Kedarnath Badrinath Yatra from Haridwar: Route, Days and Cost

Kedarnath and Badrinath together are called the Do Dham yatra. From Haridwar it takes 5 nights and 6 days at a comfortable pace, with about 900 km of mountain driving and a 16 km trek to Kedarnath.

01Day-wise route from Haridwar

• Day 1 — Haridwar to Guptkashi/Sitapur: about 220 km, 8–9 hours via Devprayag and Rudraprayag
• Day 2 — Kedarnath: Sonprayag shuttle to Gaurikund, trek about 16 km (6–8 hours) or helicopter; night at Kedarnath
• Day 3 — Back to Guptkashi: morning darshan, trek down, drive back
• Day 4 — Badrinath: about 190 km via Chopta or Rudraprayag and Joshimath; evening darshan
• Day 5 — Mana village: last village before Tibet, Vyas Gufa and Bhim Pul; drive down to Rudraprayag
• Day 6 — Return to Haridwar: about 160 km

02Trek, pony, palki or helicopter

The Kedarnath trek from Gaurikund is about 16 km one way with a steady climb. Ponies and palkis are available at Gaurikund at fixed rates. Helicopters fly from Phata, Sersi and Guptkashi; tickets are sold only on the official IRCTC HeliYatra portal and sell out fast.

03Registration and best time

Yatra registration on the Uttarakhand tourism portal is compulsory for both temples. The temples open around late April or May and close for winter in October–November. May–June and September–October are the best months; July–August brings heavy rain and landslide risk.

04What the cost depends on

• Vehicle: sedan, SUV or Tempo Traveller, shared by the group
• Hotels: budget, standard or deluxe at Guptkashi and Badrinath
• Kedarnath travel: walking, pony, palki or helicopter (paid at actuals)
• Season: May–June is peak; September–October is calmer and often cheaper