Cradled in the Garhwal Himalaya, Badrinath is India’s celebrated seat of Lord Vishnu and a jewel of the Char Dham yatra. Revered since Adi Shankaracharya revived the shrine in the 8th century, the temple sits beneath the icy shoulder of Neelkanth Peak, framed by roaring rivers and ancient footpaths.

Getting here is half the adventure: serpentine roads trace the Ganga and Alaknanda past emerald confluences and pine forests. Most travelers stage in Rishikesh, acclimatize in Joshimath/Auli, then continue to Badrinath for darshan and day hikes to Mana Village, Vasudhara Falls, and Charan Paduka.

Practical notes: Badrinath Temple typically opens May–Nov; in winter the idol is moved to Joshimath. Register for the Char Dham yatra, check monsoon/landslide advisories, and pack layers—Badrinath sits around 3,300 m where nights turn sharp even in summer. Towns are largely vegetarian and alcohol-free near sacred sites.

Rishikesh

Rishikesh is India’s yoga capital and the Ganga’s dramatic gateway to the Himalaya. Ashrams, hanging bridges, and saffron-clad sadhus set the tone, while cafes tucked above the river serve everything from thalis to fluffy cinnamon rolls.

Highlights include the sunset Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan or Triveni Ghat, the Beatles Ashram’s graffiti-splashed ruins, and white-water rafting stretches that mix splashy rapids with calm, photogenic bends.

• Where to stay: Search river-view rooms and Tapovan retreats on Hotels.com (Rishikesh) or browse apartments and homestays on VRBO (Rishikesh). Look around Tapovan and Swarg Ashram for walkable cafes and ghats.
• Food finds: Grab coffee and sourdough at Pumpernickel German Bakery; smoothies and buddha bowls at Pure Soul Café & Organic Kitchen; classic satvik thalis at Chotiwala; rooftop North Indian plates at The Sitting Elephant; or riverside, modern Indian at Jal & Jalebi.
• Getting in: Fly into Dehradun (DED) or Delhi (DEL) via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Dehradun–Rishikesh is ~45–90 min by road. Trains to Haridwar/Rishikesh take ~4.5–7 hrs from Delhi—check Trip.com trains.

Joshimath (Gateway to Auli)

Joshimath is the practical midpoint between Rishikesh and Badrinath—and the winter seat of the Badrinath idol. It’s also your springboard to Auli’s meadows and one of Asia’s longest ropeways.

Between temple mathas, views over the Alaknanda, and day trips to Auli or Vishnuprayag, this is where you acclimatize and slow down before climbing higher.

• Where to stay: Range from simple lodges near the ropeway to boutique homestays overlooking the river on Hotels.com (Joshimath) or VRBO (Joshimath).
• Food finds: Expect hearty Garhwali thalis (mandua roti, pahadi dal). Look for hotel dining rooms near the main bazaar and, up in Auli, resort restaurants with panoramic windows.
• Travel notes: Rishikesh–Joshimath is ~255 km/8–9 hrs by road. Private taxis usually cost ₹6,000–9,000; shared jeeps run ₹800–1,200 per seat in season.

Badrinath

Set at 3,300 m beside the Alaknanda, Badrinath Temple’s gold-topped sanctum glows against Neelkanth Peak. Pilgrims bathe at Tapt Kund, offer prayers at Brahma Kapal, and time their darshan with the evening aarti’s ringing bells.

Mana Village lies a few kilometers up-valley with stone houses, legendary caves, and the thundering Saraswati River. Fit travelers stretch to Vasudhara Falls and the Charan Paduka viewpoint for Himalayan drama.

• Where to stay: Proximity matters—search stays near the temple on Hotels.com (Badrinath) or simple guesthouses via VRBO (Badrinath).
• Food finds: The town is strictly vegetarian. Rely on hotel dining rooms, the GMVN canteen, temple bhojanalayas (community kitchens), and simple dhabas serving hot rotis, khichdi, and tea.
• Travel notes: Joshimath–Badrinath is ~45 km/1.5–2.5 hrs depending on convoy timings. Small cars/SUVs typically quote ₹2,000–3,500 one-way in season.

Day 1: Arrival in Rishikesh

Morning: Fly into Dehradun (DED) or Delhi (DEL) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Drive to Rishikesh (45–90 min from DED). Check in and freshen up.

Afternoon: Cross Lakshman Jhula and wander the Tapovan lanes. Coffee and a slice at Pumpernickel German Bakery, then a slow riverfront walk to soak in Himalayan light.

Evening: Attend the Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan (gentler, devotional) or Triveni Ghat (livelier, local). Dinner at Jal & Jalebi for riverside kebabs and curries (veg options aplenty), or The Sitting Elephant rooftop for classic North Indian plates with Ganga views.

Day 2: Yoga, Beatles Ashram, and Rafting

Morning: Join a drop-in yoga class at an ashram or studio in Tapovan. Post-class brunch at Pure Soul Café & Organic Kitchen—order the millet pancakes or avocado toast with masala chai.

Afternoon: Explore the Beatles Ashram’s murals and meditation pods (allow ~1.5–2 hrs; modest entry fee). If river levels and season allow (typically Sep–June), go white-water rafting on the 9–16 km stretch; budget ₹600–1,500 per person including safety gear and transfers.

