About Panch Kedar Yatra Trek
One of the popular spiritual treks in Indian Himalayan region, the
Panch Kedar Trek stretches from an altitude of 2134 meters, in Urgam, to
a height of 3680 meters, in Tungnath. The entire stretch reflects the
mythical colours of the Mahabharata where the Pandavas went to the
Himalaya to meet Lord Shiva who avoided the meeting due to the Gau Hatya
(Killing Cow) and Brahmahatya committed by the Pandavas. It is believed
that in the struggle that followed, parts of Lord Shiva's body that
appeared in the form of a bull surfaced at various places in the
Himalaya. The forelegs that showed up at Pashupatinath in Nepal, the
hump of the bull at Kedarnath, the torso including the navel at
Madhyamaheshwar, the arms at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, and the
matted hair at Kalpeshwar, thus forming the Panch Kedar in India
(excluding Pashupatinath being in Nepal).
The Panch Kedar Trek not only covers the five shrines dedicated to
Lord Shiva but also allows you to get acquainted with the remote
villages that exhibit an ancient charm. The entire trail from Kalgot to
Kedarnath en route to Rudranath, Mandal, Chopta, Gaundhar, Tungnath and
Madhyamaheshwar offers immense opportunity to get enamoured by nature of
the place which is blessed with the snow capped peaks sequestering the
dense forest and lush green meadows rolling down the valleys. Below are
the five Kedar and their significance;
Panch Kedar Trek Highlights:
- Seek the blessing of Lord Shiva at his five supreme earthly abodes at Kalpeshwar, Rudranath, Tungnath, Kedarnath and Madhya Maheshwar
- Enjoy the beauty of the high altitude meadows of Rudranath, Panar and Chopta
- Witness the pleasant scenery that is adorned with blooming flowers, thick forest and streams
- Get an opportunity to imbibe in the quaint charm of the remote villages. Interact with their innocent and laborious inhabitants and learn their way of leading a happy life without the modern technologies.
- Enjoy camping under the open sky amidst the beautiful landscape.
Area : Garhwal Himalayas
Duration : 15 Days (12 days trekking and 3 days travelling)
Best Season : May to October
Grade :Moderate
Altitude : 4090 mts (Chandrashila Peak)
Total Trekking : 130 K.M
Best Time to Visit Panch Kedar
The best months for Panch Kedar Yatra are between May and October.
All the temples of Panch Kedar open only for 6 months, generally from
end April to October each year. During the winters the temples are
inaccessible due to rainfall and snowfall. In winter, the sanctified
symbolic of Lord Shiva in Kedarnath is worshipped at the Omkareshwar
temple at Ukhimath, the representative idol of Tungnath is worshipped at
Mokumath, the Rudranath symbolic image is brought to Gopeshwar, and the
Madhyamaheshwar symbolic idol is venerated at Ukhimath. Only Kalpeshwar
is open throughout the year.
Where are Panch Kedar?
The five temples lie Upper Himalaya region, with the background of
snow-covered hill ranges of the Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, Kedarnath and
Neelkanth peaks. Kedarnath is located in the Mandakini River valley
while the other shrines are situated in the highlands between the
Mandakini valley and the Alaknanda gorge. All the temples are remotely
located and except Rudranath, the other four are still not accessible by
motorable roads.
The village of Kedarnath is on the edge of Kedarnath mountain slope
in a remote northern part of the Garhwal Himalayas. The Dudhganga,
Madhuganga, Swargaduari and Saraswathi are the streams that flow in the
valley behind the Kedarnath temple. Tungnath has an impressive backdrop
of the peaks of Panchachuli, Nanda Devi, Dunagiri, Kedarnath and Bandar
Poonch and is situated near Chopta, which is at a short distance from
Ukhimath. Kalpeshwar is located in the Urgam valley in a dense forest
area. Urgam Valley has apple orchards, terraced fields where potato is
grown extensively. Kalp Ganga River, a tributary of the Alaknanda, flows
through this valley.
How to Reach?
By Air: The nearest airport for Panch Kedar Trek would be Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun.
By Rail: The nearest railway station for Panch Kedar
Trek would be Haridwar and Rishikesh. There are comparatively more
trains from Haridwar junction, which is well-connected to major cities
in India.
