Delhi to Kedarnath Road Trip: A Complete Guide

Delhi to Kedarnath is a popular pilgrimage route followed by millions of devotees annually. Kedarnath Dham, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and part of both Char Dhams and Panch Kedar in Uttarakhand. Located at 3,584 meters above sea level with the Mandakini River flowing beside it, the temple is surrounded by majestic snow-clad peaks that create a spiritually charged atmosphere.

This comprehensive guide provides essential information about planning your Delhi to Kedarnath Yatra, including routes, accommodation, preparation tips, and important considerations.

Planning Your Delhi to Kedarnath Yatra

Essential Preparations

Mandatory Registration: Biometric registration for Char Dham Yatra is compulsory
Required Documents: Carry Aadhar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Driving License, or Passport
Accommodation: Book Swiss Cottages, Deluxe hotels, or budget lodges in advance, especially during peak season
Transportation Options: Hire palki/palanquin, pony/horse, or pithus from Gaurikund
Clothing: Pack warm jackets, gloves, sweaters, woolen socks, and raincoats
Footwear: Comfortable shoes with good grip are highly recommended
Medical Kit: Carry medicines for fever, cold, cough, headache, and any prescribed medications
First Aid: Include bandages, cotton, antiseptic cream, painkillers, and pain relievers

Road Trip Requirements

If driving your own vehicle:

Ensure your vehicle is in good condition
Choose a vehicle with good ground clearance for rough terrain
Carry spare parts including spark fuses, jack and spanner, air compressor, spare tire, spare tube, hydraulic jack, coolant, engine oil, and extra car keys
Learn basic vehicle repair skills in case of breakdown

For a safe, comfortable, and memorable journey, consider booking Kedarnath Yatra Packages by Indian Holiday.

Delhi to Kedarnath Road Routes

The road distance from Delhi to Kedarnath is approximately 450 km. You can drive until Gaurikund, after which you must trek or hire transportation for the final 18 km to Kedarnath Temple.

Route 1: Via Haridwar and Rishikesh (Recommended)

Delhi – Ghaziabad – Khatauli – Muzaffarnagar – Haridwar – Rishikesh – Devprayag – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Guptkashi – Phata – Sonmarg – Gaurikund

This is the fastest and most convenient route, following NH 334 and NH 7. Major stops include Haridwar, Rishikesh, Devprayag, and Rudraprayag.

Road Condition: Well-constructed national highways with smooth roads from Delhi to Rishikesh. The hilly section beyond may have some patchy areas, but proper signboards make navigation straightforward.

Route 2: Via Kotdwar

Delhi – Ghaziabad – Khatauli – Najibabad – Kotdwar – Devprayag – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Guptkashi – Sonprayag – Gaurikund This alternative route follows the Meerut-Pauri National Highway (NH 34, NH 534, and NH 7). After Najibabad, you’ll enter Kotdwar and proceed directly to Devprayag, bypassing Haridwar and Rishikesh. Road Condition: Generally good with wide roads, though some sections may be bumpy. Major towns along the way offer shops, restaurants, and accommodation options.

Important Road Trip Tips

Night driving is prohibited in hilly areas
Consider breaking your journey at major stops like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar, or Rudraprayag

Best Time to Visit Kedarnath

The ideal seasons for Kedarnath Yatra are summer (April to June) and autumn (September to October) when weather conditions are favorable for outdoor activities. Avoid the monsoon season (July-August) due to risks of landslides and floods.

The temple remains open for only six months each year, closing during winter due to harsh weather and heavy snowfall. During the closure, the deity is relocated to Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, where devotees can still seek blessings.

Temple Timing

Best time for darshan: Early morning during the Maha Abhishek Ceremony or evening aarti
2023 Opening Dates: April 25 to November 12 (dates are announced on Maha Shivaratri each year)

Important Points to Remember During Kedarnath Yatra

The temple operates from April to October only
Avoid monsoon travel due to landslide and flood risks
Pack appropriate clothing: rainwear for monsoon, heavy woolens for winter, light woolens for summer evenings
Carry sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses) to prevent sunburn
Pack snacks like dry fruits, chocolates, chips, and biscuits for the journey
Bring a battery-operated torch, fully-charged power banks, and extra camera batteries
Only BSNL network operates in the region

Registration Process

Registration is mandatory and can be done online or offline:

Online: Register through the Uttarakhand Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board (UCDDMB) website
Offline: Visit registration centers at Haridwar railway station, Rishikesh bus stand, Guptkashi, Phata, or Sonprayag with photo ID proof

Accommodation Options

In Kedarnath

Limited options including GMVN camps/tents and rest houses (bookable through GMVN’s official website)

Nearby Areas

Guptkashi: Camp Nirvana, Rawat Tourist Lodge, Hotel Madhuban
Phata: Yatra Hill Resort, Hotel Hari Shri
Gaurikund: Shivalik Valley Resort, Hotel Dev Dham
Sonprayag: Hotel Kedar Resort

Places to Visit

Near Kedarnath Temple

Gandhi Sarovar (Chorabari Tal): A glacial lake at 3,900 meters altitude, 3 km trek from the temple
Sonprayag: Confluence of Mandakini and Basuki Rivers, a sacred bathing spot
Gaurikund Temple: Dedicated to Goddess Parvati, featuring hot springs for holy dips
Vasuki Tal: Glacial lake at 4,135 meters offering panoramic views of Chaukhamba Peak, 5 km from Kedarnath
Shankaracharya Samadhi: Final resting place of Adi Shankaracharya

En Route Delhi to Kedarnath

Haridwar: Har ki Pauri, Chandi Devi Temple, Maya Devi Temple, Sapt Rishi Ashram
Rishikesh: Triveni Ghat, Ram Jhula, Laxman Jhula, Bharat Mata Temple
Devprayag: Confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi Rivers, Raghunath Ji Temple
Srinagar: Kamleshwar Temple, Dhari Devi Temple
Rudraprayag: Augustmuni, Koteshwar Mahadev Temple, Chopta, Ukhimath
Guptkashi: Vishwanath Temple, Manikarnika Kund, Ardhnarishwar Temple