In local dialect ‘Kedarnath’ means ‘lord of fields’; according to a local legend it is believed that Lord shiva hid in an assumption of a bull trying to avoid the Pandavas. Bhima, one of the brothers from Pandavas, recognized lord Shiva and tried to capture the bull through its tail and hind legs. Just before Bhima could fully grasp the bull, it disappeared into the ground only to later appear in many forms across the region. The hump of this bull appeared in Kedarnath where it is believed that Pandavas built the temple and later worshipped it.
Kedarnath trek Guide
Day 1: Drive from Haridwar via Rishikesh to Guptkashi/Sonprayag – 202 km by taxi (1,982 m).
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 2: Early morning (3:00 am) drive from Guptkashi/Sonprayag to Gaurikund.
Same day trek to Kedarnath Temple – 15 km (8/9 hours) (3,553 m).
Overnight stay in hotel/dormitory.
Day 3: After morning Aarti Darshan, trek back from Kedarnath to Gaurikund.
Same day drive to Sonprayag/Guptkashi.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 4: Drive from Sonprayag to Haridwar via Rishikesh – 202 km.
Note: Our service will remain from Rishikesh to Rishikesh.
For more details, please check the includes or excludes section.
Day 1: Drive from Haridwar via Rishikesh to Guptkashi/ Sonprayag
Note: AC vehicles are only available for customized trek packages.Pickup from Haridwar: 07:00 am – Start your journey towards Guptkashi via Rishikesh.
Rishikesh Pickup Time: 08:00 am – You will be picked up from Rishikesh or take a short stop if already traveling.
Drive to Rishikesh: Rishikesh is approximately 20 km from Haridwar and takes around 30–45 minutes to reach, depending on traffic.
Short Stop in Rishikesh: Optional visit to famous temples and ghats such as Triveni Ghat or The Beatles Ashram.
Continue the journey to Guptkashi: After the stop, continue driving. Rishikesh to Guptkashi is about 180 km and takes around 6–7 hours, depending on road and traffic conditions.
Scenic Views: The route offers breathtaking sights of the Himalayas, deep valleys, river streams, and lush greenery throughout the journey.
Arrival in Guptkashi: You are expected to reach by late afternoon or early evening, depending on your travel pace and stops.
Total Distance: Approximately 210 kilometers (130 miles).
Estimated Travel Time: Around 10–11 hours by car under normal conditions.


Day 2:Trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath temple
Early Morning Departure from Guptkashi to Gaurikund: The distance from Guptkashi to Gaurikund is approximately 30 kilometers (about 19 miles) by road. This drive usually takes around 1–2 hours depending on traffic and road conditions.
Gaurikund to Kedarnath Trek: From Gaurikund, begin your trek to Kedarnath. The trekking distance is about 16 kilometers (approximately 10 miles) and typically takes 6–8 hours to complete, depending on your pace and the weather.
Scenic Views along the Trek: The route offers spectacular Himalayan views with snow-capped peaks, lush valleys, flowing rivers, and fresh mountain air. Trekkers pass through peaceful villages, green meadows, and forested trails.
Route Highlights: Key points along the trail include Rambara, where you’ll cross a scenic bridge over the Mandakini River, and Linchauli, a serene meadow surrounded by rhododendron forests. As you approach Kedarnath, glimpses of the temple appear, nestled in the mighty mountains.
Arrival in Kedarnath: Most trekkers reach Kedarnath by late afternoon or early evening. Once there, take time to rest and refresh before visiting the sacred Kedarnath Temple and exploring the surrounding spiritual environment.

Day 3: Kedarnath to Gaurikund same day Drive sonparyag/ Guptkashi
Early Morning Visit to Kedarnath Temple:
Wake up around 2:00 am to prepare for the visit.
Start your trek to the Kedarnath Temple by 2:30 am. The trek takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on your accommodation's location.
Arrive at the temple in time for the morning Aarti Pooja, which starts around 4:00 am. This is an opportunity to witness the beautiful rituals and experience the spiritual ambiance of the temple. Afterward, spend some time for personal prayers and meditation.
Breakfast and Exploration:
After the Aarti, head back to your accommodation for breakfast. Enjoy a hearty meal to replenish your energy.
Post breakfast, take time to explore Kedarnath, soaking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks and enjoy the peaceful, serene atmosphere of this sacred place.
Return Journey to Gaurikund and Guptkashi:
Start your trek back to Gaurikund after breakfast. The descent is faster than the ascent, so you should reach Gaurikund by late morning or early afternoon.
From Gaurikund, take a vehicle back to Guptkashi. The drive takes around 1–2 hours.
Arrive in Guptkashi by late afternoon or early evening, depending on road conditions and traffic.

