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| Char Dham Yatra - Grand Hindu Pilgrimage |
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Destination: Yamunotri - Gangotri - Kedarnath - Badrinath - Hardwar
Duration:
11 Nights/12 Days
Price: Request A Quote
The “Char Dham” or Four Sacred Centres of the holiest of all Hindu Pilgrimages are located in the Garhwal Himalaya, in the central Himalayan Indian state of Uttaranchal. These are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. It is devoutly believed that a pilgrimage to these places will not just wash away one's sins but ensure release from the painful cycle of birth, death and rebirth. It is no accident that all these places are located in the icy Garhwal ranges that are considered to be the holiest of all the ranges that make up the mighty Himalaya. It is also said that heaven and earth converge within the radius of these four holy centres, and to be born or die here is a boon that only the very fortunate may have.
The Char Dhams are open for visits from the first week of May, until November depending upon local weather conditions prevailing in the region.
The four shrines remain closed due to heavy snowfall from December to April. 
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Yamunotri - Gangotri - Kedarnath - Badrinath - Hardwar |
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| Itinerary |
| Day
1 : |
Delhi - Rishikesh |
Leave Delhi in the late evening at around 21:00 hrs., for the drive to Rishikesh.
Overnight is en route in bus or car, with appropriate stops being made periodically for comfort and refreshments. |
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| Day
2 : |
Rishikesh - Barkot |
Arrive Rishikesh at around 05:00 hrs. and check-in at hotel. One of the holiest cities in India, Rishikesh is not just known for its religious connection but also for its beautiful landscape. Surrounded by hills (the Lesser Himalaya) on three sides and the holy Ganga river flowing through it, Rishikesh is an ethereal experience. Rishikesh is a favourite for those who come here to meditate and seek salvation. It is believed that meditating in this holy place leads to salvation.
Spend some part of the day visiting the two bridges over the river: the Laxman Jhula and the Ram Jhula.
At around 13:00 hrs., drive to Barkot via Dehradun & Mussoorie (220 kms., 8 hrs.) with local visits en route. Check-in at hotel at around 19:00 hrs.
Overnight at hotel. |
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| Day 3 : |
Barkot – Hanuman Chatti – Yamunotri - Barkot |
At around 05:00 hrs., drive to Hanuman Chatti (36 kms.) and switch to local jeeps that get you till Janki Chatti, which cuts down the trek by upto 8 kms. From here to Yamunotri is a 6 kms., trek. Or one may hire a pony or a doli locally, at an extra cost, which is payable directly. Arrive Yamunotri at midday.
Spend time here till around 14:00 hrs. One may cook rice by wrapping it in a cloth and dipping it in the boiling hot water of the kund. Pilgrims carry this specially cooked rice home as "Prasad". "Pooja" may be offered to Divya Shila.
After taking a holy dip in Jamunabai Kund's warm water and having a "Darshan" of the holy "Yamunaji" return to Hanuman Chatti and drive back to Barkot.
Overnight at hotel. |
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| Day
4 : |
Barkot – Uttarkashi |
At around 06:00 hrs., drive to Uttarkashi (135 Kms., 5 Hrs.) and check-in at hotel.
Later, visit the Vishwanath Temple.
Overnight at hotel. |
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| Day
5 : |
Uttarkashi – Gangotri - Uttarkashi |
At around 05:00 hrs., depart for Gangotri at a height of 3048 mtrs. (100 kms., 3 hrs.) En route, enjoy a brief stop and visit at the picturesque Harsil village, on the banks of the Bhagirathi River with the most magnificent view of the Himalayas.
Spend time at Gangotri in prayer and worship or meditation from around 10:00 hrs., till around 15:00 hrs. Return to Uttarkashi for the night.
Overnight at hotel. |
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6 : |
Uttarkashi – Guptkashi |
In the early hours of the morning, at around 05:00 hrs., set out on the long drive to Guptkashi (238 kms., 8 hrs.) Visit the Tehri Dam en route. Check-in at hotel, at around 18:30 hrs.
Overnight at hotel. |
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7 : |
Guptkashi – Gauri Kund – Kedarnath |
Start very early at around 05:00 hrs., on the drive to Gaurikund. Start trekking upwards from Gaurikund to Kedarnath (3584 mts) or hire ponies/doli for this stretch. All tour members are advised to carry their personal medicines, heavy woolens, toiletries and clothes for an overnight halt at Kedarnath.
Check-in at hotel at around 13:00 hrs. Later proceed on a visit of the Kedarnath Temple.
Overnight is at hotel. |
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8 : |
Kedarnath – Gaurikund – Guptkashi |
Take an early morning “darshan” of the deity at Kedarnath.
Later, at around 0930 hrs., trek down to Gaurikund (14 kms.,) and drive onwards to Guptkashi. Check in at hotel at around 17:00 hrs.
Overnight is at hotel. |
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9 : |
Guptkashi – Joshimath - Badrinath |
Leave early at 05:00 hrs., and drive 240 kms. to Badrinath via Joshimath. Check-in at hotel at around 16:30 hrs.
Later in the evening, visit the Badrinath Temple for the “Aarti” ritual.
Overnight is at hotel. |
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10 : |
Badrinath – Pipalkoti |
Take in the morning Arti and Pooja at the Temple. Later, visit Mana the last Indian village before the Tibetan border.
Thereafter, at around 13:00 hrs., drive 85 Kms. to check-in at hotel in Pipalkoti at around 18:30 hrs.
Overnight is at hotel. |
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11 : |
Pipalkoti – Hardwar |
Start early, at around 05:00 hrs., on the drive for Haridwar, with various visits on the way. If time permits visit Devprayag en route, which is the point of confluence of the rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi that unite to become the Ganga. Reach Haridwar in the afternoon at around 15:00 hrs.
Later in the evening, visit the Mansa Devi Temple and attend the Ganga Arti ritual at Har ki Pauri. Relax at the hotel till time for departure.
Later, at around 23:30 hrs., depart for Delhi. |
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12 : |
Hardwar - Delhi |
Arrive Delhi in the very early hours of the morning at around 05:00 hrs. Proceed directly to railway station or airport for your onward journey.
Journey ends with many happy memories… |
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| Departures |
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| Inclusion |
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| Remarks |
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