Chardham Tourist Guide Services

Once people feel called to undertake the pious Chardham Yatra, many are confused about where to begin. The sacred shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath are located in the wintry landscape of the Garhwal Himalayas. How does one begin to prepare for the Chardham Yatra in these very different weather conditions? Depending upon where you come from, the challenges you face in adapting to the hilly location may differ. The following travel guide comes to help you with exactly that! They say well begun is half done! So let’s dive into these most commonly asked questions…

1. When is the Best Time to Visit Char Dhams?

May-June is the most preferred time. But if you prefer to avoid the pilgrim crowds, wait till the monsoon recedes and make your travel plans during the post-monsoon months of September and October.

It is also advisable to avoid the monsoon season. Monsoon and Hilly terrains do not make for the best of combinations. Monsoons are extremely unpredictable in Himalayan terrain, especially with the increased probability of occurrence of landslides.

2. What Are the Permits Required? Does One Need a Medical Fitness Certificate?

One needs to duly register oneself to be able to visit all the Chardham shrines. You can get it done at https://registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in/.

Also, keep in mind that the Kedarnath pilgrimage requires one to present a medical fitness certificate as well, which can be obtained from Guptkashi or Sonprayag. These will be checked at the Sonprayag check-post before one is let into the trekking trail to Kedarnath shrine.

4. When to Book Transportation?

Since the number of pilgrims for Chardham Yatra is on the rise every year, waiting till the last minute to book transportation is not a good idea. Make sure you get confirmed flight/train tickets well in advance of your departure date, that get you at least to Delhi/Haridwar/Dehradun. These are typical sites from where the journey begins.

If you are planning to visit the temples via road, confirm your booking with local drivers who have years of expertise behind the wheel in traversing the mountainous trails. And if you plan to travel via helicopter packages, make sure your seats are held and confirmed by the helicopter companies.

5. What do I Pack?

Pack smartly for Chardham Yatra by including the following items in your list:

• Woollen Clothes: Sweaters, Mufflers, Monkey Caps, Thermal Body Warmers, and Socks
• Dry Eatables: Chocolates, Milk Powder, Dry Fruits, Glucose Powder, Sugar, Candies, and Honey
• Trekking Gear: Trekking Stick, Torch, Batteries, and Lighter
• Rain Gear: Umbrella, Raincoat, Windcheater, and Water-Proof Shoes
• Enough Cash: Digital Payment Methods Are Not Accepted Everywhere
• Medications: Personal Medicines, First-aid Box, Medicines That Prevent Altitude-Sickness, Aspirins, Paracetamol, Painkillers, and Cough-Cold Tablets

6. Will There Be Mobile Connectivity?

Since you are travelling to remote locales in the Himalayas, do not expect uninterrupted mobile and internet connectivity. But Airtel, BSNL, and Jio offer the best possible connectivity for telecommunications and internet data usage in the hills. So grab yourself a SIM from these network providers in order to stay connected with your loved ones.

7. What to Avoid During the Journey?

While on your mountain journey, try not to do the following:

• It’s best to keep your jewellery to a minimum. Avoid wearing too much ornaments.
• Alcohol is strictly prohibited. So are non-vegetarian meals. Follow a sattvik diet.
• Do not indulge in photography where it is prohibited. Make sure that your behaviour is respectful of native people.
• Avoid taking rest at places where caution boards are placed.
• Do not bathe or clean your articles at /near water bodies unless they are designated as Ghats for the same.

8. What Are Some Tips for Yamunotri Trek?

It is advised to move slowly as the trek gets more difficult with time. Ascend gradually and take breaks. You can also hire Pony/Palki to ease the perils of the trek. Also, avoid walking or standing on the side of the valley. Instead, choose to walk alongside the hill-curve. This will prevent your coming in the way of ponies coming from the opposite side and subsequent accidents.

9. Whom to Hire as Ponies/Palkies/Porter?

Only hire registered ponywala/palkywala/porter. This will prevent unnecessary haggling over prices as the rates have been previously fixed. Also, do not leave your luggage alone with any of them. Ensure that you walk alongside them.

10. What to Do at Yamunotri?

To make the most out of your trip, you can:

• Pay obeisance at the Yamunotri shrine. Yamuna Maa is embodied in a black statue.
• Enjoy the trek! It’s not every day that one gets to undertake such a challenging as well as rewarding trek through the Himalayas. The trek lets you savour the beautiful Himalayan scenery thoroughly.
• Pay homage at Divya Shila. This rock pillar is said to be the point where the Yamuna River first originated.
• Visit Surya Kund. Bring home the Prasadam of boiled potatoes/rice made in its boiling water.

