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3 Days Kedarnath Yatra

Planning 3 days in Kedarnath? 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. It includes a detailed day-wise schedule, activities, meal suggestions, transportation tips and an estimated budget to help you plan your trip with less guesswork.

Day 1: Arrival and Trek to Kedarnath

Day 1

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 evening aarti at the temple.

Activities

Drive from Guptkashi/Sonprayag to Gaurikund (approx. 1-2 hours)
Trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath (16-18 km, 6-8 hours with breaks)
Check in and rest at your guesthouse in Kedarnath
Visit the Kedarnath Temple for the evening aarti (darshan)

Meals

•Breakfast at your hotel in Guptkashi or Sonprayag
•Lunch: packed tiffin or simple food at a trailside stall (e.g., at Rambara or Garud Chatti)
•Dinner at your lodge in Kedarnath (simple vegetarian thali)

Day 2: Rest Day and Gandhi Sarovar Side-Trek

Day 2

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 relaxed evening.

Activities

Morning darshan at Kedarnath Temple (if not done the previous evening)
Visit Adi Shankaracharya's samadhi and Bhairav Nath Temple
Side-trek to Gandhi Sarovar (Chorabari Tal) and back (2 km each way, approx. 2-3 hours)
Rest and enjoy the mountain views from your lodge

Meals

•Breakfast at your lodge
•Lunch at your lodge or a local eatery (simple dal, rice, roti)
•Dinner at your lodge

Day 3: Descent and Triyuginarayan Visit

Day 3

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 dhuni), then continue to your base for the night.

Activities

Trek down from Kedarnath to Gaurikund (16-18 km, 4-5 hours)
Drive from Gaurikund to Triyuginarayan via Sonprayag (approx. 1-1.5 hours)
Visit Triyuginarayan Temple and the eternal flame (akhand dhuni)
Drive onward to Guptkashi or Rudraprayag for overnight stay

Meals

•Breakfast at your lodge in Kedarnath
•Lunch at a restaurant in Sonprayag or Guptkashi
•Dinner at your hotel in Guptkashi or Rudraprayag

Detailed Timeline

Day 1

8 activities

Morning

05:30 AM

Early breakfast at your hotel in Guptkashi or Sonprayag

Have a hearty vegetarian breakfast (puri-subzi, upma, or paratha) to fuel the long trek. Cost is typically included in your hotel package; if not, expect ₹100–₹200 per person. Carry a water bottle and fill it here.

06:30 AM

Drive from Guptkashi/Sonprayag to Gaurikund

Take a shared taxi or private vehicle for the 1–2 hour drive (approx. 30–40 km). Roads are winding and can be congested; start early to avoid traffic. Shared jeep costs around ₹100–₹150 per person from Sonprayag, private taxis ₹1,500–₹2,500.

08:30 AM

Arrive at Gaurikund and register for the trek

At Gaurikund, register at the forest checkpost (free) and use the washrooms. You can hire a porter or pony for luggage if needed (₹500–₹1,500 depending on weight and distance). Buy last-minute snacks and water here.

09:00 AM

Begin trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath

Start the 16–18 km trek along the Mandakini River. The first section is steep and rocky; pace yourself. Carry at least 2 liters of water and energy bars. The trail is well-marked but can be crowded—keep left.

11:30 AM

Short break at Rambara (approx. 8 km mark)

Rambara offers tea, maggi, and simple snacks at trailside stalls. A plate of maggi costs ₹60–₹80, tea ₹20–₹30. Rest for 15–20 minutes, hydrate, and take photos of the valley. Note: Rambara was rebuilt after the 2013 floods.

Afternoon

01:00 PM

Lunch break at Garud Chatti (approx. 13 km mark)

Garud Chatti has a few food stalls serving dal-chawal, roti, and sabzi. A simple thali costs ₹150–₹250. This is a good spot to recharge; the final 3–4 km to Kedarnath is the steepest. Fill water here.

04:00 PM

Arrive at Kedarnath and check into your lodge

Reach Kedarnath after 6–8 hours of trekking. Check into a pre-booked guesthouse (basic rooms cost ₹1,500–₹3,000 per night). Rest, wash up, and wear warm layers—temperatures drop sharply in the evening.

Evening

06:00 PM

Visit Kedarnath Temple for evening aarti

Attend the evening aarti (around 6–7 PM, timings vary). Darshan is free, but you can donate ₹100–₹500 for special aarti participation. Dress modestly and be prepared for long queues. Photography is prohibited inside the temple.

Day 2

8 activities

Morning

07:00 AM

Morning darshan at Kedarnath Temple

If you missed the evening aarti, visit the temple early (opens around 4–5 AM). The morning crowd is smaller. You can also witness the 'Abhishek' ritual if you arrive before 7 AM. Free entry; donations optional.

