Whether you wish to visit Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand as a part of Panch Kedar or separately, knowing the best time to visit is essential before you set off for your journey. Being one of the most revered treks in India dedicated to Lord Shiva, for people who believe in Hinduism, this place sees high footfall in summers and can be classified as a summer trek.
Kedarnath is one of the four Dhams and the importance is further increased due to the auspicious location, in the Garhwal Himalayas. In case you are planning to visit the holy shrine anytime soon, this article is apt for you. Read on to dive deeper into the best season to visit Kedarnath Trek, with every nitty gritty you need to know!
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Suggestion for the 2025 Season
Depending on whenever the shrine opens, you can plan your trek April onwards. This applies only if you wish to visit the holy temple. The registration process also needs to be followed. Visit the official website regarding the same. You can even plan your trip with us, for ease of access and a carefree experience, full of adventures.
Regarding the opening date, most sources suggest that the date of Mahashivratri 2025, that is, 26th of February will witness the decision regarding the opening date of the temple. Meanwhile, the gates closed on the 3rd of November, 2024. Still, some trekkers could be seen heading to the summit a few days after this date as well. Make sure not to ascend the hill in extreme winters (due to slippage caused by snow) or rainy season (due to risk of avalanche, etc and difficult terrain), irrespective of the government advisory.
What is Kedarnath trek?
Kedarnath Trek is a summer tour which has a long route and is mostly chosen by people who wish to visit the Kedarnath shrine, one of the many sacred pilgrimage sites of the Hindu community. It is also believed to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The total distance ranges from 16 to 18 kilometres, depending upon which side you begin from. It is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, and the trek ends at the Kedarnath temple.
The temple is located at almost 3,600 metres above sea level, which can be considered as a benchmark for the end point of this trek. The last motorable point is Gaurikund, where people mostly reach by bus. After that, people take the next stop at Rambara, with necessary breaks in between. It is a part of Panch Kedar, which can be visited at once, through our package here. You might need to take more frequent breaks due to the terrain being steep and the trek is more challenging as compared to the Kedarkantha trek.
- State: Uttarakhand
- District: Rudraprayag
- Last motorable spot: Sonprayag
- Sightseeing throughout the route
- Total distance: 32 km
- Average altitude: 11,600 feet above sea level
Overall Best Season
Summer and Autumn top the charts when it comes to the overall best season to go for Kedarnath trek. Imagine standing face to face with your Almighty, with the mighty Himalayas in the background. Irrespective of the purpose of visit, this trek is sure to be the most memorable due to the beautiful scenic views and the adequate arrangements throughout the trek. Make sure to create a lot of memories, and capture them as it is a once in a lifetime experience.
As per the testimonials of frequent visitors, the aura of the place is such that you will feel elevated and full of energy even after trekking for hours at a stretch. On the other hand, the weather is highly unpredictable so you should be prepared in advance. People have visited in peak summer season and experienced light showers and vice versa. Therefore, the overall best season should not be decided by relying on the weather app.
Best time to Visit Kedarnath Trek
1. Summer season
- Months: May to June
- Temperature range: Between 5 degrees and 20 degrees
- Reason: It is the most adequate season, because of the clear skies and easy terrain.
- Caution: Be prepared for sunny skies and a lot of dehydration. Try to maintain adequate levels of hydration.
2. Autumn season
- Months: September to October
- Temperature range: Between 5 degrees and 15 degrees
- Reason: It is off season and you can manage everything easily. After the monsoon season, the area offers lush green views and a lot of options to enjoy en route.
- Caution: Be prepared for chilling weather at night.
Worst time to Visit Kedarnath Trek
1. Winter season
- Months: November to April
- Temperature range: Between 0 degrees and -10 degrees
- Reason: The weather is not favorable and even the temple is closed. You can visit Ukhimath for the shrine, as it is temporarily relocated due to the customary practices.
- Caution: If your return time is delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, and falls in any of these months, take adequate care.
2. Monsoon season
- Months: July to August
- Temperature range: Between 10 degrees and 18 degrees
- Reason: The route is extremely slippery and the area becomes prone to landslides as well as accidents.
- Caution: Do not try to risk your life by planning trips in these months just for the sake of adventure. In case you are stuck there, avoid moving down during active rainfall.
Difficulty Level of Kedarnath Trek
The trek is moderate due to the challenging terrain, and becomes difficult to very difficult in the winter season. People who wish to visit apart from the aforementioned months should be extra careful. You can go for the trek in off season and even when the temple is closed, in case you wish to visit only for leisure purposes. For doing so, you will need prior written permission from the SDM, Prayagraj before starting your trek. Still, you should assess the situation at hand and
The temple is open only in the summer season, for a short period of six months. There is a streamlined registration process and the temple remains closed in winter due to unfavorable weather conditions and other mythological reasons with respect to the resting period of Devtas. Though trekkers continue to visit for some more time, the premises remain closed. April to October is the best time to visit, and the only time when you can actually worship in front of the open temple. You can either trek the whole distance, or take the helicopter facility, which makes the journey a lot more easy but the cost is high.
How to make the best decision?
Instead of age, health is the basic criteria before getting a permit for the trip. This is because of the fact that oxygen levels dip indiscriminately as one is about to reach the summit. Kids below 13 years should visit under supervision. For elderly people, helicopter service is advisable as the trek might impose a lot of challenges for people having health issues apart from heart problems as well. Now that you know when to plan your visit, what are you waiting for?
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