Char Dham Yatra from Nepal — Yamunotri · Gangotri · Kedarnath · Badrinath
The four sacred dhams of the Himalayas. Most operators start from Delhi — we begin from Kathmandu, combining Pashupatinath darshan with the complete Char Dham circuit.
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Kathmandu-direct pricing — no middleman markup.
Completing all four Himalayan dhams — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath — is the most revered pilgrimage circuit in Hinduism. Where most operators set out from Delhi or Haridwar, TempleFront begins where tradition asks a pilgrim to begin: with darshan of Lord Shiva at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu, before crossing into India for the Garhwal Himalaya. Drawing on our family’s thirty years of guiding pilgrims, we organise both sides of the border, comfortable hill transport, honest fitness and helicopter options for Kedarnath and Yamunotri, and pure-vegetarian meals throughout. This is a demanding, deeply rewarding journey — we tell you plainly what each day asks of you.
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Itinerary
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400 m)
▲ 1,400 m
Welcome at the airport and transfer to your hotel. A full briefing on the yatra ahead, the border crossing and the days at altitude.
Overnight: Kathmandu
Pashupatinath darshan & puja in Kathmandu
▲ 1,400 m
Morning darshan of the Pashupati Jyotirlinga — by tradition the blessing sought before the Char Dham yatra — with an optional Rudrabhishek puja. Afternoon to rest and prepare.
Overnight: Kathmandu
Kathmandu to the Sunauli border (overnight Bhairahawa)
Scenic drive south to the Nepal–India border at Sunauli. Overnight near the border to cross fresh the next morning. (A Kathmandu–Delhi flight option can replace this leg on request.)
Overnight: Bhairahawa
Cross into India; drive to Haridwar; evening Ganga Aarti
Complete border formalities and continue to the holy city of Haridwar. In the evening we attend the Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri, one of the most moving sights in all of India.
Overnight: Haridwar
Haridwar to Barkot via Mussoorie
▲ 1,350 m
A full day drive into the Garhwal hills, passing the hill station of Mussoorie, to Barkot — the base for Yamunotri.
Overnight: Barkot
Yamunotri darshan (Dham 1), return to Barkot
▲ 3,293 m
Drive to Janki Chatti, then the ascent to Yamunotri, source-shrine of the Yamuna. The final stretch is a steep climb — completed on foot, by pony, or by palanquin (doli), with a helicopter option for those who prefer. Darshan and the hot-spring puja at Surya Kund, then return to Barkot.
Overnight: Barkot
Barkot to Uttarkashi
▲ 1,158 m
Drive along the Bhagirathi valley to Uttarkashi, the base for Gangotri, with an evening visit to the Vishwanath temple.
Overnight: Uttarkashi
Gangotri darshan (Dham 2), return to Uttarkashi
▲ 3,100 m
A scenic drive up to Gangotri, the sacred source of the Ganga at 3,100 m. Darshan and puja on the riverbank, then return to Uttarkashi.
Overnight: Uttarkashi
Uttarkashi to Guptkashi (Kedarnath base region)
▲ 1,319 m
A long, beautiful mountain drive across Garhwal to Guptkashi, gateway to Kedarnath.
Overnight: Guptkashi
Kedarnath darshan (Dham 3)
▲ 3,584 m
From Sonprayag we reach Gaurikund and proceed to Kedarnath (3,584 m) — a demanding 16 km mountain trek, or by pony/palanquin, or by the helicopter service we can pre-arrange. Darshan of one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in its dramatic Himalayan setting. Overnight at Kedarnath or back at Guptkashi depending on your chosen option.
Overnight: Kedarnath / Guptkashi
Return and drive towards Badrinath (Pipalkoti / Joshimath)
Descend from the Kedarnath valley and drive towards the Alaknanda valley, overnighting at Pipalkoti or Joshimath to break the long journey.
Overnight: Pipalkoti
Badrinath darshan (Dham 4) & Mana village
▲ 3,133 m
Continue to Badrinath, abode of Lord Vishnu, for darshan and the Tapt Kund holy bath. Visit Mana, the last village before Tibet, and the Saraswati river. With darshan at all four dhams complete, the yatra is fulfilled.
Overnight: Badrinath
Badrinath to Rishikesh
A long descent along the Alaknanda and Ganga to Rishikesh, the yoga capital on the riverbank. Evening at leisure by the Ganga.
Overnight: Rishikesh
Departure
Transfer for your onward journey, or we arrange your return towards the Nepal border / Delhi as required.
Gallery
Moments from the route
Route
Route Map
Route and durations are approximate and can be customised to your schedule.
Included
What's Included
Exclusions
Not Included
Before You Go
Important Notes
- Indian nationals do not require a visa for Nepal (passport or voter ID accepted, zero cost). Non-Indian nationals must obtain an India visa in advance for the Char Dham portion.
- Best season: May–June and September–October. The dham temples close for winter (roughly November to April) — exact opening dates are set each year.
- Fitness: this is a demanding high-altitude yatra. Kedarnath (3,584 m) involves a 16 km trek unless you take a pony, palanquin or helicopter; Yamunotri also has a steep final climb. Please be honest with us about fitness and any heart or breathing conditions.
- Medical disclaimer: elderly pilgrims and those with cardiac, respiratory or blood-pressure conditions should consult a doctor before booking. We can prioritise helicopter and palanquin options to reduce exertion.
- Helicopter darshan for Kedarnath and Yamunotri can be pre-arranged at additional cost, subject to weather and seat availability.
- Pure-vegetarian Satvik meals are arranged throughout on request.
- Itinerary timings depend on Himalayan weather and road conditions; we always build in flexibility and put safety first.
- Comprehensive travel insurance including emergency helicopter evacuation is strongly recommended.
Frequently Asked
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa? My parents are elderly — is this suitable for them?
Indian nationals need no visa for Nepal (passport or voter ID is enough); non-Indians need an India visa in advance. For elderly pilgrims we strongly recommend the helicopter and palanquin (doli) options at Kedarnath and Yamunotri, which remove the hardest climbs — please discuss fitness with us honestly so we plan the safest version.
Why start from Nepal instead of Delhi?
Tradition holds that a pilgrim should take darshan of Lord Shiva at Pashupatinath before the Char Dham yatra. Starting in Kathmandu lets you fulfil that first, and as a Nepal-based family we organise both sides of the border seamlessly.
How fit do I need to be for Kedarnath?
Kedarnath sits at 3,584 m and the classic route is a 16 km mountain trek. If you are not confident of that, we arrange a pony, a palanquin, or a helicopter — we will be honest with you about what each day demands rather than understate it.
Will vegetarian and Indian-style food be available throughout?
Yes. Pure-vegetarian Satvik meals are arranged across the whole circuit on request, including familiar Indian preparations.
What happens if I get altitude sickness?
The itinerary gains height gradually and your guide watches for symptoms. Stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, and report any headache or breathlessness at once. For serious cases we arrange descent and, with appropriate insurance, helicopter evacuation.
How many people are in a group?
Every TempleFront yatra is private — run only for your family or group. We never combine you with other travellers.
When do the temples open and close?
The four dhams open around late April/May and close around late October/November (Diwali period), with exact dates set each year by the temple committees. We confirm the current dates when you enquire.
How do I confirm a booking?
Send us a WhatsApp message or email. We reply the same day with a detailed quote, a day-by-day plan and the helicopter/palanquin options. A deposit secures your dates.
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