The sacred Chardham Yatra will officially begin when the doors of the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples open on Akshaya Tritiya, April 30, 2025, at 10:30 AM. This year, authorities expect over 50 lakh pilgrims to participate, surpassing the 48.11 lakh devotees who undertook the pilgrimage in 2024.
If you’re planning to embark on the Chardham Yatra, you’re likely wondering:
- How and where to start?
- How many days to take off?
- How to book the journey?
- Which is the best route?
- What are the stay arrangements?
- How much will the entire trip cost?
- How to book a helicopter ride?
To answer these questions, we visited Uttarakhand to personally explore the routes to Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. We interacted with government officials, tour operators, taxi drivers, hoteliers, and pilgrims to create a comprehensive, tourist-friendly Chardham Yatra guide and route map.
Registration is Mandatory Before Starting the Chardham Yatra
Pilgrims must register online at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in before beginning their journey. For those unable to register online, offline registration will start from April 28, 2025, at more than 50 centers located in Haridwar, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, and Uttarkashi.
Upon offline registration, your mobile number will be linked to the Passenger Tracking System, helping authorities monitor your location in case of emergencies. You’ll also need to provide details of your medical history during registration.
Vinay Shankar Pandey, Commissioner of the Garhwal Region, said:
“We launched online registration 45 days ahead of the Yatra. So far, over 20 lakh registrations have been completed. For the first time, Aadhaar linking has been made mandatory to maintain a complete passenger database.”
He added that offline registration quotas have been increased to ensure that no pilgrim leaves without darshan as per CM Pushkar Singh Dhami’s directive.
Major registration centers have been opened in Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Vikasnagar.
Tour Packages: From ₹4,000 to ₹2.5 Lakh
Various tour packages are available from Haridwar, covering Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath over 9–10 days across approximately 1400 km. The journey typically starts from Haridwar and ends at Badrinath, returning to Haridwar via Joshimath and Rishikesh.
Sanjay Sharma, President of the Haridwar Tour and Travel Association, stated:
“Pilgrims can choose packages based on their budget — ranging from ₹4,000 to ₹2.5 lakh.”
Transport Options:
- Haridwar to Joshimath (Badrinath): Bus fare around ₹800
- Haridwar to Sonprayag (Kedarnath): Bus fare ₹600–₹700
- Haridwar to Harsil (Gangotri): Bus fare around ₹600
- Haridwar to Dharasu (Yamunotri): Bus fare ₹400–₹500
(From Dharasu, taxis are available to reach Yamunotri.)
Helicopter Booking: Only via GMVN and IRCTC
Sunny, a tour advisor who booked helicopters for over 150 passengers through IRCTC, warned:
“Helicopter shuttle services for Chardham are only booked via the official websites of GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) and IRCTC. Any other source offering helicopter booking is fraudulent.”
Helicopter fares for Kedarnath are as follows:
- From Guptkashi: ₹8,100 (round trip)
- From Phata: ₹6,400 (round trip)
- From Sirsi: ₹6,000 (round trip)
Important Tips for Chardham Yatra
- Medical Fitness: Consult a doctor before traveling; all four Dhams are located at high altitudes.
- Clothing: Carry warm clothes, gloves, hats, and trekking shoes.
- ID Proof: Always keep your Aadhaar card or other valid ID with you.
- Hydration: Keep drinking water frequently during the journey.
- Own Vehicle: If traveling by personal vehicle, first reach Haridwar, then continue to the Dhams.
This year’s Chardham Yatra promises to be more organized and pilgrim-friendly than ever before. Plan wisely and register early to ensure a smooth and blessed journey!