Panch Kedar Yatra

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Panch Kedar Yatra- 2025

Package, Temples, Itinerary, Cost & All

From ₹6,500 ₹7,000

Country

India

Region

Uttarakhand

Base Camp

Rishikesh

Duration

12 Days

Grade

Moderate to Difficult

Max Altitude

12,070 ft

Distance

95 km

Season

Spring & Summer

Upcoming Available Dates in 2025

Panch Kedar Yatra Description

The state of Uttarakhand has been the abode of many gods and goddesses since ancient times, among whom Lord Kedarnath, or Shiva, holds a prominent place. There are five such revered shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in the Kedarkhand region (केदारखंड क्षेत्र) or Garhwal region of the Himalayas, where Lord Shiva is especially worshiped. These five pilgrimage sites are collectively known as Panch Kedar, and the names of these temples are – Kedarnath, Tungnath, Madhmaheshwar (Madhyamaheshwar), Rudranath, and Kalpnath.

There are many mythologies and folklores about “why these five temples are considered famous as Panch Kedar Temples“. According to the most popular mythological story, “When the Pandavas (heroic characters from the epic Mahabharata) unjustly killed some Kauravas (their brothers from the opposite side) in the fierce war described in the ancient Hindu scripture Mahabharata, they went to Lord Shiva to atone for their sins. But on seeing the Pandavas, Lord Shiva took the form of a bull and entered the earth. After this, Shiva appeared in the form of Shiva Linga at five different places of the Himalayas. Panch Kedar Temples are related to the body parts of Lord Shiva. The Shivling of Kedarnath Temple is in the form of the hump, the Madhyamaheshwar Temple represents the navel, Tungnath Temple symbolizes his arms, Rudranath Temple is his face, and the Kalpeshwar Temple is considered to be the form of Shiva’s matted locks. The Kedarnath Temple holds a prominent place among these five Shiva temples because it is also part of the Chota Char Dham Yatra and the 12 Jyotirlings of Lord Shiva.

Panch Kedar Yatra is a famous pilgrimage in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, India, to visit five ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. In this Yatra, tourists also visit the well-known Hindu pilgrimage site, Kedarnath Temple, which is a part of the Chota Char Dham Yatra and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The yatra includes a road drive to the Gaurikund base camp, the long walking distance of Kedarnath, the high altitude of Tungnath, and passes through forests, the challenging mountain terrain of Rudranath, the meadows of Madhyamaheshwar, and remote villages such as Ransi, Sagar, etc. Many Shiva devotees from all over the world undertake this pilgrimage to visit these temples. Be it youth or senior citizens, everyone enthusiastically participates in this pilgrimage enjoying the thrill of trekking in the Himalayas.

The path is about 95 kilometers (59 miles) long and takes about 10-11 days to complete. During the trek, one can see amazing views of the Himalayan mountain range and the path passes through challenging hilly terrains, remote villages, dense forests, lush green meadows, streams etc. Temples are visited in a specific order. The journey starts from Gauri Kund, and first of all the Kedarnath temple is visited, followed by Madhyamheshar, Tungnath, Rudranath and Kalpanath temples sequentially. This is the traditional order followed while visiting the Panch Kedar in sequence. The important thing is that due to the inclusion of Kedarnath temple, which is an important pilgrimage site of Chota Char Dham Yatra, it makes the Panch Kedar Yatra even more spiritual and thrilling adventure.

This holy journey begins in the vibrant city of Rishikesh, where our team will guide you through a scenic drive to the enchanting town of Guptkashi. From there, you’ll embark on a trek to Kedarnath Temple, the first of the Panch-Kedar temples. This 16-kilometer trek unfolds with fascinating checkpoints, offering you a chance to witness the divine “back side” of Lord Shiva. The day ends with a visit to the temple during the Aarti ceremony, providing a moment for spiritual reflection.

As your pilgrimage continues, you’ll retrace your steps from Kedarnath back to Guptkashi and journey to Ukhimath, gearing up for the next leg of your adventure. Your path takes you to Ransi Village, the starting point for your trek to Madhmaheshwar. Along this journey, you’ll be treated to stunning vistas and lush meadows, offering a tranquil atmosphere for introspection and devotion.

The trek continues to Tunganath Temple, the highest Shiva temple in the world, representing the “hands” of Lord Shiva. As you trek through dense forests, you’ll connect with the natural world and find solace in the majestic Himalayan landscapes.

