The journey from Haridwar to Kedarnath is considered one of the pilgrimage and travel destinations in the state of Uttarakhand in India. The road distance between Haridwar and Kedarnath is about 239 km; however, traveling between Haridwar and Kedarnath will take almost 7-8 hours by road because of the hilly terrain. This journey involves traveling through a series of towns and villages in the Uttarakhand state, often following this common route: This journey involves traveling through a series of towns and villages in Uttarakhand state, often following this common route:
Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Sringanagar → Rudranagar → Guptkashi → Sonprayag → Gaurikund → Philkundi → Kedarnath
Memorable Journey from Haridwar to Kedarnath
Geographical information and history of both cities
Haridwar is located at the border of the Shivalik hills, where the Ganges steps down into the plains from the Himalayas. Haridwar, literally called the ‘Gate to God’ or ‘Haridwar,’ is believed to be one out of the seven primary religious destinations in Hinduism. The city has great importance in a religious point of view as it is identified as one of the four places where drops of Amrit fell accidentally while carrying the pitcher on Garuda’s beak during the churning of the milky ocean (Samudra Manthan).
Kedarnath is located in the Garhwal Himalayan region at the extremity of the Mandakini river. The temple stands 3,583 meters above sea level. Among the holy places considered the most important in Hinduism, Kedarnath occupies a rather high position. This is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of the Lord Shiva, which holds an important place in the Char Dham Yatra, including Badri Dham, Ganga Dham, Yamuna Dham, and this Rudra Dham.
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Distance from Haridwar to Kedarnath
The distance from Haridwar to Kedarnath by car is about 239 km, and the driving time is approximately 7 hrs 19 min. On the other hand, the flight distance from Haridwar to Kedarnath is about 123 km.
The yatra starts from Haridwar, which is conveniently connected to several important cities of North India, including Chandigarh, Delhi, and Rishikesh. You can cover the Haridwar to Kedarnath distance only by road. The train, or even by air, reaches Dehradun or up to Rishikesh before continuing to Kedarnath.
| Mode of Transportation | Distance in km | Average time travel |
| By Car | 239 km | 6-8 hours |
| By Bus | 239 km | 8-10 hours |
| By Train | Not available | – |
| By Air | 86-90 km | Nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport |
Kedarnath Helicopter Price per Person
Thus, let us discuss the most important part of the Kedarnath helicopter price with you. The price of helicopter tickets also depends on which helipad is used for the trip. The following are the approximate rates per person for the Kedarnath helicopter service:
| Helipad | Price (One Way) Price (Two ways) |
| Guptkashi | INR 3870/- INR 7740/- |
| Phata | INR 2750/- INR 5500/- |
| Sirsi | INR 2749/- INR 5498/- |
It is important to note here that the above prices are all subject to government orders and could be different. As always, you are advised to look up the latest prices and the booking options.
Best time for trip to Haridwar
The best time to visit Haridwar is from October to February, when the weather is pleasant. However, Haridwar experiences a moderate climate throughout the year, allowing devotees to take part in different ceremonies and rituals. If you are a pilgrim, the best time to visit would be during the Kanwar Mela in July and Diwali in October.
Average temperature in Haridwar
| Month | Maximum temperature | Minimum temperature |
| January | 19° | 8° |
| February | 23° | 9° |
| March | 26° | 13° |
| April | 32° | 18° |
| May | 38° | 21° |
| June | 40° | 24° |
| July | 33° | 24° |
| August | 32° | 24° |
| September | 31° | 22° |
| October | 30° | 17° |
| November | 27° | 14° |
| December | 20° | 8° |
Best time for trip to Kedarnath
The most suitable time to visit Kedarnath is April to June, as the climate is quite favorable, and roads are easily accessible for pilgrims and tourists. This season’s average temperature is 15 °C ~ 5 °C, the snow starts to melt, and pilgrimage to the Kedarnath Temple is possible. May is a busy month, and occupancy continues to be high. The Kedarnath temple closes in winter and reopens at the beginning of May when summer starts, which is considered an auspicious time for pilgrims to visit the temple. The other suitable time to visit the kedarnath Temple is during the pre-winter season, including September and October.
