Introduction
Kedarnath Temple is a holy pilgrimage site located in Dev Bhoomi, Uttarakhand. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites, with some mesmerizing views all around the temple. Located at an altitude of 3583 meters above sea level in the lap of the Himalayas on the bank of the Mandakini River, All these make a perfect holiday destination and perfect for anyone looking for spirituality and adventure in the same place. If you are also planning to visit this sacred land, then this article is going to explain everything and be one of your best friends during your trip. Go through this article to equip yourself with complete details about the Kedarnath temple.
Kedarnath Yatra by Helicopter
There are mainly two options for the helicopter ride on the Kedarnath Yatra. One option is to take the complete package from Dehradun airport for ek Dham yatra , do dham yatra , or char dham yatra. In this package, everything will be completed by helicopter with a round trip to Haridwar. For this service, you need to pay INR 90000 for ek dham yatra, INR 1,20,000 for do Dham, and INR 1,70,000 per person for char dham yatra. You can book your Kedarnath helicopter ride from a private company, for which the package can be booked directly from their website. Another option is to reach Guptkashi, Phata, or Sersi by road and then take a helicopter ride from there. For this, you need to take a road journey of 220 km from Haridwar to reach here. From Guptkashi, a round trip to Kedarnath will cost you INR 7,000 per person, and from Sersi or Phata, it will cost you INR 6,000 per person. One side helicopter ride is 15 minutes, and a ticket for this can be booked online from the IRCTC website directly. No other website or company has been authorized to book tickets on its behalf.
Kedarnath Yatra by Road
Another way to reach Kedarnath is by road, which is the only way to reach here for everyone looking for a budget trip. The nearest railway station to Kedarnath temple is Rishikesh railway station, or you can also book your ticket for Haridwar or Dehradun. The nearest airport to Kedarnath Temple is Jolly Grant Airport, which is also known as Dehradun Airport. All these places are around 220 km away from Sonprayag. So basically, the road journey to Kedarnath Temple is 220 km from Rishikesh. The views after Rishikesh will turn magically beautiful. Lush green mountains, deep valleys, crystal-clear water in the river, and a soothing breeze will make your day. The road to Sonprayag will pass through Devrayag to Srinagar to Dhari Devi Rudraprayag Agastyamuni to Guptkashi to Sonprayag to Gaurikund, from where the actual trek for the Kedarnath yatra will start. Outside vehicles will not be allowed to ply ahead of Sonprayag. Ahead of Sonprayag, you need to take a government-operated bus per person, which will cost you INR 50. There are many options available for staying at Guptkashi, Sonprayag, Sitapur, and Gaurikund. For a luxury stay, you can stay at a resort or hotel in Guptkashi, but if you are looking for a budget stay, you can stay in Gaurikund or Sonprayag. You can go to Kedarnath on your own or you can book a Kedarnath tour package with Manchala Mushafir for your comfortable journey. The Kedarnath Yatra package cost here is 9500 per person from Haridwar to Haridwar.Trekking route to Kedarnath Yatra
The trekking route for the Kedarnath yatra will start from Gaurikund, and the trekking route is 16 km.Trekking routes are as follows:
From Sonprayag, take a jeep to reach Gaurikund. It is around 6 km and will take 30 minutes to reach Gaurikund.
Gaurikund to Jungle Chatti via Rambara Bridge (4 km)
Jungle Chatti to Bheembali (3 km)
Bheembali to Linchauli (4 km)
Linchauli to Kedarnath Base Camp (4 km)
Kedarnath base camp to Kedarnath Temple (1 km)
The trekking route to Kedarnath is picturesque. It's a 16-kilometer trek and is on very tough terrain. It's advisable to consult your doctor before planning for the Kedarnath yatra, as it is located at a very high altitude with challenging terrain that can cause serious trouble for you during the trek. Start your trek early in the morning so that it can reach the temple before getting dark. Trekking trails are very tough, and it is advisable not to exert more pressure on your body. If you feel uncomfortable, then please take mules or Pitthu. Bad health could turn out to be very severe. Carry a water bottle and keep seeping water at regular intervals. It will keep you hydrated and provide energy to trek.
Facilities on the trekking route to Kedarnath Temple
The Kedarnath Yatra is well-structured and is organized by Uttarakhand and the Kedarnath-Badrinath association. In addition to this, there are many other central and state machinery available there to help you during the Kedarnath yatra. Some of the main facilities available on the route are as follows:Medical camps are available every two or three kilometers throughout the trekking trails, with experienced doctors and other supporting staff to help you in case of emergency. You can avail of these facilities free of charge, and you can also get medicines from these camps.
Free and paid washrooms are available throughout the trails. These are managed by the municipal corporation, Rudraprayag, and some private organizations. The toilets there are clean and hygienic.
Camps and dormitories are available throughout the trails, and you can book them on-site as well. These will be helpful if you feel exhausted and not able to trek anymore, or if you started late from Gaurikund and planned to take a halt on the way.
Food stalls and other small shops selling some of the essentials are available throughout the trails.
Kandi, Palquin, and Mules services are available from Gaurikund, but you can also book them on the way. But do remember that the government booking office is available in Gaurikund and some places along the way. You can deal with the mule's owner on your own, but you need to be the best bargainer, or else you may end up paying something extra.
Clean drinking water is available throughout the trek. You can refill your water bottle with natural water, or you can take advantage of the water kiosks available at regular intervals.
