Overview
Vedrahasya Travel Agency offers a unique opportunity for Hindu devotees to fulfill their ultimate desire of visiting the holy Char Dham shrines in Uttarakhand. The Char Dham circuit consists of four sacred sites – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath – all nestled among the Himalayan peaks. These shrines are considered among the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Hinduism and are visited by millions of devotees every year.
According to Hinduism, pilgrimage or “Tirthayatra” is one of the five duties of every Hindu, and with Vedrahasya, you can embark on this journey of willpower, humility, and faith. Pilgrimage is an intimate experience, a direct connection between the seeker and the sacred. It is an opportunity to purify the mind and body, to seek blessings, and to deepen one’s spiritual connection.
Vedrahasya’s Pilgrimage Yatras offers the chance to worship at holy shrines, have darshan of Deities abiding in ancient sanctums, and to see holy men and women. The Char Dham Yatra is considered one of the most sacred and auspicious journeys in Hinduism. It is believed that by completing this pilgrimage, one can attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
The tour package from Vedrahasya Travel Agency includes comfortable accommodation, delicious food, and safe transportation throughout the tour. The team of expert guides will be with you throughout the tour to ensure that your experience is comfortable and memorable. They will assist you in every step of the way, from planning to execution, to make sure that your Char Dham Yatra is a life-changing, bliss-engendering, karma-eradicating contact with the Divine. It’s an experience not to be missed, and Vedrahasya Travel Agency offers an exclusive chance to embark on this sacred journey and seek blessings from the divine.
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Haridwar Railway Station, the Vedrahasya Travel Agency team will meet and assist you to transfer to your hotel. If time permits, you will visit the Mansa Devi Temple, Chandi Devi Temple, Daksha Mahadev Temples and other notable locations in the area. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to visit Har-ki-Pauri for the Ganga Aarti, a moving ritual that involves worship of the Ganga river after sunset and the floating of 'dia' (lamps). Afterwards, you will return to your hotel for a comfortable night's stay.
Head to Barkot via Mussoorie and make a stop at Mussoorie Lake and Kempty Fall along the way. It's recommended to grab lunch at Kempty Fall as there are not many options available before reaching Barkot. Continue on to Barkot and check into your hotel. The rest of the evening is yours to relax and prepare for the Pahad Yatra to Yamunotri the next day. Spend the night in Barkot.
The weather in Barkot is generally pleasant during the summer with temperatures ranging from 25-30 degrees Celsius. In the winter, the days are cool, but the nights can be quite cold with temperatures ranging from 10 to 5 degrees.
Begin your journey early in the morning by driving to Jankichatti or Phoolchatti, the starting point for the trek to Yamunotri (6kms). The trek can be completed by foot, horse, or Doli (at your own expense). The trek passes through a lush green valley filled with conifers, rhododendrons, cacti, and various Himalayan shrubs.
Upon arrival at Yamunotri, you can cook rice by wrapping it in a cloth and submerging it in the hot water of the Tapt Kund. Pilgrims take this cooked rice home as a form of "Prasad." Near the temple, "Pooja" can be offered to Divya Shila. After taking a bath in the warm waters of Jamunabai Kund and having "Darshan" of the pious "Yamunaji," you will return to Jankichatti and then back to Barkot for an overnight stay.
The Yamunotri Temple was built in the 19th century by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur. It has been destroyed twice in the present century and rebuilt. At Yamunotri, you can also cook rice by wrapping it in a cloth and submerging it in the hot water of the Tapt Kund. Pilgrims take this cooked rice home as a form of "Prasad." Near the temple, "Pooja" can be offered to Divya Shila.
Surya Kund is one of the many thermal springs near the temple, which flows into numerous pools. It is considered the most important of these.
The weather at Yamunotri is pleasant during the summer with maximum temperatures reaching 18 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures reaching 10 degrees Celsius. The days are cool, but the nights are cold.
