Quick answer: Kedarnath pony, palki (dandi) and pithu (kandi) rates are fixed by the Rudraprayag district administration and Zila Panchayat. A pony from Gaurikund up to Kedarnath costs about Rs 3,200 (May 2024 district order) to Rs 3,500 (quoted in 2026 news reports). Boards seen in 2026 showed a palki uphill at about Rs 9,200 to Rs 15,200 by body weight. Always book at the official counter and get a receipt.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
About 16 km of mountain path separates Gaurikund from Kedarnath Dham. Not everyone can walk it, and for many elders a pony, palki or porter makes the darshan possible. Every year, though, yatris are overcharged by touts who meet them on the road. This page brings together the official rates we could verify, explains which option suits whom, and shows how to book safely. Rates are revised by the district from time to time; we say clearly where a figure is from an older order or a reported board, so you can check it at the counter.
Pony, palki or pithu: what is the difference?
| Option | What it is | Who it suits | Time up (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pony / mule (ghoda-khachchar) | You ride; a handler walks with the animal | Adults who can sit on a horse for several hours and have reasonable balance | 5 to 7 hours |
| Palki / dandi | A seat carried on poles by four bearers, who change over on the way | Elderly yatris, those with knee or back problems, anyone who cannot ride | 6 to 9 hours |
| Pithu / kandi | A cane basket carried on one porter’s back | Children and light adults; rate depends on weight | Varies with the porter |
| Porter (for luggage) | Carries your bag, not you | Walkers who want to go light | Walks with you |
| Helicopter | Shuttle from Guptkashi, Phata or Sersi to the Kedarnath helipad | Elders and those short of days, if tickets are available | 7 to 10 minutes flying |
Kedarnath pony (horse and mule) rates
Pony fares are set by an order of the District Magistrate, Rudraprayag, and do not depend on the rider’s weight. The most recent card we could trace in an official order was revised on 16 May 2024:
| From | To | Rate (2024 district card) |
|---|---|---|
| Gaurikund | Kedarnath (base camp) | Rs 3,200 |
| Kedarnath (base camp) | Gaurikund | Rs 2,300 |
| Sonprayag | Kedarnath (base camp) | Rs 3,500 |
| Kedarnath (base camp) | Sonprayag | Rs 2,500 |
In May 2026, a police action against overcharging at Gaurikund was reported with Rs 3,500 per rider described as the government rate for Gaurikund to Kedarnath; the yatris in that case had been made to pay Rs 6,500 each, and the police got the money refunded. This suggests the card may have been revised after 2024, or that the reporter quoted the Sonprayag fare. Either way, expect about Rs 3,200 to Rs 3,500 for one way uphill, and confirm the exact figure on the board at the counter. Some websites quote older figures from before 2024; ignore those.
Kedarnath palki (dandi) rates
Palki fares depend on the passenger’s body weight. We could not find the 2026 notice on the district website. The figures below are as displayed on Zila Panchayat boards at Gaurikund in 2026, as photographed and transcribed by a local operator. Treat them as a guide only and confirm at the official counter.
| Route | Up to 60 kg | 61–75 kg | 76–90 kg | 91–100 kg | 101–120 kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaurikund to Kedarnath (one way) | Rs 9,200 | Rs 10,200 | Rs 11,200 | Rs 12,200 | Rs 15,200 |
| Kedarnath to Gaurikund (one way) | Rs 8,200 | Rs 9,200 | Rs 10,200 | Rs 11,200 | Rs 14,200 |
| Up and back the same day | Rs 15,200 | Rs 16,200 | Rs 17,200 | Rs 18,200 | Rs 21,200 |
| Up and back with a night halt | Rs 17,200 | Rs 18,200 | Rs 19,200 | Rs 20,200 | Rs 23,200 |
The same source reports that these totals include the bearers’ wages and fixed charges for arrangement and the dandi itself, and that passengers above 120 kg pay a higher slab.
Kedarnath pithu (kandi) rates
Kandi fares have two weight slabs. Again, these are the 2026 board figures as transcribed by a local operator, not an official notice we could verify:
| Route | Up to 25 kg | Up to 50 kg |
|---|---|---|
| Gaurikund to Kedarnath (one way) | Rs 6,000 | Rs 8,000 |
| Kedarnath to Gaurikund (one way) | Rs 5,000 | Rs 7,000 |
| Up and back the same day | Rs 8,000 | Rs 12,500 |
| Up and back with a night halt | Rs 10,500 | Rs 14,500 |
A kandi is generally suitable for children and small adults. Above 50 kg, a palki is the safer choice.
How to book a pony or palki at Kedarnath safely
- Book only at the official prepaid counter at Sonprayag or Gaurikund, run under the district administration and Zila Panchayat. Do not agree a price with anyone who approaches you on the road or in the parking area.
- Get a printed, numbered receipt. Check that the registration number on the receipt matches the tag on the animal or the ID cards of the palki team.
