Quick answer: The best time for the Char Dham Yatra is mid-May to June and mid-September to October. The four temples open in late April or early May and close around Diwali in November. May and June have stable weather but the biggest crowds. September and October bring clear views and fewer people, with colder nights. July and August are monsoon months, when landslides often block roads, so families with elderly members should avoid them.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
Choosing the month is the single biggest decision in planning a Char Dham Yatra. It decides how crowded the darshan lines are, how cold the nights feel, whether helicopter seats are available, and how likely you are to be held up by a landslide. Below, we go month by month, using the 2026 season as a guide for 2027.
When do the Char Dham temples open and close?
The four dhams are open for about six months. Each date is fixed by the priests from the panchang and announced in spring, so the season shifts by a few weeks every year.
| Dham | 2026 opening | 2026 closing | How the date is set |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamunotri | 19 April 2026 | 11 November 2026 (Bhai Dooj) | Traditionally opens on Akshaya Tritiya |
| Gangotri | 19 April 2026 | 10 November 2026 (Annakut), 12:05 pm | Traditionally opens on Akshaya Tritiya |
| Kedarnath | 22 April 2026 | 11 November 2026 (Bhai Dooj), 8:30 am | Announced on Mahashivratri at Ukhimath |
| Badrinath | 23 April 2026 | 16 November 2026, 9:37 pm | Announced on Basant Panchami; closing fixed on Vijayadashami |
2027 dates are not yet announced. Expect Badrinath’s date around Basant Panchami (January–February) and Kedarnath’s on Mahashivratri (February–March). Yamunotri and Gangotri follow Akshaya Tritiya.
Char Dham weather month by month
| Month | Temples | Weather | Crowds | Our view |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January–March | Closed (winter seats open) | Heavy snow at the dhams | Very low | Winter seat darshan only |
| Late April | Opening weeks | Cold; snow banks on upper paths | Very high around opening days | Fine for the fit; cold for elders |
| May | Open | Mild days, cold nights, mostly clear | Very high | Good weather, book early |
| June | Open | Warm in valleys; pre-monsoon showers late in the month | High; school holidays | Good until about 20 June |
| July | Open | Monsoon rain, landslides | Low | Avoid with elderly |
| August | Open | Heaviest rain, frequent road blocks | Low | Avoid with elderly |
| September | Open | Rain eases in the second half; green valleys | Moderate, rising | Very good from mid-month |
| October | Open | Clear skies, crisp mornings, cold nights | Moderate; rises around festivals | One of the best months |
| Early November | Closing around Diwali | Very cold, first snow possible | Moderate; rush on closing days | Only with warm gear and flexible plans |
| December | Closed | Snow | – | Winter seat darshan only |
April and May: the opening rush
The first two or three weeks after the kapat open are the most crowded of the year. Many devotees want to be present for the opening puja, and summer holidays begin soon after. In late April there can still be snow along the upper Kedarnath and Yamunotri paths, and nights at the dhams are below freezing.
May is the classic Char Dham month: long days, mostly clear skies, comfortable walking weather. The cost is the crowd. Registration slots, hotels at Guptkashi and Barkot, and Kedarnath helicopter seats fill fast. If May is your only option, book stays early, travel midweek if you can, and keep a buffer day.
June: good weather, then the monsoon arrives
The first half of June is usually pleasant, with warm valleys and cool shrines. School holidays keep numbers high. The monsoon normally reaches Uttarakhand in the second half of June. In 2026 the Kedarnath helicopter’s first phase ended in mid-June and services were paused for the monsoon. If you travel in June, aim to finish your yatra by about the 20th.
July and August: monsoon months
This is the season of landslides, swollen rivers and closed roads. The yatra does not stop, and the temples stay open, but delays of hours or days are common on the Rishikesh–Badrinath highway, the Yamunotri road and the Sonprayag–Gaurikund stretch. On 22 July 2026, for example, a landslide near Chhodi, just beyond Gaurikund, stopped movement on the Kedarnath path until it was cleared.
Fewer people means shorter queues and easier rooms, and the valleys are beautiful. But we do not recommend these months for senior citizens, families with small children, or anyone with a fixed return date. If you must travel, keep two buffer days and follow the district administration’s weather advisories.
September: the second season begins
Rain usually tapers off by mid-September. Roads are repaired, the hills are green, and views start to clear. Crowds are far smaller than in May. The first half can still see heavy spells, so the second half is safer for planning.
October: clear skies and calmer darshan
For many families, October is the best month of all. The air is clean, snow peaks are sharp against blue skies, and darshan lines are shorter than in summer. Days are pleasant; nights at Kedarnath and Badrinath drop close to or below freezing, so warm clothes are essential. In 2026 the Kedarnath helicopter’s second booking phase covered flights from 16 October to early November, and seats sold out within hours of opening.
Festival weekends around Dussehra and the run-up to Diwali bring a second rush, so check the calendar before picking dates.
November: closing ceremonies
Gangotri closes on Annakut, the day after Diwali, and Kedarnath and Yamunotri on Bhai Dooj. Badrinath closes a few days later after five days of panch puja. Being present for a closing ceremony is special, but it is very cold, the first snow can come early, and some hotels shut before the temples do. Go only with warm gear and flexible plans.
