The Char Dham Yatra is a divine journey that is considered to open the doors of salvation. During this divine yatra, you visit four of the most famed religious sites including Kedarnath, Badrinath , Gangotri, and Yamunotri. If you’re planning to do the Chardham Yatra you need to do proper planning to ensure you can have a smooth travel experience. You can embark on the Chardham Yatra via your car but your vehicle should be in excellent condition with a good ground clearance as the roads in Uttarakhand are rugged and challenging. You also need to have excellent driving skills to drive on these challenging routes. We bring to you a detailed guide about how you can plan a trip to Chardham sites via your car and tips and tricks to make the Yatra memorable.
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Budget-Friendly Car Rentals for Char Dham Yatra
Vehicle | Haridwar Daily Rate (INR) | Delhi Daily Rate (INR) | Seating Capacity | Additional AC Cost (for hill areas) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Indigo | 3200 | 3500 | 4 + Driver | On Request |
Dzire | 3500 | 3800 | 4 + Driver | On Request |
Mahindra Bolero/Maxx | 4000 | 4500 | 8 + Driver | On Request |
Comfortable and Spacious Car/Taxi Rentals for Char Dham Yatra
Vehicle | Haridwar Daily Rate (INR) | Delhi Daily Rate (INR) | Seating Capacity | Additional AC Cost (for hill areas) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tavera | 4500 | 5000 | 6 + Driver | On Request |
Ertiga | 4500 | 5000 | 6 + Driver | On Request |
Innova | 5500 | 6000 | 6 + Driver | On Request |
Innova Crysta | 6000 | 6500 | 6 + Driver | On Request |
Spacious Bus and Tempo Traveller Rentals for Char Dham Yatra
Vehicle | Haridwar Daily Rate (INR) | Delhi Daily Rate (INR) | Seating Capacity | Additional AC Cost (for hill areas) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tempo Traveler (12 Seater) | 8500 | 9000 | 12 + Driver | On Request |
Tempo Traveler (14 Seater) | 8500 | 9000 | 14 + Driver | Non A/C |
Bus (27 Seater Push Back Coach) | 188000 | 205000 | 27 + Driver | On Request |
Bus (41 Seater Non Push Back) | 185000 | 200000 | 41 + Driver | Non A/C |
Detailed Route Information
Yamunotri
- Deity: Goddess Yamuna
- Important Places to Visit: Saptarishi Kund, Yamunotri Temple, Surya Kund, Hanuman Chatti, Divya Shila, Kharsali
- Altitude:Â 3,293 meters
- Distance of Yamunotri from Delhi:
- Delhi to Haridwar: Around 210 km
- Haridwar to Barkot: Around 220 km
- Barkot to Janki Chatti: 7 km (trek)+ 36 km (drive)
Road Conditions
- From Delhi to Haridwar you will find smooth driving conditions as the roads are well-maintained.
- From Haridwar to Barkot, you will find the roads to be good but in some sections can be winding and narrow.
- The drive to Janki Chatti from Barkot is a bit challenging with narrow roads and steep climbs.
- The trek to Yamunotri from Janki Chatti is well-marked but you need to be in good physical condition to embark on this trek..
Gangotri
- Deity:Â Goddess Ganga
- Altitude:Â 3,415 meters
- Important Places to Visit: Bhaironghati, Gangnani, Gangotri Temple, Kedartal, Gaumukh
- Distance of Gangotri from Yamunotri:
- Yamunotri to Uttarkashi: Around 100 km
- Uttarkashi to Gangotri: Around 100 km
Road Conditions
- The road to Uttarkashi from Yamunotri is mostly in good condition but includes some winding and narrow sections. You need to drive safely on this route.
- The route to Gangotri from Uttarkashi is in good condition and picturesque, but during the monsoon season, you should expect potential landslides. There are also some narrow sections so you need to be very cautious while driving.
Kedarnath
- Deity:Â Lord Shiva (Jyotirlinga)
- Altitude:Â 3,583 meters
- Important Places to Visit: Gandhi Sarovar, Shankaracharya Samadhi, Kedarnath Temple, Vasuki Tal
- Distance of Kedarnath from Gangotri:
- Gangotri to Rudraprayag: Around 180 km
- Rudraprayag to Gaurikund: 20 km (trek) + 74 km (drive)
Road Conditions
- Generally, the road to Rudraprayag from Gangotri is good, but in several sections, it can be winding and narrow.