The spiritual journey advances to Rudranath Temple, known for its tranquil ambiance and breathtaking vistas. Here, you’ll pay your respects to the “face” of Lord Shiva, drawing closer to the divine essence of his countenance.

Finally, your pilgrimage culminates at Kalpeshwar Temple, where Lord Shiva’s “hair” or “Jata” is venerated. This serene temple, enveloped in lush greenery, provides the perfect setting for meditation and reflection.

The optimal period for embarking on the Panch-Kedar pilgrimage is between May and October, as the doors of Kedarnath open in late April. During this timeframe, pilgrims can access the main temples, as the weather is favorable and the paths are clear.

However, it’s crucial to note that from early November to mid-November, these temples are temporarily closed due to heavy snowfall, rendering them inaccessible. Remarkably, Kalpeshwar Temple stands out as the exception, graciously welcoming devotees throughout the year, making it a year-round spiritual destination.

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Panch Kedar Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Rishikesh to Guptkashi

Drive Distance & Time: 178.9 km over 6-7 hours
Altitude gain: 1,024m/ 3,360 ft
Major Highlight/s of the day: Visit the Dhari Devi Temple and witness the stunning confluence of the rivers Ganga and Alaknanda at Devprayag.

Your Panch Kedar Yatra starts from the Yoga capital of India– Rishikesh. You can reach here from Delhi or any other major city in the country. Take the NH 7 to drive towards Guptakashi. On your way, you will cross the Devprayag where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda Rivers merge. The Alaknanda River will flow parallel to our driving route and merge into the Mandakini River at Rudraprayag.

You will arrive at Guptakashi after a 5-6 hrs drive where you can visit the Dhari Devi Temple if time permits. Check in to your accommodation to have your dinner and spend the night.

Your path will lead you through several significant checkpoints, each holding its unique charm and significance.

Devprayag: Your first stop, Devprayag, is a place of profound spiritual importance. Here, the holy Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers merge to form the sacred Ganga River, marking the inception of your Panch-Kedar pilgrimage. The divine confluence of these sacred waters sets the tone for your spiritual odyssey.

Rudraprayag: Your journey continues to Rudraprayag, where the confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers offers another spiritually charged experience. Here, nature’s beauty combines with spiritual significance, providing another opportunity to connect with the divine through the merging of these holy waters.

Agastyamuni: Further along your route, you’ll reach Agastyamuni, a place resonating with the spiritual energy of Rishi Agastya’s meditation. It’s a site where the ancient sage delved deep into his spiritual practice, adding another layer of sacredness to your expedition.

Ukhimath: Your path then leads you to Ukhimath, a town known for its spiritual ambiance and serene surroundings. It’s a place where you can immerse yourself in introspection and soak in the tranquil beauty of the Himalayas.

Guptakashi: Finally, you will arrive at Guptakashi, where you will rest for the night. Guptakashi holds its own significance in the Panch-Kedar pilgrimage. It’s the place where Lord Shiva concealed himself from the Pandavas, prompting Yudhishthira to give it the name “Guptakashi,” signifying the “Hidden Kashi.”

Day 2: Drive from Guptakashi to Gauri Kund and ascend to Kedarnath

Trek Distance: 17 km – Gauri Kund to Kedarnath
Drive Distance & Time: 32.4 km – 1.5 to 2 hrs (Guptakashi to Gauri Kund)
Altitude Gain: 2,264 m/ 7,427 ft
Water and Refreshments: You will find many shops and tea stalls on your way.
Difficulty Grade Of Today’ Walk: Easy to Moderate
Major Highlight/s Of the Day: Visit the Kedarnath Temple, the toughest trek of the Panch Kedar Circuit and is also a part of Chota Char Dham Yatra.

Today, you will visit the holy shrine of Kedarnath. After having breakfast, leave Guptakashi early and drive to Sonprayag. The distance is around 30.2 km, which will take 1.5-2 hours to cover, depending on the traffic. Due to the 2013 Kedarnath tragedy, the movement of private vehicles ahead of Sonprayag is prohibited. Upon reaching, park your vehicle here and enjoy the scenic spot where Mandakini River and Son Ganga (Basuki) merge at Sonprayag.

