Char Dham: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath temples in the Himalayas
Uttarakhand · April 2026

Char Dham Yatra 2026

Opening dates, mandatory registration, the sacred route, and everything you need to plan India's holiest mountain pilgrimage.

Yamunotri · 19 Apr
Gangotri · 19 Apr
Kedarnath · 22 Apr
Badrinath · 23 Apr

Four temples. Four rivers. Four corners of the divine. Every year when the Himalayas thaw and the passes open, millions of devotees begin a journey that Adi Shankaracharya established twelve centuries ago: the Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand.

The Char Dham Yatra, comprising Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, is one of the most spiritually significant pilgrimages in Hinduism. In 2026, the yatra begins on 19 April and all four dhams are open by 23 April.

When Do the Four Dhams Open?

All four opening dates for 2026 have been officially confirmed by the temple committees.

Yamunotri
Goddess Yamuna · Source of River Yamuna
Opens 19 April 2026
Closes ~11 November 2026 (Bhai Dooj)

The first dham on the traditional route at 3,293m; pilgrims trek from Janki Chatti.

6 km trek3,293 m altitudeBase: Janki Chatti
Full guide
Gangotri
Goddess Ganga · Origin of River Ganga
Opens 19 April 2026
Closes ~10 November 2026 (Diwali)

Road-accessible dham at 3,100m with onward route to Gaumukh glacier.

Road accessible3,100 m altitudeGaumukh: 18 km further
Full guide
Kedarnath
Lord Shiva · One of 12 Jyotirlingas
Opens 22 April 2026 · 8:00 AM
Closes ~Nov 2026 (Bhai Dooj)

The most challenging stop: 16 km trek from Gaurikund with helicopter option.

16 km trek3,583 m altitudeHelicopter availableJyotirlinga
Full guide
Badrinath
Lord Vishnu · Badrinarayan form
Opens 23 April 2026
Closes ~13 November 2026 (Vijay Dashami)

Road-accessible final dham at 3,133m with typically the longest open season.

Road accessible3,133 m altitudeLongest season
Full guide

The Clockwise Sequence

The classic order is Yamunotri → Gangotri → Kedarnath → Badrinath.

Traditional Char Dham Route · Clockwise
1
Yamunotri
2
Gangotri
3
Kedarnath
4
Badrinath
📋 Registration: key facts
  • Registration opened on 6 March 2026
  • Official portal: registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in
  • Free registration and QR-coded e-pass required
  • Offline counters available at major gateway points

Key Dates This Year

6 March 2026
Yatra Registration Opens
Official schedule for Char Dham Yatra 2026.
15 April 2026 · 6:00 PM
Kedarnath Helicopter Booking Opens
Official schedule for Char Dham Yatra 2026.
19 April 2026
Yamunotri & Gangotri Open
Official schedule for Char Dham Yatra 2026.
22 April 2026 · 8:00 AM
Kedarnath Opens
Official schedule for Char Dham Yatra 2026.
23 April 2026
Badrinath Opens
Official schedule for Char Dham Yatra 2026.
Best
May – June
Peak season with stable weather and full services.
Avoid
Jul – Aug
Monsoon with high landslide and disruption risk.
Excellent
Sep – Oct
Clear post-monsoon views and lighter crowds.
"By registering, you are integrated into a real-time monitoring system, so help can reach you faster during weather emergencies."
Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board

Start Your Yatra Planning Today

Registration is free and open now. Secure your dates before peak season fills up.

Register for Char Dham Yatra →Book Kedarnath Helicopter →