Begin at the Golden Temple, watch the flag ceremony at Wagah, then drive into the Garhwal Himalaya for Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, all in one private-vehicle trip from Delhi.
For many North Indian families a pilgrimage is a chain of holy places rather than a single destination. Amritsar, with Sri Harmandir Sahib (the Golden Temple), the Durgiana temple and the memorial at Jallianwala Bagh, is a natural first link. It is also well placed: Amritsar sits on the same northern plain that leads to Haridwar, so the private car that collects you in Delhi can carry you to Punjab, back across to the Ganga and up into the mountains without any flights.
We put Amritsar at the start for a practical reason. The Char Dham ends with long mountain drives, and finishing with a day's descent to Delhi is easier than adding another 450 km to Punjab after twelve days on the road. Starting in Amritsar also gives you two easy days to settle in before the hills. Families who live in Punjab can join from home instead; see the Char Dham package from Amritsar for road pick-up from the city.
Duration12 nights / 13 days
Start & endDelhi
ExtrasGolden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Wagah
DistanceAbout 2,400 km in total
Best monthsMay, June, mid-Sep – Oct
MealsBreakfast & dinner
Price for Char Dham with Amritsar
The estimate is per person on twin or triple sharing for four travellers in one private vehicle, with budget hotels. Couples, deluxe hotels or a larger SUV change the figure; we quote exactly for your group.
Package
Duration
From, per person
Char Dham + Amritsar from Delhi
12N / 13D
₹29,500
Char Dham only from Delhi
11N / 12D
₹24,500
Char Dham from Amritsar (home pick-up)
About 11N / 12D
₹27,500
2027 estimates; road-pickup cities are priced from about ₹25,500–27,500. Final price depends on dates, hotels and group size. Pony, palki and helicopter costs are not included.
An early pick-up from your Delhi address and a smooth highway drive through Haryana and Punjab, with a dhaba breakfast on the way. Reach Amritsar by late afternoon and check in. In the evening, walk to the Golden Temple to see it lit up over the sacred pool.
Day 2
Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh and Wagah
Local + about 60 kmFull dayNight: Amritsar
Return to Harmandir Sahib in the early morning, when the queue is shorter and kirtan fills the air; eat at the langar if you wish. Visit Jallianwala Bagh and the Durgiana temple nearby. In the afternoon drive to the Wagah border for the evening flag-lowering ceremony.
Day 3
Amritsar to Haridwar
about 420 km9–10 hoursNight: Haridwar
A long but easy road day east through Punjab and Haryana towards the Ganga, with the driver choosing the best route for the day's traffic. Stop for lunch at a highway dhaba. Arrive in Haridwar by evening; if time allows, catch the end of the aarti at Har Ki Pauri.
Day 4
Haridwar to Barkot
210 km7–8 hoursNight: Barkot
The hills begin today. Drive through Dehradun and climb to Mussoorie, where the first Himalayan views appear on a clear morning. Descend into the Yamuna valley and reach Barkot by evening.
Day 5
Yamunotri
45 km + 6 km trek each wayFull dayNight: Barkot
From Janki Chatti, walk or ride the 6 km path to the shrine of Goddess Yamuna. Dip your hands in the Surya Kund and pray at the Divya Shila before darshan. Walk back down by afternoon and return to Barkot for the night.
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Day 6
Barkot to Uttarkashi
100 km4–5 hoursNight: Uttarkashi
An easy transfer across the ridge to Uttarkashi on the Bhagirathi. You arrive by lunch, leaving the afternoon free. Visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple and walk along the river ghats.
Day 7
Gangotri
100 km each wayFull dayNight: Uttarkashi
Drive up the gorge past the Gangnani hot spring and the orchards of Harsil to Gangotri. Take darshan of Goddess Ganga and see Bhagirath Shila beside the river. Return to Uttarkashi by evening.
Day 8
Uttarkashi to Guptkashi
220 km8–9 hoursNight: Guptkashi
A long transfer via Chamba and Tehri lake into the Mandakini valley. The road is good but winding, so travel-sickness tablets help some passengers. Reach Guptkashi in the evening and pack a small overnight bag for tomorrow.
Day 9
Kedarnath
30 km + 16 km trek7–9 hoursNight: Kedarnath
From Sonprayag, the shared jeep runs to Gaurikund and the climb begins; ponies and palkis are available. Pilgrims with IRCTC shuttle tickets fly instead. Evening aarti at the temple.
Day 10
Kedarnath to Guptkashi
16 km trek + 30 kmFull dayNight: Guptkashi
Join the queue early for darshan of the Jyotirlinga, then visit the Shankaracharya Samadhi behind the temple. Walk down to Gaurikund and take the jeep to Sonprayag. Drive back to Guptkashi for a hot meal and rest.
Day 11
Guptkashi to Badrinath
200 km8–9 hoursNight: Badrinath
Cross to the Alaknanda valley via Ukhimath and Chopta, then climb past Joshimath to Badrinath. The last stretch runs through a dramatic gorge below snow peaks. Bathe in the Tapt Kund and attend the evening aarti at Badrinath.
Day 12
Badrinath and Mana, down to Srinagar
160 km6–7 hoursNight: Srinagar / Rudraprayag
Morning darshan of Badri Narayan, then Mana village with Vyas Gufa and Bhim Pul over the Saraswati. After lunch, drive down the valley. Stay the night at Srinagar Garhwal or Rudraprayag.
Day 13
Srinagar to Delhi
about 330 km9–10 hoursNight: Tour ends
A final drive down past Devprayag, Rishikesh and Haridwar to the plains. Lunch is taken on the highway. Drop at your Delhi home, hotel, station or airport in the evening.
Inclusions and night stops
Included
12 nights' accommodation on twin or triple sharing
Breakfast and dinner daily
One private vehicle with driver from Delhi to Delhi
Fuel, tolls, parking, Punjab and Uttarakhand permits
Wagah transfer
Help with the free Char Dham registration
Phone and WhatsApp support
Not included
Pony, palki, pithoo or helicopter
Sonprayag – Gaurikund jeep
Lunch and entry tickets
Puja and VIP darshan
Extra nights due to landslides
Insurance and personal expenses
Place
Nights
Amritsar
2
Haridwar
1
Barkot
2
Uttarkashi
2
Guptkashi / Sitapur
2
Kedarnath
1
Badrinath
1
Srinagar / Rudraprayag
1
Tips for this combined tour
At the Golden Temple, cover your head, remove shoes and socks, and wash your feet before entering. Head scarves are available at the entrance.
Arrive at Wagah early; seating fills well before the ceremony begins.
Plan the trip for May–June or mid-September to October; avoid the monsoon months in Uttarakhand.
