Whenever we imagine faith and devotion along with the breathtaking views of the mountains, the journey to Kedarnath Dham naturally comes to mind. This Dham is nestled in the lap of the Garhwal Himalayas, which is in Uttarakhand. Kedarnath Yatra is not just a trek — it is a symbol of emotions and deep faith towards Baba Bholenath.
Where is Kedarnath?
Kedarnath Temple is one of the Char Dhams of Uttarakhand and also one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of India. The temple of Bhole Baba is situated at a height of 3,583 meters (around 11,755 feet). This temple is surrounded by snow-covered mountains from all sides. The atmosphere here remains so peaceful that it cannot be described in words — you have to come here yourself to truly feel this divine energy.
Starting Point: Gaurikund
Your spiritual journey that takes you to Baba Bholenath’s temple — the Kedarnath Temple — begins from a small place called Gaurikund. Gaurikund is connected by road to Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun. From here, your actual trek begins, which is around 16 to 18 kilometers long, depending on which route you choose.
How you feel when you start trek
Your journey begins with steep climbs and narrow paths. Along the way, you will find many small food stalls. You will also come across first aid medical camps and services like pony and palanquin (palki). The entire route echoes with religious chants, and everywhere you’ll hear people loudly saying, “Har Har Mahadev.”
Throughout the journey, you walk along with nature… waterfalls, pine forests, and the Mandakini River flow alongside you. The entire route gives you a sense of peace.
Helicopter Service
For those devotees who are unable to do the trek, helicopter services are also available, which operate from Guptkashi and Phata. This is a quick way to have darshan, but you should book your tickets in advance, especially during the peak seasons. I am sharing the ticket prices with you, but ,b>please note that prices change from time to time. So it’s better if you click on the button below to directly visit the helicopter booking service website.
| S.No. | Location | Operators | Round Trip fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guptkashi - Shri Kedarnath | Aryan Aviation | ₹8532 |
| 2 | Guptkashi - Shri Kedarnath | Trans Bharat Aviations | ₹8532 |
| 3 | Phata - Shri Kedarnath | Pawan hans | ₹6062 |
| 4 | Phata - Shri Kedarnath | Thumby Aviation | ₹6062 |
| 5 | Phata - Shri Kedarnath | Global Vectra Helicorp | ₹6062 |
| 6 | Phata - Shri Kedarnath | Trans Bharat Aviations | ₹6062 |
| 7 | Sirsi - Shri Kedarnath | Himalyan Heli Services | ₹6060 |
| 8 | Sirsi - Shri Kedarnath | Kestrel Aviation | ₹6060 |
| 9 | Sirsi - Shri Kedarnath | Arrow Aircrafts | ₹6060 |
Best Time to Visit
The doors of Kedarnath Temple open around the end of April or the beginning of May, and they close around Diwali (October/November) due to heavy snowfall by then. So, if you’re planning to visit Kedarnath Temple, the best months are May-June and September because the weather is very pleasant during that time and the road conditions are also quite good. You can avoid the monsoon season because of landslides.
Tips for Yatris
- 1. While packing, make sure to carry warm clothes, raincoats, and good trekking shoes.
- 2. Always keep a basic first aid kit with you.
- 3. Don’t forget to carry your personal ID proof.
- 4. Walk at your own pace—avoid rushing or walking too fast. Always remember, slow and steady wins the race.
- 5. Feel the beauty of nature and move towards Baba Bholenath’s temple while enjoying the local food and culture.