Chardham Yatra Route Map & Itinerary
Navigate the 1,600 km sacred circuit from Haridwar through all four dhams with day-wise itinerary, distances, road conditions, and halting points for a well-planned pilgrimage.
The Chardham Yatra follows a traditional west-to-east clockwise circuit through the Garhwal Himalayas starting from Haridwar/Rishikesh and visiting Yamunotri - Gangotri - Kedarnath - Badrinath before returning. This page gives you the complete route breakdown so you can plan every stop, every overnight halt, and every kilometre of your journey.
New to Chardham? Start with our Chardham Yatra Complete Guide for registration, best time to visit, packing list, and more. Looking for pricing? See Chardham Yatra Packages & Cost.
Route Overview
The standard Chardham route from Haridwar covers approximately 1,600 km by road, plus two treks 6 km to Yamunotri and 16 km to Kedarnath.
According to Hindu tradition, the Chardham Yatra should follow a clockwise west-to-east sequence: Yamunotri - Gangotri - Kedarnath - Badrinath. This sequence is believed to provide the full spiritual benefit. You can adjust the order based on logistics if needed.
Leg-by-Leg Route Guide
Each leg of the journey has its own character from smooth national highways to narrow mountain roads and sacred treks.
Dham
Haridwar → Barkot → Yamunotri
Via Dehradun, Mussoorie, Chamba, Tehri, Dharasu, Barkot, Janki Chatti
The journey begins from Haridwar and heads north through Dehradun and Mussoorie before descending into the Yamuna valley. You'll drive through Chamba and Tehri (or take the Dharasu bypass) to reach Barkot, the main overnight stop. From Barkot, drive to Janki Chatti (last motorable point) and then trek 6 km uphill to Yamunotri Temple. Pony, palki (palanquin), and pitthu (porter) services are available for those who cannot trek.
Haridwar to Barkot is mostly good but has sharp turns and narrow stretches beyond Mussoorie. Barkot to Janki Chatti is narrow and tricky — experienced hill drivers recommended. Construction under Chardham Pariyojana may cause delays at certain points.
Night Stay: Barkot (before trek) or Janki Chatti (if starting trek early next morning)
Dham
Yamunotri → Uttarkashi → Gangotri
Via Barkot, Dharasu, Uttarkashi, Bhatwari, Gangnani, Harsil
After darshan at Yamunotri, trek back down to Janki Chatti and drive to Barkot. From Barkot, the route goes through Dharasu and onwards to Uttarkashi a significant town with hotels, ATMs, and markets (good resupply stop). From Uttarkashi, continue 100 km to Gangotri along the Bhagirathi River valley. Gangotri Temple is directly accessible by road — no trek required. The journey passes through the scenic Harsil valley known for its apple orchards.
Barkot to Uttarkashi is a fairly good road. Uttarkashi to Gangotri is mostly smooth but has some narrow stretches with sharp curves. Landslide-prone during monsoon. Beautiful mountain views throughout.
Night Stay: Uttarkashi (en route) or Gangotri / Harsil
Dham
Gangotri → Guptkashi → Kedarnath
Via Uttarkashi, Tehri/Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Augustmuni, Guptkashi, Sonprayag, Gaurikund
This is the longest and most challenging leg. From Gangotri, return to Uttarkashi then drive south through Tehri/Srinagar to Rudraprayag. Head to Guptkashi then onwards to Sonprayag. From Sonprayag, take a shared jeep/auto to Gaurikund the last motorable point. The 16 km trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is the most physically demanding part of the entire yatra, climbing from ~1,980 m to ~3,583 m. Allow 6-8 hours for the uphill trek. Pony, palki, helicopter, and pitthu services are available.
Uttarkashi to Rudraprayag is a long drive with mixed road quality. Rudraprayag to Sonprayag has narrow stretches and heavy traffic during peak season. The trek from Gaurikund is steep and can be slippery sturdy trekking shoes essential. Start the trek early (4–5 AM) to reach before afternoon clouds roll in.
Night Stay: Guptkashi (before trek), Kedarnath (at the shrine), or Sonprayag
Dham
Kedarnath → Joshimath → Badrinath
Via Gaurikund, Guptkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Pipalkoti, Joshimath
After darshan at Kedarnath, trek back to Gaurikund (or take helicopter). Drive to Rudraprayag, then continue east towards Badrinath via Chamoli, Pipalkoti, and Joshimath. Badrinath Temple is accessible by road — no trek required. The sacred Tapt Kund (natural hot spring) near the temple is where pilgrims bathe before darshan. This is the final dham and the spiritual culmination of the yatra.
Night Stay: Joshimath (en route) or Badrinath
Badrinath → Haridwar / Rishikesh
Via Joshimath, Nandprayag, Karnprayag, Rudraprayag, Devprayag, Rishikesh
The homeward journey follows the Alaknanda River valley through a beautiful series of Prayags (holy confluences) Nandprayag, Karnprayag, Rudraprayag, and Devprayag before reaching Rishikesh and Haridwar. It's a long drive, so many pilgrims split it with an overnight stop at Rudraprayag, Srinagar, or Devprayag.
