Quick answer: Kedarnath is a Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva at about 3,583 metres in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand. The temple is open roughly from late April or early May to Bhai Dooj in November. You drive to Sonprayag, take a shared jeep 5 km to Gaurikund, then walk about 16 km uphill, or ride a pony, palki or IRCTC-booked helicopter. Registration with the Uttarakhand government is compulsory and free. Plan at least 4 days from Dehradun or Haridwar.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
Kedarnath is the yatra many families plan for years. It is also the most demanding of the four dhams, because the last stretch is on foot, at high altitude, in weather that can turn in an hour. This guide puts everything in one place: when the kapat open, how to reach, the trek, the helicopter, registration, darshan, what to pack and how to plan for elderly parents. Where the 2027 details are not yet announced, we say so clearly.
Where is Kedarnath and why is it so important?
Kedarnath Dham stands near the source of the Mandakini river, below the Kedarnath peak, in Rudraprayag district of Garhwal. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, one of the four dhams of the Uttarakhand Char Dham, and the first of the Panch Kedar. According to tradition, Lord Shiva in the form of a bull went into the earth here to avoid the Pandavas, and the hump that remained is worshipped as the self-manifested lingam. Adi Shankaracharya’s samadhi is behind the temple.
In winter, when snow covers the valley, the doli of Kedarnath ji is taken down to the Omkareshwar temple at Ukhimath, where puja continues for about six months.
When do the Kedarnath kapat open and close?
The opening date is announced each year on Mahashivratri at the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath, after the priests consult the panchang. The temple closes on Bhai Dooj, after Diwali.
| Season | Kapat opened | Kapat close | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 22 April 2026 | 11 November 2026 (Bhai Dooj), 8:30 am | Confirmed |
| 2027 | Not yet announced | Not yet announced | Opening date traditionally announced on Mahashivratri |
For 2027, expect the announcement in February or March. Until then, any website quoting an exact 2027 date is guessing. We will update our package pages as soon as the temple committee confirms it.
Best time for Kedarnath yatra
- Late April to June: the busiest weeks. Snow can still line the upper trail in the first fortnight. Mornings are clear; nights are near freezing.
- July and August: monsoon. The trail and the Sonprayag–Gaurikund road see landslides. On 22 July 2026, for example, debris near Chhodi, about a kilometre beyond Gaurikund, stopped pilgrim movement until it was cleared. We do not advise these months for senior citizens.
- September to early November: clear skies, thinner crowds, cold nights. In 2026 the helicopter service ran its second phase from mid-October to early November.
Our month-by-month guide, Best Time for Char Dham Yatra, goes into more detail.
How to reach Kedarnath
There is no road to the temple. Every yatri reaches Sonprayag by road, then goes on to Gaurikund, where the footpath starts.
- Reach Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun. Rishikesh and Haridwar have trains; Dehradun has Jolly Grant airport. Rishikesh to Gaurikund is about 210 km.
- Drive to Guptkashi, Phata or Sitapur. The road runs via Devprayag, Srinagar and Rudraprayag along the Alaknanda, then up the Mandakini valley. It is a full day of 7 to 9 hours. Private vehicles do not move on mountain roads between 10 pm and 4 am during the yatra.
- Sonprayag to Gaurikund (5 km). Private vehicles stop at Sonprayag. Shared local jeeps run up to Gaurikund.
- Gaurikund to Kedarnath (about 16 km). On foot, on a pony or in a palki. Our Kedarnath trek route guide gives the path kilometre by kilometre.
Kedarnath trek: how hard is it?
The walk from Gaurikund is about 16 km one way; some official notes say 16 to 18 km depending on where you count from. The path is paved and wide, with railings on most exposed bends, but it climbs about 1,600 to 1,700 metres. Most healthy adults take 6 to 8 hours up and 4 to 6 hours down.
The first half to Bheembali and Linchauli is steady. The last stretch from Linchauli to the base camp is steeper and the air is thinner, and this is where people slow down. Start by 5 or 6 am so that you reach before the afternoon cloud and rain. Spend the night at Kedarnath if you can; climbing and descending the same day is very tiring.
Pony, palki, pithu or helicopter
| Option | Who it suits | Time (one way) | How to book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walk | Fit adults who have practised walking uphill | 6 to 8 hours up | No booking |
| Pony / mule | Those who can sit on a horse for several hours | About 5 to 7 hours | Registered counters at Sonprayag and Gaurikund; rates fixed by the district administration |
| Palki (doli) | Elderly yatris who cannot ride or walk | About 6 to 9 hours | Registered counters; rates depend on body weight |
| Pithu (basket carried by a porter) | Light adults and children | Varies | Registered counters at Gaurikund |
| Helicopter | Elderly or short on time; must manage the short walk from the helipad to the temple | About 7 to 10 minutes flying | Only on IRCTC HeliYatra, after registration |
Pony and palki rates are printed on official rate boards at the counters and change each season, so check them there and always take a receipt. Do not pay anyone on the road who is not wearing a registration card.
Kedarnath helicopter: the only official way to book
Helicopter seats from Guptkashi, Phata and Sersi are sold only on IRCTC’s HeliYatra website, heliyatra.irctc.co.in. You need your Char Dham registration number to book. In 2026, seats were released in two phases, from 22 April to mid-June and again from mid-October to early November, and they sold out within hours. Fake booking sites are common, so never pay through a WhatsApp link. Our Kedarnath helicopter booking guide explains each step and the 2026 fares.
Registration: compulsory and free
Every yatri, including children and senior citizens, must register on the Uttarakhand government portal, registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, or the official Tourist Care Uttarakhand app. You get a letter with a QR code that is checked on the route. In 2026, online registration opened on 6 March and offline counters in Haridwar and Rishikesh opened on 17 April. The 2027 dates are not yet announced. See our step-by-step Char Dham registration guide.
