Welcome to the Garhwal Himalaya, where snow-lined ridges shelter four of India’s most storied shrines—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. This 7-day Char Dham itinerary is crafted for travelers who want a complete yatra in a single week: streamlined logistics, early starts, and one strategic helicopter ride to Kedarnath to keep you on schedule.

These routes thread through river-carved gorges and confluence towns (the “Prayags”), past apple orchards, cedar forests, and prayer-flag villages. Expect long, beautiful drives, crisp air, and evenings that settle into a hush broken only by temple bells and the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers.

Practical notes: The Char Dham season typically runs late April/early May to Oct/Nov (weather permitting). Government registration for the yatra is mandatory; carry a valid ID, warm layers, rain gear (monsoon), and cash for remote stretches. Altitude is real (up to ~3,300 m); hydrate, pace yourself, and avoid alcohol.

Dehradun (Gateway to the Char Dham)

Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport is the fastest gateway to the mountains. If time allows, stop for Tibetan momos and thukpa at Kalsang AMA Cafe or pick up classic biscuits at Ellora’s bakery—local comforts before the high country.

• Stay (search and compare): VRBO Dehradun | Hotels.com Dehradun
• Getting in: Fly into DED from major Indian hubs (50–150 minutes; typical fares $40–120). Compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Trains run Delhi–Haridwar/Dehradun in ~4.5–6 hours; check Trip.com Trains.

Barkot (Base for Yamunotri)

Set on the banks of the Yamuna, Barkot is your launchpad for the 6 km Yamunotri trek from Janki Chatti. Expect pine-scented air, modest pilgrim lodges, and hearty vegetarian dhabas.

• Top experiences: The Yamunotri trek, Surya Kund hot spring, and offering prayers at Divya Shila before temple darshan.
• Eat and drink: Simple dhabas at Janki Chatti serve aloo parathas, rajma-chawal, and hot jalebis; GMVN canteens (when open) are dependable for clean, filling meals.
• Stay: VRBO Barkot | Hotels.com Barkot

Harsil & Uttarkashi (Base for Gangotri)

Harsil is an alpine bowl of deodar, rivers, and apple orchards; Uttarkashi is the bustling river town en route. Together they frame the road to Gangotri, source-temple of the Ganga.

• Top experiences: Sunrise at Gangotri Temple, walks along the Bhagirathi in Harsil, and Uttarkashi’s Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
• Eat and drink: Shivlinga Tourist Complex (Uttarkashi) for reliable thalis; in Harsil/Gangotri bazaar, seasonal cafés pour excellent chai and serve pahadi dal-chawal.
• Stay (search nearby if Harsil inventory is tight): VRBO Harsil | Hotels.com Harsil | Hotels.com Uttarkashi

Guptkashi & Sonprayag (Base for Kedarnath)

Guptkashi sits above the Mandakini river with terraces of rhododendron and oak. It’s the practical base for Kedarnath—either the classic 16–18 km trek from Gaurikund or a short helicopter hop from Phata/Sersi.

• Top experiences: Kedarnath Temple darshan, Bhairavnath Temple viewpoint, and quiet sunsets over Chaukhamba ranges.
• Eat and drink: Guptkashi’s pilgrim cafés and GMVN canteens offer clean veg fare; at helipads you’ll find tea counters for quick breakfasts.
• Stay: VRBO Guptkashi | Hotels.com Guptkashi

Joshimath (Base for Badrinath) & Mana

Joshimath is an ancient Shankaracharya math town and gateway to Auli and Badrinath. At the road’s end lies Badrinath Temple and Mana—the “last Indian village,” where legends ripple along the Saraswati river.

• Top experiences: Tapt Kund ritual dip, darshan at Badrinath, short walks to Vyas Gufa and Ganesh Gufa in Mana, and the confluence views at Vishnuprayag.
• Eat and drink: In Badrinath bazaar, try simple, steaming khichdi and kadi-rice; in Mana, the much-photographed “India’s Last Tea Shop” pours sweet chai with parathas.
• Stay: VRBO Joshimath | Hotels.com Joshimath

Srinagar (Garhwal)

A key stop on the return leg, Srinagar (Garhwal) sits along the Alaknanda and helps break the long descent from Badrinath. It’s a handy place to rest, refuel, and get an early start toward Rishikesh/Dehradun.

• Stay: VRBO Srinagar (Garhwal) | Hotels.com Srinagar (Garhwal)

Day 1: Arrive Dehradun; Drive to Barkot (Gateway to Yamunotri)

Morning: Fly into Dehradun (DED). Compare fares and timing on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If you prefer rail, Delhi–Haridwar trains take ~4.5–6 hours; see Trip.com Trains.

Afternoon: Meet your driver and depart for Barkot via Mussoorie and Kempty Falls (approx. 160 km; 6–7 hours with stops). A private SUV with driver runs ~INR 4,500–6,500 per day plus fuel/tolls—widely used for Char Dham itineraries.

Evening: Check into your Barkot stay. Dinner at a clean local dhaba: ask for aloo ke gutke (pahadi potatoes), warm chapatis, and dal. Sleep early; tomorrow’s your first ascent.

Day 2: Yamunotri Trek and Darshan

Morning: Drive Barkot to Janki Chatti (1.5–2 hours). Start the 6 km trail to Yamunotri; it’s steep but paved in sections (3–5 hours up depending on pace). Options: pony (~INR 2,500–3,500 round-trip) or doli/palki (~INR 5,000–8,000; seasonal rates). Carry a light daypack, rain shell, and walking stick.

Afternoon: At Yamunotri, offer prayers at Divya Shila, visit the temple, and see Surya Kund where pilgrims cook rice in spring water as prasad. Lunch is simple—kadhi-rice or rajma-chawal at the temple bazaar cafés. Descend to Janki Chatti (2–3 hours).

