This 5-day journey offers a perfect blend of spiritual exploration and natural beauty, taking you to two of the most revered sites in the Indian Himalayas. Starting from Haridwar, the adventure begins with a drive to Sitapur, the gateway to Kedarnath. The highlight of the trip is the trek to Kedarnath, where you will experience the serenity of one of the holiest shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, set against the backdrop of majestic mountain peaks. The spiritual ambiance of Kedarnath provides a profound experience, making the trek worthwhile.
The journey continues with a visit to Chopta, known as the "Mini Switzerland" of India. From here, a trek to Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world, offers awe-inspiring views of the Himalayas and a deep sense of peace. The return journey to Haridwar allows for reflection on the spiritual and natural wonders encountered during the trip, making this itinerary a fulfilling pilgrimage and adventure in the heart of the Himalayas.
On the 1st day of the tour, your Kedarnath tour from Haridwar begins with the road trip to Sitapur. Our representative welcomes you. On arrival, check in at the hotel/ camps and relax. The day is free for your pursuits and you can explore the scenic beauty of the town on your own. Explore the spiritual town of Guptkashi or save energy for your mountain yatra. The town is blessed with numerous ancient temples and holy sites.
After the early morning breakfast, check out from the hotel and start the road trip for Sitapur to Sonprayag. The 20 km trek to Kedarnath starts from Sonprayag. For your convenience on your trek, hire a Doli, palki, pony, or a horse at your own cost. On arrival, check in the Govt. Camps/Lodges. Dinner and Overnight stay is arranged here.
Get up before dawn and take a bath. You have to be at the temple by 4:45 am to attend the 'Abhishek' to Kedarnath Shiva. After darshan and puja, return to your accommodation. After rest and breakfast, start the return trek of 20 km from Kedarnath to Sonprayag. Board your vehicle in Sonprayag and proceed towards your hotel in Rudraprayag/ Srinagar. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Rudraprayag/ Srinagar.
Drive to Chopta, a beautiful hill station known as the "Mini Switzerland" of India. Trek to Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world, offering stunning views of the surrounding peaks. After visiting Tungnath, return to Chopta for an overnight stay.
Conclude your journey with a drive back to Haridwar. The return trip offers one last chance to enjoy the serene beauty of the Himalayan region. Arrive in Haridwar by evening, where your pilgrimage ends.
Kedarnath Dham holds its special status because of several reasons. The temple being dedicated to Lord Shiva (The Destroyer) is amongst the most common reasons. Other reasons include Kedarnath Dham being part of the Char Dham Yatra within Uttarakhand i.e., the Chota Char Dham Yatra. Pandavas (the five brothers from the Mahabharata epic) having taken part in building this temple, is also the reason for its widespread popularity.
The Mandakini River flows near Kedarnath Temple. The Chorabari Glacier, where the Mandakini River originates, is at a trekking distance from Kedarnath Dham.
No. Kedarnath is not harder than Amarnath. While Kedarnath has its level of difficulty, it cannot be compared to Amarnath. At Amarnath, there's a diverse terrain including snow patches, steep ascents, and rocky paths. This makes the trek difficult. Wherein at Kedarnath, the route is comparatively more accessible and the trail is well-marked with gradual ascents.
Char Dhams around India were decided by Adi Shankaracharya and they are Badrinath, Dwarka, Rameshwaram, and Puri. Therefore, Kedarnath is not among these Dhams, although, it's a belief that where there is Lord Vishnu, there is Lord Shiva too. Therefore, with each Char Dham, one Shiva temple is in pairs. Like Kedarnath is the pair of Badrinath. Similarly, Rameshwaram has Ram Setu as its pair and Dwarka has Somnath. Kedarnath is considered one of the 4 Dhams in the Chota Char Dham Yatra within Uttarakhand.
At an altitude of 3,583 m, Kedarnath might raise health concerns due to low oxygen levels for senior citizens and kids. Therefore, the pilgrims are safer when carrying an oxygen cylinder. This strictly applies to devotees with respiratory or heart conditions. A consultation with your family doctor before a visit is a must.
Yes. Kedarnath temple has a plethora of overnight stay facilities. These include GMVN guesthouses, private Dharamshala, etc. Pilgrims can conveniently lodge and enjoy their visit.
Kedarnath Dham is at an altitude of 3,583 m (11,755 ft). This sort of altitude is where you might experience a shortage of oxygen. It will also vary from person to person, not everyone will be affected by the altitude gain.