How to Reach Char Dham Yatra
The Chota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand—often called Devbhoomi, the land of the gods—holds immense spiritual significance for Hindu devotees. This sacred pilgrimage covers the four divine abodes: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. To reach Char Dham we typically begins from Haridwar or Rishikesh, the twin gateways to spirituality, with excellent connectivity from Delhi and other parts of the country via roads, trains, and flights.
If you're planning a trip to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, or Yamunotri, we've outlined the best ways to reach Char Dham by road, train, and flight.
- Note that reaching these holy sites often requires short or long treks amid stunning Himalayan landscapes.
From Delhi
No direct transport reach Char Dham sites (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath) in Uttarakhand. All modes lead to gateways like Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Dehradun, followed by road or helicopter.
By Train
Trains from Delhi (NDLS/Old Delhi) take 5-11 hours to Haridwar (200 km) or Rishikesh (225 km).
- Options include Shatabdi Express (12017, 5h)
- Jan Shatabdi (12055). Book via IRCTC
- Then hire taxis (₹10-15/km).
By Flight
Fly from Delhi to Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport (1 hour; IndiGo 6E 6582 ~₹3,000-5,000). From there, hire a taxi to Haridwar (45 km) or heli-services to reach Char Dham (₹1.7 lakh + packages).
- Faster but costlier.
By Road
Drive/bus Delhi-Haridwar (250 km, 6-8 h via NH44); the full yatra circuit of ~1,600 km takes 10-12 days. AC buses (₹800-1,500) or tempo travellers from Kashmiri Gate.
- scenic but prone to traffic/landslides.
By Helicopter
Packages from Dehradun Sahastradhara helipad cover all Dhams in 4-6 days (₹1.7-2.3 lakh/person).
Detailed Route Guide to Each Dham
How to Reach Badrinath Temple:
Nearest Town: Joshimath
Route: Dehradun – Joshimath – Badrinath (Accessible by road)
The journey covers about 322 km from Dehradun, taking 9-12 hours by taxi, bus, or shared jeep along scenic Himalayan roads via Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, and Karnaprayag. From Joshimath (45 km away), proceed 1.5-2 hours on a narrow, winding road along the Alaknanda River; vehicles run in batches (e.g., 6:30 AM, 9:30 AM) due to landslide risks—the best months for travelling are May-October.
How to Reach Kedarnath
Nearest Town: Sonprayag/Gaurikund
Route: Rishikesh – Rudraprayag – Sonprayag – Gaurikund – Kedarnath (Road to Gaurikund + 16 km trek/helicopter)
The closest railhead is Rishikesh (~216 km away), followed by a 7-8 hour road journey via buses or taxis to Sonprayag (last vehicle point), then shared jeeps (5 km) to Gaurikund. From Gaurikund, trek 16 km (6-8 hours on foot, pony, or palki) or take helicopters (~7 mins, book via helipads at Phata/Guptkashi); accessible May-November.
How to Reach Gangotri
Nearest Town: Harsil / Uttarkashi
Route: Dehradun – Uttarkashi – Harsil – Gangotri (Accessible by road)
The journey spans ~250-300 km from Dehradun or Rishikesh via NH34, taking 8-12 hours by taxi, bus, or shared jeep along the Bhagirathi River through Chinyalisaur, Bhatwari, and Gangnani. Roads reach directly to the temple (the last 25 km from Harsil are narrow/winding); open May-October, with convoy systems during peak yatra season.
How to Reach Yamunotri
Nearest Town: Janki Chatti / Barkot
Route: Dehradun – Barkot – Hanuman Chatti – Janki Chatti – Yamunotri (Road to Janki Chatti + 6-7 km trek)
Reach Rishikesh or Dehradun by train/flight from Delhi (~225 km/300 km), then drive 7-10 hours (~175 km from Dehradun) via Mussoorie or Barkot on winding Himalayan roads. Roads end at Janki Chatti or Hanuman Chatti; trek 6 km uphill (2-3 hours on foot, pony, or palki) along the Yamuna River—open May-October
For your quick comparison, a table is presented
| Dham | Nearest Town | Distance from Delhi | Primary Route from Delhi | Travel Time (Road from Gateway) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamunotri | Janki Chatti | ~450 km | Train/Flight to Dehradun → Barkot → Trek | 8-10 h + 6 km trek |
| Gangotri | Harsil/Uttarkashi | ~500 km | Train to Rishikesh → Uttarkashi → Road | 10-12 h |
| Kedarnath | Gaurikund | ~450 km | Train to Rishikesh → Sonprayag → Trek | 8-10h + 16km trek |
| Badrinath | Joshimath | ~525 km | Train to Rishikesh → Joshimath → Road | 10-12 h |
Recommendation
| Recommendation | Short Tip |
| Temple Dates | Confirm opening/closing dates on the verified portal. |
| Registration | Pre-book travel and get the mandatory e-pass/permit. |
| Monsoon Avoidance | Skip the rainy season to avoid floods, landslides, and blockages. |
| Self-Driving | Use expert drivers only post-Uttarkashi; roads narrow. |
| Elderly/Children | Prepare for altitude sickness; carry extra clothes for weather changes. |
| Mobility Issues | Book a helicopter or palki for treks. |
| Updates | Monitor the Uttarakhand govt website for sudden cancellations. |
Conclusion—
Planning your Char Dham Yatra requires thoughtful preparation and the best transport choice for a seamless trip. Pre-bookings are key, no matter if you opt for road, rail, or flights. Helicopters provide a swift, comfy shortcut. With good prep, expect a profound, stress-free spiritual adventure. Check tailored packages to suit your budget and style.
People Also Asked
Question: Nearest railway station to reach Char Dham Yatra?
Ans: Rishikesh and Haridwar are the nearest railway stations for the Chardham Yatra. From here, you have to take the roadways by bus/taxi.
Question: Can you tell me which is the nearest bus station from which I can reach Char Dham on a budget?
Ans: We will be recommending UTC bus services for budget services. Also, Rishikesh and Haridwar are the gateways for Char Dham, so you need to reach the Rishikesh and Haridwar bus stand early in the morning, around 4 am, for the buses.
Question: to reach char dhams its require trekking? Aren't they accessible by road?
Ans: No, not all four Char Dham sites require trekking
- Yamunotri: Roads to Janki Chatti/Hanuman Chatti, then a 6-7 km uphill trek (ponies/palkis available).
- Gangotri: Direct road access to the temple—no trek needed.
- Kedarnath: Roads to Sonprayag/Gaurikund, then a 16-18 km trek (helicopter alternatives).
- Badrinath: Direct road from Joshimath (45 km)—no trek.
Question: Is helicopter service available to reach Char Dham ?
Ans: Yes, helicopter services are available for all four Char Dham sites through private tour operators offering full packages from Dehradun or Kharsali helipads
Question: Are private taxis available to reach Char Dham at Haridwar and Rishikesh?
Ans: Yes, plenty of taxis and buses are available for Char Dham. You just need to have the above route knowledge to reach your Char Dham.
Question: Are roads safe for driving?
Ans: After Haridwar/Rishikesh, roads are narrower; therefore, it is always advisable to hire a local driver for safe driving to reach Char Dham or if you are driving, you must follow speed limits alongside blind spots.
Question: How to reach Gangotri?
Ans: First reach Haridwar/Rishikesh through rail, bus or train, then start the journey towards Uttarkashi through bus or taxis, then pass Hasil and reach Gangotri. Also, Gangotri Dham requires no major trekking and is easily accessible by road.