Day 4: Drive from Guptkashi -Sonprayag to Rishikesh Haridwar
Morning Departure from Guptkashi:
After breakfast at your accommodation in Guptkashi, begin preparing for your journey back to Haridwar.
Start your drive from Guptkashi to Rishikesh. The distance is approximately 180 kilometers (about 112 miles), and it usually takes around 6-7 hours to cover, depending on road conditions and traffic.
Scenic Drive to Rishikesh:
Enjoy the stunning beauty of the Himalayan foothills during your drive towards Rishikesh. Along the way, you will pass picturesque landscapes, rivers, valleys, and mountains that offer excellent opportunities for photography and relaxation.
Stopover in Rishikesh:
Take a brief stop in Rishikesh to stretch your legs and grab refreshments.
If you have some time, visit iconic landmarks in Rishikesh, such as Laxman Jhula, Ram Jhula, or attend the Ganga Aarti ceremony by the riverbank.
Continuation to Haridwar:
After your stop in Rishikesh, continue your journey to Haridwar. The distance from Rishikesh to Haridwar is around 20 kilometers (about 12 miles), and the drive takes approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on the traffic conditions.
Arrival in Haridwar:
Arrive in Haridwar by late afternoon or early evening. You can spend your evening exploring Haridwar, attending the Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri, or simply relax along the sacred Ganges River.
Note: Reaching Rishikesh by the scheduled date is the trekkers’ responsibility. We can only provide assistance after your arrival in Rishikesh.

Kedarnath Temple, located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, usually opens for visitors in late April or early May each year, and closes in the first week of November before winter sets in. The exact dates of opening and closing of the temple are determined by the Char Dham Devasthanam Board, which oversees the management of the temple. However, it’s important to note that the dates may vary slightly from year to year, depending on various factors such as weather conditions and other local considerations. If you are planning to visit the temple, it’s a good idea to check with the official website of the Char Dham Devasthanam Board or local authorities for the exact dates of opening and closing before making travel arrangements.
Kedarnath temple is best visited during the summer months of April to June, and September to the end of October. Families and friends can enjoy the mild temperatures of these months. The unfavorable temperatures and precipitation make this trek a pre and post-monsoon season trek. Temperatures typically range from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius during the day, with substantially colder nights.
The most popular time to visit Kedarnath Temple is during the Char Dham Yatra season, which typically runs from April/May to October/November, depending on the weather conditions. During this time, the roads leading to Kedarnath are open, and the temple is easily accessible.
To reach Kedarnath from Haridwar, you can take a shared taxi or bus to Gaurikund, which is the base camp for the trek to Kedarnath. The trek is approximately 14 kilometers long and takes around 6–8 hours to complete, depending on your pace and physical fitness level. Along the way, you will pass through several scenic locations, including waterfalls, lush forests, and picturesque valleys.
During the Char Dham Yatra season, there are several facilities available for pilgrims, including accommodation options, medical facilities, and food stalls. It is advisable to carry warm clothing, sturdy trekking shoes, and basic first aid supplies when trekking to Kedarnath, as the weather can be unpredictable and the terrain can be challenging.
Overall, visiting Kedarnath during the Char Dham Yatra season can be a memorable and spiritually uplifting experience, as you will be part of a large community of devotees who are all journeying towards a common goal.
First of all, the safety of trekkers is much more important to us. In the trek, there are many risks, which we always keep in mind for your safety.
Himalayan Hikers worry more about you to ensure no one faces any problems during the trek.
What should we and you keep in mind for more safety during the trek?
- Whenever you are going for the Kedarnath trek, it is very important that you go completely fit and ready.
- The Kedarnath trek is of moderate difficulty. If you calm your mind and keep your feet strong, the trek will be very easy for you.
- While trekking, always keep in mind that you are walking on the right route, preferably with your guide.
- Many people tend to look around and lose focus on where they are walking, which can cause trips or falls and ruin the entire trek.
- If you have any medical concerns, it’s important to consult your doctor before the trek.
- Always carry a medical kit with you, as it is extremely important.
- Himalayan Hikers always ensure that trekkers have access to a medical kit, including oxygen cylinders and emergency medications on the Kedarnath trek.
- If any trekkers face serious issues, they will be brought back to the base camp on a stretcher for further assistance.
- Our hotels along the Kedarnath trek are located between 6000 feet to 11,000 feet, where oxygen levels are adequate, as it is the tree-line area.
- If you face any medical problems, consult your guide or fellow trekkers who are well-informed about the conditions and safety protocols.
- In case of major health issues on the Kedarnath trek, the nearest hospitals are located in Rudraprayag, Gaurikund, and Karnaprayag, which are about 69 km away from the Kedarnath trek. The last option for treatment is in Dehradun or Rishikesh, which are approximately 257 km away.
- Along with the trek, we ensure proper acclimatization to help you adjust to the altitude and avoid altitude sickness.
If you are travelling from any metropolitan city in India or from outside India, getting to the capital city of Delhi may be the first and most important step. All major modes of transportation, such as air, road, and rail, can take you to Delhi.
Rishikesh is connected to most major cities in India via all chief modes of transportation. Trekkers could perhaps conduct extensive research for their direct mode of transportation to ensure a much smoother arrival.
By air – Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport to Rishikesh. It is well connected to Delhi and many chief cities with daily flights. How to reach Rishikesh from Delhi.
By road – Delhi has direct road routes to Rishikesh. Trekkers will have to book either a bus or private cabs. Prior booking for cabs and buses are easily available at various sites.
Delhi > Rishikesh > Sonprayag > Gaurikund
By railway – Nearest railway station to Rishikesh will be Rishikesh Railway station. Since Rishikesh is connected to all major railway routes, trekkers can opt for a direct route or via Delhi. They can also opt for direct trains to Dehradun or Haridwar and then take cab or bus to Rishikesh.
Some important points to note –
- Please note that we don’t provide timing schedules for transportation before Rishikesh. Subject to various conditions, the scheduled timings and availability of particular rides may differ. We recommend trekkers to reach out to our teams for any queries. You can drop an email or call us for an initial guided session.
- Our teams will be collecting trekkers at fixed points of airports, railway stations, and bus stands.
- It is recommended that unless any delay arises, trekkers are advised to reach the destinations at least 2 hours prior.

