Kedarnath Yatra Best Time
The season for Kedarnath runs about six months. Every month is compared below by weather, crowd and price, with the best month for different kinds of pilgrims, followed by the complete 4 day package.
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Kedarnath Yatra Best Time Overview
The best time for the kedarnath yatra is May to June and September to October. Kedarnath opens around Akshaya Tritiya in late April or early May and closes after Diwali.
At 3,583 m the dham is cold at night in every month, with snow possible in the opening weeks and after mid October. The night halts at 1,200 to 1,900 m are much milder.
Below is the month-by-month table and the best month for you, then the package with hotels, prices, inclusions and exclusions for any month you choose.
₹12,900 per person, twin sharing, 6 persons in an Innova from Haridwar
Kedarnath Yatra Month by Month
Temperatures at the dham; night halts are 10 to 15 degrees warmer.
| Month | Day / night at the dham | Rain | Crowd | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Late April to mid May | 8 to 15 °C / -2 to 4 °C | Low; late snow possible | Very high at opening | Opening darshan; cold; book months ahead |
| Mid May to June | 12 to 18 °C / 2 to 6 °C | Low to moderate | Very high | Warmest; best for families |
| July to August | 12 to 16 °C / 5 to 8 °C | Heavy; landslides | Low | Avoid unless flexible |
| September | 10 to 16 °C / 1 to 5 °C | Low after mid month | Moderate | Best overall |
| October | 6 to 14 °C / -3 to 3 °C | Very low | High in holiday weeks | Best views; very cold nights |
| November | 2 to 10 °C / -6 to 0 °C | Very low; snow possible | Low | Closing days only |
Best Month for You
- Senior citizens. Late May to mid June or mid September to early October.
- Families with children. Mid May to June in the school holidays; book by February.
- Lowest price. July to early September with buffer days.
- Fewest crowds with good weather. The second and third weeks of September.
- Views and photography. October.
Kedarnath Yatra Best Time Package Itinerary: Day by Day
The order of sightseeing can change with weather, road conditions, temple timings and darshan queues.
Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Route | Distance and time | Night stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Haridwar → Devprayag → Rudraprayag → Guptkashi | About 210 km, 7 to 8 hours | Guptkashi or Sitapur |
| Day 2 | Guptkashi → Sonprayag → Gaurikund → Kedarnath | 30 km drive, 16 to 18 km trek or helicopter | Kedarnath |
| Day 3 | Kedarnath → Gaurikund → Guptkashi | 16 to 18 km trek down, 30 km drive | Guptkashi |
| Day 4 | Guptkashi → Rudraprayag → Devprayag → Haridwar | About 210 km, 7 to 8 hours | Tour ends |
Holy Places Covered
Kedarnath Yatra Best Time Package Price Details
Starting prices per person on twin sharing. Final price depends on dates, hotel category, vehicle and group size.
| Tour name | Kedarnath Yatra Best Time Package |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 Days / 3 Nights |
| Route | Haridwar → Guptkashi → Kedarnath → Guptkashi → Haridwar |
| Start point | Haridwar railway station, airport or hotel; Delhi pick-up as an add-on |
| Tour price | From ₹12,900 per person (standard, 6 persons in an Innova) |
Price by Hotel Category
| Category | Stay and meals | Price from (per person) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Comfortable 2 and 3 star hotels and GMVN rest houses, breakfast and dinner | ₹12,900 |
| Deluxe | Better hotels and camps at every halt, heated rooms where available, all meals | ₹15,100 |
| Premium | Best available resorts, all meals, Kedarnath helicopter included | ₹24,500 |
Price by Group Size and Vehicle
Standard category. The vehicle cost is shared, so bigger groups pay less per person.
| Group size | Vehicle | From Haridwar (per person) | From Delhi (adds 1 day) (per person) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | Sedan (Dzire or Etios) | ₹15,700 | ₹21,700 |
| 4 persons | SUV (Ertiga or Marazzo) | ₹13,700 | ₹19,700 |
| 6 persons | Innova Crysta | ₹12,900 | ₹18,900 |
| 8 to 12 persons | Tempo Traveller 12 seater | ₹11,500 | ₹17,500 |
| 13 to 17 persons | Tempo Traveller 17 seater | ₹10,800 | ₹16,800 |
| 18 to 26 persons | Tempo Traveller 26 seater | ₹10,200 | ₹16,200 |
Add-ons and Optional Charges
| Add-on | Charged | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi pick-up and drop (adds 1 day) | Per vehicle | ₹6,500 sedan, ₹8,500 SUV, ₹13,000 tempo traveller |
| Kedarnath helicopter (Phata or Sersi to Kedarnath and back) | Per person | Government portal fare, about ₹5,500 to ₹8,000 return |
| Pony or palki on the treks | Per person | Paid locally at district rates, see the trek table |
| Extra night at any halt | Per room per night | ₹2,500 standard, ₹4,500 deluxe, ₹8,000 premium |
| Single room supplement | Per person | ₹3,500 for the full tour |
| Child 5 to 11 years with extra bed | Per child | 25% less than the adult price |
| Lunch add-on | Per person | ₹350 per lunch |
Prices are for the 2027 season and are starting prices. Peak dates in May, June and the October holidays may cost more. Helicopter fares are set by the government portal and change every season. GST is extra where applicable.
