Kedarnath Yatra

Kedarnath Yatra at a glance

Kedarnath is the highest of the 12 Jyotirlingas and the first of the Panch Kedar, at about 3,583 m in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand. Vehicles go up to Sonprayag, shuttle jeeps run about 5 km to Gaurikund, and from there it is a 16–18 km uphill walk, or pony, palki or helicopter. The kapat open in late April or May and close on Bhai Dooj. A road yatra from Dehradun takes 4 days; by helicopter it can be done in a day. We organise it from Dehradun with registration help, stays and satvik meals.

Which Kedarnath yatra is right for you?

If everyone in your group can walk for a full day, the 4-day road yatra is the simplest and most affordable way. If you want to add Tungnath or Badrinath, pick the matching package. For elderly parents or anyone with knee or heart trouble, the helicopter yatras from Dehradun remove the long walk. All packages are listed below, with full itineraries on each page.

Prices are per person and vary with season, group size and room sharing. Pony, palki and helicopter shuttle tickets are not part of the road packages; the package page shows exactly what is included.

When does Kedarnath open in 2027?

The 2027 opening date is not announced yet (as of 28 October 2026). By tradition, the date is fixed on Mahashivratri at the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath after reading the panchang, and the kapat open in late April or May.

• 2026 season: opened on 22 April 2026; closing on Bhai Dooj, 11 November 2026, in the morning.
• Winter darshan: after closing, Baba Kedar's utsav doli is taken to the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath, where puja continues all winter.

Best time to go: opening day to June has pleasant weather but the heaviest crowds. July and August bring monsoon rain, slippery paths and landslides, and the helicopter service usually pauses. September to closing has clear skies and fewer yatris, though nights are very cold and snow is possible from late October.

How to reach Kedarnath from Dehradun, Haridwar and Delhi

1. Dehradun or Haridwar to Rishikesh: the first leg. Delhi yatris usually come to Haridwar by train or road, or fly to Dehradun's Jolly Grant airport.
2. Rishikesh to Rudraprayag via Devprayag: at Devprayag the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet to form the Ganga; at Rudraprayag the Alaknanda meets the Mandakini.
3. Rudraprayag to Guptkashi, Sitapur or Sonprayag: the main night halts in the Mandakini valley. The drive from Dehradun to Guptkashi takes about 8–9 hours.
4. Sonprayag to Gaurikund: private vehicles stop at Sonprayag; shared shuttle jeeps cover the last stretch of about 5 km.
5. Gaurikund to Kedarnath: the walking path, about 16 km by the common count (16–18 km in many official notices).

Distances are approximate and can change when sections are rebuilt after landslides.

Registration and helicopter booking

Every yatri must complete the free Uttarakhand Char Dham registration on registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in or the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app. It is checked on the route, and the registration number is required to book a helicopter. Our registration guide walks through it step by step.

• Official helicopter booking: only on IRCTC HeliYatra (heliyatra.irctc.co.in). Fake websites and WhatsApp "agents" cheat yatris every season.
• Helipads (2026): Guptkashi, Phata and Sersi in the Kedar valley.
• Phases: in 2026 flights ran from opening to mid-June and again after the monsoon. Seats sold out within hours of booking opening.
• Weather: flights stop in poor visibility, so keep a spare day.

Read our Kedarnath helicopter booking guide for helipads, 2026 fares as reported, and how to avoid fake sites.

Walk, pony, palki or helicopter: what suits whom?

• Walk: the path is paved but climbs steadily all the way. A fit adult takes about 6–8 hours up. Start at dawn.
• Pony or khachchar: hire only from registered counters and keep the receipt.
• Palki (dandi-kandi) or pithu: good for elderly yatris and small children; book at authorised counters.
• Helicopter shuttle: a short flight from the valley helipads, then a short walk to the temple.
• Helicopter from Dehradun: our Do Dham Yatra by Helicopter includes a night at each dham, so darshan is unhurried.

Most walking yatris stay one night at Kedarnath so they can attend the evening aarti and take morning darshan before walking down.

Health, senior citizens and darshan tips

• Get a medical check-up before the yatra, especially if you are over 55 or have heart disease, asthma, diabetes or high blood pressure. Health posts are set up along the path.
• Do not climb straight from the plains. A night in Guptkashi or Sonprayag helps the body adjust to altitude.
• Walk slowly, drink water and eat small amounts often. Headache, vomiting or breathlessness mean stop, rest and get checked.
• Carry a full set of warm clothes even in May and June; nights at Kedarnath are cold.
• Phones and photography were not allowed inside the temple premises in 2026. Deposit your phone before darshan.
• Behind the temple are the samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya and the Bhim Shila; Bhairavnath temple sits on the ridge above. Keep your gotra and family names ready for sankalp or rudrabhishek.

See our Kedarnath and Char Dham packing list for a full checklist.

What we arrange on a Kedarnath yatra

From Dehradun we arrange registration help, a private vehicle with a hill-experienced driver, stays in the Mandakini valley and at Kedarnath, satvik breakfast and dinner, guidance on pony and palki counters, and advice on when helicopter booking opens. If a road closes or the weather turns, we change the plan quickly so your darshan is still completed safely. Families who want to add Tungnath or Badrinath get a route built around their pace.

Frequently asked questions

How many days are needed for Kedarnath Yatra from Dehradun?

By road with the walk, plan 4 days from Dehradun: one day to drive to Guptkashi, one day to walk up and stay at Kedarnath, one day for morning darshan and the walk down, and one day to drive back. Add a day if you want a buffer for weather. By helicopter from Dehradun, darshan can even be done in a single day.

How long is the Kedarnath trek from Gaurikund?

The walking path from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is about 16 km, and some official notices say 16–18 km. Key points are Jungle Chatti at about 4 km, Bhimbali at 7 km, Linchauli at 11 km and the base camp at 15 km. A fit adult takes about 6–8 hours to climb and 4–6 hours to come down.

When will Kedarnath open in 2027?

The 2027 opening date had not been announced as of October 2026. It is traditionally declared on Mahashivratri at the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath, and the kapat usually open in late April or May. In 2026 Kedarnath opened on 22 April and closes on 11 November. We update this page once the date is declared.

How do I book a Kedarnath helicopter ticket?

First complete the free Char Dham registration on the Uttarakhand government portal. Then book only on IRCTC HeliYatra at heliyatra.irctc.co.in using your registration number or group ID. Helicopters fly from Guptkashi, Phata and Sersi. Never pay any other website, social media page or WhatsApp number, as fake ticket scams are reported every season.

Can senior citizens do the Kedarnath Yatra?

Yes, many do. Elderly yatris can take a palki, pithu or pony from authorised counters, or use the helicopter shuttle. A medical check-up before travel is strongly advised, especially for those over 55 or with heart, lung, sugar or blood pressure issues. A night at Guptkashi before the climb helps the body adjust to the altitude.

Is it necessary to stay overnight at Kedarnath?

It is not compulsory, but it is the best plan for walking yatris. After a full day of climbing, a night at Kedarnath lets you attend the evening aarti, rest, and take calm morning darshan before walking down. Doing the climb, darshan and descent in one day is very tiring and risky at this altitude.

What is the best month for Kedarnath Yatra?

September and October are often the best months, with clear weather and fewer crowds after the monsoon. May and June are popular and pleasant but very busy. July and August carry landslide risk and the helicopter usually pauses. In late October and early November it gets very cold and snow can fall before the kapat close.

Share your dates, starting city and group details through the enquiry form on this page, or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page). Prefer Hindi? Read केदारनाथ यात्रा हिंदी में.