Kedarnath Yatra 2027: Complete Guide for Families

Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and the hardest to reach of the Char Dham, at about 3,583 metres in the Garhwal Himalaya. This guide covers what a family needs to plan the 2027 yatra: dates, registration, the route from Delhi and Haridwar, the trek, helicopters, where to stay and how to keep elders safe.

Kedarnath opening and closing dates

The temple is open for about six months a year. In 2026 the doors opened on 22 April, and the closing was fixed for 11 November 2026 at 8:30 AM, on Bhai Dooj. After the doors close, Baba Kedarnath's doli is carried to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, where worship continues through the winter.

The 2027 opening date is announced on Mahashivratri at Ukhimath. Kedarnath usually opens within a few days of Akshaya Tritiya, which falls on 9 May 2027, so expect the doors to open in early or mid May 2027. We will update this guide as soon as the date is announced.

Is registration mandatory?

Yes. Every pilgrim must register for the Char Dham Yatra, including those going by helicopter, pony or palki. Registration is free: anyone charging a "registration fee" is not official.

1. Register on the official Uttarakhand Tourism portal, registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, or the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app.
2. Add every traveller with their ID details, and select Kedarnath along with any other Dham you plan to visit.
3. Download the registration letter with its QR code. Keep it on your phone and on paper, as it is checked on the way, including at Sonprayag.

For the 2026 season, online registration opened on 6 March, about six weeks before the temples opened. Offline counters in places like Haridwar and Rishikesh open closer to the season, but registering online saves a long queue. If you would rather not do it yourself, we help families with registration.

How to reach Kedarnath

The road ends at Sonprayag. All private cars, taxis and buses park here. From Sonprayag, shared local jeeps run about 5 km to Gaurikund, where the trek begins.

From Haridwar, the road follows the Ganga through Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar and Rudraprayag, then the Mandakini valley through Guptkashi and Phata to Sonprayag. Hill roads are slow and landslides can cause delays, so avoid driving after dark.

From Delhi, break the journey: spend the first night in Haridwar or Rishikesh and the second near Guptkashi or Sitapur. Driving straight through is exhausting, especially for elders. See our Delhi to Kedarnath taxi with one driver for the whole trip.

The Kedarnath trek: 16 km from Gaurikund

The trek from Gaurikund to the temple is about 16 km one way, on a paved path rebuilt after the 2013 floods. It climbs the whole way, and the second half is steeper. Most healthy adults take 6 to 8 hours to walk up and 4 to 6 hours to come down.

There are tea stalls, toilets, rest shelters and medical posts along the path. Mobile signal is patchy on the upper section, so share your plan with family before you start.

If you can't walk 16 km

• Pony (horse or mule): the most common choice. Book only at the official counters near Gaurikund, where the administration fixes the rates.
• Palki (dandi) or pithu: a palanquin carried by porters, or a basket carried on one porter's back. Good for elders and small children. Book these at the official counters too.
• Helicopter: the quickest way up, covered in the next section.

Kedarnath helicopter booking

Helicopter shuttles fly to Kedarnath from helipads at Guptkashi, Phata and Sersi. Tickets are sold only on the official IRCTC HeliYatra website, heliyatra.irctc.co.in, and you need your yatra registration number before you can book.

Seats are limited and popular dates fill up fast, so be ready when booking opens. The state aviation authority has warned pilgrims against agents and websites that claim to sell tickets outside the official portal. We help you book on the official portal and plan your hotels and cab around your flight.

Best time to visit Kedarnath

Where to stay

• Guptkashi: the widest choice of hotels, about an hour's drive from Sonprayag. Good for the nights before and after the trek.
• Phata and Sitapur: closer to Sonprayag, so you can reach Gaurikund early in the morning.
• Sonprayag: right at the starting point, with simple hotels.
• Kedarnath: tents, camps and a few basic guesthouses near the temple, including GMVN. Book ahead in peak season.

A night at Kedarnath lets you attend the evening aarti and have a calmer darshan the next morning, instead of rushing down the same day.

Sample itinerary from Haridwar (4 days)

1. Day 1: Haridwar to Guptkashi or Sitapur, 7 to 9 hours. Rest early.
2. Day 2: Drive to Sonprayag, take the jeep to Gaurikund, then trek or ride up. Night at Kedarnath.
3. Day 3: Early morning darshan, come down to Gaurikund and drive back to Guptkashi.
4. Day 4: Drive back to Haridwar.

Coming from Delhi, add a day at each end. By helicopter, the temple visit becomes a same-day return, weather permitting. See our Kedarnath Yatra package.

Health tips for elders and first-timers

Kedarnath is about 3,583 metres high. Thin air, cold and a long climb are hard on the body, so:

• See a doctor before the trip if anyone has heart disease, high BP, diabetes or breathing problems, and carry their medicines and prescriptions.
• Start the trek early in the morning, walk slowly and rest often. It is not a race.
• Drink plenty of water and eat light. Avoid alcohol and smoking.
• Watch for headache, dizziness, breathlessness or vomiting. If it doesn't settle with rest, stop climbing and go to the nearest medical post.
• Keep elders warm and dry. Cold rain is the biggest risk on the trek.

What to carry

• Warm jacket, thermals, cap, gloves and woollen socks, even in summer
• Raincoat or poncho and a small umbrella
• Comfortable trekking shoes with good grip, already worn in
• Torch, power bank and a small backpack
• Personal medicines, ORS and a basic first-aid kit
• ID proof and your registration letter, printed and on your phone
• Some cash, as cards and UPI may not work everywhere on the route

How Kedarnath Saathi helps

We pick your family up from your doorstep in Delhi or any city, and one experienced hill driver stays with you for the whole yatra. We arrange hotels on the way, help with registration, and help you book helicopter tickets on the official IRCTC portal. Tell us your dates or see our Kedarnath packages.