7-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary for Chardham in August 2023

1. Day 1: Yamunotri
   2 hours 30 minutes (28 miles) from Dehradun

   In the morning, visit the Yamunotri temple and take a dip in the natural hot water springs. In the afternoon, trek to the Saptarishi Kund and watch the beautiful sunset. In the evening, enjoy a bonfire and interact with locals.

2. Day 2: Gangotri
   5 hours 44 minutes (155 miles) from Yamunotri

   Start your day early and visit the Gangotri temple. Trek to Gaumukh and witness the amazing sight of the glacier. In the evening, relax by the Bhagirathi river, which is considered to be sacred.

3. Day 3: Guptkashi
   9 hours 15 minutes (225 miles) from Gangotri

   Visit the ancient Vishwanath temple in the morning. Take the cable car to Auli and enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayas. In the evening, visit the famous Manikarnika Kund and learn about its religious significance from the locals.

4. Day 4: Kedarnath
   2 hours 30 minutes (46 miles) from Guptkashi

   Wake up early and trek to the Kedarnath temple. Take a dip in the holy water of the Gaurikund. In the evening, visit the Shankaracharya Samadhi and meditate in the peaceful surroundings.

5. Day 5: Pipalkoti
   6 hours 38 minutes (132 miles) from Kedarnath

   Visit the Nanda Devi National Park in the morning and explore the diverse flora and fauna. In the afternoon, visit the Tungnath temple and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Chandrashila peak. In the evening, relax in the hot water springs of Tapovan.

6. Day 6: Badrinath
   2 hours 26 minutes (74 miles) from Pipalkoti

   Visit the Badrinath temple in the morning and take a dip in the Tapt Kund. In the afternoon, visit the Mana village, which is considered to be the last Indian village before Tibet. In the evening, enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of the Alaknanda river.

7. Day 7: Joshimath
   1 hour 28 minutes (42 miles) from Badrinath

   Visit the Kalpavriksha tree in the morning, which is believed to be more than 1200 years old. In the afternoon, take a trek to the Narsingh temple and learn about its history. In the evening, enjoy the local cuisines and explore the markets of Joshimath.

Recommendations

If you have extra time, you can visit the Valley of Flowers, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its scenic beauty. You can also take a side trip to Hemkund Sahib, which is a popular Sikh pilgrimage site. To maximize your fun, try local street food and interact with the local people to learn about their culture. Lastly, do not forget to carry rain gear as it can rain unexpectedly in August.

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