From the shores of the Bay of Bengal to the snowline of the Garhwal Himalaya: a Teen Dham journey from Chennai covers about 2,200 km to Delhi before the mountains even begin. Here is how to plan it without exhausting the family.
Badrinath has a special place for Tamil pilgrims: it is counted among the 108 Divya Desams praised by the Alvars, and the temple's chief priest, the Rawal, is traditionally a Namboodiri from Kerala. Kedarnath, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, completes the pairing of Shiva and Vishnu, and Gangotri lets you see the Ganga at her source. That is the Teen Dham Yatra, and it is the trip most Chennai families ask us for when the full Char Dham feels too long.
Chennai is about 2,200 km from Delhi by road. Most pilgrims fly to Delhi in under three hours; the train takes more than a day. We start the land tour at Delhi airport or station and run the 8-night route to all three shrines, dropping you back for the journey home. Flying to Dehradun is also possible if a convenient connection exists for your dates.
Chennai – DelhiAbout 2,200 km
FlightAbout 2 h 45 m to Delhi
TrainAbout 28–34 hours
Land tour8 nights / 9 days
ShrinesGangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath
LanguageHindi and English on the route
Teen Dham package cost for Chennai pilgrims
Package
Duration
Budget
Deluxe
Luxury
From Delhi airport / station
8N / 9D
₹19,500
₹28,500
₹43,000
From Dehradun airport / Haridwar
7N / 8D
₹17,500
₹26,000
₹39,500
Per person, group of four, twin/triple sharing. 2027 estimates. Travel from Chennai is extra; the final quote depends on dates, hotels and group size.
Temples just open, cold nights, some snow at the top
Busy; summer holidays in Tamil Nadu
June
Pleasant days, crowds peak
Book flights early
July – August
Monsoon, landslides likely
Best avoided
Mid-Sept – October
Clear skies, fewer pilgrims
Our top choice; Chennai's own rains begin later
November
Temples closing
Too late for the full route
The 2026 season is closing in November 2026, so this page plans for 2027. Opening dates are announced in spring; check our opening dates page and best time to visit guide before booking flights.
Day-wise plan from Delhi
Day 1
Delhi to Haridwar
230 km6–7 hoursNight: Haridwar
Take a morning flight from Chennai and meet your driver at Delhi airport. Drive north to Haridwar, the gateway to the hills. In the evening, watch the great lamps raised over the Ganga at Har Ki Pauri.
Day 2
Haridwar to Uttarkashi
170 km6–7 hoursNight: Uttarkashi
After Rishikesh the road begins to climb in earnest. It crosses Chamba, skirts the Tehri lake and follows the Bhagirathi to Uttarkashi. The air turns noticeably cooler, so keep a sweater in your hand luggage.
Day 3
Gangotri
200 km round trip8–9 hoursNight: Uttarkashi
Drive past Gangnani and Harsil to the Gangotri temple. Offer prayers to Goddess Ganga, see Bhagirath Shila and fill a small can of Gangajal. Return to Uttarkashi by evening.
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Day 4
Uttarkashi to Guptkashi
220 km8–9 hoursNight: Guptkashi
The longest drive takes you across to the Mandakini valley. The driver plans regular breaks. Guptkashi faces the Chaukhamba peaks and is quieter than the towns nearer the trailhead.
Day 5
Kedarnath
30 km + 16 km trek7–9 hours walkingNight: Kedarnath
Drive to Sonprayag and ride the jeep to Gaurikund. Walk the 16 km path or hire a pony or palki. Shuttle helicopter ticket holders fly from their IRCTC-booked helipad instead.
Day 6
Darshan, back to Guptkashi
16 km + 30 kmFull dayNight: Guptkashi
Darshan of Kedareshwar in the early morning, then the Bhairavnath temple and the Samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya. Descend to Gaurikund and return by jeep and car. Overnight in Guptkashi.
Day 7
Guptkashi to Badrinath
200 km8–9 hoursNight: Badrinath
Cross through Ukhimath and Chopta to the Alaknanda valley and up through Joshimath. Reach Badrinath by late afternoon. Bathe in the Tapt Kund and join the evening aarti.
Day 8
Badrinath, Mana, Rudraprayag
160 km6–7 hoursNight: Rudraprayag
Morning darshan of Badri Narayan, and tarpan or pind daan at Brahma Kapal if your family wishes. Visit Mana village, Vyas Gufa and Bhim Pul. Drive down to Rudraprayag.
Day 9
Rudraprayag to Delhi
about 395 km10–12 hoursNight: Tour ends
Leave early and follow the river down to Devprayag and Rishikesh, then cross the plains to Delhi. Drop at the airport for a late-evening flight to Chennai, or at a hotel near the airport. We recommend booking a next-morning flight for comfort.
What's included
Included
8 nights' hotels on twin or triple sharing
Breakfast and dinner (all meals on Luxury)
Private vehicle from Delhi back to Delhi
Fuel, tolls, parking, permits, driver allowance
Airport or station pick-up and drop
Registration help and WhatsApp support
Not included
Flights or trains from Chennai
Helicopter, pony, palki or pithoo
Gaurikund shared jeep
Puja and VIP darshan
Lunch on Budget and Deluxe
Extra nights due to landslides
Insurance and personal expenses
Your eight nights are spent in Haridwar, Uttarkashi (two), Guptkashi (two), Kedarnath, Badrinath and Rudraprayag. Rooms in Uttarkashi and Guptkashi are comfortable and have hot water; at Kedarnath every category stays in simple guest houses or tents because there is nothing larger at 3,583 m. Badrinath has a wider choice near the temple. For room types and rate ranges, see Badrinath hotel booking.
Tips for Chennai travellers
Most Chennai travellers have never felt sub-zero mornings. Pack thermals, a heavy jacket, woollen socks and a monkey cap; see things to carry.
Food is North Indian vegetarian; rice and dal are always available. Carry podi, pickles or ready-to-eat packets if you like familiar tastes.
Our drivers speak Hindi and basic English; save our helpline +91-99111 77951 for anything you need explained.
Register every traveller online before the trip; see the registration guide.
Kedarnath shuttle tickets are only on IRCTC HeliYatra; see IRCTC helicopter booking. Beware of fake sites.
Start walking 4–5 km a day a month before the trip.
How to book
WhatsApp +91-99111 77951 with dates, group size and ages of elders.
Receive a day-wise plan and estimate.
Confirm with the advance in the quote and then book flights.
Register each traveller.
Fly to Delhi and meet the driver.
Teen Dham from Chennai: FAQ
What is the Teen Dham package price from Chennai?
The land package from Delhi starts at about ₹19,500 per person on budget hotels for a group of four. Flights or trains from Chennai are extra. These are 2027 estimates.
How many days do we need from Chennai?
About 10–11 days if flying: the 9-day tour plus travel days. By train, add about three more days.
Is South Indian food available?
Not reliably. Hotels serve North Indian vegetarian food. Rice, dal and curd are easy to find.
Can elders manage the Kedarnath trek?
Elders usually take a palki or pony, or a shuttle helicopter booked on IRCTC. Gangotri and Badrinath need very little walking.
Can we start from Dehradun instead of Delhi?
Yes, if your flight connects to Dehradun. Join the Haridwar plan, 7 nights and 8 days from ₹17,500.
