How To Reach Kedarnath Temple: A Comprehensive Guide For Pilgrims

Imagine yourself standing in front of the beautiful Kedarnath Temple surrounded by the beautiful Garhwal Himalayas and feeling a deep sense of peace and spirituality. Reaching this holy place is a special part of the pilgrimage However, reaching this sacred destination can be a bit of a challenge due to its remote location. 

Whether you are traveling by air, train or road, there are several options available to make your journey to Kedarnath a memorable one. Let’s explore how to reach Kedarnath with ease, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free travel experience.

Kedarnath Yatra Route Map

Here’s a simplified Kedarnath Yatra route map for your journey:

1. Delhi to Haridwar/Rishikesh – The distance is approximately 220-230 km and it takes around 5-6 hours by road or train.

2. Haridwar/Rishikesh to Rudrapraya – The distance is approximately 140 km and it takes around 5-6 hours.

3. Rudraprayag to Guptkashi – The distance is approximately 45 km and it takes around 1.5-2 hours.

4. Guptkashi to Gaurikund – The distance is approximately 30 km and it takes around 1-1.5 hours.

5. Gaurikund to Kedarnath – From Gaurikund you have to trek for 16 km which takes 6-8 hours. Also you can take Palanquins or Ponies.

How To Reach Kedarnath Dham By Bus

Reaching Kedarnath Dham by bus is a popular and affordable option for many pilgrims. Here’s a detailed guide on how to reach Kedarnath Dham by bus:

Most bus journeys to Kedarnath Dham begin from major cities like Delhi, Haridwar, or Rishikesh. These cities are well-connected to various parts of India and have numerous bus services to Gaurikund, which is the last motorable point for Kedarnath.

If you’re starting your journey from Delhi, you can find several buses to Rishikes and Haridwar, operated by the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) and private operators. Buses usually depart from Kashmere Gate and take around 5 to 6 hours. 

From Haridwar and Rishikesh you can board another bus to Gaurikund which takes approximately 8 to 10 hours. After reaching Gaurikund you can trek or hire a pony or mule to reach the Kedarnath temple. 

How To Reach Kedarnath Dham By Train

The nearest railway station to Kedarnath Dham is Rishikesh Railway Station which is 216 km away from Gaurikund. This station is well connected to major cities of India.

Other railway stations that you can consider are Haridwar railway station which is 242 km from Kedarnath and Dehradun railway station which is 270 km from Kedarnath Dham.

Numerous trains run from Delhi to Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun. Some popular trains include the Jan Shatabdi Express, Nanda Devi Express, and Shatabdi Express. These trains offer comfortable seating and timely services.

Once you arrive at Rishikesh, Haridwar or Dehradun, you will need to take a bus or hire a taxi to reach Gaurikund from where the Kedarnath trek will start.

How To Reach Kedarnath By Helicopter

You can book a helicopter ride to Kedarnath from places like Phata, Sitapur and Guptkashi. Several private operators offer these services. Helicopter rides to Kedarnath take about 10-15 minutes. The views from the helicopter are breathtaking, with stunning landscapes of the Himalayas and lush green valleys below. It’s a scenic and comfortable way to reach the temple.

How To Reach Kedarnath Temple From Delhi

Devotees can reach Kedarnath temple from Delhi by train, bus and car. Here’s a detailed guide on how to reach Kedarnath from Delhi

• By Air

You can take direct flights from  Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) to Jolly Grant Airport (DED) in Dehradun. Which takes approximately 1 hour.

From Dehradun to Gaurikund – You can hire a taxi or take a bus to Gaurikund, which is about 250 km away. The road journey takes around 8-10 hours.

You can take a helicopter from Dehradun to Kedarnath. Helicopter services are available from Sahastradhara Helipad in Dehradun. 

• By Train

Take a train from New Delhi Railway Station to Haridwar or Rishikesh. Both cities are well-connected by several trains like the Shatabdi Express, Jan Shatabdi Express and Mussoorie Express. The journey to Haridwar takes about 5-6 hours while Rishikesh is about 6-7 hours from Delhi.