By Road:
New Delhi- Haridwar-Rishikesh-Srinagar-Rudraprayag-Pipalkoti – Helang - Kalpeshwar
Panch Kedar Trek (Detailed Itinerary)
Day 01: Delhi – Haridwar – Rishikesh
In the morning take an AC train for Haridwar at 06:50 hrs. After arriving in Haridwar, meet our guide who will help transfer you to Rishikesh and check into the hotel. Evening time is free for leisure activities. Overnight stay at the hotel.Day 02: Rishikesh - Pipalkoti (1219 mts / 3998 ft) (218 kms / 7-8 hrs)
After the breakfast, we will drive to Pipalkoti via Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karanprayag, Nandprayag. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.Day 03: Pipalkoti - Helang - Urgam (2134 mts / 7000 ft) (9 kms trek / 3-4 hrs)
In the morning, we will drive to Helang and from here begin trekking to Urgam Village. We will cross Alaknanda River via Road Bridge. We shall walk through the dense forests to reach Urgam Valley. Explore the valley, delectable dinner and overnight stay in tents.Day 04: Urgam - Kalpeshwar - Urgam (2 kms one side)
Early in the morning, we will trek up to the first Kedar (one of Panch Kedars). Later, return trek to Urgam. Dinner and overnight stay in tent.Day 05: Urgam - Kalgot (2215 mts / 7265 ft)
After the breakfast, we shall trek towards the Kalgot Village. Arrive at the village in the evening and witness the culture of local people. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.Day 06: Kalgot - Rudranath (2286 mts / 7498 ft)
In the morning, trek to Rudranath temple from Kalgot. Dinner and overnight stay in Rudranath.Day 07: Rudranath - Sagar - Mandal (18 kms trek / 8 kms drive)
Post breakfast, trek down to Sagar Village by passing through the dense forest and meadows. Upon arrival at Sagar, drive to Mandal the same day. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.Day 08: Mandal - Chopta (2900 mts / 9512 ft) - Tungnath (19 kms /2 hrs / trek 3.5 kms)
After the breakfast drive to Chopta. Upon arrival at Chopta, trek to Tungnath (the third Kedar). After arriving at Tungnath Temple, visit the temple and then relaxing a bit can further trek to Chandrashila Peak. Dinner and overnight stay in Tungnath.Day 09: Tungnath - Chopta - Jagasu – Gaundhar
In the morning trek back to Chopta. Upon your arrival at Chopta, drive to Jagasu (45 kms / 2 hrs). From here trek up to Gaundhar. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.Day 10: Gaundhar - Madhyamaheshwar (3289 mts / 10788 ft)
Post early breakfast, we will begin trekking to Madhyamaheshwar (the fourth Lord Shiva temple of Panch Kedar). Upon arriving here, we will pitch our camp here. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.Day 11: Madhyamaheshwar – Gaundhar
In the morning, trek back to Gaundhar. Dinner and overnight stay in tent.Day 12: Gaundhar - Jagasu - Guptkashi
Today, we will trek about 12 km to reach Jagasu and from there drive to Guptkashi (30 kms). Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.Day 13: Guptkashi - Gaurikund - Kedarnath (3584 mts / 11756 ft)
After the breakfast, we shall drive to Gaurikund. Upon arrival here, we will begin trekking to Kedarnath, which is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. On arrival, check in at guest house. Evening time is free for exploring the area. Dinner and overnight stay in guest house.Day 14: Kedarnath - Gaurikund - Rudraprayag
In the morning, we will visit Kedarnath temple and then trek down to Gaurikund and drive to Rudraprayag along the river Mandakini. On arriving at Rudraprayag, we will check into the hotel. In the evening, we shall visit the confluence of Alaknanda & Mandakini River. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.Day 15: Rudraprayag - Haridwar (160 kms/4-5 hrs) – Delhi
Post breakfast, we will drive to Haridwar via Devprayag. From Haridwar, we will board a train for Delhi at 18:05 hrs. Arrival at Delhi by 22:45 hrs.Tour & Services End.
Things to Carry for Panch Kedar Trek
- Daypack (40-60 ltr)
- Good Quality of rain proof trekking shoes
- Socks (3 pairs)
- Light wind jacket
- T-shirts
- Underwear
- Trekking pants
- Warm hat
- Sun hat/baseball cap
- Light gloves
- Duffel bag
- Sunglasses
- Torch/Headlamp
- Camera
- One liter water bottles
- Water purification/filter
- Books
- Lip balm
- A light weight umbrella.
- Sunscreen
- Towel
- Toiletries
- Personal medicines
- Money pouch/belt
- Energy bars
- Vitamin tablets
- Bandana/scarf
Things to Carry for Panch Kedar Trek
- Daypack (40-60 ltr)
- Good Quality of rain proof trekking shoes
- Socks (3 pairs)
- Light wind jacket
- T-shirts
- Underwear
- Trekking pants
- Warm hat
- Sun hat/baseball cap
- Light gloves
- Duffel bag
- Sunglasses
- Torch/Headlamp
- Camera
- One liter water bottles
- Water purification/filter
- Books
- Lip balm
- A light weight umbrella.
- Sunscreen
- Towel
- Toiletries
- Personal medicines
- Money pouch/belt
- Energy bars
- Vitamin tablets
- Bandana/scarf
Fixed Departure Dates 2018
| 18 May, 2018 | 01 June, 2018 | 14 September, 2018 |
| 28 September, 2018 | 05 October, 2018 |
