How to plan Delhi to Kedarnath Road Trip | Complete Information 2024

Delhi to Kedarnath is one of the most followed routes for pilgrims. Every year millions of devotees travel to Kedarnath Dham through Delhi, which is well-connected with major towns and cities of Uttarakhand.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva and among the 12 Jyotirlingas, Kedarnath Dham is a sacred pilgrimage site. Situated at an altitude of 3,584 m above sea level, Kedarnath Temple is a part of Char Dhams and Panch Kedar in Uttarakhand. The Mandakini River flows beside the temple and adds charm to the picturesque surroundings. Snow-clad peaks exude charismatic appeal and the spiritual aura of this holy site leaves everyone.

If you are looking for the best information about Delhi to Kedarnath Yatra, then you are at the right place. You should look at the detailed information on the Delhi to Kedarnath route, the best time to visit, accommodation details, and important points to remember.

How to plan Delhi to Kedarnath Yatra?

Kedarnath Dham is a holy site, which is located in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. The visit to Kedarnath requires special preparations. Here is essential information which will help you while planning Delhi to Kedarnath trip:

The biometric registration of Char Dham Yatra is compulsory.
Carry necessary documents such as Aadhar Card, Voter ID card, PAN Card, Driving License, or Passport.
Accommodation facilities in Swiss Cottages, Deluxe hotels, and budget lodges are available. They are equipped with basic amenities. It is advisable to book your stay inadvance as in the peak season, getting suitable accommodation at a reasonable price is less.
For Kedarnath Yatra, you can hire a palki/palanquin, pony/ horse, and pithus from Gaurikund.
It is advisable to carry warm jackets, gloves, sweaters, woolen socks, and raincoats during Yatra.
Comfortable shoes with good grip are highly recommendable.
Carry the necessary medicines, including fever, cold, cough, headache, and prescribed medications.
Pack a first aid kit with you, consisting of bandages, cotton, antiseptic cream, painkillers, and pain relievers.
Necessary Requirements for Delhi to Kedarnath road trip.
If you plan to take a road trip from Delhi to Kedarnath by your own vehicle, make sure the vehicle is in good condition.
The car should have good ground clearance as it helps in crossing the muddy, rough, and bumpy road smoothly.
Carry spare parts of the vehicle, including spark fuses, Jack and Spanner, air compressor, spare tire, spare tube, hydraulic jack, coolant and engine oil, and extra car keys.
It is not difficult to find a mechanic on the route. However, you should know the basics of fixing the bike or car if it breaks down and you will not have a mechanic nearby.

If you are too, book Kedarnath Yatra Packages by Indian Holiday for a safe, comfortable, and memorable journey.

Delhi to Kedarnath Road Route

Delhi to Kedarnath distance by road is 450 km. There are two routes from Delhi to Kedarnath by road, and en route, you will cross various popular tourist destinations as well as pilgrimage sites. You can hire a taxi or travel from Delhi to Kedarnath by car. You will start your journey from Delhi and end in Gaurikund, the base of the Kedarnath trek. After this point, you have to trek or hire a pony/ palki to cover the 18 km distance to Kedarnath Temple. Here is the detailed information about the two routes and road conditions:

Route 1: Delhi – Ghaziabad – Khatauli – Muzaffarnagar – Haridwar – Rishikesh – Devprayag – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Guptkashi – Phata – Sonmarg – Gaurikund

This is the fastest and the best route from Delhi to Kedarnath. You will travel through NH 334 and NH 7 during the journey. En route, you will get opportunities to visit Haridwar, Rishikesh, Devprayag, and Rudraprayag, which are popular pilgrimage sites.

Road Condition

You will travel through the well-constructed national highways. From Delhi to Rishikesh, the route is smooth, and after that, the hilly area starts. Some patches might be patchy, but there are proper sign boards for visitors, making the driving hassle-free.

Route 2: Delhi – Ghaziabad – Khatauli – Najibabad – Kotdwar – Devprayag – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Guptkashi – Sonprayag – Gaurikund

You will travel through Meerut-Pauri National Highway while traveling from Delhi to Kedarnath by car. There are many tourist places on this route, and you will drive on NH 34, NH 534, and NH 7. You will enter Kotdwar after Najibabad and directly to Devprayag, the confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi Rivers. If you wish to visit Haridwar and Rishikesh, choose the first route.

