Char Dham Yatra 2026 Registration: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

By the team at Economic Tours & Travels — a Jaipur-based pilgrimage tour operator with 10+ years of experience organising Char Dham packages from North India. Information verified against the official Uttarakhand government portal registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in.

Quick Answer: Is Char Dham Yatra Registration Mandatory in 2026?

Yes. Registration is mandatory for every pilgrim visiting any of the four Dhams — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath — in 2026. Without a valid registration, you will be turned back at the checkpoint before the Dham. There are no exceptions.

Registration is completely free and can be done online in under 10 minutes.

Official portal: registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in

What is Char Dham Yatra Registration?

Char Dham Yatra registration is the mandatory government process through which every pilgrim — Indian or foreign — must formally enrol with the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board before visiting any of the four sacred shrines (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath). Upon successful completion, you receive a Yatra Registration Letter — a PDF embedded with a unique QR code — which acts as your official travel permit for the entire circuit. This permit is scanned by government officials called Yatrimitras at every checkpoint and temple gate throughout the journey.

The Uttarakhand Char Dham registration online system is also known as: Yatra e-pass, Yatra Parchi, Yatra Permit, or Registration Card. All four terms refer to the same document issued at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in.

2026 Kapaat (Temple Opening) Dates

Register now. Online registration opened on 6 March 2026. Over 1.26 lakh pilgrims registered on Day 1 alone. By the time offline counters opened on April 17, 18.23 lakh pilgrims had already registered online. (Source: Deccan Chronicle, April 17, 2026) Peak-season slots — especially for Kedarnath in May and June — fill up within hours. Do not wait.

Why Registration Exists

The Uttarakhand government made registration mandatory after the 2013 Kedarnath tragedy to track exactly how many pilgrims are on each route at any given moment. Today, your QR-coded registration pass is scanned at every checkpoint. If a landslide or emergency occurs, authorities know exactly who is on the route and can contact your emergency contact immediately.

The 2024 Char Dham Yatra season saw approximately 46 lakh pilgrims complete the circuit, with Kedarnath alone recording 16.52 lakh visitors — confirmed by the BKTC’s official season-end press release via ANI (November 2024). By the 2025 season, Kedarnath had already surpassed its entire 2024 count by early October with the season still ongoing, indicating continued record growth. At this scale, daily entry caps are strictly enforced at each Dham. Once the day’s limit is reached, no further pilgrims are allowed to proceed.

Char Dham Yatra Registration Documents Required

Keep these ready before you start:

• Aadhaar card (mandatory for Indian nationals; Voter ID, PAN, or Driving License are accepted alternatives)
• Mobile number (must be with you during the yatra — you’ll receive alerts on this number)
• Passport-size photo in digital format (JPG/PNG, between 10KB and 150KB)
• Emergency contact details — a family member who is NOT travelling with you
• Travel dates for each Dham you plan to visit
• Vehicle details — driver’s name and vehicle registration number, if travelling by private car

Foreign nationals and NRIs register using their passport number. Visit the Haridwar or Rishikesh helpdesk for assisted registration.

How to Register: 4 Ways

There are four official ways to complete your Char Dham Yatra registration in 2026. The table below helps you choose the right one, followed by details on each.

All four methods are free. All four issue the same valid Yatra Registration Letter with QR code. There is no difference in the document you receive regardless of which method you use.

Option 1 — Official Website (Recommended)

Go to registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, create an account with your mobile number, and complete the form. Full steps are in the section below.

Option 2 — Char Dham Yatra Registration App: Tourist Care Uttarakhand

The Tourist Care Uttarakhand app is the official Char Dham Yatra registration app available on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Search for “Tourist Care Uttarakhand” — it is published by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board. The process is identical to the website but optimised for mobile. Key advantage: your Yatra Registration Letter is stored inside the app and can be viewed offline — critical in Himalayan areas with no mobile signal.

Option 3 — WhatsApp

Save +91 8394833833 to your contacts, open a chat, type YATRA and send. An automated bot guides you through registration step by step inside WhatsApp. Best for senior pilgrims or anyone uncomfortable with websites and apps. Works well even on slow 2G/3G connections.

Option 4 — Toll-Free Helpline

Call 1364 (within Uttarakhand) or 0135-1364 (from all other states, including Rajasthan) for phone-based registration assistance. Available throughout the yatra season. Best for first-time pilgrims who prefer speaking to a real person.

Step-by-Step: How to Register Online

Portal: registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in

Step 1 — Create your account
Click “Register/Login” and sign up with your mobile number. Verify with the OTP sent to your phone.

Step 2 — Create a Tour Plan
After logging in, create a Tour Plan:

• Enter your overall trip start and end dates
• Enter the number of travellers in your group
• Select which Dhams you plan to visit (you can select all four)
• Enter your expected visit date for each Dham
• Select mode of travel (road or helicopter)

Important: Daily pilgrim caps are enforced in 2026. If you see “slot not available” for your chosen date, that day is full. Select an alternate date.

