Quick answer: Every yatri going to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath or Badrinath must register with the Uttarakhand government before the trip. Registration is free. You can do it online at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in or on the official Tourist Care Uttarakhand app, or in person at government counters in Haridwar, Rishikesh and nearby points once the season starts. In 2026, online registration opened on 6 March and offline counters opened on 17 April. Each person gets a registration letter with a QR code, which is checked on the route. Dates for 2027 are not announced yet.
Before you book hotels, taxis or a helicopter for the Char Dham Yatra, there is one small but very important job: registration. Without it, you can be stopped at checkpoints, and you cannot book a Kedarnath helicopter ticket at all.
The good news is that the process is simple once you know the steps. This guide explains it in plain language, using what we saw during the 2026 season, so that you and your family are ready for 2027.
Why Char Dham registration is compulsory
The Uttarakhand government asks every pilgrim to register so it knows how many people are on the mountain roads each day. This helps with crowd control, weather warnings, medical help and rescue work if something goes wrong. The official portal states clearly that registration is mandatory, and that it is verified at the shrines.
Think of it as your entry pass for the yatra. It costs nothing, but it carries your name, photo, travel dates and the dhams you plan to visit.
Who needs to register
- Every yatri, including children and senior citizens. Each person needs their own entry.
- Indian citizens and foreign or NRI pilgrims (foreign pilgrims use a separate sign-up option).
- People travelling by road, on foot or by helicopter. The travel mode is chosen inside the form.
- Your vehicle also needs its own permissions from the transport department. Pilgrim registration does not cover the vehicle.
The official portal and app
There are only two official online routes. Please do not use any other website that asks for money to “register” you.
- Website: registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, run by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board.
- Mobile app: Tourist Care Uttarakhand, available on Android and iOS. The portal links to the correct app.
The portal also lists a toll-free tourist helpline, 1364, along with Dehradun office numbers. Some travel websites mention a WhatsApp option as well. If you plan to use it, confirm the number on the official portal first, as these channels can change.
Online registration: step by step
These steps follow the official user guide published on the portal. The screens may look a little different each season, but the flow has stayed much the same.
Step 1: Create your account
- Open the portal and click Login/Register.
- Choose Indian Pilgrim (or Foreign Pilgrim if you hold a foreign passport).
- Enter your full name and a mobile number you will carry on the yatra.
- Pick a user type: Individual, Family or Tour Operator.
- Set a password and sign up. An OTP comes to your mobile (foreign pilgrims get it by email). Enter it to finish.
Step 2: Create your tour
- Go to Registration for Tour and add a new tour.
- Choose the Char Dham or religious tour type.
- Enter the date you will enter Uttarakhand and the date you will leave.
- Enter how many people are travelling.
- For each dham, choose how you will reach it (road, helicopter or walking) and the date you plan to be there.
- Save the tour.
Step 3: Add each pilgrim
Now add every traveller one by one under Manage Pilgrim/Tourist. For each person you will be asked for:
- Full name, age and gender. The name cannot be changed after you submit, so type it exactly as on the ID card.
- Mobile number and email.
- Aadhaar number (for Indian pilgrims) and address details.
- An emergency contact who is not travelling with you.
- Any medical conditions.
- A passport-size photo and an ID proof upload.
- A consent tick box, which is compulsory.
Step 4: Download the registration letter
When all members are added, download the Yatra Registration Letter as a PDF. It carries a QR code. Save it on your phone and also keep a printed copy, because mobile signal is weak in many parts of the route.
Documents you should keep ready
| Item | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar card (Indian citizens) | Asked in the online form; offline counters in 2026 used Aadhaar with biometric checks |
| Passport (foreign and NRI pilgrims) | Accepted ID for those without Aadhaar at offline counters in 2026 |
| One more photo ID (PAN, Voter ID or Passport) | The form accepts these as ID proof uploads |
| Recent passport-size photo (digital) | Uploaded for each pilgrim |
| Working mobile number | OTP, SMS confirmation and contact on the route |
| Emergency contact details | A relative at home, not someone in your group |
| Printed registration letter with QR code | Checked at verification points along the way |
Aadhaar and biometric rules seen in 2026
From the 2025 season, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board added Aadhaar-based authentication and eKYC to online registration, as noted by UIDAI and news reports at the time. The stated aim was to stop duplicate entries and speed up the process.
In 2026, reports from Rishikesh said that Indian pilgrims at offline counters needed an Aadhaar card along with biometric verification and a photograph, while foreign nationals and NRIs could use their passport. Something similar is likely in 2027, but the exact method can change. Please check the portal before you travel, especially if an elderly family member’s Aadhaar is linked to an old mobile number.
Family, group and tour operator registration
According to the official user guide, the type of account decides how many people you can add to one tour:
| Account type | Maximum pilgrims per tour (as per portal guide) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | 6 | One person or a small group of friends |
| Family | 8 | Parents, children and grandparents travelling together |
| Tour Operator | 20 | Registered travel businesses handling group yatras |
A tour operator account asks for the company name, GST number and state at sign-up. The portal also publishes a list of authorised travel agents, which is a good way to check whether the operator you are talking to is genuine.
If your group is larger than the limit, it can be split into more than one tour. Make sure each smaller group still has the right dates and travel modes.