After breakfast in the morning, take a drive to Uttarkashi and check into your hotel upon arrival. During your stay, make sure to visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, a historic and significant Shiva temple located in the heart of the town. Uttarkashi is also home to several ashrams and other temples, and is situated on the banks of the Ganges river, similar to the city of Varanasi. The Vishwanath temple was reconstructed in 1857 and features an iron trident, as well as shrines dedicated to Ganeshji, Sakshi Gopal, and Markandeya Rishi. Special aarti ceremonies are offered in the morning and evening. The town of Uttarkashi is also known as "Saumya Varanasi" and is considered one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Right next to the Vishwanath temple is the Shakti temple, which features a large trishul and is said to have been thrown by the goddess Durga. The weather in Uttarkashi is generally hot in the summer and cold in the winter, with temperatures ranging from 30-35 degrees Celsius during the day and pleasant temperatures at night.
Start your day with a packed breakfast and embark on a journey to Gangotri. Along the way, make a stop at Gangnani to take a sacred dip in the Garam Kund. Continue your drive through the picturesque Harsil Valley, known for its natural beauty and the towering Deodar trees and mountains. Upon arriving at Shree Gangotri, take a dip in the sacred river Ganges, also known as Bhagirathi at its source. Perform a Pooja and Darshan, and take some time to relax in the serene surroundings. Afterward, make your way back to Uttarkashi for an overnight stay.
The Gangotri Temple, built by Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th century, is located on the right bank of the Bhagirathi. The weather in Gangotri can vary depending on the season. During summer, the temperature can reach up to 20° Celsius, but nights can be cooler with a minimum temperature of 10° Celsius. It is recommended to wear light woolen clothing during summer visits. In the winter, Gangotri can be extremely chilly and covered in snow, causing many pilgrimage centers to be closed.
After having breakfast in the morning, embark on a journey to Guptkashi via Moolgarh and Lambgaon. Along the way, you will be able to witness the picturesque Mandakini river at Tilwara. The Mandakini river originates from Kedarnath and you will drive alongside it to reach Guptkashi. Once you arrive, visit the ArdhNarishwar Temple and check into your hotel.
Spend the night in Guptakashi. Guptakashi, also known as "Hidden Benares'', has a rich mythology surrounding it. According to legend, when the Pandava brothers were searching for a glimpse of Shiva, he concealed himself at Guptkashi before fleeing further up the valley to Kedarnath, where the Pandavas finally got their wish fulfilled.
The weather in Guptkashi is pleasant during the summer, with temperatures ranging from 25-30 degrees Celsius. However, it can get quite cold during the winter months.
In the Morning, depart for the Kedarnath Dham. Experience the sacred Kedarnath Darshan and return to your hotel for an overnight stay.
For those traveling by helicopter, our driver will transfer you to the pre-booked helipad. Please inform the driver of your arrival time, whether by helicopter or trek, so they can be there to pick you up. Please note that helicopter tickets are not included in this package.
For those traveling by trek, the driver will drop you off at Sonprayag. From there, take a local jeep to Gaurikund and begin your trek to Kedarnath Ji. After the Darshan, follow the same path back to Sonprayag. There may be parking issues, so the driver may return to another location. If their contact number is not working, you will need to arrange another taxi or wait for the driver.
The Kedarnath shrine is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and is located in a scenic spot against the backdrop of the majestic Kedarnath range. According to legend, the Pandavas, feeling guilty for having killed their own brothers in the Kurukshetra war, sought redemption from Lord Shiva at Kedarnath. He eluded them repeatedly and took refuge in the form of a bull. When they followed him, he dove into the ground, leaving his hump on the surface.
The weather in Kedarnath is cold for most of the year due to its high altitude. Summers are cool and pleasant, while winters are severe. During the summer, temperatures range around 20°Celsius, and light woolen wear is recommended. In the winter, temperatures can drop as low as 0°Celsius and the area experiences snowfall. Due to the extreme climate conditions, tourists usually avoid visiting during this time.
After completing the Pooja and having breakfast, you will check out of your Kedarnath hotel and begin your return journey to Sonprayag. Our driver will meet you at the agreed upon location. You will then travel back to the Guptkashi hotel for an overnight stay.