Kedarnath remains shut from November to March every year because of snowing in this area (the Exact period depends on the snowing season). The weather becomes extremely wet and cold in the region after November, which leads to the formation of deep snow in some parts, causing havoc to transport systems. During this time of the year, the temperature varies between 5 degrees Celsius and 18 degrees Celsius. The monsoon season in Kedarnath lasts from July to August and brings heavy rainfall, causing landslides and hindrances.
Average temperature in Kedarnath
| Month | Maximum temperature | Minimum temperature |
| January | -3° | -10° |
| February | 1° | –9° |
| March | 2° | -6° |
| April | 5° | -3° |
| May | 9° | -1° |
| June | 11° | 3° |
| July | 12° | 6° |
| August | 12° | 7° |
| September | 12° | 5° |
| October | 8° | -1° |
| November | 5° | -4° |
| December | 1° | -8° |
Tourist places that come on the way from Haridwar to Kedarnath
Traveling from Haridwar to Kedarnath offers a beautiful journey through the scenic landscapes of Uttarakhand. Here are some notable tourist places you can visit along the way:
- Rishikesh
- Devprayag
- Srinagar
- Rudraprayag
- Guptkashi
- Sonprayag
- Gaurikund
Tourist places in Haridwar
Mansa Devi Temple
In Hinduism, the Mansa Devi temple of Haridwar is an important site for pilgrims in India. It is one of three Teerthangas in Haridwar and is devoted to the goddess Mansa Devi. This temple is one of the best tourist attractions in Haridwar.
It is believed that the temple can bless devotees who earnestly come and pray there. Accordingly, depending on your needs, you can get to the temple by ropeway or roadway. During your tour, you can perform puja at the temple and even walk around the temple premises.
Chandi Devi Temple
Chandi Devi temple is one of the most famous religious destinations out of the most preferred visiting spots in Haridwar. The temple is located near Mansa Devi temple, which lies in the Shivalik hills. You can visit this historical temple, take a round, and offer your puja when the temple is open.
You can use the same ropeway to visit it, and you’ll even be able to pay a small amount if you combine the trip to both Tirth places. You will have the opportunity to take some lovely shots from the temple and see sights around Haridwar.
Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple
Another significant temple of Haridwar is the Daksheswara Mahadev Temple, also known as the Daksha Mahadev temple. Out of the best touristic attractions in Haridwar, the temple is situated in the town of Kankhal. The bath is located at a walking distance of 4 Km from Haridwar on the way to the holy temple. The abode or temple is called Daksha Prajapati, the father of Sati, after the king.
The temple hosts daily pujas, and any tourist is welcome to attend. Since the area is not large, you can visit the temple for both worship and sightseeing in just one day. The temple’s environment is relatively serene. It provides a peaceful atmosphere for those seeking to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of the city of Haridwar.
Shantikunj Ashram
The Shantikunj Ashram in Haridwar is a renowned ashram and headquarters of the All World Gayatri Pariwar (AWGP). The Ashram was established in 1971 by Pandit Sriram Sharma Acharya. Many tourists like to visit the temple to find peace and enlightenment. The highly spiritual place invites tourists and followers from all over the world.
You can visit the Ashram to understand the philosophy behind their ideology and seek guidance to find your spiritual self. The teachings of the Ashram will benefit you in great ways and rejuvenate your mind completely. You can easily reach the Ashram by public transport and even choose to stay over.
Sapt Rishi Ashram
The Saptrishi Ashram in Haridwar is another important spiritual site that is visited by tourists from around the country. The age-old ashram is said to be the meditation spot for seven famous Rishis. The Ashram itself is located only 5 km from Haridwar and calmly sits on the banks of the Ganges.
The Ashram was commissioned by Goswami Guru Dutt in 1943 and even offers several rooms for residence. An active Sanskrit school within the complex offers free education for poor children. You can visit the spot where the River Ganga splits into seven different streams and emerges as the sap to serovars. Both private and public transport will take you to the Ashram.
Vaishno Devi temple
The Vaishno Devi temple is an extremely spiritual place in Haridwar and is a popular tourist attraction here. The temple itself is created seeking inspiration from the Vaishno Devi Temple in Kashmir. The temple is one of the most important temples among the top places to visit in Haridwar. A devotee has to navigate through stairs and crawl spaces to reach the main deity and offer their worship. Regular pujas at the temple can be attended by devotees who come here from time to time. The temple is located within the city premises and can be reached easily.
