Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and part of the Chota Char Dham circuit. The temple stands high in the Garhwal Himalayas near the Mandakini river and is reached by a trek from Gaurikund.
Kedarnath is the most demanding of the Char Dham places and the one that most rewards good planning. The temple stands at about 3,580 metres in the Garhwal Himalaya, surrounded by snow peaks. Getting there involves a long drive, a registration process, and a walk or ride of around 16 km from Gaurikund.
The difference between a good yatra and a hard one comes down to four things: the season you choose, how you handle the altitude, how early you start, and how many days you give it. This guide is built around those four.
The temple is closed in winter. The deity is worshipped at Ukhimath during those months, and the doors open again around Akshaya Tritiya, so you must plan only for the open season.
Route and layout at a glance
The yatra starts at Rishikesh or Haridwar and goes through Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Guptkashi to Sonprayag and Gaurikund. From Gaurikund, a walking route of roughly 16 km leads up to Kedarnath. Helicopter services run from places such as Phata, Sirsi and Guptkashi, and ponies and palkis are available on the trek.
The main road base towns are Guptkashi, Phata and Sonprayag. Most pilgrims spend one night at one of these before the trek and one night at Kedarnath.
Plan your Kedarnath trip by days
How many days do you have? Pick one and the plan changes.
2 days: fastest with a helicopter
For senior travellers or people short on time. It needs advance booking and good weather.
Day 1
Early morning. Drive to the helipad at Phata, Sirsi or Guptkashi and fly to Kedarnath.
Morning. Darshan, Shankaracharya samadhi and a short walk around.
Afternoon. Fly back and rest.
Day 2
Morning. Rest and drive back towards Rishikesh or Haridwar.
3 days: trek and return
A tight plan for fit travellers who start from Rishikesh or Haridwar.
Day 1
Morning. Drive from Rishikesh to Guptkashi or Sonprayag (7 to 9 hours).
Evening. Overnight at Guptkashi or Sonprayag.
Day 2
Early morning. Trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath.
Afternoon. Darshan and overnight at Kedarnath.
Day 3
Morning. Early darshan, descend to Gaurikund, drive to Guptkashi.
5 days: a comfortable yatra
The right pace for most families, with a buffer for weather and rest.
Day 1
Morning. Drive to Rudraprayag or Guptkashi.
Evening. Rest and acclimatise.
Day 2
Morning. Drive to Sonprayag, then Gaurikund and start the trek.
Evening. Overnight at Kedarnath.
Day 3
Morning. Darshan, Bhairavnath and Shankaracharya samadhi.
Afternoon. Rest at Kedarnath or begin the descent.
Day 4
Morning. Descend to Gaurikund and drive to Guptkashi. Visit Ardhanareshwar temple in Guptkashi.
Day 5
Morning. Drive back to Haridwar or Rishikesh.
1 week with Kedarnath and Tungnath
For people who want a slower yatra with one more Himalayan temple.
Day 1
Daytime. Rishikesh to Guptkashi.
Day 2
Daytime. Trek to Kedarnath, overnight.
Day 3
Daytime. Darshan, Bhairavnath, descend to Gaurikund.
Day 4
Daytime. Guptkashi and Ukhimath.
Day 5
Daytime. Chopta and Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple.
Day 6
Daytime. Drive back towards Rishikesh.
Day 7
Daytime. Rest and departure.
10 days: Chota Char Dham
The classic circuit of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Choose May to June or September to October.
Days 1 to 2
Daily. Haridwar or Rishikesh to Barkot, then Yamunotri.
Days 3 to 4
Daily. Barkot to Uttarkashi, then Gangotri.
Days 5 to 7
Daily. Uttarkashi to Guptkashi, then Kedarnath and back.
Days 8 to 10
Daily. Guptkashi to Badrinath via Joshimath, and return to Rishikesh.
Want this plan tailored to your family?Tell us your dates, group size and any senior travellers. A yatra helper will adjust the plan for free.
Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The temple is built of large grey stone slabs and is set against the snow peaks of the Kedarnath range. According to tradition, it is linked with the Pandavas, who came here seeking Shiva's forgiveness after the war of the Mahabharata, and the lingam is a rock shaped like the hump of a bull.
Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have attained samadhi behind the temple, and his samadhi sthal is part of every visit. The evening aarti and the morning abhishek are the main moments of the day.
Local tip: Be in the queue early. Weather can close the way in the afternoon, so plan darshan for the morning if you can.
Gaurikund and the trek
Gaurikund is the base of the trek and has a hot spring and a Gauri temple. The Gaurikund to Kedarnath route is about 16 km and takes most people 6 to 9 hours on foot, and less with a pony or palki.
Walk slowly and steadily. Take short breaks, sip water often, and do not rush the first stretch. People who start fast tire out before the steepest climb.
Local tip: Carry a rain poncho, a warm layer, a small torch and glucose or dry fruits. Start before dawn if you can.
Bhairavnath Temple
Bhairavnath is a small temple on a ridge about a kilometre above the main temple. Bhairavnath is regarded as the guardian of Kedarnath and traditionally keeps watch over the temple in winter.
The short climb gives you the best view of the temple and the valley. It is a good place for sunrise if you stay overnight.
Local tip: Go only if the weather is clear and you feel well.