After a 300-400 m short hike through the local market, you can find the local taxis that run on a shared basis for Gauri Kund. Son Prayag to Gauri Kund distance is 7.8 km and takes 30 minutes. You can also cover this distance on foot, taking about 1 hr to reach. Located at 1,982 m, Gauri Kund serves as the base camp for the Trek to Kedarnath Temple. Here, you will find a vibrant local market filled with pilgrims and dhabas where you can relax and have your lunch.

Visit the hot water spring of Gauri Kund and the small Maa Parvati Temple. A short walk towards the end of the market will take you to an entry gate to start your Kedarnath Trek. Enjoy the scenic landscape with the Mandakini River flowing below. After covering about 4 km, you will reach Jungle Chatti. Here, you will find many dhabas where you can have your refreshments.

Hiking further for 3 km will take you to Bheem Bali, our next stop. On your way, you will pass through many small waterfalls. At Bheem Bali, have snacks and fill your water bottle. Further, a 3.3 km hike will take you to Rambara, where you must cross a bridge over the Mandakini River. From Rambara to Lin Chauli, it is an uphill climb of about 1.5 km.

About 4 km of further hike via Chhani Camp from Lin Chauli will take you to Kedarnath Base Camp. You will encounter several small glaciers and a wide view of majestic mountain peaks. Here, you can stay at camps set up by GMVN for the pilgrims. The final 1 km hike to the Kedarnath Temple will enchant you with its spiritual aura and snow-laden landscape.The temple with the backdrop of towering Kedarnath Peak (6,940 m /22,769 ft) and Kedar Dome (6,831 m /22,411 ft) will mesmerize you with its beauty. It is said that Lord Shiva’s hump appeared at this site when he took the form of a bull to evade Pandavas. Offer your prayers to the temple and return to the Kedarnath base camp for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 3: Descend from Kedarnath to Gaurikund and Drive Back to Guptkashi

Trek Distance: 17 km – Kedarnath to Gauri Kund
Drive Distance & Time: 32.4 km – 1.5 to 2 hrs- Gauri Kund to Gupta Kashi
Altitude Loss: 2,264 m/ 7,427 ft
Water and refreshments: Fill your water bottles at Kedarnath Basecamp and you can find dhabas at Gaurikund.
Difficulty Grade Of Today’ Walk: Easy to moderate descent
Major Highlight/s Of the Day: Visit Sonprayag, the meeting point of the Basuki and Mandakini Rivers.

Wake up early to witness the beautiful sunrise hitting the majestic mountains at Kedarnath. The temple opens for pilgrims at 6 a.m., so you can do the Kedar Darshan today and perform the pooja rituals. Return to the base camp for breakfast and descend to Gauri Kund.

The downhill hike is comparatively easier than the uphill climb to Kedarnath. Enjoy the lush landscape around you and take small pit stops for refreshments. Upon reaching Gauri Kund, take a shared taxi to Sonprayag. At Sonprayag, you can use your parked vehicle or hire another taxi to reach Gupta Kashi.

Check in to your accommodation at Gupta Kashi to have your dinner and restful sleep.

Day 4: Drive from Guptkashi to Ransi and trek to Gaundhar

Trek Distance: Approx. 6 km (Ransi to Gaundhar)
Drive Distance & Time: 1 hr 41 min (41.0 km)
Altitude gain: 230 m/ 755 ft (From Guptakashi to Gaundar)
Water and Refreshments: Carry at least two water bottles and fill them at Ransi before trekking to Gaundhar.
Difficulty Grade of today’ walk: Moderate to hard
Major Highlight/s of the day: Witness the beauty of Ransi Village with Madhu Ganga flowing in the valley. Venture through the trails amidst the lush Himalayan vegetation.

On the fourth day, we will set out for the trek to Madhyameshwar. Today, our goal is to reach Ransi via Ukhimath from Guptakashi. Check out from your accommodation at Guptakashi early after having breakfast. You can reach Ukhimath by taking a bus or a taxi. This spiritual town is home to Omkareshwar Temple, the winter seat of Kedarnath and Madhyameshwar shrine. From here, you can catch a bus or a shared taxi to reach Ransi.

