How To Reach Kedarnath From Haridwar and Rishikesh

Hey, I am Khushi.  Recently, I visited Kedarnath in October (before the closing of the temple). Today, I’m going to share with you my personal experience on how I reached Kedarnath and what kind of travel mode I chose.  I started my journey from Haridwar. Firstly, I reached Haridwar by train, and from Haridwar I went to Guptkashi by road. I took a local bus from Haridwar to Guptkashi. It is a place which offers a huge range of safe and luxurious stays. I stayed in the Musafir resort before starting my journey the next day. 

From Guptkashi, I took a local bolero. I took a shared taxi to Sonprayag and then to Gaurikund, which is the last motorable point of this region.

Even though I took a brake journey before going to Sonprayag, you can also reach it directly. But I prefer a luxury stay, so I chose Guptkashi over Sonprayag. Total travelling experience for me to reach Gaurikund was about INR 980, but when I inquired about the Haridwar to Kedaranth bus ticket price, the conductor of my bus told me that it keeps on varying. It lies somewhere between INR 500 to 1500 per person, depending upon the crowd. 

From Gaurikund, I started my Kedarnath trek. It was an amazing experience which I am going to cherish throughout my life. I covered a trek of 16 kms in about 9 hours. What I can't forget about this journey is the first glass of Kedarnath temple after coming so far from Haridwar and trekking for so long. It was really emotional, and I was in tears.

Every person has different travel experiences; that’s why I am going to share a complete travel guide on how to reach Kedarnath from Haridwar and Rishikesh with travel options, routes, guides, and travel tips so that you can decide which mode will suit your Kedarnath yatra. 

Introduction

Kedarnath is a holy temple dedicated to lord shiva, nestled in the lap of the Himalayas of Uttarakhand at an altitude of 11,755 feet (3,853 meters) above sea level. It is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in India, and the hump of lord shiva in the form of Nandi is being worshipped here in the form of Shivlinga.

It is a part of the Panch Kedar, 12 Jyotirlinga, Do Dham, and Char Dham yatra circuits. The temple holds great spiritual significance in Hinduism, and the serene environment of the shrine attracts the traveller most. Many devotees take the Kedarnath trip to seek the divine blessings of lord shiva and to enrich their spiritual experience.

But most of the devotees want to plan their trip on their own, but they always remain confused about how to reach Kedarnath.  So don’t worry; here is a complete travel guide on how to reach Kedarnath from Haridwar and Rishikesh, as these two cities serve as the gateway for many pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand, Char Dham, Panch Kedar temples, Panch Prayag,  Panch Badri and more. So let’s get started. 

Haridwar and Rishikesh to Kedarnath Distance

Haridwar to Kedarnath distance: The distance from Haridwar to Kedarnath by road is approximately 240 km till Gurikund, and then from Gurikund to the Kedarnath temple is 16 km by trek. 

Rishikesh to Kedarnath Distance: The distance from Rishikesh to Kedarnath by road is approximately 220 km to Gaurikund, followed by a 16 km trek from Gaurikund to the Kedarnath temple. 

Note: Gaurikund temple is the last motorable point to Kedarnath; from there, you need to trek to reach the Kedarnath temple. You can hire ponies and palkis to avoid trekking. You can check out more details about Kedarnath ghoda khachhar palki services.

Popular Packages

Kedarnath Packages From Bangalore ⏳ 7 Days / 6 Nights ₹15,200 View Tour

Do Dham Yatra Package ⏳ 5 Days 4 Night ₹14,500 View Tour

Char Dham Yatra Packages from Ahmedabad ⏳ 12 Days / 11 Nights ₹26,500 View Tour

How to Reach Haridwar to Kedarnath by road

Haridwar is one of the major transport hubs of Uttarakhand; many pilgrims start their spiritual journey to Kedarnath from Haridwar. To reach Kedarnath from Haridwar, you must travel up to Gaurikund, and then from there, you need to embark on a trek to reach the Kedarnath temple.

• Travel route: The journey from Haridwar to Kedarnath by road follows the NH-7 route, which passes through many significant towns, including:

 Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Guptkashi → Sonprayag → Gaurikund → Kedarnath

• Travel mode: Taxi, bus, or shared jeep. 

• By Private taxi/cab: The most flexible option to reach Kedarnath. From the Haridwar taxi stand, you can hire a private taxi or cab to Gaurikund. It takes almost 9-10 hours. The Haridwar to Kedarnath taxi fare for a private cab will start from around ₹5,000 - ₹6,000, and a round-trip taxi will cost you around ₹12,000 to ₹15,000. 

