Kedarnath Badrinath Itinerary: 6-Day Do Dham Yatra (2026)
The twin Himalayan shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath are among the holiest in Hinduism and the spiritual heart of the Char Dham of Uttarakhand. A journey to both, set amid snow-capped peaks and gushing rivers, is a deeply moving pilgrimage and a spectacular mountain adventure. This Kedarnath Badrinath itinerary lays out a practical six-day plan from Haridwar covering the road journey, the trek (or helicopter) to Kedarnath, the drive to Badrinath, and the sights along the way, with registration, timing and travel tips so you can plan a smooth and meaningful yatra.
Best time to go and how to reach
Both shrines open roughly from late April/May to October/November (closing for winter), with the most settled weather in May–June and September–October; the monsoon (July–August) brings landslide risk on hill roads, so plan buffer time. Start from Haridwar or Rishikesh (nearest railheads, reachable from Delhi; Dehradun is the nearest airport). Travel by hired car or pilgrimage bus, and note that yatra registration is mandatory for the Char Dham shrines.
Day 1 — Haridwar to Guptkashi
Drive from Haridwar/Rishikesh along the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers to Guptkashi (or Sitapur/Sonprayag), passing the holy confluences (prayags). It is a long but scenic mountain day. Overnight here to be near the Kedarnath trek start.
Day 2 — Trek (or fly) to Kedarnath
From Sonprayag/Gaurikund, undertake the roughly 16–18 km trek up to Kedarnath, set against the towering Kedarnath peak. Options include trekking on foot, hiring a pony/palki/porter, or taking a helicopter from nearby helipads (book well ahead). Reach the temple, rest, and attend the evening aarti in the crisp mountain air.
Day 3 — Kedarnath darshan, return to Guptkashi
Attend the morning darshan at the ancient Kedarnath temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Optionally visit the nearby Bhairavnath shrine, then descend back to Sonprayag and drive to Guptkashi or onward toward Badrinath’s route. A rewarding but tiring day.
Day 4 — To Badrinath
Drive to Badrinath via Joshimath and the dramatic Alaknanda valley. On arrival, take a holy dip in the Tapt Kund hot spring and have darshan at the colourful Badrinath temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Overnight in Badrinath.
Day 5 — Badrinath and Mana village
After morning darshan, visit Mana, the last village before the Tibet border, with its mythological sites — Vyas Gufa, Bhim Pul and the Saraswati River — and viewpoints. Then begin the return drive toward Joshimath/Rudraprayag for the night.
Day 6 — Return to Haridwar
Drive back to Haridwar/Rishikesh for your onward journey, perhaps with a final stop at one of the river confluences or a riverside aarti. With extra days, add Auli’s meadows near Joshimath or more time in Rishikesh.
Registration, helicopter and tips
Char Dham registration is mandatory — complete it online or at designated counters before starting, and carry the confirmation and a photo ID. Helicopter tickets for Kedarnath are limited and sell out fast, so book early through official channels. Carry warm layers (it is cold at the shrines even in summer), a raincoat, sturdy trekking shoes, basic medicines and cash. Acclimatise, stay hydrated, and consult a doctor if you have heart or breathing conditions, as altitudes are high. Always check current weather and road conditions.
Frequently asked questions
How many days for Kedarnath and Badrinath together? Six days from Haridwar is comfortable; a faster version with helicopter is possible in four to five.
Is registration compulsory? Yes — Char Dham yatra registration is mandatory; complete it online or at counters before you travel.
How hard is the Kedarnath trek? It is a strenuous 16–18 km climb; ponies, palkis and helicopters are available for those who cannot walk it.
Why the Do Dham yatra is special
Kedarnath and Badrinath are two of the four sacred Char Dham shrines of Uttarakhand and hold a revered place in Hindu pilgrimage. Kedarnath, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, sits at over 3,500 metres against a backdrop of snow peaks, reached only by a demanding trek that becomes part of the spiritual experience; its ancient stone temple, which famously withstood the 2013 floods, radiates a powerful sense of antiquity and faith. Badrinath, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is set in the dramatic Alaknanda valley with the Neelkanth peak towering behind, its brightly painted facade and the steaming Tapt Kund hot spring making it instantly memorable. Undertaking both in one journey — the “Do Dham” — combines profound devotion with some of the most spectacular Himalayan scenery in India.
Where to stay along the route
Accommodation along this yatra ranges from basic to comfortable. Guptkashi, Sonprayag, Sitapur and Phata offer guesthouses and hotels near the Kedarnath trek start, while Kedarnath itself has simple lodges, tents and shrine-board accommodation for those staying overnight near the temple. Badrinath has a range of guesthouses, dharamshalas and hotels, and Joshimath is a common stop on the route. Facilities are basic at higher altitudes, so set expectations accordingly and book ahead in peak season, when the shrines are extremely busy.
Costs, helicopter and getting up to Kedarnath
The Kedarnath leg is the most demanding: the roughly 16–18 km climb from Gaurikund can be done on foot, by pony, palki or porter, or by helicopter from helipads at Phata, Sersi or Guptkashi. Helicopter tickets are limited and in high demand, so book early through official channels. Pony and palki rates are regulated; confirm official prices. Budget for the yatra varies widely depending on whether you trek or fly and your accommodation choice, with helicopter packages costing significantly more but saving time and effort.
