Weather Guide for Char Dham Yatra in May & June 2026 (Complete Article)
Char Dham Yatra is not just a religious journey—it is a life-changing Himalayan pilgrimage that takes you to the sacred shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Every year, thousands of devotees plan their yatra during May and June because these months are considered the most suitable in terms of temple accessibility, road conditions, and overall climate.
However, Char Dham is located in high-altitude mountainous regions of Uttarakhand where the weather remains unpredictable even in summer. Unlike plains where summer means heat, the Himalayas can surprise you with cold winds, sudden rain showers, fog, and sharp temperature drops—sometimes within a few minutes. That is why understanding the weather conditions of May and June 2026 becomes essential not only for comfort, but also for safety.
Why Weather Planning is Important for Char Dham Yatra
Char Dham yatra routes pass through steep valleys, river belts, and snow-fed Himalayan zones. The weather directly impacts trekking conditions, driving safety, darshan schedules, and even medical health for elders. Many first-time travelers assume that May and June are completely warm months, but the reality is very different—especially in Kedarnath and Gangotri.
Even during peak season, mornings and nights remain cold, and in some areas temperatures can fall close to zero. A proper weather-based plan helps yatris decide what to wear, what to pack, which dates to choose, and how to avoid weather-related delays.
Char Dham Weather Comparison: May vs June 2026
May is widely considered the most stable and comfortable month for Char Dham Yatra. The temples have already opened, snow begins melting, and roads remain comparatively safer. The biggest advantage of May is that rainfall is usually low, skies remain clear, and the overall yatra experience stays smooth.
June is also a good month, especially in the first two to three weeks. The daytime becomes warmer and travel feels easier in comparison to early May. But as June progresses, the Himalayan region starts moving toward monsoon conditions. By the last week of June, pre-monsoon showers may begin, which can create roadblocks, landslides, and traffic delays at certain points.
For the best balance, most travelers prefer planning the yatra in May or the first half of June 2026.
Char Dham Weather in May 2026 (Dham-wise Details)
Yamunotri Weather in May 2026
Yamunotri stays cool and fresh during May. The valley receives strong mountain winds, especially during morning and evening hours. During daytime, the sun provides decent warmth and the weather remains pleasant for darshan and trekking.
In most conditions, the daytime temperature ranges around 10°C to 18°C, while nights can drop near 2°C to 8°C. The trek remains comfortable in this month, but carrying warm layers is still necessary since the air becomes cold near the temple area.
Gangotri Weather in May 2026
Gangotri is colder compared to Yamunotri because of its proximity to snow regions and higher altitude. The atmosphere remains crisp and the views are often crystal clear in May, which makes this month excellent for spiritual calmness as well as scenic photography.
Day temperatures usually stay around 8°C to 16°C while at night it may fall between 0°C to 6°C. The wind chill factor is common here, so jackets, thermals and caps are recommended even if the sun feels strong.
Kedarnath Weather in May 2026
Kedarnath is the most weather-sensitive dham among all four. In May, Kedarnath remains cold, and early May can still have snow patches along the trail. Even during the day, the weather feels chilly because the cold wind continues throughout the region.
Daytime temperature generally stays between 5°C to 12°C, while nights can fall as low as -2°C to 5°C. Many yatris experience extreme cold during early morning darshan, so heavy warm clothing becomes compulsory. Proper layering is the best way to stay comfortable in Kedarnath during May.
Badrinath Weather in May 2026
Badrinath weather is relatively more comfortable compared to Kedarnath. In May, the region becomes pleasantly cool in daytime with mild sunshine. The mornings and nights still remain cold but manageable.
Day temperatures usually stay around 10°C to 18°C, and night temperature remains close to 3°C to 8°C. May is one of the best months to experience Badrinath with clear skies and peaceful surroundings.
Char Dham Weather in June 2026 (Dham-wise Details)
June increases overall comfort because the daytime becomes warmer. Many families prefer June because it feels easier for travel, but it is also the month when crowd levels reach peak, and weather begins transitioning.
Yamunotri Weather in June 2026
In June, Yamunotri becomes comparatively pleasant and warmer. Day temperatures can reach around 12°C to 22°C, while nights remain cool near 5°C to 12°C. By mid or late June, cloud cover and light rain become more common in the afternoon, so travelers should plan early departure hours.
Gangotri Weather in June 2026
Gangotri weather in June is comfortable in daytime but remains cool overall. You will likely witness sunny mornings and cloudy afternoons. Night temperatures stay around 5°C to 10°C, while day temperature ranges between 10°C to 20°C.
Many yatris find June to be more manageable than May here, but it is important to keep rain protection ready because sudden drizzles are possible during the second half of June.
Kedarnath Weather in June 2026
Kedarnath remains cold even in June, although days become slightly warmer than May. Temperature usually stays around 8°C to 15°C during daytime, and at night it may drop between 2°C to 8°C.
Cloud formation, fog, and rainfall are common during June evenings. Therefore, starting the trek early morning is strongly recommended. Kedarnath can also experience strong wind chills even when the sun is visible.
Badrinath Weather in June 2026
Badrinath in June offers pleasant weather, and daytime becomes warmer with temperatures between 12°C to 22°C. Nights stay cool near 6°C to 12°C. Rain chances rise closer to late June but overall the month stays favorable for travel.
Rain & Monsoon Chances in Late June 2026
Although June is not full monsoon, the Himalayan weather begins showing early signs of it. Normally, rainfall chances remain low during early June but increase after around 20th June. This is the period when pre-monsoon showers can begin and landslide-prone zones may become risky.
So, if you want the best and smoothest experience, it is wise to complete Char Dham yatra by the third week of June.
Road Conditions in May & June 2026
May is considered the best month for road journeys in the Char Dham circuit. Roads remain stable, landslide occurrences are comparatively rare, and travel time is more predictable.
In June, roads are still accessible and travel-friendly but due to peak crowd, traffic jams and delays become common. Light rain can also cause temporary roadblocks in certain stretches. It is always advised to avoid late-evening driving in the mountains because fog and low visibility increases risk.
What to Wear for Char Dham Yatra in May & June
The biggest clothing mistake yatris make is carrying either only heavy clothes or only light clothes. The truth is Char Dham requires layering, because the temperature changes rapidly between lower towns and higher dhams.
During the day in Haridwar or Rishikesh, you may feel summer heat, but at Kedarnath you may experience freezing cold on the same day. Carrying thermal inners, jackets, fleece layers, woolen caps, gloves and warm socks is essential. At the same time, light cotton wear is useful during daytime travel in lower regions.
Packing Tips for Weather Safety
Weather protection plays a major role in comfort and safety. A raincoat or poncho is highly recommended, especially in June. Sunscreen, sunglasses and lip balm help protect from sun glare and dryness. Carrying a small thermos for warm water is also useful, since cold winds can affect the throat and breathing in higher altitudes.
Best Time for Travel & Darshan (Weather Wise)
In May and June, Himalayan weather is always more stable in the morning. Clear skies, less rain chances, and comfortable temperatures make it easier for driving and darshan.
That is why yatris are strongly advised to begin travel early in the day and avoid late-night driving. Evening fog, sudden rain, and fatigue can make travel riskier in mountain zones.
Final Advice: Best Month to Travel in Char Dham 2026
If your priority is smooth weather, safer roads, and a more peaceful yatra experience, May 2026 is the best choice. If you want slightly warmer daytime conditions and can handle crowd levels, the first half of June 2026 is a good option.
Avoid planning the yatra in the last week of June unless you are ready for rain delays and changing mountain conditions.
