Your City → Kedarnath

Fetching the best route from your city to Haridwar. This will update automatically.

From Haridwar Railway Station: Exit from the main gate (Platform 1 side). Walk straight for exactly 200 meters — you'll see the Haridwar Roadways Bus Depot right opposite the station. You cannot miss it.

Which bus to take: Look for buses with "Rishikesh" written on the front windshield. They leave every 15-20 minutes starting from 5:00 AM. The bus conductor will shout "Rishikesh! Rishikesh!" — just ask him to confirm.

Ticket: Buy from the conductor after boarding. ₹70-100 per person. No advance booking needed. Keep small change ready (₹100 notes work best).

Where to get down: Tell the conductor "Rishikesh Yatra Bus Stand" or "Tehri Bus Stand". This is the main bus stand where buses to Sonprayag/Kedarnath depart. Don't get down at earlier Rishikesh stops — go all the way to the last stop.

Alternative — Shared Auto: Shared auto-rickshaws wait outside Haridwar station. ₹100-150 per person, 35-40 minutes. They drop you at the same bus stand.

From Rishikesh Yatra Bus Stand: Look for buses with "Sonprayag" or "Gaurikund" signboards. Two types: UTC Government Buses (green, cheaper at ₹800-900, more stops) and Private Buses (₹1,000-1,200, faster, fewer stops).

Buying tickets: At the ticket counter (open from 5 AM) or directly from the conductor. Catch a bus before 7 AM to reach Sonprayag by 3-4 PM.

The Route: Rishikesh → Devprayag (70 km, Bhagirathi+Alaknanda sangam, photo stop) → Srinagar (140 km, lunch stop, good dhabas) → Rudraprayag (180 km, Alaknanda+Mandakini sangam) → Guptkashi (210 km, last town) → Sonprayag (220 km, final stop).

Important: If you reach Sonprayag after 6 PM, shared jeeps to Gaurikund reduce. Stay overnight at Sonprayag (lodges: ₹500-800) and continue next morning.

At Sonprayag: Walk to the shared jeep stand near the bus parking. Jeeps leave when full (8-10 passengers). ₹60-80/person. Pay the driver or at the small ticket counter.

Registration Check at Gaurikund: Keep your e-pass ready (phone or printed). The police check post scans your QR code. No registration = no entry.

At Gaurikund: Shops for trekking sticks (₹50-100), raincoats (₹50-200), water bottles (₹20-30). Pony/palki booking counters available. The Gauri Kund hot spring is here — many pilgrims take a dip before trekking.

This is the journey you came for! Well-paved stone path, wide enough for 4-5 people. You cannot get lost — just follow the crowd.

📍 Gaurikund (0 km, 6,500 ft): Start point. Fill water bottles, buy trekking stick (₹50-80, highly recommended), use toilet (₹10). Start by 6-7 AM if you stayed overnight, or by 2-3 PM if same day.

📍 Jungle Chatti (4 km, ~1.5 hrs): First rest stop. 4-5 dhabas — hot tea (₹20), Maggi (₹50-80), biscuits. Rest 10-15 min. Toilets available (₹5-10).

📍 Bheembali (7 km, ~3 hrs): Larger dhabas. The climb gets steeper after this. Have aloo paratha (₹60-80), tea. Toilets available. Rest 20-30 min.

📍 Rambara (10 km, ~4.5 hrs): Halfway point! Best place for lunch. "Shiva Dhaba" and "Himalayan Cafe" — thali ₹150-200. Rest 30-40 min. Refill water (₹30 for Bisleri).

📍 Lincholi (13 km, ~6 hrs): Last stop before Kedarnath. Steepest section ahead. Rest 10 min, drink water. Kedarnath temple visible from here — a huge morale boost!

📍 Kedarnath Base (16 km, ~7-8 hrs): You made it! Temple surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Find your lodge, freshen up, attend evening aarti (6-7 PM).

Critical Tips: Walk slowly, take breaks every 2-3 km. Stay hydrated — dehydration worsens altitude sickness. Only BSNL mobile works after Rambara. Ponies (₹2,000-3,000) and palkis (₹4,000-5,000) available at Gaurikund if needed. Weather can change suddenly — carry a poncho.