Bhim Shila
A large boulder that stopped behind the temple during the 2013 floods and is credited with diverting the debris. It is a stop on the way to Shankaracharya's samadhi.
It is also a reminder that this is a fragile mountain environment. Stay on the marked paths.
Local tip: Respect the signage and avoid going off the path.
Vasuki Tal and Chorabari Tal
Chorabari Tal, also called Gandhi Sarovar, is a short trek above Kedarnath. Vasuki Tal is a harder high-altitude lake, a long day trek that needs a guide and is only for fit trekkers.
These are optional and should be done only if the group is fit and has an extra day at Kedarnath.
Local tip: Do not attempt without a local guide and good weather.
Ukhimath
Ukhimath is the winter seat of Kedarnath. When the temple closes, the deity is taken to the Omkareshwar temple here for worship.
It is worth seeing if you travel in winter or just after the temple opens, and is a quiet, respectful stop on the way back.
Local tip: Check opening dates with the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee before you plan.
Best time to go, season by season
May to June
The main season after the temple opens. The weather is more settled and the paths are open, but it is the busiest time, so book early.
July to mid-September
Heavy monsoon. Landslides and road closures are common. It is the hardest time to travel.
Mid-September to October
Clear skies and fewer crowds. Nights are cold. The temple closes around Bhai Dooj.
November to April
The temple is closed and the area is under snow.
How to reach and get around
By rail: Rishikesh and Haridwar are the nearest major stations. From Rishikesh, Sonprayag is about 210 km by road.
By air: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun is the nearest airport.
Registration: A yatra registration is required for Kedarnath, through the official Uttarakhand portal or the registration counters on the way. Carry photo ID and keep the printout or screenshot handy.
Helicopters: Use only the official portal for booking. Avoid agents who promise last-minute seats at extra cost.
Where to stay
Guptkashi, Phata and Sonprayag have hotels and guest houses on the road. At Kedarnath itself, GMVN, tented camps and private lodges are available, with limited rooms, so book ahead for the night you want.
Sleeping at altitude can be hard. Rest well on the day before the trek.
What to eat
Simple vegetarian food is available along the route: dal, rice, roti, parathas and tea. Carry dry fruits, energy bars and a refillable bottle.
Avoid heavy fried food on the trek and drink warm water or tea when you can.
Common mistakes to avoid
Starting the trek late in the day. Early starts avoid afternoon weather and crowds.
Underestimating the altitude. Walk slowly, rest early and descend if you feel unwell.
Booking helicopters through unofficial agents.
Carrying too much. Pack light and use a small backpack.
Not checking the weather and the road status before leaving Rishikesh.
Etiquette
Keep the route clean. Carry your waste down with you.
Respect the queue and the priests at the temple.
Photography is not allowed inside the sanctum.
Day trips from Kedarnath
Tungnath and Chopta: The world's highest Shiva temple at 3,680 m and a gentle meadow trek.
Guptkashi: The Ardhanareshwar temple and Vishwanath temple.
Triyuginarayan: The temple where Shiva and Parvati are said to have been married.
Badrinath: The next Dham, a day's drive from Guptkashi via Joshimath.
Not sure which temples fit your family?Share your travel dates and who is coming. We will help you pick, free of charge.
Festivals and special days
Maha Shivaratri (kapat rituals at Ukhimath in winter)
Darshan timings, booking rules and road conditions change, so confirm them with the temple trust or local authority before you travel.
Questions people ask
How many days do I need for Kedarnath?
With a helicopter, 2 days from Dehradun or Haridwar is possible. On foot, 3 days is the minimum, and 4 to 5 days is more comfortable.
Which is the best month to visit Kedarnath?
May and June, or September and October. The monsoon months of July and August are risky because of landslides.
Is the Kedarnath trek difficult?
It is about 16 km of steady climb at altitude. Fit people can do it in a day, but older travellers and families should consider a pony, palki or helicopter.
Is registration compulsory for Kedarnath?
Yes. Pilgrims register through the official Uttarakhand yatra portal or at the counters on the route. Carry your ID.
Is Kedarnath open in winter?
No. The temple closes after the autumn festival and reopens in spring. In winter the deity is worshipped at Ukhimath.
What should I pack for Kedarnath?
Warm layers, a rain poncho, sturdy shoes, a torch, personal medicines, water, dry fruits and your ID and registration slip.
What is the best time to visit Kedarnath?
May to June and September to October. The temple opens around Akshaya Tritiya and closes around Bhai Dooj, so it is shut in winter.
How many days are needed for Kedarnath?
Plan 2 to 3 days from Rishikesh or Haridwar.
How do I reach Kedarnath?
The nearest railway station is Rishikesh or Haridwar. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun. Check current road and train timings before you travel.
What are the main festivals at Kedarnath?
Maha Shivaratri (kapat rituals at Ukhimath in winter); Opening day around Akshaya Tritiya; Shravan Mondays.
What is today's tithi and Rahu Kaal at Kedarnath?
On 13 November 2026, the tithi is Shukla Chaturthi and Rahu Kaal is 10:38 AM to 11:58 AM, worked out for Kedarnath's own sunrise.
Photo credits
Kedarnath Temple with the Himalayan mountains behind: Nehasnaps0306, CC BY-SA 4.0, source; Kedarnath temple: Kmishra19, CC BY-SA 3.0, source.
