Reaching Kedarnath — The Sacred Journey
Kedarnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, sits at 3,583 metres in the Garhwal Himalayas. It is one of the four Char Dham and among the twelve Jyotirlingas. Reaching Kedarnath requires a combination of road travel and either a 16 km trek or a helicopter ride.
The road journey ends at Sonprayag (or Gaurikund in some seasons). From there, pilgrims trek or fly to the temple.
Road Journey — Dehradun to Sonprayag
The driving route from Dehradun covers approximately 230 km through Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag and Guptkashi before reaching Sonprayag. The journey takes 8-9 hours through stunning Himalayan terrain along the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers.
Recommended stopover: Break the journey at Guptkashi (210 km from Dehradun). Stay overnight and start the trek early morning the next day. This reduces fatigue significantly.
Taxi Fares — Dehradun to Kedarnath Route
Sedan: ₹7,500 one way to Sonprayag
Ertiga: ₹9,500 one way to Sonprayag
Innova Crysta: ₹12,000 one way to Sonprayag
For round trip with waiting (while you trek), packages are available starting ₹15,000 for Sedan (3 days). All inclusive — fuel, toll, parking and driver stay.
The Trek — Gaurikund to Kedarnath
The trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is 16 km one way. Most pilgrims take 6-8 hours to ascend and 4-5 hours to descend. The path is paved but steep in sections.
Pony and palki services are available at Gaurikund for those who cannot trek. Pony costs approximately ₹2,500-3,500 one way. Palki (carried seat) costs ₹5,000-8,000 one way.
The trail passes through: Jungle Chatti (4 km) → Bheembali (6 km) → Linchauli (8 km) → Base Camp (14 km) → Kedarnath Temple (16 km). Tea stalls and rest points are available throughout.
Helicopter Option
Helicopter services operate from Phata, Guptkashi and Sirsi helipads to Kedarnath. The flight takes 8-10 minutes. Tickets are booked through the official government portal or IRCTC.
Cost: Approximately ₹5,000-7,000 per person for a return ticket. Availability is limited during peak season — book 2-3 weeks in advance.
Your Shri Taxi driver will drop you at the helipad and wait for your return. We can guide you on the helicopter booking process.
What to Carry
Warm clothes — temperatures drop to 0-5°C at Kedarnath, even in summer. A raincoat or poncho is essential. Comfortable trekking shoes with good grip. Basic medicines including altitude sickness tablets. Energy bars and dry fruits for the trek. Government ID proof and Yatra registration printout. Cash — ATMs are unreliable above Guptkashi.
Registration
Char Dham Yatra registration is mandatory. Register for free at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in. Your registration must be validated at biometric counters at Sonprayag before starting the trek.
Book Your Kedarnath Taxi
Shri Taxi provides dedicated Kedarnath Yatra transfers with experienced pahadi drivers who have driven this route hundreds of times. They know every curve, every rest stop, and the safest sections to drive after dark.
Call +91 6397321825 or WhatsApp us with your travel dates.