The route map of Char Dham Yatra from Dehradun by road covers Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath in a set order. You start from Dehradun and go through places like Barkot, Uttarkashi, Guptkashi, and Joshimath. Total distance is around 1500 km and takes about 10 days. Roads are mountain roads but mostly good. There are enough stay and food options on the way. It’s a simple and doable trip by road for families and senior citizens.
Table of Contents
Why Start Char Dham Yatra from Dehradun?
- Direct flights from cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune, and Ahmedabad.
- Trains like Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi, and Vande Bharat connect Dehradun to Delhi.
- Good hotels for overnight stays before and after the trip.
- Char dham yatra by helicopter tours begin from Dehradun.
- Road network from Dehradun to all Char Dham shrines is well maintained.
Overview of Char Dham Yatra by Road
The Char Dham Yatra includes visits to:
- Yamunotri
- Gangotri
- Kedarnath
- Badrinath
From Dehradun, the most popular route follows this order:
Dehradun → Yamunotri → Gangotri → Kedarnath → Badrinath → Dehradun
This circuit is followed for both religious reasons and better road planning.
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Road Route Map of Char Dham Yatra From Dehradun
The road route map of Char Dham Yatra from Dehradun follows a clockwise circuit: Dehradun → Barkot → Yamunotri → Uttarkashi → Gangotri → Guptkashi → Kedarnath → Badrinath → back to Dehradun. This is the most practical and popular route for pilgrims starting from Dehradun. Roads are mostly hilly but well connected, with stops at key towns for rest, food, and fuel. Ideal for a 10-day trip.
Destination | Distance from Previous Stop | Total Time (Approx.) |
---|---|---|
Dehradun to Barkot | 180 km | 6-7 hrs |
Barkot to Yamunotri (via Janki Chatti) | 36 km + 6 km trek | 2 hrs drive + 4 hrs trek |
Barkot to Uttarkashi | 80 km | 3 hrs |
Uttarkashi to Gangotri | 100 km | 3.5 hrs |
Uttarkashi to Guptkashi | 200 km | 7-8 hrs |
Guptkashi to Kedarnath (via Sonprayag) | 30 km + 16 km trek | 1.5 hrs drive + 6-10 hrs trek |
Guptkashi to Badrinath | 210 km | 8-9 hrs |
Badrinath to Dehradun | 330 km | 10-11 hrs |
Day-by-Day Road Travel Itinerary with Route Details
Day 1: Dehradun to Barkot
- Distance: 180 km
- Travel Time: 6 to 7 hours
- Route: Dehradun → Mussoorie → Nainbagh → Naugaon → Barkot
Road Condition: Curvy mountain road but in good condition. Slight traffic near Mussoorie.
Stay Options: Budget and deluxe hotels available in Barkot and nearby areas.
Day 2: Barkot to Yamunotri and Back
- Drive: Barkot to Janki Chatti – 36 km (2 hours)
- Trek: Janki Chatti to Yamunotri Temple – 6 km (one way)
Travel Tip:
- For senior citizens, pony and palki services are available.
- Trek is uphill, so start early (before 6 AM).
Return: After darshan, return to Barkot for night stay.
Day 3: Barkot to Uttarkashi
- Distance: 80 km
- Time: 3 hours
- Route: Barkot → Dharasu Bend → Uttarkashi
Key Stops: You can halt at Radi Top for tea and views. Vishwanath Temple in Uttarkashi is a must-visit.
Stay Options: Plenty of good stays near Uttarkashi town.
Day 4: Uttarkashi to Gangotri and Return
- Distance: 100 km (one way)
- Travel Time: 3.5 hours (one way)
- Route: Uttarkashi → Bhatwari → Gangnani → Harsil → Gangotri
Tip: Leave by 5 AM. Spend 1-2 hours at the temple and return before sunset.
Highlights:
- Hot water springs at Gangnani
- Apple orchards in Harsil
- Bhagirathi river alongside most of the route
Return to Uttarkashi for overnight stay.
