How to reach Kedarnath - here is the short answer. The temple is at 3,583 metres in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand. The nearest road ends at Gaurikund (1,982 metres), which is the base camp for all pilgrims. From Gaurikund, the Kedarnath trek distance is 16-18 Km one way, a 6-8 hour climb through the Himalayan terrains.
People who cannot trek can hire a pony (INR 2,500 - INR 3,500) or a palanquin (INR 7,000 - INR 10,000) for the full distance. For those short on time, helicopters operate from Phata, Sirsi and Guptkashi, and knowing how to book helicopter for Kedarnath via IRCTC or authorised private operators is critical, as seats sell out weeks before the season opens every year.
Return helicopter fares start at INR 3,500 - INR 8,500 per person depending on the helipad. The best time to visit Kedarnath is May-June and September-October, these are the two windows when the temple is open, weather is stable and trekking can be done easily. From Delhi, Gaurikund is approximately 450 Km by road, a 12-14 hour drive via Rishikesh and Rudraprayag.
Among all India trips, this one is in a league of its own. Lakhs of pilgrims make this journey every single season.
Kedarnath Travel: Quick Info Box
- Location: Rudraprayag District , Uttarakhand
- Altitude: 3,583 metres above sea level.
- Nearest road: Gaurikund - last motorable point
- Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
- Nearest railway station to Kedarnath: Rishikesh and Haridwar
- Helicopter: Available from Phata, Guptkashi and Sirsi
- Kedarnath trek distance: 16-18 Km from Gaurikund
- Best time to visit Kedarnath: May - June and September - October
Our Uttarakhand tour packages
How to Reach Kedarnath Temple - Route Overview
How to reach Kedarnath - the basics are simple. Here’s what it looks like:
- The road journey ends at Gaurikund (1,982 metres) and everyone passes through here, no matter which route they are taking afterward.
- How to reach Kedarnath from Delhi - most people drive or take a bus from Delhi to Rishikesh first (250 Km) then, push on through Rudraprayag and Guptkashi until they hit Gaurikund, total distance is around 450 Km, roughly 12-14 hours.
- Other common starting cities are Dehradun (250Km away), Haridwar (270 Km), and Rishikesh (210 Km), all of them connect to Gaurikund via NH58 and NH107.
- Once you are at Gaurikund, the Kedarnath trek distance is 16-18 Km, takes most people 6-8 hours walking uphill, though pony and palanquin wait at the base.
- Helicopters are the fastest option: They fly from Phata, Sirsi or Guptkashi and land you practically at the temple doorstep in just 10 minutes.
- How to book helicopter for Kedarnath - IRCTC's website is where most people go, though there are private operators too. Book early, 4 to 6 weeks before you plan to go, because these seats disappear fast.
How to Reach Kedarnath by Road?
The road to Kedarnath stops at Gaurikund. From there, you can reach the temple as it is 16-18 Km away that can be covered on foot, pony or by helicopter.
Delhi to Kedarnath by Road
Distance: Approx. 450 Km to Gaurikund
Travel time: 12-14 hours
Route: Delhi - Meerut - Roorkee - Rishikesh - Devprayag - Rudraprayag - Guptkashi - Gaurikund
Transport options: Bus, Taxi or self-drive
Key stops: Rishikesh, Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Guptkashi
Road condition: Delhi to Rishikesh is a smooth four-lane highway. Beyond Rishikesh, it narrows into winding mountain roads
Dehradun to Kedarnath by Road
Distance: Approx. 250 Km to Gaurikund
Travel time: 9-11 Hours
Route: Dehradun - Rishikesh - Devprayag - Rudraprayag - Guptkashi - Gaurikund
Transport option: By Bus, taxi or self drive
Key stops: Rishikesh, Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Guptkashi
Road conditions: Dehradun to Rishikesh is excellent highway. Post-Rishikesh, expect narrow mountain roads with steep drops and sharp turns.
Haridwar to Kedarnath by Road
Distance: Approx. 270 Km to Gaurikund
Travel time: 10-12 hours
Route: Haridwar - Rishikesh - Devprayag - Rudraprayag - Guptkashi - Gaurikund
Transport options: Bus, taxi or self drive.
Key stops: Rishikesh, Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Guptkashi
Road Condition: Smooth till Rishikesh, then narrow and winding through the mountains. Landslides can block roads during monsoon
Rishikesh to Kedarnath by Road
Distance: Approx. 210 Km to Gaurikund
Travel time: 8-10 hours
Route: Rishikesh - Devprayag - Rudraprayag - Guptkashi - Gaurikund
Transport options: Bus, taxi or self-drive
Key stops: Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Guptkashi
Road Condition: Entirely mountain terrain, single-lane roads in many stretches, frequent hairpin bends, and occasional traffic jams near Rudraprayag during peak pilgrimage season (May–June). Road maintenance improves every year, but expect some rough patches
How to Reach Kedarnath by Train
There is no direct train to Kedarnath. The nearest railway station to Kedarnath is Rishikesh, located 210 Km from Gaurikund.
