Kedarnath, possibly the most well-known and widely travelled dham in our itinerary. According to old legends, Kedarnath is the place where Lord Shiva granted the Pandavas redemption after many prayers and requests, upon the end of the Kurukshetra war. “Kedar” is one of the many other alternative names for Lord Shiva. Kedarnath is dedicated to Lord Shiva and it is also the abode of the northernmost Jyotirlinga. The Kedarnath shrine boasts the entire robust Kedarnath mountain range in the background and is situated at one of the most majestic locations possible. As we approach 2025, pilgrims and adventure seekers alike are gearing up for this divine journey. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you prepare for the Kedarnath Yatra 2025.
Devprayag
A beautiful showcase of traditions, myths and mysticism, Devprayag is the place where the holy rivers Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet, merge into one and take the name Ganga, making it a unique pilgrimage. It is believed that Lord Rama and his father King Dasharath (from the epic Ramayana) performed penance here. The main temple of the town is Raghunathji Temple and is dedicated to Lord Rama. Devprayag is one of the Panch Prayag or five sacred confluences of the Alaknanda River. The rivers converge to flow down to the plains as River Ganga. The five holy sites are Vishnuprayag, Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag. The town is also the winter seat for the priests of Badrinath Dham temple. Located on the route for Chardham yatra, Devprayag attracts thousands of devotees, especially during the yatra season.
Rudraprayag
Named after Lord Shiva’s Rudra avatar (incarnation), Rudraprayag is an ancient holy town situated at the confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers, at a distance of 34 km from Srinagar in the Garhwal region. Rudraprayag marks the fourth confluence between Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers.
Dhari Devi Temple
A revered temple, it is dedicated to Dhari Devi (a form of Goddess Kali), who is considered to be the guardian deity of Uttarakhand and is worshipped as the protector of the Char Dhams. According to mythology, a severe flood once washed away a temple and the idol of Dhari Devi was trapped against a rock near the Dharo village. Local lore also has it that the idol of the deity changes appearance throughout the day – a girl child in the morning, a young woman in the afternoon and an old woman in the evening. It is said that Goddess Dhari Devi has two parts. Her body’s upper half appeared at Dhari Devi temple while her lower half appeared at Kalimath temple, where she is worshipped as Maa Kali.
Vishwanath Temple Guptkashi
The Vishwanath Temple is located in the town of Guptkashi in Rudraprayag district and is visited by many devotees all-round the year. The whole district of Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand is named because of the presence of the numerous temples of Lord Shiva or Lord Rudra there and among these the Guptkashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the prominent ones. The Vishwanath Temple in Guptkashi has a stark visual similarity with the Kashi Vishwanath Temple of the holy city of Varanasi. This may be the reason for the similarity between the names of the two temples. Aside this, the Vishwanath Temple is also part of the Rudra temple conglomerate of Rudraprayag that conjures up the temple chain of Panch Kedars and the Chota Kedarnath
Bhairav baba temple
Bhairavnath Temple or Bhairon Baba Mandir is situated south of the Kedarnath temple on the eastern hill of the lofty Himalayas of Uttarakhand. The temple is dedicated to Bhairav – the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva associated with destruction and devastation.
| Duration: | 4 Days / 3 Nights |
| Trek grade: | Easy to moderate |
| Trekking distance: | 38 KM |
| Maximum altitude: | 11,755 Ft. |
| Nearest airport: | Jolly Grant (Dehradun) |
| Nearest railway station: | Dehradun / Haridwar |
| Mode of transport from Haridwar: | By taxi from Haridwar: |
| Best Time for Treks: | May-Oct |
Detailed Itinerary for Kedarnath Yatra 2025
Day 1: Haridwar -Guptkashi
Early Morning. You Can drive up to Guptkashi. The name “Guptkashi” translates to Hidden Benaras, and is derived from the legend that Lord Shiva once hid himself from the Pandavas at this location. We make the journey via the Devprayag and Rudraprayag route, which offers us breathtaking Glimpses of river Alaknanda and Mandakini. One interesting fact is that river Mandakini actually Originates from Kedarnath, which only adds to the spiritual energy and aura that makes this Yatra special While driving alongside the river, we soon find ourselves at the Ardh Narishwar temple at Guptkashi. After taking some time to visit the temple and offer prayers,
Day 2: Guptkashi – Shri Kedarnath JI
Day 2. Early Morning will be driven to Sonprayag, after which a local sharing taxi to Gaurikund will seamlessly bring you to your starting point for the trek. than will start trek toward shri kedarnath Ji. To make your way back, you will have to follow the same route and take a Sharing taxi to Sonprayag again. so, he can find a suitable place to park and pick you up the next day without any hassle. After witnessing the shrine and spending some time at the Kedarnath, we check into a hotel for the night stay at Sri Kedarnath Ji.
