Kedarnath

2 daysBest: May–Jun, Sep–OctPilgrimage#char dham#trek#temple

High-altitude Shiva shrine reached by trek or heli

Why this weekend?

Kedarnath templeGaurikund trekVasuki Tal lake

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The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · The ascent
- Gaurikund start
- Rambara stop
- Temple darshan
- Bhairav visit
Day 2 · The return
- Morning darshan
- Descent
- Gaurikund
- Onward

Geography & terrain

Kedarnath lies in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand at about 3,583 m, 220 km from Rishikesh and 90 km from Gaurikund — the high shrine of the Char Dham, its stone temple, the snow peaks and the Kedarnath valley set above the Mandakini's source.

History & culture

The temple's story runs with the Pandavas' legend and the Adi Shankaracharya's restoration — the shrine of the Jyotirlinga of the high Garhwal, with the temple's 8th-century stone and the 2013 floods' story of the shrine's survival; the temple's role in the Char Dham's pilgrimage, with the 16-km trek from Gaurikund and the helicopter services, gives Kedarnath its high-shrine character.

Where to stay

Budget

₹800–2,000/night

Mid-range

₹2,000–4,000/night

Comfort

₹4,000+/night

Things to do

Great shrine
High trek
Snow peaks
Bhairav seat
Mandakini valley

Eat & drink

Kafuli (spinach curry)
Bhatt ki dal (black soybean)
Aloo ke gutke
Bal mithai (Almora sweet)

Getting there

Fly: Dehradun (DED)
Train: Haridwar, Kathgodam, Dehradun stations
Road from Delhi: 250–450 km depending on valley
Getting around: Shared taxis and buses on hill roads

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹4,000–9,500 (2 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹800–4,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹500–900
Per day · Activities: ₹400–800

Month by month

Jan · Snow: −5–8°C · Snow rain
Feb · Snow: −3–10°C · Snow rain
Mar · Good: 2–14°C · Light rain
Apr · Best: 7–20°C · None rain
May · Best: 12–25°C · None rain
Jun · Good: 16–30°C · Moderate rain
Jul · Monsoon: 18–28°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 17–27°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Best: 14–26°C · Moderate rain
Oct · Best: 8–20°C · None rain
Nov · Cold: 2–14°C · None rain
Dec · Snow: −2–9°C · Snow rain

Practical info

Language: Hindi (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Connectivity: Patchy in high valleys — offline maps essential
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

The season (May–Jun, Sep–Oct) holds the temple's opening
The altitude asks the steady pace and the warm layers
The trek asks the steady shoes and the light packs

Frequently asked questions

What is Kedarnath?

The high Jyotirlinga of the Char Dham.

What is there to do?

The trek and the darshan of the shrine.

How long is the visit?

Two days for the trek.