Ukhimath to Ransi distance is about 22.9 km which will take about 1 hrs to reach. You will cross from where you can catch a glimpse of Ransi village and Madhyamaheshwar (Madhu) Ganga flowing below. After reaching Ransi, a narrow trekking route of 6 km amidst the dense Himalayan vegetation will take you to Gaundhar. The trail starts from Agtoli Dhar, 1 km ahead of Ransi with a downhill stone-paved path. You will cross dense forests, several river streams, and a waterfall called ‘Bheem si Gadera’. Take the bridge near the cascading waterfall to continue the slightly steep section of the trail.En route around 3.5 km from Agtoli, you can visit the Devi Dhar Temple. As you approach Gaundhar village, you can see the nearby water streams of the Madhu Ganga and Morkhanda rivers. You will find a few options for staying and dhabas in this village. Have your dinner at Gaundhar and stay overnight.

Included & Excluded

At Elite Exped, we extensively vet our hotel, travel and accommodation partners, and operate using the very best mountaineering equipment available, to ensure the highest standards of safety possible.

The following is included in your booking — for more information, please see our details overview.

Arrival & Departure: Pick and drop facility — airport/hotel/airport
Accommodation: Four nights' stay at a deluxe hotel in Kathmandu — includes Bed & Breakfast in a basic double room
Welcome dinner: One Welcome Dinner in tourist standard restaurant in Kathmandu
Domestic Transportation: Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu by flight — inclusive of domestic airport tax
Transportation: Required Transportation from Kathmandu/Base Camp/Kathmandu for all staff and members
Permits & Fees: Everest Expedition Permit +Summit Route Permit Ice Fall Route, National park & TIMS permit fees
Food & Lodging: Three meals a day while trekking and at basecamp for members and staff
Porters: Porters up to and back from Base Camp
Staff Remunerations and Allowances: All Nepalese staff and porters' daily wages/equipment/food/clothing, with personal insurance
Insurance: All staff’s medical and emergency rescue insurance
Warm Farewell Dinner: This is at a standard restaurant in Kathmandu with Nepalese staff
Oxygen for Everest: O2 cylinder: Five oxygen (O2) cylinders for each member and three oxygen bottles for each high-altitude Sherpa. Extra oxygen will be stored at Base Camp for emergencies
Mask and regulator: One set of TopOut masks for each member and high-altitude Sherpa
High Altitude Climbing Sherpa: One climbing Sherpa per member

International airfare to and from Kathmandu.
Nepalese Visa charges
Extra night in Kathmandu: There is no extra night accommodation in Kathmandu included in case of an early arrival, late departure, or early return from the expedition (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary.
Insurance: Travel and high altitude insurance/accident/medical/emergency evacuation
Sherpa summit Bonus: Mandatory – minimum USD 1,500
Tips: Please set aside some money to give as tips to Base Camp staff and porters
The full set of member's personal climbing equipment & clothing
Rescue Evacuation: Emergency rescue evacuation cost, if needed and all other expenses of personal nature
Any other item not listed in the "Price Includes" section

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Complete Information & FAQ's

Frequently asked questions

The following frequently asked questions may help answer any queries you have about Elite Exped, as well as help explain what this expedition involves and what is required.

If your question isn’t answered here, then please check our dedicated FAQ support page, and don’t hesitate to get in touch.

What skillset and fitness level are required?

All Elite Exped expeditions are within extremely high altitude environments, with differing requirements when it comes to the ability needed.

Due to the nature of the elements involved, you must provide concise, honest descriptions of relevant experience and current fitness levels.

Upon receipt, we will review your experience and respond accordingly. At this point, if we consider there to be any shortfalls, we can collectively discuss the opportunities and/or provide a training support plan to achieve your goals.

What equipment is provided?

All communal equipment is included, such as high quality ropes, stoves and tents. You are responsible for personal gear and clothing, such as harnesses, crampons, helmets and ice axes.

A full essentials list and advice (if required) will be provided at the time of booking.

Will Nims or Mingma David be my guide?

Nimsdai and Mingma David lead many of our expeditions, but this does depend on their availability.

To guarantee them as your personal guide, you will need to enquire with our team.

What transport is included?

We will cover all transport costs detailed within an expedition program as mentioned on our provided itinerary.

This excludes international flights to and from the destination countries. It is your responsibility to ensure these align with the start and finish of the expedition.

Does Elite Exped provide alternative expedition packages?

Our team has three different packages for this Expedition: the ND Private group Group, the exclusive group and the Elite standard package.

