From the coal and steel towns of West Bengal's western edge to the shrines of the Garhwal Himalaya. Board at Asansol Junction or fly from Andal, and begin the road yatra in Delhi.
Asansol Junction is one of the major stops on the trunk route between Howrah and Delhi, so pilgrims here board the same long-distance trains as Kolkata passengers, a few hours closer to the destination. Delhi is roughly 1,200 km away by rail, and most trains take 17 to 22 hours. The Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport at Andal, between Asansol and Durgapur, has limited flights; Kolkata's airport is about four hours by road and offers many more.
Once you are in Delhi, we take over. A private vehicle with a hill driver collects you on day 1 and drives you to Haridwar, then to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. This page also suits pilgrims from Durgapur, Raniganj, Burnpur and Kulti; Durgapur residents can also see the Durgapur page.
Asansol to DelhiAbout 1,200 km by rail
Train time17–22 hours
Nearest airportAndal (limited), Kolkata
Yatra11 nights / 12 days
Door to doorAbout 14–15 days
Best monthsMay–June, October
Summer holidays or after Pujo?
Bengali families tend to travel in one of two windows. May–June coincides with school holidays and the worst of the summer heat at home; the mountains are pleasant but busy. The other window opens after Durga Puja and Lakshmi Puja, usually in October, when the monsoon has retreated, the Himalayan views are at their clearest and the crowds are thinner. In some years Pujo falls late; in that case watch the closing dates, because Kedarnath and Yamunotri close on Bhai Dooj and Gangotri around Annakoot.
July and August are the monsoon months in Garhwal, with frequent landslides; we advise against them. Our opening dates page is updated as 2027 dates are announced, and the best time to visit guide covers the weather month by month.
Char Dham package cost from Asansol (2027 estimates)
Package
Duration
Budget
Deluxe
Luxury
Char Dham from Delhi
11N / 12D
₹24,500
₹35,500
₹53,500
Char Dham from Haridwar
9N / 10D
₹21,500
₹32,500
₹49,500
Fixed-departure seat from Haridwar
9N / 10D
₹18,500
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Char Dham bus tour (seat in coach)
Season departures
₹15,500
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Per person on twin or triple sharing, four people per vehicle for private tours. 2027 estimates; the final price depends on dates, hotels and group size. Train or air fare from Asansol is extra.
Larger groups, such as a para committee or office group of 10–12, bring the Haridwar cost down to about ₹19,500 per person in a Tempo Traveller. Single travellers usually do best on a fixed departure or the yatra bus.
Your 12 days in Uttarakhand
Day 1
Delhi to Haridwar
230 km6–7 hoursNight: Haridwar
The driver meets your train or flight in Delhi. After a breakfast stop you drive north to Haridwar and check in by the afternoon. Walk to Har Ki Pauri for the Ganga aarti at dusk.
Day 2
Haridwar to Barkot
210 km7–8 hoursNight: Barkot
The road climbs through Dehradun and Mussoorie before dropping into the Yamuna valley. Keep travel-sickness tablets handy for the bends. Overnight in Barkot.
Day 3
Yamunotri
45 km + 6 km trekFull dayNight: Barkot
From Janki Chatti, a 6 km path leads up to Yamunotri temple at 3,293 m. Ponies and palkis can be hired at the start at locally fixed rates. Return to Barkot after darshan and prasad.
Day 4
Barkot to Uttarkashi
100 km4–5 hoursNight: Uttarkashi
A short, scenic drive to Uttarkashi on the Bhagirathi. The afternoon is free for rest. Visit the Vishwanath temple in the evening.
Day 5
Gangotri
100 km each wayFull dayNight: Uttarkashi
Drive up through Harsil to Gangotri, where the temple of Ganga stands beside the road. Take darshan and see Bhagirath Shila. Return to Uttarkashi by evening.
Day 6
Uttarkashi to Guptkashi
220 km8–9 hoursNight: Guptkashi
Cross Tehri, Srinagar and Rudraprayag before climbing the Mandakini valley. Guptkashi is the base for Kedarnath. Repack a small bag for the night at the shrine.