Road Condition

Most of the route is in good condition, and the roads are wide. However, some patches may feel bumpy. There are several major cities and towns en route where you can find shops, restaurants, and accommodations.

Know before you go: Delhi to Kedarnath Yatra

Here are the tips to remember during Delhi to Kedarnath Yatra by road:

Driving is not allowed in the hilly area at night. Plan your trip accordingly.
You can break the journey and stay at the major stops such as Haridwar, Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar, and Rudraprayag.

Best time to visit Kedarnath

The best time for Kedarnath Yatra is in the summers and winters. So April to June and September to October are the best months to visit.

Kedarnath Temple as the weather remains pleasant for outdoor activities. In summers, the weather remains balmy, and in winter months, it remains comfortable. It is recommended to plan a tour during the monsoon season as heavy downpour causes landslides and floods in some areas.

The temple opens for six months only, and for the rest of the year, it remains closed due to harsh weather and heavy snowfall. In the winter season, the idol shifts to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, and devotees can visit there to seek blessings.

Best time to go for darshan Kedarnath Temple

The ideal time to go to Kedarnath Temple is during the early morning when Maha Abhishek Ceremony at the temple takes place. You can also attend the evening aarti in the Kedarnath Temple.

When is Kedarnath Temple open?

Kedarnath Temple’s opening date and time depend on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya, which is declared on Maha Shivaratri. The temple will open for devotees on 25th April 2023 and is expected to close on 12th November 2023.

Important points to remember During Kedarnath Yatra

The temple remains open from April to October, and the rest of the year remains closed.
Avoid traveling in monsoon season, as the region experiences moderate to heavy rainfall, due to which it is prone to experience landslides and floods. However, if you are planning Kedarnath Yatra from Delhi during the rainy season, make sure you keep buffer days in case you get stuck somewhere.
Pack a raincoat and umbrella if you are traveling in the monsoon.
In winters, carry heavy woolens, and in summers, carry light woolens as the temperature dips in the evening.
Do not forget to carry sunscreen and sunglasses to avoid sunburn.
Carry dry fruits, chocolates, chips, biscuits, and dry eatables as it is a long journey.
Carry a battery-operated torch, fully-charged power banks, and extra batteries for cameras.
Only the BSNL network operates in the region.

How do I register Kedarnath Yatra?

Get yourself registered for Kedarnath Yatra, as it is compulsory to show a registration slip for commencing the Yatra. The registration can be done by both online and offline modes. The online registration can be on the Uttarakhand Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board (UCDDMB). For offline registration, you need to visit the registration center and some important documents, such as to require photo ID proof. The registration centers are available in the Haridwar railway station, Rishikesh bus stand, Guptkashi, Phata, and Sonprayag.

Where to stay in Kedarnath?

There are limited accommodation options available in Kedarnath. However, many options are available at nearby places such as Gaurikund, Sonprayag, Guptkashi, and Phata.

GMVN camps/ tents and rest houses are available in Kedarnath and Gaurikund. They can be booked online from GMVN’s official website. There are many hotels, resorts, rest houses, lodges, and ashrams nearby. Some of the best hotels near Kedarnath Temple are:

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

Places to visit in and around Kedarnath Temple

There is no dearth of tourist attractions and holy sites to visit around Kedarnath Temple, which you can add to the Kedarnath itinerary from Delhi. These places offer the finest views and let pilgrims immerse themselves in spiritual bliss.

Here are the places to visit near Kedarnath:

Gandhi Sarovar – Nestled at an altitude of 3,900 m above sea level on the foothills of Kedarnath and Kirti Stambh Peak, Gandhi Sarovar, also known as Chorabari Tal. The lake owes its name to its location right at the mouth of Chorabari Bamak Glacier. It is located at a 3 km trekking distance from Kedarnath Temple.

Sonprayag – Situated on the bank of the confluence of two holy rivers of Mandakini and Basuki Rivers, Sonprayag holds a religious significance on the way to Kedarnath Dham. Pilgrims take a dip in the river before starting their journey to the temple.

Gaurikund Temple – Situated on the base point of the Kedarnath Yatra and dedicated to Goddess Parvati, also known as Gauri, Gaurikund Temple is a religious stopover for pilgrims to take blessings of the divine. It is believed that it is a place where Goddess Parvati performed austerities to win the heart of Lord Shiva. There are hot water springs in Gaurikund where pilgrims take a holy dip.

