Kedarnath, located in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, is one of
the 12 Jyotirlingas and one of the important Panch Kedar. At
Kedarnath, the Hump of Lord Shiva is worshipped, and other parts
of Lord Shiva are worshipped in the other Panch Kedars.
Kedarnath holds religious and historical significance dating back
thousands of years. It’s believed that Adi Guru Shankaracharya rediscovered
the Kedarnath temple after it was buried under snow for centuries.
The journey to Kedarnath starts from Rishikesh. A typical itinerary is
3 nights and 4 days long, which takes you to places such as
Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dhari Devi Temple, Guptakashi,
Gaurikund, and Kedarnath.
The Kedarnath Dham Yatra, also known simply as the Kedarnath
Yatra, is a revered pilgrimage journey to the sacred Kedarnath
Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the Char Dham Yatras,
which are four prominent pilgrimage destinations in the Indian state of
Uttarakhand. The Char Dham Yatras include Kedarnath, Badrinath,
Gangotri, and Yamunotri.
Here’s some detailed information about the Kedarnath Dham Yatra:
The overall trek distance from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is around 18 km,
so the total distance is approximately 36 km. You may feel the
trek distance to be more than 18 km. This is due to the altitude gain
of 11,760 feet, requiring greater endurance.
Drive Distance: 210 km
Drive Time: 7-8 hours
Altitude: 4,530 feet
Our journey will start from Haridwar/ Rishikesh early in the morning. The overall driving distance is 210 km and usually takes around 7-8 hours to complete, but it can take more time due to traffic in the peak season.
During our journey, we will follow along the river Ganga until Devprayag, then continue alongside the Alaknanda River, and finally drive alongside the Mandakini River in the last stretch.
Along the way, we will visit Dhari Devi Temple and the confluence points known as prayags, including Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Agastmuni, and Guptkashi.
Overnight stay will be in Guptkashi.
Trek Distance: 18 km
Trek Time: 8-9 hours
Altitude: 11,760 ft
Altitude Gain: 5,072 ft
Next morning drive from Guptkashi to Sonprayag. Driving distance is 30 km and will take 1-2 hours to complete. Once we reach Sonprayag, we will take a local taxi to Gaurikund, which is around 6 km away.
From Gaurikund the trek will start. The overall distance from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is around 18 km. Yatra path is well paved with stones and railing. Altitude gain is 5,072 feet which can lead to AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). Make sure to ascend slowly, keep enough water with you and snacks.
Along the trail, you will walk with other pilgrims and sadhus. There will be constant movement of mules on the trail. Make sure to give them the side and keep your distance.
By Helicopter: Morning, our driver will transfer you to your pre-booked
Helipad. After Back, our car will drop you at the Hotel for
rest.
(Note: helicopter ticket is not included in this package)
By Trek: Morning our driver will drop you at Sonprayag then you have to take a local jeep for Gaurikund & then your trek starts for kedarnath ji. After darshan you follow the same & back to Sonprayag. There is a big parking issue so the driver will go back to another place if his contact no. is not working then you have to arrange another taxi or wait for your driver.
Kedarnath: The Kedarnath shrine, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of
Lord Shiva, is a scenic spot situated against the backdrop of the
majestic Kedarnath range. Kedar is another name for Lord Shiva.
According to legend, the Pandavas, after having won over the
Kauravas in the Kurukshetra war, felt guilty of having killed their own
brothers and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption. He
eluded them repeatedly and, while fleeing, took refuge at Kedarnath
in the form of a bull. On being followed, he dived into the ground,
leaving his hump on the surface. The remaining portions of Lord
Shiva appeared at four other places and are worshipped there as his
manifestations. The arms appeared at Tungnath, the face at
Rudranath, the belly at Madmaheshwar, and his locks (hair) with
head at Kalpeshwar. Kedarnath and the four above-mentioned
shrines are treated as Panch Kedar.
By evening, we will reach Kedarnath. Check into your
accommodation, rest a bit, and get ready to join the evening
Aarti. Timing: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
Trek Distance: 20 km
Trek Time: 8-9 hours
Wake up early in the morning and get in the line to have Darshan. During peak season it can take hours before you get a chance for Darshan. After darshan, explore places like Kaal Bhairav Temple, Mandakni Ghat, Bhim Shilla, and Adi Shankaracharya Statue.
Kedarnath Valley is surrounded by beautiful peaks, flora and fauna. Just behind Kedarnath, you will see Kedar Dome, Kedarnath Main, Chorabari Glacier, and Kedarnath Glacier. Near Kaal Bhairav Temple you will find meadows filled with wildflowers, particularly Bhringraj.
Soak in all the peace and spiritual aura of the valley. After your wonderful time, get ready to descend down. Make sure to keep enough water and snacks with you.
By evening we will be back to Gaurikund. Via local taxi, we will go to Sonprayag from Gaurikund and from there to Guptkashi. The night stay will be in Guptkashi, Shersi
Drive Distance: 210 km
Drive Time: 7-8 hours
Today, it’s time to return to Rishikesh. Our journey will take us back from the same route we came. By evening we will be back to Rishikesh and from there you can continue your journey and return home.
