Routes & Travel Guide
How to reach each Char Dham, circuit itineraries, road conditions, and transport options.
How to Reach Char Dham
By Air
Nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED). From there, take a taxi or bus to your Dham.
- •Dehradun (Jolly Grant) → Yamunotri: ~200 km (4-5 hrs)
- •Dehradun (Jolly Grant) → Gangotri: ~268 km (6 hrs)
- •Dehradun (Jolly Grant) → Kedarnath base: ~239 km (5-6 hrs)
- •Dehradun (Jolly Grant) → Badrinath: ~314 km (7 hrs)
- •Daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru available
By Train
Rishikesh and Haridwar are the nearest major railway stations, well-connected to all major Indian cities.
- •Haridwar and Rishikesh are railheads for Char Dham
- •Trains from Delhi (Shatabdi, Mussoorie Express)
- •Rishikesh → Char Dham: 4-8 hours by road
- •GMOU buses from Rishikesh for all Dhams
- •Book trains at irctc.co.in in advance
By Helicopter
Helicopter services available for Kedarnath and Badrinath. Book via Pawan Hans or private operators.
- •Kedarnath: From Phata, Guptkashi, Sirsi, Agustmuni
- •Badrinath: From Govindghat
- •Booking: pawanhans.co.in or private operators
- •Slot cost: ~₹3,000–₹7,000 per person per way
- •Same-day return packages available
- •Advance booking essential – slots fill fast
By Road
Best starting points are Rishikesh or Haridwar. Char Dham All-Weather Road project has improved connectivity.
- •Start from Haridwar or Rishikesh
- •Hire taxis from Rishikesh bus stand (shared & private)
- •GMOU government buses available
- •NH-58 (for Badrinath) and NH-94 (for Kedarnath) are main routes
- •Char Dham all-weather road partially complete for 2026
- •Check road conditions before travel in monsoon
Routes to Each Dham from Rishikesh
Yamunotri
3,293 m (10,804 ft) · Uttarkashi
Route from Rishikesh
Rishikesh → Chamba → Barkot → Janki Chatti → Yamunotri (220 km + 6 km trek)
Nearest Railhead
Dehradun (170 km)
Nearest Airport
Dehradun (Jolly Grant) – 200 km
Gangotri
3,100 m (10,171 ft) · Uttarkashi
Route from Rishikesh
Rishikesh → Chamba → Uttarkashi → Gangotri (248 km by road)
Nearest Railhead
Dehradun (255 km) / Rishikesh (248 km)
Nearest Airport
Dehradun (Jolly Grant) – 268 km
Kedarnath
3,583 m (11,755 ft) · Rudraprayag
Route from Rishikesh
Rishikesh → Rudraprayag → Gaurikund → Kedarnath (16 km trek or helicopter)
Nearest Railhead
Rishikesh (224 km) / Haridwar (247 km)
Nearest Airport
Dehradun (Jolly Grant) – 239 km
Badrinath
3,133 m (10,279 ft) · Chamoli
Route from Rishikesh
Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Joshimath → Badrinath (295 km)
Nearest Railhead
Rishikesh (295 km) / Haridwar (318 km)
Nearest Airport
Dehradun (Jolly Grant) – 314 km
Char Dham Circuit Itineraries
Sample itineraries to plan your pilgrimage
Classic Char Dham Circuit (10-12 Days)
Traditional Order
Arrival & base camp. Evening Ganga Aarti.
Drive to Janki Chatti + 6 km trek to Yamunotri. Darshan & return.
Drive to Gangotri via Uttarkashi. Darshan at Gangotri. Optional Gaumukh trek.
Drive to Gaurikund. 16 km trek or helicopter to Kedarnath. 2 nights.
Drive to Badrinath via Rudraprayag & Joshimath. Darshan. Visit Mana village.
Return to Rishikesh / Haridwar via same route or alternate.
Short Char Dham Circuit by Helicopter (5-6 Days)
Luxury / Helicopter
Drive to Janki Chatti, trek or pony to Yamunotri, return to Barkot.
Drive to Gangotri, Darshan, evening return to Uttarkashi.
Drive to Phata / Guptkashi, helicopter to Kedarnath, Darshan, return.
Drive to Badrinath via Rudraprayag, Darshan, night stay.
Morning Aarti at Badrinath, drive back to Rishikesh/Haridwar.
Road Conditions & Safety Tips
- • Check road conditions daily with the NHIDCL or Uttarakhand Police before departing.
- • Roads beyond Joshimath (NH-58) and Gaurikund can be blocked due to landslides during monsoon.
- • Do not drive at night on mountain roads. Stay at intermediate points.
- • Carry personal medications, warm clothes, and rainwear at all times.
- • Inform your hotel or a contact about your daily itinerary.
- • Download offline maps (Google Maps / Mapmyindia) before entering low-connectivity zones.