Quick answer: From Mumbai, the easiest way to Kedarnath is a direct flight to Dehradun (Jolly Grant), about 2.5 hours, then a day’s drive to Guptkashi and the 16 km walk from Gaurikund. Plan 6 days door to door by air, or 8 to 9 days by train, since the daily Bandra–Haridwar Express alone takes 30 hours or more. Go in May–June or September–October.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
For a Mumbai family, Kedarnath is a big undertaking: roughly 1,700 km to the foothills, then a climb from sea level to over 3,500 metres. It is very doable, and many Maharashtrian and Gujarati families from Mumbai make the yatra every year. The difference between a good and a hard yatra usually comes down to two choices made at home: how you travel north, and how many days you keep.
Mumbai to Kedarnath: your three main options
| Option | Mumbai to the foothills | Total days (Mumbai to Mumbai) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fly to Dehradun | Direct flights by IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express and SpiceJet; about 2.5 hours | 6 days | Working professionals, seniors, families with limited leave |
| Fly to Delhi, then train or road | 2 hours to Delhi, then Vande Bharat or Shatabdi to Haridwar (3.5 to 4.5 hours) | 6 to 7 days | When Dehradun fares are high or seats sold out |
| Direct train to Haridwar | Bandra Terminus–Haridwar Express (19019), daily, about 30 to 33 hours; a few other trains run on set days | 8 to 9 days | Groups on a budget, those who prefer not to fly |
| Rajdhani to Delhi, then onward | Overnight Rajdhani, about 16 hours, then 3.5 to 5 hours to Haridwar | 7 to 8 days | Comfortable rail travel with one change |
Airlines change routes each season, and Navi Mumbai’s new airport has added some options, so check current schedules when you book. Train numbers and days should be confirmed on the Indian Railways app.
A 6-day plan from Mumbai (by air)
- Day 1: morning flight Mumbai to Dehradun. Rest in Dehradun or drive an hour to Rishikesh for the Ganga aarti. Early night.
- Day 2: drive about 220 km to Guptkashi via Devprayag and Rudraprayag, 8 to 9 hours.
- Day 3: the climb. Start from Gaurikund by 6 am so that you are past Linchauli before the afternoon cloud. Sleep at Kedarnath.
- Day 4: morning darshan, descend, back to Guptkashi.
- Day 5: drive to Dehradun or Rishikesh.
- Day 6: flight home. If a landslide delayed you, this is your buffer.
We strongly suggest booking your return flight for the afternoon of Day 6, not the evening of Day 5. Hill roads can close for hours after rain, and missed flights in peak season are expensive to replace.
The altitude jump from sea level
This is the most important thing for Mumbaikars to understand. You live at sea level. Guptkashi is at about 1,300 m and Kedarnath at about 3,583 m. Flying to Dehradun and going up within two days gives the body little time to adjust. Headache, breathlessness and poor sleep at Kedarnath are common.
- Spend the first night in Dehradun or Rishikesh and the second at Guptkashi before climbing.
- Walk slowly on the trail; you should be able to talk while walking.
- Drink water steadily and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- If anyone has heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma or diabetes, see your doctor in Mumbai before booking, and carry prescriptions.
- Warning signs like a severe headache, vomiting, confusion or breathlessness at rest mean go down and get medical help. Our altitude sickness guide explains more.
When should Mumbai families go?
In 2026 Kedarnath opened on 22 April and is scheduled to close on 11 November. The 2027 date will be announced on Mahashivratri, 6 March 2027.
Mumbai’s school holidays in May make it the busiest month for Mumbai yatris, and also for everyone else. If May is your only option, book as soon as the 2027 opening date is announced in early March. Avoid the monsoon months. The rains reach Mumbai and Uttarakhand at about the same time, and by July the mountain roads see frequent landslides. September and October, after the monsoon and around Navratri, are quieter and clear, though cold at night. Plan around Ganeshotsav, as flights out of Mumbai in that week cost more.
Packing for a Mumbai family
Most Mumbai wardrobes have no real winter clothing. At Kedarnath, even in May, nights can drop close to freezing and rain can come any afternoon. Bring or buy:
- A warm jacket, thermals, woollen cap, gloves and socks for each person.
- A proper rain poncho, not a folding umbrella.
