7-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary for Haridwar, Kedarnath, and Badrinath in October 2023

1. Day 1: Haridwar
   30 minutes (15.8 km) from Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
   Check into your hotel in Haridwar and freshen up. Head to Har Ki Pauri ghat early in the morning to witness the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti. Afterwards, explore the local markets and indulge in some shopping. In the evening, visit the Chandi Devi Temple for a panoramic view of the city at sunset.
2. Day 2: Kedarnath
   8 hours (150 km) from Haridwar
   Start your journey early in the morning to reach Gaurikund, the starting point of the Kedarnath trek. Trek or hire a horse to reach Kedarnath temple, one of the Char Dhams and one of the most sacred Hindu shrines. Spend the night in one of the lodges near the temple.
3. Day 3: Kedarnath
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   Spend the day exploring the Kedarnath temple complex and its surroundings. Take a dip in the holy Kedarnath Kund and seek blessings from Lord Shiva. In the evening, enjoy the scenic beauty of the Himalayas and the sounds of the Mandakini River.
4. Day 4: Badrinath
   8 hours (240 km) from Kedarnath
   Start your journey early in the morning to reach Badrinath, another Char Dham and one of the holiest Hindu shrines. Take a dip in the Tapt Kund before visiting the Badrinath temple complex. In the afternoon, visit the Mana Village, the last village on the Indian border, and the Vyas Gufa, the cave where Ved Vyas is believed to have composed the Mahabharata.
5. Day 5: Badrinath
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   Visit the Bheem Pul, a natural rock bridge over the Saraswati River, and the Ganesh Gufa, a cave where Lord Ganesha is believed to have written the Mahabharata. In the afternoon, visit the Charanpaduka, where Lord Vishnu is believed to have left his footprints.
6. Day 6: Haridwar
   10 hours (310 km) from Badrinath
   Start your journey back to Haridwar early in the morning. Stop at Rudraprayag to witness the confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers. In the afternoon, visit the Daksheswara Mahadev Temple and the Mansa Devi Temple.
7. Day 7: Haridwar
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   Visit the Maya Devi Temple, one of the Shaktipeeths, and the Bharat Mata Mandir, dedicated to Mother India. Spend the rest of the day at leisure or indulge in some last-minute shopping. In the evening, bid farewell to the holy city of Haridwar.

Recommendations

If you have more time, you may consider visiting other nearby places such as Rishikesh, Dehradun, or Mussoorie. You may also want to try local delicacies such as aloo puri, kachori, or rabri. To maximize your fun, try to interact with the locals and learn about their culture and traditions. Don't forget to carry warm clothes and comfortable shoes for trekking.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Haridwar Hotel (6 nights, INR 5,400)
• Kedarnath Lodge (1 night, INR 500)
• Badrinath Hotel (2 nights, INR 2,000)
• Transportation (INR 18,000)
• Food and Drinks (INR 6,500)
• Sightseeing and Activities (INR 4,500)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 37,900