Night Stay: Rudraprayag or Srinagar (midway), or drive straight to Haridwar/Rishikesh
Suggested Day-wise Itinerary (11 Days)
A practical 11-day itinerary from Haridwar. Adjust rest days based on your pace and fitness level.
| Day | Route / Activity | Distance | Night Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Drive Haridwar → Barkot | ~220 km / 7–8 hrs | Barkot |
| Day 2 | Drive Barkot → Janki Chatti Trek Janki Chatti → Yamunotri → Janki Chatti | 36 km drive + 12 km trek | Barkot |
| Day 3 | Drive Barkot → Uttarkashi | ~100 km / 4 hrs | Uttarkashi |
| Day 4 | Drive Uttarkashi → Gangotri Darshan Drive Return to Uttarkashi | ~200 km round trip / 8 hrs | Uttarkashi |
| Day 5 | Drive Uttarkashi → Guptkashi | ~220 km / 8–9 hrs | Guptkashi |
| Day 6 | Drive Guptkashi → Gaurikund Trek Gaurikund → Kedarnath | 30 km drive + 16 km trek | Kedarnath |
| Day 7 | Darshan Kedarnath Temple Trek Kedarnath → Gaurikund Drive → Guptkashi | 16 km trek + 30 km drive | Guptkashi |
| Day 8 | Drive Guptkashi → Badrinath | ~220 km / 8–9 hrs | Badrinath |
| Day 9 | Darshan Badrinath Temple Explore Mana Village, Tapt Kund | Local | Badrinath |
| Day 10 | Drive Badrinath → Rudraprayag / Srinagar | ~160 km / 6–7 hrs | Rudraprayag |
| Day 11 | Drive Rudraprayag → Haridwar / Rishikesh | ~165 km / 5–6 hrs | Journey Complete |
Actual travel times can vary significantly due to traffic, weather, road construction (Chardham Pariyojana), and landslides. Always keep 1-2 buffer days in your plan. Start driving early (5-6 AM) to avoid congestion and reach before dark. Driving after 8 PM is not permitted on hill roads.
Travelling in a group? A comfortable Force Urbania on rent is ideal for Chardham Yatra spacious seating, AC, and experienced hill drivers.
Check Urbania Rental RatesDistance Matrix Key Stops
Quick-reference distances (in km) between major stops on the Chardham route.
| Haridwar | Barkot | Uttarkashi | Gangotri | Guptkashi | Badrinath | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haridwar | - | 220 | 320 | 420 | 460 | 310* |
| Barkot | 220 | - | 100 | 200 | 340 | 490 |
| Uttarkashi | 320 | 100 | - | 100 | 240 | 390 |
| Gangotri | 420 | 200 | 100 | - | 340 | 490 |
| Guptkashi | 460 | 340 | 240 | 340 | - | 220 |
| Badrinath | 310* | 490 | 390 | 490 | 220 | - |
Note: * Badrinath to Haridwar via Joshimath-Rudraprayag-Devprayag-Rishikesh (return route). All distances are approximate. Add 6 km trek for Yamunotri and 16 km trek for Kedarnath.
Hill Driving Rules & Tips
Driving in the Himalayas is very different from plains driving. These rules and tips can make the difference between a safe journey and a dangerous one.
Driving is not permitted between 8 PM and 4 AM on hill roads. Plan your departure to arrive before dark.
All private vehicles from outside Uttarakhand must complete online registration. Unregistered vehicles may be stopped at Rishikesh.
Hill roads require experienced drivers. Sharp hairpin bends, narrow roads, and steep drops demand skill and confidence.
Keep RC, insurance, PUC, driving license, and yatra registration readily accessible. Checked at border and route checkpoints.
Thoroughly check brakes, tyres, battery, lights, and engine before the trip. Carry a basic toolkit and wooden block for wheel chocking.
Always honk before blind curves. Go slow. Give way to uphill traffic. Use low gear for downhill stretches don't rely on brakes alone.
Petrol pumps are available at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Chamba, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Guptkashi, and Joshimath. Don't let your tank go below half.
The Chardham Pariyojana highway project is underway. Expect delays and one-way traffic at multiple stretches. Carry patience and snacks.
Pro Tip - Hire a Local Vehicle: If you're not confident driving in the hills, hiring a local vehicle with an experienced driver is the safest and most comfortable option. A Force Urbania or Tempo Traveller is ideal for groups of 10-20 people. Check our Chardham Yatra Packages for all-inclusive options.
See Chardham PackagesRoute & Travel FAQs
Ready to Begin Your Sacred Journey?
Book a comfortable Force Urbania for your Chardham Yatra - AC, pushback seats,
and experienced hill drivers.
Transparent rates, well-maintained fleet. Lock your dates with 30%
advance.
WhatsApp
Us