- The drive to Gaurikund from Rudraprayag involves steep and narrow roads so you need to exercise caution while driving.
- The trek to Kedarnath from Gaurikund is rigorous and challenging, especially after the floods that hit the region in 2013 and altered the original path. You’re advised to be prepared physically for this trek..
Badrinath
- Deity:Â Lord Vishnu
- Altitude:Â 3,133 meters
- Important Places to Visit: Tapt Kund, Badrinath Temple, Neelkanth Peak, Vyas Gufa, Mana Village
- Distance from Kedarnath:
- Gaurikund to Rudraprayag: 20 km (trek) + 74 km (drive)
- Rudraprayag to Badrinath: Around 160 km
Road Conditions Summary
- Delhi to Rishikesh/Haridwar: (NH 334) Roads are in good condition favorable for driving
- Rishikesh/ Haridwar to Barkot: Decent quality roads but can be narrow at a few places so be mindful while driving.
- Barkot to Yamunotri: Trekking paths are of moderate difficulty level and you can undertake the Yatra only if you’re physically fit.
- Yamunotri to Uttarkashi: You’ll find the roads to be in good condition with some narrow paths.
- Uttarkashi to Gangotri: Avoid traveling during monsoon due to the risk of landslides and heavy rainfall that can make the paths slippery.
- Gangotri to Rudraprayag: Narrow roads, steep sections so be cautious while driving.
- Rudraprayag to Gaurikund: Be mindful while driving as the road is steep and narrow.
- Gaurikund to Kedarnath: Moderate difficulty trek that requires you to be physically fit.
- Rudraprayag to Badrinath: Overall, the roads are decent. However, at some places, they get steep so you need to be cautious while driving.
- Badrinath to Haridwar/ Rishikesh: Smooth highways. Some sections can be narrow so keep an eye on your speed.
- Haridwar/ Rishikesh to Delhi: Roads are in good condition, some stretches are very scenic making driving very enjoyable..
Road Conditions
- The road to Rudraprayag from Gaurikund is narrow so you need to be cautious while driving.
- The route to Badrinath from Rudraprayag is in good condition. Few of the sections are subject to landslides and narrow. Drive safely especially if you’re traveling during the monsoon season.
Things to Keep in Mind
Take a look at the things you should keep in mind if you have decided to undertake the Chardham yatra via your car.
- In case of roadblocks or snowfall, you won’t be able to take your car ahead. In such cases, you will have to arrange additional transfers on your own.
- Do not drive the car in no-entry zones, narrow streets, or roads which can lead to traffic jams.
- Never take the risk of driving beyond the permitted speed limit as it can lead to adverse consequences.
- Vehicles such as MUVs and SUVs are the best for Himalayan terrains.
- If you’re not confident, you can rent a car with an experienced driver for a hassle-free and safe journey.
- Obtain a Yatra registration and a Green card through the official website of the Uttarakhand government.
- Carry all the important documents including your vehicle insurance, registration, and Pollution Under Control certificate. Also, carry your driving license.
- Don’t drive at night due to fog, low visibility, and the chances of wildlife crossing.
- Park your car only at the designated parking lots. Some parking lots may be a bit far from the sightseeing spot. You may have to reach the sightseeing spot from the parking lot by walking on your foot.
- Avoid traveling in the monsoon as most of the regions in Uttarakhand are prone to landslides and driving can be risky during this time.
Weather Conditions
- At Yamunotri, average temperatures in May range from 5°C to 15°C, 6°C to 16°C at Gangotri, 5°C to 17°C at Badrinath and 2°C to 12°C at Kedarnath.
- In June the temperature ranges between 8°C to 18°C at Gangotri, 10°C to 20°C at Yamunotri, 8°C to 20°C at Badrinath, and 5°C to 15°C at Kedarnath.
Conclusion
The Char Dham Yatra is a fantastic journey but it comes with many challenges such as altitude sickness, rough terrain, and unpredictable weather. If you have decided to undertake the yatra by car then you can go through the guide mentioned above to have a smooth and fuss-free travel experience. Keep in mind the road conditions and be cautious while traveling through these routes.