09:00 AM

Visit Adi Shankaracharya's Samadhi

Located behind the temple, this is the final resting place of the 8th-century philosopher. It's a short walk and free to visit. Spend 15–20 minutes paying respects and reading the plaques about his life.

10:00 AM

Explore Bhairav Nath Temple

A 500-meter uphill walk from the main temple, this shrine is dedicated to Bhairav, the guardian of Kedarnath. The climb offers panoramic views of the valley. Free entry; you can offer prayers and small donations.

Afternoon

12:00 PM

Lunch at your lodge or a local eatery

Enjoy a simple vegetarian meal—dal, rice, roti, and seasonal vegetables. Cost at local eateries is ₹150–₹250 per thali. Your lodge may also offer meals at similar prices. Rest after lunch to conserve energy.

02:00 PM

Side-trek to Gandhi Sarovar (Chorabari Tal)

Start the gentle 2 km trek from Kedarnath to the glacial lake at 4,000m. The path is rocky but manageable; allow 1–1.5 hours each way. The lake is sacred and offers stunning reflections of the surrounding peaks. No entry fee.

05:00 PM

Return to Kedarnath and rest

After returning, rest at your lodge. Drink warm fluids like ginger tea to prevent altitude sickness. Keep hydrated and avoid alcohol. Enjoy the sunset view over the temple and mountains from your lodge.

Evening

07:00 PM

Evening stroll around the temple area

Take a relaxed walk around the temple precincts and the market stalls. You can buy small souvenirs or puja items. Note that most shops close by 8 PM. Return to your lodge for dinner.

08:00 PM

Dinner at your lodge

Have dinner at your lodge (thali or simple curry-rice). Cost is usually ₹200–₹300 per meal. Retire early—you have a long trek down tomorrow. Ensure you pack your bags and keep essentials handy.

Day 3

8 activities

Morning

06:00 AM

Early breakfast at your lodge

Have a light breakfast (porridge, toast, or paratha) before starting the descent. Cost included in most lodge packages; otherwise ₹100–₹200. Pack extra water and snacks for the trek down.

07:00 AM

Begin descent from Kedarnath to Gaurikund

The downhill trek is faster but hard on the knees. Use walking poles if available. The descent takes 4–5 hours with breaks. Follow the same trail, but be cautious of loose stones and steep sections.

10:00 AM

Short break at Garud Chatti or Rambara

Stop for tea or a light snack at one of the trailside stalls. A cup of tea costs ₹20–₹30, and maggi is ₹60–₹80. Rest your legs for 10–15 minutes before continuing.

Afternoon

12:00 PM

Arrive at Gaurikund and take a vehicle to Sonprayag

Reach Gaurikund and find a shared jeep or taxi to Sonprayag (approx. 30 minutes). Shared jeep costs ₹50–₹100 per person. From Sonprayag, you can hire a taxi to Triyuginarayan.

01:00 PM

Drive from Sonprayag to Triyuginarayan

The drive is about 1–1.5 hours (approx. 25 km) through scenic mountain roads. Hire a private taxi (₹1,500–₹2,500) or share with other pilgrims. The road is narrow but paved. Enjoy the views of the Mandakini valley.

02:30 PM

Visit Triyuginarayan Temple and the eternal flame

Explore the ancient temple dedicated to Shiva and Parvati, and see the 'akhand dhuni' (eternal flame) that has burned for centuries. Free entry; donations welcome. Spend 30–45 minutes here. There are small shops for snacks and puja items.

04:00 PM

Drive to Guptkashi or Rudraprayag for overnight stay

After the visit, drive back to your chosen base (Guptkashi or Rudraprayag). The drive takes 1–2 hours. Check into your hotel and rest. You can also stop for lunch at a restaurant in Sonprayag or Guptkashi if you skipped it earlier.

Evening

07:00 PM

Dinner at your hotel

Enjoy a hearty dinner at your hotel—typical Indian vegetarian dishes. Cost is usually ₹200–₹400 per person. Plan your onward journey and confirm transport for the next day. Rest well after the tiring trek.

Food Recommendations

Bhandari Chaiwala (Kedarnath)

Tea stall / snack

Must Try: Hot masala chai and maggi noodles

₹50-150 per person

GMVN Guesthouse Restaurant (Kedarnath)

Indian vegetarian

Must Try: Aloo paratha with curd, dal khichdi

₹150-300 per person

Shiva Restaurant (Sonprayag)

North Indian vegetarian

Must Try: Paneer butter masala with tandoori roti

₹200-400 per person

Transportation Tips

Fly to Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) and take a taxi or bus to Guptkashi/Sonprayag (approx. 7-8 hours).
From Sonprayag, shared jeeps and taxis run to Gaurikund (approx. 30 minutes).
Helicopter services from Phata, Sersi, or Guptkashi to Kedarnath are available during the season; book well in advance.
For the trek, hire a pony or palanquin at Gaurikund if you prefer not to walk the entire 16-18 km.