Kedarnath Yatra with Pony
The Kedarnath climb done by pony or mule, booked for you at the Gaurikund prepaid counter and included in the price both ways. One rider up to about 90 kg with a small bag. The complete 4 day package from Haridwar is below.
Image spaceassets/images/hero/kedarnath-yatra-with-pony.jpg
1600 × 900 px recommended
Kedarnath Yatra with Pony Overview
Kedarnath is the Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva at 3,583 m in the Mandakini valley, reached by a 16 to 18 km trek from Gaurikund or a helicopter from Phata, Sersi or Guptkashi.
A pony or mule is the choice of most pilgrims who do not want to walk. One rider up to about 90 kg with a small bag; 4 to 5 hours up, 3 to 4 down; registered animals and handlers from the Gaurikund prepaid counter. Rates are fixed by the Rudraprayag district administration each season; this package includes the ride both ways so there is no bargaining or cash at the trailhead.
Below are the pony or mule rates and rules compared with the other options, then the complete package with itinerary, hotels, prices, inclusions, exclusions and taxi fares.
₹17,900 per person, twin sharing, 6 persons in an Innova from Haridwar
Pony or mule for the Kedarnath Trek
Rates are set by the district administration each season and may change. The ride is inside this package.
| Option | District rate | How it works | Suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pony or mule (this package) | ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 one way, ₹5,000 to ₹6,500 return | One rider up to about 90 kg with a small bag; 4 to 5 hours up, 3 to 4 down; registered animals and handlers from the Gaurikund prepaid counter | Most pilgrims who do not want to walk |
| Palki | ₹8,000 to ₹10,000 one way | A chair carried by four bearers; the pilgrim sits upright; 5 to 6 hours up; booked at the prepaid counter the evening before in peak weeks | Elderly pilgrims and anyone who cannot sit on a pony |
| Doli | ₹10,000 to ₹14,000 one way | A covered seat carried by four to six bearers with the pilgrim reclining; the most comfortable carried option; booked a day ahead | Very elderly or unwell pilgrims who need to lie back |
| Pithu | ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 one way | Basket on a porter's back for a child or light adult | Children under 12 |
| Helicopter | About ₹2,700 to ₹3,900 one way at the portal fare | 8 minutes from Phata or Sersi | Anyone who wants to avoid the trek entirely |
- Booking. Pony or mules are issued at the prepaid counters at Gaurikund with a receipt and the handler's registration number. We book them the evening before in peak weeks.
- Timing. Rides start from 4 am; the last up-ride leaves around 1 pm.
- Comfort. Wear trousers, hold the saddle grip, lean forward on climbs and back on descents.
- Animal and bearer welfare. Rules limit daily trips and require rest; report any overloaded animal or injured bearer to the counter.
- Weather. In heavy rain ponies are stopped on parts of the route; palkis continue. The helicopter is the alternative.
Kedarnath Yatra with Pony 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 with Pony 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 with Pony 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 ₹17,900 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 | ₹17,900 |
| Deluxe | Better hotels and camps at every halt, heated rooms where available, all meals | ₹20,900 |
| Premium | Best available resorts, all meals, Kedarnath helicopter included | ₹34,000 |
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) | ₹21,800 | ₹27,800 |
| 4 persons | SUV (Ertiga or Marazzo) | ₹19,000 | ₹25,000 |
| 6 persons | Innova Crysta | ₹17,900 | ₹23,900 |
| 8 to 12 persons | Tempo Traveller 12 seater | ₹15,900 | ₹21,900 |
| 13 to 17 persons | Tempo Traveller 17 seater | ₹15,000 | ₹21,000 |
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 |
| Extra night at any halt | Per room per night | ₹2,500 standard, ₹4,500 deluxe, ₹8,000 premium |
| Single room supplement | Per person | ₹4,800 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 with Pony 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.
See also Char Dham hotel booking and Kedarnath hotel booking.
Package Inclusions and Exclusions
Package Inclusions
- 3 nights stay on twin sharing as per the category booked
- 3 breakfasts and 3 dinners, pure vegetarian
- Pony for the Kedarnath trek both ways, booked at the Gaurikund prepaid counter
- 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
- 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. See also Char Dham 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 and flights should begin by 6 am.
- Go slow on altitude. Kedarnath is at 3,583 m. Drink water, avoid alcohol and tell the driver or coordinator if you feel breathless or dizzy.
- Pack for cold and rain. Thermals, a down or fleece jacket, raincoat, warm cap, gloves, 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, rain and fog can cost 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 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 | 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, road closures and grounded helicopters | 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 with Pony
How much does a pony or mule to Kedarnath cost?
₹2,500 to ₹3,500 one way, ₹5,000 to ₹6,500 return at the district rate, which changes each season. In this package the ride is included both ways.
How long does the pony or mule take?
4 to 5 hours up, 3 to 4 down
What is the kedarnath yatra with pony price?
From ₹17,900 per person on twin sharing for 6 persons in an Innova from Haridwar with hotels, breakfast and dinner, a dedicated vehicle with a hill driver, fuel, tolls, taxes and yatra registration and the pony or mule both ways.
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.
More Kedarnath and Pilgrimage Pages
Explore more yatras, tours and travel guides from IndiaPackage.
Ready to book your Kedarnath Yatra with Pony Package?
Share your travel dates, group size and hotel category. We will reply with a clear quote and a day-wise plan.