Things To Do Near Me brings you a travel guide for one of the most coveted spiritual places in India. At every pilgrimage season, lakhs of devotees ask the same million-dollar question: How to reach Kedarnath?
Located at 11,755 ft in the Himalayas of Uttarakhand, Kedarnath is one of the holiest Jyotirlingas and also an auspicious Char Dham yatra shrine. The trip is a beautiful, spiritual and daring one, but you must prepare to reach Kedarnath since the way consists of road + trek(helicopter service).
In this comprehensive guide, I am going to cover all Kedarnath routes, modes of travel, expenses incurred, best time and registration regulations, along with some handy tips, so make sure to read till the end!
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Overview: How to Reach Kedarnath
There is no direct air, rail or road connection to Kedarnath. From there every one has to trek 16-18 km or take pony/palki/ helicopter service.2) Gaurikund is the last motorable point; all aspirants must do an up/down trek from this place.
Here’s a quick overview of how to reach Kedarnath:
| Particulars | Details |
| Nearest Airport | Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (239 km from Gaurikund) |
| Nearest Railway Station | Rishikesh Railway Station (216 km from Gaurikund) |
| Last Road Point | Gaurikund |
| Trek Distance | 16-18 km to Kedarnath Temple |
| Popular Route | Delhi → Haridwar/Rishikesh → Rudraprayag → Gaurikund → Kedarnath |
| Best Time to Visit | April-June & September–October |
How to Reach Kedarnath?
The road is separated into:
- Arrive at Haridwar / Rishikesh / Dehradun. Arrive at the airport and transfer to the Hotel.
- Travel to Gaurikund by road
- Trek or take a helicopter to the temple
Each option is explained below.
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How to Reach Kedarnath by Road
Reaching Kedarnath by road is the most preferred way for devotees. You can travel via:
- Private car
- Taxi
- State transport buses
- Private AC and Non-AC buses
Most travellers begin their journey from Delhi, Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Dehradun.
How to Reach Kedarnath: Road Distance to Kedarnath (via Gaurikund)
| Starting Point | Distance |
| Delhi | 450 km |
| Haridwar | 238 km |
| Rishikesh | 216 km |
| Dehradun | 250 km |
Route Map
Delhi → Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Guptkashi → Sonprayag → Gaurikund → Kedarnath
From Sonprayag, a shuttle service takes you to Gaurikund (the last stop).
Travel Time
- Delhi to Gaurikund: 12-14 hours
- Haridwar/Rishikesh to Gaurikund: 8-9 hours
Roads are mostly good, but mountain curves and landslides during the monsoon may slow the journey.
How to Reach Kedarnath by Bus
Regular buses operate from:
- Haridwar bus stand
- Rishikesh ISBT
- Dehradun
There are both Government buses ( UTTARAKHAND TRANSPORT CORPORATION) as well as private buses for Guptkashi, Sonprayag and occasionally Gaurikund (depending on the landslides).
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Bus Ticket Prices
| Route | Fare |
| Haridwar → Sonprayag | Rs 500-650 |
| Rishikesh → Sonprayag | Rs 450-600 |
| Dehradun → Rudraprayag/Guptkashi | Rs 550-800 |
Budget travellers often prefer this route.
How to Reach Kedarnath by Train
Kedarnath has no railway station of its own.
The nearest station is:
Rishikesh Railway Station – 216 kms from Gaurikund
Other nearby stations:
- Haridwar Railway Station - 240 kms.
- Dehradun Railway Station – 255 kms
From these points, you will have to hire a cab or bus for Sonprayag/Gaurikund.
Recommended for:
- Devotees coming from faraway states
- Group travelers
- Budget pilgrims
How to Reach Kedarnath by Air
The nearest airport is:
Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport (239 Kms).
From the airport, you can reach Kedarnath via:
- Taxi to Sonprayag (Rs 4,500–6,000)
- Bus from Rishikesh to Sonprayag
- Helicopter Services to Kedarnath
Available from these helipads:
- Guptkashi
- Phata
- Sersi
Helicopter Ticket Price
Approx. rates (subject to change):
| Helipad | One-way | Return |
| Phata | Rs 2,800 | Rs 5,500 |
| Sersi | Rs 2,750 | Rs 5,300 |
| Guptkashi | Rs 3,500 | Rs 6,500 |
Advance Booking Required
Chopper tickets have to be booked from the Uttarakhand Government’s official website during the Yatra season.
