In a significant move to promote spiritual tourism, IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) has proposed to operate an all-inclusive “Char Dham Yatra” by Deluxe AC Tourist Train covering the four Hindu pilgrimage sites designated by Adi Shankaracharya at Badrinath (North), Jagannath Puri (East), Rameshwaram (South) and Dwarkadhish (West) spanning over 16 nights and 17 days. The proposed train tour is going to be operated in Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC tourist train having modern amenities and the tour will start from Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station on Friday, September 5.
The luxury train experience is being offered as part of the Government of India’s ongoing initiatives—“Dekho Apna Desh” and “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”—aimed at boosting domestic tourism. According to IRCTC, passengers will cover a distance of over 8,157 kilometers during the entire journey.
Train Features and Onboard Experience
The Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train comes equipped with modern amenities and a premium onboard experience. The train includes:
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Two fine dining restaurants
A modern kitchen
Sensor-based washrooms
Shower cubicles
Foot massagers
CCTV surveillance and security guards in each coach
Passengers can choose between 1st AC, 2nd AC, and 3rd AC accommodations.
Char Dham Itinerary Highlights
The itinerary offers a rich spiritual and cultural experience across multiple states:
Rishikesh & Badrinath (Uttarakhand): Includes visits to Badrinath Temple, Mana Village, Narsingha Temple (Joshimath), Ram Jhula, and Triveni Ghat.
Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): Darshan at the sacred Kashi Vishwanath Temple and newly developed Kashi Vishwanath Corridor.
Puri (Odisha): Sightseeing includes the Jagannath Temple, Konark Sun Temple, Chandrabhaga Beach, and Puri Beach.
Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu): Visits to Ramanathaswamy Temple and Dhanushkodi.
Pune (Maharashtra): Excursion to Bhimashankar Temple.
Nashik (Maharashtra): Darshan at the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga.
Dwarka (Gujarat): Includes Dwarkadhish Temple, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, and Beyt Dwarka.
The tour concludes in Delhi on the 17th day.
Pricing and Booking Details
The all-inclusive tour is priced as follows:
Rs 1,26,980 per person for 3AC
Rs 1,48,885 per person for 2AC
Rs 1,77,640 per person for 1AC cabin
Rs 1,92,025 per person for 1AC coupe
The package includes:
AC train travel
Hotel accommodations
All vegetarian meals
Transfers and sightseeing in AC vehicles
Travel insurance
Services of IRCTC tour managers
All necessary health precautions measures will be taken care by providing safe and healthy travel during the tour, said the official release.
How to Book
Bookings are open on a first-come, first-served basis via the official IRCTC tourism website.
