10-Day Char Dham Pilgrimage from Rishikesh with Kedarnath Trek

• Arrive at Rishikesh/Haridwar, meet your tour guide, and head to Barkot.
• Pass through well-known towns such as Rishikesh, Narendra Nagar, Chamba, Tehri and Dharasu. Have lunch on the way.
• Check in to the hotel at Barkot.

Duration of journey: 6 hours.

• Depart for Jankichatti via Syanchatti (41 km by road up to Jankichatti and a 6 km trek to Yamunotri).
• Visit Yamuna Mata Temple at Yamunotri and take blessings from the Pujari.
• See nearby places such as Surya Kund, Divya Shila and Jamuna Bai Kund.
• Have lunch and return to Barkot for an overnight stay.

• Proceed to Uttarkashi and check in to the hotel.
• Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Lord Shiva is manifested here in deep meditation. The Shiva Lingam here is 56 cm in height and is tilted to the south. The present temple was built over the pre-existing ancient altar in 1857 by the queen of Tehri-Khaneti Devi. You can find Parvati and Ganesha in the sanctum sanctorum, while Nandi is in the outer chamber. The images of Sakshi Gopal and Sage Markandeya can also be seen here in a deep meditative posture. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva himself protected the sage from Yama, the God of Death.

Duration of journey: 3 hours.

• Drive to Gangotri Temple via Harsil and Bhaironghati.
• Take a dip in the Bhagirathi River before entering the temple.
• Enjoy scenic views of the Himalayas and have lunch.
• Return to Uttarkashi for a night halt.

Duration of journey: 6-8 hours (motorable).

• Drive to Guptkashi. Pass through Ghansali, Agastyamuni and several villages of Uttarkashi, Tihari and Rudraprayag.
• Visit the Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• Check in to the hotel after reaching Rudraprayag.
• Visit the confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers in Rudraprayag. Overnight stay in Rudraprayag/Sonprayag.

Duration of journey: 7 hours.

• Trek up to Gaurikund and have breakfast.
• Visit the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Gauri. This trek route passes through thick forests, mountain streams and offers magnificent views of the Himalayas.
• Cross Rambara and Garudachatti to reach the Kedarnath shrine. Take a night halt in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Distance: 30 km motorable, 14 km trek.

• Head to Kedarnath Temple early in the morning and see the statues of the Pandavas, Draupadi, Nandi and Veerbhadra.
• Take blessings from the Pujari and receive the prasad.
• Visit the surroundings and enjoy views of the Kedarnath peaks.
• Have breakfast and trek down to Gauri Kund.
• Depart for Rudraprayag and check in to the hotel there for an overnight stay.

• Drive to Badrinath, the last Dham of the Char Dham Yatra.
• Pass through the famous places of Gaucher, Nandprayag, Garudaganga, Joshimath, Vishnuprayag, Govindghata and Padukesher.
• Revel in the beauty of villages, waterfalls, streams, river confluences and forests along the way.
• Take a dip in the hot water kund before visiting the temple. Check in to the hotel/guest house for an overnight stay.

Duration of journey: 5 hours.

• Travel to Mana Village, the last village near the China-Tibet border, and explore nearby places such as Bheem Pul, Vasundhara Falls, the Saraswati River and Neelkanth Peak. Drive back to Joshimath.
• Visit the ancient Yogdhyan Badri Temple in Pandukesher (1,829 m), located 24 km from Joshimath.
• See the confluence of the Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers in Vishnuprayag. Check in to the hotel in Joshimath before visiting Narsingh Devata Temple.

Duration of journey: 5-6 hours.

• Depart for Rishikesh. Visit Karnaprayag on the way to witness the confluence of the Alaknanda and Pindar rivers. Also see the nearby Lord Karna temple.
• After travelling for a while, stop at Devprayag to see the confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers, which eventually form the Ganga.
• Drop off at Rishikesh/Haridwar.

Duration of journey: 6-7 hours.