Day 3: Kedarnath-Guptkashi
After a vibrant, calming pooja and a delicious breakfast, we check out of our hotel and make
The journey back from Kedarnath to Sonprayag. After your driver picks you up at the predecided
Place, we drive back to Guptkashi, where we check into the hotel once again. The itinerary for the rest of the day is empty, giving you enough time to take in and the warm, spiritual energy of the journey so far, and resting for the next few days to come.
Day 4: Guptkashi- Haridwar / Rishikesh.
Today we will wake up around 7-8am. Have your last breakfast at Guptkashi and we shall drive back to Haridwar/Rishikesh. Afterwards this soul nourishing journey to the Kedarnath we shall bid adieu each other from Haridwar. This journey and this trek are going to change you and your inner self. This trek is going to fill us with immense peace, calm, and happiness as if lord Shiva has blessed us. All hail lord Shiva. We shall reach by 6-8 pm at Haridwar.
Preparing for the Kedarnath Yatra 2025
Registration: To manage the influx of pilgrims and ensure safety, the Uttarakhand government has made it mandatory to register for the Kedarnath Yatra. Registration can be done online through the official portal. Make sure to complete your registration well in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles.
Types of Yatra registration 2025
Kedarnath registration can be done through an online registration portal of Uttarakhand tourism or offline registration facilities. There are mainly two types of Kedarnath darshan registration:
1. Individual registration: Individuals can register for the Kedarnath Yatra through online portals or offline registration centres at Free registration.
2. Group registration: Groups visiting Kedarnath Temple can also register through an online registration portal or offline.
Documents required for Kedarnath Yatra 2025
The primary documents required for the Kedarnath registration are:
– Valid ID proof like a voter ID, passport, etc.
– Passport-size photos
– Contact details
– Emergency contact information.
Yatra Registration for the Kedarnath Yatra 2025
The Kedarnath registration process is easy and user-friendly. The following steps are included in it:
1. Visit the web portal of Uttarakhand Tourism Care at https://registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in/.
2. Click on the ‘Register’ button at the top right corner.
3. Enter your name, mobile number, identity, individual or family, etc., to register.
4. Enter the OTP sent to your mobile number to sign up.
5. After verifying the mobile number, you will receive the login details for your Uttarakhand Tourism Care account, which you can use to log in in the future.
6. You can now register for the Kedarnath Yatra by entering the tour information, such as name, number of people, tour guide, slot, date, destination, etc.
7. Then, you will be asked for your details, such as name, number, age, gender, email ID, country, address, mode of travel, emergency contact number, etc.
8. Next, you must upload your passport-size photograph and identity proof to the online portal.
9. Once you have submitted everything required, your registration process will be completed with a confirmation mail or message containing information about a successful Kedarnath yatra registration.
10. Also, you can take a help of Trekonindia for yatra registration
Heli services for Shri Kedarnath Yatra 2025
Here’s how to easily book helicopter tickets online in a few straightforward steps-
Step 1: Visit Official UTDB Website
Go to the Official Website of Uttarakhand UTDB and register yourself for Char Dham Yatra.
Step 2: Visit IRCTC Website
Go to the official IRCTC website and log in with your existing IRCTC account credentials or sign up to create a new account.
Step 3: Enter Registration Details
Enter registration number or group ID and click on “Submit”.
Step 4: Select Dates
Now choose your desired flying dates and click on “Search Helicopter”.
Step 5: Select Time Slot
Based on availability, choose from helipad options, time slots, and aviation companies.
Step 6: Passenger Selection & Verification
Select passengers and complete verification using OTP (One-Time Password).
Step 7: Payment Confirmation
Click “Pay & Confirm” to proceed to IRCTC’s secure payment page for transaction completion.
Step 8: Get Your Ticket
Once the booking is successful, download the ticket and ensure a printed hard copy is kept for travel purposes.
Price of Heli Tickets for Kedarnath Yatra 2025
The cost of helicopter ticket for Kedarnath has been fixed by Uttarakhand government. Check out the tentative price of helicopter tickets for Kedarnath as per the latest updates.
| Helicopter Route (Helipad) | Round Trip Tariff |
| Phata to Kedarnath – Phata | INR 5500 Per Person |
| Sersi to Kedarnath – Sersi | INR 5498 Per Person |
| Guptkashi to Kedarnath – Guptkashi | INR 7740 Per Person |
*Convenience Fee & PG Charges are payable extra.
Fraud Alert for Kedarnath Heli Tickets
The Booking of Heli Tickets should be only done through IRCTC website. No Other website to avoid further discrepancy
Health and Fitness:
The trek to Kedarnath is challenging, requiring a good level of physical fitness. It’s advisable to start preparing a few months in advance. Regular exercise, especially cardio, will help you build stamina. It’s also essential to get a medical check-up to ensure you are fit for the trek.
