Char Dham Yatra Route Map 2026

Complete Travel Guide with Temple Routes & Distances

The people of Uttarakhand call their land Devbhumi – The Land of Gods. Nestled in the majestic Garhwal Himalayas, the four sacred shrines of the Char Dham Yatra were established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century.

The pilgrimage traditionally begins from Haridwar or Rishikesh and follows a clockwise route covering the four sacred temples:

• Yamunotri Temple

• Gangotri Temple

• Kedarnath Temple

• Badrinath Temple

Overview of the Char Dham Temples

1 Yamunotri Temple

Located in the western Garhwal region, Yamunotri marks the origin of River Yamuna. Pilgrims visit Janki Chatti, Surya Kund, and Divya Shila before darshan.

2 Gangotri Temple

Situated in Uttarkashi district, Gangotri is dedicated to Goddess Ganga. Pilgrims also visit Gaumukh, the glacier source of the River Ganga.

3 Kedarnath Temple

One of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, Kedarnath is located at 3,584 meters above sea level near the Mandakini River.

4 Badrinath Temple

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Badri Narayan), Badrinath is one of the 108 Divya Desams and sits along the Alaknanda River in Chamoli district.

Char Dham Yatra Start Point

Pilgrims can begin from:

• Delhi

• Haridwar (Most Preferred)

• Rishikesh

• Dehradun

Haridwar is considered the traditional gateway due to excellent rail and road connectivity.

Conventional Route of Char Dham Yatra

Complete Route (Clockwise Direction):
Haridwar → Rishikesh → Barkot → Yamunotri → Uttarkashi → Gangotri → Rudraprayag → Guptkashi → Kedarnath → Joshimath → Badrinath → Rishikesh → Haridwar

Total Approximate Distance: 1,600+ km

Yamunotri Yatra Route

Route 1:

Haridwar → Rishikesh → Chamba → Tehri → Dharasu → Barkot → Hanuman Chatti → Janki Chatti → Yamunotri

Route 2:

Haridwar → Dehradun → Mussoorie → Barkot → Hanuman Chatti → Janki Chatti → Yamunotri

Trek:

Janki Chatti → Yamunotri (6 km trek)

Gangotri Yatra Route

Haridwar → Rishikesh → Tehri → Uttarkashi → Harsil → Gangotri

Major Distances:

• Rishikesh to Tehri – 75 km

• Tehri to Uttarkashi – 123 km

• Uttarkashi to Gangotri – 100 km approx

Nearby attraction: Gaumukh Glacier

Kedarnath Yatra Route

Route from Haridwar:

Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Guptkashi → Sonprayag → Gaurikund → Kedarnath

Trek Route (Post-2013 Flood):

• Gaurikund → Jungle Chatti – 4 km

• Jungle Chatti → Bheembali – 3 km

• Bheembali → Lincholi – 4 km

• Lincholi → Kedarnath – 4 km

Total Trek Distance: Approx. 16–18 km

Badrinath Yatra Route

Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Karnaprayag → Nandprayag → Chamoli → Joshimath → Badrinath

Major Distances:

• Rishikesh to Devprayag – 74 km

• Rudraprayag to Karnaprayag – 31 km

• Joshimath to Badrinath – 42 km

Nearby attractions:

• Mana Village (Last Indian village before Tibet border)

• Bheem Pul

• Vyas Gufa

How to Reach Haridwar – Gateway to Char Dham

Haridwar has:

• Direct railway connectivity

• Excellent bus services

• Taxi & private vehicle access

Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun

Important Places En Route

During the Yatra, pilgrims also visit:

• Devprayag (Confluence of Alaknanda & Bhagirathi)

• Rudraprayag

• Karnaprayag

• Nandprayag

• Harsil Valley

• Chopta Valley

Char Dham Yatra Preparation Guide

Registration

Mandatory Char Dham Yatra Registration from official Uttarakhand portal.

Medical Fitness

Health check-up required, especially for Kedarnath trek.

Warm Clothing

Temperatures drop drastically in high altitudes.

Rain Protection

Carry raincoat or umbrella.

Personal Medicines

Essential for high altitude travel.

Acclimatization

Take rest days to adjust to high elevation.

Conclusion – Begin Your Spiritual Journey

The Char Dham Yatra is not just a temple tour but a spiritual awakening amidst the divine Himalayas. The sacred journey blends devotion, nature, and inner transformation.

By traveling through these four holy shrines, pilgrims experience India’s rich spiritual heritage and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you travel by road, trek, or helicopter, the divine energy of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath leaves every devotee spiritually uplifted