Kedarnath Horse (Ghoda/Khachar), Palki, Doli & Pitthu Rates 2026 – Official Rate List

Gaurikund to Kedarnath 2026 - Price Summary

Introduction

Kedarnath temple is located at 3583 meters above sea level in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. The last motorable road to the temple is till Gaurikund, and the temple is accessible by the trekking route of about 16 km on foot, which the official horse and mule rate chart measures as 14 km from Gaurikund, while the official palki (dandi) and pitthu (kandi) charts list the same leg as 16 km.

Every year, thousands of devotees visit this temple, but many keep on planning and cancel due to the strenuous trekking route. But now you don't need to worry; the Uttarakhand government have started many services like Mules, palki, and Doli for all those who are not willing or able to walk for so long.

If you'd rather have these arranged for you, our Do Dham Yatra package from Haridwar covers Kedarnath and Badrinath together with support for booking pony, palki, and porter services along the way.

Average Time Taken

1) Horse/Pony/Mule Services At Kedarnath

Starting point: Gaurikund Pony Stand

Ending point: Kedarnath Temple

Distance: 14 km

Height gain: 5,500 feet

Terrain: Steep, zig-zag mountain path

Kedarnath horse ride time taken:
✔️ 4–5 hours (uphill)
✔️ 3–4 hours (downhill)

Kedarnath Horse Booking Time
Start : 4:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Last pony uphill : around 3 PM

Ghoda (horse), which is also known as the Pony or Khachhar service, is one of the most economical and easy modes to reach the Kedarnath temple. Ghoda are available throughout the route, and you can either book at the starting point of your trek, i.e. at Gaurikund, or you can avail its services on, route. 

Either you can book it from the government counters or also deal directly with the owner of the horse. Gaurikund to Kedarnath by horse price will vary greatly depending on the availability of horses and demand. Although the government had decided the Kedarnath horse ride price for 2026 from Gaurikund to Kedarnath , you can get it for INR 3,500 per person , but in off-season you may get it at a cheaper rate.

This will be very convenient, economical and time saving, with Kedarnath horse ride time varying between 4 to 5 hours depending upon your weight and the horse weight carring capacity. You can book your ghoda from the Gaurikund official counter, or you can get it throughout the route, starting from Sonprayag.

Kedarnath Pony Charges 2026 

Note:-Last verified on 28/07/2026 against the Rudraprayag Govt official notification for the 2026 yatra.

The official Kedarnath horse rate chart measures the Gaurikund to Kedarnath pony route as 14 km, while the pedestrian trek is commonly quoted as about 16 km. The rows that show 19 km are calculated from Sonprayag, which lies 5 km before Gaurikund on the same route.

Every amount in the chart above is the total payable fare, made up of the mule owner's fee plus a fixed ₹150 arrangement charge. The final fare also includes GST and is regulated at government-approved counters to avoid overcharging. 

 Who Should Choose Horse (Pony/Khachhar) Service?

Kedarnath horse (pony/khachhar) service is highly recommended for:

• Pilgrims who want to save time during the trek
• Devotees who are physically fit but cannot walk 16 km
• Yatris looking for an economical alternative to palki
• Travellers comfortable riding animals on mountain terrain

Horse service is one of the fastest ways to reach Kedarnath Temple from Gaurikund, usually taking 4–5 hours uphill. It is budget-friendly compared to palki and widely available at government-authorised counters during the yatra season.

Kedarnath Horse Ride Safety Tips

 

2) Pitthu (Kandi) Services at Kedarnath

Kedarnath Pitthu (Kandi) Charges 2026 

Note: Palki charges in Kedarnath are indicative and subject to change as per official notification issued for the 2026 Kedarnath Yatra season.

4) Emergency Helplines & Safety Advisory

The Gaurikund–Kedarnath route runs through steep, landslide-prone mountain terrain, so it's worth saving these numbers before you set out, in addition to the government booking counter and your pony/palki/pitthu operator's ID slip:

Numbers sourced from the Rudraprayag district administration's published helpline list; please re-confirm at a Gaurikund counter or the district website before you travel, as these can change season to season.