Packing Essentials: Pack light but ensure you have all the necessary items:
- Warm clothing (layers are recommended)
- Waterproof jacket and pants
- Comfortable trekking shoes
- First-aid kit and necessary medications
- Snacks and hydration packs
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Personal identification and yatra registration documents
Weather Considerations:
Kedarnath experiences cold weather even in the summer months. Check the weather forecast before you leave and pack accordingly. The best time to undertake the Yatra is from May to June and September to October when the weather is relatively stable.
How to Reach
- By air- Jolly Grant Airport is the airport serving Dehradun, located about 45 km from the city. There is a daily flight from Delhi to Dehradun. Come one day early if planning to come by flight.
- By Train Take the overnight train to Haridwar / Rishikesh / Dehrdaun / Delhi from your location
- By Bus There is regular bus service from Delhi to Haridwar from Delhis ISBT Kashmere Gate. We would suggest you to take only government buses from ISBT Kashmere Gate.Usually buses drop you at Haridwar bas Stop.
1. Reaching the Base:
The Yatra typically starts from Gaurikund, which is well-connected by road to major cities like Delhi, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun. From these cities, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Guptkashi or sonprayag.
2. The Trek:
The trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is about 19 kilometers and takes approximately 8-10 hours. Or you can use for Yatra pony, Mule or helicopter services for a more comfortable journey.
3. Enroute Sights
The trail to Kedarnath is dotted with picturesque landscapes, waterfalls, and lush green forests. Take your time to soak in the natural beauty and visit significant spots like Bhairavnath Temple, which is considered the guardian of Kedarnath Temple.
4. At Kedarnath
Once you reach Kedarnath, the divine aura of the temple amidst the snow-capped peaks is sure to leave you spellbound. Participate in the daily rituals and aarti to experience the spiritual fervor. Don’t forget to explore the beautiful surroundings, including the Vasuki Tal Lake and the Samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya.
Accommodation and Facilities
Kedarnath offers various accommodation options ranging from budget lodges to GMVN guesthouses. It’s advisable to book your stay in advance, especially during peak season. Basic amenities like food, water, and medical facilities are available, but it’s wise to carry some essentials with you.
Eco-Friendly Yatra
Preserve the sanctity of Kedarnath by following eco-friendly practices. Avoid littering, use biodegradable products, and respect the local culture and environment. This not only ensures a pleasant experience for you but also for future pilgrims.
FAQ’s
Helicopter service to Kedarnath can be booked through the official IRCTC website only.
Children above 2 years require a full ticket; no separate seat for children below 2 years. Check the aviation company for specific terms.
No. you can one way return tickets from Shri Kedarnath Dham can be booked only from the counter located at Shri Kedarnath.
Yes, due to bad weather. Prepare for cancellations, sudden rain/snowfall, and extreme cold. Bring essentials like warm clothes, raincoat, waterproof shoes, gloves, socks, etc.
Passenger Weight (Adult, Child & Infant) will be weighed before issue of boarding pass by the Helicopter Operator. The weight of infant will be added to the accompanied passenger. The passenger/passenger along with infant weighing more than 80 kgs will have to pay an additional amount of Rs. 150/kg for extra weight. Weight will be calculated individually and will not be offset with another passenger or infant. Passenger denying to pay additional charges of weight may not be allowed to board.
IRCTC shall levy Convenience Fee @ Rs. 300 per passenger + GST for a two-way journey and @ Rs. 200 + GST for a one-way journey, for all the Helicopter tickets including Charter bookings, Counter Tickets & EQ Tickets. This convenience fee is non-refundable.
Helicopter Service will start at 0600 hours in the morning and continue till 1800 hours in the evening.
Kedarnath temple darshan timings
Morning: 5 AM – 01:30 PM
Evening: 05:30 PM – 10 PM
Opening date is 2th May 2025.
Closing date is 20th Oct 2025.
Yes, Kedarnath trek starts from Gaurikund and pilgrims have to cover 18 kms to reach the temple. The trek is medium steep at some points and adequate fitness is advise to pilgrims visiting Kedarnath. For the senior citizens and children, there are facilities of Kandi, Palki and Mules. Proper facilities of drinking water and small shops are there in the trek route. Also, there is helicopter service from Phata and another helipad to Kedarnath.
Contact us
For any other required tour query please feel free to contact on the following numbers or best is to send a mail on the given Email ID: info@trekonindia.com
www.trekonindia.com
https://trekonindia.com/
https://www.instagram.com/
Operation Office- Opp. Achievers Home Public School, Laksar Road, Kankhal Haridwar – 249408 Uttarakhand
Certified by MSME and Affiliated By- Uttarakhand Tourism & Travel Trade. We deal in Trekking in the Himalayas, Customized group tours.