The Char Dham Yatra is one of the most important pilgrimages in Uttarakhand. It covers four famous temples — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.
These temples remain closed during the winter because of heavy snowfall and difficult weather conditions. They normally reopen in April or May on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya Festival and remain open until October or November till Diwali Festival.
If you are planning your Char Dham Yatra in 2027, it is important to know that the official opening and closing dates have not yet been announced. The dates mentioned below are only expected dates based on the usual schedule. Generally, the opening date of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham comes on the Akshya Tritiya and Kedarnath Dham opening date announces on Maha Shivaratri and Badrinath Dham opening date announces on the occasion of Basant Panchmi.
Why Are the Opening Dates Important?
The Char Dham temples are located in the high Himalayan region. During winter, heavy snow makes the routes difficult and, in some places, impossible to access.
During the winter months, the deities call doli's are moved to their traditional winter homes in lower areas (like Badrinath in Yogdhyan Badri and Narsingh Temple Joshimath, Kedarnath Dham in Omkareshwar temple Ukhimath, Gangotri Dham in Mukhwa Village, Yamunotri Dham in Kharshali). When the pilgrimage season begins, the doli's are brought back to the main temples in special religious processions.
The opening dates are decided according to the Hindu Panchang and are officially announced by the temple authorities.
Because of this, the exact dates for 2027 should not be treated as final until the official announcements are made
Char Dham Yatra 2027: Expected Opening Dates
The following dates are expected dates only. The final dates will be announced by the respective temple authorities.
| Temple | Expected Opening | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Yamunotri | 9th May 2027 | Tentative |
| Gangotri | 9th May 2027 | Tentative |
| Kedarnath | 10th May 2027 | Tentative |
| Badrinath | 12th May 2027 | Tentative |
| Hemkund Sahib | 25th May 2027 | Tentative |
| Tungnath, Madmaheshwar & Rudranath | Mid-May 2027 | Not confirmed |
Once the final date of Char Dham temple will be announced, we will update it here, so you can plan accordingly.
Char Dham Yatra 2027: Expected Closing Dates
The four temples normally close before the Himalayan winter begins.
The closing dates are generally around Diwali and Bhai Dooj, but the exact dates change every year.
As a general guide:
- Yamunotri and Gangotri: Usually close around Diwali or Bhai Dooj.
- Kedarnath: Usually closes around the Bhai Dooj period.
- Badrinath: Usually remains open slightly longer than the other three temples in Mid Nov 2027
The exact 2027 closing dates will be announced by the temple authorities, so we will update it here accordingly.
Char Dham Yatra Route and Order
The traditional Char Dham route is:
Yamunotri → Gangotri → Kedarnath → Badrinath
Most pilgrims start their journey from Haridwar or Rishikesh. The Yatra takes about 9 Nights and 10 Days to complete, where you can visit and worship at the Char Dham temples, Visit Holy Confluence Panch Prayag, Dhari Devi Temple, Shiv Gufa, Kashi Viswanath temple in Uttarkashi and Guptkashi.
Yamunotri
Yamunotri is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and is considered the source of the River Yamuna. The temple is located in Uttarkashi district.
Gangotri
Gangotri is dedicated to Goddess Ganga. It is located in Uttarkashi district and is an important pilgrimage site associated with the River Ganga.
Kedarnath
Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. It is located in Rudraprayag district at a high altitude.
Badrinath
Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located in Chamoli district. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India.
Do Dham Yatra
If you do not have enough time for all four temples, you can also plan a Do Dham Yatra.
The most popular combination is:
Kedarnath Badrinath Do Dham Yatra
This is a good option for travelers who want to visit the two most popular temples but have limited time, so that can be done in 5 Nights and 6 Days from Haridwar to Haridwar with Sightseeing like Panch Prayags, Dhari Devi Temple and more.
Char Dham Yatra 2027 Registration
Registration is an important part of the Char Dham Yatra.
The registration process and rules can change from one year to another, so travellers should check the latest government instructions before starting their journey.