Please contact our team to learn more about these packages.

Requirements

There’s no doubt that climbing Mount Everest is a significant endeavour, but with our expert guidance, achieving this goal may be easier than you think. We would expect anyone joining our Everest expedition to have already climbed multiple 6,000m and 7,000m peaks, as well as a 8,000m peak.

Our team will look at your previous experience and analyse key performance data that you’ll share when you sign up. We can then recommend preliminary climbs in the years and months leading up to this expedition, to give you the best possible chance of reaching your goal, if required.

Equipment

Summiting Everest naturally requires using specialist equipment. We will provide a full kit list for the expedition during booking.

Alternatively, you can access it now by downloading here.

Payment

You may pay your deposit and balance using any lawful means. If sending money by electronic bank transfer, you will be responsible for covering the cost of any associated fees so that we receive the full amount.

Cancellation

There are no refunds for the deposit or balance payments for this expedition. This includes but is not limited to expeditions that conclude without reaching or making progress towards the expedition’s objective(s) (for example, reaching the summit) due to:

Route conditions
Weather
Insufficient manpower
Any other factor outside the control of Elite Exped

The expedition leader has the final say on the expedition conclusion and will make all best efforts towards reaching expedition objective(s) within our margin of safety. Participants that choose to leave an active expedition for any reason are not entitled to any refunds.

Elite Exped highly recommends trip cancellation insurance for all expeditions. Due to the nature and heavy costs of government and operator permits, Elite Exped must adhere to a stringent refund policy deposit due with registration materials. As part of this, all balances are due 120 days prior to the departure date unless otherwise specified. Participants whose balances are not received by the 120-day deadline risk forfeiture of their funds and their place on the expedition.

Insurance

All Elite Exped clients require appropriate insurance for their chosen expedition. Please ensure your policy covers helicopter and medical rescue, as well as repatriation costs.

Elite Exped’s has a long-standing operational partnership with Global Rescue, the world’s leading membership organisation providing medical security, travel risk and crisis response services to travellers worldwide. Because of our history of operating side-by-side with Global Rescue, we recommend our clients register with them. Our close working relationship helps smooth the process of any potential rescue, saving valuable time that can affect the outcome.

Global Rescue membership starts at US$119 for individual trips — for comparison, an emergency evacuation could cost you more than US$100,000.

Why choose Himalayan Fox?

Unparalleled leadership

Nimsdai Purja, Mingma David Sherpa’s and Mingma Tenzi’s mountaineering groundbreaking records speak for themselves, but our leaders are more than just supremely talented climbers.

While some choose to direct operations from back office, our three directors lead from the front. Their experience in every aspect of guiding and climbing — from fixing ropes to organising logistics — is unparalleled. It’s no surprise that they have the industry-leading success rate when it comes to summiting 8,000m peaks.

Beyond this, our handpicked team of guides have also chalked up dozens of successful summits between them.

Safety through self-sufficiency

If it’s controllable we control it: this is key to attaining and maintaining our industry-leading strategy for success and safety.

We maximise our options, agility and responsiveness by running self-sufficient expeditions that don’t rely on any other teams to achieve our objectives.

Our team is capable of setting up our own fixed lines (with a proven track record on all 8,000m peaks) and has backups to cover all scenarios. These include everything from secondary oxygen supplies to the ability and experience to operate our own rescue missions if the situation arises.

A unique perspective

With his Nepalese roots and UK residency, our co-founder Nimsdai Purja brings a unique perspective and an unparalleled ability to bridge the gap between Western and Himalayan climbing cultures.

We can assemble trusted teams and networks anywhere in the world, but our founders’ roots are a particular advantage when it comes to summiting the world’s very highest peaks.

An intimate knowledge of how things work on the ground ensures that everything runs smoothly when you’re 8,000m above sea-level.

Client Review

Failure is NOT an option with Nims and the team. He taught me that giving up is NOT an option. All his team were going to the summit. 100% success. This is the Elite way.

From start to finish I have felt like part of a family, Elite takes care of their clients and provides the highest quality mountaineering experience you can get. I can’t wait to be back climbing with Elite Exped and visiting my new family again!!

We could not have been in safer hands. Everything was conducted to the highest standard. I had complete confidence in the safety system on the mountain at all times. This is such a huge thing to commend Elite on - and also a key reason we all reached the summit and returned safely.