What to pack and health tips
Pack warm layers (it is cold even in summer at the shrines), a waterproof jacket, sturdy trekking shoes, a walking stick, sunscreen, sunglasses, a power bank and basic medicines. Because altitudes are high, acclimatise gradually, stay hydrated, walk at a steady pace, and consult a doctor beforehand if you have heart, lung or other health conditions. Carry your registration confirmation and ID, keep some cash (ATMs are scarce in the mountains), and always check current weather and road conditions, as both can change quickly in the Himalayas.
Best time to visit and opening dates
Both shrines follow the Himalayan pilgrimage calendar, opening around late April or May (Kedarnath typically on Akshaya Tritiya, Badrinath a little later) and closing around October–November for the harsh winter. The best weather windows are May to mid-June and September to October, with clear skies and manageable conditions. The monsoon (July–August) brings lush scenery but a real risk of landslides and road closures, so it requires caution and buffer days. Opening and closing dates are announced each year, so confirm them before planning, and expect heavy crowds soon after opening and on weekends.
Yatra recap and key tips
To summarise: from Haridwar, drive to Guptkashi (day one), trek or fly to Kedarnath and take darshan (days two–three), drive to Badrinath for darshan and the Tapt Kund (day four), visit Mana village (day five), and return to Haridwar (day six). Complete the mandatory Char Dham registration beforehand, book helicopter tickets and accommodation early, pack warm and waterproof layers and sturdy shoes, acclimatise to the altitude, and carry ID, cash and basic medicines. Always check weather and road updates, and keep your plan flexible for the mountains.
More frequently asked questions
Can I visit just one of the two shrines? Yes — many do Kedarnath or Badrinath alone, but combining both makes a richer Do Dham journey.
Is the yatra suitable for elderly pilgrims? Badrinath is road-accessible; Kedarnath requires a trek, but ponies, palkis and helicopters make it possible for many — consult a doctor first.
How cold does it get? Even in summer, nights at the shrines are cold; carry proper warm layers year-round.
The bottom line
The Kedarnath–Badrinath yatra blends profound devotion with breathtaking Himalayan scenery. With mandatory registration done in advance, helicopter or pony options for the Kedarnath trek, warm gear, gradual acclimatisation and a weather-flexible plan, this six-day Do Dham journey from Haridwar is achievable and deeply rewarding — a pilgrimage to two of Hinduism’s holiest mountain shrines that stays with you long after you return.
The Kedarnath trek experience in detail
The climb to Kedarnath is the heart of the yatra and an experience in itself. The roughly 16–18 km path from Gaurikund ascends steadily through deep Himalayan valleys, past waterfalls and pine forests, with the snow-clad Kedarnath peak revealing itself as you near the top. The route is well-maintained, with rest points, tea stalls, medical aid posts and shelters along the way, and the final approach across the open meadow to the ancient stone temple is genuinely awe-inspiring. Most pilgrims take the better part of a day to walk up; an early start helps you reach before afternoon weather sets in. Those who cannot trek can hire ponies, palkis or porters, or fly in by helicopter and walk only the short final stretch. Whichever way you arrive, the sense of accomplishment and devotion on reaching the temple, attending the evening aarti and waking to mountain silence is the memory pilgrims treasure most.
Extending the yatra: full Char Dham and Auli
Kedarnath and Badrinath form the “Do Dham,” but with more time they slot naturally into the full Char Dham yatra of Uttarakhand, adding Yamunotri and Gangotri — the sources of the Yamuna and Ganga — for a complete circuit usually taking ten to twelve days. Travellers wanting to balance pilgrimage with leisure often add a day or two in Auli, the meadow-and-ski destination near Joshimath with its cable car and Himalayan panoramas, or unwind afterwards in Rishikesh with its riverside cafes, yoga and evening Ganga aarti. Combining the spiritual high of the shrines with these scenic add-ons turns a focused pilgrimage into a richer Himalayan journey.
Sample budget and who this yatra suits
The cost of the Kedarnath–Badrinath yatra varies widely with your choices. Budget pilgrims can keep costs modest by trekking to Kedarnath on foot, using shared transport or pilgrimage buses, and staying in basic guesthouses and dharamshalas. Mid-range travellers typically hire a private car for the route, mix ponies or porters with walking, and choose comfortable hotels where available. Those short on time or unable to trek opt for helicopter packages to Kedarnath, which cost considerably more but save a day and the strenuous climb. The yatra suits devout pilgrims of many ages and fitness levels thanks to the pony, palki and helicopter options, but the high altitude and mountain conditions mean it rewards preparation — reasonable fitness, warm gear and a flexible schedule make all the difference between a hard trip and a deeply uplifting one.
Plan your trip: use the Trip Planner and Trip Cost Calculator, and browse more itineraries.
Last updated: June 2026. Road conditions, timings, fares, darshan and entry rules change — confirm on official sources before you travel.
