my next stop

Uttarakhand

Kedarnath

Himalayan Shiva shrine at 3583m, open just 6 months

SpiritualTrekMountains

Best time to visit Kedarnath

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: May to June and September to October
  • Skip: July to August and November to April

Planning a specific month? MayJuneSeptemberOctober

Kedarnath season by season

Winter December to February Do not go

Closed entirely: the temple shuts around early November and the deity moves to Ukhimath

Summer March to May Prime time

May-June is prime pilgrimage season before the monsoon; trails are clear, temple newly reopened

Monsoon June to September Prime time

Technically open but this is landslide and flash-flood country. The 2013 disaster hit in this window

Autumn October to November Prime time

September-October is the second great window. Thinning crowds, temple closes by early November

What Kedarnath is actually like

Shoulder-to-shoulder with pilgrims on the climb. Devotion, not a party circuit

Things to do in Kedarnath

The local places worth your time in and around Kedarnath, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi

    Heritage · in town

    Rebuilt shrine and 12 ft statue right behind the main temple where Shankara is said to have died; free, open all day.

  • Bhairavnath Temple

    Temple · 1 km out

    Half hour climb on the ridge south of the shrine, guardian of Kedarnath and the best view of the valley; go at first light.

  • Bhim Shila

    Heritage · in town

    The house sized boulder that split the 2013 flood and saved the temple behind it; five minutes on foot, always open.

  • Chorabari Tal (Gandhi Sarovar)

    Lake · 3 km out

    Glacial lake about 3 km above town, two hours up; ask at the police post first, the 2013 breach still closes the trail.

  • Vasuki Tal

    Lake · 8 km out

    High lake at 4135 m, a hard six hour round trip from town; only for acclimatised walkers, start by 6 am with a guide.

  • Gaurikund

    Village · 16 km out

    Trailhead village at the foot of the 16 km climb, with the Gauri temple and a sulphur spring; jeeps shuttle to Sonprayag.

  • Triyuginarayan Temple

    Temple · 33 km out

    Village temple where Shiva married Parvati, its fire pit still burning; 12 km up from Sonprayag, an easy taxi detour.

Getting to Kedarnath

Bus/taxi to Sonprayag 9-10h, jeep to Gaurikund, 16km trek or heli

Practical ways in: road

Trip facts

How long to stay
3 days
Budget
Mid-range
How busy
Busy at its peak
Solo travel
Fine solo
Altitude
3583 m
State
Uttarakhand
Coordinates
30.7346, 79.0669

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Kedarnath?

May to June and September to October is peak season in Kedarnath. Avoid July to August and November to April. May-June is prime pilgrimage season before the monsoon; trails are clear, temple newly reopened.

How many days do you need in Kedarnath?

3 days is the usual stay. Shoulder-to-shoulder with pilgrims on the climb. Devotion, not a party circuit.

How do you get to Kedarnath?

Bus/taxi to Sonprayag 9-10h, jeep to Gaurikund, 16km trek or heli. Practical ways in: road.

Is Kedarnath expensive, and does it get crowded?

Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs busy at the busiest time of year. Fine solo.

Is there a festival in Kedarnath?

Apr/May: Kapat opening ceremony. Time a trip around it and you see the place at its loudest, but book beds early.

What are the best things to do in Kedarnath?

Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi, Bhairavnath Temple, Bhim Shila, Chorabari Tal (Gandhi Sarovar), Vasuki Tal and Gaurikund, and more. Rebuilt shrine and 12 ft statue right behind the main temple where Shankara is said to have died; free, open all day.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Uttarakhand

All 40 destinations in Uttarakhand