How difficult is the Char Dham Yatra? When is Char Dham Yatra Less Crowded?
The Char Dham Yatra is an important Hindu pilgrimage to four holy temples located in the lofty Garhwal Himalayas – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. While extremely spiritually rewarding, undertaking the Char Dham Yatra also comes with many physical challenges due to the rugged mountainous terrain. Altitude and Terrain The four temples of the Char Dham Yatra are situated at high altitudes ranging from 3,133 meters at Gangotri to 3,583 meters at Kedarnath. The thin air means less oxygen, making even simple tasks like walking exhausting. Trekkers can face shortness of breath, headaches, nausea, and other symptoms of high altitude sickness. Acclimatizing properly is key before attempting the trek. The trekking routes themselves are steep, rocky, and slippery in parts. The Yamunotri route has a 5-kilometer uphill climb, gaining over 1800 meters of elevation. Kedarnath involves a 15-kilometer uphill trek. Unaccustomed bones and muscles are sure to ache on these steep Himalayan ...