Itinerary

1. Day 1: Haridwar to Barkot (180km by car, 6-7 hrs)

   • Start your trip and head to Barkot with your Indian driver. On the way, stop at Mussoorie and visit Kempty Falls.

   • Have your dinner and spend the night at Barkot.

2. Day 2: Barkot to Yamunotri (46 km by car/2.5 hrs, 6 km by foot/2 hrs)

   • Leave for Yamunotri, the first of Chardham, in the morning. Yamunotri Temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. The revered river originates from the Champasar Glacier. It was also the home of ancient sage Asit Muni.

   • Here, one can cook rice by packing it in a cloth and dipping it in hot water of the Tapkund. Pilgrims take this cooked rice home as Prasad.

   • Near the temple, offerings can be made at Divya Shila; a rock pillar worshipped before entering the Yamunotri Temple. Pilgrims do that after taking a bath in Jamunabai Kund's warm water and having a darshan of the river Yamuna.

   • Return to Barkot and spend the night here.

3. Day 3: Barkot to Uttarkashi (80 km by car/3-4 hours)

   • Leave for Uttarkashi in the morning. Uttarkashi is a small and beautiful town between two rivers: Varuna and Ashi, whose waters flow into the Bhagirathi. Located at the height of 1,588 metres, this little town is as revered as Kashi and Varanasi with its temples, ghats, a north or Uttar-facing river. One of the most famous temples of the region is Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Spend the night at Uttarkashi.

4. Day 4:Uttarkashi to Gangotri (95 km by car/4-5 hrs)

   • Drive to Gangotri in the morning, the second Dham.

   • En route, stop at Gangnani, a hot water spring, where you can have a bath in Rishikund. You can also visit a temple near the kund, dedicated to the Sage Parashar, believed to be the father of Ved Vyas.

   • Leave for Gangotri after that. The massive, 20 feet high, Gangotri temple is believed to be an 18th Century structure dedicated to Goddess Ganga. It is located near a sacred stone where king Bhagirath is known to have worshipped Lord Shiva after which Ganga descended upon the earth. Another legend says that Pandavas performed the great Deva Yagna here.

   • Offer prayers at the temple and attend the pooja at Gangotri.

   • Come back to Uttarkashi and spend the night there.

5. Day 5: Uttarkashi to Guptkashi (240 km by car/8-9 hrs)

   • Leave early in the morning for almost a day-long drive to Guptkashi. Have your dinner and spend the night there.

6. Day 6: Guptkashi to Kedarnath (35 km by car/1-2 hrs; 21 km by Foot/7-8 hrs)

   • Have your breakfast and proceed to Kedarnath, the third Dham. The temple is known to have been built in the 8th Century A.D. by Adi Guru Shankaracharya and lies adjacent to an ancient temple built by Pandavas. The ancient temple has a conical lingam, a statue of Nandi, and a Garba Grah for worship.

   • Visit the Samadhi of Adi Guru Shankaracharya, located just behind the temple. The legend says that after establishing four sacred Dhams in India, he went into his Samadhi at the early age of 32 years.

   • About half a kilometre away from Kedarnath Temple is another small temple dedicated to Bhaironath. Locals say that Lord Bhaironath protects the land from evil. Spend the night at Kedarnath.

7. Day 7: Kedarnath to Guptkashi (21 km by Foot/7-8 hours, 35 km by car/1-2 hrs)

   • Leave for Guptkashi in the morning and spend the rest of the day exploring the area. Spend the night in Guptkashi.

8. Day 8: Guptkashi to Badrinath (200 km by Car/7-8 hrs)

   • After breakfast, leave for Badrinath, the fourth Dham.

   • En-route visit Joshimath.

   • Reach Badrinath, which is considered the holiest of the four shrines. It is located in the twin mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan. The majestic Neelkantha Peaks serve as the backdrop to the shrine situated along the left bank of river Alaknanda.

   • Offer your prayers at the temple.

   • Visit other popular spots like Narad Kund, Bhim Pul, and Brahama Kapal.

   • Attend the evening pooja.

   • Have your dinner and spend the night at Badrinath.

9. Day 9: Badrinath to Rudrapryag (160 km by Car/6-7 hrs)

   • After breakfast, leave for Rudraprayag and drive to the last village of India, Mana Village. Also, visit Vyas Gufa and Joshimath.

   • En route, visit Vishnu Prayag, where you can see the confluence of two rivers - Dhauli and Alaknanda. Spend the night at Rudraprayag.

10. Day 10: Rudraprayag to Haridwar (165 km by car/6-7 hrs)

    • Leave for Haridwar in the morning.

    • On the way, stop at Rishikesh and visit places such as Prabhat Niketan, Ram Jhoola, Laxman Jhoola.