🗓️ Last updated: July 30, 2026 · Verified for current season
Altitude
3,583 metres
Opens
April 22, 2026
Closes
November 11, 2026
Distance (road)
218km from Haridwar
Trek distance
16km one way
Daily limit
15,000–17,000 pilgrims
Package from
₹6,999/person
Trek time
5–7 hrs ascending
Significance of Kedarnath
Kedarnath is not merely a temple — it is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (primordial pillars of light) of Lord Shiva and one of the four dhams in the Char Dham circuit. Situated at 3,583m in the Rudraprayag district, it sits in the shadow of the Kedarnath peak (6,940m) with the Mandakini river originating from the Chorabari glacier above. The temple was built (or rebuilt after earlier construction) by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE. It survived the catastrophic 2013 floods when a massive boulder deflected the floodwaters, protecting the main temple structure — an event widely considered miraculous.
Step-by-Step: How to Plan Kedarnath Yatra 2026
Complete Cost Breakdown — Kedarnath Yatra 2026
| Expense | Budget | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package (3N/4D from Haridwar) | ₹6,999 | ₹9,999–12,000 | Includes vehicle, hotels, meals, guide |
| Kedarnath trek | Free | Free | No cost — walk yourself |
| Pony (instead of trek) | ₹3,000–5,000 | ₹3,000–5,000 | Per person, one way. Negotiable. |
| Helicopter (one way) | ₹7,000–9,000 | ₹7,000–9,000 | Via IRCTC booking only |
| Mahabhishek puja | ₹3,100 | ₹3,100 | At 4 AM, advance booking |
| Rudrabhishek puja | ₹2,500 | ₹2,500 | 6–8 AM, temple counter |
| General darshan | Free | Free | Standard queue |
| Prasad / personal expenses | ₹500–2,000 | ₹500–2,000 | Per person |
| Registration | Free | Free | registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in |
| Total estimated (trek) | ₹7,000–9,000 | ₹10,500–15,000 | Package + puja + personal |
| Total estimated (helicopter) | ₹14,000–18,000 | ₹17,000–22,000 | Package + helicopter both ways |
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Complete Kedarnath Reference