Rishikesh is the most popular choice, closest to Kedarnath and has frequent buses, shared taxis, and private cabs heading to Gaurikund.
How to Reach Kedarnath by Air
Flying is the fastest way to get close to Kedarnath. The nearest airport to Kedarnath is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which sits about 250 km away from Gaurikund, roughly a 9–10 hour drive through mountain roads. From there, it's the same road and trek combination everyone takes.
Nearest Airport to Kedarnath
Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun)
- Distance to Gaurikund: 250 km
- Distance to Kedarnath Temple: 266–268 km
- Travel Time by Road: 9–10 hours
This is the only functional airport anywhere near Kedarnath. There's no closer option — the mountains don't allow for more runways in this region.
Jolly Grant Airport to Gaurikund by Road
- By pre-paid taxis - INR 8,000 - INR 12,000
- By bus - INR 100 - 300
- By private cabs - INR 9,000 - INR 14,000
How to Reach Kedarnath by Helicopter
The helicopter services to Kedarnath operate from three helipads: Phata, Guptkashi, and Sirsi. All three are located between Rudraprayag and Gaurikund, and all of them to fly to the Kedarnath helipad, which sits just 500 metres from the temple and a short 5 minute walk.
Key points:
- Helicopters operate during temple opening month - from May to Mid-November.
- Flights are weather dependent.
- Weight limit per passenger: 75-80 Kg
- Each helicopter seats: 5-6 passengers
- Return tickets are mandatory
- Darshan time at Kedarnath: Usually 2-3 hours before you board the return flight.
Helicopter Helipads: Phata, Guptkashi and Sirsi
Price: Approx. INR 8,300 - 9,000 (ROUND TRIP)
How to Book Kedarnath Helicopter tickets:
Option 1: Book via IRCTC (Most Reliable)
IRCTC is the official helicopter booking platform for Kedarnath, operated by Indian Railways.
Steps to Book:
- Visit https://www.irctctourism.com/ or https://www.air.irctc.co.in/
- Search for "Kedarnath Helicopter" packages
- Select your preferred helipad (Phata, Guptkashi, or Sirsi) and travel date
- Fill passenger details - name, age, ID proof (Aadhar mandatory)
- Make payment online via card/UPI
- You'll receive a booking confirmation via email/SMS with reporting time and helipad location
Option 2: Book via Private Operators
Private helicopter companies operate independently and often have more flexibility with timings.
Top Private Operators:
Kedarnath Yatra Registration
- Mandatory biometric registration: It ensures pilgrim safety and allows the government to track the movement and manage the crowds. Also you must carry your Kedarnath Yatra Registration letter. The QR code on it will be scanned at checkpoints like Sonprayag.
- Where and how to register: Use the official tourist care Uttarakhand website or the Tourist Care Uttarakhand mobile app. Or, you can have physical kiosks that are located at Haridwar, Rishikesh and Sonprayag but expect long wait times.
- Documents required: ID proof, and mobile number
- Char Dham Yatra pass details:
Cost: Free
Daily limits: The government sets a cap on daily visitors; book your slot 15–30 days in advance to ensure your preferred dates.
Validity: Your pass is only valid for the specific dates and temples you select during the signup process.
Important Tips Before You Travel to Kedarnath
Here are some of the travel tips to visit Kedarnath temple!
- Fitness check: The 16-18 Km trek from Gaurikund is steep, so start cardio exercises at least a month before your trip.
- Acclimatization: You should spend a night in Guptkashi or Phata to adjust to the high altitude and prevent Acute Mountain sickness.
- Medical kit: Carry essential medicines for fever, body ache, acidity and a small oxygen cylinder if you have breathing issues.
- Layer up: When you come in May/June also, temperatures can drop at sub-zero at night. So, you should come with heavy woolens, thermals and a windcheater.
- Network: BSNL has the best coverage in hills, followed by Jio and Airtel. Expect little to no data connectivity at top.
Can You Visit Other Char Dham Shrines after Kedarnath?
Absolutely, and most pilgrims do. Kedarnath is rarely a standalone trip. Once you've made it this far into the Himalayas, the other three shrines of the Char Dham Yatra are within reach, and the distances are more manageable than you'd think.
How to reach Badrinath from Kedarnath, return to Gaurikund, drive back to Rudraprayag, then head north through Joshimath. The Kedarnath to Badrinath distance is approximately 220 km by road, taking around 9–11 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. Most pilgrims break this journey with an overnight stop at Joshimath.
If you're planning the full circuit, here are the other key distances:
- Gangotri to Kedarnath distance: Approximately 240 km by road via Uttarkashi and Rudraprayag — takes 10–12 hours
- Haridwar to Kedarnath distance: Approximately 270 km by road via Rishikesh, Devprayag, Rudraprayag, and Gaurikund, takes 10–12 hours