Note: The cost of the taxi will depend on the taxi type, like a Sedan or an SUV. 

• By Bus:  Bus is the most economical one. Buses are easily available up to Sonprayag from the Haridwar bus stand; they usually depart early in the morning. The Haridwar to Kedarnath bus ticket price vary between ₹ 500 to ₹ 1500 per person, and it takes almost 8-10 hours. 

• By Jeep: The government bus will drop you in Sonprayag; from there, you need to take a shuttle jeep for a 5 km distance from Sonprayag to Gaurikund. The shuttle jeep will cost you ₹ 50 per person. 

Travel Tip: Driving may be prohibited after sunset in hilly regions, so try to depart early from Haridwar. 

How to Reach Rishikesh to Kedarnath by Road

• Route: Rishikesh is one of the most famous tourist hubs in India. In addition to being a yoga capital of India and famous for Rishikesh river rafting and other adventure activities, this place is also a gateway for Kedarnath and the Char Dham yatra. The journey from Rishikesh to Kedarnath follows the same route as from Haridwar, but the distance becomes shorter from Rishikesh, around 220 km. 

 Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Guptkashi → Sonprayag → Gaurikund (last motorable point) → Kedarnath temple (trek).

• Travel mode:

• By Cab/Taxi: Take a private taxi from the Rishikesh taxi stand to Gaurikund. Just like the distance, the fare of a taxi will also decrease. Rishikesh to Kedarnath taxi fare will range from ₹ 4,000 to ₹ 5,000 one way, and for a total round-trip from Rishikesh to Gaurikund and return to Rishikesh will cost you around ₹ 10,000 to ₹ 12,000. 

• By Bus: buses are generally available from Rishikesh ISBT for Sonprayag, Guptakashishi or Phata, which depart early in the morning, around 5.30 to 6.00 a.m. The bus fare from Rishikesh to Sonprayag ranges from ₹500 to ₹1500. 

Note:  The Govt. buses run to Sonprayag; from there, you need to take a shared jeep to reach Gaurikund, which will cost you ₹50 per person. 

By Train  

There is no direct Haridwar to Kedarnath train available as of now. It doesn’t have its own railway station. The nearest railhead to Kedarnath is—

• Haridwar Railway Station  (240 km)

• Rishikesh Railway Station (220 km)

You can take a train from your hometown to any of these railway stations. From there, you need to travel by road via bus or taxi to Sonorayag or Gaurikund. 

By Air

 Like the railway station, Kedarnath also doesn’t have its own airport.  The Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport to Kedarnath. You can take a flight from your city to Dehradun and then complete your journey by road travel. 

• Helicopter service: You can also take a helicopter service to reach the  Kedarnath temple. The helicopter service from Kedarnath is available during the yatra season from the nearest helipads, such as Phata, Guptkashi, and Sirsi. It is the most convenient option to reach Kedarnath, suitable for those who are unable to trek.  

Route: Firstly, hire a taxi from Haridwar / Rishikesh to Guptkashi / Phata / Sirsi. 

Duration: 6-7 hours for road travel and 8-10 minutes for flight. 

Price range: ranges from ₹6,000 to ₹12,000

The Final Stretch: Gaurikund to Kedarnath 

After heading to Gaurikund, you will embark on a 16 km trek to reach Kedarnath. The trek is considered a moderate to challenging trek due to its continuous steep inclines, and it passes through the rhododendron forests and valleys, providing breathtaking views of the majestic Himalayan peaks. 

Alternative option: if you are unable to trek or want to avoid it, you can hire ponies and palkis to reach the temple.

Duration: 7-10 hours by trek on foot, depending on your pace and fitness level. 

Suggested Itinerary for Kedarnath (4 days/3 nights)

This itinerary is provided by Manchala Mushafir, which is based on their Haridwar to Kedarnath Tour Package. It is a 4-day and 3-night itinerary, which follows this route.

Day 1: Haridwar/Rishikesh to Guptkashi 

Drive Distance: 205 km, Duration: 8-10 hours, Overnight stay: In Guptkashi hotel, Meals: Dinner.

Departure information: The pickup is from Haridwar Railway Station at 5.00 a.m. and from Rishikesh at 6.00 a.m. 

Route Overview: The journey will pass through Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Dhari Devi Temple and finally Guptkashi. 

