Kedarnath

Photo: Samadolfo (CC BY-SA 3.0)

November: ok2-3 days from Rishikesh/Haridwar (more with the full Char Dham)

Char Dham shrine and highest Jyotirlinga at about 3,580 m: the stone Kedarnath Temple below Kedar Dome, reached by a 16 km trek from Gaurikund or by helicopter.

Register for the yatra, stay at Guptkashi or Sitapur-Sonprayag, start the trek early (trek gates 4 AM-1:30 PM) and spend a night at Kedarnath if you can.

November: Temple expected to close around Bhai Dooj (11 Nov 2026)

When to go

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Things to do

Trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath: About 16 km; gates 04:00-13:30
Darshan at Kedarnath Temple
Walk up to Bhairavnath Temple: About 800 m uphill
Trek to Gandhi Sarovar and Vasuki Tal: Vasuki Tal about 8 km at 4,135 m
Camp under the stars near Kedarnath
Darshan / visit at Kedarnath Temple: Yatra season only (opened 22 April 2026): about 7:00-15:00 and 17:00-19:00; morning Maha Abhishek from 4:00 (BKTC); evening aarti about 18:00

Plan your trip

Best timeMay-June and September-October; temple open late April to early November.

Ideal trip2-3 days from Rishikesh/Haridwar (more with the full Char Dham)

How to reachAir:

Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun: Code: DED; Distance Km: 238; Notes: Road to Gaurikund; or helicopter shuttle from Guptkashi, Phata or Sersi (book only on IRCTC Heliyatra)

; Rail:

Rishikesh: Distance Km: 216; Notes: Road distance Rishikesh-Gaurikund per Uttarakhand Tourism

; Road: Buses and taxis from Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun to Sonprayag; shuttle taxis to Gaurikund; then trek about 16 km (BKTC) to the temple. Gaurikund lies on NH109 from Rudraprayag.

Getting aroundOn foot, pony or palki from Gaurikund; helicopter from Guptkashi, Phata or Sersi.

Permits

Char Dham Yatra registration: Required For: All pilgrims; How To Get: Free online at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app or WhatsApp; offline counters on the route; Fee: Free; Link: https://registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in/
Kedarnath helicopter ticket: Required For: Heli shuttle; How To Get: Only on heliyatra.irctc.co.in; Link: https://heliyatra.irctc.co.in

SafetyAcclimatise at Guptkashi (1,319 m) before the trek · Descend at once if you get headache, dizziness or breathlessness · Seniors above 60 should carry a medical fitness certificate

Getting there

From Rishikeshbus · 216 km · about 1 day h

viewpoint

mountain in Garhwal Himalaya

Nearby

Other destinations close to Kedarnath.

Gaurikund Sonprayag Guptkashi Ukhimath Gangotri Chopta Mana Badrinath