A Self Guide To Kedarnath Yatra Trek In 2025
- Mukesh Kumar
- Mar 6
- 9 min read
Updated: Mar 7
Once in a life journey through the mountains to Lord Kedarnath (Shiva).
Kedarnath Dham Trek is one of the toughest journey and pilgrimage destination in Uttarakhand state in India. It's one of the 12 Jyotirlings according to Hindu Mythology. Kedarnath Dham is also one in 'Char Dham Yatra' and most difficult journey where hundreds of thousands of devotees from across India visit this sacred site every year. Though there are various ways to visit this site by helicopter or horses but the most preferred way is walk through the valleys and mountains to feel the nature and devotion to the Lord Shiva.
In this Guide I will explain everything you need know to make a self guided trip to visit Kedarnath Dham by walk.
What to Expect in this Article ?
Some Facts About Kedarnath Dham
Before we start about the journey it's important to know some facts about Kedarnath Dham.
Highest Altitude : 11,755 ft (3,583 meter) from the sea level.
Total Trek Distance : 34 KM round trip.
Trek Starting Point : Gaurikund.
Trek Difficulty : Moderate.
Temperature at Temple : Day (13°C to 18° C) Night (0°C to 7°C)
Total Yatra Duration : 4 Days, 2 days Trek
Yatra Starting Point : Haridwar or Rishikesh
Yatra Opening Time : May 2, 2025 to October (depends on weather)
Registration for Char Dham Yatra
It's mandatory to register yourself before starting your trip to any destination in 'Char Dham Yatra'. Only Registered travellers are allowed to enter for Kedarnath Yatra also after Sonprayag. You can do this online at Uttrakhand Tourist care offical website or app or offline at Sonprayag registration office.
Registration website : https://registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in/
Day 1 - Journey to the Base Camp (Gaurikund)
Route - Haridwar - Rishikesh - Devprayag - Rudraprayag - Sonprayag - Gaurikund
Total distance by road - 235 KM
Travel Time - 8 Hours at least
Kedarnath adventure starts from Haridwar or Rishikesh and by vehicle you can reach till the base camp Gaurikund. You can hire car, tempo traveller or rent bike from the local travel company depending on your group. You can also go by bus. You must start early morning to reach early and skip heavy traffic.
Car rental per day : Starts from Rs. 3500 per day.
Tempo Traveller per day : Starts from Rs. 8000 per day.
Biker Rental : Starts from Rs. 600 per day.
Bus fare : Starts from Rs. 250 per person.
Journey through the mountains
The mountain road journey is one of the best in India where you will pass through mighty Ganga river one side and mountains on another side. Road is wide and in good condition. Riding bike is one of the best adventure which I did in my 2022 trip. You will also pass many important pilgrimage places like Devprayag, Karanprayag, Rudraprayag, Dharidevi temple and many beautiful spots to chill and take photos.
Devprayag Sangam
Devprayag is the the most beautiful spot one the way. Devprayag this a small town where two rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi meets and make Sangam which is later called Ganga. This is located 60 Km from Rishikesh.
Overnight Stay at Sonprayag / Gaurikund
After a long road journey of 230 Km you will reach Sonprayag which is the last stop and parking for all the vehicles. Paid parking is available for al l types of vehicles. Sonprayag is a small town and kind of base point for all the travellers. You should book your stay here in advance because in yatra season all the hotels are already booked and you won't find any place to spend your night.
Some people also continue journey till Gaurikund on first day itself and stay over night there. So if you reach early in the evening you can do that as well.
Day 2 - Trek to Kedarnath Dham
Route - Sonprayag - Gaurikund - Rambara - Linchauli - Kedarnath Base Camp
Total distance by road - 5 KM + 17 KM (Trek)
Trek Time - 10-12 Hours
Gaurikund
The first phase of struggle starts from Sonprayag. You should start your trekking journey early morning before sunrise to beat the crowd. The distance to Gaurikund is 5 Km and their is sharing cab facility for the travellers which charges 50 Rs per person. But the problem is long queue. You may have to stand 1-2 hours in queue for the cab depending on season. Due to this many people starts trekking to Gaurikund instead of waiting and wasting energy in the queue. There is a good road from Sonprayag to Gaurikund and you won't find much difficulties to walk. It may take 1 hour to reach Gaurikund.
This is also a place to hire horse, ponies, doli which you can pay directly to the office. You will also stuck here for few minutes due to overcrowd of horses on the narrow route. The main road ends here.
Gaurikund a base point to start the actual trek. This place is named after mata Parvati (Gauri). Here is a beautiful cold and clean flowing Madakini river (which later meets Alaknanda and makes Ganga) where you should take a deep and clean yourself and pray for successful yatra.
Rambara
Gaurikund to Rambara trek is around 7 Km and it will test your strength. In the starting of 2 hours you will feel tired and take break every 15-20 minutes. Trek is moderate and steep at few points but also straight at most of the distance. But the main challenge is to walk between horses and their dung makes roads muddy and slippery .
You will pass though beautiful valley and many waterfalls. There is beautiful bridge at Ramabara which is over Mandakini river. It's a beautiful photogenic location where you can chill some time and prepare for the main challenge ahead.
Linchauli
The real difficulties of trek starts after Rambara as the trek gets steeper, narrow, slippery and more circuits. This 5 KM of of trek is the most difficult part of yatra but also more adventurous. The temperature starts dropping and you will start seeing glaciers or snow chunks, waterfalls and mountain peaks. You need to be extra careful of horses and ponies walking side by side.