11. What to Do at Gangotri?

Consider doing the following on your Yamunotri trek:

• Pay obeisance at the beautiful temple that worships Ganga at the site of her corporeal origins.
• Visit the rock called Bhagirath Shila which is venerated as the site upon which ‘Bhagirath prayatna’ was performed.
• Take a detour to Pandav Gufa which served as the resting place for Pandavas on their way to Kailash.
• Trek to Gaumukh Glacier which is situated at a distance of 19 km from Gangotri temple.
• If you are an advanced trekker, do consider going till Tapovan or even Nandanvan.

12. What to Do at Kedarnath?

Try the following on your Kedarnath Yatra:

• The trek to Kedarnath temple is a real test of one’s physical endurance and spiritual faith. It is a real blessing to be able to receive the Lord’s Darshan at the end of the long trek.
• Go to the nearby Shankaracharya Samadhi who is credited with reviving the Kedarnath Temple.
• Visit the high-altitude glacial Vasuki Tal. The gorgeous backdrop filled with snow-capped peaks makes up for the trouble travellers take to reach here!
• Take a rejuvenating bath in the hot waters of Gauri Kund.
• Visit Bhairavnath Temple located near Kedarnath Jyotirlinga. This fierce form of Lord Shiva is considered the guardian deity of the entire Uttarakhand region. The beautiful scenery one is gifted from the hilltop is truly worth the extra effort of climbing the hilltop.

13. What to do at Badrinath?

While at Badrinath, do the following:

• Have a blissful Darshan of Badrinarayan. The 1 m tall idol worshipped at the temple is said to have been discovered by Adi Shankaracharya.
• Visit the hot water spring Tapt Kund near the temple. Its water is known for its healing properties.
• Mana Village is a touristy location near Badrinath. Some of its major tourist attractions include Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, Saraswati River, and Bhim Pul.

14. Additional Information

Where Should I Seek Information?

You are advised to seek information only from Government Tourist Information centers.
Phone numbers for Tourist information centers at each of the major stopovers are given below:

• Dehradun – 91 135 2559898, 2559987
• Haridwar – 0133-4227370
• Rishikesh –91-135-2431793, 2431783, 2435174, 2430799
• Srinagar – 01346250065
• Rudraprayag –01364-233995
• Kedarnath –01364-263218
• Guptkashi –01364 – 267221
• Joshimath –01389-222226, 9568006667
• Badrinath –01381-222212
• Uttarkashi –: 01374222271
• Jankichatti- 01375235639
• Barkot –01375-224236

15. What are the Emergency Phone Numbers?

Before you start your Chardham Yatra, make sure you carry list of all the emergency phone numbers you might require on the way.

Gangotri & Yamunotri Region

• Ambulance, Police, Fire- 108
• Commissioner Garhwal Pauri- 01368-222300
• DM Uttarkashi- 01374222280/222102
• SP Uttarkashi- 01374-222116/222102
• Tourist info. Center Uttarkashi- 01374274761
• GMOU Rishikesh- 0135-2430074
• Taxi stand Rishikesh- 0135-2430413

Badri – Kedar Region

• Ambulance, Police, Fire- 108
• DM Rudraprayag– 01364-233300/233376
• SP Rudraprayag– 01364-233210/233388
• Badri-Kedar Temple Committee Joshimath– 01389-222124
• DM Chamoli- 01372252102/252101
• Chamoli- 01372252134/252133
• Tourist Information Center Gopeshwar – 01372253185

16. Where are the Hospitals Located?

It is essential to know where the hospitals are located en route. In case you encounter any medical difficulties, you can go to hospitals located at the following places:

• Yamunotri Route: – Damta, Naugaon, Barkot Hospital, Brahmkhal Prathmi swath Kendra, Syanachatti, Janki Chatti, Yamunotri.
• Gangotri Route: – Nagun, Chinyalisaur, Dunda, Uttarkashi, Maneri, Bhatwari, Harsil, Gangotri.
• Kedarnath Route: – Ukhimath, Kalimath, Chopta, Guptkashi, Gaurikund, Kedarnath
• Badrinath Route: – Joshimath, Chamoli, Pipalkoti, Birahi, Badrinath.