Yamunotri and Gangotri open April 19. Kedarnath opens April 22. Badrinath opens April 23. The 2026 season is here and anyone planning May travel needs to move on bookings now.
The standard 12-day itinerary from Delhi runs like this:
Day 1 Delhi to Haridwar,
Day 2 to Barkot for Yamunotri,
Day 3 Uttarkashi for Gangotri,
Day 4 to Guptkashi,
Day 5 Kedarnath trek and darshan,
Day 6 rest or return to Guptkashi,
Day 7 Joshimath,
Day 8 Badrinath darshan,
Day 9 and 10 return through Rishikesh back to Delhi.
It is a full trip but the pace is comfortable if you do not rush the rest days.
April-end is the most underrated window. Dhams are freshly opened, weather is clear, and the May crowd has not arrived yet. Temperatures at Kedarnath and Badrinath are cold so carry thermals regardless of how warm Delhi feels.
For groups of 8 or more, Delhi
to chardham by tempo traveller is the definitive choice. You control your stops, your pace, and your rest breaks things that matter enormously on a pilgrimage covering over 2,200 kilometres through mountain roads.