Kedarnath Yatra Package from Haridwar

Our Kedarnath Yatra Package from Haridwar has been put together by our experts to cover Darshan at Kedarnath and the main stops on the way. Kedarnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and stands at about 3,583 m in Rudraprayag district. Tradition links the shrine to the Pandavas of the Mahabharata. Inside the temple, a conical rock formation is worshipped as Lord Shiva in the form of "Sadashiva." It is one of the four shrines of Uttarakhand's Char Dham Yatra. Behind the temple stand the Kedar Dome, Kedarnath peak and other Himalayan peaks.

The package includes meals, hotel stays, sightseeing as per the itinerary and all road transfers. We also offer a budget Kedarnath Dham tour from Haridwar if you want to keep costs low. The package can be customised to suit your dates and pace. Contact us to plan your Kedarnath darshan.

Quick Facts

The trip from Haridwar to Kedarnath is about 240 km by road, followed by a trek of 16 to 17 km from Gaurikund. No helicopter flies from Haridwar. Shuttle flights leave from Guptkashi, Phata and Sirsi.

How to Plan a Kedarnath Tour from Haridwar

This quick overview covers the main things to sort out before your Kedarnath Yatra.

Kedarnath 2026 Opening Dates and Registration

The Kedarnath temple opened on 22 April 2026. It usually closes for winter on Bhai Dooj, which most calendars place on 11 November this year. BKTC announces the exact closing date and time closer to the day, so check Kedarnath opening and closing dates before planning a late-season trip.

Registration is mandatory and free. Register on registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in or the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app, and you get a QR code. Carry it with a valid ID. Verification counters are at the entry gate of the Dham, and registration counters also run at points such as Haridwar railway station, Sonprayag and Gaurikund.

The official registration FAQ says people aged 10 to 65 can register. If anyone in your group is younger or older, confirm with the Tourist Care helpline before you book.

Best Time for Kedarnath Yatra

The best time to visit Kedarnath is May-June and September-October. We recommend September and October. The monsoon has passed, and the crowd is lighter than in May and June, when the first weeks after the opening draw the longest queues.

We advise against doing this Ek Dham Yatra in the monsoon months (July-August), as heavy rainfall causes frequent road blockages and there is a risk of landslides.

Cost of Kedarnath Yatra

Our Kedarnath trip from Haridwar costs Rs. 9,999 to Rs.14,999 per person. The package includes food, pre-booked hotels and a private vehicle. You can customise it to your preferences at no extra charge. Pony, doli and helicopter tickets are not included.

Haridwar to Kedarnath Route and Yatra Distance

Uttarakhand Tourism puts the road journey from Haridwar at about 240 km, or 9 to 10 hours. Traffic, weather and landslide repairs can add hours. The route passes Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag and Guptkashi. Private vehicles stop at Sonprayag. A shared shuttle jeep covers the last 5 km to Gaurikund, where the trek begins. See our Kedarnath Travel Packages page for more options.

A 12.9 km ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath was approved in March 2025, and the construction contract has been awarded. It is not open to pilgrims yet. Until it opens, pilgrims go up from Gaurikund on foot, by pony, doli or pithu, or fly in by helicopter.

Trekking Guide

From Gaurikund, you'll have to undertake a 16 to 17 km trek to reach Kedarnath. Uttarakhand Tourism and BKTC list the trek as 16 km; the Rudraprayag district administration lists it as 17 km. Most walkers take 6 to 8 hours to reach the top. Gaurikund, the starting point, is named after Goddess Parvati. You should avoid trekking in the monsoon due to the risk of leeches and landslides. It's important to keep in mind that the Kedarnath temple's altitude is about 3,583 metres, so you should acclimatise properly and be physically fit.

At this height, some people get altitude sickness. Headache, nausea, dizziness and breathlessness are the usual signs. Stop, rest and drink water. If it gets worse, go down. The state's 2026 health advisory asks pilgrims to get a medical check-up 2 to 3 weeks before the trip and to carry enough of their regular medicines. It singles out elderly pilgrims and people with heart disease, diabetes or breathing problems.

