From the coast of Tamil Nadu to temples at over 3,000 metres: a once-in-a-lifetime journey that is far easier when the long part is a flight and the mountain part is fully arranged.
For many Tamil families, the Char Dham Yatra is the journey parents speak of for years before they make it. The distance is the first hurdle: Chennai is roughly 2,180 km from Delhi by rail, and the shrines are a further day's drive north. The second hurdle is the mountains themselves, with cold nights, steep paths and food quite unlike home.
We take care of the second part. You reach Delhi, by a short flight from Chennai or by train, and our Delhi Char Dham package handles everything after that: a private vehicle, hotels, breakfast and dinner, registration help and a driver who knows every bend between Haridwar and Badrinath.
Image space images/yamunotri.jpg 800 × 600 pxYamunotriImage space images/gangotri.jpg 800 × 600 pxGangotriImage space images/kedarnath.jpg 800 × 600 pxKedarnathImage space images/badrinath.jpg 800 × 600 pxBadrinath
Chennai to DelhiAbout 2,180 km by rail
Flight timeAbout 2.5–3 hours
Train timeAbout 33–36 hours
Yatra length11 nights / 12 days
Start and endDelhi
From₹24,500 per person
Flight or train from Chennai?
The train is cheaper but takes a day and a half each way, so the whole trip becomes about 16 days. Flying turns it into 12 or 13. Most families with elders choose to fly at least one way, because the yatra itself is tiring enough.
2027 estimates. Final price depends on dates, hotel category and group size.
Your 12 days in the Himalaya
Day 1
Delhi arrival, drive to Haridwar
230 km6–7 hoursNight: Haridwar
Land in Delhi in the morning and meet your driver outside arrivals. By afternoon you are in Haridwar, where the Ganga leaves the mountains. The evening aarti at Har Ki Pauri is a fitting start.
Day 2
Haridwar to Barkot
210 km7–8 hoursNight: Barkot
Climb to Mussoorie, where the air turns cool, and descend into the Yamuna valley. Keep a sweater within reach in the car. Night in Barkot.
Day 3
Yamunotri
45 km + 6 km trek each wayFull dayNight: Barkot
From Janki Chatti, a 6 km path climbs to the source shrine of the Yamuna. Elders can hire a pony or palki at rates fixed locally. Cook a little rice in the Surya Kund, take darshan and return to Barkot.
Day 4
To Uttarkashi
100 km4–5 hoursNight: Uttarkashi
A shorter day across the hills to the Bhagirathi. Visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple, Uttarkashi's oldest. Rest after the trek.
Day 5
Gangotri
100 km each wayFull dayNight: Uttarkashi
Drive up past the Gangnani hot spring and Harsil to Gangotri, where Goddess Ganga is worshipped near her source. The temple is by the road. Bring back Gangajal for the family shrine at home.
Day 6
Uttarkashi to Guptkashi
220 km8–9 hoursNight: Guptkashi
A long drive via Tehri lake and Rudraprayag into the Mandakini valley. Carry snacks and water. Night at Guptkashi, facing the Chaukhamba peaks.
Day 7
Kedarnath
30 km drive + 16 km trek7–9 hoursNight: Kedarnath
Drive to Sonprayag and take the shared jeep to Gaurikund. The 16 km trek, or a pony, palki or IRCTC helicopter seat, brings you to Kedarnath at 3,583 m. The temple at night, lit against the dark peaks, is a sight to remember.
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Day 8
Darshan, return to Guptkashi
16 km trek + 30 km driveFull dayNight: Guptkashi
Early darshan of Lord Kedarnath, then the Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi, a special place for pilgrims from the South. Head down the trail to Gaurikund, where the jeep and your car bring you back to Guptkashi.
Day 9
Guptkashi to Badrinath
200 km8–9 hoursNight: Badrinath
Cross via Ukhimath and Chopta to the Alaknanda valley and climb past Joshimath. Reach Badrinath by late afternoon and bathe in the Tapt Kund.
Day 10
Badrinath and Mana
160 km6–7 hours after darshanNight: Rudraprayag / Srinagar
Darshan of Badri Narayan, whose temple tradition traces back to Adi Shankaracharya. Offer pind daan at Brahma Kapal if your family wishes, and see Mana village. Drive down to Rudraprayag.
Day 11
Rudraprayag to Haridwar
165 km6–7 hoursNight: Haridwar
Descend past Devprayag and Rishikesh. Spend the evening at the Haridwar ghats. Buy Gangajal cans and prasad for relatives.
Day 12
Haridwar to Delhi
230 km6–7 hoursNight: Tour ends
Drive to Delhi airport or station for your journey back to Chennai. Book an evening flight for a relaxed day.
Inclusions and exclusions
Included
11 nights' hotels, twin or triple sharing
Breakfast and dinner (all meals on Luxury)
Private vehicle with hill driver, Delhi to Delhi
Fuel, tolls, parking, permits and driver allowance
Airport or station pick-up and drop in Delhi
Registration help
Phone and WhatsApp support
Not included
Flights or trains from Chennai
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
Advice for Tamil Nadu pilgrims
Cold is the biggest surprise
Chennai rarely drops below 20°C, but Kedarnath and Badrinath nights can be near freezing even in summer. Bring thermal innerwear, a heavy jacket, a woollen cap and socks. Our things to carry list helps you pack.
Food
Hill hotels serve North Indian vegetarian meals. Rice and curd are usually available on request; South Indian tiffin is found mainly in Haridwar and Rishikesh. Many families carry podi, pickle and ready-to-eat packs.
Registration and helicopter
Register every traveller free online or on the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app; see registration guide.
Kedarnath shuttle tickets are only on IRCTC HeliYatra. Beware of fake sites; read our Kedarnath helicopter guide.
Best months: May–June and mid-September to October. See best time to visit.
How to book from Chennai
WhatsApp +91-99111 77951 with dates, number of travellers and ages of elders.
Receive a day-wise quote with hotel options.
Book flights to Delhi or Dehradun that match our suggested timings.
Confirm with an advance; terms are in the quote.
Register online, then travel.
Char Dham Yatra from Chennai: FAQ
What is the total cost of a Char Dham Yatra from Chennai?
The road tour from Delhi starts at about ₹24,500 per person (four travellers, budget hotels). Add your return flight or train fare from Chennai. Deluxe starts near ₹35,500 and luxury near ₹53,500. These are 2027 estimates.
How many days should we plan from Chennai?
About 13 days if you fly both ways, or around 16 if you take the train both ways.
Is it better to fly to Dehradun or Delhi?
Dehradun is closer to the route and saves two road days, but flights from Chennai usually need a connection. Delhi has more flights and simpler timings.
Can elderly parents from Chennai manage the yatra?
Yes, with pony, palki or helicopter help at Kedarnath and Yamunotri. Gangotri and Badrinath are by road. Get a medical check-up and allow rest time.
Do you arrange Kedarnath helicopter tickets?
Shuttle tickets are sold only on IRCTC HeliYatra. We guide you through it and plan around your slot. For a fully arranged option, see the helicopter yatra.
Will drivers speak Tamil?
Drivers speak Hindi and basic English. Our support team can help with any communication on the phone.