Breakfast (Haridwar/Rishikesh): Dhabas near bus stands. Aloo-puri, chai, paratha — ₹50-80.
Lunch (Srinagar): Bus stops 20-30 min. Garhwali thali at local dhaba — ₹100-150.
Dinner (Kedarnath): After reaching, dhabas near temple. Thali ₹150-200. Try khichdi — light and warm after the trek.
Must carry: Dry fruits, chocolates, ORS packets (Electral ₹20), water bottles.

Temple Timings: Opens 4:00 AM. Morning Aarti: 4:30 AM — do not miss this! Main darshan: 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM, then 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM (temple closes 3-5 PM for bhog).

Tips for the best experience: Wake up at 3:30 AM, freshen up (hot water available at most lodges in the morning), reach temple by 4:15 AM. The early morning aarti in the Himalayas is a divine experience — fewer crowds, the sound of chants echoing off the mountains.

After darshan: Walk 500 meters behind the main temple to Bhairavnath Temple — the guardian deity of Kedarnath. The view of the Kedarnath peak from here in the morning light is breathtaking. Best photos of your trip will be from this spot (5:30-7:00 AM golden light).

Rituals: Offer bilva patra, flowers, and water to the Jyotirlinga. Pandits available for special puja (₹500-2,000). Photography NOT allowed inside the temple.

Start by 7:00-8:00 AM after breakfast at your lodge or a nearby dhaba. The descent is faster and easier on the lungs, but harder on the knees — use your trekking stick!

Same route in reverse: Kedarnath → Lincholi (3 km) → Rambara (6 km, good stop for tea/snacks) → Bheembali (9 km) → Jungle Chatti (12 km, good stop for lunch) → Gaurikund (16 km).

Where to eat on the way down: Rambara has the best dhabas for a mid-morning break (tea, Maggi, paratha — ₹80-120). Jungle Chatti is perfect for lunch (thali ₹120-150) — it's the last proper food stop before Gaurikund.

Important: Go slow on steep sections — it's harder on knees going down. Trekking stick helps tremendously. Reach Gaurikund by 1:00-2:00 PM.

Shared jeeps from Gaurikund market. ₹60-80/person. 5 km, 20-25 minutes.

From Sonprayag bus stand: Buses to Rishikesh leave throughout the day. Last bus is around 4:00-5:00 PM — you must reach Sonprayag by 3:00 PM to catch one. Buy ticket at the counter or from conductor. ₹800-1,200/person.

If you miss the last bus: Take a shared taxi to Guptkashi (₹100-150, 30 min) — more buses available from there till 6-7 PM. Or stay overnight at Sonprayag/Guptkashi (₹500-800).

Journey: 8-10 hours back to Rishikesh. You'll reach by 11:00 PM – 1:00 AM.

From Rishikesh bus stand, buses to Haridwar run even late at night. Or take shared auto (₹100-150). Reach Haridwar railway station.

Train from Haridwar: Kumbha Express (departs ~10:00 PM), Doon Express (departs ~11:00 PM). Buy general ticket at station counter (₹280-300 for Patna). Board train for overnight journey home.

Breakfast at Kedarnath: Aloo-paratha, chai at lodge or dhaba — ₹80-100.
Lunch at Jungle Chatti: Simple thali or Maggi — ₹100-150.
Dinner at Haridwar: Before boarding train. Multiple restaurants near station. "Hoshiyar Puri" famous for kachori. ₹100-150.

Arriving at your city: The train reaches between 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM depending on which train you took and your city. Refer to Day 1 reverse for exact arrival times.

From station to home: Local auto, bus, or family pickup. Keep ₹100-200 for local transport.

If you have waiting time for connecting train: Use the waiting hall at the junction station. Most stations have general waiting rooms (free) and paid AC waiting rooms (₹30-50/hour).

On the train: Pantry car or station vendors for breakfast/lunch. Packaged snacks work well. ₹100-150.
At your city station: Proper meal before heading home. ₹100-150.