Char Dham Yatra Itinerary 11 Days by Travel Zone

Morning pick up from Delhi at given location and driver to Haridwar, on the way visit Har ki Paidi, take a sacred bath followed by evening Aarti and proceed to hotel for check-in.

Morning Drive to Barkot via Mussoorie, en route visit Kempty Fall (Suggestible to have your lunch at Kempty fall as further no good restaurants are available before Badkot). Later drive straight to Barkot, and transfer to your Hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax and store your energy for the Pahad (hiII) Yatra of Yamunotri the next day. Overnight stay at Barkot. Barkot is known for its scenic natural beauty. Located at the confluence of the Yamuna and tons rivers. At an elevation of over 4,000 ft, apple orchards are ringed by the Himalayan range. Barkot offers panoramic views of the snowcapped mountains of Bandar Poonch. Barkot is an important stopover en route to Yamunotri and Gangotri, among the four Char Dham Pilgrimages. Weather - Generally pleasant in summer, the temperature ranges from 25-30 degree Celsius, Winter: The Days are pleasantly cool but the nights are cold, temp ranges from 10 deg to 05 deg.

Early morning, Drive to Jankichatti/Phoolchatti, trek starts from here to Yamunotri (6kms). Either by walk or by horse or by Doli at own cost. The trek passes through a lush green valley, a profusion of conifers, rhododendrons, cacti and several species of Himalayan shrubs. Arr. Yamunotri, One can cook rice by packing it in a cloth and dipping it in the hot water of the hot kund. Pilgrims take this cooked rice home as "Prasad". Here near the temple "Pooja" can be offered to Divya Shila, After taking bath in Jamunabai Kund's warm water and having "Darshan" of pious "Yamunaji" returning to Jankichatti. Return to Barkot, Overnight stay. Yamunotri, the westernmost shrine of the Char Dhams, is dominated by Banderpunch (6,361 m). Yamunotri is the source of the river Yamuna, the twin sister of Varna, the Lord of Death. Yamuna is also the daughter of Surya the Sun. The actual source of the river originates from Champasar Glacier 1 km ahead of the shrine, at an altitude of 4,321 mts. Yamunotri Temple: Maharani Gularia of Jaipur built the temple in the 19th Century. It was destroyed twice in the present century and rebuilt again. Surya Kund: There are several thermal springs in the vicinity of the temple, which flow into numerous pools. The most important of these is Surya Kund. Divya Shila: A rock pillar, worshipped before entering the Yamunotri Temple. Weather - In summer the maximum temp is 18 degrees and the minimum is 10 degrees Celsius. The days are pleasantly cool but the nights are cold.

Drive to Uttarkashi. Visit Vishwanath Temple & Others. Check-in Hotel. Rest day at leisure. Night Halt. Uttarkashi is home to several ashrams and temples and also to the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. The name of the town reflects its similarity to and location (north of) the city of Kashi (Varanasi). Similar to Varanasi, the town of Uttarkashi is situated on the Ganges, lies next to a hill named Varun Parvat, on the confluence of two rivers Varuna and Asi, has a ghat called Manikarnika Ghat and has a temple dedicated to Shiva (Kashi Vishwanath Temple) in the centre of the town. Vishwanath temple - Vishwanath temple is one of the oldest Shiva temples in Northern India. Reconstructed in 1857 by Maharani Khaneti Devi of Tehri State in the ancient architectural style. It is situated at the heart of the town. A massive iron trident, symbolic of the divine mother, is erected and worshipped from time immemorial at the temple complex. Ganeshji, Sakshi Gopal, and Markandeya Rishi’s small shrines are also part of the temple complex. Akhand Jyoti, as well as Akhand Abhishek, special aarti in the morning and evening, are offered. As per Skunda Puran, Uttarkashi is known as ‘Saumya Varanasi’, the abode of Lord Shiva in Kaliyug and counted as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Shakti temple - Right in front of the Vishwanath temple is Shakti temple. It has a big ‘Trishul’ of about 6 meters in height and a circumference of 90 cm. at the bottom. Though there are different views about the making of this, the upper part of it seems to be made up of iron and the lower one is of copper. As per the epics, this Shakti was thrown on the devils by the Goddess Durga(Shakti), hence it gets its name. Since then this Shakti is erected over here Weather - Generally hot in summer, the temperature ranges from 30-35 degree Celsius but nights is pleasant, Cold in winter.

Early morning drive to Gangotri, en route at Gangnani, take a holy dip in Garam Kund, and further drive to Gangotri via beautiful Harsil Valley. Harsil is famous for its natural beauty and for the majestic views of the Deodar trees, and mountains. On arrival at Shree Gangotri, take a holy dip in the sacred river Ganges which is also called Bhagirathi at its origin. Perform Pooja and Darshan, and after that relax for some time in the lovely surroundings. Return to Uttarkashi. Overnight stay at Uttarkashi. Gangotri Temple: The temple, constructed by the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th Century, is situated on the right bank of Bhagirathi. Submerged Shivling: Submerged in the river, this natural rock Shivling is the place where according to mythology Lord Shiva sat when he received the Ganga in his matted lock. It is visible in winter months when the water level decreases. Kedar Ganga Sangam: Around 100 Yards from the Ganga Temple flows the river Kedar Ganga. Starting from the Kedar Valle, this river meets the Bhagirathi on its left bank.