Day 5: Uttarkashi to Guptkashi
- Distance: 200 km
- Time: 7-8 hours
- Route: Uttarkashi → Lambgaon → Tilwara → Agastyamuni → Guptkashi
This is the longest drive day, so start early (around 5 AM). Carry dry snacks and water.
Stay Options: Plenty of hotels near Guptkashi, Phata, and Sitapur.
Day 6: Guptkashi to Kedarnath and Stay
- Drive: Guptkashi to Sonprayag – 30 km (1.5 hrs)
- Shared Jeep: Sonprayag to Gaurikund – 5 km (20 mins)
- Trek: Gaurikund to Kedarnath – 16 km
Tip for Yatris:
- Start trek before 5 AM.
- Take helicopter if senior citizens can’t walk 16 km.
- Pony and doli available for hire at Gaurikund.
Stay: Overnight at Kedarnath (basic accommodations or government camps).
Day 7: Kedarnath to Guptkashi (Return)
- Trek down from Kedarnath to Gaurikund
- Jeep to Sonprayag, then drive to Guptkashi
Rest and overnight stay in Guptkashi.
Day 8: Guptkashi to Badrinath
- Distance: 210 km
- Time: 8-9 hours
- Route: Guptkashi → Chopta → Gopeshwar → Joshimath → Badrinath
This is a scenic route through the forested area of Chopta. Roads are narrow in parts but drivable.
Tip: Try to leave early from Guptkashi to reach Badrinath before 4 PM.
Day 9: Badrinath Darshan and Back to Joshimath/Pipalkoti
- Visit Badrinath Temple early morning
- Explore Mana Village (last Indian village)
- Return drive to Joshimath or Pipalkoti for night halt
Day 10: Back to Dehradun
- Distance: 330 km
- Time: 10 to 11 hours
- Route: Joshimath → Chamoli → Karnaprayag → Srinagar → Rishikesh → Dehradun
You can halt in between or drive directly to Dehradun.
Google Route Map Suggestion
To follow the route map of Char Dham Yatra from Dehradun by road, it’s best to use Google Maps in parts. Don’t search all four dhams in one go—instead, break it into legs like Dehradun to Barkot, then Barkot to Janki Chatti (for Yamunotri), and so on. This helps avoid confusion and gives you the most accurate travel time. Always download offline maps before you enter hilly areas with weak network.
- Dehradun → Barkot
- Barkot → Janki Chatti
- Barkot → Uttarkashi
- Uttarkashi → Gangotri
- Uttarkashi → Guptkashi
- Guptkashi → Sonprayag (trek starts here)
- Guptkashi → Badrinath via Joshimath
- Badrinath → Dehradun
Total Distance Covered In Char Dham Yatra By Road From Dehradun
The total distance covered in the route map of Char Dham Yatra from Dehradun by road is roughly 1500 kilometers. This includes the round trip from Dehradun to all four dhams—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath (including the drive to Sonprayag), Badrinath—and back. Daily travel ranges from 100 km to over 300 km depending on the stretch. It’s spread across 9–10 days to keep the journey comfortable.
Total Duration Needed For Char Dham Yatra From Dehradun
The total duration needed for Char Dham Yatra from Dehradun by road is usually 9 to 11 days. If you include proper rest, darshan time, and return travel, 10 days is ideal. Some people finish faster, but that can be tiring, especially for senior citizens. Weather, road conditions, and temple crowd can also affect the timing, so it’s better to keep a buffer of 1 extra day.
- Ideal time: 10 days
- Can be done in 9 or stretched to 12 if needed
- If you add a buffer or rest day, plan for 12 days total
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Travel Tips for Char Dham by Road from Dehradun
- Avoid night travel in hills. Roads are narrow and risky.
- Always carry original ID proofs, warm clothes, raincoat, and medicines.
- Mobile network is patchy near Kedarnath and parts of Badrinath.
- Use small vehicles like Swift Dzire, Ertiga or Innova – not suitable for buses beyond a point.
- Best months: May, June, September, and October
- Avoid peak monsoon (mid-July to August)