Darshan at Kedarnath: what to expect
- Timings: the temple opens very early for the morning puja and stays open into the evening, with a break in the afternoon for cleaning and bhog. Exact timings are set by the Shri Badarinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) and can change on busy days.
- Queues: on peak days in May and June the line can take several hours. Staying overnight lets you choose the quieter early morning or late evening slot.
- Slots for the elderly: in May 2026, the BKTC announced special 15-minute darshan slots at Kedarnath and Badrinath for pilgrims above 70 and differently-abled pilgrims, with ID checked at its counters.
- Puja bookings: special pujas are booked through the BKTC’s official website, which asks for an Indian mobile number.
- Phones: photography and phones are not allowed inside the temple premises.
After darshan, many yatris walk up to the Bhairavnath temple on the ridge to the south, about 20 to 30 minutes from the main temple.
Where to stay
Most families sleep at Guptkashi, Sitapur or Sonprayag before the trek, and at Kedarnath itself after the climb. Rooms at Kedarnath are simple: GMVN huts, tents, and small guesthouses, with shared or basic attached bathrooms. Hot water and heating are limited. Book early for May and June.
Health and altitude
At 3,583 metres, there is noticeably less oxygen. Headache, breathlessness and poor sleep are common on the first night. Walk slowly, drink at least two litres of water a day, avoid alcohol and do not take sleeping pills. Medical relief posts run along the trail. In 2026 the Uttarakhand health department advised a check-up two to three weeks before travel, especially for pilgrims over 55 or with heart disease, diabetes, asthma or high blood pressure. If you are taking elderly parents, read our Char Dham guide for senior citizens in the Yatra Guides section first.
What to pack
- Warm jacket, thermal inners, woollen cap and gloves, even in June
- Raincoat or poncho and a rain cover for your bag
- Broken-in walking shoes with good grip, and two pairs of woollen socks
- Printed registration letter, helicopter ticket if any, and original photo ID
- Regular medicines with prescriptions, plus a basic first-aid kit
- Cash in small notes: network is patchy and UPI often fails above Gaurikund
Our Char Dham packing list in the Yatra Guides section has the complete checklist.
How many days do you need?
| Plan | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kedarnath only, by road and trek, from Dehradun or Haridwar | 4 days | Night at Kedarnath for an unhurried darshan |
| Kedarnath and Badrinath (Do Dham), by road | 6 days | The most common plan for working families |
| Kedarnath with Tungnath | 5 days | Adds the third Kedar from Chopta |
| All four dhams by road | 10 to 12 days | Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath |
Keep one buffer day if your return train or flight is fixed. Landslides and weather can hold vehicles for hours.
What we arrange
From our base in Dehradun we run the Kedarnath Yatra, 4 days and 3 nights from Dehradun with a night at the shrine; the Do Dham Yatra by road from Haridwar (6 days); and the Kedarnath Tungnath Yatra (5 days). For families who cannot trek, our Do Dham Yatra by Helicopter covers Kedarnath and Badrinath from Dehradun. We help with registration, plan the stays and vehicle, and stay in touch by phone throughout. Pony, palki and helicopter shuttle charges are paid separately. You can also read about this yatra in Hindi on our केदारनाथ यात्रा page. To plan your dates, use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
When will Kedarnath open in 2027?
The 2027 opening date has not been announced yet. By tradition, it is fixed on Mahashivratri at the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath, so expect the news in February or March 2027. In 2026 the kapat opened on 22 April and close on 11 November, Bhai Dooj. Book flexible plans until the official date is out.
How many km is the Kedarnath trek?
The footpath from Gaurikund to the temple is about 16 km one way. Before that, a shared jeep covers the 5 km from Sonprayag, where private vehicles stop. Some official notes give 16 to 18 km depending on the starting point. Most healthy adults take 6 to 8 hours to climb and 4 to 6 hours to come down.
Is registration compulsory for Kedarnath?
Yes. Every yatri must register with the Uttarakhand government on registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in or the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app, or at offline counters once the season starts. It is free. The letter with a QR code is checked on the route, and you need its number to book a helicopter seat.
Can senior citizens do the Kedarnath yatra?
Many do, with planning. Get a medical check-up two to three weeks before, travel in May, June, September or October, and use a palki, pony or helicopter if your doctor advises against walking. Stay a night at Kedarnath rather than doing it in one day. In 2026 the temple committee also introduced special darshan slots for pilgrims above 70.
How do I book the Kedarnath helicopter?
Only through IRCTC HeliYatra, heliyatra.irctc.co.in. Register for the yatra first, then use your registration number to book from Guptkashi, Phata or Sersi. Seats open in phases and sell out quickly. Any other website, social media page or WhatsApp number offering confirmed tickets should be treated as a likely fraud.
Is there mobile network at Kedarnath?
Network is weak and unreliable along the trail and at the temple. BSNL and some other operators work in patches. Tell your family you may be out of contact for a day, keep a printed copy of your documents, and carry enough cash, because UPI and cards often fail above Gaurikund.
How many days are needed for Kedarnath from Delhi?
Plan 5 to 6 days from Delhi by road: one day to reach Haridwar or Rishikesh, one day to Guptkashi, one day to climb, one day to come down, and one or two days to return. From Dehradun or Haridwar, 4 days is enough for Kedarnath alone.
What is the best month for Kedarnath darshan?
May and June have the most settled weather but the biggest crowds. September and October bring clear mountain views and fewer people, with colder nights. July and August are the monsoon months, when landslides can stop the yatra for hours or days, so we avoid them for families with elderly members.