Step 3 — Add Pilgrim Details
Click “Add Pilgrim” and fill in each traveller’s details:

• Full name (as on ID), age, gender
• Mobile number to be carried during the yatra
• Residential address
• Emergency contact name, number, and relationship
• Mode of transport within Uttarakhand (if private vehicle: driver’s name and vehicle number)
• Upload passport-size photo

Repeat for every member of your group. All can be added under one Tour Plan.

Step 4 — Download Your Yatra Registration Letter
After submitting, you receive a unique registration ID by SMS and email. Download your Yatra Registration Letter — a PDF with a QR code. This is your travel permit.

Print at least 2 copies. Government staff called Yatrimitras scan your QR code at multiple checkpoints:

• Entry checkposts (Sonprayag for Kedarnath, Janki Chatti for Yamunotri, Pandukeshwar for Badrinath)
• Trek starting points
• Temple entrance gates

Kedarnath: What You Must Know

Kedarnath has the strictest registration rules of the four Dhams:

• Daily caps are hard limits. Once the day’s quota is reached, pilgrims are stopped at Sonprayag — even if you’ve already travelled from Jaipur or Delhi. Register early and confirm your date well in advance.
• Helicopter bookings require your registration number. All Kedarnath helicopter tickets are booked exclusively through heliyatra.irctc.co.in. You cannot book without your Yatra Registration ID. No third-party agents or offline bookings are permitted.
• Mobile phones are banned inside the temple complex in 2026. Photography, video recording, and reels are strictly prohibited within the Kedarnath temple premises. Storage facilities are available outside.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Waiting too long to register. Over 1.26 lakh people registered on the very first day. Slots for May and early June are the first to go.
• Using unofficial websites. Fraudulent sites charge fees for “registration assistance.” The official registration is free. The only legitimate portal is registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in.
• Not printing your registration letter. Mobile signal is unreliable in the Himalayas. Always carry printed copies.
• Wrong Aadhaar details. One incorrect digit makes your QR code invalid at checkpoints. Double-check before submitting.
• Aadhaar not linked to your mobile number. OTP verification during registration requires this link. Check and fix it before registration day.
• Missing your registered date. If a landslide or weather forces you to miss your date, visit the nearest local registration counter (e.g., at Sonprayag for Kedarnath) to reschedule based on available slots.

FAQ

Q: What are the Char Dham Yatra registration fees in 2026?
There are no Char Dham Yatra registration fees whatsoever. The complete registration — online, via app, via WhatsApp, or at offline counters — is entirely free of charge as mandated by the Uttarakhand government. Any website or agent asking you to pay for registration is fraudulent.

Q: What is the official Char Dham Yatra registration website?
The only official portal is registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in. Registration is free. Any website charging a fee is not official.

Q: Can I do 4 Dham Yatra registration in a single form?
Yes. The 4 Dham Yatra registration covers all four shrines — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath — in a single Tour Plan on the portal. You receive one registration ID that is valid for your entire circuit. There is no need to register separately for each Dham.

Q: Can my travel agent register on my behalf?
Your agent can help you fill out the form, but the registration must be linked to your own Aadhaar and verified via OTP to your personal mobile. It cannot be done entirely on your behalf.

Q: What if my preferred date at Kedarnath is full?
Select an alternate date. The portal does not allow bookings beyond the daily cap. For help, call the helpline: 1364 (within Uttarakhand) or 0135-1364 (from other states).

Q: How does Badrinath registration online work?
Badrinath online registration follows the exact same process as the full Char Dham registration — there is no separate portal or form for Badrinath. Simply select Badrinath (along with any other Dhams you plan to visit) when creating your Tour Plan at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in. Your single registration ID covers Badrinath darshan. The main verification checkpoint for Badrinath is at Pandukeshwar, where your QR code is scanned before you proceed.

Q: Do I need to register separately for the helicopter?
No separate registration is needed — use the same Yatra Registration ID from the portal. However, the helicopter booking itself is made separately at heliyatra.irctc.co.in.

Q: Chardham yatra registration kaise kare?
registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in par jaayein ya “Tourist Care Uttarakhand” app download karein. Mobile number se account banaayein, OTP verify karein, Tour Plan mein yatra ki taarikh aur dhams select karein, har yatri ki details darj karein, aur Yatra Registration Letter download karein. WhatsApp ke through bhi ho sakti hai — +91 8394833833 par YATRA type karke bhejein.

Pre-Departure Registration Checklist

• [ ] Registration completed at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in
• [ ] Yatra Registration Letter (QR code) downloaded and printed — minimum 2 copies
• [ ] Registration ID saved on phone separately
• [ ] Aadhaar card (original) packed
• [ ] Helicopter booked via heliyatra.irctc.co.in if applicable — using your Registration ID
• [ ] Helpline number saved: 1364 (within UK) / 0135-1364 (outside UK)
• [ ] WhatsApp helpline saved: +91 8394833833

Planning a Char Dham Yatra from Jaipur?

Economic Tours & Travels has been organising Char Dham Yatra packages from Jaipur for over a decade. Our packages include registration assistance, group coordination at checkpoints, and end-to-end support from departure to return.

Contact us to plan your 2026 Char Dham Yatra.

Last updated: May 2026. All information sourced from the official Uttarakhand government portal registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in and the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC). Rules and daily caps are subject to revision by the Uttarakhand government during the season — verify at the official portal before departure.