Follow These Tips and Plan Your Chardham Yatra for a Safe and Comfortable Tour

Go armed with knowledge and the Chardham Yatra goes off smoothly otherwise you come up against difficulties along the way, detracting from the enjoyment of the tour.

Chardham Yatra these days refers to the arduous trip in Uttarakhand covering Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. The route is steep and mountainous and involves walking for considerable distances. You need to be physically fit to undertake the strenuous tour. You can walk on foot as pilgrims did it for centuries or do it the modern way by picking Helicopter Chardham Yatra. In any case your pilgrimage becomes all the more enjoyable, smooth and safe when you are prepared in advance and have knowledge of what it entails.

• Leave it all to a tour organizer and he takes care of accommodation, food, surface transport and even ponies, luggage and permits where necessary. If you pick a helicopter tour, it is quicker and offers you an unparalleled view of the mountains and rugged countryside as you fly high above. Plan your trip for the months of April and May or for September. Avoid visiting the four holy places during monsoon.
• The four holy temples are located at a considerable height, ranging from 1500 to 2500 meters and the air can be quite thin. You would need to acclimatize yourself to enjoy the trek otherwise you may have shortness of breath and get tired, besides suffering from nausea as some people do. Train yourself for a month prior to the trip, walking for a few kilometers each day to build stamina. A medical check-up is advisable since the trek in the mountains is not advisable for people with cardiovascular or other health problems.
• If you are traveling alone or with family, book hotels at all places and prepare an itinerary in advance, starting with Haridwar and places along the route such as Barkot, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Kedarnath, Badrinath and Rishikesh. Traditionally yatra starts at Yamunotri, goes on to Gangotri, then to Kedarnath and finally to Badrinath.

• Travel in a group with friends or family and carry plenty of drinking water and nutrient-dense foods, warm woolens, socks, headgear and non-skid soled shoes.
• Remember to carry identification papers and cash in a separate wallet securely held in your trousers or upper garments so that they do not fall out when you bend. Carry a water bottle.
• The air is dry and cold and the amount of UV will be high so carry moisturizing sunscreen lotions and use liberally. Also, have a first aid kit in your pack.
• Observe protocols and traditions at each holy temple as regards leaving footwear outside, photography and head coverings.
• If you plan to go on your own with your friends or family in a vehicle, carry registration papers, drive for only 8 hours each day, be careful about curves, drive slowly and never overtake. Get a complete check-up of the vehicle as regards brakes and lights. Always keep the tank full of petrol or diesel, refueling even when your tank is not even half empty.
• A helicopter Chardham yatra is delightful and quick. From Dehradun, you are flown to Kharsali from where you walk to Yamunotri and then fly to Harsil helipad at Gangotri and, after darshan, rest for the day and fly the next morning to Kedarnath and halt there for the night. Fly to Badrinath the next morning and your pilgrimage concludes quickly and safely.

• Make sure you are fully insured before you start and carry a mobile to keep in touch with people back home.

Best Time to Visit:

Summer - The summer months in all the Char Dham sites fall between the months of May and July when the snow has melted away and the roads have been cleared for the visitors. The temperature during this time increases a little bit but it is still cold there.

Monsoon - The monsoon month commences in July and lasts till September. During this time the Char Dham locations are temporarily shut down and it is advised for the pilgrims to not visit during this time due to a high-risk factor that may be caused due to unexpected landslides or torrential rains.

Winter - For a brief period of winter months that last from September to October the temple locations are covered in snow but the Yatra continues till the temple Kapat is completely closed off for Darshan. The remainder of the winter months that lasts from November to March these places are completely abandoned and the idols of the presiding deities are brought to their nearby winter abodes.

Food Availability:

Apart from the food that will be provided to you by your tour operator all the Char Dhams have a number of food stalls and eateries options serving delicious and lip-smacking food like Chowmein, Parathas, Maggi and fried rice among other north and south Indian cuisines at the cheapest rates. There is no dearth of food stalls, Dhabas and restaurants in the vicinity of the area. Keep in mind that due to its pious location, Badrinath Dham has prohibited the consumption of non-vegetarian food and alcohol.

Nearby Places to Visit in Char Dhams:

Mana Village (Badrinath) - Situated at a distance of just 3 kms from the main Dham shrine of Badrinath, is the last Indian village of Mana which is situated on the Indo - Tibetan border. This village also holds historical relevance since it was one of the spots where the Pandava brothers had spent some time before heading for their journey to heaven.

Vasuki Tal (Kedarnath) - Situated at an altitude of 4,135 meters above sea level and surrounded by the Chaukhamba peaks, this glacial lake not only offers magnificent views of the surrounding but also evokes a feeling of incredible spiritualism.

Saptarishi Kund (Yamunotri) - This naturally occurring high-altitude glacial lake sits at an elevation of 4,421 meters above sea level, this Kund is believed to be the place where all the seven rishis had gathered their knowledge of yoga after performing severe penance.

Kedar Tal (Gangotri) - Sitting at an elevation of 4,912 meters above sea level, this high glacial lake offers spectacular views of the surrounding peaks of Thalaysagar and Mt. Bhrigupant peaks. This lake is magnificent to look along with being incredibly scenic with its clear blue, glimmering water. 

Your best guide is the organizer or a friend who has been there. With knowledge and preparation in advance, this pilgrimage goes off without a hitch and you return, your soul at peace for having fulfilled a religious duty.