Detailed Itinerary —
Do Dham (Badrinath - Kedarnath).

Depart Haridwar by 5:00 AM. The drive follows the Alaknanda and then the Mandakini river valley from Rudraprayag. Guptkashi (1,319 m) is the preferred overnight base for Kedarnath — well-connected, good guesthouses, and at a sensible altitude for acclimatization before the high-altitude trek the next day. Phata and Sitapur are alternative bases if Guptkashi accommodation is full during peak season.

Drive 30 km to Sonprayag, then shared government jeep to Gaurikund (2,674 m) — private vehicles are not permitted beyond Sonprayag. Trek 16 km uphill from Gaurikund to Kedarnath (3,583 m). The trail climbs steadily with the hardest section in the last 4 km. Pony and doli available from Gaurikund. Helicopter available from Phata, Sirsi, or Guptkashi helipads (15 min flight). Arrive Kedarnath by mid-afternoon; attend evening darshan. Overnight in tented camps or guesthouses at Kedarnath — carry warm layers, temperatures drop to 0–4°C.

Wake up at 4:00 AM for the morning abhishek darshan — the most sacred and intimate time at the temple with far smaller queues. Visit Bhairavnath Temple on the hilltop above Kedarnath before descending. Descent is 16 km to Gaurikund — easier on the legs but hard on the knees. Helicopter descent available subject to weather and availability. Return to Guptkashi for overnight rest before the long drive to Badrinath.

Depart by 5:00 AM. The drive passes through the Alaknanda valley, crossing Karnaprayag and Nandprayag confluences. Joshimath (1,875 m) is 45 km short of Badrinath — a good lunch stop and natural acclimatization point. Arrive Badrinath (3,133 m) by early afternoon. Attend evening Aarti at the temple (8:30 PM) — unmissable for first-time visitors.

Rise early for Mahabhishek darshan at 4:30 AM (pre-booking via BKTC portal required). Ritual dip in Tapt Kund hot spring before entering the temple. After darshan, visit Brahma Kapal ghat for Pitru Tarpan (ancestor rites). Mana village is 3 km from the temple — last inhabited village before the Tibet border. Explore Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, and the origin of the Saraswati river. Vasudhara Falls (5 km beyond Mana) is optional for fit pilgrims.

Depart by 5:00 AM for the longest return drive. Stop at Devprayag — the sacred confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi forming the Ganga — for a short darshan. Arrive Haridwar by evening; attend Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri to close the yatra on an auspicious note.