Char Dham Yatra Accommodation: Stay Planning Guide

The Char Dham Yatra covers Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath in the Garhwal Himalayas. Stays along the route are limited, so planning where you sleep each night matters as much as the darshan itself. This guide covers registration, permits, stays and what to confirm before you travel.

Before anything else, note that the Uttarakhand government makes online yatra registration mandatory for the Char Dham Yatra. We are a small independent directory, not a booking platform, and we take no payments.

Do I need to register for the Char Dham Yatra?

Yes. The Uttarakhand government makes online yatra registration mandatory, so Char Dham registration is not optional, and the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee repeats that pilgrims must complete it on the government portal.

Register at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, which also has an official app. The Uttarakhand helplines for the yatra are 1364 and 0135-3520100 if you need help.

Complete yatra registration and the vehicle Green Card before you travel. The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee states that pilgrims must register on the government portal, and a verbal promise from any agent is not a substitute.

Do I need a Green Card for the Char Dham Yatra?

Vehicles need a Green Card and a Trip Card from the Uttarakhand government, issued through greencard.uk.gov.in. This applies to the vehicles used on the route, so arrange it with your driver or taxi operator before the trip.

Keep a printout or a screenshot of your registration and permit with you, because officials may check the documents on the way.

Where do I stay on the Char Dham Yatra?

Each dham has its own halt town, and a Char Dham Yatra stay ranges from simple dharamshalas and guest houses to plain hotels. Badrinath has the widest choice of the four, while the higher and smaller stops offer the simplest rooms.

Our directory lists 1,885 stays across 90 towns, including Badrinath and the towns along the route. We own no property and take no bookings, so you contact each place directly.

• Dharamshalas and guest houses near the temples
• Hotels in the larger halt towns
• Simple rooms at the higher stops
• Very limited choice at Yamunotri and near Kedarnath

How do I book a Kedarnath stay?

Kedarnath accommodation sits at the top of the walking route, and rooms are simple and limited. Book early in the season, and ask the property how far it is from the temple, since the climb is steep.

Expect basic rooms and shared facilities at many places near Kedarnath. Confirm whether hot water and food are available, because supplies in the hills can be limited.

• Book well before the peak weeks
• Ask the exact distance from the temple
• Confirm hot water and food
• Travel light, as the walk is steep

How do I book Kedarnath helicopter tickets?

Kedarnath helicopter tickets are sold only through IRCTC at heliyatra.irctc.co.in. Do not buy helicopter tickets from any other site or agent, because IRCTC is the official channel.

Book the helicopter well ahead if you depend on it, and keep a printed confirmation. If the weather grounds the flight, you may need a day in hand as a backup.

How do I book Char Dham Yatra accommodation?

1. Complete yatra registration on the government portal
2. Arrange the Green Card and Trip Card for your vehicle
3. Shortlist a stay in each halt town for each night
4. Call each property for the tariff and confirm what it includes
5. Keep every confirmation and permit with you on the route

Our directory lists 1,370 stays with the phone number visible after a free sign-in, and a no-login enquiry form that reaches the property without showing the number.

What should I confirm before paying?

• The tariff for your exact dates
• Whether the bathroom is attached and hot water is available
• Whether food is available nearby
• The distance from the temple
• Late check-in, if you expect to arrive after dark

Get the tariff and the dates confirmed in writing where you can. In the hills, some places take bookings only by phone in the season, so a written record matters.

How do I avoid the common Char Dham mistakes?

The most common mistakes are skipping registration, buying helicopter tickets from an unofficial seller, and leaving the halt-town rooms to the last minute. The season is short and the peak weeks fill fast.

• Do not travel without yatra registration
• Do not buy Kedarnath helicopter tickets outside IRCTC
• Do not leave the halt-town bookings late
• Keep a spare day, as hill roads can close after heavy rain

Carry cash, because card machines can fail where the network is weak. Share your route and your stay details with a family member before you set out.

How should I pack and plan the route?

Pack for cold mornings even in summer, and for rain in the monsoon weeks. Our free packing list at /tools/packing-list/ covers each season, and you can shape the full route with the yatra planner at /plan.