The following yatra tips will help to make your Char Dham Yatra comfortable, hastle free and will keep you healthy and fit during the entire trip.
The chardham or the four pilgrimage destinations are accessible only for six months (May to October) throughout the year. The region becomes inaccessible during the other half of the part of the year due to snowfall. You can check opening and closing dates of Char Dham Temples.
While visitng Hindu mythological sites, shrines and temples, one should remove shoes and cover head with a piece of cloth before entering the Holy Place.
Carry heavy woolen clothes to protect from cold weather during the month of October-November and carry moderate woolen during Summer Season.
Carry woolen Blanket, an umbrella, Raincoat, Torchlight, minimum luggage and canvas shoes with you. You can carry woolen sweater, monkey cap and muffler, which will enable you to with stand cold winds, at the upper level of Himalayas.
Do carry creams, moisturizers, sunscreen creams.
Pack a medical kit with painkillers, antibiotics, cough lozenges, Antiseptic cream, Iodine, tube-squeeze cream and medicines for cold and fever.
Carry your routine medicines, as you might find only limited and general medicine at such remote locations.
Carry dark choclates, dry fruits, Glucose (Glucon D), toffees. They will provide your instant energy during the trekking and during long jams.
When asking for directions, speak to shopkeepers, not pedestrians. Check with at least two persons or more.
Do not take pictures if cameras are not allowed in any particular area. Do not play with the sentiments of any particular religion.
At least a month before the Yatra, it is advisable to start preparatory exercises for the trip 4 months in advance.
Though self-managed tours happen to be economical, it is advisable for your Chardham yatra to go for a guided tour arranged by an expert local travel agent.
Carry extra batteries and films for your camera, as electricity is not regular in such remote places.
Do not travel in the rainy season as there are a lot of landslides during that time.
Book hotel rooms in advance if you are travelling close to the temple opening dates, there is a heavy rush of pilgrims. Check hotels on CharDham Route.
Alcohol or non vegetarian food is not permitted during Char Dham Yatra Tour.
Drink packaged water or boiled water only.
Clothing during Char Dham Yatra
Summers (May, June, July, August)- Moderate Woolens
Winters (April, September, October, November)- Heavy Woolens
Medical Emergency Number
In case of any serious medical emergency, call 108 (The Mobile emergency service from Government of Uttarakhand). Don’t make fake calls, as it is punishable offence.
Travelling Tips
Train Connectivity: Rishikesh, Haridwar, Kotdwar and Dehradun are well connected to major cities of India by Railway Network. From here you can get bus or you can hire taxi as well.
Air Connectivity: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun. Helicopter service to Kedarnath and Badrinath is available from Delhi, Dehradun, Phata, Augustmuni and Gauchar near Rudraprayag and Jollygrant Airport Dehradun.