Transportation from Haridwar and back to Haridwar
● Hotel accommodation as per package, same or similar hotels.
● No room sharing in Kedarnath Dham Temple
● Dinner and Breakfast
● Transfers and sightseeing as pre-packaged car
● All toll tax, parking, fuel, and driver allowances
● All applicable hotel and transport taxes.
● Dham registration and required permit
GST will be extra.
● Anything not mentioned under ‘Package Inclusions’
● All personal expenses, optional tours, and extra meals.
● Medical and travel insurance.
● Any kind of entry fees anywhere if not mentioned in inclusions.
● 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.
● Helicopter Ticket Cost and VIP Ticket for Kedarnath Darshan is
not included.
Flight is the quickest and easiest means to reach Rishikesh in Uttarakhand. Booking a flight to this destination is not a hard job, as you can get a flight from most metro cities in India.
The nearest airport to Rishikesh is Jolly Grant Airport, located approximately 25 kilometers from the city center. Several flight operators like Air India, Akasa Air, Vistara, and others operate flights to Jolly Grant Airport, making your transportation easy and comfortable.
It is recommended to book a flight at least a month before traveling since last-minute flight bookings tend to be more expensive. If Jolly Grant flight charges are high, you can book flights to Delhi. From there, you can take UTC, HRTC buses, railway, or hire a taxi to reach Rishikesh or Haridwar.
Rishikesh and Haridwar are well-connected to other cities by train, making it an easy and convenient way to reach these destinations.
Dehradun, Haridwar, and Rishikesh are well connected by roads across the country, with NH 72 connecting regions like Panchkula, Chandigarh, and Shimla. There are ample local and private buses to Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun.
Kedarnath is well connected by road to Sonprayag. During peak seasons, you will find multiple private buses from Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun to Guptkashi or Sonprayag. Bus tickets range from INR 500-600. These are small buses and don’t have much leg space, so pack your bag in a way that you can sit comfortably.
Taxis are also available from Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Haridwar. The cost will depend on the total number of seats sold.
Kedarnath Yatra is in the moderate category. Trek distance and
altitude gain make it a bit difficult. The overall trek distance is
20 km from Gaurikund to Kedarnath with an altitude gain of 11,760 feet.
Sudden altitude gain of this elevation poses a risk of AMS and
Fatigue. Make sure you drink plenty of water, have enough snacks,
and are in the best shape.
Physical fitness and endurance are much needed on this Yatra.
Before planning your Yatra, train your body in the gym or via
running and jogging.
It’s even better if you have done some high-altitude trek before.
Booking Amount: ₹1000/- per person in advance; remaining balance to be paid on arrival.
Reach out via the official website, WhatsApp, or call to inquire about trek availability and details.
Check the trek dates availability on the website.
A payment link or bank details will be provided. A deposit of ₹1000 per person from the total package cost is required to secure the booking.
Upon receiving the deposit, Vanvas Adventure will send a booking confirmation invoice on WhatsApp or mail.
The remaining balance is to be paid 3 days before the trek date. Payment can be made via bank transfer, UPI, or other approved methods.
We understand the excitement of going on a trek and discovering new locations, but sometimes unforeseen circumstances may arise, leading to the need to cancel your Trek/Yatra. To ensure a hassle-free experience, we’ve crafted a trekker-friendly cancellation and refund policy outlined below. Please review this carefully before booking your trek.
Customers who have paid either the initial 30% deposit or the full 100% deposit will only be eligible for vouchers that can be redeemed for future treks or services offered by Vanvas Adventure. The ‘paid amount‘ mentioned on this page refers to the sum you have paid to Vanvas Adventure, and any refund will be applicable based on that amount.
The average cost of the Kedarnath trip from Haridwar to Haridwar / Rishikesh to Rishikesh will cost Rs. 8500/PP. From Delhi to Delhi, the cost will be Rs. 10,000/PP. It takes around 4 days from Haridwar.
The Kedarnath temple opens in the first week of May and closes during Diwali. The peak season is from May to June. Post-monsoon (mid-September to Diwali) is off-season but a great time to visit if you want to avoid crowds.
The best months to visit Kedarnath are May and June, though they are very busy. If you want to avoid the rush, planning your visit during the post-monsoon period (mid-September to Diwali) is a good option.
Kedarnath is considered safe for pilgrims, with thousands visiting every year. However, it should be avoided during the monsoon season due to the risk of landslides on the roads and trails.
Kedarnath can be visited on your own or through a tour operator. It is advisable to make bookings in advance, as hotels fill up quickly during peak season. The cost from Haridwar to Haridwar is Rs. 8500, and from Delhi to Delhi is Rs. 10,000. The trip takes around 4 days.
At least 4 days are required for the Kedarnath Yatra from Haridwar to Haridwar.
Sonprayag is the last motorable point, where you can drive your car. From there, take a local shuttle to Gaurikund. The 20 km trek to Kedarnath begins at Gaurikund. Alternatively, you can take a helicopter from Phata to Kedarnath.