Gaurikund to Kedarnath

Whether you are traveling by a bus or a cab to Kedarnath, the motor road ends at Gaurikund. From Gaurikund to Kedarnath, it’s a trekking route, although you won’t need any special trekking equipments except for a pair of good sneakers. It a 4 - 5 hours journey by pony from Gaurikund to Kedarnath, a whopping 14 km.

There is a hot geyser at Gaurikund where you can have a bath. After that you can either trek to Kedarnath, or you can hire a pony for the adults, a pittu for the kids or a doli (palanquin) for the elderly members.

A Pittu is a single seat made from cane within which is then tied to the back of the pittu-carrier. A doli is carried by 4 doli-carriers and usually costs more than either the pony or the pittu. You can get in touch with a pony wala to hire any of these. Here is the name and number of a reliable pony wala that we hired.

Suraj Singh
Pony Wala, Kedarnath.
Phone : 09410433721

The Pony costs between 1200 INR - 2000 INR. The cost of the doli and the pittu depends on the weight of the person to be carried. Usually the doli can be hired for a price of 4000 INR - 5000 INR. It is advisable to contact the Pony Wala on the previous day of the journey.

Although there are arrangements for helicopters for Kedarnath by Pawan Hans Helicopter Service, the service is available only during the peak season and cost somewhere between 8000 INR - 10,000 INR per person for a return trip to Kedarnath.

Rambara, which is exactly in the middle of Gaurikund and Kedarnath (7km from either of them), is a resting place. You would find a roadside dhaba where you can have a cup of hot tea/coffee, pakodas and other similar refreshments.

The ponies stops almost 1 km before Shri Kedarnath Temple from where you need to walk. The dolis and the pittus, however, would take you almost near the Temple.

The road from Gaurikund to Kedarnath, inspite of being steep, is a scenic route. You would be able to see the Kailash mountains from afar, covered with snow. And you would have to cross several mountains to reach Kedarnath. I wouldn’t the least bit exaggerate if I say that it is the journey of a lifetime.