For pilgrims who want to walk every step to Lord Shiva's door: the 16 km trail from Gaurikund, two nights at the temple instead of one, and time to explore the high ground around Kedarnath.
Most Kedarnath tours treat the trek as an obstacle: up one afternoon, darshan at dawn, down by lunchtime. This tour treats it as the point. You still walk the same 16 km from Gaurikund to the temple at 3,583 m, but you spend two nights at Kedarnath, which gives your body time to adjust to the altitude, a full free day around the temple and the chance to attend both evening aartis without watching the clock.
The extra day is what most walkers remember. You can climb to the Bhairavnath temple at sunrise, walk to the glacial lake of Chorabari Tal (also called Gandhi Sarovar), or, if you are fit and the weather is settled, attempt the longer walk to Vasuki Tal, a high lake above the valley. It also builds in a safety margin: if rain or fog spoils your first evening, there is a second.
Duration4 nights / 5 days
Start & endHaridwar or Rishikesh
Trek16 km each way from Gaurikund
AltitudeKedarnath 3,583 m
Nights at temple2
Best monthsMay, June, mid-Sep – Oct
The Gaurikund–Kedarnath trail, stage by stage
After the 2013 floods the route was rebuilt along the opposite bank above Rambara. It is now a wide paved path with railings on exposed stretches, drinking water points, shelters and medical posts. Distances below are approximate.
Stage
Approx. km from Gaurikund
What to expect
Gaurikund – Jungle Chatti
4 km
Steep start through forest; pony traffic heavy
Jungle Chatti – Bhimbali
7 km
Steady climb above the Mandakini; tea stalls
Bhimbali – Lincholi
11–12 km
Switchbacks; the valley opens and the air thins
Lincholi – Base camp
15 km
Gentler gradient across open meadow
Base camp – Temple
16 km
Final flat approach with the temple in view
Most healthy adults take six to eight hours up and four to five hours down. Ponies, palkis and pithoos are hired at Gaurikund at rates fixed by the local administration that change each season; pony rides cost roughly ₹3,000–4,000 one way. The shared jeep from Sonprayag to Gaurikund is paid locally.
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Kedarnath trekking tour price
Package
Duration
From, per person
Kedarnath trekking tour from Haridwar (2 nights at temple)
4N / 5D
₹11,500
Kedarnath yatra from Haridwar (1 night at temple)
3N / 4D
₹8,500
Kedarnath + Tungnath from Haridwar
5N / 6D
₹13,500
2027 estimates per person for four travellers sharing a vehicle and twin/triple rooms. Final price depends on dates, stays and group size. Ponies, porters, guides for Vasuki Tal and the Gaurikund jeep are extra.
Starting from Delhi? Add a night in Haridwar and a return day; see the Kedarnath package from Delhi for how that works. Want a second Shiva temple instead of a second night up top? Try the Kedarnath Tungnath yatra.
Day-wise itinerary: 4 nights / 5 days
Day 1
Haridwar to Sitapur / Guptkashi
200–230 km7–8 hoursNight: Sitapur / Guptkashi
Leave Haridwar early and follow the Ganga and Alaknanda past Devprayag and Rudraprayag. Turn into the Mandakini valley and stay as close to Sonprayag as possible, ideally at Sitapur, to shorten tomorrow's start. Pack a light daypack and leave the rest in the vehicle. Early dinner and lights out.
Day 2
Trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath
16 km trek6–8 hoursNight: Kedarnath
Be at Sonprayag at first light for registration checks and the shared jeep to Gaurikund. Walk at a steady, conversational pace, resting briefly every hour and drinking often. By afternoon the temple appears at the head of the valley with snow peaks behind. Check in, rest and attend the evening aarti.
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Day 3
A full day at Kedarnath
Optional walksFlexibleNight: Kedarnath
Join the darshan queue before dawn, then walk up to the Bhairavnath temple for a view down the whole valley. After breakfast, visit the Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi and walk about 3 km to Chorabari Tal. Fit trekkers with settled weather may attempt Vasuki Tal instead, a longer and steeper day best done with a local guide. Return for the second evening aarti.
Day 4
Descend to Gaurikund, drive to Rudraprayag
16 km trek + about 75 kmFull dayNight: Rudraprayag / Srinagar
Walk down in the cool of the morning; the descent is quicker but harder on the knees, so use trekking poles. Take the jeep from Gaurikund to Sonprayag and meet your driver. Drive down the Mandakini to Rudraprayag or Srinagar for a hot shower and a good meal.
Day 5
Return to Haridwar
165 km6–7 hoursNight: Tour ends
A relaxed drive back along the Alaknanda, with a stop at the Devprayag sangam. Arrive in Haridwar by afternoon. Evening trains to Delhi and beyond are easy to catch.
Weather comes first. If heavy rain is forecast, we may shift the walk by a day and use the spare Kedarnath night as a buffer. No one should continue the trek in a landslide warning.
Inclusions and exclusions
Included
2 nights at Kedarnath (guest house, tent or dorm by availability)
2 hotel nights at Sitapur/Guptkashi and Rudraprayag/Srinagar
Breakfast and dinner daily
Private vehicle with hill driver, Haridwar to Haridwar
Fuel, tolls, parking and permits
Help with the free Kedarnath registration
Phone and WhatsApp support
Not included
Pony, palki, pithoo or porter
Sonprayag – Gaurikund shared jeep
Guide for Vasuki Tal
Helicopter tickets
Lunch, puja and VIP darshan
Extra nights due to weather
Insurance and personal expenses
Getting ready for the trek
Fitness
Walk 5–6 km daily for a month before travel, including stairs or slopes.
In the last two weeks, do one 10–12 km walk with a light backpack.
See a doctor if you are over 50 or have blood pressure, heart, asthma or diabetes concerns.
Climb slowly on the day; altitude sickness strikes the fast, not the unfit.
What to carry in your daypack
Rain jacket or poncho and a warm fleece
Thermal inners, woollen cap and gloves for the nights
Water bottle, dry fruit, glucose or electrolyte sachets
Before you go, complete the free yatra registration for every member of your group and check our Kedarnath hotel guide so you know what the rooms at the temple are like.
Call or WhatsApp +91-99111 77951 with your dates and group size.
Tell us your trekking experience and whether you want Vasuki Tal.
Receive the itinerary and estimate.
Pay the advance to hold the Kedarnath rooms, which go first.
Register and train, then meet your driver in Haridwar.
Kedarnath trekking tour: FAQ
How long is the Kedarnath trek?
About 16 km one way from Gaurikund, after a 5 km shared jeep ride from Sonprayag. Most people take 6–8 hours up and 4–5 hours down.
Why stay two nights at Kedarnath?
It helps you acclimatise, gives a full day for darshan and nearby walks, and provides a buffer if weather spoils one evening.
Is Vasuki Tal included?
The extra day allows for it, but it is optional and weather dependent. It is a long, steep walk above 4,000 m and needs a local guide, paid separately.
What is the price of the Kedarnath trekking tour?
From about ₹11,500 per person for four travellers from Haridwar, on budget stays. This is a 2027 estimate; final price depends on dates and group size.
Can I take a pony for part of the way?
Yes. Ponies and palkis can be hired at Gaurikund at locally fixed rates. Many walkers ride up and walk down.
When is the trek open?
From the Kedarnath opening in late April or early May until Bhai Dooj in November. The 2027 date is announced on Mahashivratri.
Is the trek safe in the monsoon?
July and August bring rain, landslides and occasional route closures. We recommend May–June or mid-September to October.
