Today the divine sacred Char Dham Yatra for 2024 is beginning 🕉️🔱
Opening dates of 2024:
For Kedarnath - 10th May 2024
For Badrinath - 12th May 2024
Types of YATRA:
Char Dham Yatra : Gangotri + Yamunotri + Kedarnath + Badrinath
Char Dham + Tungnath
Do Dham : Kedarnath + Badrinath
Panch Kedar : Kedarnath, Madhmaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath, Kalpnath.
Registration:
Online registration can be done via
• Website : https://registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in/
• WhatsApp : +91 83948 33833
Type 'Yatra'
To see how watch in the link below👇🏻
( https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5y7E1vyyNq/?igsh=MTBhYTRzcTZyMjM0bQ== )
Note: Registration valid for 15days only so register in nearby dates of journey.
Make sure you pre register so you know preferred dates slot availability to plan your travel.
Registration is only required for Choti chaar dham yatra and Kedarnath.
Badrinath you don't need to register.
Self Traveling/Solo/Budget Travel Guide/Tips :
Reach Haridwar/ Rishikesh/ Dehradun(airport, by flight)
From haridwar and rishikesh you can easily get local buses to Gaurikund
If you start from Haridwar, you will come across Rishikesh, then Dev Prayag, then Srinagar, then Rudraprayag, then Agastya Muni and from there you will end up to SonPrayag.
You will get bus from Haridwar to SonPrayag from Haridwar Railway station 3-4am onwards, Costs Rs700-800
Private taxi cost aroundRs.10-15k
Can book bus online and stay via GMVN too : https://gmvnonline.com/
Can rent bike and scooty too for CharDham Yatra from Haridwar too.
Cost around Rs1100-1200 per day. Need license.
From Sonprayag you can get sharing jeep Rs.50 to GauriKund, which is 5kms.
It will take whole day to reach till GauriKund.
To reach Kedar Temple from Gauri Kund if you start around 5am you reach at 4-5pm. So plan days accordingly.
One can take helicopter too, you can get from GuptKashi, Vata, Sirsi, book is done online so you can rates there.
There are more stay options and facilities in Sonprayag(5km) and Sitapur(3km) in lower rates as compared to Gauri Kund.
But staying in GauriKund will make it easier for you start early to Kedarnath. Stay in Gaurikund in good deluxe room can cost around Rs3-3500 in peak season May June.
Dormitory common room with shared bathroom no private bathroom will cost around Rs1000 onwards.
Can book via GMVN website but in advance to get availability.
Also Rs400 per bed stay options at sonprayag.
Can carry our own camping tent and sleeping bag and stay in it at Kedarnath itself.
If you have private vechile then you can stay back at guptakashi where stay is cheaper.
Parking of own vechile facility is there at sonprayag.
From Gaurikund you have trek 16-20kms to the Kedarnath temple.
Rs.2950 per person cost to the temple from the Government.
Buy a stick from Gauri Kund which will cost you Rs.50 (as per 2023 rates), it will be very useful for you to trek thru the upward peaks.
Other options are mules/donkeys , Pithu (human carrier) , Palki (four people carrying one person
You get mules only after 300-400 meter walk from starting point. Rs.6000 one way.
Palki Rs.10K both ways but in the same day.
Pithu is rs10000 one way from 65kg weight. Depending on weight cost increases.
You can find a board with authorised rates from government, so fix rate as per that, they try to charge more too.
Next point will be Jungle Chatti 4 kms from Gaurikund while treking where you get food and drink options. Rs50 around maggi paratha. Mineral water is Rs.50 around.
Next point after 1 km is Bhim Bali. From here you will find two route one for the mules and another for trekkers. Avoid taking the mules route due to more rush.
Can hire mules and human carrier services(palki) from here too till temple.
Cost around Rs 1650 for mules from this point.
Then next point is after 1km Rambada
Lincholi You can hire mule too but Temple is 3 kms from there.
You will get toilet on the way and wifi zones in between.
What all to carry even in May June:
Jacket
Gloves
Inner
Socks
Winter cap
Umbrella
Raincoat as there is always mild rains
Good grip, non slippery, trekking Shoes Preferable as you will find muddy and skiddy roads
You can purchase from gaurikund these items but cost is higher.
GMVN camp stay at Kedar. Sharing camp of 10 beds in one tent, no toilet inside, common bathroom/toilet outside not in very good condition, charging pt limited, and one bulb, power cut issues so carry powerback. Sleeping bags are provided but no blanket. Temperature drops at times so better to carry your own. Complimentary dinner is inclusive. Check website for rates and inclusive updates. Swarg rohini complex has best reviews.
Rooms stay is also available, thru GMVN, 2 Star BEHL ASHRAM KEDARNATH
Advisable to book rooms 2months advance for availability.
Locker system is there to keep extra luggage in sonprayag Rs.50 per day
Thru Travel organisers costing :
If you book thru travel organisers you can get it 4D/5N for kedarnath is around 8-10K depending on stay options, starting point and number of people you chose
If you book for char dham + tunganath then it will be around 20-25K
Only Char Dham 16K-20K
NOTE : ALL RATES ARE AS PER 2023, it may vary this year, so plan a bit extra budget this year incase of increase.
Those who don't have money genuinely can contact a group organizing the yatra for free. Contact personally for their contact details.
There is free food bhandara and camp stay options at Kedarnath too.
If you need help in getting travel organisers contact personally.
Please do not litter there.
Chardham and Badrinath guide coming up. Follow Instagram account
(https:// www.instagram.com/wanderingvandana) for updates on story notifications
Do comment any information you would like to share to the viewers so its helpful for them in this divine yatra.
Female solo travellers who are looking for company to pair up can contact on Instagram or mail me at wanderingvandana@gmail.com, will try to find you company for this yatra.