- Check the licence. Every handler, palki bearer and kandi porter must carry a Zila Panchayat licence or ID card. Ask to see it.
- State weight honestly for palki and kandi. If the slab is wrong, bearers may stop midway and ask for more.
- Agree the return in advance. If you want a same-day return or a night halt, book that fare at the counter. Do not negotiate changes on the trail.
- Keep the receipt till the end. Pay any balance only as the counter instructs.
- Complain if overcharged. Note the handler’s ID number and report to the tourist police or police booth at Gaurikund or Sonprayag. In 2026 the police acted on such complaints and refunded the excess.
Animal welfare and seasonal rules
Thousands of horses and mules work on the route, and their welfare has been a concern for years. Animals must be registered, tagged and checked by veterinary teams. In May 2025, pony and mule services were stopped for a period after deaths linked to equine influenza, and palki and kandi operators took on more yatris; services resumed after testing. Services are also halted during heavy rain or landslides. Choose an animal that looks healthy, do not ask the handler to hurry, and dismount on steep or slippery stretches if asked.
Which option should you choose?
- Healthy adult who has trained: walk up early and take a pony down if your knees hurt; downhill is hard on joints.
- Elderly parent who cannot ride: palki, ideally with a night halt at Kedarnath so there is no rush. Our Char Dham guide for senior citizens has more advice.
- Child under 10: kandi, with a parent walking alongside.
- Short of days or unable to sit long: try for a helicopter ticket through the official IRCTC portal; see our Kedarnath helicopter booking guide.
For the path itself, stage by stage, see our Kedarnath trek route guide.
Are pony and palki charges included in yatra packages?
Usually not. Most Kedarnath packages, including ours, list pony, palki, pithu and helicopter charges as extras, because the choice depends on each person’s health on the day and the rates are fixed by the district. Our Char Dham package inclusions guide explains what is normally included and what is not.
How we can help
On our Kedarnath Yatra (4 days from Dehradun) and Do Dham Yatra by Road from Haridwar, we help you choose the right option for each family member and point you to the official counters at Sonprayag and Gaurikund; the fares themselves are paid by you at the counter. For elders who cannot manage the path, see our Do Dham Yatra by Helicopter from Dehradun and other Kedarnath yatras. Use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
What is the official pony rate from Gaurikund to Kedarnath?
The last district order we could trace, revised in May 2024, set Rs 3,200 from Gaurikund to the Kedarnath base camp and Rs 2,300 for the return. News reports in May 2026 quoted Rs 3,500 as the government rate. Expect about Rs 3,200 to Rs 3,500 uphill, and pay only the amount shown at the official counter.
How much does a palki cost for Kedarnath?
Palki fares depend on body weight. Boards at Gaurikund in 2026, as transcribed by a local operator, showed about Rs 9,200 one way uphill for passengers up to 60 kg, rising to Rs 15,200 for 101–120 kg. A same-day return was about Rs 15,200 to Rs 21,200. Confirm the current board at the counter.
What is a pithu or kandi at Kedarnath?
A pithu, also called kandi, is a cane basket carried on one porter’s back. It is meant for children and light adults. In 2026 the boards reportedly showed about Rs 6,000 one way uphill for up to 25 kg and Rs 8,000 for up to 50 kg. Heavier passengers should take a palki instead.
Where do I book a pony or palki for Kedarnath?
Book at the official prepaid counters at Sonprayag or Gaurikund, which are run under the district administration and Zila Panchayat. You will get a printed receipt with a registration number. Avoid touts in parking areas and on the road who offer “cheaper” or “faster” rides; they are a common source of overcharging and unlicensed animals.
Can I book a Kedarnath pony online?
We are not aware of an official online booking system for ponies, palkis or kandis on the Kedarnath route. They are booked in person at the counters at Sonprayag and Gaurikund. Be careful of websites claiming to sell pony tickets in advance. Only helicopter tickets are sold online, through the official IRCTC portal.
How long does a pony take to reach Kedarnath?
A pony usually takes about 5 to 7 hours from Gaurikund to the base camp, depending on crowds, weather and rest stops. The last stretch is a short walk to the temple. Downhill takes about 4 to 6 hours. Start early in the morning so that you reach before afternoon clouds and rain.
Are pony and palki rates the same for the return journey?
No. Downhill fares are lower. Under the 2024 card a pony from Kedarnath to Gaurikund was Rs 2,300 against Rs 3,200 uphill. Palkis and kandis also have separate one-way down, same-day return and night-halt rates. Book the full plan at the counter so that the fare is fixed in advance.
What should I do if I am overcharged on the Kedarnath route?
Keep your receipt and note the handler’s or bearer’s ID number. Report to the police or tourist police booth at Gaurikund or Sonprayag, or to the police on the route. In May 2026 police in Gaurikund acted on a complaint of overcharging, got the yatris’ money refunded and fined the operators.