Day 7
Kedarnath
30 km + 16 km trek6–9 hoursNight: Kedarnath
Take the shared jeep from Sonprayag to Gaurikund and start the 16 km climb. Ponies, palkis and pithoos are available, and ticket holders fly by IRCTC shuttle from Phata, Sersi or Guptkashi. Evening aarti at the temple.
Image space images/kedarnath.jpg 1200 × 675 px
Day 8
Kedarnath to Guptkashi
16 km + 30 kmFull dayNight: Guptkashi
Early darshan of the Jyotirlinga, then Bhairavnath temple and the Shankaracharya Samadhi. Walk or ride down to Gaurikund. Drive back to Guptkashi.
Day 9
Guptkashi to Badrinath
200 km8–9 hoursNight: Badrinath
Cross via Ukhimath to the Alaknanda valley and climb through Joshimath. Arrive at Badrinath in the afternoon. Bathe in Tapt Kund and attend aarti.
Day 10
Badrinath to Rudraprayag
160 km6–7 hoursNight: Rudraprayag / Srinagar
Morning darshan of Badri Narayan, then Mana village with Vyas Gufa and Bhim Pul. Drive down the valley in the afternoon. Overnight at Rudraprayag or Srinagar.
Day 11
Rudraprayag to Haridwar
165 km6–7 hoursNight: Haridwar
Stop at the Devprayag sangam and in Rishikesh. Reach Haridwar by afternoon. The evening is free for shopping and prasad.
Day 12
Haridwar to Delhi
230 km6–7 hoursNight: Tour ends
Drive back to Delhi. You are dropped at the station or airport for the journey to Asansol. Evening departures are safest.
What is and is not included
Included
11 nights in hotels, twin or triple sharing
Breakfast and dinner (all meals on Luxury)
Private vehicle and hill driver, Delhi to Delhi
Fuel, tolls, parking, permits, driver allowance
Pick-up and drop in Delhi
Registration help
Phone and WhatsApp support
Not included
Train or flight from Asansol
Pony, palki, pithoo, helicopter
Sonprayag–Gaurikund jeep
Puja and VIP darshan
Lunch on Budget and Deluxe
Extra nights due to landslides
Insurance and personal expenses
Tips for Bengali pilgrims
Food. Meals on the yatra are vegetarian; fish and Bengali dishes are not available in the shrine towns. Carry some dry snacks from home.
Cold mornings. Even in October, dawn at Kedarnath and Badrinath is near or below freezing. Pack a heavy jacket, gloves and a monkey cap. Full packing list.
Registration. Free and compulsory for every pilgrim; see our registration guide.
Helicopter. Kedarnath shuttle seats are sold only on IRCTC HeliYatra; read the online booking guide.
Take a long-distance train from Asansol Junction to Delhi (17–22 hours) or fly from Andal or Kolkata. Our vehicle picks you up in Delhi and completes the yatra by road.
Is there a direct train from Asansol to Haridwar?
Some trains from the Howrah side run towards Haridwar and Dehradun; check IRCTC for current services and stops. With such a train you can join the 9N/10D plan from Haridwar at ₹21,500 per person.
What does the Char Dham Yatra from Asansol cost?
The Delhi-to-Delhi land package starts at about ₹24,500 per person in budget hotels for four people, ₹35,500 in deluxe and ₹53,500 in luxury. Train or air fare is extra. These are 2027 estimates.
Can we go after Durga Puja?
Yes, October is one of the best times. Finish the circuit before the shrines start closing for winter in November.
Is vegetarian food the only option?
Yes, near the shrines. Hotels serve simple North Indian vegetarian meals.
Do you book Kedarnath helicopter seats?
No. Shuttle tickets are sold only on the IRCTC HeliYatra portal after registration. We help with the process and plan around your seats.
Can a large group from Asansol travel together?
Yes. Groups of 10–12 share a Tempo Traveller; bigger groups use two vehicles or a bus on request.