Hotels Used on the Kedarnath Yatra Best Time Package
Hotel names are confirmed on your booking voucher. Rooms at the dhams are simple, so most comfort is at the halts below the temples.
| Halt | Nights | Standard | Deluxe | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guptkashi or Sitapur | 1 night | Hotel with attached bath | Resort with Chaukhamba view | Premium resort with heated rooms |
| Kedarnath | 1 night | GMVN dormitory or lodge near the temple | Private lodge or tent with attached bath | Premium tent, or same-day helicopter return to Guptkashi |
| Guptkashi | 1 night | Hotel with attached bath | Resort with Chaukhamba view | Premium resort with heated rooms |
All hotels have attached bathrooms, hot water in the morning and evening, and pure vegetarian food. At Kedarnath, electricity and hot water are limited and rooms are shared in GMVN dormitories on the standard plan. Heated rooms are available at the colder halts on the deluxe and premium plans. Family rooms with three or four beds can be arranged at most halts on request.
If you prefer to book the stay yourself, see Char Dham hotel booking and Kedarnath hotel booking, or ask us for a vehicle-only taxi package below.
Package Inclusions and Exclusions
Package Inclusions
- 3 nights hotel stay on twin sharing as per the category booked
- 3 breakfasts and 3 dinners, pure vegetarian
- Dedicated AC vehicle from Haridwar to Haridwar for the full route (AC is switched off on hill climbs)
- Uttarakhand-registered hill driver with the same vehicle for the whole tour
- Fuel, driver allowance, tolls, parking, state tax and green tax
- Uttarakhand yatra registration for every pilgrim
- Shared jeep from Sonprayag to Gaurikund and back
- Darshan, aarti and temple timing guidance by our tour coordinator on call
- Pick-up and drop at Haridwar railway station, airport or your hotel
- All hotel and vehicle taxes except GST
Package Exclusions
- Train or flight tickets to Haridwar
- Delhi pick-up and drop unless added
- Kedarnath helicopter tickets in the standard and deluxe plans
- Pony, palki, pithu, doli and porter charges on the treks
- VIP darshan, special puja, rudrabhishek and donation
- Lunch, tea, snacks, mineral water and any meal not listed
- Entry fees, camera fees and parking at sightseeing points
- Room heater charges where hotels charge separately
- Medical, travel and trip cancellation insurance
- Personal expenses such as laundry, calls and tips
- Extra stay or vehicle cost due to landslide, weather, strike or road closure
- GST at the applicable rate
Kedarnath Taxi Fare: Vehicle Only
Round trip for the 4 day circuit from Haridwar with the same driver, and from Delhi with one extra day. Fuel, driver allowance, tolls, parking and taxes included.
| Vehicle | Seats | Haridwar to Haridwar, 4 days | Delhi to Delhi, 5 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan (Dzire, Etios, Aura) | 4 | ₹11,500 | ₹18,000 |
| SUV (Ertiga, Marazzo, Xylo) | 6 | ₹14,500 | ₹22,500 |
| Innova Crysta | 6 to 7 | ₹18,000 | ₹26,000 |
| Tempo Traveller 12 seater | 12 | ₹26,000 | ₹39,000 |
| Tempo Traveller 17 seater | 17 | ₹31,000 | ₹45,000 |
| Tempo Traveller 26 seater | 26 | ₹40,000 | ₹60,000 |
Only vehicles with an Uttarakhand green card and a trip card are allowed on the yatra route, and we use those. Night driving is not allowed on hill roads, so every day ends before dark. Each extra day costs about ₹3,500 for a sedan, ₹4,500 for an SUV or Innova and ₹7,000 for a tempo traveller. Local taxis from Sonprayag to Gaurikund are shared jeeps run by the local union and are paid on the spot.
See also Char Dham taxi booking, Kedarnath taxi booking and tempo traveller booking.
