How Char Dham registration works, the traditional route from Haridwar with distances, how temple opening and closing dates are set, and how to book the Kedarnath helicopter.
By Teerthayan • October 2026
The Char Dham Yatra takes you to the four Himalayan shrines of Uttarakhand: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Before you go, you must register, and you need to plan around opening dates that change every year. This guide covers Char Dham Yatra registration, the traditional route from Haridwar with distances, and how the 2027 opening dates will be set.
Char Dham Yatra registration
Registration with Uttarakhand Tourism is compulsory and free for every pilgrim, including children. Your registration letter carries a QR code that is scanned at checkpoints on the way.
- Online: on the official portal, registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, or the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app. Register each traveller with a photo ID and choose the dates you will visit each dham.
- Offline: registration counters open in Haridwar and Rishikesh during the season, but queues are long in May and June.
- When to register: registration usually opens a few weeks before the temples do. Register as soon as you have your dates, and download the letter for every member of the group.
Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri registration
There is no separate form for each temple. One Char Dham registration per pilgrim covers every dham you select: tick Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, or only the ones you plan to visit, and give the date for each. That single registration is what is checked for Kedarnath registration at Sonprayag, for Badrinath registration on the road to the temple, and at the Gangotri and Yamunotri checkpoints.
- Do Dham only: select Kedarnath and Badrinath.
- Changing dates: update the registration on the portal or app before you travel, as checkpoints compare the date.
- Hemkund Sahib: the same Uttarakhand Tourism portal and app also issue the Hemkund Sahib Yatra registration for the trek from Govindghat.
Char Dham opening dates 2027
The 2027 dates are not announced yet. They are announced on fixed festival days, so you know when to look:
| Dham | 2027 date announced on | Expected opening | 2026 opening (for reference) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Badrinath | Basant Panchami, 11 February 2027 | A few days after Akshay Tritiya | 23 April 2026 |
| Kedarnath | Maha Shivaratri, 6 March 2027 | A few days after Akshay Tritiya | 22 April 2026 |
| Gangotri | Fixed | Akshay Tritiya, 9 May 2027 | 19 April 2026 |
| Yamunotri | Fixed | Akshay Tritiya, 9 May 2027 | 19 April 2026 |
Akshay Tritiya falls about three weeks later in 2027 than in 2026, so the Char Dham Yatra 2027 is likely to start in early-to-mid May rather than in April. Some panchangs put Akshay Tritiya on 8 May; the temple committees fix the final dates. Kedarnath registration 2027 and Char Dham registration usually open on the official portal a few weeks before the temples do, in February or March. We will add the confirmed dates here as soon as they are announced.
Char Dham opening and closing dates
The dates are fixed by temple priests according to the Hindu calendar, so they change each year:
| Dham | Opening date announced on | Usually opens | Closes on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamunotri | Fixed: Akshay Tritiya | April / May | Bhai Dooj |
| Gangotri | Fixed: Akshay Tritiya | April / May | Govardhan Puja, the day after Diwali |
| Kedarnath | Maha Shivaratri | Late April / May | Bhai Dooj |
| Badrinath | Basant Panchami | Late April / May | Mid-to-late November, date set on Vijayadashami |
For the 2027 yatra, watch for the Kedarnath and Badrinath announcements in February. May, June and October are the best months; July and August bring monsoon landslides.
Char Dham route from Haridwar
The yatra traditionally runs west to east: Yamunotri first, then Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath last. Distances are approximate road distances.
| Leg | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Haridwar → Barkot | about 210 km | Via Dehradun and Mussoorie |
| Barkot → Janki Chatti → Yamunotri | about 45 km + 6 km trek | Trek, pony or palki from Janki Chatti |
| Barkot → Uttarkashi | about 85 km | Kashi Vishwanath temple of Uttarkashi |
| Uttarkashi → Gangotri → Uttarkashi | about 100 km each way | Motorable to the temple; bath at Gaurikund falls |
| Uttarkashi → Guptkashi / Sitapur | about 220 km | Long day via Tehri and Srinagar |
| Sonprayag → Gaurikund → Kedarnath | 5 km shuttle + 16 km trek | Or helicopter from Phata, Sersi or Guptkashi |
| Guptkashi → Badrinath | about 200 km | Via Ukhimath, Chamoli and Joshimath |
| Badrinath → Haridwar | about 320 km | Usually broken at Rudraprayag or Srinagar |
By road this takes about 10 days from Haridwar and 12 from Delhi. Our Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar and Char Dham Yatra from Delhi follow this route. With less time, the Do Dham Yatra covers Kedarnath and Badrinath in 6 days.
Kedarnath helicopter booking
Kedarnath helicopter tickets are sold only on IRCTC's official HeliYatra website. You need your Char Dham registration number to book, and seats for May and June go within minutes of opening. Fake websites selling Kedarnath helicopter tickets appear every year, so never pay anyone else.
Health and fitness
- Kedarnath is at about 3,583 m and Yamunotri at about 3,293 m. Walk slowly, drink water, and rest if you get a headache or breathlessness.
- Pilgrims over 50, and anyone with heart, lung or blood-pressure conditions, should see a doctor before the yatra. Health screening points operate on the route.
- Carry warm layers and a rain jacket even in June: nights at Kedarnath and Badrinath are cold.
- Ponies, palkis and pithoos are available at Yamunotri and Kedarnath through registered counters, at fixed government rates.
What to carry
Registration letters and photo IDs for everyone, warm clothes, rain gear, trekking shoes, basic medicines and some cash, since ATMs on the route run out in peak season. Our pilgrimage packing list has the full checklist.
FAQs
Is registration compulsory for the Char Dham Yatra?+
Yes. Every pilgrim must register with Uttarakhand Tourism before travelling. Registration is free, online or at counters in Haridwar and Rishikesh, and the registration letter is checked on the route.
When does the Char Dham Yatra 2027 start?+
Yamunotri and Gangotri open on Akshay Tritiya in April or May. Kedarnath's date is announced on Maha Shivaratri and Badrinath's on Basant Panchami, both usually within a few days of Akshay Tritiya.
What is the correct order of the Char Dham Yatra?+
Traditionally west to east, clockwise: Yamunotri, then Gangotri, then Kedarnath, and Badrinath last.
How many days are needed for the Char Dham Yatra?+
About 10 days by road from Haridwar and 12 from Delhi. By helicopter it can be done in 5 to 6 days.
How do I book the Kedarnath helicopter?+
Kedarnath helicopter tickets are sold only on IRCTC's official HeliYatra website, and you need your Char Dham registration number to book. Avoid any other seller.
Do I need separate registration for Kedarnath and Badrinath?+
No. One Char Dham registration per pilgrim covers every dham you select, with a date for each. For the Do Dham Yatra, select Kedarnath and Badrinath only.
Is Hemkund Sahib registration on the same portal?+
Yes. The Uttarakhand Tourism registration portal and the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app handle both Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib Yatra registration.
Is there a fee for Char Dham registration?+
No. Registration with Uttarakhand Tourism is free for every pilgrim.
What is the Char Dham opening date in 2027?+
Not announced yet. Gangotri and Yamunotri open on Akshay Tritiya, 9 May 2027. Kedarnath's date is announced on Maha Shivaratri (6 March 2027) and Badrinath's on Basant Panchami (11 February 2027); both usually open a few days after Akshay Tritiya.
When does Kedarnath registration for 2027 start?+
Registration usually opens on registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in a few weeks before the temples open, in February or March. One Char Dham registration covers Kedarnath and the other dhams you select.
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