A Kedarnath trip from Delhi can cost as little as ₹6,000 to ₹9,000 per person if you take buses and walk the trek, or ₹25,000 to ₹35,000 per person if you hire a private cab and fly by helicopter. The final number depends on three choices: how you travel to Sonprayag, how you climb the last 16 km, and where you sleep.
This guide breaks down every expense using 2026 season rates, so you can plan your budget for the next yatra without surprises.
Kedarnath Trip Cost from Delhi at a Glance
| Travel Style | Approx Cost Per Person | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (bus + trek) | ₹6,000 to ₹9,000 | Students, solo travelers, fit trekkers |
| Mid-range (shared cab + hotel + pony one way) | ₹15,000 to ₹22,000 | Families and small groups |
| Comfort (private cab + helicopter) | ₹25,000 to ₹35,000 | Seniors and short-on-time travelers |
These figures cover a 4 to 5 day round trip from Delhi and assume you share rooms. Peak weeks in May and June push stay and cab prices higher.
How the Delhi to Kedarnath Route Works
You cannot drive all the way to the temple. The route runs Delhi to Haridwar or Rishikesh, then by road through Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Guptkashi to Sonprayag, which is the last point for private vehicles. From Sonprayag a government shuttle covers about 5 km to Gaurikund, and from there it is a 16 km trek to Kedarnath Temple at 3,583 metres.
- Delhi to Sonprayag by road: roughly 450 km, 12 to 14 hours of driving
- Sonprayag to Gaurikund: about 5 km by shared shuttle
- Gaurikund to Kedarnath: 16 km on foot, by pony, palki or helicopter (from Sirsi, Phata or Guptkashi)
Transport Cost from Delhi to Sonprayag
Delhi to Haridwar or Rishikesh
Most budget travelers split the journey at Haridwar or Rishikesh.
- Government bus (UTC or UPSRTC) from ISBT Kashmere Gate: ₹350 to ₹500 one way
- Volvo or AC sleeper: ₹600 to ₹1,100 one way
- Train to Haridwar (Jan Shatabdi, Nandini Express and others): about ₹300 to ₹900 depending on class
Haridwar or Rishikesh to Sonprayag
This is the long mountain stretch of about 230 km, usually 7 to 9 hours.
- Shared bus: ₹400 to ₹700 per seat, departing early morning
- Shared taxi: ₹1,000 to ₹1,800 per seat
- Private cab: ₹4,500 to ₹9,500 one way for the whole vehicle
Private Cab or Own Car from Delhi
A sedan or SUV booked from Delhi for a 4 to 5 day Kedarnath round trip usually costs ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 for the vehicle, including driver allowance, tolls and fuel. Split among four people, that is ₹5,000 to ₹7,500 each.
Driving your own car? Budget around ₹6,000 to ₹8,000 for fuel and tolls on the 900 km round trip, plus parking at Sonprayag for each day you are on the trek.
Sonprayag to Gaurikund Shuttle
Only government-authorised shared jeeps run this 5 km stretch, at about ₹50 per person each way. Expect long queues in peak season, so reach Sonprayag before 5 AM if you plan to trek the same day.
Trek, Pony, Palki or Helicopter: Cost to Reach the Temple
This one decision changes your budget more than anything else.
| Option | Approx Cost Per Person | Time One Way |
|---|---|---|
| Walking the trek | Free | 6 to 10 hours |
| Pony or horse (one way) | ₹2,500 to ₹4,500 | 5 to 7 hours |
| Palki or dandi (one way) | ₹7,500 to ₹10,000 | 5 to 6 hours |
| Helicopter from Sirsi (round trip) | ₹6,390 base, about ₹7,900 with GST and fee | About 7 minutes |
| Helicopter from Phata (round trip) | ₹10,164 base, about ₹12,350 with GST and fee | About 9 minutes |
| Helicopter from Guptkashi (round trip) | ₹12,762 base, about ₹15,460 with GST and fee | 10 to 15 minutes |
A few things to know before you pay:
- Pony and palki rates are fixed by the administration each season and shown on the rate board at the prepaid counters in Sonprayag and Gaurikund. Book only at these counters, never through roadside agents.
- Pithu or kandi (a porter who carries a child or luggage) is priced by weight, so ask at the counter.
- Helicopter tickets are sold only on the IRCTC HeliYatra portal. The 2026 fares above are the official round-trip base fares, with 18% GST and a ₹300 convenience fee added at checkout. Valid Char Dham registration is required to book.
- Helicopter flights get cancelled in bad weather, so keep one buffer day in your plan.
Stay Cost: Hotels, Camps and GMVN
Most travelers spend one night near the base (Guptkashi, Sitapur or Sonprayag), one night at Kedarnath, and one night on the way back.
| Stay Type | Approx Cost |
|---|---|
| Budget room in Guptkashi, Sitapur or Sonprayag | ₹800 to ₹2,500 per room per night |
| Mid-range hotel near the base | ₹2,500 to ₹5,000 per room per night |
| GMVN dormitory bed at Kedarnath | ₹400 to ₹1,000 per bed |
| Private tent or camp at Kedarnath | ₹800 to ₹2,500 per person |
| Haridwar or Rishikesh hotel | ₹1,000 to ₹3,000 per room per night |
Rooms at Kedarnath fill quickly in May, June and October. To compare options near the temple and at the base villages, browse our list of hotels in Kedarnath and book before you leave Delhi.