December to March: winter seat darshan
When the dhams close, the deities are carried down to their winter seats, where daily puja continues. Many devotees now visit these during the winter months.
| Dham | Winter seat |
|---|---|
| Yamunotri | Kharsali village |
| Gangotri | Mukhba village |
| Kedarnath | Omkareshwar temple, Ukhimath |
| Badrinath | Narsimha temple, Jyotirmath (Joshimath), with Uddhav ji and Kuber ji at Pandukeshwar |
Season notes for each dham
The four dhams do not behave the same way through the season, so it helps to know where the weak points are.
- Yamunotri: the 5 to 6 km walk from Janki Chatti is narrow and gets very congested in May and June, with ponies and palkis sharing the path. The Barkot–Janki Chatti road is also one of the first to be cut by monsoon slides. Early morning starts help in every month.
- Gangotri: reached by road via Uttarkashi and Harsil. The road is long but the temple itself needs almost no walking, which makes it the gentlest dham for elders. Slides near Gangnani and beyond can hold traffic in the rains.
- Kedarnath: the most weather-sensitive dham, because of the 16 km walk and the helicopter dependence. Snow on the upper path in the opening weeks, landslides in July and August, and freezing nights in late October all matter here more than anywhere else.
- Badrinath: the road goes almost to the temple, so it is the easiest to reach once you are there. The weak point is the highway beyond Joshimath, which is prone to slides; leave early in the day and keep a buffer in the monsoon.
Does the month change the cost of the yatra?
Hotel and vehicle demand is highest in May, June and festival weeks in October, so rooms near Guptkashi, Barkot and Badrinath fill first and options narrow. In quieter weeks there is more choice of rooms. Registration is free in every month, and helicopter fares are set by the authority for the season rather than by the month. Our package prices are shown on each package page and confirmed for your dates when you enquire.
Which month suits your family?
- Senior citizens: mid-May to mid-June, or mid-September to mid-October. Avoid monsoon and the very cold closing weeks.
- Families with school-going children: late May to mid-June is practical; book early.
- Working professionals with limited leave: October, or a helicopter yatra in May or October.
- Those who want fewer crowds: the second half of September and the first half of October.
- Kedarnath trekkers: late May, June or late September to October, when the path is clear of snow and rain.
Booking timeline for 2027
- January–March 2027: watch for the official opening dates. Decide your month and the type of yatra.
- As soon as registration opens: register every family member on the official portal. In 2026, online registration opened on 6 March.
- Helicopter (if needed): create your IRCTC HeliYatra account early and watch for the phase-wise booking notice.
- Four to six weeks before travel: medical check-up for elders, start walking practice, buy warm and rain gear.
Our Char Dham registration guide explains the portal step by step.
What we arrange
We run the Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar (11 days) and the Char Dham Yatra from Delhi (12 days) through the season, and the Char Dham Yatra by Helicopter from Dehradun (6 days) for families short on time. In the monsoon months we advise on whether your dates are sensible and build in a buffer day where needed. See all Char Dham yatras, or read in Hindi on our चार धाम यात्रा page. For a month that suits your family, use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best month for Char Dham Yatra?
Mid-May to mid-June and mid-September to mid-October are the best windows. May and June have stable weather but heavy crowds; late September and October have clear skies and fewer people but colder nights. Avoid July and August if you are travelling with elderly parents or small children, because monsoon landslides cause long delays.
When will Char Dham Yatra 2027 start?
The 2027 dates have not been announced yet. Traditionally Yamunotri and Gangotri open on Akshaya Tritiya, Kedarnath’s date is announced on Mahashivratri, and Badrinath’s on Basant Panchami. In 2026 the yatra began on 19 April with Yamunotri and Gangotri, and Kedarnath and Badrinath opened on 22 and 23 April.
Is it safe to do Char Dham Yatra in July or August?
The temples stay open, but these are the heaviest monsoon months, when landslides regularly close roads and footpaths for hours or days. It can be done by fit travellers with flexible dates and buffer days, following official advisories. We do not recommend it for senior citizens or for anyone with fixed return tickets.
Is October a good time for Char Dham?
Yes, it is one of the best months. Rain has usually ended, the mountain views are clear and crowds are smaller than in May and June. Nights at Kedarnath and Badrinath can drop close to freezing, so carry proper winter clothing. Book helicopter seats the moment the second phase opens, as they sell out fast.
Can we visit Char Dham in winter?
The four high temples are closed from about November to April because of snow. During winter, daily puja continues at the winter seats: Kharsali for Yamunotri, Mukhba for Gangotri, Ukhimath for Kedarnath, and Jyotirmath and Pandukeshwar for Badrinath. These can be visited by road in winter, weather permitting.
How cold is it at Kedarnath and Badrinath in May?
Days are usually mild and sunny, but nights are cold, often near freezing at Kedarnath, and there may be old snow along the upper path in early May. A warm jacket, thermal inner wear, woollen cap and gloves are needed even in summer.
When is the Char Dham season least crowded?
The second half of September and the first half of October, apart from festival weekends. The monsoon months of July and August are also quiet, but road disruptions make them unsuitable for most families.