Your own vehicle, a mountain-trained driver and the freedom to stop wherever the view or your knees demand it. This is how to choose the right car for Kedarnath and Badrinath and what it will cost.
A group bus keeps to a timetable. A car keeps to yours. On the Kedarnath–Badrinath circuit that freedom matters more than you might think: helicopter tickets may land on an awkward date, an elder may need an extra rest day after the trek, or you may simply want to linger at Devprayag or detour to Chopta. With a private vehicle and a driver who knows the hills, the plan bends around your family.
You can book the car in two ways. Vehicle only: we provide the car, driver, fuel, tolls, parking and permits, and you book your own hotels. Full package: we add hotels and breakfast and dinner, starting from ₹13,500 per person for four travellers on the Do Dham package from Haridwar. This page focuses on choosing the vehicle.
Base routeHaridwar – Guptkashi – Badrinath – Haridwar
Standard length6 days, about 900 km
Included in hireFuel, driver, tolls, parking, permits
Choosing your vehicle: prices for 2027
Vehicle
Comfortable for
Luggage
6-day Do Dham, per vehicle
Swift Dzire (sedan)
3–4 adults
2–3 medium bags
₹24,000
Toyota Innova Crysta (SUV)
5–6 adults
5–6 bags with carrier
₹36,000
Tempo Traveller (12 seats)
9–12 adults
Roof carrier
₹48,000
Estimates for 6 days Haridwar to Haridwar, including fuel, driver, tolls, parking, state permits and driver allowance. Hotels, meals and extra days are not included. Final price depends on dates and route.
What it works out to per person
Vehicle
Travellers
Transport cost per person
Dzire
3
About ₹8,000
Innova Crysta
6
About ₹6,000
Tempo Traveller
12
About ₹4,000
The Innova Crysta is the favourite for families: high ground clearance, captain seats for elders and enough boot space for warm clothing. The Dzire is the economical choice for couples and small families travelling light. Groups of nine or more save the most with a Tempo Traveller. For Innova-specific options, see Kedarnath Badrinath by Innova Crysta and Innova Crysta booking. Larger vehicles such as a 17-seat Tempo or a bus are available on request.
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Suggested six-day drive, with optional extras
Day 1
Haridwar to Guptkashi
200 km7–8 hoursNight: Guptkashi
The car picks you up in Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun airport. With your own vehicle you can stop as often as you like: at a riverside dhaba near Byasi, at Devprayag's sangam viewpoint or at Rudraprayag's temple. The driver aims to reach Guptkashi before dark, when hill driving becomes slower.
Day 2
Sonprayag and the climb to Kedarnath
30 km + 16 kmFull dayNight: Kedarnath
The driver takes you to Sonprayag parking before dawn and waits there until your return. Take the shared jeep to Gaurikund and walk or ride to the temple. If you have IRCTC shuttle seats, the car drops you at the Phata, Sersi or Guptkashi helipad instead. Overnight at Kedarnath.
Day 3
Darshan, back to the car
16 km + 30 kmFull dayNight: Guptkashi
Morning darshan and a visit to Bhairavnath, then the descent. Call the driver from Gaurikund so the car is ready at Sonprayag. A private car means no waiting for a group; you head to Guptkashi the moment you are down.
Day 4
Guptkashi to Badrinath
200 km8–9 hoursNight: Badrinath
Over the ridge via Ukhimath and the Chopta forests, then down to Chamoli and up the Alaknanda past Joshimath. In your own car you can stop at Ukhimath's Omkareshwar temple, the winter seat of Kedarnath's deity. Reach Badrinath for the evening aarti.
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Day 5
Badrinath, Mana and the drive down
About 160 km6–7 hoursNight: Rudraprayag / Srinagar
Morning darshan, then Mana village 3 km away. Leave when you are ready rather than at a group's fixed time, and stop at Nandprayag or Karnaprayag on the way down. Overnight at Rudraprayag or Srinagar Garhwal.
Day 6
Back to Haridwar
About 165 km6–7 hoursNight: Trip ends
A relaxed final drive through Devprayag and Rishikesh to Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun airport. Many families stop for a Ganga dip at Rishikesh's Triveni Ghat on the way. The driver drops you wherever you need.
Easy ways to extend the trip
Chopta and Tungnath (+1 night): walk to the highest Shiva temple between the two dhams. See Kedarnath Tungnath yatra.
Auli (+1 night from Joshimath): high meadows with wide views of Nanda Devi; more on Auli tours.
Rest day at Guptkashi (+1 night): useful for elders after the Kedarnath trek.
Each extra day adds a daily vehicle charge plus hotel costs. Ask for a quote.
Should you drive your own car?
Some families consider driving their own car from Delhi or another city. It is possible, but we advise against it for most travellers. The roads beyond Rishikesh are narrow, with blind bends, frequent road works and occasional landslides. Drivers from the plains are not used to reversing on one-lane hill stretches or judging oncoming trucks on a cliff edge. A local driver also knows where to park at Sonprayag, which roads are closed and where to find fuel.
If you do drive yourself, travel only in daylight, keep your fuel tank above half, carry the vehicle's documents and the yatra registration, and avoid July and August entirely. Read Char Dham do's and don'ts before you set off.
Vehicle hire: included and not included
Included
Vehicle with experienced hill driver for 6 days
Fuel for the planned route
Tolls, parking and state permits
Driver's food, stay and allowance
Pick-up and drop in Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun airport
Phone support throughout
Not included
Hotels and meals (unless you book the full package)
Helicopter, pony, palki or pithoo
Sonprayag–Gaurikund shared jeep
Extra days or detours beyond the plan
Extra nights caused by landslides
Puja, insurance and personal expenses
How to book a car for the Do Dham
WhatsApp +91-99111 77951 with dates, number of travellers and luggage.
Choose vehicle only or full package; we quote both if you like.
Receive driver details the day before and set off.
Kedarnath helicopter shuttle tickets are sold only on IRCTC HeliYatra. Book your seats first if you can, then we fix the car dates around them. See Kedarnath helicopter booking.
Do Dham by car: FAQ
What is the taxi fare for Kedarnath and Badrinath from Haridwar?
Estimated for 2027 at about ₹24,000 for a Swift Dzire, ₹36,000 for an Innova Crysta and ₹48,000 for a 12-seat Tempo Traveller, for six days including fuel, driver, tolls, parking and permits.
Can a car go all the way to Kedarnath?
No. Private vehicles stop at Sonprayag. A shared jeep runs to Gaurikund, and the last 16 km is on foot, pony, palki or by helicopter from the nearby helipads.
Is a sedan suitable for the hill roads?
Yes, a Dzire handles the route well for small groups travelling light. An SUV such as the Innova Crysta is more comfortable on rough patches and carries more luggage.
Does the driver stay with us at night?
The driver stays in drivers' accommodation at each stop and is available for the next day's drive. His food and stay are included in the hire price.
Can we change the plan during the trip?
Yes, within reason. Extra days or detours are charged at a daily rate. Changes due to weather or closures are handled on the spot with your agreement.