Vasuki Tal – Located 5 km from Kedarnath, Vasuki Tal is set at an altitude of 4,135 m above sea level. This is a glacial lake renowned for its breathtaking beauty. Vasuki Tal trek allows you to enjoy the panoramic views of the Chaukhamba Peak.

Shankaracharya Samadhi – This is the last resting place of Adi Shankaracharya. It is one of the revered sites in Kedarnath. The saint Adi Shankaracharya attained salvation at a very young age, and marking his resting place is the Samadhi, visited by devotees in huge numbers.

Places to visit en route Delhi to Kedarnath route

While traveling from Delhi to Kedarnath, you will visit some major cities and towns which house popular tourist places. Here is the list of famous tourist attractions en route to Kedarnath from Delhi:

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, Chandrabadani Temple, Teen Dhara

Srinagar – Kamleshwar Temple, Dhari Devi Temple, Pauri

Rudraprayag – Augustmuni, Koteshwar Mahadev Temple, Chopta, Ukhimath

Guptkashi – Vishwanath Temple, Manikarnika Kund, Ardhnarishwar Temple

Cost of Kedarnath Yatra by road

Delhi to Kedarnath trip cost is around INR 10,000 to INR 15,000 per person. However, it depends on accommodation, mode of travel, number of days, and sightseeing places.

Kedarnath Yatra from Delhi by Road (Self Drive): Trip Plan – 6 Days Itinerary

Embark on the road trip from Delhi to Kedarnath to seek blessings from Lord Shiva. This divine abode is among the holiest destinations of Hindu pilgrimages. During the tour, you will get opportunities to visit other holy places such as Haridwar, Rishikesh, Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Guptkashi, and Sonprayag. Here is the detailed itinerary for Kedarnath from Delhi by road.

Day 1: Delhi – Haridwar

Start your tour from Delhi to Kedarnath by car. On the first day, drive from Delhi to Haridwar. Complete check-in Haridwar and unwind. In the evening, visit Har ki Pauri and attend Ganga Aarti.

Overnight stay in the hotel in Haridwar.

Distance from Delhi to Haridwar: 230 km
Travel Time: 6-7 hours approx.

Day 2: Haridwar – Guptkashi

Savor the early morning breakfast, check out from the hotel, and head towards Guptkashi. On arrival, check in at the accommodation and relax. Then, you can take a stroll in nearby places and explore the enchanting beauty of this quaint town.

Distance from Haridwar to Guptkashi: 205 km
Travel Time: 8 hours approx.

Day 3: Guptkashi – Sonprayag – Kedarnath

Complete the checkout formalities after having a scrumptious breakfast and head towards Sonprayag. From there, you can start the trek to Kedarnath. You can trek and hire a Doli/ palki/ pony to cover the 16 km distance to Kedarnath Temple.

On arrival, check in at the accommodation and visit the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. Attend the evening Aarti and soak in the spiritual aura. Overnight stay in Kedarnath.

Distance from Guptkashi to Sonprayag: 30 km Travel Time: 45 minutes approx.
Distance from Sonprayag to Kedarnath: 16 km
Travel Time: 5-6 hours approx.

Day 4: Kedarnath – Sonprayag – Rudraprayag

Wake up early and attend the Maha Abhishek Ceremony, held at 4:45 AM at the Kedarnath. After Puja, savor breakfast at the hotel and check out. Start your 16 km trek to Sonprayag or hire a pony/ palki.

From Sonprayag, start your drive to Rudraprayag. On arrival, check-in at the hotel. Then, savor dinner and have a sound sleep.

Distance from Kedarnath to Sonprayag: 16 km Travel Time: 5-6 hours approx.
Distance from Sonprayag to Rudraprayag: 73 km
Travel Time: 3 hours approx.

Day 5: Rudraprayag – Rishikesh – Haridwar

Have breakfast, check out, and head towards Haridwar. En route, take a halt at Rishikesh, and explore the popular tourist sites here, such as Ram Jhula, Laxman Jhula, and Triveni Sangam. You can also enjoy the adventure activities. Later, head towards Haridwar. Check in and relax on arrival. In the evening, you can visit Har ki Pauri to attend Ganga Aarti and enjoy shopping. Overnight stay in Haridwar.

Distance from Rudraprayag to Haridwar: 161 km
Travel Time: 5 hours approx.

Day 6: Haridwar – Delhi

This is the last day of the trip. Start your road trip from Haridwar to Delhi after having a delicious breakfast. Upon your arrival in the national capital, your journey ends.