Board an overnight train in Bhopal, wake up near Delhi, and be beside the Ganga in Haridwar the same evening. Here is the full plan for Yamunotri and Gangotri from the City of Lakes.
Bhopal to the Himalaya, one overnight hop and a road tour
Pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh grow up close to sacred rivers, the Narmada above all. A journey to the sources of the Yamuna and the Ganga in Uttarkashi district feels like a natural extension of that devotion. The good news for Bhopal is distance: Delhi is only about 700 km away on the main north–south rail line, so an overnight train delivers you to the capital by morning. From there our driver takes you to Haridwar, then up to Yamunotri and Gangotri, and back to Delhi in seven days.
Of all the Char Dham combinations, this pair is the easiest on body and budget. There is one walk of 6 km each way, to Yamunotri, with ponies and palkis available. Gangotri can be reached by car to within a short stroll of the temple.
Bhopal – DelhiAbout 700 km by rail
Train timeRoughly 8–12 hours, overnight
Land tour6N / 7D from Delhi
ShrinesYamunotri & Gangotri
Walking6 km at Yamunotri
Best monthsMay–June, mid-Sept–Oct
Reaching Delhi from Bhopal
Bhopal Junction and Rani Kamlapati station both have plenty of trains to Delhi, including fast day services and many overnight sleepers. Flights take around an hour and a half. For most families the overnight train is the sweet spot: no hotel night needed in Delhi, and you arrive rested enough for the drive to Haridwar.
Option
Approximate time
Plan
Overnight train to Delhi
8–12 hours
Arrive in the morning; drive to Haridwar same day
Day train to Delhi
About 8 hours
Arrive by evening; start the tour next morning
Flight to Delhi
About 1.5 hours
Fastest; book a morning flight
Train towards Haridwar or Dehradun
Longer, fewer options
Choose the 5-night Haridwar plan
Book the return train for the evening of day 7. The drive from Haridwar to Delhi takes six to seven hours, and traffic near the city can add more.
Estimated per person for four travellers sharing one vehicle and twin or triple rooms. Your train or flight from Bhopal is separate.
Package
Duration
Budget
Deluxe
Luxury
Delhi to Delhi
6N / 7D
₹14,500
₹21,000
₹31,500
Haridwar to Haridwar
5N / 6D
₹12,500
₹18,500
₹28,000
2027 estimates; final price depends on dates, hotel category and group size. Pony, palki, lunch on Budget/Deluxe, special puja and personal costs are extra.
Step off the overnight train from Bhopal and meet your driver outside the station. After breakfast on the way, the road runs north through western Uttar Pradesh to Haridwar. Take a holy dip at Har Ki Pauri and watch the evening aarti.
Day 2
Haridwar to Barkot
210 km7–8 hoursNight: Barkot
The day starts on the plains and ends in the mountains. Climb via Dehradun to Mussoorie, then descend past Kempty Falls into the Yamuna gorge. The river becomes your companion all the way to Barkot.
Day 3
Yamunotri darshan
45 km drive + 6 km trekFull dayNight: Barkot
Drive to Janki Chatti and climb 6 km to the shrine on foot or on a pony. The temple stands beside hot springs; pilgrims bathe in Tapt Kund and cook rice in Surya Kund to take home as prasad. After darshan, walk down slowly and drive back to Barkot.
Image space images/yamunotri.jpg 1200 × 675 px
Day 4
Barkot to Uttarkashi
100 km4–5 hoursNight: Uttarkashi
A relaxed drive through forests of pine and oak. Reach Uttarkashi in time for lunch and rest your legs. In the evening, visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple, said to be one of the oldest shrines in the valley.
Day 5
Gangotri darshan
100 km each wayFull dayNight: Uttarkashi
Drive upstream past Gangnani and Harsil, where the valley widens into apple orchards. At Gangotri, pray at the temple of Goddess Ganga and at Bhagirath Shila, the rock linked with King Bhagirath's penance. Return to Uttarkashi by evening.
Image space images/gangotri.jpg 1200 × 675 px
Day 6
Uttarkashi to Haridwar
170 km6–7 hoursNight: Haridwar
Head down past Chamba and Tehri lake. If time allows, stop in Rishikesh for Laxman Jhula and the Triveni Ghat. Reach Haridwar by evening.
Day 7
Haridwar to Delhi
230 km6–7 hoursNight: Tour ends
After breakfast, drive back to Delhi and catch your evening train or flight to Bhopal. Many families stop at Roorkee or Muzaffarnagar for lunch on the way.
What is included
Included
6 nights on twin or triple sharing (Haridwar 2, Barkot 2, Uttarkashi 2)
Breakfast and dinner daily (all meals on Luxury)
Private vehicle with hill driver from Delhi to Delhi
Fuel, tolls, parking, permits and driver allowance
Station or airport pick-up and drop in Delhi
Registration help
Phone and WhatsApp support
Not included
Bhopal – Delhi train or flight
Pony, palki or pithoo at Yamunotri
Lunch on Budget and Deluxe
Special puja
Extra nights due to landslides
Insurance and personal expenses
Expect simple, clean rooms on budget plans and better-rated hotels on deluxe and luxury. Rates around Barkot run ₹1,500–4,500 and in Uttarkashi ₹1,800–5,500 a night. Read about areas on the Yamunotri hotels and Gangotri hotels pages.
How do I reach Gangotri and Yamunotri from Bhopal?
Take an overnight train or a short flight to Delhi. Our road tour runs from Delhi to Haridwar, Barkot, Yamunotri, Uttarkashi and Gangotri, and back to Delhi.
How many days in total from Bhopal?
About eight to nine days: one night on the train each way plus the 6-night, 7-day land tour.
What is the cost from Bhopal?
The land tour is estimated from ₹14,500 per person from Delhi for four people on budget hotels. Train tickets are extra.
Can a big family group from Bhopal travel together?
Yes. Groups of 7–12 usually take a Tempo Traveller, which lowers the per-person cost. Larger groups can ask for a bus.
Is the yatra safe for elderly travellers?
Yes, with care. Only Yamunotri needs walking, and ponies or palkis are available. Get a medical check-up before travel.
Which months are best?
May–June and mid-September to October. July and August bring monsoon landslides on mountain roads.
