Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva and one of the four shrines of Uttarakhand’s Char Dham. The temple stands at 3,583 m at the head of the Mandakini valley and cannot be reached by road: you walk about 16 km from Gaurikund, ride a pony or take a helicopter. This Kedarnath Yatra guide covers the official registration, the trek, how helicopter booking works and the 2026 season dates.
Know before you go
- Altitude: 3,583 m, per the Uttarakhand government’s Char Dham portal.
- Trek: about 16 km uphill from Gaurikund, as stated on IRCTC HeliYatra.
- Registration: mandatory and free, on the official Uttarakhand portal or the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app.
- Helicopter: booked only on IRCTC HeliYatra, and only with a Yatra registration number.
- 2026 season: the temple opened on 22 April 2026. The winter closing is reported for 11 November 2026 (Bhai Dooj).
- Last checked: 27 October 2026 (sources under Official resources below).
In this Article
Kedarnath Yatra at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Deity | Shiva, as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas |
| Altitude | 3,583 m |
| Trek start | Gaurikund, beyond Sonprayag in Rudraprayag district |
| Trek length | About 16 km one way |
| Helipads | Phata, Guptkashi and Sirsi |
| Registration | Free, on registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in |
| Winter seat | Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath |
Kedarnath temple: a short history
The IRCTC HeliYatra page notes that one of the first references to Kedarnath appears in the Skanda Purana. The present structure is believed to have been built by Adi Shankaracharya, and the temple is the highest of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Behind it rise Kedar Dome and Kedarnath Parvat.
Kedarnath opening and closing dates 2026
The Uttarakhand government’s Char Dham portal lists the 2026 opening of Kedarnath as 22 April 2026. Badrinath opened on 23 April, and Gangotri and Yamunotri on 19 April.
The closing date is fixed each year on Vijayadashami. News reports of the 2026 announcement give Wednesday 11 November 2026 (Bhai Dooj) as the winter closing of Kedarnath. After the doors close, the deity’s doli is carried down to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, where worship continues through the winter. If you are travelling late in the season, plan to finish darshan before the closing day and confirm the date with the temple committee or the state portal.
Kedarnath Yatra registration
Registration is mandatory for every pilgrim to the Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib. The official portal is registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, and the same registration can be done on the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app for Android and iOS. The state’s Char Dham portal says there is no fee for registration, and it warns pilgrims against websites that charge for it.
How it works on the portal:
- Register or log in with your mobile number.
- Add the details of each pilgrim (self, family, or as a tour operator).
- Choose the dhams and dates.
- Download the Yatra Registration Letter with its QR code and carry it.
The letter is checked at verification points along the route. Sonprayag is the physical registration point for Kedarnath. The portal also mentions a queue token slot counter for darshan, so collect a token at the dham for a smoother queue.
Kedarnath trek from Gaurikund
The trek starts at Gaurikund. Private vehicles stop at Sonprayag, and local shuttle vehicles carry pilgrims the last stretch to Gaurikund.
The trail is paved and climbs steadily along the Mandakini valley for about 16 km. During the season, stalls and rest points line the route. Start early so you reach Kedarnath with daylight to spare, and plan to stay the night near the temple instead of walking up and down in one day.
If you do not want to walk, ponies, porters and palkis are available on the route. Book them only at the official counters and keep the receipt.
Kedarnath helicopter booking
Helicopter seats for Kedarnath are sold online only on IRCTC HeliYatra (heliyatra.irctc.co.in). The site states that it is the only website for online helicopter tickets to Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib. Do not pay any other site for Kedarnath helicopter tickets.
Before you try to book:
- Complete the Yatra registration first. HeliYatra asks for the Yatra registration number, and booking is not possible without it.
- Create a HeliYatra account by verifying your email and mobile number with an OTP.
- Watch for the booking window. Tickets are released in batches. For 2026, HeliYatra announced that bookings for journeys from 16 October to 9 November would open on 9 October.
Flights run from helipads at Phata, Guptkashi and Sirsi in the Mandakini valley. Flights depend on the weather and can be delayed or cancelled, so keep a spare day in your plan and read the cancellation policy on HeliYatra before you pay.
How to reach Kedarnath
Rishikesh and Haridwar are the usual starting points. Sonprayag is about 245 km by road from Rishikesh and about 270 km from Haridwar, by OpenStreetMap routing. The road follows the Alaknanda and then the Mandakini through Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Guptkashi.
Hill roads in Uttarakhand can close after heavy rain, so do not plan the drive and the trek on the same day. You can break the journey at Guptkashi, Phata or Sitapur.
Where to stay
- Near the trek start: Sonprayag, Sitapur and Gaurikund have guest houses and lodges for the night before the trek.
- At Kedarnath: there are guest houses, camps and tents near the temple for the night after the climb. Book ahead in the busy months.
- On the road: Guptkashi and Phata are good bases if you are flying, since they have helipads.
- GMVN, the state tourism corporation, runs rest houses on the Char Dham routes; check the official Uttarakhand portals for bookings.
Best time and what to pack
The temple is open from late April or May until around October or November each year. Early in the season there can still be snow near the top. The monsoon months bring rain and the risk of landslides on the roads and trail. Late September and October are generally drier but colder at night.
Pack for cold weather even in summer: a warm jacket, a rain jacket, good walking shoes, a torch and a small first-aid kit. Carry your ID and the registration letter. People with heart or breathing problems should take medical advice before going to this altitude, and the state also runs a health registration on the same portal.
Combine Kedarnath with other shrines
Badrinath, the other Char Dham shrine in Garhwal, is a long day’s drive from Kedarnath. For the full four-shrine route, see our Char Dham Yatra guide. Read our guide to Badrinath too, and if you have an extra day, the hike to Tungnath Temple near Chopta is on the way between the two.
FAQ
Is registration compulsory for Kedarnath Yatra?
Yes. Every pilgrim must register on the official Uttarakhand portal, registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, or the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app. The state says registration is free.
How long is the Kedarnath trek?
IRCTC HeliYatra describes it as a 16 km uphill trek from Gaurikund. Plan for a full day going up and an overnight stay near the temple.
How do I book a helicopter for Kedarnath?
Book only on heliyatra.irctc.co.in. You need a Yatra registration number first, and tickets are released in batches for set travel dates.
When does Kedarnath temple close in 2026?
News reports of the temple committee’s announcement give 11 November 2026, Bhai Dooj, as the closing day. Confirm on the official portals before you travel.
Where is Kedarnath worshipped in winter?
During the winter months, the deity is worshipped at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath.
Can I do Kedarnath in one day?
It is possible by helicopter if the weather holds, but on foot the 16 km climb and the descent are too much for one day. Plan at least one night near the temple.
Official resources: Char Dham & Hemkund Sahib Yatra registration, Government of Uttarakhand; IRCTC HeliYatra (Kedarnath helicopter booking); Char Dham Yatra, Digital Uttarakhand
Photo credits
Featured image: Shivam Kumar 766 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Kedarnath temple: a short history: DipankarSen68 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Kedarnath opening and closing dates 2026: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons, CC0; Kedarnath trek from Gaurikund: Photos Worldwide / Wikimedia Commons, CC0; Kedarnath trek from Gaurikund: Prateek as a traveller / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Kedarnath trek from Gaurikund: Imjha1 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Kedarnath trek from Gaurikund: Gul-Wiki / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Kedarnath trek from Gaurikund: AjjuSinghkarwi / Wikimedia Commons, CC0; Kedarnath helicopter booking: ShalinishuklaV / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Where to stay: Photos Worldwide / Wikimedia Commons, CC0; Best time and what to pack: Rohit Sharma / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
