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Kedarnath Itineraries

Plan your Kedarnath trip.

Overview

4 ready-made Kedarnath itineraries, from 1 day to 5 days. Each plan below lays out what to see day by day, with a rough budget, and the full plan has timings, where to eat and how to get around. Pick the length that fits your trip — the best time to visit Kedarnath is October to March.

Kedarnath Itineraries, Day by Day

1 Day Kedarnath Yatra (Helicopter)

1 Day

A same-day helicopter yatra from Phata/Guptkashi/Sersi to Kedarnath, offering a quick darshan at the ancient Jyotirlinga temple and return, without an overnight trek.

1
Helicopter Darshan and Return
Begin early at the helipad (Phata, Guptkashi, or Sersi) for a scenic flight to Kedarnath. Upon landing, walk or take a short ride to the temple for darshan, explore the shrine and nearby sites, then return by helicopter the same day.

Total: ₹8,000-₹15,000 (excluding helicopter ticket, which costs ₹5,000-₹10,000 one-way depending on operator)Stay: ₹3,000-₹8,000 per night (hotel in Guptkashi/Phata/Sersi)Food: ₹500-₹1,000 per day

See the full 1-day plan with timings

2 Days Kedarnath Yatra

2 Days

A two-day spiritual trek to the 3,583m Kedarnath temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, following the classic pilgrim pace: trek up on day one, darshan and descent on day two.

1
Trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath
Begin early from Gaurikund (6,500 ft) to cover the 16-18 km trek to Kedarnath (11,755 ft). The trail ascends gradually through scenic valleys, past Rambara (now rebuilt) and the confluence of Mandakini and Saraswati rivers. Reach Kedarnath by afternoon, check into a guesthouse, and take a short…
2
Darshan and Trek Down to Gaurikund
Wake early (around 4:00 AM) to attend the morning aarti and have a peaceful darshan of the Jyotirlinga. After darshan, explore the temple complex, including Adi Shankaracharya's samadhi and the Bhairav Nath Temple. Begin the descent by 9:00 AM, reaching Gaurikund by early afternoon to catch a…

Total: ₹3,000-₹7,000 (excluding helicopter)Stay: ₹1,000-₹3,000 per night (dormitory to private room)Food: ₹500-₹1,000 per day for meals

See the full 2-day plan with timings

3 Days Kedarnath Yatra

3 Days

A relaxed 3-day Kedarnath Yatra with a rest day, a side-trek to Gandhi Sarovar, and a visit to Triyuginarayan en route, grounded in the real geography and history of the shrine.

1
Arrival and Trek to Kedarnath
Start early from Guptkashi or Sonprayag, drive to Gaurikund (the trek base), and begin the 16-18 km trek to Kedarnath. The trail ascends alongside the Mandakini River, passing Rambara and Garud Chatti (now rebuilt after 2013). Reach Kedarnath by late afternoon, check into a lodge, and attend the…
2
Rest Day and Gandhi Sarovar Side-Trek
Use this day to acclimatize and explore the high-altitude surroundings. In the morning, visit Adi Shankaracharya's samadhi behind the temple and the Bhairav Nath Temple. After lunch, take the gentle 2 km side-trek to Gandhi Sarovar (Chorabari Tal), a glacial lake at 4,000m, and return for a…
3
Descent and Triyuginarayan Visit
After an early breakfast, trek back down to Gaurikund (the descent is faster, about 4-5 hours). From Gaurikund, drive towards Sonprayag and then take a detour to Triyuginarayan, the legendary wedding site of Shiva and Parvati. Visit the ancient Triyuginarayan Temple and the eternal flame (akhand…

Total: ₹11,500 - ₹23,000Stay: ₹6,000 - ₹12,000 (3 nights, budget to mid-range lodges)Food: ₹1,500 - ₹3,000 (meals at lodges and local eateries)

See the full 3-day plan with timings

Panch Kedar Circuit from Kedarnath

5 Days

This 5-day itinerary takes you from Kedarnath through the remaining Panch Kedar temples—Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar—combining high-altitude treks, sacred darshan, and Himalayan scenery in Uttarakhand.

1
Arrival and Kedarnath Darshan
Begin your journey with an early trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath (16-18 km) or take a helicopter from Phata/Sersi to the helipad near the temple. After checking into your lodge, visit the Kedarnath temple for darshan and explore the samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya behind the main shrine.
2
Gandhi Sarovar and Descent to Gaurikund
Wake up early to trek to Gandhi Sarovar (Chorabari Tal), a glacial lake about 2 km above the temple, surrounded by snow peaks. After returning and having lunch, begin your descent to Gaurikund, where you'll stay overnight to prepare for the next leg toward Tungnath.
3
Tungnath and Chopta
From Gaurikund, drive to Chopta (about 3-4 hours via Ukhimath) and trek 3.5 km to Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world at 3,680m. After darshan, return to Chopta for an overnight stay in a tented camp or guesthouse.
4
Rudranath and Sagar Village
Drive from Chopta to Sagar village (via Mandal) and trek 4 km through dense forests to Rudranath Temple (2,290m), known for its natural rock lingam and tranquil setting. Return to Sagar village for a homestay experience with local Garhwali hospitality.
5
Madhyamaheshwar, Kalpeshwar, and Return
Drive from Sagar to Ransi (via Guptkashi) and trek 8 km to Madhyamaheshwar Temple (3,490m), dedicated to Shiva's navel form. After darshan, trek back to Ransi and drive to Kalpeshwar (via Helang) for a short walk to the cave temple, then return to Guptkashi or Rudraprayag for the night.

