Rudranath Yatra

Highlights & Route

Rudranath is where the face of Lord Shiva is worshipped in the Panch Kedar tradition, and it is the hardest of the five shrines to reach. The small stone temple stands at about 3,600 metres in a natural rock cave on the high meadows of Chamoli district, with Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Ghunti on the horizon. No road comes anywhere near it; devotees walk around 20 km from Sagar village near Gopeshwar through forest and alpine pasture.

This five-day plan uses the classic route in from Sagar and a different route out past the Anusuya Devi temple to Mandal, so you see new country every day. The first day is the long drive from Haridwar. Two walking days bring you over Panar Bugyal to the temple, with a camp at the meadow and another on the descent. The last day drives back to Haridwar. A local guide and a small kitchen team walk with you; all trek meals are vegetarian and cooked fresh.

Rudranath is open only in the warmer months. In 2026 the doors opened on 18 May and closed on 17 October, after which the deity is worshipped at Gopinath temple in Gopeshwar. Dates for 2027 will be announced before the season. The trail lies inside the Kedarnath Wildlife Division, and forest registration is compulsory; we handle it for the whole group.

Route

Haridwar → Rudraprayag → Gopeshwar → Sagar → Pung Bugyal → Liti Bugyal → Panar Bugyal → Pitradhar → Rudranath → Naola Pass → Anusuya Devi → Mandal → Gopeshwar → Haridwar

Good to know before you book

Total walking is roughly 40 km over three days, with the first day from Sagar a steady climb of about 12 km to Panar Bugyal at around 3,500 metres.
Forest department registration on the Kedarnath Wildlife Division portal is mandatory, with biometric checks at the Sagar forest chowki. Trekkers are not allowed to start after 2 pm. A Char Dham registration does not cover this trek.
Nights at Panar and on the descent are in tents. Sleeping bags and mattresses are provided, but nights are near freezing even in June.
There is no phone network after Sagar. The nearest hospital is at Gopeshwar.
Ponies can go partway from Sagar and porters are available; both must be requested at booking and are paid directly.
Mid-May to end-June and mid-September to the closing date are the recommended windows. Monsoon months are not advised.

Yatra Highlights

Darshan at Rudranath, the most remote of the Panch Kedar, in a cave temple above 3,500 m
Camp nights at Panar Bugyal with sunrise views of Nanda Devi and Trishul
Local guide, kitchen team, forest permits and Haridwar transfers included

Day 1 :

Haridwar to Sagar village

Pickup at your arrival point (airport, railway station or hotel) at the agreed time for the long drive up the Alaknanda valley through Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Karnaprayag to Gopeshwar, then a few kilometres further to Sagar village, about 235 km in all and eight to nine hours. Complete the forest registration formalities on arrival if the chowki is open, meet your guide and have dinner at the base guesthouse.

Overnight: Sagar (village guesthouse)

Day 2 :

Sagar to Panar Bugyal

Start by 7 am after the biometric check at the forest chowki. The trail climbs steadily through terraced fields, then thick oak and rhododendron forest to Pung Bugyal and Liti Bugyal, where the trees give way to open meadows. Lunch is packed. Reach Panar Bugyal, roughly 12 km and seven hours later, where the tents are set up. The sunset over Trishul from here is a reward in itself.

Overnight: Panar Bugyal (tents)

Day 3 :

Panar Bugyal to Rudranath and on towards Naola Pass

An early start over the Pitradhar ridge, where many pilgrims pause to remember their ancestors, and then along a high traverse to the temple, about 8 km. Have darshan of Rudranath ji in the cave shrine; a short walk leads to small kunds nearby. After lunch, begin the descent on the Mandal side and camp below the Naola Pass.

Overnight: Camp near Naola Pass (tents)

Day 4 :

Descent to Anusuya Devi and Mandal

A long downhill day of about 15 km through dense forest to the Anusuya Devi temple, a peaceful shrine linked to the sage Atri's wife, and then on to Mandal village on the Chopta road. Hot dinner and a proper bed await at the homestay.

Overnight: Mandal (homestay / guesthouse)

Day 5 :

Mandal to Haridwar

After breakfast we drive back via Gopeshwar, Karnaprayag and Rudraprayag to Haridwar, roughly 230 km and eight hours. Drop at your departure point (airport, railway station or hotel) by evening. Keep onward connections late or stay the night in Haridwar.

Overnight: Not included (yatra ends)

Night	Place	Hotel (or similar)	Room type
1	Sagar village	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
2	Panar Bugyal	Camp (tents)	Twin / triple sharing tent
3	Below Naola Pass	Camp (tents)	Twin / triple sharing tent
4	Mandal	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand all

Do we also get darshan at the Anusuya Devi temple on this Rudranath trek?

Yes. We walk out by a different route from the one we came in, so Day 4 is a long downhill walk of about 15 km through dense forest from below Naola Pass to the Anusuya Devi temple, a peaceful shrine linked to Mata Anusuya, wife of Sage Atri. From the temple the trail continues to Mandal village, where a hot dinner and a proper bed await at the homestay.

How difficult is the Rudranath trek?

Moderate to difficult. The climb from Sagar to Panar Bugyal gains about 1,500 metres in a day, and the full circuit is around 40 km. It is longer and wilder than Kedarnath or Tungnath, with no shops or lodges on the way, so good preparation matters.

Is a permit needed?

Yes. The route lies in the Kedarnath Wildlife Division and every trekker must be registered on the forest department’s portal, with biometric verification at the Sagar chowki. We complete this for you using your ID details. Please note trekkers are not allowed to start after 2 pm.

Where do we sleep?

Night one is a village guesthouse at Sagar, nights two and three are in tents at Panar Bugyal and below the Naola Pass, and night four is a homestay at Mandal. Sleeping bags and mattresses are provided; bring warm inner layers.

Which months are best?

Late May to the end of June, and mid-September until the temple closes in October. The meadows are at their greenest after the monsoon. July and August bring rain, mist and slippery trails and are not recommended.

Can elderly family members do this?

Only if they are regular walkers and in good health. Ponies can take riders part of the way from Sagar, but not the whole route. We are happy to advise on an easier Panch Kedar shrine, such as Tungnath or Kalpeshwar, for those who should not attempt Rudranath.

Why do we come out via Mandal instead of back to Sagar?

The Mandal route lets you visit the Anusuya Devi temple and avoids repeating the same trail. It is a long descent, so if the group prefers a shorter exit we can return to Sagar instead; tell us at booking.

Is there mobile network?

Only at Sagar, Mandal and on the drive. Nothing on the trail or at the temple. Inform your family that you will be unreachable for about three days.

Yatra	Duration	Starts from	Price
Rudranath Yatra (this page)	5 days / 4 nights	Haridwar	From ₹30,000
Kalpeshwar Yatra	3 days / 2 nights	Haridwar	From ₹35,000
Kedarnath Tungnath Yatra	5 days / 4 nights	Haridwar	From ₹25,000
Madhmaheswer Yatra	4 days / 3 nights	Haridwar	From ₹30,000
Panch Kedar Yatra from Haridwar	13 days / 12 nights	Haridwar	On request

Highlights & Route

Route

Good to know before you book

Yatra Highlights

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Inclusions & Exclusions

Included

Not included

Hotels

Documents & Fitness

Documents to carry

Fitness and health

Cancellation Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

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