Kedarnath Yatra – A Sacred Journey to the Land of Gods
Overview
Kedarnath is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India, located in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand and dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a key part of the Chota Char Dham Yatra. The Kedarnath Temple stands at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,755 feet) near the Mandakini River, surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
The temple is believed to have been built by the Pandavas and later renovated by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. The trek to Kedarnath is both spiritually fulfilling and naturally breathtaking.
Major Attractions Near Kedarnath
- Bhairav Temple – Guardian deity of Kedarnath Temple
- Gauri Kund – Sacred hot spring and trek starting point
- Rudra Meditation Cave – Spiritual cave stay
- Vasuki Tal – High-altitude glacial lake
- Triyuginarayan Temple – Shiva-Parvati wedding site
Rituals & Darshan Timings
- Morning Darshan: 4:00 AM onwards
- Evening Aarti: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
(Timings may vary as per weather & temple schedule)
| Reach | Distance/Time from Haridwar | Cost (per person) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trek | 230 km road + 16 km walk (Gaurikund start, 6–8 hrs) | Free | Fit pilgrims |
| Helicopter | Phata/Guptkashi/Sirsi helipads (10 min flight + short walk) | ₹6,000–₹8,500 | Seniors/families |
| Palki/Pony | Same trek route | Palki: ₹4,000–₹8,000 Pony: ₹2,000–₹5,000 |
Seniors |
Best Time to Visit
- May – June (Best trekking weather)
- September – October (Clear skies & moderate crowd)
- Avoid July – August (Monsoon & landslides)
- November – April (Temple closed)
Trekking & Accessibility
Kedarnath is accessible via a 16 km trek from Gaurikund. Pilgrims can travel on foot, by pony, palki, or helicopter services from Phata, Guptkashi, and Sirsi.
- Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
- Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh
Travel Tips
- Book hotels and transport early in peak season
- Carry warm clothes and trekking shoes
- Stay hydrated during trek
- Keep rain gear handy
- Consult doctor if having heart/breath issues
Kedarnath Itinerary
- Start: Early Morning after Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri.
Route: Haridwar → Rishikesh (25 km, 1 hour) → Devprayag (70 km total, 2.5 hours) → Rudraprayag (160 km total, 5 hours) → Sonprayag (255 km total via Guptkashi road).
Arrive: Early Evening at Sonprayag (2,000m altitude). Quick local temple visit.
- Overnight stay at Hotel/dharamshal. Eat thali, rest/acclimatize.
Morning: After breakfast. Short drive Sonprayag → Gaurikund (5 km, 20 min)—last motorable point.
Trek start: Gaurikund (1,982m). Stone path, steep later.
Gaurikund to Jungle Chatti: 4 km, 1.5-2 hours.
Jungle Chatti to Bheembali: 3 km, 1.5 hours.
Bheembali to Linchauli: 3 km, 1.5 hours.
Linchauli to Kedarnath: 6 km, 2-3 hours (steepest).
Arrive: Early Evening Kedarnath Temple (3,583m)—Attend evening aarti.
- Night: Basic lodge near temple. Cold nights- warm layers needed.
Opt for pony (₹2,000-5,000), palki (₹4,000-8,000), or helicopter (₹6,000-8,500 ).
- Morning darshan/VIP queue (1-2 hours). Quick visit to Bhairavnath Temple (500m away).
Trek down: Morning start. Faster/easier.
- Reach Gaurikund: By afternoon. Drive to Sonprayag (5 km, 20 min).
Night: Same Sonprayag hotel stay. Relax with hot food.
Hydrate well, watch for altitude sickness.
Drive back to Haridwar via Rudraprayag stops; en route Rishikesh rafting or Haridwar dip optional.
- Return with a lot of spiritual energy and memories.
Package Inclusions
- Hotel accommodation as per package same or similar hotels.
- Breakfast
- Transfers and sightseeing as prepackage car
- All toll tax, parking, fuel and driver allowances
- All applicable hotel and transport taxes.
Package Exclusions
- Anything not mentioned under ‘Package Inclusions’
- All personal expenses, optional tours and extra meals
- 5% GST
- Medical and travel insurance.
- Any kind of entry fees anywhere if not mentioned in including.
- Tips, travel insurance, medical insurance, laundry charges, liquors, mineral water.
- Telephone charges.
- All items of personal nature.
- Porter, pony, horse, cable car, boat, train tickets, air tickets charges.
- VIP Ticket for Badrinath Darshan is not included
Similar Places to Visit
Tungnath, the world’s highest Shiva temple at 3,680m, is part of the Panch Kedar. Chopta, called “Mini Switzerland,” is the base with meadows and forests. From Tungnath, a short 1.5 km trek leads to Chandrashila Peak (3,700m), offering stunning 360° views and sunrises. Altogether, they provide a peaceful spiritual trek with breathtaking scenery.
Hemkund Sahib is a sacred Sikh shrine at an altitude of 4,632 meters in the Himalayas of Uttarakhand. Known for its stunning glacier-fed lake surrounded by seven mountain peaks, it offers a spiritual pilgrimage and mesmerizing views. The trek starts from Govindghat, passes through Ghangaria, making it a revered and scenic journey for pilgrims and nature enthusiasts alike
Kainchi Dham, the famous Neem Karoli Baba Ashram near Nainital, Uttarakhand, was founded in 1964 amid Kumaon hills. This serene Kainchi Dham temple features a sacred Hanuman shrine where Neem Karoli Baba performed miracles.
Rishikesh, the “Yoga Capital of the World,” is a blend of spirituality and adventure. Situated on the banks of the Ganga, it is famous for yoga, meditation, and the evening Ganga Aarti. Adventure lovers can enjoy river rafting, camping, and bungee jumping. Rishikesh tour packages combine thrill and divinity.
Harsil is a hidden gem near Gangotri, surrounded by snow peaks, pine forests, and apple orchards. Known for its peace and untouched beauty, it’s ideal for nature lovers and spiritual travelers. Popular spots include Dharali and Mukhwas Temple. Harsil tour packages offer a serene Himalayan retreat away from crowds.
Haridwar, the “Gateway to God,” is one of India’s holiest cities. Known for the evening Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri, sacred temples, and spiritual vibes, it attracts millions of devotees. It also hosts the world-famous Kumbh Mela. Haridwar tour packages offer a divine start to Char Dham Yatra.
Why Choose Us?
Accommodation
Comfortable & convenient hotels cherry picked by our hotel management team.
All meals
Eat to your heart's content Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
On-tour Transport
Our itineraries include all rail, sea and road transport as part of the itinerary so you can enjoy tension free.
Tour manager
Our itineraries include all rail, sea and road transport as part of the itinerary so you can enjoy tension free.
Best value itinerary
Our dedicated product & destination research team spends hours curating the best value for money itineraries
24/7 Availiability
Our round-the-clock availability ensures that your journey is smooth, well-supported, and worry-free — from the moment you think of traveling to the moment you return home.
Frequently Asked Questions
The trek to Kedarnath from Gaurikund is approximately 16-18 km.
Yes, helicopter booking is available from Phata, Sirsi & Guptkashi.
Bookings also depend on the weather conditions.
Yes, but it is recommended to consult a doctor due to high altitude.
May-June and September-October are the best.
Yes, Chaukhamba Travels provides VIP Darshan assistance.