Sightseeing: Devprayag Sangam, Rudrapayag Sangam, and Dhari Devi temple

Day 2: Drive from Guptkashi to Gaurikund via Sonprayag and then trek to Kedarnath

Drive distance: 35 km, Drive duration: 1-2 hours, Trek distance: 16 km, Trek duration: 6-8 hours. 

Route overview: Guptkashi to Sonprayag and then to Gaurikund. From the Gaurikund trek to the Kedarnath temple. 

Sightseeing: Sonprayag, Gaurikund, Bheembali, Rambada bridge, Linchauli, and Bhairavnath temple. 

Overnight Stay: At Kedarnath in a premium hotel

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Day 3: Darshan at Kedarnath and trek back to Gaurikund, and then drive back to Guptakashi

Overview: On day 3, Kedarnath darshan early in the morning, covering the sightseeing, like Bharavnath temple and Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi, and then trek back to Gaurikund and drive back to Guptkashi. 

Sightseeing: Bhairvanath temple, Adi Shankaracharya samadhi, and Retus kund. 

Overnight stay: Mushafir resort in Guptkashi

Day 4: Kedarnath to Rishikesh/Haridwar

Departure Information: After breakfast, we depart from Guptakashi and head on our return journey to Rishikesh. 

Route: The return journey follows the NH-109 and NH-58 routes. 

Activity: 12 km river rafting in Rishikesh. 

Note: River Rafting is a complementary activity included in your Kedarnath yatra package from Rishikesh; if you avoid this, you can choose to drop in Haridwar. The Haridwar to Kedarnath tour package price will start from INR 9500 per person. You can visit our tour page for more details.

Travel Tips

• Get Registered: Firstly, register yourself, which is mandatory for the Kedarnath yatra. You can register either online via Uttarakhand’s tourism website or offline at the registration designated counter in Uttarakhand, like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Devprayag, etc.  

Note: for more details, check our blog on the Kedarnath yatra registration process. 

• Pack Essentials: Kedarnath is located in a remote region and experiences cool temperatures most of the year. So pack wisely, from clothes and trekking gear to medical, hydration, and nutrition, and don’t forget to carry essential documents. You can check our blog on things to pack for the Kedarnath yatra for a complete packing list.

• Avoid travel in the Monsoon: Avoid the monsoon, as it leads to landslides and makes trails slippery and travel risky. Before planning your trip you please refer to our blog on the Best time to visit the Kedarnath temple.

• Booking: Book your hotel and transportation well in advance, especially during the peak season. 

• Plan your trip wisely: From driving and trekking to darshan and stay, plan your trip wisely. Start your trip early to avoid traffic in the hilly region. 

• Stay Hydrated & Nutritious: Drink plenty of water to avoid the risk of altitude sickness, and pack light snacks, like dry fruits, to get instant energy. 

• Avoid trekking at night: Avoid trekking after sunset as it's not safe due to the presence of wild animals, like black bears, in the region. 

• Stay updated: the weather in this region changes rapidly, which affects the accessibility, so be aware of this. 

Places to visit on the Kedarnath route

• Devprayag: Devprayag, the final and most significant confluence among the panch Prayag. It is the place where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet to form the most sacred river, the Ganga. 

• Rudraprayag: another sacred town on the route to Kedarnath. Rudraprayag is the confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers, and the Kedarnath temple is also situated in this town. 

• Guptakashi: the literary meaning of Guptakashi is “Hidden Kashi,” which is associated with the legends of the Mahabharata. It is said that lord Shiva hides himself at this sacred spot before appearing in Kedarnath, and it also serves as the base for the Kedarnath pilgrimage.  It is home to many ancient temples, like the Vishwanath temple, and sacred kunds, like Manikarnika kund. 

• Triyuginarayan temple: Another sacred temple on the route, well known as Shiv Parvati marriage place. It features the Akhanda Dhuni temple (perpetual flame) and many sacred kunds, like Rudra kund, Brahma kund, and Vishnu Kund. This perpetual fire is believed to be alive since the marriage of Lordd shiva and Parvati, and due to this, this temple got its name as Akhand Dhuni temple. The Triyunginaryan temple is accessible by road via Sonprayag. 

Note: For more information, you can check our blog on How to reach Triyuginarayan. 

• Gaurikund: Gaurikund is the base for the Kedarnath trek, featuring for sacred kund and an ancient temple called “Gauri Devi temple”.