Kedarnath Complete Guide

Kedarnath is one of the holy places and the most sacred pilgrimages of Lord Shiva. It is situated in Rudraprayag district of Garhwal region in Uttarakhand and every year thousands of pilgrims visit this place to seek blessing from Lord Shiva. It is one of the Char Dhams in Uttarakhand and is regarded as the most important dham among Panch kedar. This holy pilgrimage is positioned at an altitude of 3586 meters in the mesmerizing backdrop of magnificent mountains near the gorgeous river Mandakini, Kedarnath range stands one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Even the name of this shrine also has a strong meaning “Kedar” means powerful which is another name of Lord Shiva, the protector and destroyer. Spectacular aura, snow clad mountains and breathtaking landscape makes Kedarnath trek even more interesting and hence people visit in large numbers every year. The main attraction of this dham is the main Shiva Temple which is nestled in the mid of the scenic landscape. This temple is dedicated to Shiva who is considered the embodiment of all passions - love, hatred, fear, death and mysticism which are expressed through his various forms. Kedarnath is one of the important pilgrimages of Lord Shiva but there are more than 200 shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in the area itself. So, if you’re also planning Kedarnath Yatra the below is the detailed Kedarnath travel guide.  

Ways to Reach Kedarnath

Kedarnath by Road

To reach Kedarnath by road one can opt for bus service, private taxis or you can also hire a self driven car. There are various ways which one can choose as per their convenience and comfort. However, if you’re coming by Delhi then take a direct bus to Gaurikund from ISBT Kashmiri Gate which is run by Uttarakhand Transport Corporation and then you can further continue your trek. Same goes for taxis and self driven car as from Gaurikund you don’t have other option as you have to simply trek or you can opt for Palki service or Kandi & Mule/Ponies. Anyone can book these services at Gaurikund/ Sonprayag. However, the rates vary according to the distance and the service you are choosing.

• Gaurikund to Kedarnath Palki/Dandi costs Rs. 4450 approx
• Gaurikund to Kedarnath Kandi costs Rs. 3350
• Gaurikund to Kedarnath Poni costs Rs. 4100

However, if you’re bus or taxi is till Sonprayag only then shared taxis are also available from there which takes you to Gaurikund and charges the minimal amount of Rs. 20 – 50 approx. It is quite easy and comforting to reach Kedarnath by Road as there are lot of facilities and transport options available to make your Kedarnath Yatra smooth.

Kedarnath by Air

Yes, you can reach Kedarnath by Air also and it is quite comforting too. So, in case you want to skip the tiring trek then you can opt to reach Kedarnath by Air simply by booking a ticket for yourself in a helicopter. Helicopter service is available from Dehradun, Haridwar, and Rishikesh.

From Dehradun: In case you want to take the helicopter service from Dehradun then you have to travel till Shastradhara Helipad in Dehradun and then the helicopter will drop you at your destination in simply 40 minutes.

From Haridwar/ Rishikesh: To take the helicopter service from Haridwar/Rishikesh you need to travel till Phata via taxi and then you can board the helicopter till Kedarnath.

In case you are traveling from other Indian cities, then you need to travel to Jolly Grant airport, Uttarakhand which is the nearest airport to Kedarnath. Booking flights will be comfortable for the longer journeys, especially if you board one from the South of India, and will also help you to save on the travel as many third-party travel sites provide seasonal discounts on flights that you can use. Travel websites like EaseMyTrip provide huge discounts on flight bookings. If you are planning a trip to Kedarnath, you can book it through this travel website. app and save huge money.

Kedarnath is a popular holy destination and it attracts a number of pilgrims to have a holy vocation. So, if you are looking for utter relaxation and serenity, plan your Kedarnath Pilgrimage tour today!

Kedarnath Trek Information

Kedarnath Trek Distance

The complete trek of Kedarnath is of 16 kilometers which starts from Gaurikund to Kedarnath. The trek has changed after the 2013 flood disaster and since then the 14 kilometers trek has changed and turned 16 kilometers trek. Below is the detailed guide of new Kedarnath trek route.

• Reach Gaurikund from Sonprayag via shared taxi or personal hired cab
• Gaurikund to Jungle Chatti is 4 kilometers trek through the Rambara Bridge
• Jungle Chatti to Bheembali is 3 kilometers trek
• Bheembali to Linchauli is 4 kilometers trek
• Linchauli to Kedarnath Base Camp is 4 kilometers trek
• Kedarnath Base Camp to Kedarnath Temple 1 kilometers trek

However, before proceeding for 16 kilometers medium to steep trek every pilgrim has to get themselves checked that whether they are physically fit or not. Moreover, timings of Kedarnath Trek from Gaurikund commences from 4AM to 1.30PM. The timing is fixed because of safety reasons as Kedanath is located in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and hence the pilgrims are not allowed to trek after a particular time. No pilgrim is allowed to leave after the specific time. People with heart and respiratory problems should first consult with doctor before going for this high altitude trek of Kedarnath. Apart from all this, proper facilities of tented accommodation, drinking water, restaurants and small shops are there enroute to make the trek comforting for the pilgrims.

Things to Keep in Mind before Going for Kedarnath Trek

• Get the checkup done prior going on Kedarnath trek
• People with heart, respiratory and blood pressure problem should not take the trek before proper consulting with the doctor
• If you’re willing to travel through Palki, Kandi and Ponies make sure you done prior booking at Gaurikund/Sonprayag booking counter
• Take note of the trek time as you can only trek between 4AM to 1.30PM after that pilgrims are not allowed to trek to Kedarnath
• In case you’re unable to cover the trek till late evening you can opt for Palki or Ponies to reach till destination or you can simply take rest in the camps nestled at Jungle Chatti, Bheem Bali and Linchauli for a night and then start the journey next morning.