Linchauli is a kind of campsite where people halt and spend night if they can't continue on same day. You can rent bed in camp starts from 500 Rs per person. As usual you will find hotels for food, tea, snacks etc. Here after you will find more camp sites as you move forward. If you get tired you can also make a halt.
Kedarnath Base Camp (Ghodapadav)
Next 4 Km Linchauli to Kedarnath base camp is a bit easier but yet not that easy. You will be most tired and temperature will drop more and you will see more glaciers. But you won't see much views because it would be already dark by this time. You will only feel to reach base camp as soon as possible and relax.
Kedarnath base camp is 1 Km before the main temple and also the halt for horses and ponies so it's called Ghodapadav. You can rent a bed in camp here or set your own tent of you brought with you and relax over night. If you have booked hotel in advance near the temple then you can go there and stay as well. This is the end of your adventure for the day.
Day 3 - Kedarnath Temple Visit and Return
You should wake up as early as possible to beat the queue and get ready for the day you have come so far. You will be stunned once you come out your tent, the mountain and glaciers and view will make you feel in heaven. You will feel your all tirednesses is gone and you're in different world suddenly.
Kedarnath Temple Darshan
You just need to walk 1 more km to reach to the main temple. Path is straight and slightly sloppy and normal to walk. On the way you can see many food and souvenir shops, but your eyes will stuck forward because here you will see the first glance of Baba Kedarnath Temple.
After walking 500-600 meters you will see the long queue and you just add into that and then move with queue. You can also see helipad on your left side and many helicopters taking off and landing.
How long you will have to stand in queue it all depends on season or time. I went on peak season just 3rd day after temple open and had to stand 5 hours in queue. Weather will change here every 30 mins can have rain, wind or sunny. You can drop your shoes once you reach near the temple and enter finally for Darshan. I won't describe my feelings as I don't have words for it and you will have to feel it yourself. In the temple they won't give you more time if you're in peak season. May be 10-15 seconds you can see the Shivalinga (Baba Kedarnath).
Once you're outside of temple you can explore the other parts and back side of the temple. Don't forget to see the Bheemshila behind the temple. You can also see many Naga shadhus, aghori baba and saints their and take their blessings. You must spend 1-2 hours here more to feel the vibes of this holy place. Some people also spend whole one day here and return next day. Many people also goto Baba Bhairavnath Mandir which is at top 1 KM right side to the main temple. The view of Kedarnath temple is also different and stunning from there. Some people also goto Vasukital (lake) which is around 6 Km from Kedarnath, and is surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks.
Returning Back
It will be late afternoon when you will be mostly ready to return back and start descending slowly. You have to be more careful at steep and slippery spots and should not hurry to climb down. Returning yatra will become more dangerous after 2-3 hours once you cross Rambara. The reason is darkness and muddy paths due to horse dung. Light poles are installed but still not functional at many places. I fell down 3-4 times so here you will feel the need of having trekking shoe and headlights. However, once you reach Gaurikund you can relax there or get sharing cab to reach Sonprayag to relax there. It would be mid night already.
Day 4 - End of Yatra and Way Forward
After taking rest over night you can depart by your vehicle to Rishikesh or Haridwar. If you want to go for Badrinath Dham then you can follow the same route till Rudraprayag then you can change the route towards Badrinath Dham. Distance from Sonprayag to Badrinath Dham is 220 Km.
Things To Carry for Kedarnath Yatra Trek
Winter clothes which can handle upto 0 degree temperature.
Trekking shoe or good quality sports shoe.
Trekking gears - water bottle, stick, head light, tent and sleeping bag (optional).
Rain safety - Raincoat, umbrella, waterproof or covered bag pack.
First Aid Kit and basic medicines for cough, fever, gas headaches etc.
Food items - Banana, chocolate of protein bars.
Toilet paper.
Best Time To Visit Kedarnath Dham
Kedarnath Yatra opens every year in the beginning of May and closes in October / November depending on weather condition. First 1- 2 months are full rush and over crowded and it's hard to find hotels to stay or helicopters to fly directly. Even roads to Sonprayag get high traffic jam. So if you're not in hurry then better to avoid these 2 months.
and rainy season and go after September. But you should check the weather forecast and travel advisory before you plan.
Some Personal Guide & Tips
There are toilet facilities on the way on every 500 meters but in peak seasons most of them are not in condition to use, no water and not clean. So it's better to avoid going in peak season.
Horses and ponies are treated very badly so not to use them for your own need. Even it's risky to ride, they also slip on muddy paths. So it's not good to send your old parents on them. Better to wait rent helicopter.
Be completely healthy before you go as weather is unpredictable and you may get sick.
Keep your schedule flexible, you may stuck in traffic or unwanted circumstances.
Mobile towers are not installed everywhere and you will be disconnected most of the times during 2 days trekking. So inform your family accordingly.
Keep cash for expenses during trekking. Due to lack of mobile networks you won’t be able to pay online.
Better to carry sleeping bag and tent, it will help you if you can't find a place to sleep.
Don't go alone. Should be at least one companion with you to help in unwanted circumstances.
So guys this was my personal guide and tips for you to understand about Kedarnath Yatra and I tried to cover small small details which can help you to plan your next Yatra. I went to Kedarnath Dham in the opening time in 2022 and have uploaded videos on Youtube as well. You can check there to get more visual information. Hope you enjoyed this article.
Travel safe and may Lord Kedar calls you soon for this adventure !
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