Tour Overview

The Chardham Yatra officially kicks off in April when the respective temples announce the opening dates. The yatra season lasts until October/November when the temples close due to winter and snowfall blocks roads. However, one can still undertake the Char Dham yatra and if the main temple cannot be accessed, you are still free to worship the deities in their winter homes.

An advantage of the winter yatra is that there is much less of rush of people and the landscape also looks different. Join us on the 9 days 8 nights winter Chardham yatra for an experience of a different kind.

Tour Itinerary

Day 01: Delhi – Haridwar
Arrive in bustling Delhi to a warm welcome by our friendly tour guide who assists you to the waiting coach that will take you on a zippy 215 km drive to Haridwar, the holy city by the Ganges. Check into your hotel, freshen up and set out to explore the ghats where you can observe devotees bathing and the Brahma Kund where Garuda spilled a drop of nectar he was carrying for the Gods. The evening Aarti at Haridwar is a must-attend soul-elevating event. Explore the bylanes of this ancient city before retiring for the night..

Day 02: Haridwar – Barkot – Jankichatti
Rise in the cooldown for a typical North Indian breakfast and get into the coach for the 250 km drive across scenic countryside. You pass Dehradun and go on to Mussoorie where we have a stop at the charming Kempty Falls before proceeding to Barkot and finally arrive at Jankichatti where we spend the night. Take time to admire the scenery and go for a walk.

Day 03: Jankichatti – Kharsali – Uttarkashi
Wake up early in the crisp air, enjoy hot steaming breakfast and board the coach for the 100 km drive over winding mountain roads to Kharsali, the winter residence of Yamuna Devi who resides in the temple of Shani Dev for the time being. Kharsali is 1 Km from Jankichatti and it is home to the oldest Shani Dev temple in India. The temple remains open throughout winter for devotees to worship Yamuna Devi. That done, we proceed to Uttarkashi on another lovely drive over curving mountain roads lined with deodars and pine. Stop a moment at the Prakateswar Mahadev Temple in a cave on the road and then finally arrive at Uttarkashi where you check into your cozy room. Later, we set out for darshan at the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple by the banks of the Bhagirathi. It is said Lord Shiva once resided in Uttarkashi, an important pilgrimage spot now.

Day 04: Uttarkashi – Mukhba – Uttarkashi
A hearty breakfast puts you in the mood for the scenic 100 km drive to Mukhba. The drive on the road adjoining the Bhagirathi River is a journey in itself. You arrive at Dharali, the last motorable stop from where you walk on foot for a kilometer to arrive at Mukhba, the winter residence of Ganga Devi. This is a small village close to Harsil on the banks of the Bhagirathi and remains open for devotees throughout winter. You have Darshan and attend Aarti ceremony after which we go on to Harsil, a scenic stop with mountains serving as the backdrop to tall alpine trees. Harsil is the usual starting point for the trek to Gangotri temple in summer.

Day 05: Uttarkashi – Guptkashi
Enjoy hot breakfast and board the coach for the 250 km drive that will take almost all of the day to arrive at Guptkashi. Check into your hotel room, freshen up and then join the group for the Darshan of Lord Shiva at the famous Kashi Mahadev temple. Guptkashi is an important pilgrimage spot with the Ardhnareshwara temple and Kashi temples being of great importance. Also, Ganga and Yamuna are said to confluence here.

Day 06: Guptkashi – Ukimath – Chopta – Joshimath
After breakfast, we set out on the 230 km all day long journey with Joshimath as the destination. However, the first stop is Ukimath. The Omkareshwar temple in Ukimath is the winter home of Lord Kedarnath where we go for the aarti and Darshan and visiting this place gives the same merit as gained by visiting Kedarnath. This done we go on to Chopta, the mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand famous for winter sports and skiing. A short time later we proceed to Karnaprayag, Nandprayag and Vishnuprayag, part of the Panch Prayags or five holy confluences. Karnaprayag is where the Pindar joins the Alaknanda. Nandprayag is where Mandakini joins the Alaknanda and Vishnuprayag is where Dhauli Ganga joins Alaknanda. Finally, we arrive at Joshimath for the overnight stay. Late in the day we visit the Narasimha temple for Darshan of the Lord.

Day 07: Joshimath – Pandukeshwar – Auli
Rise early for a visit to the Narsingh temple at Joshimath, the winter home of Lord Badrinath. The temple is located at the confluence of Alaknanda and Dhauli Ganga. This religious duty over, we proceed to Pandukeshwar across scenic mountainsides to visit Yog Dhyan Badri temple and Vishnuprayag. Drive back the 40 km distance and arrive late afternoon in Joshimath. You are free to take the longest ropeway in Asia to Auli, a winter resort known for skiing. The view is like nowhere else on Earth as you hang suspended high above the valley with the gorgeous Nanda Devi looking down on you from the distance. Auli is so captivating you will promise to return here for a few days’ stays with our Auli tour.

Day 08: Joshimath – Rishikesh – Haridwar
The sharp cool air gives you an appetite satisfied by a sumptuous breakfast and then it is time to board the coach for the 220 km drive down to Rishikesh. Along the way we stop at Devprayag where the Bhagirathi confluences with the Alaknanda. Arrive in Rishikesh late in the afternoon, check into your room and then set out to visit Sivananda Ashram, Gita Bhavan, Laxman Jhoola and Ram Jhoola. By this time it is evening and we attend the Aarti at Parmarth Niketan.

Day 09: Haridwar – Delhi
Breakfast over you boards the coach for the 205 km drive to Delhi where the tour ends with a fond farewell by our tour guide.

Package Inclusion

• Welcome drink on arrival
• Accommodation on double sharing basis.
• Meal- All meal, including evening tea.

Exclusion

• Expenses of personal nature like – tipping, Porters, laundry, telephones, Cameras fees etc.
• Entrance fees at any point, any kind of insurance.