Evening: Return to Barkot. Celebrate with hot chai and jalebis. Dinner at your lodge or GMVN canteen (when operational) for a wholesome veg thali. Early lights out.

Day 3: Barkot to Harsil via Uttarkashi

Morning: Depart at first light for Harsil (approx. 175 km; 7–8 hours total, road conditions vary). Break in Uttarkashi to visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the riverfront.

Afternoon: Lunch at Shivlinga Tourist Complex in Uttarkashi (reliable thalis, tea). Continue via Dharasu Bend along the Bhagirathi to Harsil—apple orchards, deodar forests, and snowfields in the distance.

Evening: Settle into your Harsil or Uttarkashi base. Stroll the river path at dusk; the air smells of cedar. Dinner at your hotel or a homestay kitchen—ask for jhangora (barnyard millet) kheer if available.

Day 4: Gangotri Darshan; Long Drive to Guptkashi

Morning: Leave Harsil early for Gangotri (25 km; ~1 hour). Attend the morning aarti and take quiet minutes by the Bhagirathi. If time allows, an easy walk toward the Gaumukh trailhead offers grand canyon views without committing to the full trek.

Afternoon: Begin the long, scenic drive to Guptkashi (approx. 260–280 km; 9–10 hours) via Uttarkashi and the confluence towns. Pause at Tehri or Srinagar for tea and snacks; keep motion-sickness meds handy for winding sections.

Evening: Arrive Guptkashi. Dinner at your guesthouse or a pilgrim café—try hot vegetable soup, jeera rice, and a side of local greens. Confirm tomorrow’s helicopter report time or shuttle timing if trekking.

Day 5: Kedarnath by Helicopter; Guptkashi to Joshimath

Morning: Drive to Sersi or Phata helipad (15–45 minutes). Helicopter flights to Kedarnath take ~7–10 minutes each way; seasonal one-way fares often range INR 7,000–9,500 (government-capped; dynamic by sector/operator). Weather is king—arrive early and keep buffers. At the temple, seek darshan, visit Bhairavnath Temple for panoramic views, and sip hot tea in the bazaar.

Afternoon: Fly back to base, reunite with your driver, and head for Joshimath (approx. 140–160 km; 6–7 hours via Rudraprayag and Karnaprayag). Stretch at Prayag confluences to watch the rivers braid together.

Evening: Check in at Joshimath. Visit the Shankaracharya Math if open, then dinner: Nanak Restaurant is a pilgrim favorite for North Indian vegetarian plates; many hotels’ in-house kitchens do hearty soups, paneer curries, and rotis.

Day 6: Badrinath and Mana; Descend to Srinagar (Garhwal)

Morning: Drive to Badrinath (45 km; ~1.5–2 hours). Take a ritual dip at Tapt Kund, proceed for darshan, and then walk/drive 3 km to Mana. See Vyas Gufa and Ganesh Gufa, feel the spray near the Saraswati river viewpoint, and enjoy tea and parathas at the famed “last tea stall.”

Afternoon: Early lunch in Badrinath bazaar—khichdi, kadi-rice, or piping hot maggi are staples. Begin the descent to Srinagar (Garhwal) (approx. 190 km; 7–8 hours) via Vishnuprayag, Karnaprayag, and Rudraprayag. It’s a long but rewarding river-road day.

Evening: Arrive Srinagar. Dinner at your hotel restaurant; ask for pahadi rajma with steamed rice. Prepare for tomorrow’s final leg to the plains.

Day 7: Srinagar to Rishikesh/Dehradun; Depart

Morning: Depart Srinagar early for Rishikesh/Dehradun (Srinagar–Rishikesh ~4–5 hours; to DED ~5–6 hours depending on traffic). Keep a cushion for road works and landslide clearances.

Afternoon: If routing via Rishikesh, brunch at Chotiwala (classic North Indian thalis) or a riverside café for sandwiches and masala chai. Continue to DED for your afternoon flight; compare last-minute options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Evening: Departure day. If you’re overnighting instead, consider a Dehradun stay via Hotels.com or VRBO.

Getting Around and Practical Tips

• Vehicle & driver: For this 7-day loop, hire an SUV with a seasoned mountain driver (approx. INR 35,000–55,000 for the trip, plus tolls/parking/driver allowance). Start days by 5–6 am to beat traffic and afternoon weather.
• Helicopter for Kedarnath: Book with authorized operators from Sersi/Phata or Guptkashi. Weather can delay/cancel flights—keep flexibility or plan a night at Kedarnath if trekking.
• Registration & ID: Char Dham Yatra registration is mandatory; carry your registration confirmation and government ID at checkpoints.
• Seasons: Best windows are May–June and Sept–Oct. Monsoon (Jul–Aug) brings rain, fog, and possible landslides; winter closures apply.
• Altitude & health: Gangotri (~3,100 m) and Badrinath (~3,300 m) can feel taxing. Hydrate, walk slowly, and consider a doctor’s note if you have heart or respiratory conditions.
• What to pack: Down/thermal layers, rain jacket, trekking shoes, headlamp, reusable water bottle, power bank, sunscreen, lip balm, basic meds, and cash (ATMs can be scarce or offline).

Seven days through the Char Dham is an unforgettable sweep of rivers, ridgelines, and ritual—Yamunotri’s steam, Gangotri’s dawn, Kedarnath’s stone sanctum, and Badrinath’s evening lamps. With early starts, a trusted driver, and one timely helicopter, you’ll fit all four dhams without feeling rushed at the shrines. May the mountains grant you clear skies and quiet moments.