When to go
The yatra opens around Akshaya Tritiya in late April or May and closes after Diwali. May to June and mid-September to October are the best windows. July and August bring monsoon landslides that can hold you up for a day or more.
Route from Jaipur
Drive Jaipur to Haridwar on day one (about 490 km). From Haridwar the classic clockwise circuit is Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, then back to Haridwar. Plan 10 to 12 days door to door.
- Jaipur to Haridwar: 9 hours
- Haridwar to Barkot: 7 hours
- Uttarkashi to Guptkashi: 8 to 9 hours
- Badrinath to Haridwar: 2 days with a Rudraprayag halt
Registration
Every pilgrim must register on the Uttarakhand tourism portal and carry the QR slip. Checks happen at Haridwar, Rishikesh and the dham approaches. We help with registration before departure.
Which cab to choose
An Innova Crysta suits families of up to six on hill roads. Groups of 9 or more are better off in a tempo traveller. Ask for a driver with yatra experience, as they know where to stop for the night and when to start to beat traffic.
Packing list
- Warm layers and a rain jacket, even in June
- Comfortable trekking shoes
- Basic medicines and any prescriptions
- ID proof and registration printout
- Some cash, as ATMs are scarce above Guptkashi
Tips for elders
Book ponies, palkis or helicopter tickets for Kedarnath and Yamunotri in advance. Build one rest day into the plan.
