Gangotri Temple are between May and June and between September and October.
The weather stays nice during these months, and the clear skies make the views of the Himalayas truly beautiful.
You should stay away from the area from July to August, when it rains a lot because the paths will be slippery.
Essential Tips for Trekkers
→ Don’t get altitude sickness if you’re going to higher elevations like Tapovan, get acclimatized.
→ Bring warm clothes as the weather can drop.
→ Stay hydrated and have energy snacks and water with you.
→ For a better and more fun trip hire a local guide or join a trekking group.
→ Get permits from the Forest Department before you start the hike.
→ Take care of the environment, don’t throw trash and do good to the environment.
3. Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath is one of the holiest places in India to visit, and it is thought to be one of Lord Shiva’s twelve Jyotirlingas.
It is in the state of Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district and is a major part of the Char Dham Yatra.
It is on the banks of the Mandakini River, about 3,583 meters above sea level.
People believe that the Pandavas built the Kedarnath temple. The current building was improved by Adi Guru Shankaracharya in the 8th century.
According to the people, the Pandavas came here to worship Lord Shiva and get rid of their sins after the Mahabharata war also known as the Kurukshetra war.
The presence of snow-covered peaks beside the Kedarnath temple and its spirituality attracts every individual whether he is a devotee or not.
Know about the Kedarnath Trek
Starting Point and Route
At Gaurikund, the last place where a car can go, the trek to Kedarnath starts.
For pilgrims and hikers, Gaurikund is a religious site that offers basic services. After this, the Kedarnath Trek is 16 km (10 miles).
A well-kept path leads through beautiful scenery, including snow-covered peaks, thick forests, and waterfalls that fall over rocks.
At rest stops, food stands, and medical services along the way, pilgrims can get help.
Trekking Difficulty and Duration
The Kedarnath Trek is thought to be moderate to difficult because it has steep ascents and is very high up.
The one-way trip usually takes between 6 and 8 hours, but it depends on how fit you are and the weather.
Ponies, palkis (palanquins), and helicopter services are offered for people who can’t walk the trail.
Best Time to do the Kedarnath Trek
From May to June and September to October are the best times to start the Kedarnath Trek.
The weather stays nice during these months, and the temple is easy to get to.
From July to August, the monsoon season brings heavy rain, which makes the walk hard and dangerous because of landslides.
Essential Tips for Trekkers
→ Physical Preparation: Make sure you’re physically fit by doing cardio or regular walking routines before the trek.
→ Acclimatization: To get used to the thin air, spend a day at a reasonable elevation.
→ Packing Essentials: Bring warm clothes, good hiking shoes, a raincoat, and your own medicine.
→ Hydration and Nutrition: Drink plenty of water and bring energy snacks with you.
→ Respect the Environment: Keep the pilgrimage spot clean and honour its holy status.
4. Badrinath Temple
People think of Badrinath as the main temple of Lord Vishnu. This is the last and most important stop on the Char Dham Yatra.
It is on the banks of the Alaknanda River in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
The Badrinath temple is 3,133 meters above sea level. It is a highly significant Vaishnavite pilgrimage site in Hinduism.
In the 800s, Adi Shankaracharya built the Badrinath temple.
According to the legend, Lord Vishnu meditated here for a long time. Goddess Lakshmi turned into a wild plum to keep him warm. That’s why this spot is called Badrinath.
The temple honours Lord Vishnu in his Badrivishal form, and the black Shaligram stone idol that was put there is thought to show that he is there.
Know about the Badrinath Trek
Starting Point and Route
Most of the time, the trek to Badrinath Temple starts in the Uttarakhand town of Joshimath.
You can easily get to Joshimath from cities like Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun by road. It is the main way to get to Badrinath.
From Joshimath, the trek goes along the beautiful NH-58 for about 45 km until it reaches Badrinath.
Most pilgrims choose to travel by road, but people who want to try something new often choose short trekking routes from nearby villages to see the area’s untouched beauty.
Trekking Difficulty and Duration
People think that the Trek to Badrinath isn’t too hard compared to other high-altitude Treks in Uttarakhand.
As there isn’t much elevation gain, it’s good for beginners and moderately experienced trekkers.
Trekking can take anywhere from one to two days, based on where you start and the trail you choose.
Many pilgrims go on extra treks to nearby holy places like Charan Paduka, Neelkanth Peak, and Mana Village, which deepens their spiritual experience even more.
Best Time to do the Badrinath Trek
The best times to trek to Badrinath Temple are between May and June and between September and October.
The weather is still nice during these months, with clear skies and average temperatures.
The temple is closed from the end of October to the beginning of May because of the harsh winter weather.
Because of the risk of landslides and slippery trails, most people don’t go trekking from July to August, which is monsoon season.
Essential Tips for Trekkers
→ Physical Preparation: For a comfortable trekking experience, keep your fitness level modest by doing cardio exercises, walking, or both regularly.
→ Packing Essentials: Bring enough warm clothes, a rain jacket, strong hiking boots, and a backpack.
→ Hydration and Nutrition: To stay hydrated and energetic, keep energy snacks, water bottles, and electrolyte drinks close by.
→ Acclimatization: Let your body get used to the high altitude by spending a day in Joshimath or a close town.
→ Permits and Guidelines: To do not disturb the holy site of the journey, make sure you have the required permits by registering on official government sites and following the local rules.
→ Emergency Contacts: Keeping emergency contact numbers and simple first-aid apparel on hand is important.
Summing it Up
Beginning the Char Dham Yatra: Trekking is both a spiritual journey and a test of how dedicated you are and how long you can keep going.
Not only are Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri holy sites places of worship, but they are also very close to nature.
On each walk, you get to see different sights, such as hills covered in snow, thick woods, and clean rivers. It’s impossible to describe how good it feels to reach these holy places.
To make sure your trekking trip is safe and fun, always drink plenty of water, do some light exercise, pack what you need, and dress in a way that lets you handle the changing weather.
For important parts of the trip, you need to follow the local customs, keep the buildings clean, and follow the trails.
The best times to go on the Char Dham Yatra Trek are from May to June and from September to October.
In these months, the paths are safer, and the Himalayas are at their most beautiful. People who might find the walk hard should also think about other options, like riding ponies, palkis, or aeroplanes.
Lastly, the Char Dham Yatra Trekking is an event that will change your life.
It will help you grow mentally, discover more about yourself, and enjoy the beauty of the Himalayas.
I hope you found this trekking guide on Chardham Yatra under Uttarakhand tourism helpful for you.
Wishing you the best for your Chardham Yatra.
If not religious treks, you can read this article on offbeat treks in India.
Cover Photo By Abhay Paditkar on Unsplash.