What to Pack

Clothing Essentials

• 2-3 thermal innerwear sets
• 1 heavy fleece jacket or down jacket
• 2 sweat-absorbent tops or light t-shirts
• 1-2 trekking shirts or full-sleeved shirts
• 2 pairs of warm joggers or trekking pants
• 1 waterproof rain jacket or windcheater
• Woollen cap, neck gaiter, and gloves
• 2-3 pairs of regular cotton socks and warm socks
• A pair of sunglasses

Footwear

• Slippers or floaters
• Band-aids or blister pads
• High ankle trekking shoes

Backpack

• Small daypack (10-15 litres)
• Main bag or suitcase (it stays in the car or hotel)
• Rain cover for your backpack

Documents and Other Essentials

• Photo ID and Yatra registration QR code
• Regular medicines and a first-aid kit
• Flashlight, power bank and charger
• Snacks and a personal hygiene kit

Types of Packages

Helicopter packages

This package offers a helicopter service to Kedarnath as well, but not from Haridwar. The regular shuttle flights leave from Guptkashi, Phata and Sirsi, and tickets are booked only through IRCTC HeliYatra at heliyatra.irctc.co.in. We drive you from Haridwar to the helipad. Private charters from Dehradun are a different service and are not part of the HeliYatra shuttle. The helicopter option suits senior citizens, busy travellers and anyone who does not want to trek. It saves most of a day. Flights stop in bad weather, so keep a spare day. See our Kedarnath helicopter Yatra page for details.

Where You Stay

You stay both nights in Guptkashi, which is closer to the trek base than Rudraprayag and lets you start early on Day 2.

Kedarnath Yatra for Senior Citizens

Kedarnath Yatra can be a fulfilling experience for seniors if they plan ahead and take safety precautions. Anyone above 65, or with heart, lung, blood pressure or diabetes problems, should get their doctor's approval before booking. The ground options below cut the walking. They do not change the altitude, so they are no substitute for a doctor's go-ahead.

Best Tourist Places to See

Here are a few places you can see during the Kedarnath Yatra. For more, see our guide to the best tourist places in Kedarnath.

Shankaracharya Samadhi

Shankaracharya Samadhi is situated behind the Kedarnath shrine and houses Adi Shankaracharya's samadhi. It is a quiet place to sit for a while after darshan.

Bhairavnath Temple

A small temple on the hill about half a km from Kedarnath temple, dedicated to Bhairav. It is a short uphill walk.

Triyuginarayan Temple (near Sonprayag)

Sonprayag is situated on the way to Kedarnath Dham, where the Mandakini and Songanga rivers meet. BKTC lists the Triyuginarayan Temple as 14 km from Sonprayag, including a 5 km trek. It does not fit into the 3-day plan, so ask us to add time for it.

Gandhi Sarovar

Gandhi Sarovar, also called Chorabari Tal, was a glacial lake above Kedarnath. It breached during the 2013 floods. If you plan to walk up to the site, ask locally about the path and weather first.

Vasuki Tal

Vasuki Tal is a high-glacial lake situated at a height of 4,135 metres, about 8 km beyond Kedarnath. The trail is steep, so you need an extra day at Kedarnath to visit it. The lake gets its name from the 'Vasuki snake.'

How to Reach Haridwar

This package starts and ends in Haridwar.

• By Flight: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, with flights from Delhi and other cities.
• By Train: Haridwar Junction is a major railway station with direct trains from Delhi and many other cities.
• By Bus: Many bus service operators run buses to Haridwar from Delhi and nearby cities.

For all routes to Kedarnath, including buses from Haridwar and Rishikesh to Sonprayag, see how to reach Char Dham.

Inclusions and Exclusions

Payment, Cancellation and Weather Delays

Rain and landslides close roads in the Kedarnath valley, and the administration sometimes halts the yatra for hours or days. Helicopter flights are cancelled in bad weather. Keep a buffer day and take travel insurance.

Beware of Fake Booking Websites

• Kedarnath helicopter shuttle tickets are booked only through IRCTC HeliYatra (heliyatra.irctc.co.in). Any website or WhatsApp number selling "confirmed" tickets is not official.
• Yatra registration is free on registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in. Don't pay anyone for the registration itself.
• Before paying a tour operator, check that the bank account is in the company's name, not a personal name.