Evening: Sunset on the ghats, then dinner at Chotiwala for a satvik thali (dal, seasonal sabzi, jeera rice). Stroll the pedestrian lanes for souvenirs—rudraksha malas, copper diyas, and local ayurvedic soaps.

Day 3: Scenic Road Trip to Joshimath (via the Prayags)

Morning: Depart Rishikesh by 6:30–7:00 am. Stop at Devprayag where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet to form the Ganga—watch the colors braid together from the viewpoint. Continue via Srinagar and Rudraprayag; carry snacks and cash as ATMs can be spotty.

Afternoon: Break for a simple Garhwali lunch near Karnaprayag (mandua rotis, pahadi dal, aloo jhol). Reach Joshimath by mid/late afternoon and check in near the ropeway or main bazaar.

Evening: Stretch your legs with a visit to Shankaracharya Math and local markets. Dinner in-house or at a nearby hotel dining room—ask for aloo ke gutke (spiced potatoes) and hot gulab jamun for dessert.

Day 4: Auli Meadows and Mountain Views

Morning: Ride the Joshimath–Auli ropeway (round-trip typically ₹1,000–1,500; weather-dependent). In winter, consider a beginner ski lesson; in summer, take the chairlift to the meadows for wildflowers and panoramic views of Nanda Devi, Hathi Parbat, and Dunagiri.

Afternoon: Easy trek to Gorson Bugyal (allow ~3–4 hrs round-trip; carry water and a light jacket). Lunch at an Auli resort restaurant—warm soups, parathas, and views through big picture windows.

Evening: Return to Joshimath before dusk. Early dinner and rest—tomorrow you climb higher. If the sky is clear, step outside for a glittering canopy of stars.

Day 5: Joshimath to Badrinath, Tapt Kund and Evening Aarti

Morning: Depart after an early breakfast; the 45 km stretch usually takes 1.5–2.5 hrs depending on convoy timings and road works. Check in near the temple and leave heavy bags—walk the final lanes on foot.

Afternoon: Bathe or sprinkle water at Tapt Kund (a natural hot spring) and visit Narad Kund below the temple. Pause at Brahma Kapal on the riverbank, where rituals are often performed—quiet, reflective, and framed by the sound of the Alaknanda.

Evening: Join the evening aarti at Badrinath Temple—arrive 30–45 minutes early for queues. Dinner at your hotel dining room or the GMVN canteen for hot rotis, dal, and seasonal sabzi. Sleep early; the air is thin and nights are cold.

Day 6: Mana Village, Bheem Pul, and Vasudhara Falls

Morning: Short drive or walk to Mana Village (3–4 km). Explore Vyas Gufa and Ganesh Gufa, then continue to Bheem Pul—a dramatic natural stone bridge over the frothing Saraswati River. Stop for tea at the “Last Indian Tea Shop.”

Afternoon: Trek to Vasudhara Falls (about 6 km one-way from Mana; 3–4 hrs round-trip; moderate with exposure—start early, carry water, sun protection, and a wind layer). The plume drops from a high cliff, often beading into mist before it reaches you.

Evening: Return to Badrinath, warm up with soup and khichdi. If you have energy, take a second, less-crowded darshan just before closing.

Day 7: Charan Paduka Hike and Departure

Morning: Hike to Charan Paduka, a sacred footprint-marked rock above town (allow ~2–3 hrs round-trip; steady uphill but rewarding views of the valley and Neelkanth). Back in town, pick up prasad and small souvenirs—woolens, copper diyas, framed temple prints.

Afternoon: Begin your return drive toward Joshimath and Rishikesh/Dehradun. If flying the next day, plan to overnight en route (Joshimath or Srinagar) depending on road conditions. For flights home, search departures via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: Final night in the foothills (if needed). Celebrate with a gentle ghat walk in Rishikesh and a farewell dinner at Bistro Nirvana—try the smoky dal makhani and tandoori broccoli—before turning in.

Logistics and Booking Tips

• Best season: Badrinath Temple generally opens May–Nov. In winter, base in Joshimath/Auli and swap Badrinath days for extra alpine walks; roads can close after fresh snow and during heavy monsoon.
• Altitude: Hydrate, keep warm, and avoid heavy exertion on Day 5 afternoon. Carry basic meds for headache and motion sickness.
• Road transfers: Hire point-to-point taxis or arrange a car for the full route from Rishikesh. Keep buffer time—landslides and convoy controls can add hours.
• Accommodation: Book Rishikesh and Badrinath early for weekends and yatra season. Explore options on Hotels.com (Rishikesh), Hotels.com (Joshimath), Hotels.com (Badrinath) or browse VRBO (Rishikesh), VRBO (Joshimath), and VRBO (Badrinath).
• Getting to/from Uttarakhand: Compare fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. For Indian rail options to Haridwar/Rishikesh, see Trip.com trains.

This 7-day itinerary threads together Rishikesh’s riverside calm, Auli’s alpine meadows, and the devotional heart of Badrinath. You’ll leave with mountain air in your lungs, temple bells in your ears, and a handful of stories from the pilgrim road.