Food and Other Expenses
- Food: ₹400 to ₹800 per person per day. Meals on the trek and at Kedarnath cost more than in the valley because everything is carried up by mule.
- Char Dham registration: free and mandatory. Register on registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in or the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app. Without it you will be stopped at Sonprayag.
- Temple darshan: general darshan is free. Special pujas carry separate fees set by the temple committee.
- Rain gear and warm clothes: ₹500 to ₹1,500 if you need to buy a poncho, gloves or a warm cap.
- Locker, phone charging and tips: keep ₹500 to ₹1,000 aside.
- Emergency buffer: add 10% to your total for weather delays or an extra night.
Sample Budgets for a Kedarnath Trip from Delhi
Budget Trip: Bus and Trek (4 to 5 Days)
| Expense | Per Person |
|---|---|
| Delhi to Haridwar and back (bus) | ₹800 to ₹1,200 |
| Haridwar to Sonprayag and back (shared bus) | ₹900 to ₹1,400 |
| Shuttle Sonprayag to Gaurikund and back | ₹100 |
| Stay, 3 nights (shared rooms and dorms) | ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 |
| Food, 5 days | ₹2,000 to ₹2,500 |
| Miscellaneous | ₹500 to ₹1,000 |
| Total | ₹6,000 to ₹9,000 |
Mid-Range Trip: Cab Shared by 4, Pony One Way
| Expense | Per Person |
|---|---|
| Cab from Delhi, 5 days (split by 4) | ₹5,000 to ₹7,500 |
| Stay, 3 to 4 nights (hotel rooms, twin sharing) | ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 |
| Pony up, walk down | ₹2,500 to ₹4,500 |
| Food and shuttle | ₹2,500 to ₹3,000 |
| Miscellaneous | ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 |
| Total | ₹15,000 to ₹22,000 |
Comfort Trip: Private Cab and Helicopter
| Expense | Per Person |
|---|---|
| Cab from Delhi, 4 to 5 days (split by 2 to 4) | ₹6,000 to ₹12,000 |
| Helicopter round trip (Sirsi, Phata or Guptkashi) | ₹7,900 to ₹15,500 |
| Hotels, 3 nights | ₹5,000 to ₹8,000 |
| Food and miscellaneous | ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 |
| Total | ₹25,000 to ₹35,000 |
Best Time to Visit and How It Affects Cost
Kedarnath Temple opens around late April or early May and closes for winter on Bhai Dooj. In 2026 it opened on 22 April and closes on 11 November. The opening date for 2027 will be announced on Mahashivratri.
- May and June: biggest crowds, highest hotel and cab prices, longest shuttle queues
- July and August: monsoon, lower prices but landslide and road closure risk
- September and October: clear views, fewer people and fairer prices, often the best value
Money-Saving Tips for Your Kedarnath Yatra
- Travel in September or October for lower stay rates and shorter queues.
- Take the overnight bus from Delhi to save a hotel night in Haridwar.
- Pick Sirsi if you want the helicopter but have a tighter budget. It is about half the Guptkashi fare.
- Walk down even if you ride up. The descent is easier and saves the full return pony fare.
- Carry dry snacks and a refillable bottle so you are not buying every meal on the trek.
- Book helicopter tickets only on the official IRCTC HeliYatra site. Fake helicopter booking websites appear every season.
- Book GMVN or private stays in advance for peak dates instead of paying walk-in rates.
Sample 5-Day Itinerary from Delhi
- Day 1: Overnight bus or early cab from Delhi to Haridwar or Rishikesh, continue to Guptkashi or Sitapur
- Day 2: Early start to Sonprayag, shuttle to Gaurikund, trek to Kedarnath, evening aarti, night at Kedarnath
- Day 3: Morning darshan, visit Bhairavnath Temple, trek down to Gaurikund, night at Sonprayag or Guptkashi
- Day 4: Drive back to Haridwar or Rishikesh
- Day 5: Return to Delhi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum Kedarnath trip cost from Delhi?
The minimum is around ₹6,000 to ₹9,000 per person for a 4 to 5 day trip using buses, shared rooms and walking the full trek.
How much does the Kedarnath helicopter cost in 2026?
The official 2026 round-trip base fares are ₹6,390 from Sirsi, ₹10,164 from Phata and ₹12,762 from Guptkashi. GST of 18% and a ₹300 convenience fee are added when you book on IRCTC HeliYatra.
How many days are needed for a Kedarnath trip from Delhi?
Plan for 4 to 5 days. Add one buffer day if you are booking a helicopter or travelling in the monsoon.
Is registration required for Kedarnath?
Yes. Char Dham registration is mandatory and free. You can register on registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in or the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app.
How much does a pony cost from Gaurikund to Kedarnath?
A one-way pony ride usually costs ₹2,500 to ₹4,500 per person, depending on the season’s official rate. Always book at the prepaid counter and check the rate board.
Is Kedarnath open right now?
The temple closes for winter on Bhai Dooj, which is 11 November in 2026. It reopens around late April or early May, with the exact date announced on Mahashivratri.
Prices in this guide are based on 2026 season rates and may change when new fares are notified for the next season.