Everything you need to plan the Do Dham Yatra to Kedarnath and Badrinath: the route from Haridwar and Delhi, the Kedarnath trek, registration, best season, and how it compares with the full Char Dham.
By Teerthayan • October 2026
The Do Dham Yatra takes you to the two most visited of the Char Dhams: Kedarnath, the Himalayan Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva, and Badrinath, the abode of Lord Vishnu as Badri Narayan. It joins the Kedarnath Yatra and the Badrinath Yatra in one trip, in about half the time of the full Char Dham Yatra, which makes it the choice of most families with limited leave. This guide covers the route from Haridwar and Delhi, the Kedarnath trek, registration, the best season and the cost.
Do Dham Yatra at a glance
| Temples | Kedarnath (Shiva) and Badrinath (Vishnu) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 days from Haridwar or Rishikesh; 8 days from Delhi |
| Trek | Kedarnath: about 16–18 km each way from Gaurikund. Badrinath: none, the road reaches the temple |
| Season | May–June and September–October |
| Registration | Compulsory and free, with Uttarakhand Tourism |
| Package price | From ₹21,900 per person from Haridwar; ₹33,900 from Delhi |
Do Dham vs Char Dham
| Do Dham | Char Dham | |
|---|---|---|
| Temples | Kedarnath, Badrinath | Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath |
| Days from Haridwar | 6 | 10 |
| Treks | Kedarnath only | Yamunotri and Kedarnath |
| Best for | Limited leave, first Himalayan yatra, elders | The complete traditional pilgrimage |
If you have ten days, see our guide to Char Dham registration and route.
6-day Do Dham Yatra from Haridwar
| Day | Route | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haridwar → Guptkashi or Sitapur (about 230 km, 8–9 h) | Devprayag confluence, Rudraprayag |
| 2 | Sonprayag → Gaurikund → Kedarnath (trek 16–18 km) | Evening aarti at Kedarnath |
| 3 | Kedarnath → Gaurikund → Guptkashi | Dawn darshan, Bhim Shila; optional Triyuginarayan |
| 4 | Guptkashi → Ukhimath → Chopta → Pipalkoti (about 190 km) | Ukhimath, the winter seat of Kedarnath; Chaukhamba views |
| 5 | Badrinath and Mana Village | Tapt Kund, Badri Narayan darshan, Brahma Kapal, Vyas Gufa |
| 6 | Pipalkoti → Rishikesh / Haridwar (about 270 km) | The five prayags of the Alaknanda |
From Delhi, add a day each way: drive to Haridwar on Day 1 for the evening Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri, and back to Delhi on the last day. See the Do Dham Yatra from Haridwar (6 days) and the Do Dham Yatra from Delhi (8 days).
Kedarnath Yatra: the trek
The motor road ends at Sonprayag, where registration is checked. A shuttle runs to Gaurikund, and the trek climbs about 16–18 km along the Mandakini to the temple at about 3,583 m. Most pilgrims take 6–8 hours on foot. Ponies, palkis and pithoos are available at fixed government rates.
Helicopters fly from Phata, Sersi and Guptkashi, and tickets are sold only on IRCTC's official HeliYatra website. Stay the night at Kedarnath if you can: the evening aarti and a dawn darshan with short queues are the high points of the yatra. More in our Kedarnath Yatra guide.
Badrinath Yatra: darshan and Mana village
Badrinath needs no trek. Bathe in the Tapt Kund hot spring below the temple before darshan of Shri Badri Narayan, then visit Brahma Kapal on the Alaknanda, where families perform pind daan. Three kilometres on, Mana village has Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa and Bhim Pul. More in our Badrinath Yatra guide.
Registration and planning
- Register every pilgrim with Uttarakhand Tourism before travelling, online or at counters in Haridwar and Rishikesh.
- Opening dates: Kedarnath's is announced on Maha Shivaratri and Badrinath's on Basant Panchami. Both usually open in late April or May.
- Best months: May–June and September–October. July and August bring monsoon landslides.
- Fitness: walk daily for a few weeks before the trek, and see a doctor first if you have heart, lung or blood-pressure conditions.
- Pack: warm layers, a rain jacket and good shoes even in June. See our pilgrimage packing list.
FAQs
What is the Do Dham Yatra?+
A pilgrimage to two of the four Char Dhams of Uttarakhand: Kedarnath, the Himalayan Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva, and Badrinath, the abode of Lord Vishnu as Badri Narayan.
How many days are needed for the Do Dham Yatra?+
About 6 days by road from Haridwar or Rishikesh, and 8 days from Delhi. A helicopter to Kedarnath can save a day.
Which comes first, Kedarnath or Badrinath?+
Traditionally Kedarnath first, then Badrinath. The road route also works best in that order.
Is registration required for the Do Dham Yatra?+
Yes. Every pilgrim must register with Uttarakhand Tourism before travelling, the same as for the full Char Dham Yatra. Registration is free.
How long is the Kedarnath trek?+
About 16 to 18 km each way from Gaurikund. Most pilgrims take 6 to 8 hours to walk up. Ponies, palkis and helicopters are available at extra cost.
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