Kedarnath Temple Travel Guide from Rishikesh
Overview
Kedarnath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, located in the Himalayas (Uttarakhand). The journey is a mix of road trip + trekking + spirituality.
Distance & Travel Time
By Bus/Taxi: Kedarnath is about 210 km from Rishikesh. The last motorable point is Gaurikund Bus Stop. From here, pilgrims trek 16 km to the temple. For convenience, ponies, palkis, and helicopter services are available.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh Railway Station, well connected to major cities.
By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (238 km from Kedarnath). From the airport, buses and taxis are available to Rishikesh and further to Gaurikund.
Route from Rishikesh
Rishikesh → Devprayag → Rudraprayag → Guptkashi → Sonprayag → Gaurikund → Kedarnath
This is the most common and scenic route through mountains and rivers
Final Trek (Important)
- Start Point: Gaurikund
- Distance: 16 km
- Time: 6–8 hours
👉 Options:
- Walking 🚶
- Pony / Palki 🐎
- Helicopter 🚁 (Phata, Guptkashi, Sirsi)
Best Time to Visit
- ✅ May – June (summer)
- ✅ September – October (post-monsoon)
- ❌ Avoid heavy rains & winters
👉 Temple remains closed in winter due to snowfall
Stay Options
- Rishikesh / Guptkashi (hotels & lodges)
- Kedarnath (basic guest houses, tents)
Suggested 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Rishikesh → Guptkashi (7–8 hrs drive)
Day 2
Guptkashi → Gaurikund → Trek to Kedarnath
Day 3
Darshan → Return trek → Back to Guptkashi
Other Travel Options
- Nearest Airport: Dehradun (Jolly Grant)
- Nearest Railway: Rishikesh / Haridwar
Important Travel Tips
- Yatra registration mandatory
- Carry warm clothes (even in summer)
- Wear good trekking shoes
- Start trek early morning
- Stay hydrated
Simple Summary
Rishikesh → Road till Gaurikund → 16 km trek → Kedarnath
👉 Mix of adventure + devotion + nature