8-Day Family-Friendly Char Dham Itinerary

1. Day 1: Yamunotri
   3 hours (139 km) from Dehradun

   Visit the Yamunotri Temple, located on the banks of the Yamuna River, and take a dip in the Janki Chatti hot water springs.

2. Day 2: Gangotri
   6 hours (230 km) from Yamunotri

   Explore the Gangotri Temple and witness the Ganges river at its origin, the Gaumukh Glacier.

3. Day 3: Halt in Uttarkashi
   2 hours (98 km) from Gangotri

   Relax and explore Uttarkashi's local markets or visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

4. Day 4: Kedarnath
   5 hours (117 km) from Uttarkashi

   Hike to the Kedarnath Temple and pay homage to Lord Shiva. Spend the night in nearby guesthouses.

5. Day 5: Halt in Kedarnath

   Take a ride on a pony or a helicopter to Vasuki Tal, a serene mountain lake, or explore the nearby Gandhi Sarovar glacial lake.

6. Day 6: Badrinath
   10 hours (223 km) from Kedarnath

   Explore the famous Badrinath Temple and visit the Tapt Kund hot springs for a spiritually cleansing dip.

7. Day 7: Halt in Badrinath

   Take a 20 km scenic drive to the Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts meadows of colorful alpine flowers or visit the nearby Mata Murti Temple.

8. Day 8: Rishikesh
   9 hours (304 km) from Badrinath

   Spend the day in the "Yoga Capital of the World" Rishikesh. Explore the Lakshman Jhula suspension bridge or witness the evening Ganga aarti ceremony.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Yamunotri Temple (2 hours, free)
• Janki Chatti hot water springs (1 hour, free)
• Gangotri Temple (2 hours, free)
• Gaumukh Glacier (6 hours, free)
• Kashi Vishwanath Temple (1 hour, free)
• Kedarnath Temple (3 hours, free)
• Vasuki Tal (6 hours, varies based on mode of transportation)
• Gandhi Sarovar (6 hours, free)
• Badrinath Temple (2 hours, free)
• Tapt Kund hot springs (1 hour, free)
• Valley of Flowers (4 hours, entry fee INR 150 per person)
• Mata Murti Temple (1 hour, free)
• Lakshman Jhula (1 hour, free)
• Ganga aarti ceremony (1 hour, free)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 150 per person

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting Haridwar, a major Hindu pilgrimage site, or go on a trek to Kedarkantha Peak. If you have less time, skip visiting Gandhi Sarovar or Vasuki Tal, and spend more time in Kedarnath or Badrinath.