The Kedarnath Trek isn’t just a walk through the mountains — it’s an emotional, spiritual, and soul-touching journey that stays with you for life.
Starting from Gaurikund, this 16 km trail winds through deep valleys, roaring rivers, towering cliffs, and snow-draped peaks. Every step you take brings you closer not just to the holy Kedarnath Temple, but to something deep inside you — peace, surrender, and belief.
You’ll walk alongside people of all ages — some chanting “Har Har Mahadev,” some quiet in prayer, and others simply soaking in the powerful energy of the Himalayas. The air gets colder, the path steeper, but the feeling gets purer with each step.
Kedarnath is one of the holiest shrines in India, nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand at an altitude of 11,755 ft. Since there is no direct road to the temple, reaching Kedarnath involves a combination of travel modes: road, rail, air, and trek. Here’s how you can get there:
🚗 By Road (Up to Gaurikund)
The nearest motorable road ends at Gaurikund, from where the trek to Kedarnath begins.
Major Road Routes:
Delhi to Kedarnath – via Haridwar → Rishikesh → Rudraprayag → Guptkashi → Sonprayag → Gaurikund (approx. 450–500 km)
Haridwar to Kedarnath – approx. 250 km
Rishikesh to Kedarnath – approx. 225 km
🚌 Buses and Taxis are easily available from:
Haridwar
Rishikesh
Dehradun
Kotdwar
You can also hire a private taxi or use a tour package from these cities for a hassle-free trip.
🚉 By Train
There’s no direct train to Kedarnath. The nearest railway stations are:
Rishikesh Railway Station (approx. 210 km from Gaurikund)
Haridwar Railway Station (approx. 240 km)
From here, take a cab/bus to Gaurikund.
✈️ By Air
The nearest airport is:
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED) – around 240 km from Gaurikund.
From Dehradun, you can travel by road via Rishikesh → Rudraprayag → Sonprayag → Gaurikund.
🚶♂️ Trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath (16 km)
From Gaurikund, the sacred 16 km trek to Kedarnath begins.
Options:
On foot (moderate difficulty)
Pony/Mule rides
Palkis (carried by porters)
Helicopter service (see below)
🚁 Helicopter Services
Helicopter services are available from:
Phata
Sersi
Guptkashi
You can book round-trip or one-way tickets to Kedarnath Helipad (approx. 500 m from the temple).
🛑 Tip: Book early during peak season (May–June & Sept–Oct).
Pickup: Haridwar or Rishikesh (by train, bus, or flight to Dehradun)
Drive: 7–9 hours via Devprayag, Rudraprayag (approx. 200-220 km)
En route Sightseeing: Devprayag (Sangam), Rudraprayag
Night Stay: Guptkashi / Sitapur (base camp for Kedarnath)
🛏️ Tip: Rest well — you’ll start early the next day.
Early Morning: Drive to Sonprayag (30–40 min), then shuttle to Gaurikund
Start Trek: 16 km from Gaurikund to Kedarnath
On foot: 6–8 hours
Or hire pony/palki/helicopter (book in advance)
Evening: Reach Kedarnath temple, attend Evening Aarti
Night Stay: Kedarnath (Govt. GMVN camps, lodges, or ashrams)
🙏 Tip: Carry warm clothes, ID proof, medicines, and rain gear.
Morning: Attend temple Abhishek Aarti (4–6 AM), have darshan
Trek back: Gaurikund → drive back to Guptkashi
Evening: Rest and relax after trek
Night Stay: Guptkashi / Sitapur
🚶♂️ Optional: Helicopter ride down for quicker return.
Drive Back: 7–9 hours to Haridwar/Rishikesh
Optional Visits: Dhari Devi Temple, Rishikesh Ganga Aarti
Trip Ends: Evening drop-off at Haridwar/Rishikesh/Dehradun station or hotel
