Namaste! I am your local travel guide from Dehradun. I have been organizing Yatra tours for over 5 years. Every year, I meet hundreds of families from Chennai, Madurai, and Coimbatore. They are excited to see Lord Shiva at Kedarnath. They are happy to bathe in the Ganga. But, before they book, they all ask me one very serious question with a worried look on their faces: “Sir, will we get proper Sambar and Rice there? Or do we have to eat Roti for 12 days?” I understand this fear completely. For a Tamil devotee, food is not just about filling the stomach. It is about comfort. It is about health. When you are traveling 2,500 kilometres away from home to the cold Himalayas, a hot plate of Rasam Rice can feel like a blessing. In this detailed guide, I will answer everything about finding South Indian food in Char Dham. I will also share how to plan your journey from Chennai, including trains, flights, and a perfect 12-day itinerary where you don’t have to worry about food at all. The Honest Truth: Is South Indian Food Available? Let me be very honest with you as a local. Uttarakhand is a North Indian state. The staple food here is Roti, Dal (Lentils), and Sabzi (Vegetables). The locals cook with mustard oil and use a lot of Garam Masala. Why “North Indian Food” Can Be Hard for Elders I have seen many elders struggle during the trip. The Yatra roads are curvy and winding. You spend 6 to 8 hours in a car every day. This is why, at Clans Stays, we decided to solve this problem. We realized that a char dham yatra family package is incomplete if the family is hungry. How to Reach: Chennai to Delhi Travel Guide Your Yatra usually starts from Delhi. Before we talk about the bus journey, let’s look at how you can reach Delhi from Chennai comfortably. Option 1: By Flight (Fastest) If you are looking for comfort, flying is best. It saves you energy for the tough Yatra ahead. Table: Popular Flights from Chennai (MAA) to Delhi (DEL) Airline Flight Name/No. Departure (Chennai) Arrival (Delhi) Why choose this? IndiGo 6E-2056 06:00 AM 08:50 AM Best to start your drive to Haridwar same day. Vistara UK-832 07:00 AM 09:55 AM Very comfortable for seniors. Air India AI-430 10:00 AM 01:00 PM Good if you want a relaxed morning. Option 2: By Train (Budget Friendly) Many of my clients prefer the train because it allows the body to adjust slowly. Table: Best Trains from Chennai Central (MAS) to Delhi Train Name Train No. Departure Duration Availability Tip Tamil Nadu Exp 12621 10:00 PM ~33 Hours Books out very fast. Book 4 months prior. Grand Trunk (GT) 12615 07:00 PM ~36 Hours Very famous, stops frequently. Chennai Rajdhani 12433 06:05 AM ~28 Hours Fastest train. Includes meals. Local Agent Tip: Always try to reach Delhi in the morning (before 10:00 AM). This way, our driver can pick you up and we can reach Haridwar by evening to attend the Ganga Aarti. Option 1: Return Flights (Delhi to Chennai) We recommend booking a late evening flight so you don’t have to rush from Rishikesh. Airline Flight No. Departure (Delhi) Arrival (Chennai) Why choose this? IndiGo 6E-2059 09:00 PM 11:55 PM Safe timing. You can reach the airport easily by 7 PM. Air India AI-429 05:00 PM 08:00 PM Good if you leave Rishikesh very early (by 8 AM). Vistara UK-838 08:20 PM 11:15 PM Very comfortable for sleeping after a long road trip. Option 2: Return Trains (Delhi to Chennai) If you prefer the train, we can drop you at the New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) or Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM). Train Name Train No. Station Departure Duration Arrival in Chennai Tamil Nadu Exp 12622 New Delhi (NDLS) 09:05 PM ~33 Hrs 06:35 AM (Day 3) Grand Trunk (GT) 12616 New Delhi (NDLS) 04:10 PM ~36 Hrs 04:45 AM (Day 3) Chennai Rajdhani 12434 Nizamuddin (NZM) 03:35 PM ~29 Hrs 09:00 PM (Day 2) Agent Note: For the return journey, I highly recommend the Tamil Nadu Express (12622). Since it leaves at 9:05 PM, you have plenty of time to reach Delhi from Rishikesh without stress. The Grand Trunk (GT) leaves a bit too early (4:10 PM), so you might miss it if there is traffic. 12 Days Char Dham Yatra Itinerary (South Indian Special) This is not a normal itinerary. This is the Clans Stays Comfort Plan. In this plan, we focus on food availability in Kedarnath and other stops. If you book our special “South Indian Batch,” we send a specialist cook (Maharaj) with you in the Tempo Traveller. He carries rice, dals, spices, and even a wet grinder for Idli batter! Here is how your 12 days will look. Day 1: Arrival in Delhi – Drive to Haridwar Day 2: Haridwar to Barkot (Base for Yamunotri) Day 3: Barkot – Yamunotri Trek – Barkot Day 4: Barkot to Uttarkashi Day 5: Uttarkashi to Gangotri – Back to Uttarkashi Day 6: Uttarkashi to Guptkashi Day 7: Guptkashi to Kedarnath (The Big Day) Day 8: Kedarnath to Guptkashi Day 9: Guptkashi to Badrinath Day 10: Badrinath to Rudraprayag Day 11: Rudraprayag to Rishikesh Day 12: Rishikesh to Delhi (Departure) Understanding the Cost: Is it Expensive? Many people ask me about the char dham yatra package cost when we include a private cook. You might think it is very costly, strictly it is not. When you travel in a group (Tempo Traveller), the cost of the cook is shared by everyone. It adds a very small amount to your total bill, but the value it adds is huge. If you are looking for a luxury experience, you can also check our char dham yatra by helicopter price. We can arrange VIP Darshan and stay at premium hotels where chefs can customize food for you. 5 Tips for Eating Right in Uttarakhand Even if you don’t book