Quick answer: From Mumbai, the easiest way to do the Char Dham Yatra is to fly direct to Dehradun (about 2.5 hours), drive an hour to Haridwar and join an 11-day road yatra, which makes about 12 to 13 days door to door. By train, the daily Bandra Terminus–Haridwar Express takes about 32 hours each way, so allow around 15 days. The best months for Mumbai families are late May–June and after Ganeshotsav in September–October.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
Mumbai is about 1,600 km from Haridwar by rail, and the dhams lie another two or three days beyond that into the Garhwal hills. Many Mumbai families do this yatra with parents in their sixties or seventies, or as a group from their housing society or mandal. The single biggest choice is how to cover the distance to Uttarakhand, because it decides how many days of leave you need and how tired you are on the first mountain day.
Mumbai to the Char Dham: your three main options
| Option | Mumbai to start point | Yatra | Total days, door to door |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fly to Dehradun, join at Haridwar | Direct flight, about 2.5 hours, then about 1 hour by road | 11 days from Haridwar | About 12 to 13 |
| Train to Haridwar | 19019 Bandra Terminus–Haridwar Express, about 32 hours | 11 days from Haridwar | About 15 |
| Rajdhani to Delhi, join at Delhi | 12951 Mumbai Central–New Delhi Tejas Rajdhani, about 15.5 hours overnight | 12 days from Delhi | About 14 |
| Fly to Dehradun, helicopter yatra | Direct flight, about 2.5 hours | 6 days from Dehradun | About 7 |
Flight durations are rounded and airline schedules shift every season; verify train timings on IRCTC before booking.
Flying from Mumbai to Dehradun
Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and SpiceJet have all operated direct flights between Mumbai and Dehradun’s Jolly Grant airport, and IndiGo also lists Navi Mumbai as a Dehradun route. For most Mumbai families this is the best choice: you leave home in the morning and can be at Har Ki Pauri for the evening aarti.
- Pick a flight that lands by early afternoon on Day 1. Haridwar is about 35 to 40 km from the airport, roughly an hour by road. A late landing is fine, but you lose the first evening.
- Book the return for the day after the yatra ends, or for late evening at the earliest. Landslides on the descent can delay the last day by several hours.
- Keep medicines and a warm layer in cabin baggage. Checked bags are sometimes delayed, and you will need both on Day 2.
Going by train: the Bandra Terminus–Haridwar Express
The 19019 Bandra Terminus–Haridwar Express is the only direct daily train from Mumbai to Haridwar. It leaves Bandra Terminus just after midnight and reaches Haridwar early in the morning after about 32 hours, running via Vadodara and Hazrat Nizamuddin. It is the old Dehradun Express, one of the oldest trains on this corridor, and it is a slow but reliable option for families who prefer rail.
Some practical points for this journey:
- Railway reservations open 60 days ahead. For May, June and October travel, book on the first day if you can.
- Book lower berths for seniors and carry enough water and dry food for two meals, as pantry options vary.
- Plan to rest a full day in Haridwar before the drive to Barkot. After 32 hours on a train, the 7 to 8 hour mountain drive on Day 2 is hard without a night’s sleep in a bed.
The faster rail alternative is the Tejas Rajdhani from Mumbai Central to New Delhi, an overnight journey of about 15.5 hours. You can then begin our Delhi departure the next morning.
When should Mumbai families go?
Mumbai’s own calendar shapes the best window more than most cities:
- May and early June: school holidays and pleasant mountain weather, but the most crowded weeks. Book stays and any helicopter early.
- Late June to mid-September: the monsoon hits both Mumbai and Uttarakhand. Landslides are common on the Badrinath and Yamunotri roads. We do not recommend these months for seniors.
- After Ganeshotsav: with Ganesh Chaturthi on 4 September 2027, many Mumbai households set out once visarjan is done, in late September or October, when the rains have stopped on both ends of the journey.
- Before Diwali: Diwali is on 29 October 2027, and the dhams usually close around Bhai Dooj. Finish by about the third week of October to avoid the closing rush.
For 2027, watch two days: Basant Panchami on 11 February, when Badrinath’s opening is fixed, and Mahashivratri on 6 March, when Kedarnath’s is announced. Until then, any “confirmed” 2027 date you see online is a guess. Our best time for Char Dham guide explains what each month is like.
Mumbai to the mountains: what to expect
The cold surprises everyone. Mumbai never really gets cold, so most families do not own proper winter clothing. Even in May, nights at Kedarnath are around freezing and mornings at Badrinath are sharp. Buy thermals, a padded jacket, a woollen cap, gloves and good walking shoes before you leave, or in Haridwar. Our packing list has everything in one place.