Drive straight to Guptkashi via Moolgarh & Lambgoan. En route, you can see the beautiful river Mandakini at Tilwara. The Mandakini river comes from Kedarnath, and drives alongside the river to reach Guptakashi. On arrival Check In at the Hotel, evening visit Ardh Narishwar Temple. Overnight stay at the Hotel. The name Gupt Kashi means "Hidden Benares". Mythology describes how when the Pandava brothers were searching for a glimpse of Shiva, Shivji first concealed himself at Gupt Kashi, but later fled from them further up the valley to Kedarnath, where the Pandavas finally got their wish fulfilled. There are more tangible connections as well-the Kedarnath  (hereditary pilgrimage priests) live in Gupt Kashi during the winter months, and after the Kedarnath temple closes for the winter, the image of Kedarnath passes through Gupt Kashi on its way to Ukhimath (across the valley), where it stays for the winter.

proceed to Sonprayag, Trek start from Sonprayag to Kedarnath (3584 mts) by pony / Doli. Tour members should carry personal medicines, heavy woollen, toiletries and clothes for an overnight halt at Kedarnath. Visit Kedarnath Temple. Overnight stay. Kedarnath: The Kedarnath shrine, one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, is a scenic spot situated, against the backdrop of the majestic Kedarnath range. Kedar is another name for Lord Shiva, the protector and the destroyer. According to legend, the Pandavas after having won over the Kaurava in the Kurukshetra war felt guilty for having killed their brothers and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption. He eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. On being followed he dived into the ground, leaving his hump on the surface. The remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four other places and are worshipped there as his manifestations. The arms appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the belly at Madhmaheshwar and his locks (hair) with head at Kalpeshwar. Kedarnath and the four above-mentioned shrines are treated as Panch Kedar.

Early morning you get up before dawn and after taking bath you are at the temple by 4:45 am for the 'Abhishek’ to Kedarnath Shiva. Everyone can go inside Garbha Griha and touch the idol. You can also prostrate with your head touching the deity etc. After Temple Darshan treks down to Sonprayag. Further drive to Guptkashi. Check-in Hotel. Night Halt.

Drive to Badrinath via Joshimath. Check-in Hotel. Later in the evening visit Badrinath Temple for Aarti. Overnight stay. Badrinath one of the 'Four Dhams' is one of the most celebrated pilgrimage spots of the country and is situated at an elevation of 3,133 meters, guarded on either side by the two mountain ranges known as Nar & Narayan with the towering Neelkanth Peak providing a splendid backdrop. This revered spot was once carpeted with wild berries. Thus the place got the name "Badri van", meaning "forest of berries". Tapt Kund: Natural thermal springs on the bank of the river Alaknanda, where it is customary to bathe before entering the Badrinath temple. Narad Kund: A recess in the river, near Tapt Kund, forming a pool from where the Badrinath idol was recovered. Brahama Kapal: A flat platform on the bank of river Alaknanda. Hindus perform propitiating rites for their deceased ancestors. Sheshnetra: 1.5 km. away is a boulder having an impression of the legendary serpent, better known as the Sheshnag's eye. Charanpaduka: 3kms. away is a beautiful meadow where the footprint of Lord Vishnu is seen on a boulder. Mata Murty Temple: Devoted to the mother of Sri Badrinathji. Other important temples include Sesh Netra Temple, Urvashi Temple and Charanpaduka. Mana Village: Inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, it is the last Indian village before Tibet. Vasundhara: As the name suggests, vasundhara is a magnificent water fall. This place is 5 km. from Badrinath out of which 2 km. is motorable up to Mana. Bhim Pul: On the other side of Mana village, a massive rock forming a natural bridge, lies over the roaring Saraswati river. It presents a spectacular view of water thundering down

Early morning, pilgrims after having a bath in the Taptkund have the Darshan of Badrivishal. Brahamakapal is significant for Pinddan Shraddh of ancestors (Pitrus). There are other interesting sightseeing spots like Mana, Vyas Gufa, Maatamoorti, Charanpaduka, Bhimkund and the "Mukh" of the Saraswati River and drive to Rishikesh. Evening you will witness Rishikesh Aarti and check-in for overnight.

Morning breakfast and check out from the hotel and visit Visit Rishikesh Temples & Sight Seeing – Laxman Jhulla, Ram Jhulla, Triveni Ghat, Bharat Mandir, Shivananda Ashram. Then departure to Delhi with holy and happy memories.