Panch Kedar Yatra 2024

Here is a detailed itinerary for the Panch Kedar Yatra:

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Day 1: Haridwar to Guptkashi

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On the first day of the Panch Kedar Yatra, you will start your journey from Haridwar and head towards Guptkashi, which is located at a distance of approximately 210 km from Haridwar. The journey takes around 7-8 hours by road.

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On the way, you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the Garhwal region and pass through the holy towns of Devprayag, Rudraprayag, and Agastyamuni. Upon reaching Guptkashi, you can check into your hotel and rest for the night. You may also visit the ancient Vishwanath Temple in Guptkashi, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

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Day 2: Guptkashi to Kedarnath

On the second day of the Panch Kedar Yatra, you will travel from Guptkashi to Kedarnath, which is one of the most significant destinations of the yatra. The distance between Guptkashi and Kedarnath is approximately 36 km, and it takes around 2-3 hours to reach Kedarnath.

 

You can reach Kedarnath either by trekking or by hiring a pony or a palanquin. The trekking distance is around 16 km, and it takes around 6-7 hours to reach Kedarnath. The trek takes you through beautiful Himalayan landscapes, and you can enjoy the views of snow-capped mountains and glaciers.

 

Upon reaching Kedarnath, you can check into your hotel and visit the Kedarnath Temple, which is one of the most sacred temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated at an altitude of 3,583 meters and is believed to have been built by the Pandavas during the Mahabharata era. You can also explore the beautiful town of Kedarnath and its surrounding areas.

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Day 3: Kedarnath to Gaurikund/Guptkashi

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On the third day of the Panch Kedar Yatra, you will leave Kedarnath and trek down to Gaurikund. The distance between Kedarnath and Gaurikund is around 14 km, and it takes approximately 6-7 hours to complete the trek.

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The trekking route from Kedarnath to Gaurikund is beautiful but challenging. You will trek through rocky terrain and steep slopes, and it requires good physical fitness. However, the breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and the serene beauty of the region make the trekking journey worth it.

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Once you reach Gaurikund, you can rest in your hotel and explore the nearby areas. Gaurikund is a holy town and is believed to be the place where Goddess Parvati meditated to please Lord Shiva. You can visit the Gauri Temple and offer your prayers to the goddess. You can also take a dip in the hot water springs of Gaurikund, which is believed to have medicinal properties.

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After a long day of trekking and sightseeing, you can retire to your hotel in Gaurikund and rest for the night.

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Day 4: Gaurikund - Ransi Village.

On the fourth day of the Panch Kedar Yatra, you will drive from Gaurikund to Ransi Village. The distance between Gaurikund and Ransi Village is approximately 22 km, and it takes around 1-2 hours to complete the journey, depending on road conditions.

 

Ransi Village is the starting point of the trek to Rudranath, which is one of the Panch Kedar temples. Once you reach Ransi Village, you can rest in your hotel and prepare for the next day's trek.

 

In the evening, you can explore the nearby areas of Ransi Village, which offer beautiful views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks. You can also interact with the locals and learn about their culture and traditions.

 

After a long day of traveling, you can retire to your hotel in Ransi Village and rest for the night.

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Day 5: Ransi Village to Nanu via Gaundar

Start early in the morning and head towards the village of Gaundar.
Trek through the beautiful mountainous terrain, passing through small villages and lush green forests. Stop at Gaundar for some rest and refreshments.
 

Continue trekking towards Nanu, which is situated at an altitude of around 8,000 feet.
The trek to Nanu is steep and requires some level of fitness, but the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys make it all worth it. Reach Nanu by evening and check into a guesthouse or campsite.
 

Spend the night in Nanu and rest up for the next day's trek.

 

Day 6: Nanu to Madhmaheshwar

Begin early in the morning and start trekking towards Madhmaheshwar, which is located at an altitude of around 11,500 feet. The trek passes through picturesque meadows, and forests of rhododendron and oak trees, and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Himalayan ranges. After a few hours of trekking, you will reach the village of Bantoli, where you can rest and have some food.
 

From Bantoli, continue the trek towards Madhmaheshwar, which is about 4-5 hours away.
Upon reaching Madhmaheshwar, check into a guesthouse or campsite.
Visit the ancient Madhmaheshwar temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and seek blessings.
Spend the rest of the evening exploring the village and its surroundings.

Have dinner and retire for the night.

 

Day 7: Madhmaheshwar - Ransi - Chopta

Wake up early in the morning and attend the morning puja at the Madhmaheshwar temple.
Start the trek back towards Ransi Village, which will take around 3-4 hours.
Upon reaching Ransi, have breakfast and then drive towards Chopta, which is located at an altitude of around 8,790 feet.

