Route to Kedarnath at a glance
RishikeshStart at dawn
Rudraprayag≈ 140 km
Guptkashi≈ 45 km
Sonprayag≈ 30 km · car parking
Gaurikund≈ 5 km by shuttle jeep
Kedarnath≈ 16 km trek
Most pilgrims spend the night at Guptkashi, Sitapur or Sonprayag and start the trek at dawn.
Kedarnath by bus
Rishikesh - Sonprayag9-10 hrs
In the yatra season, buses run from Rishikesh and Haridwar to Sonprayag or Gaurikund. Shared taxis also leave from Rudraprayag and Guptkashi.
- Take the first bus out of Rishikesh.
The Gaurikund trek
Distance≈ 16 km one way
Time up6-8 hrs
The paved path climbs through Jungle Chatti, Bhimbali, Linchauli and Base Camp to the temple. Ponies, palkis and pithoos (porters) are available at Gaurikund at fixed rates.
- Start by 5-6 am.
- Walk at a steady pace and rest often.
Kedarnath by helicopter
HelipadsPhata, Sersi, Guptkashi
FlightAbout 8-10 min
Helicopter shuttles fly to Kedarnath in season. Tickets are sold online through the IRCTC heli-yatra portal and sell out quickly.
- Never pay agents or websites that are not official.
- Flights stop in bad weather.
Kedarnath by train
Rishikesh (Yog Nagari)≈ 215 km to Sonprayag
Take a train to Haridwar or Rishikesh, then go by road to Sonprayag.
- Reach Rishikesh the night before.