After breakfast, embark on a drive to the holy town of Badrinath. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and take a refreshing bath in the Taptkund. In the evening, pay your respects at the Badrivishal temple and participate in the Aarti ceremony. The Brahma Kapal is an important site for performing the Pinddan Shraddh, a ritual honoring one's ancestors. Other notable sights in the area include the Mana village, home to an Indo-Mongolian tribe and the last Indian village before Tibet, the Vyas Gufa cave where it is believed the Mahabharata was composed, the Maatamoorti, Charan Paduka, Bhimkund, and the "Mukh" of the Saraswati River, all located within a 3 km radius of Badrinath. Stay overnight in Badrinath.
It is important to note that the weather in Badrinath can vary greatly, with average temperatures ranging from 18° Celsius during the day to 8° Celsius at night. Warm and woolen clothing is recommended throughout the year, as well as during the winter months when snowfall is common and temperatures drop to an average of 5° Celsius. Due to these extreme conditions, the town may be closed to tourists during this time.
After breakfast in the morning, take a drive to Rudraprayag via Joshimath. Along the way, visit the Narsingh Temple in Joshimath and then return to Rudraprayag via the same route. Check into the hotel upon arrival in Rudraprayag and spend the night there.
The weather in Rudraprayag is generally hot during the summer with temperatures ranging from 35-40 degrees Celsius. In the winter, the days are pleasant but the nights can be cold with temperatures ranging from 20 degrees to 5 degrees.
After breakfast in the morning, embark on a journey to Rishikesh. Rishikesh, known as the "place of sages," is a renowned spiritual town located on the banks of the Ganges and surrounded by the Shivalik range of the Himalayas on three sides. According to legend, when Raibhya Rishi performed intense spiritual practices, God appeared and blessed the area, thus giving it the name Rishikesh. Upon arrival, check-in to your hotel and later visit the temples and popular sights in Rishikesh such as Laxman Jhulla and Ram Jhulla. Spend the night in Rishikesh.
As the sun rises on the final day of your Char Dham Yatra tour with Vedrahasya Travel, we bid you a fond farewell and express our deepest gratitude for choosing us as your travel partner. Your journey through the sacred shrines of Uttarakhand has been an inspiration to us, and we hope that the memories of this tour will remain etched in your heart forever. As you embark on your journey back to Delhi, we hope that the teachings and blessings of the Char Dhams will continue to guide and enlighten you in your future endeavors. We look forward to welcoming you back for another enriching journey with us. Namaste.
Includes/Excludes
Package Includes
- Hotel accommodation as per package with same or similar hotels
- Included meals: Breakfast and Dinner
- Transfers and sightseeing provided in the pre- package car
- All toll tax, parking, fuel, and driver allowances included
- All applicable hotel and transport taxes included in the package.
Package Excludes
- GST will be extra.
- Anything not mentioned under ‘Package Inclusions’
- All personal expenses such as optional tours and extra meals.
- Medical and travel insurance is not included.
- Any kind of entry fees anywhere if not mentioned in the inclusions.
- Tips, laundry charges, liquors, mineral water, and telephone charges are not included.
- All items of personal nature such as porter, pony, horse, cable car, boat, train tickets, and air tickets charges are not included.
- Helicopter Ticket Cost and VIP Ticket for Kedarnath Darshan is not included.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Char Dham Yatra begins on the day of Akshay Tritiya and the temples are open from April to October. The best time to visit is between April to May and September to October. However, it is advised not to go during the monsoon months of June and July due to potential landslides.
The Char Dham Yatra ends in October when the doors of the temples are closed. Kedarnath and Yamunotri Dhams close on the occasion of Bhai Dooj/Dwitiya, Gangotri Dham closes on Diwali, and Badrinath temple closes on Vijay Dashami. All the temples remain closed throughout the winter due to snow and unfavorable weather conditions.
The Char Dham Yatra can be completed in 11 to 12 days. If you have extra time, you can also explore nearby attractions such as Gaumukh, Auli, Tapovan, Bhairavnath Temple, Vasuki Tal, Hemkund Sahib, and Chopta. The journey can start from Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Delhi as per your convenience.
The best time to visit Char Dham Yatra is from April to May and September to October. It is advised to avoid going during the monsoon months of June and July due to potential landslides.
Booking your Char Dham Yatra package through Travel Ride will provide you with various hotel options within your budget and a hassle-free trip. We are experienced in dealing with any potential issues that may arise during the journey.