- Walking shoes with grip, already broken in. Avoid new shoes and slippers on the trail.
- Sunscreen and lip balm; the sun is strong at altitude.
Woollens and ponchos are cheaper in Dehradun, Rishikesh or Haridwar than at Guptkashi. Our packing list has the full checklist.
Food and comfort along the way
Food on the route is north Indian and simple: dal, rice, roti, sabzi, parathas and tea. Meals without onion and garlic can be requested at most hotels in Dehradun, Rishikesh and Guptkashi, but strict Jain food without root vegetables is harder to find, and options at Kedarnath itself are limited. Many Gujarati and Marwari families from Mumbai carry thepla, khakhra and dry snacks for the trail, which is a good idea. Hindi is spoken everywhere, so language is not a problem.
Registration and helicopter booking
Register every family member on the Uttarakhand Tourism portal (registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in) or the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app before leaving Mumbai. It is free and compulsory, and it is checked at Sonprayag. If you want a helicopter seat from Guptkashi, Phata or Sersi, book only on IRCTC HeliYatra using your registration number; seats sell out within hours. Our helicopter booking guide explains the process.
How we can help
Because the flight from Mumbai lands at Dehradun, our Kedarnath yatra from Dehradun (4 days, from ₹20,000 per person) fits Mumbai families well: we pick you up at Jolly Grant airport and bring you back there. Having come this far, many Mumbai families add Badrinath on the same journey; our Do Dham road yatra (6 days from Haridwar, from ₹35,000 per person) does that. For elders who cannot trek, the Do Dham by helicopter from Dehradun (4 days, from ₹1,40,000 per person) avoids the walk entirely. See all options on our Kedarnath packages page or the full Kedarnath guide. Use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to reach Kedarnath from Mumbai?
Fly direct from Mumbai to Dehradun’s Jolly Grant airport, about 2.5 hours. From there it is a full day’s drive of roughly 220 km to Guptkashi, then a 5 km jeep to Gaurikund and a 16 km walk or a helicopter seat from Guptkashi, Phata or Sersi. Door to door, keep at least 5 to 6 days.
Is there a direct train from Mumbai to Haridwar?
Yes. The Bandra Terminus–Haridwar Express (19019/19020) runs daily and takes roughly 30 to 33 hours. Some other trains from Mumbai to Haridwar run only on certain days of the week. Check current timings on the Indian Railways app. From Haridwar, Kedarnath is a further day’s drive plus the walk.
How many days do Mumbai families need for Kedarnath?
Six days by air, including one buffer day. Eight to nine days if you take the direct train both ways. If you add Badrinath, keep eight days by air. Squeezing Kedarnath into four days from Mumbai is risky because of altitude and weather.
Will altitude be a problem for people from Mumbai?
It can be, because you go from sea level to about 3,583 m in two or three days. Sleep a night at Dehradun or Rishikesh and one at Guptkashi before climbing, walk slowly, drink water and avoid alcohol. People with heart, lung or blood pressure problems should consult a doctor in Mumbai before booking.
Can we get Jain food on the Kedarnath yatra?
In Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar and Guptkashi most hotels can prepare food without onion and garlic if told in advance. At Kedarnath and on the trail, choices are limited to simple dal, rice, khichdi and tea. Carrying thepla, khakhra and dry snacks from Mumbai is sensible.
Which month is best for a Kedarnath yatra from Mumbai?
Early May to mid-June and mid-September to October. May is crowded because of school holidays across India. July and August coincide with the monsoon in both Mumbai and Uttarakhand, bringing landslides. After the monsoon, September and October have clear mountain views, though nights are cold.
Should we fly to Delhi or Dehradun from Mumbai?
Dehradun is better because it saves 4 to 6 hours and a change. Fly to Delhi only if Dehradun flights are sold out or very expensive, then take the Vande Bharat or Shatabdi to Haridwar or the expressway to Dehradun. Delhi adds roughly half a day on each side.
Do we need to register before leaving Mumbai?
Yes, register online before you travel. Registration is compulsory and free on the Uttarakhand Tourism portal or app, and the QR letter is checked at Sonprayag. Offline counters in Haridwar and Rishikesh get crowded in peak season, and a helicopter booking also needs your registration number.