Kedarnath Badrinath Do Dham Yatra
A relaxed 10-day Himalayan pilgrimage to Kedarnath and Badrinath, with rest days to ease the climb
10 days, from Delhi, from ₹39,999 per person
The Kedarnath Badrinath Do Dham Yatra is a ten-day pilgrimage to two of the most sacred shrines of the Himalayas, planned with enough rest on the way so that the climb and the long drives stay manageable. It begins at the Ganga at Haridwar and follows the Alaknanda valley up to the shrines of Shiva at Kedarnath and Vishnu at Badrinath.
The journey covers the Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri, the sacred confluences of Devprayag and Rudraprayag, the Vishwanath Temple at Guptkashi, the Gauri Mata Temple and the Kedarnath trek, the Kedarnath Temple, the Badrinath Temple with Tapt Kund, and Mana, the last village before the Tibet border. The Kedarnath trek is about 16 to 18 km each way, and an optional helicopter add-on replaces the climb.
The yatra starts and ends at Delhi or Chandigarh, with nine nights in nine different places, including one basic night at Kedarnath. It runs only in the pilgrimage season, roughly May to early November, and dates for 2027 will be announced. Registration with the Uttarakhand government is mandatory for all pilgrims, and guests must carry a valid photo ID.
Spiritual significance
- Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva and the first of the five Kedar temples (Panch Kedar), set beneath snow peaks at about 3,580 metres.
- Badrinath is one of the Char Dham, one of the Chota Char Dham and a Divya Desam, the great Vishnu shrine of the Himalayas.
- The route passes the sacred confluences of Devprayag and Rudraprayag, where the Alaknanda meets other rivers on its way to becoming the Ganga.
- The climb to Kedarnath is part of the pilgrimage: the effort itself is an offering, and the rest days make it possible for more people to make it.
- A slow pace, with a night's rest before each hard stretch, helps travellers focus on prayer instead of hurrying.
Itinerary
Day 1: Haridwar
Drive from Delhi or Chandigarh to Haridwar, the gateway to the Himalayan yatra. After check-in and a rest, go to Har Ki Pauri for the evening Ganga Aarti.
Day 2: Rudraprayag
Drive up the Ganga and Alaknanda valleys to Rudraprayag, with a stop at Devprayag, where the Ganga is formed. Visit the Rudraprayag Sangam in the evening. A moderate driving day with a lunch break.
Day 3: Guptkashi
A short, easy drive to Guptkashi, the base for Kedarnath. Rest, get used to the altitude and visit the Vishwanath Temple. This light day prepares you for the climb the next morning.
Day 4: Kedarnath
An early start for Kedarnath. Drive to Sonprayag, take a shared jeep to Gaurikund, and offer prayers at the Gauri Mata Temple before the climb of about 16 to 18 km (7 to 8 hours), or fly by helicopter with the optional add-on. Evening darshan and aarti at Kedarnath, then a night in a basic stay.
Day 5: Guptkashi
Early morning darshan at Kedarnath, then the walk down to Gaurikund (5 to 6 hours) or the helicopter back. Drive to Guptkashi and rest. A long day, so you stay the night in Guptkashi.
Day 6: Joshimath
A scenic drive through the Alaknanda valley towards Badrinath, with a night in the Joshimath area. A long drive day, but a gentle one after the Kedarnath climb.
Day 7: Badrinath
A short drive to Badrinath. Take darshan at the Badrinath Temple and visit the Tapt Kund hot spring, then spend the afternoon at Mana, the last village before the Tibet border.
Day 8: Srinagar (Garhwal)
A long scenic drive back down the Alaknanda valley to Srinagar (Garhwal) for the night. Breaks are planned for lunch and rest.
Day 9: Haridwar
Drive down to Haridwar, with a lunch break at Rishikesh, and spend a relaxed evening. A free afternoon and evening to rest and shop.
Day 10: Haridwar
After breakfast, drive back to Delhi or Chandigarh and be dropped at your point.
Inclusions
- Pickup from Delhi or Chandigarh on Day 1 and drop on Day 10
- 9 nights stay, including 1 night in a basic stay at Kedarnath
- Breakfast daily
- Vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary
- Shared jeep between Sonprayag and Gaurikund
- Sightseeing at the places listed in the itinerary
Exclusions
- Lunches and dinners
- Pony, palki or doli charges for the Kedarnath trek
- Helicopter fare (optional add-on)
- Mandatory registration, where a fee applies, and any special entry or darshan tickets
- Special pooja, abhishek or ancestral rites
- Personal expenses, tips, porter charges and laundry
- Medical expenses and travel insurance
- Anything not mentioned under inclusions