Kedarnath Trek - May 2019

Day 1: ISBT Kashmiri Gate , Delhi

Distance: 231.5 Kms , 5 Hrs via Public Transport

There are ample of buses running from ISBT Kashmere Gate Delhi, one can find buses leaving for Rishikesh/Haridwar every half an hour. So don't worry if you miss one you planned to board.

At 11:30 PM I boarded bus to Haridwar from Delhi which dropped me Haridwar at 4:30 AM in morning.

Day 2: Haridwar to Gaurikund

Distance : 235.4 Kms , 9 -10 hrs via Public Transport

Outside Haridwar bus stand on the left side of road you will find lots of local transport buses directly going to Gaurikund which is base camp to start your trek to Kedarnath. This bus will leave at 6:00 AM sharp and will reach Gaurikund by 3:00 PM. This is the best way to reach Gaurikund. Else one can go to Guptkashi if you miss this bus. From Guptkashi you will get ample of transport for Gaurikund cost 100 INR per person. Once you reach Gaurikund get a room in lodge or guest house it will not cost you more than 500-600 INR per room. Rooms will be of decent condition and Good to stay for one day. In Gaurikund you will find a market flooded with Nepalese. Have some food of your choice and enjoy the beauty of valley, try to sleep early so that you can start early. But if fail to make it to Gaurikund, then try to reach Guptkashi and stay overnight there. Next morning hop-in any shared taxi going to Gaurikund.

Day 3: Gaurikund to Kedarnath(3500 m)

Distance: 18 kms , 6-7 hrs(Depending on fitness)

Here you begin to trek in one of the most exquisite valleys of Garhwal or it would do justice if i say the most beautiful valley of Uttarakhand. The entire 18 kms of trek will bring you across so many waterfalls, river streams and beatific views of snow capped Himalayas. Trek consist of a well marked trail from start to end. You will meet so many sadhus on your way. Also, you will come across many local men, carrying KGs of Loads on their shoulders onto the top to Kedarnath to make some livelihood. This might be a short Garhwali Trek but one of the most beautiful and full of life lessons trek. A must do bucket list destination. Once you have covered 10-12kms of trek. Begin to walk slowly, and drink slip of water after every 15 mins. As you go up on altitude, there is lack of oxygen. Sipping water will keep you hydrated as well as maintain oxygen content in your body. Before Rudra point entire trek consist of lush green mountains and Mandakini flowing side by side you in full force, that emerald green melted glacier water, trust me you won't be able to take your eyes off. Moving forward from Rudra Point, you will be surrounded by snow capped himalayan mountains, the whole panorama transforms from lush green mountains to glaciers and snow capped himalayas. To greet you and appreciate your presence there will be himalayan dogs, the most friendly creatures on earth. They will drop you to your destination walking ahead of you. Last 2.5 kms of trek is a plain surface with little up and down. And soon you will see a remotely located markets in the world, imagine a market in between 6000m + himalayas, a jaw dropping scenery. Go and pay your heed to Lord of Himalays, The Shiva. You are standing at 3,500m , eye to eye with 6980m Mt. Kedar behind the temple. This goes with a saying - " Words fail to do justice to the glory of those spheres, but words are the only media at our disposal" . If you get lucky up there you will always get to witness snowfall, which is cherry to your cupcake. Now a decision making moment whether you want to spend a night at Kedarnath, as there are many lodges and guesthouses, which offers you far comfy bed at cheap prices like 250-300 INR. Garhwali people are very welcoming if they like you, they won't even charge. so be humble with everyone you meet, sometimes it becomes a cost saving factor in your trip. Also, they help us a lot up there, and make us feel at home with their unadulterated kindness. They will tell you about the legends and myths associated with place. But if you want to come down to save a day then start to descent back to gaurikund by 3-4 PM. As it will take atleast 3 hrs to descent back. Stay at Gaurikund and be ready to wake up early next morning to catch direct buses. If you do not find direct bus to Rishikesh or Haridwar. Grab a taxi to Guptkashi. From Guptkashi go to Rudraprayag. From Rudraprayag you will get ample of buses to Rishikesh. From Rishikesh there are plenty of buses going to Delhi.

Day 4: Return to Delhi

Starting from Gaurikund.

If you get a direct bus from Gaurikund at 6:00 AM in morning then you don't have to worry about anything. If you don't find any bus then grab shared taxi to Guptkashi. They will charge you 100 INR fare. in 2 hrs you will be in Guptkashi. From Guptkashi if you get a taxi to Rishikesh then grab it. Else, again you will find ample of taxis going to Rudraprayag. It will charge you about 100 INR to Rudraprayag. Once you reach Rudraprayag, there is no need to worry about anything, from Rudraprayag Rishikesh is very well connected. Get a bus or shared taxi to Rishikesh, it will cost you around 200 INR, from rishikesh you can board any public transport bus to save money and reach in time. 275 INR from Rishikesh to Delhi. Sit back and enjoy a back breaking journey to Delhi.

Cost Included:

Delhi to Rishikesh : 300 INR

Rishikesh to Gaurikund: 300INR

Guest House@ Gaurikund: 300 INR

Guest House@ Kedarnath: 250 INR

Guest House@ Gaurikund: 300 INR

Food total expense: 500INR

Gaurikund to Rishikesh: 400 -500INR

Rishikesh to Delhi: 275 INR