City Experiences: A 3-Day Char Dham Itinerary in May 2023

  1. Day 1: Haridwar
    2 hours (55.8 km) from Dehradun Airport

    Begin your spiritual journey by visiting Mansa Devi Temple, a popular Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Mansa Devi. Take the Mansa Devi Ropeway for a scenic view of Haridwar. Afterwards, head to the iconic Har Ki Pauri, a sacred ghat located on the bank of river Ganges. Witness the mesmerizing Ganga Arti ceremony in the evening.

  2. Day 2: Yamunotri & Gangotri
    8 hours (222 km) from Haridwar

    Embark on a road trip to the holy shrines of Yamunotri and Gangotri. Visit the sacred Yamunotri Temple, dedicated to the goddess Yamuna and take a dip in the natural hot springs at Janki Chatti. Later, head to Gangotri and visit the revered Gangotri Temple, dedicated to the goddess Ganga. Take a dip in the chilly waters of the Ganges.

  3. Day 3: Kedarnath & Badrinath
    10.5 hours (272 km) from Gangotri

    Visit the holy shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath. Begin with a helicopter ride to Kedarnath, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Trek for 1 km to reach the Kedarnath Temple, located at an altitude of 3,583 meters. Later, head to Badrinath, one of the four Dhams, and visit the ancient Badrinath Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Take a dip in the natural hot springs at Tapt Kund.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Mansa Devi Temple (2 hours, free)
  • Har Ki Pauri (2 hours, free)
  • Yamunotri (5 hours, helicopter ride: INR 8,000-11,000 per person)
  • Gangotri (3 hours, shared taxi: INR 2,500-3,000 per person)
  • Kedarnath (3 hours, helicopter ride: INR 10,000-12,000 per person)
  • Badrinath (3.5 hours, shared taxi: INR 4,000-4,500 per person)
  • Total Estimated Costs: INR 27,000-30,000 per person

Useful Tips

You can spend less time by taking direct taxis from Haridwar to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath instead of the road trip. The helicopter ride to Kedarnath helps to save time while traveling. If you have more time, explore local markets of Haridwar, visit the nearby Rajaji National Park, and attend the famous Kumbh Mela if held in 2023. Additionally, you can add Hemkund Sahib, Valley of Flowers, or Auli to your itinerary for trekking and camping experiences.

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