From Haridwar or Rishikesh, you need to travel by road to Gaurikund. You can take a bus or hire a taxi which takes about 8-9 hours.

• By Road

You can drive or take a bus from Delhi to Haridwar or Rishikesh. Buses are available from ISBT Kashmere Gate and the journey by road takes around 5-6 hours.

From Haridwar or Rishikesh, board a bus or hire a taxi to Gaurikund. The route is scenic and the travel time is around 8-9 hours.

How To Reach Kedarnath Temple From Mumbai

You can reach Kedarnath Temple from Mumbai by air, train, and road travel. Here’s a detailed guide to help you how to reach Kedarnath Temple from Mumbai 

• By Air 

You can take direct flights from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. Which takes 2-2.5 hours. You can also fly to Delhi and then take a connecting flight to Dehradun.

From Dehradun to Gaurikund – You can hire a taxi or take a bus to Gaurikund, which is about 250 km away. The road journey takes around 8-10 hours.

You can take a helicopter from Dehradun to Kedarnath. Helicopter services are available from Sahastradhara Helipad in Dehradun.

• By Train

Take a direct train from Mumbai to Haridwar. Some popular options include the Mumbai-Dehradun Express, Bandra Terminus Haridwar Express, and Lokmanya Tilak Haridwar AC Superfast Express. The train journey takes approximately 24-30 hours.

From Haridwar, you can travel to Gaurikund by bus or taxi. The distance is about 210 km, and it takes around 8-9 hours by road.

• By Road

If you prefer a road trip, you can drive from Mumbai to Delhi, covering around 1,400 km. This can take 24-28 hours.

From Delhi, drive or take a bus to Haridwar or Rishikesh, which takes about 5-6 hours (220-230 km).

Kedarnath Distance From Other Dham

Kedarnath is one of the four sacred sites in the Chota Char Dham Yatra circuit, which also includes Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Here are the approximate distances between Kedarnath and the other three Dhams:

Kedarnath to Badrinath 

The distance between Kedarnath and Badrinath is around 218 kilometers by road. The journey involves traveling through Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag and Joshimath before reaching Badrinath.

Kedarnath to Gangotri

The distance from Kedarnath to Gangotri is approximately 304 kilometers. This route takes you through key towns like Rudraprayag, Tehri and Uttarkashi. 

Kedarnath to Yamunotri

The distance between Kedarnath and Yamunotri is about 233 kilometers. Pilgrims usually travel via Guptkashi, Ghansali and Barkot to reach Yamunotri.

Most Popular Route To Kedarnath Temple

Kedarnath Yatra popular route begins from Rishikesh and takes you through beautiful landscapes and important cities before reaching the base point of Gaurikund. Here is a detailed description of how to reach Kedarnath temple. 

• Rishikesh to Rudraprayag – The distance is approximately 140 kilometers and it takes around 5-6 hours. You will drive from Rishikesh to Rudraprayag via Devprayag, where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet to form the Ganges.
• Rudraprayag to Guptkashi – The distance is near about 45 km and it takes around 1.5-2 hours.
• Guptkashi to Gaurikund – From Guptkashi, drive to Gaurikund, the base for the Kedarnath trek. Gaurikund is famous for its hot springs and the Gauri Temple. The distance is near about 30 km and it takes around 1-1.5 hours.

How To Reach Kedarnath Temple From Kedarnath

Once you have arrived in the town of Kedarnath, reaching the Kedarnath Temple is a short and straightforward journey. Here’s how you can do it:

• Trekking 

Most pilgrims reach Kedarnath by trekking from Gaurikund. The trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is 16 kilometers and it takes around 6-8 hours to reach the Kedarnath Temple. There are numerous resting places and eateries available during the trek.

• Palanquins or Ponies

For those who may find walking difficult, palanquins (dolis) and ponies are available for hire within Kedarnath. These services can be very helpful for elderly pilgrims or those who have trouble walking.