Total: ₹19,000-36,000Stay: ₹6,000-12,000Food: ₹3,000-5,000

See the full 5-day plan with timings

Compare the Plans

Plan	Days	What it covers	Rough cost / person
1 Day Kedarnath Yatra (Helicopter)	1	Helicopter Darshan and Return	₹8,000-₹15,000 (excluding helicopter ticket, which costs ₹5,000-₹10,000 one-way depending on operator)
2 Days Kedarnath Yatra	2	Trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath · Darshan and Trek Down to Gaurikund	₹3,000-₹7,000 (excluding helicopter)
3 Days Kedarnath Yatra	3	Arrival and Trek to Kedarnath · Rest Day and Gandhi Sarovar Side-Trek · Descent and Triyuginarayan Visit	₹11,500 - ₹23,000
Panch Kedar Circuit from Kedarnath	5	Arrival and Kedarnath Darshan · Gandhi Sarovar and Descent to Gaurikund · Tungnath and Chopta · Rudranath and Sagar Village · Madhyamaheshwar, Kalpeshwar, and Return	₹19,000-36,000

Where to Stay in Kedarnath

Stay in Guptkashi, Phata, or Sersi for easy access to helipads. Options range from budget guesthouses (₹1,500-₹3,000) to mid-range hotels (₹4,000-₹8,000) with basic amenities. Book well in advance during yatra season (May-June, Sep-Oct).

Where to Eat in Kedarnath

Hotel Annapurna, Guptkashi

North Indian vegetarian · ₹200-₹400 per meal

Must try: Aloo ke parathe, dal tadka, and kheer

Kedarnath Langar (community kitchen)

Simple vegetarian thali · Free or by donation

Must try: Dal, rice, roti, and sabzi

Shiva Cafe, Phata

Cafe and light snacks · ₹100-₹250 per item

Must try: Maggi noodles, masala chai, and pakoras

Kedarnath Temple Prasad

Religious offering · Free (donation optional)

Must try: Kedarnath Prasad (sweetened semolina halwa)

GMVN Tourist Rest House (Kedarnath)

Indian vegetarian · ₹150-₹250 per meal

Must try: Aloo paratha with curd and tea

Shiv Shankar Dhaba (Gaurikund)

Local Garhwali vegetarian · ₹100-₹200 per meal

Must try: Mandua ki roti (finger millet flatbread) with urad dal

Getting Around Kedarnath

Book helicopter tickets in advance via official portals (e.g., IRCTC or state-operated heli services) as slots fill quickly.
Reach the helipad at least 1 hour before departure; carry a valid ID and booking confirmation.
Helicopter weight limit is strict (usually 10-12 kg per passenger including hand luggage); pack light.
Road travel from Guptkashi/Phata to helipad is via mountain roads; allow extra time for traffic and weather delays.
Reach Gaurikund via shared taxi from Sonprayag (approx 5 km) or bus from Rudraprayag; Gaurikund is the last roadhead.

Places to Visit Plan Your Way Things to Do

More Itineraries

1 Day Kedarnath Yatra (Helicopter)2 Days Kedarnath Yatra 3 Days Kedarnath Yatra Panch Kedar Circuit from Kedarnath

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many days are enough for Kedarnath?

Most visitors spend 2 days in Kedarnath. Our ready-made plans run from 1 day to 5 days. The 1-day plan covers Helicopter Darshan and Return. The 5-day plan adds Gandhi Sarovar and Descent to Gaurikund; Tungnath and Chopta; Rudranath and Sagar Village; Madhyamaheshwar, Kalpeshwar, and Return.

2. What is a good 1-day itinerary for Kedarnath?

Day 1: Helicopter Darshan and Return — Begin early at the helipad (Phata, Guptkashi, or Sersi) for a scenic flight to Kedarnath. Upon landing, walk or take a short ride to the temple for darshan, explore the shrine and nearby sites, then return by helicopter the same day.

3. How much does a 1-day trip to Kedarnath cost?

Roughly ₹8,000-₹15,000 (excluding helicopter ticket, which costs ₹5,000-₹10,000 one-way depending on operator) per person. Stay: ₹3,000-₹8,000 per night (hotel in Guptkashi/Phata/Sersi). Food: ₹500-₹1,000 per day. Local transport: ₹2,000-₹4,000 (local taxi to/from helipad).

4. Where should I eat in Kedarnath?

Hotel Annapurna, Guptkashi (try the aloo ke parathe, dal tadka, and kheer); Kedarnath Langar (community kitchen) (try the dal, rice, roti, and sabzi); Shiva Cafe, Phata (try the maggi noodles, masala chai, and pakoras).

5. How do I get around Kedarnath?

Book helicopter tickets in advance via official portals (e.g., IRCTC or state-operated heli services) as slots fill quickly. Reach the helipad at least 1 hour before departure; carry a valid ID and booking confirmation.