High in Uttarakhand at 3,583 m, Kedarnath is among Hinduism’s most revered shrines—a Jyotirlinga dedicated to Shiva, reached by a storied mountain trail from Gaurikund. The stone temple—linked by legend to the Pandavas and consolidated by Adi Shankaracharya—has withstood centuries of snow, monsoon, and time, and today welcomes pilgrims from May to November each year.

This 5-day Kedarnath itinerary threads together Rishikesh (your calm gateway), Guptkashi and Sonprayag (the staging valleys), and the Kedarnath trek itself. Expect roads that follow turquoise rivers, chai stops at misty bends, and an unforgettable evening aarti beneath Himalayan stars. You’ll get specifics on darshan flow, food you can actually find en route, and realistic drive and trek times.

Practical notes: Register for the Char Dham Yatra before you set out (ID and daily caps apply). Altitude is real here—ascend gradually, hydrate, and listen to your body. Best months are May–June and September–October; mid-monsoon (roughly July–August) brings heavy rain and frequent landslides. Alcohol is restricted in many holy zones. Pack warm layers, rain protection, and a headlamp.

Rishikesh

Rishikesh, the “Yoga Capital of the World,” is your soft landing before the high country. Spend time by the Ganga’s ghats, stroll Ram Jhula and Janki Setu, and fuel up in Tapovan’s breezy cafes. It’s also your best place to pick up last-minute gear—trekking poles, ponchos, gloves—before heading into the Mandakini Valley.

• Top sights: Sunset Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat or Parmarth Niketan; ramble across Ram Jhula; riverside walks at Shivpuri; optional sunrise yoga classes.
• Cafes you’ll love: Little Buddha Cafe for river views and masala chai; Bistro Nirvana for pahadi rajma and millet rotis; Pumpernickel German Bakery for coffee, croissants, and granola bowls; Chotiwala (the classic thali house) for hearty vegetarian plates.
• Stay here: Browse stays near Tapovan or the ghats on VRBO Rishikesh or compare hotels on Hotels.com Rishikesh.
• Getting in: Fly into Dehradun (DED), then 45–90 minutes by road to Rishikesh. Check fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com (Delhi–Dehradun often $30–90 one way). Trains run to Haridwar/Rishikesh; see schedules on Trip.com trains (4.5–6 hours from Delhi).

Guptkashi (Sonprayag & Gaurikund Gateways)

Guptkashi sits on a terrace above the Mandakini River, ringed by rhododendron slopes and distant snow. This is the smart place to sleep before and after your Kedarnath push—cooler nights than Rishikesh, but not yet high altitude. You’ll pass trident-topped shrines, confluence views, and apple orchards en route.

• Highlights: Evening arati at Vishwanath Temple (a local echo of Kashi), views to Chaukhamba on clear mornings, and strolls through Sonprayag’s pilgrim markets.
• Food: Expect straightforward mountain fare—aloo paratha with dahi, pahadi rajma-chawal, kadhi, and hot jalebis. The busiest bhojanalayas cluster beside the Sonprayag taxi stand; tandoors and big steel thalis out front signal fresh rotis and fast turnover.
• Stay here: Options range from simple lodges to view rooms. Check VRBO Guptkashi and Hotels.com Guptkashi (also browse nearby Sitapur/Sonprayag).
• Logistics: Rishikesh to Guptkashi is a full-day mountain drive (6–8 hours, ~200 km). Private SUV hires typically ₹6,000–10,000; shared jeeps and state buses cost less but are slower and depart early.

Kedarnath

Kedarnath rests in a dramatic glacial amphitheater, with Kedar Dome and Bhartekuntha standing guard. Beyond the silver bell of darshan lies a quiet village of stone paths, prayer flags, and tea rooms where you’ll thaw your fingers and swap trail stories.

• What to see: Kedarnath Temple (evening aarti is spine-tingling), Adi Shankaracharya’s samadhi behind the temple, Bhairavnath Temple for sweeping valley views, and—if open and weather-stable—the short hike toward Gandhi Sarovar (check local advisories).
• Food & rest: Dining is simple but warm: GMVN canteens, tea houses serving maggi, khichdi, and omelets, and seasonal community langars offering free meals near the temple.
• Stay notes: Rooms are basic and book up fast in season. If you prefer comfort, overnight in Guptkashi and day-trip by helicopter (Phata/Sersi/Guptkashi helipads; 8–10 minutes of flight; weather-dependent; typically ₹5,000–8,500 one way per person).
• Search nearby stays: VRBO Kedarnath area and Hotels.com Kedarnath area (inventory is limited right by the shrine; aim for Guptkashi/Sitapur).

Day 1: Arrive in Rishikesh

Morning: Travel to Dehradun (DED) and transfer to Rishikesh. For fares and schedules, compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Train travelers can check Trip.com trains for Delhi–Haridwar/Rishikesh options.

Afternoon: Check in near the river—see VRBO Rishikesh or Hotels.com Rishikesh. Ease into the Himalayan air with a walk across Ram Jhula and the newer Janki Setu. Pick up essentials: lightweight down, wool cap, trekking pole, electrolyte tabs.