Chopta is a beautiful hill station surrounded by dense forests and offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan ranges, including Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Chaukhamba. Upon reaching Chopta, check into a hotel or campsite and rest for a while.

In the evening, you can explore the nearby areas and visit the Tungnath temple, which is one of the Panch Kedar temples and is located at an altitude of around 12,073 feet.

Have dinner and retire for the night in Chopta.

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This concludes the Panch Kedar Yatra, and you return back to your hometown with lifelong memories of this spiritual journey.

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Day 8: Chopta - Tungnath - Chandrashila - Saggar Village

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Start early from Chopta and begin the trek to Tungnath. The distance is around 3.5 km and takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Visit the Tungnath temple, which is one of the Panch Kedar shrines, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Continue the trek further to reach Chandrashila Peak, which is located at an altitude of 3,700 meters above sea level. The trek from Tungnath to Chandrashila is around 1.5 km and takes about an hour to complete.
 

At Chandrashila, witness the panoramic views of the Himalayan ranges including Nanda Devi, Trishul, Chaukhamba, and Kedar Dome. After spending some time at Chandrashila, trek back to Tungnath and then descend to Chopta.
 

From Chopta, drive towards Saggar village. The distance is around 45 km and takes around 2-3 hours to reach.

Upon reaching Saggar village, check in to the hotel and spend the night there.

 

Day 9: Saggar Village to Panar Bugyal

 

After breakfast, start the drive from Saggar Village to Panar Bugyal. The journey is about 4-5 hours and covers a distance of around 140 km. The drive takes you through beautiful landscapes and scenic vistas of the Himalayan ranges.
Upon reaching Panar Bugyal, check in to your camps or guesthouse. You can spend the rest of the day exploring the area and enjoying the natural beauty of the place. In the evening, enjoy a bonfire and dinner at the campsite or guesthouse.

Overnight stay at Panar Bugyal.

 

Day 10: Panar Bugyal - Rudranath

 

The trek from Panar Bugyal to Rudranath is about 10 km long and takes around 5-6 hours to complete. The trail passes through dense forests, beautiful meadows, and small streams. You will also come across a few small villages on the way.

 

Upon reaching Rudranath, you can visit the Rudranath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is one of the Panch Kedar shrines. The temple has a natural rock formation that resembles Lord Shiva's face. You can also witness the magnificent views of the Himalayan peaks from here.

 

Day 11: Rudranath - Sagar Village - Urgam Village

 

After an early breakfast in Rudranath, begin the trek back to Sagar Village. It will take around 6-7 hours to reach Sagar Village. From Sagar Village, drive to Urgam Village (around 14 km, 1 hour).
Check in at the guesthouse in Urgam Village and rest for the day. In the evening, explore the village and its surroundings.

Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Urgam Village.

 

Day 12: Urgam - Kalpeshwar - Urgam - Joshimath/Badrinath

 

Start early from Urgam village and visit Kalpeshwar Temple. After visiting the temple drive to Badrinath (approx. 38 km, 1-2 hours). Visit the famous Badrinath Temple and take a dip in Tapt Kund. Explore Mana Village, the last Indian village on the Indo-China border
 

Overnight stay at a hotel in Badrinath

 

Day 13: Badrinath - Rudraprayag

 

After an early morning visit to the Badrinath Temple and breakfast, you will start your journey toward Rudraprayag. The drive takes around 6-7 hours, covering a distance of approximately 160 km. En route, you will pass through the beautiful towns of Joshimath and Karnaprayag. Upon arrival at Rudraprayag, check in at your hotel and relax for the rest of the day. You can take a leisurely stroll around the town in the evening and explore the local market. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

 

Day 14: Rudraprayag - Haridwar/Rishikesh

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After breakfast, check out from your accommodation in Rudraprayag and start driving towards Haridwar/Rishikesh. The distance between Rudraprayag and Haridwar is around 160 km and takes approximately 5-6 hours by car, depending on the traffic and road conditions.
Alternatively, the distance between Rudraprayag and Rishikesh is around 140 km and takes approximately 4-5 hours by car. On the way, you can make a stop at Devprayag, the confluence of the rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi, which together form the holy river Ganges.
 

You can also visit Rishikesh, a popular pilgrimage destination known for its numerous ashrams, temples, and yoga centers. In the evening, check into your accommodation in Haridwar/Rishikesh and spend the rest of the day at leisure. You may want to take a dip in the holy river Ganges or attend the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony, which is a beautiful and spiritual experience.

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This concludes the Panch Kedar Yatra, and you return back to your hometown with lifelong memories of this spiritual journey.