You may need:
- Aadhar Card for Indian Pilgrim/ Passport for Foreign Pilgrim
- Mobile number
- OTP verification
- Travel dates
- Details of the passengers travelling with you
- New Photo of Pilgrim
- Emergency contact details
The registration website is official Registration and Tourist Care website. You can check and do the registration accordingly.
How to Reach Char Dham
By Air
The nearest major airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun.
From the airport, travellers can continue by road towards Haridwar, Rishikesh and other destinations on the Char Dham route.
By Train
Haridwar Railway Station is one of the main railway gateways for Char Dham pilgrims.
Rishikesh is also connected by rail with station code Yog Nagari Rishikesh and is another common starting point.
By Road
Haridwar and Rishikesh are the most common starting points for road-based Char Dham tours.
You can travel by private car, taxi, tempo traveller or organised tour package by Gokeys India.
Char Dham by Road or Helicopter?
There are two main ways to complete the Char Dham Yatra.
By Road
A road-based Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar normally takes around 9 to 10 days, although the duration can vary depending on the itinerary and road conditions.
The road journey is more affordable and gives travellers the chance to see more of the Himalayan landscape.
However, it also involves long road journeys and trekking at some locations.
For Kedarnath, pilgrims can choose from options such as trekking, pony, palki or helicopter services, depending on availability and government rules.
By Helicopter
Helicopter services can save a lot of travel time, generally takes about 4 nights and 5 Days from Dehradun Shashastradhara Helipad.
Helicopter packages are available for Kedarnath, Do Dham, Char Dham and, depending on the operator and season, packages may also cover multiple Char Dham temples.
Helicopter services depend on:
- Weather
- Government and aviation rules
- Passenger weight limits
- Helipad operations
- Availability
If you are travelling by helicopter, it is still a good idea to keep some extra time in your schedule because bad weather can delay flights.
Best Time for Char Dham Yatra 2027
May to June
This is one of the busiest periods of the Char Dham season.
The weather is generally suitable for travel, but hotels, vehicles and helicopter services can be in high demand.
If you are travelling during this period, booking early is recommended.
July to August
This is the monsoon season in Uttarakhand.
Heavy rainfall can cause landslides, road closures and travel delays.
If you plan to travel during these months, keep checking weather and road condition updates.
September to October
This is often a good period for travellers who prefer relatively less crowd compared with the peak season.
The weather can be pleasant during the day, but temperatures at higher altitudes can become very cold, especially later in October.
Tips for Senior Citizens
Senior citizens can complete the Char Dham Yatra, but the journey should be planned carefully.
Some useful tips are:
- Avoid a very tight itinerary.
- Keep enough time for rest.
- Carry regular medicines.
- Carry a basic first-aid kit.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Avoid unnecessary physical strain.
- Consider helicopter services where suitable.
- Choose a comfortable vehicle for long road journeys.
- Check with a doctor before travelling if you have any concerns about high-altitude travel.
What Should You Pack?
The weather in the Himalayas can change quickly, so proper clothing is important.
Carry:
- Government ID
- Yatra registration documents
- Warm clothes
- Thermals
- Windproof jacket
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Raincoat or poncho
- Personal medicines
- Basic first-aid items
- Power bank
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Small backpack
Avoid carrying unnecessary heavy luggage, especially if your itinerary includes trekking.
Final Planning Advice
If you are planning your Char Dham Yatra 2027, it is better to plan early but remain flexible.
The official opening and closing dates are announced closer to the pilgrimage season. Until then, any dates published online should be considered tentative.
Before making your final travel arrangements:
- Check the official temple announcements.
- Check the Uttarakhand government's latest travel advisories.
- Complete the required registration.
- Check road and weather conditions.
- Book hotels and transport according to the confirmed dates.
- Keep some extra time in your itinerary for unexpected delays.
Most importantly, plan a trip with Gokeys India to get the best rates for Char Dham Yatra 2027 and also, we plan all trip accoding to the Confimed opening dates of Yatra.
The Char Dham Yatra is a spiritual journey as well as a mountain journey. Good preparation, flexible planning and regular updates will help make your 2027 pilgrimage safer and more comfortable.
This article will be updated when the official Char Dham Yatra 2027 opening and closing dates are announced.
Last updated: August 2026
