The Char Dham (four seats) is the most important Hindu pilgrimage in the Himalayas. The circuit consists of four sites: Yamunotri, the source of the Yamuna river and seat of Goddess Yamuna; Gangotri, the source of the Ganges river and seat of Goddess Ganga; Kedarnath, where a form of the Hindu God Shiva is  acclaimed as one of the twelve jyotiling; and Badrinath, the seat of the Hindu God Vishnu. Experience the divinity and mysticism of Hinduism on a journey in Northern India.

 

 

 

Arrival (evening): Delhi

 

Namaste. Welcome to India! Arrive at Delhi International airport. You will be met by our  representative and transferred to your hotel.   Delhi is a bustling metropolis that incorporates the ancient with the modern. Amidst the skyscrapers, the monuments stand as a silent reminder to India’s legacy. Driving from the airport, you will be impressed with Delhi’s spacious, tree-lined streets and garden parks. Overnight at the hotel.

 

 

 

 

Day 1: Delhi—Haridwar

 

Transfer early in the morning for your 1st class train journey to Haridwar (4.5 hours). Upon arrival, check into your hotel, the Hotel Hari Ganga Haveli. Haridwar is an idyllic town on the banks of the Ganges river. The Ganges is a sacred river for Hindus and considered a Mother Goddess. Afternoon at leisure to explore the town. In the evening, observe a traditional Aarti ceremony on the river banks. Overnight in Haridwar.

 

 

Day 2: Haridwar—Barkot

 

Depart from Haridwar early in the morning. Stop for lunch in Mussoorie, a charming town in the mountains. Continue your journey and reach Barkot in the evening, en-route visiting Kempty Falls. Upon arrival in Barkot, check in to the Char Dham Camp Yamunotri. Dinner and overnight at the camp resort.

 

 

 

Day 3: Barkot—Yamunotri—Barkot

 

After an early breakfast, leave for Hanuman Chatti to start your journey. Upon arrival, take a local jeep to  Phool Chatti and start your day with a trek of 7 kms.  Arrive at Yamunotri, the source of the Yamuna River and seat of the Goddess Yamuna. Pray at the temple and take a holy Achman to start your most sacred pilgrimage to Char Dham. Return to Barkot for a relaxing Ayurvedic massage and dinner. Overnight at the camp resort.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 4: Barkot—Harsil

 

After breakfast, leave for Harsil (6 hours). En-route, stop at Gangnani for a hot water spring dip.  Continue towards Harsil, one of the most beautiful valleys in the world, and arrive at the Char Dham Camp, set amidst an apple orchard in Dharali village.  In the evening, a Ganga Aarti is performed at the camp resort. Overnight at the camp resort.

 

 

 

Day 5: Harsil—Gangotri—Harsil

 

After breakfast, drive 1 hour to Gangotri, the source of the Ganges river and seat of the Goddess Ganga. Take a holy dip in the sacred Ganges, also called Bhagirathi at its origin. Later, perform a Pooja and relax in the lovely surroundings. Return to the camp resort in the afternoon to relax in the bright sunshine and enjoy some breathtaking views of the beautiful valley. In the evening, perform the Ganga Aarti at the resort’s private riverbank. Dinner and overnight at the camp resort.

 

 

 

 

Day 6: Harsil—Guptakashi

 

After an early breakfast, leave for Guptakashi (9 hours). A late lunch is scheduled in Srinagar. En-route to Guptakashi, visit the heritage city of Tehri. Because of dam construction, the city is slowly sinking into the mighty waters of the Ganges. Continue your journey alongside the Mandakani river to reach Guptakashi Camp late in the evening.  Dinner and overnight at the camp resort.

 

Day 7: Guptakashi—Kedarnath

 

After breakfast, pick up your packed lunch and leave for Gaurikund, the base of your 14km trek to  Kedarnath. Kedarnath is the most remote of the four Char Dham sites and the place where a form of the Hindu God Shiva is venerated as one of the twelve jyotirling.   On arrival check in to the GMVN/Parmarth Ashram. Perform Pooja and also Darshan at Shri Kedarnathji. In the evening, visit Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi behind the temple. Dinner and overnight at the ashram.

 

 

 

 

 

Day 8: Kedarnath—Guptakashi

 

After breakfast start your trek back to Gaurikund. Upon arrival, leave for Guptakashi by road to reach the Char Dham Camp by evening. Relax with an Ayurvedic massage. Dinner and overnight at the camp resort.

Day 9: Guptakashi—Josimath via Chopta

 

After breakfast leave for Joshimath via Chopta, one of the most beautiful sites on your journey. Enjoy the beautiful drive through the thick medicinal forest and stop at Pipalkoti for lunch. Arrive at the Char Dham Camp Joshimath by late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the camp resort.

 

 

 

 

Day 10: Josimath—Badranath—Josimath

 

After breakfast leave for Badranath, considered the most important of the Char Dham sites. Badranath is the seat of the Hindu God Vishnu. Upon arrival take the holy Darshan and spend time visiting Mana village, the last village before the Tibetan border. Return to the resort for dinner. Overnight at Joshimath camp resort.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 11: Josimath—Haridwar

 

After breakfast, drive to Haridwar (9 hours). En-route, stop for lunch at Srinagar. If time permits, visit Devprayag, the confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi which become the Ganga. Reach Haridwar in the evening to check into Hotel Hari Ganga Haveli. Overnight in Haridwar.

 

Day 12: Departure

 

After breakfast, transfer to the  rail station for your first class train journey to Delhi (4.5 hours). Upon arrival, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the U.S.

Bon Voyage!

 

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Package includes first class train fare, transportation (including airport transfers), touring, entrance fees, 1 night hotel in Delhi with breakfast, 2 nights hotel at Hari Ganga Haveli in Haridwar with breakfast, 9 nights at Char Dham camp resorts/ashrams with daily breakfast and dinners, two Ayurvedic massages as listed in the itinerary, taxes and fees.

 

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Package does not include international airfare, additional meals, visa and passport fees, optional excursions,  gratuities, and any expenses of a personal nature. If requested, Sodha Travel will reserve air travel on behalf of the passenger.

 

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A visa is required for travel to India. 

 

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Itineraries are subject to change without notice.

 

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