Trek, Pony, Palki and Helicopter Options
Rates are set by the district administration and the government helicopter portal each season and are paid locally unless pre-booked.
| Dham | Route | Distance | Options and approximate rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kedarnath | Gaurikund to Kedarnath | 16 to 18 km each way | Pony ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 one way; palki ₹8,000 to ₹10,000 one way; pithu ₹2,500 to ₹3,500; helicopter about ₹2,700 to ₹3,900 one way at the portal fare |
The Kedarnath helicopter flies from Phata, Sersi and Guptkashi helipads and the ride takes under 10 minutes. Tickets are sold only on the official IRCTC Heli Yatra portal, need the yatra registration number and a photo ID, and open in phases before the season. Weight above 80 kg is charged extra and weather can cancel flights. Read our Kedarnath helicopter booking guide for the current fare and timings.
Registration and Documents Checklist
- Yatra registration. Compulsory for every pilgrim on the Uttarakhand Tourism portal. We complete it for you and send the slip on WhatsApp. Carry a printout.
- Photo ID. Aadhaar, voter ID, passport or driving licence for every traveller, original and one copy.
- Medical fitness. A doctor's certificate is advised for pilgrims above 50 and anyone with heart, blood pressure or breathing conditions. Health screening is done at the check posts.
- Helicopter tickets. Carry the IRCTC e-ticket and the same photo ID used for booking.
- Hotel vouchers. We send a single voucher with all hotel names, driver name and vehicle number before departure.
- Emergency contacts. Our coordinator's number, the Uttarakhand tourist helpline 1364 and the police helpline 112.
Travel Tips and What to Pack
- Start early every day. Hill roads have gates that close at dusk, and treks should begin by 6 am.
- Go slow on altitude. Kedarnath is at 3,583 m. Drink water, avoid alcohol and tell the driver if you feel breathless or dizzy.
- Pack for cold and rain. Thermals, a down or fleece jacket, raincoat, warm cap, gloves, trekking shoes with grip, sunscreen and a torch.
- Medicines. Your regular medicines for the full trip plus a basic kit: pain relief, ORS, antacid, motion sickness tablets and band-aids.
- Cash and network. ATMs and mobile network are unreliable near the dhams. Carry cash for pony, prasad and jeeps. BSNL and Jio work best.
- Keep buffer days. Landslides and rain can block roads for a few hours or a day. Do not book a flight or train on the evening you return.
- Respect temple rules. Photography is not allowed inside the temples. Dress modestly and follow the queue system.
This is a likely schedule. The tour coordinator may adjust it for weather, road conditions, temple timings or local rules. Extra stay caused by landslides, bad weather, road closures or flight cancellations is payable by the guest.
How to Reach the Yatra Base and Best Time to Visit
| Mode | Gateway | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air | Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED) | About 35 km from Rishikesh and 40 km from Haridwar; flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad |
| Train | Haridwar Junction (HW) | Direct trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chennai and many cities |
| Train | Rishikesh, Yog Nagari Rishikesh or Dehradun | Vande Bharat and Shatabdi from Delhi to Dehradun in about 4.5 hours |
| Road | Delhi to Haridwar | About 220 km, 5 to 6 hours by car or Volvo bus from Kashmere Gate ISBT |
| Helicopter | Phata, Sersi or Guptkashi to Kedarnath | Optional sector; tickets sold only through the IRCTC Heli Yatra portal |
Month by Month
| Month | Weather | Crowd and advice |
|---|---|---|
| Late April to May | Cold nights at the dhams, pleasant days; snow still possible | Opening days are the busiest; book 2 to 3 months ahead |
| June | Warm days, cool nights; pre-monsoon showers | School holidays, very busy |
| July to August | Monsoon; heavy rain, landslides and road closures | Low crowd and low prices; keep extra days and insurance |
| September to October | Clear skies, cold nights, best mountain views | Best months; moderate crowd |
| November | Very cold; temples close after Diwali | Only until the closing dates |
FAQs for Kedarnath Yatra Best Time
What is the best month for the kedarnath yatra?
September overall; late May to June for warmth; October for views with very cold nights.
When does the season start and end?
Kedarnath opens two to three days after akshaya tritiya, may 2027 and closes bhai dooj, around 1 november 2027.
Is the monsoon possible?
Yes but with landslide risk, road closures and buffer days. Prices are lowest and the dhams are quiet.
How many days does the Kedarnath Yatra take?
4 days from Haridwar on this plan. Four days from Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun and five from Delhi is the standard; it can be combined with another dham as a Do Dham in 6 to 7 days.
Is there a trek on the Kedarnath Yatra?
Kedarnath needs a trek (16 to 18 km each way) with pony, palki and the Kedarnath helicopter available.
Is registration compulsory?
Yes. Every pilgrim must register on the Uttarakhand Tourism portal and carry the slip with a photo ID. We complete the registration for you once you share names, ages and ID numbers.
What is the best time?
May to June and September to October. July and August are monsoon months with landslide risk. The temples close after Diwali and reopen in late April or May.
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