Food is simple and vegetarian. Expect dal, rice, roti and seasonal sabzi in the hills. Families who are used to Maharashtrian flavours often carry chivda, chikki, ladoos and their own masala sachets. If anyone keeps Ekadashi or another fast, carry sabudana or your usual fasting snacks, as these are hard to find beyond Rishikesh.
Altitude, not distance, is the real challenge. Mumbai is at sea level and Kedarnath is about 3,583 metres. Walk 30 to 45 minutes daily for a month before the yatra, take the Kedarnath climb slowly, and see a doctor beforehand if anyone has heart, lung, blood pressure or sugar problems. Our senior citizen guide has more detail.
Group travel. Society, office and mandal groups of 10 to 20 people are common from Mumbai. On our yatras the vehicle is chosen by group size, from a sedan to a Tempo Traveller, so a group can travel together. Agree on one person to coordinate with us and collect everyone’s ID for registration.
Costs for a Mumbai family
For a Mumbai family flying in, the package to look at is our Haridwar departure: from ₹50,000 per person, 11 days, with hotels, two vegetarian meals a day, your own vehicle, permits and registration taken care of. What sits outside it is your airfare or train fare, plus the on-route costs every yatri pays: lunch, pony or palki, the Gaurikund shuttle jeep, Kedarnath helicopter if wanted, puja, insurance and GST. Rajdhani travellers can use our Delhi departure, same starting price, 12 days.
Every yatri must hold the Uttarakhand government’s yatra registration; it costs nothing and we help you complete it. If you want a Kedarnath helicopter seat, IRCTC HeliYatra will ask for the registration number, so that comes first. See the registration guide and helicopter booking guide.
How we can help
We plan Mumbai families’ yatras around your flight or train, so that the first night is restful and the last day leaves room for delays. Most choose our 11-day road yatra from Haridwar; families short on leave or travelling with frail parents often prefer the 6-day Char Dham by helicopter from Dehradun. Compare all Char Dham yatras, or read Do Dham vs Char Dham if a week is all you have. To plan your dates, use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need for the Char Dham Yatra from Mumbai?
Plan about 12 to 13 days if you fly from Mumbai to Dehradun and join an 11-day road yatra at Haridwar. By train, the Bandra Terminus–Haridwar Express takes about 32 hours each way, so allow around 15 days. A helicopter Char Dham from Dehradun cuts the total to about a week, including flights.
Is there a direct flight from Mumbai to Dehradun?
Yes. Direct flights between Mumbai and Dehradun’s Jolly Grant airport have been operated by Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and SpiceJet, and IndiGo also lists Navi Mumbai. The flight is roughly two and a half hours. Haridwar is about an hour by road from the airport, and Rishikesh about 20 km. Check current schedules before booking.
Is there a direct train from Mumbai to Haridwar?
Yes, the daily 19019 Bandra Terminus–Haridwar Express. It takes about 32 hours, leaving Bandra Terminus just after midnight and reaching Haridwar in the early morning. The faster option is the overnight Tejas Rajdhani to New Delhi, about 15.5 hours, followed by a Delhi start. Reservations open 60 days before travel.
Which months are best for a Mumbai family?
Late May to mid-June and mid-September to October. Many Mumbai families go after Ganeshotsav, which begins on 4 September 2027, when the monsoon has eased in both Mumbai and the mountains. Avoid July and August. Finish by about the third week of October, as Diwali is on 29 October 2027 and the dhams close soon after.
We are a group of 15 from our society. Can you arrange the yatra?
Usually, yes; share your dates and group size for a quote. Our road yatras use a vehicle sized to the group, from sedans and SUVs to a Tempo Traveller, and rooms are on twin or triple sharing. For a group, name one coordinator, share everyone’s photo ID for registration early, and tell us about seniors and anyone who will need a pony or palki at Kedarnath.
Do your packages include flights or train tickets from Mumbai?
No. Our road Char Dham packages begin at Haridwar or Delhi and the helicopter Char Dham at Dehradun, and travel from Mumbai is booked by you. We will tell you the latest sensible arrival time on Day 1 and the earliest safe return time, and fix the Day 1 pickup point in Haridwar with you; ask us whether a pickup from Jolly Grant airport is possible for your group.
What warm clothes should Mumbai yatris carry?
Carry thermal inners, a padded or down jacket, a fleece or sweater, a woollen cap, gloves, warm socks, a raincoat and walking shoes with good grip. Nights at Kedarnath are near freezing even in May. If you do not own winter clothes, buy them in Mumbai before you leave or in Haridwar on Day 1.