Gaurikund, Rudraprayag · Uttarakhand
Kedarnath
One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, reached by a 16 km walk (or pony, palki or helicopter).
Kedarnath is an easy–moderate pilgrimage in Gaurikund, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, reaching 3,583 m. The best time to go is May and June and September and October. Plan 4 to 5 days on the ground from Dehradun and about ₹2,500 per person per day.
What to do in Kedarnath
The one thing not to miss
Darshan at the temple
Go early; queues build through the morning in season.
- 2Bhairavnath templeA short climb above the town with a view back over the valley.
A sample plan: 4 days
Day 1
Haridwar or Rishikesh to Guptkashi or Sonprayag
A full day's drive.
Day 2
Sonprayag to Gaurikund by shuttle, then walk to Kedarnath
About 16 km uphill; start at dawn.
Day 3
Darshan, then walk down
Stay the night at Sonprayag or Guptkashi.
Day 4
Back to Rishikesh or Haridwar
The drive back.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
Spiritual weight few places match, under the snow wall of Kedar Dome.
Why not
Very crowded in May–June. The temple is open only from about late April/May to October/November.
Before you go
- Permits
- Char Dham registration with Uttarakhand Tourism is mandatory — check the current process before you travel.
- Guide
- Not needed. Ponies and palkis available for those who can't walk it.
- Safety
- Monsoon (Jul–Aug) brings landslides on the approach roads. Book helicopter seats only via the official IRCTC/UCADA portal.
- Phone & internet
- Network available at the temple in season.
Altitude
Kedarnath reaches 3,583 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Uttarakhand →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: District disaster control room, Rudraprayag, Rudraprayag.
All emergency contacts for Uttarakhand →What to pack for Kedarnath
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
9 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) It is cold at 3,583 m, especially at night.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs Jeans stay wet and heavy; these dry overnight.
- Quick-dry T-shirts, 2–3 Cotton holds sweat and chills you when you stop.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
2 items
- Trekking shoes with ankle support About 32 km of uneven trail; break them in before you go.
- Camp sandals or floaters Let your feet rest at camp, and useful for stream crossings.
Trek gear
11 items
- Rucksack, 40–60 litres Carries everything for a multi-day trek.
- Rain cover for your bag Keeps your bag and dry clothes dry.
- Headlamp with spare batteries Camps and villages have little or no lighting; summit starts are before dawn.
- Insulated flask Water freezes in ordinary bottles overnight.
- Dry bags or zip pouches Separate wet from dry, and protect your phone and documents.
- Trekking poles Take load off your knees on the descent.
- Energy bars and dry fruit There are few or no shops on the trail.
- Tissue roll, hand sanitiser and wet wipes Camp and trail toilets are basic.
- Quick-dry towel Dries overnight in a tent.
- Sleeping bag liner Adds warmth and keeps an operator's sleeping bag hygienic.
- A walking stick Long flights of steps and a steep path; a stick saves the knees on the way down. Sold at the start of the trail too.
Health and sun
9 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- ORS sachets For dehydration and tired legs.
- Water-purifying bottle or tablets Stream and tap water should be treated.
- Blister plasters and a crepe bandage New or wet shoes rub; treat a hot spot before it becomes a blister.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 3,583 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
Documents and money
4 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsChar Dham registration with Uttarakhand Tourism is mandatory — check the current process before you travel.
- Your yatra registration, printed or on your phoneRegistration is checked on the Char Dham and Hemkund routes. Do it on the Uttarakhand tourism website before you leave home.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereNetwork available at the temple in season.
For what you're going for
2 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
Read before you go
2 items
- A guidebook for Uttarakhand Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
- A paper trekking map A paper map still works when the phone doesn't.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Dehradun.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. Register for the yatra before you travel, and expect long queues for the shuttle in May and June.
By road
From
Rishikesh
- Distance
- about 210 km
- Drive time
- 8–9 hours
- Rishikesh
- Devprayag
- Srinagar
- Rudraprayag
- Agastyamuni
- Guptkashi
- Sonprayag
Private vehicles stop at Sonprayag; shuttle jeeps cover the last 5 km to Gaurikund, where the walk starts.
Live directions from RishikeshFrom
Haridwar
- Distance
- about 235 km
- Drive time
- 9–10 hours
- Haridwar
- Rishikesh
- Devprayag
- Srinagar
- Rudraprayag
- Guptkashi
- Sonprayag
Buses and shared taxis. In the pilgrim season, buses and shared jeeps run daily from Haridwar and Rishikesh to Sonprayag.
Pickups & drivers
From Dehradun. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Kedarnath yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Kedarnath: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Kedarnath?
The best months for Kedarnath are May and June and September and October. July and August are possible but not ideal. Snow is rare here.
How difficult is Kedarnath?
Kedarnath is rated easy–moderate. The trek is about 32 km in total, starting at 1,980 m and reaching 3,583 m.
How many days do you need for Kedarnath?
Plan 4 to 5 days on the ground, counted from Dehradun. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Kedarnath cost?
Expect about ₹2,500 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹12,500 for 5 days, before the cost of getting to Dehradun.
How do you reach Kedarnath?
By road: from Rishikesh it is about 210 km, 8–9 hours (Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Agastyamuni → Guptkashi → Sonprayag); from Haridwar it is about 235 km, 9–10 hours (Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Guptkashi → Sonprayag). In the pilgrim season, buses and shared jeeps run daily from Haridwar and Rishikesh to Sonprayag. The nearest gateway is Dehradun.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Kedarnath?
Permits: Char Dham registration with Uttarakhand Tourism is mandatory — check the current process before you travel. Guide: Not needed. Ponies and palkis available for those who can't walk it.
Is Kedarnath suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is possible with care; with seniors it is good. It is busy in season. Monsoon (Jul–Aug) brings landslides on the approach roads. Book helicopter seats only via the official IRCTC/UCADA portal.
What should you pack for Kedarnath?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs, quick-dry t-shirts, 2–3, sun cap or hat, rain jacket or poncho. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Kedarnath?
Network available at the temple in season.
Will I get altitude sickness at Kedarnath?
Kedarnath reaches 3,583 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Kedarnath?
Kedarnath is not a good choice for families with small children and anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 3,583 m. Also keep in mind: Very crowded in May–June. The temple is open only from about late April/May to October/November.
Close to Kedarnath
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Kedartalabout 18 km
- Gaumukh & Tapovanabout 22 km
- Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashilaabout 30 km
- Deoria Talabout 33 km
More in Kedarnath & Chopta
- Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila4,000 mcompare
- Deoria Tal2,438 mcompare
- Almora2,000 mcompare
- Auli3,050 mcompare
- Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal1,400 mcompare
- Binsar2,412 mcompare