If a tour operator registers for you
When you travel with us, our team handles registration for the whole group using your documents. You will still receive your own letter. Please check that your name, age and dates are correct before the trip, because names cannot be edited later.
Offline registration counters
Offline registration is useful if you could not register online, or if an elderly yatri does not use a smartphone. In 2026, offline counters started on 17 April, two days before the yatra began.
Points listed on the official portal include:
- Haridwar: Rahi Hotel
- Rishikesh: Transit Camp and Gurudwara
- Vikasnagar area: Herbertpur and Nayagaon
In 2026, reports said the Rishikesh transit camp area had around 30 counters working round the clock, plus mobile teams visiting ashrams and dharamshalas where at least 20 pilgrims were staying. News reports also mentioned counters in Dehradun.
Online or offline: which is better?
| Online (portal or app) | Offline counter | |
|---|---|---|
| When available | Weeks before the season (6 March in 2026) | Only from just before the yatra starts (17 April in 2026) |
| Waiting time | None, done from home | Queues are possible in peak weeks |
| Needed for helicopter booking | Yes, you get your number early | Too late for most early helicopter slots |
| Good for | Most families, planned trips | Last-minute yatris, those without a smartphone |
Our advice: register online as early as you can. It gives you peace of mind, and it is the only practical way to get your number in time for helicopter booking.
Checkpoints and darshan tokens
The portal lists registration check points on each route, such as Barkot for Yamunotri, Hina for Gangotri, Sonprayag for Kedarnath and Pandukeshwar for Badrinath. Officials scan your QR code here. Keep the letter handy at all times.
The portal also lists token or slot counters at the dhams. Registration is not the same as a darshan slot, so ask your driver or guide where to collect the token at each temple.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Spelling the name differently from the ID card. This causes trouble at helicopter boarding, where names must match. Names cannot be edited after submission.
- Using one relative’s phone number for everyone. Give each adult their own number where possible, so alerts reach the right person.
- Choosing wrong dates. If plans change, update the tour before you travel instead of turning up on very different days.
- Forgetting the helicopter option. If you want to fly to Kedarnath, select helicopter as the travel mode for that dham.
- Paying a stranger to “register” you. Government registration is free. Anyone charging only for registration is a warning sign.
- Not keeping a printout. Phones die and signal drops in the hills.
- Thinking registration books a hotel. It does not. You still need to arrange stays and transport.
What changes every year
The basic idea stays the same, but these details often change from season to season:
- The date online registration opens (20 March in 2025, 6 March in 2026).
- The date offline counters open and where they are placed.
- How Aadhaar is verified, and whether biometric checks are used online or only at counters.
- Controls on daily pilgrim numbers and darshan time slots, which reports in 2026 said were being managed.
- Temple opening dates, which are announced fresh each year.
- New apps or features. In 2026 the portal also listed a new app called SACHET.
For 2027, we will update this page as soon as the government announces dates. If you are planning early, gather documents now and keep an eye on the official portal.
Plan your Char Dham Yatra with less stress
If you want a calm, organised yatra, see our Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar package, our Kedarnath Yatra, or the Char Dham Yatra by helicopter for elderly yatris who prefer shorter road days.
Frequently asked questions
Is Char Dham registration free?
Yes. Registration on the government portal, app and offline counters was free in 2026. Be careful of anyone asking for a fee only to register you.
When will Char Dham registration for 2027 open?
It has not been announced yet. In 2026, online registration opened on 6 March, about six weeks before the first temples opened. Check the portal from February onwards.
Can I register my whole family in one go?
Yes. Choose the Family account type. As per the portal guide, up to 8 people can be added to one tour, each with their own details and photo.
Do children need registration?
Yes. Every traveller should be added as a separate pilgrim with their own details.
Can I change my travel dates after registering?
The portal has a View/Modify Tour option for tour details. Names cannot be changed. If you face problems, call the helpline 1364.
Is registration enough for a Kedarnath helicopter ticket?
Registration is required first, but it does not book a seat. Helicopter tickets are sold separately and only on the IRCTC HeliYatra website. Our Kedarnath helicopter booking guide explains that process.
What if I do not have Aadhaar?
Foreign nationals and NRIs used a passport in 2026. Indian citizens should check the latest rules on the portal, as Aadhaar was asked for in the 2026 online form and at offline counters.
Let us handle the paperwork
Registration, hotels, taxis and helicopter planning can feel like a lot, especially for elderly parents. Our Dehradun team can register your group, check every name and date, and plan a comfortable route. Call us on our office phone, message us on WhatsApp at WhatsApp, or fill in the enquiry form, and we will call you back.
Last checked: October 2026 — rules change every season. Always confirm on registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in before you travel.
Sources
- Uttarakhand Tourism: Registration and Tourist Care portal
- Tourist Safety Management System user guide (official PDF)
- News Arena: Online registrations for Chardham Yatra begin (6 March 2026)
- News On AIR: Offline registration for Char Dham Yatra begins (18 April 2026)
- The Review Area: 30 offline registration counters at Rishikesh (17 April 2026)
- UIDAI: Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib Yatra 2025 Aadhaar authentication
- Outlook Traveller: Char Dham Yatra 2026 new rules
[…] Registration: compulsory and free for every yatri. See our Char Dham registration guide. […]