Char Dham Yatra covers Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath — all opening in late April/May and closing by October/November. May and September are the sweet spots when all four shrines are open, weather is clear, and roads are safe. Avoid mid-June to mid-August when monsoon makes mountain roads dangerous.
September
Complete Calendar
Month-by-Month Guide
| Month | Status | Weather | Crowds | Price | Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Closed | All 4 dhams closed · Heavy snow · Roads blocked | No pilgrims | N/A | — | All four shrines closed for winter. Do not plan yatra. |
| February | Closed | All 4 dhams closed · Extreme cold · Deep snowfall | No pilgrims | N/A | — | All shrines closed. Roads buried. Not accessible. |
| March | Closed | All 4 dhams closed · Snow clearing starts · Cold | No pilgrims | N/A | — | Still closed. Road crews begin clearing Char Dham highways. |
| April | Limited | 8°C–18°C · Yamunotri & Gangotri open late April · Cold | Very low — only early openers | Low pricing | ⭐⭐ | Yamunotri and Gangotri typically open on Akshaya Tritiya. Kedarnath and Badrinath open a day or two later. Auspicious but cold. |
| May | Open | 10°C–20°C · All 4 dhams open · Clear skies · Some rain | Very High — peak opening rush | Peak pricing — book 3 months early | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | All 4 dhams open and auspicious. Great weather but extreme crowds. Book very early. |
| June | Limited | 13°C–22°C · Monsoon begins mid-June · Landslide risk | High early, drops sharply mid-month | Standard pricing | ⭐⭐ | First 2 weeks fine. After June 15 — dangerous. Landslides frequently cut off all four dhams. |
| July | Limited | 12°C–18°C · Heavy rain · Roads unstable | Low | Low pricing | ⭐ | Avoid. Monsoon peak — all Char Dham highways prone to closures. Very high risk. |
| August | Limited | 12°C–18°C · Rain easing late month · Improving roads | Low | Low pricing | ⭐ | Avoid early August. Last week manageable but still risky. Wait for September. |
| September | Open | 8°C–18°C · Post-monsoon clarity · Best views of season | Medium — ideal level | Standard pricing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Best month for Char Dham — clear mountain views, open roads, comfortable weather, moderate crowds. |
| October | Open | 4°C–14°C · Cold but crystal clear · Autumn colours | Medium-High — festive season | Peak pricing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent — all dhams open, stunning clarity. Shrines close progressively Oct–Nov. Book early. |
| November | Limited | –2°C–8°C · Dhams closing · Snow risk | Very low | Low pricing | ⭐ | Dhams close progressively (Gangotri on Diwali, Kedarnath Bhai Dooj, Badrinath Vijaya Ekadashi). Only for closing ceremonies. |
| December | Closed | All 4 dhams closed · Heavy snowfall · Roads blocked | No pilgrims | N/A | — | All four shrines closed. Do not plan yatra. |
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
May and September are the best months. May has great weather and the auspiciousness of a fresh opening. September has post-monsoon clarity, fewer crowds than May, and clear mountain views. Both offer all 4 shrines open simultaneously.
A comfortable Char Dham Yatra requires 9–12 days. Budget packages do it in 9 nights/10 days but 11–12 days allows buffer for road delays, acclimatisation, and unhurried darshan at each shrine.
Monsoon (June 15–August 15) significantly increases risk. Landslides, road closures, and flash floods are frequent on all four Char Dham highways. If you must travel, stick to early June or late August and constantly monitor BRO/SDRF road bulletins.
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