Char Dham 2026 dates
| Shrine | Opened 2026 | Closes 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Yamunotri | 19 April | 11 November |
| Gangotri | 19 April | 10 November |
| Kedarnath | 22 April | 11 November |
| Badrinath | 23 April | 13 November |
Closing dates are tentative. They are announced by the temple committees and can shift with weather and ritual decisions. Confirm before booking travel around the final week of the season.
Why the dates move every year
The shrines follow the Hindu calendar, not the Gregorian one. Yamunotri and Gangotri open on Akshaya Tritiya; the Kedarnath and Badrinath opening dates are declared separately, usually announced on Maha Shivratri and Basant Panchami respectively. Closing falls around Diwali — Yamunotri and Kedarnath on Bhai Dooj, Gangotri on Annakut, Badrinath a couple of days later.
That is why a date you read for one year tells you nothing about the next, and why any itinerary quoting fixed dates far in advance is guessing.
Which months are actually comfortable
May to June, and September to October. These are the windows our itineraries are built around. The monsoon months in between bring landslides and road closures across the Garhwal ranges, and while the shrines stay open, travel becomes unpredictable and sightseeing is frequently lost to weather.
Late in the season the high shrines get genuinely cold. Accommodation at Kedarnath top is basic, and night temperatures there can drop below zero in September and October — worth weighing if you are travelling with elderly family.
What a closing date means for your booking
Our rates are valid until temple closing. Package prices may not apply during peak season, festive periods, long weekends and special event dates, so share your travel dates and the team will confirm the applicable rate before you book.
No refund is given for sightseeing or services missed because of weather, natural calamity, road closure or political disturbance. Where a third-party service such as a helicopter, pony, palki or ropeway is delayed or cancelled, any additional stay or transport is chargeable.
Planning around the season
If you are travelling in the shoulder weeks, build in slack. Every one of our Chardham and Do Dham programmes keeps a buffer night in the Guptkashi or Sitapur sector below Kedarnath precisely so that a weather day does not collapse the rest of the itinerary.
For the full circuit see the Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar (9N/10D, from ₹26,900) or the ex-Delhi version (11N/12D, from ₹32,300). If the season is closing sooner than your leave allows, the Do Dham Yatra covers Kedarnath and Badrinath in 6 days.
Frequently asked questions
When do the Char Dham temples close in 2026?
Gangotri on 10 November, Yamunotri and Kedarnath on 11 November, and Badrinath on 13 November. All closing dates are tentative — they are announced by the temple committees and can shift with weather and ritual decisions, so confirm before booking travel around the final week of the season.
When did the Char Dham temples open in 2026?
Yamunotri and Gangotri on 19 April, Kedarnath on 22 April and Badrinath on 23 April.
Why do the Char Dham dates change every year?
The shrines follow the Hindu calendar, not the Gregorian one. Yamunotri and Gangotri open on Akshaya Tritiya, while the Kedarnath and Badrinath opening dates are declared separately, usually announced on Maha Shivratri and Basant Panchami. Closing falls around Diwali. A date you read for one year tells you nothing about the next.
What is the best month for Char Dham Yatra?
May to June, and September to October. The monsoon months in between bring landslides and road closures across the Garhwal ranges, and while the shrines stay open, travel becomes unpredictable and sightseeing is frequently lost to weather.
How cold does it get at Kedarnath late in the season?
Night temperatures at Kedarnath top can drop below zero in September and October, and accommodation there is basic. It is worth weighing if you are travelling with elderly family.
Are package rates the same throughout the season?
No. Rates are valid until temple closing, but package prices may not apply during peak season, festive periods, long weekends and special event dates. Share your travel dates and the team will confirm the applicable rate before you book.
What happens if weather closes a road during the yatra?
No refund is given for sightseeing or services missed because of weather, natural calamity, road closure or political disturbance. Where a third-party service such as a helicopter, pony, palki or ropeway is delayed or cancelled, any additional stay or transport is chargeable.
Do the itineraries allow for a weather day?
Yes. Every Chardham and Do Dham programme keeps a buffer night in the Guptkashi or Sitapur sector below Kedarnath, so a weather day does not collapse the rest of the itinerary. Build in extra slack if you are travelling in the shoulder weeks.