Tourist places in Kedarnath
Gandhi Sarovar
We came across the name Gandhi Sarovar, which is a tiny lake containing crystal-clear water. Another name for Gandhi Sarovar is Chorabari Tal, mainly because it is located on the mouth of Chorabari Bamak glacier. Gandhi Sarovar is in the hills of Kedarnath and Kirthi Stambh peak and is 3900 meters above sea level.
Phata
Phata is a village in Uttarakhand, on the way to Kedarnath. It is strategically and commercially located on the Gopeshwar—Gauikund route. The place is also renowned for the helipad owned by the pilgrims of Kedarnath Dham.
Gaurikund Temple
Gaurikund temple is a temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati, also known as Gauri. According to myths and legends, this is the place where Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva did penance involving ascetic and yoga practices to win over Shiva’s heart.
Vasuki Tal Lake
Vasuki Tal or Vasuki Taal is a beautiful glacial lake located at a lofty height of 4310 meters or 14039 feet in Kedarnath Dham of Uttrakhand. The place is divinely beautiful; Brahma Kamal flowers and other flowers characteristic of the Himalayas bloom around a calm lake.
Kedarnath Helipad
The Kedarnath Helipad is around 700 meters from the famous Kedarnath Temple, though it may take a few minutes to reach the spot. Several devotees who cannot start the pilgrimage hire helicopters from Phata, Sersi, Sitapur, Guptkashi, Dehradun, and Delhi to worship the Kedarnath temple. From a chopper, it will only take you 8 minutes to reach Kedarnath Dham.
Accommodation options in Haridwar
| Hotels | Rating | Charges per night |
| Hotel Gray Castle by Perfect Stayz | Very Good | $12 + $3 tax |
| Hotel Khanna Palace | Very Good | $51 + $11 tax |
| Hotel Ganga Azure | Very Good | $13 + $3 tax |
| Hotel Vivaan Regency | Excellent | $20 + $4 tax |
| Hotel Queen | Good | $8 + $1 tax |
| HOTEL S R GRAND | Good | $22 + $5 tax |
| Hotel The Ganges park | – | $24 + $6 tax |
| BedHubs Hotel | Very Good | $13 + $3 tax |
| FabHotel Jaswinder Bhawan | Very Good | $18 + $5 tax |
Accommodation options in Kedarnath
| Hotels | Rating | Charges per night |
| New Basera Hotel | Good | $27 + $6 tax |
| SHIVA BACKPACKERS | Very Good | $28 + $6 tax |
| NK Residency | Very Good | $50 + $11 tax |
| LA FIYOLI RESORT | Very Good | $59 + $13 tax |
| Ghughuti Resort | Very Good | $16 + $4 tax |
| The Omkareshwar Inn, Kedarnath | Very Good | $38 + $9 tax |
| Priya Hotel | Very Good | $23 + $5 tax |
| Anuj Plaja | – | $40 + $8 tax |
| Hotel Shri Hari | Very Good | $60 + $6 tax |
| Shivas Trident Resort | Very Good | $39 + $9 tax |
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People May Ask
1. How far is Haridwar to Kedarnath?
If you drive between the two cities, Yamunotri and Gangotri are 239 km away.
2. What is the best time to visit Haridwar?
The best time to visit Haridwar is from October to February, when the weather is pleasant.
3. What is the best time to visit Kedarnath?
The most suitable time to visit Kedarnath is April to June.
4. Mention the road route from Haridwar to Kedarnath.
Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Sringanagar → Rudranagar → Guptkashi → Sonprayag → Gaurikund → Philkundi → Kedarnath
5. What helicopter option is available for travelling to Kedarnath?
Yes
Bottom Lines
A trip to Kedarnath from Haridwar is not merely a pilgrimage; it is an experience of discovering the holy land of India and its divine geographical area. Beginning from the holy ‘ghats’ of Haridwar, which mesmerizes the devotion and admiration of multiple people, the journey of utmost interest shall begin through the lap of nature of Uttrakhand.
Altogether, alluring views of Rishikesh’s ashrams/bridges, Devprayag and Rudraprayag’s union of rivers, and pious temples in Guptkashi and Sonprayag are also witnessed. Every stop is characterized by high religious and historical value, ethical and natural beauty.