Mandatory Documents
Original and photocopy of government photo identity card- (Aadhar Card, Driving License, Voters ID, etc,)
Passport and Visa important to foreigners
Medical Certificate (First part should be filled by the Doctor and Second part by the Trekker)
Declaration Certificates
Note: – Many trekkers commit the same mistake of carrying unnecessary items on a trek which only makes the backpack heavy. It is important to know the right items to carry. It differs from season to season if you are trekking in summers then carry less layers of warm clothing and if you are trekking in winters carry enough layers to protect yourself against chilly cold.
Necessary Items for trekkers

Basic Trekking Gears

The Clothes You Should Bring On On Kedarnath Trek

Head Gears

Foot Gears

Personal Care Essentials

Carry a Personal Medical Kit


Are you Looking for Trekking Equipment on Rent?
If any trekker requires trekking equipment on rent, Himalayan Hikers offers the best-quality gear available for rental. Many individuals are in need of such equipment, and renting provides a cost-effective solution, allowing them to access high-quality gear at an affordable price without the need for a significant investment for short-term use.

Trek Equipment You can book directly on first day at the Sankri Base Camp.
Note:-
Please take all medicines only when prescribed by the doctor. In case you face any problem during your trek,
discuss and take advice from the Professional guide.
Himalayan Hikers is a reputable trekking company that places a high priority on safety. Here are some of the safety measures they take to ensure the safety of their clients during the Yatra:
Experienced Guides: Himalayan Hikers hires experienced and certified guides who are well-versed in the terrain, weather conditions, and local culture. These guides have first-hand knowledge of the routes and are equipped to handle any emergency situations that may arise.
Proper Gear: The company provides all the necessary gear and equipment to their clients to ensure comfort and safety during the trek.
Hygiene and Sanitation: Himalayan Hikers places great emphasis on hygiene and sanitation during the Yatra. They provide clean drinking water, hand sanitizers, and toilet tents to ensure that their clients are healthy and comfortable.
Emergency Services: The company has a well-defined protocol for handling emergency situations. They have a team of trained medical professionals who are available 24/7 and can be quickly mobilized in case of an emergency.
Acclimatization: Himalayan Hikers follows a gradual acclimatization process during treks to ensure that their clients adjust to the high altitude gradually. They also monitor the health of their clients regularly and provide necessary medical attention if required.
Overall, Himalayan Hikers places a great emphasis on safety and takes all necessary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of their clients during treks.
Any medical assistance that is required will be provided at any point of the journey; however, trekkers must consult their professional care before beginning any trek. We also strongly advise trekkers to learn about altitude sickness and to notify our teams as soon as any symptoms appear.
1) Connectivity along the route is unpredictable, so we urge all trekkers to complete their work ahead of time.
2) The last ATM for transactions is located at Gaurikund. However, we strongly recommend that travelers collect cash beforehand or while in Rishikesh, as ATMs at other locations along the route may not dispense cash at times.