This option is ideal for:
- Senior citizens
- People with medical issues
- Time-bound travelers
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Mandatory Registration for Kedarnath Yatra
All pilgrims need to register for the Char Dham Yatra:
- Online on the website of Uttarakhand Tourism
- Offline at Haridwar/Rishikesh registration counters
You have to present your QR Code here and there.
The Final Stretch: Gaurikund to Kedarnath Trek
The 16-18 km trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is marked by beautiful mountains, waterfalls, pine forests and the views of the Himalayas.
Trek Level
ModerateHard (to fit)
Trek Duration
6–10 hours (walking)
Options from Gaurikund
| Mode | Cost | Ideal For |
| Trek | Free | Young & fit travellers |
| Pony | Rs 3,500–4,500 | Elderly pilgrims |
| Palki | Rs 7,000–10,000 | High comfort seekers |
| Kandi | Rs 3,000–4,000 | Kids, small passengers |
Best Time to Start
3 AM – 5 AM
(Timings are subject to change depending on the weather.)
How to Reach Kedarnath: Popular Routes to Reach Kedarnath
Below are the two most common routes for devotees.
Route 1: Delhi to Kedarnath via Rishikesh (Most Popular)
This is the most used and convenient Kedarnath route with excellent road connectivity.
How to Reach Kedarnath: Route Map
Delhi → Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Agastmuni → Guptkashi → Sonprayag → Gaurikund → Kedarnath
Popular Stops/Sights
- Devprayag Sangam
- Dhari Devi Temple
- Rudraprayag Confluence
- Guptkashi Vishwanath Temple
- Sonprayag Scenic Viewpoints
Food Stops Along the Route
- Chotiwala (Rishikesh)
- Rudraprayag Highway Dhabas
- Srinagar Garhwal Restaurants
- Guptkashi Local Cafes
This route is scenic, safe, and recommended for first-time travellers.
Route 2: Delhi to Kedarnath via Kotdwar
Often preferred by travellers from UP or Western India.
Route
Delhi → Kotdwar → Pauri → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Guptkashi → Sonprayag → Gaurikund
Attractions on the Route
- Neelkanth Temple
- Pauri Viewpoints
- Srinagar Garhwal Market
However, the curves are sharper and the roads narrower than the Rishikesh route.
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Best Time to Visit Kedarnath
The temple opens in April/May and closes around October/November.
Here’s the season-wise breakdown:
Summer (April – June) → Top Time to Visit
- Pleasant weather
- Ideal for trekking
- Highest footfall
Monsoon (July - August) → Avoid it entirely
- Heavy rainfall
- High risk of landslides
- Trek often restricted
Fall (September – October) → Our Best Pick
- Clear skies
- Cold but manageable
- Lesser crowd
Top Attractions Near Kedarnath
When you are in Kedarnath, there are several local sightseeing options:
1. Kedarnath Temple
The Adi Shankaracharya is an 8th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
2. Bhairavnath Temple
A temple situated 1 km uphill from Kedarnath.
3. Vasuki Tal
An Alpine lake at an altitude of 8 km from Kedarnath.
4. Shankaracharya Samadhi
The Mahasamadhi site of Adi Shankaracharya.
5. Chorabari Glacier
Where Gandhi Sarovar once existed.
Also Read:- PVS Tours and Travels || Sri Tulasi Travels
Important Tips for Kedarnath Yatra
- Carry woollens even in summer
- Avoid monsoon travel
- Continuous raincoat, walking stick, gloves & heavy shoes
- Drink lots of water
- Start your trek early morning
- Must carry ID proof and Yatra registration
- Only book helicopter tickets from the official website
- Follow the instructions of the authorities
Last But Not Least
We hope this detailed guide helped to clarify all your doubts about how to reach Kedarnath, from routes to take, trekking, transport and helicopter services in Kedarnath, along with the best time to visit Kedarnath. It is a spiritual journey, but not easy as well, so plan properly and travel safely, enjoying the bliss of Himalaya’s divine experience.
FAQs
1. What is the charge for a helicopter for Kedarnath?
From between the helipads, a helicopter ticket is priced range of Rs 5,300 to Rs 6,500 (round trip).
2. What is the distance of the trek to Kedarnath?
The distance from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is approximately 16-18 km.
3. When is the best time to go to Kedarnath?
The best months are April to June, our Sept to October.
4. How to reach Kedarnath from Delhi?
You can take a bus/train/flight to Haridwar/Rishikesh, then travel on road to Gaurikund, and from there trek/helicopter till the temple.
5. Is the Kedarnath Yatra registration compulsory?
Yes. Char Dham Yatra online registration is mandatory for all the yatris.
