Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar: Route and Planning
By Maulik Hospitality Editorial · Updated 2026-08-22
Haridwar is where pilgrims have begun Himalayan yatras for centuries - and it remains the practical launch pad: rail head, last big-city pharmacies, and the road to Yamunotri starting here.
The Circuit Order
Traditional west-to-east sequence: Yamunotri → Gangotri → Kedarnath → Badrinath. Typical road itinerary runs 10-12 days ex-Haridwar with night halts at Barkot, Uttarkashi, Guptkashi, Joshimath and Rudraprayag valleys.
Season
- Temples open late April/early May (on Akshaya Tritiya by tradition) through Diwali-adjacent closures in Oct-Nov; exact dates announced each year by temple committees.
- Best windows: May-June and September-October. Monsoon July-August brings landslide risk - check state advisories daily.
Registration & Rules
Uttarakhand requires yatra registration (online portal or enrolment centres in Haridwar/Rishikesh). Carry originals plus photocopies of ID; helicopter slots for Kedarnath book out immediately when released.
Prepare Before You Go
- Walk 4-5 km daily for three weeks prior; Kedarnath's final stretch is the fitness filter.
- Pack layers: sub-zero nights even in June at Kedarnath/Badrinath.
- Book your Haridwar base-nights early - Hotel Abhyudyam Ganga keeps rooms for yatris before departure and after return.
Plan your stay: Call +91 89888 02000 or email reservations@maulikhospitality.com. Booking direct gets you our best available rate.