Evening: Attend Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat or Parmarth Niketan—arrive 30 minutes early for a riverside spot. Dinner at Bistro Nirvana (order the pahadi thali and millet rotis) or Chotiwala for a vegetarian North Indian spread. Sleep early; tomorrow’s a big drive.

Day 2: Rishikesh to Guptkashi (via Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag)

Morning: Depart around 6:30–7:00 a.m. for Guptkashi (6–8 hours). Grab coffee and a nutty granola bowl at Pumpernickel German Bakery or a hearty dosa at Shri Balaji Restaurant. On the road, pause at Devprayag to see the emerald confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi forming the Ganga.

Afternoon: Lunch in the Srinagar (Uttarakhand) market—choose a busy dhaba for fresh rotis; try aloo ke gutke (spiced local potatoes) and rajma-chawal. Continue to Rudraprayag (another famous confluence), then climb to Guptkashi. Check in; browse Hotels.com Guptkashi or VRBO Guptkashi for a valley-view room.

Evening: Stroll to the local Vishwanath Temple at dusk. Dinner at your lodge or the busiest bhojanalaya on the main road—look for hot kadhi, simple dal, and tandoori rotis. Pack your daypack for tomorrow: ID, Yatra registration, warm layers, rain shell, 2L water, headlamp, snacks, basic meds.

Day 3: Guptkashi to Kedarnath (Trek/Helicopter), Evening Aarti

Morning: Leave by 5:00–5:30 a.m. for Sonprayag (30–45 minutes), then take the regulated shuttle jeep to Gaurikund (15 minutes). Begin the 16–18 km trek to Kedarnath (6–8 hours, steady ascent). Milestones include Jungle Chatti (~4 km), Bheembali (~6 km), and Linchauli (~11 km). Tea houses offer parathas, maggi, and tea; pace yourself, sip electrolytes, and take short, frequent breaks.

Afternoon: Arrive Kedarnath, check into your pre-booked room or camp (amenities are basic; expect shared baths and power cuts). Warm up with khichdi or tomato soup at a canteen. Visit Adi Shankaracharya’s samadhi behind the temple for a quiet moment before the crowds build.

Evening: Join the Kedarnath Temple aarti (times vary by season; be in line early). Wrap up in a down jacket, beanie, and gloves—the temperature drops quickly after sunset. Dinner at a canteen or a community langar near the temple. Early lights out—nights are cold and oxygen thinner.

Day 4: Sunrise Darshan, Bhairavnath Viewpoint, Descent to Guptkashi

Morning: Catch dawn light on the snow peaks, then optional walk to Bhairavnath Temple for valley panoramas. If you didn’t attend last night, aim for morning darshan. Have a hot breakfast (alu paratha or poha) and begin your descent by late morning.

Afternoon: Descend to Gaurikund (4–6 hours). Stop at Bheembali for tea and bowl of veg noodles, then continue to the shuttle stand. In Gaurikund, pay respects at the small Gauri temple. Transfer by jeep to Sonprayag and drive back to Guptkashi.

Evening: Long, hot shower and rest. Dinner at your lodge—ask for simple pahadi fare like jhangora (barnyard millet) kheer if available. If energy allows, a short stroll under bright mountain stars is lovely on clear nights.

Day 5: Guptkashi to Rishikesh/Dehradun and Departure

Morning: Depart Guptkashi for Rishikesh/Dehradun (7–9 hours). Keep snacks handy and plan a midday stop around Srinagar or Devprayag. If roads are clear and you’re ahead of schedule, pause at a roadside viewpoint for final Mandakini River photos.

Afternoon: Continue to Dehradun Airport for your flight home; compare options on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. If you’re staying the night in Rishikesh, check Hotels.com Rishikesh or VRBO Rishikesh and toast the trip with ginger-lemon-honey tea by the river.

Evening: If time allows, a gentle riverside walk or one last aarti makes a fitting farewell. Otherwise, pack your souvenirs (rudraksha beads, local honey, rhododendron squash) and rest before your onward journey.

Helpful on-the-ground tips:

• Registration: Carry your Char Dham Yatra registration and a government ID; checkpoints are enforced at Sonprayag.
• Helicopter option: Flights typically run from Phata/Sersi/Guptkashi to Kedarnath (8–10 minutes). Weather can cancel operations—have a trek backup. One-way fares often ₹5,000–8,500 pp.
• Ponies/porters/palki: Official rates are posted at Gaurikund; expect roughly ₹3,500–6,000 for a one-way pony and more for a palki. Hire only from authorized counters.
• Altitude & weather: Go slow, hydrate, avoid alcohol, and carry a basic AMS kit (per your doctor). Monsoon months bring landslides—build slack into your schedule.

In five days, you’ll move from the calm ghats of Rishikesh to the stark, humbling amphitheater of Kedarnath. The road is winding, the air crisp, and the temple bells unforgettable—an itinerary that balances devotion with practical Himalayan travel sense.