Pilgrims above 55, or with a known heart, lung, knee, or blood-pressure condition, should get a basic medical fitness check before booking a horse, palki, or pitthu — the altitude, exertion, and steep terrain add real strain even when someone else is doing the carrying. If you feel breathless, dizzy, or unwell at any point during the ride, tell your operator immediately and rest rather than pushing through to the temple.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1) Can I book a Horse, Palki, or Kandi (Pitthu) online?

No, there are no options to book these services online. You can book these at the offline counters present at Gaurikund, Bhimbali, or Linchauli. You can also book these services directly from the service providers.

2) Can I book Horse, Palki, or Kandi (Pitthu) after trekking for a few kilometres?

Certainly, you can book these services anywhere en route to the Kedarnath Temple. Both offline booking counters and local service providers are available on the route, from which you can avail yourself of these services.

3) What are the points one should take care of while booking these services?

Here are a few pro tips you can use to protect yourself from any kind of fraud and pay extra. 

Always try to book Kandi, Mules (Horse), or Palki from the government-authorised booking counters, as they will provide you with these services at government rates that are generally much lower than what local vendors offer. 

Before taking any services, check the I-card of the service provider and send it to your family and friends. If you are dealing with the local service provider directly, then you have to use your bargaining power; otherwise, you may end up paying an extra amount.

4) Can I book Horse, Palquin (palki), or Kandi (Pitthu) for both sides?

Certainly, you can do so, but it's not recommended. The best option is to book one-way service at one time, which will be the best option from the perspective of expense and security. 

 5) Can a horse operate during Rain in the Kedarnath trek?

Well, it depends on the frequency of rain. Horse riding can operate during light rain, but it can be suspended in heavy rainfall and severe weather alerts. The local authorities will temporarily close the horse operations if the heavy rain increases the risk of landslides and flash floods for safety reasons. 

6) Is a horse/pony or palki better for senior citizens?

For most senior citizens, a palki (doli) is the safer and more comfortable choice, since four trained carriers support the passenger the whole way and there's no need to balance while riding. A pony works fine for seniors who are fit enough to hold the saddle for 4–5 hours, but anyone with knee, back, or balance issues is usually better off with a palki — and either way, it's worth getting a basic medical fitness check before you decide.

7) How much should I tip the pony or palki handlers?

Tipping isn't compulsory and isn't part of the government-fixed fare, but many pilgrims give around ₹100–₹300 to a pony handler, or split ₹200–₹500 among the four palki carriers, if the service was safe and helpful. Pay the official fare in full at the counter first — a tip should be extra, never a substitute for it.

8) Do pony and palki rates change in peak season?

No. The rates shown above are fixed by the Uttarakhand Government / Zila Panchayat Rudraprayag for the entire 2026 season and don't officially rise during peak days (roughly May–June and September–October). If someone away from the government counter quotes a higher price during a rush, that's overcharging, not a seasonal rate — book at the official counter to avoid it.

9) Can I go up by pony/palki and come down by helicopter (or vice versa)?

Yes, but the two services aren't linked at a single counter — you'd need to book an IRCTC HeliYatra return ticket separately in advance, since Kedarnath helicopters fly from helipads at Phata, Guptkashi, or Sersi, not from Gaurikund itself. Many pilgrims go up by pony or palki and fly down (or the reverse), but it requires two separate bookings.

10) What is the weight limit for a Kedarnath pony?

There's no single published upper weight limit for horse/pony riders the way there is for pitthu (up to 50 kg) and palki (slabs up to 100 kg), but a handler can decline or ask for an extra horse if a rider is significantly overweight, since it affects the animal's safety on the steep trail. Heavier passengers are usually better suited to a palki, which has defined weight slabs up to 100 kg.

11) Is Kedarnath yatra registration needed to book a pony, palki, or pitthu?

Yes. You need a valid Kedarnath Yatra registration/e-pass (via the Uttarakhand Tourism registration portal or the counters at Sonprayag/Gaurikund) before starting the trek, regardless of whether you walk, ride a pony, or take a palki or pitthu. Carry your registration slip with you, as it may be checked en route.