The Kedarnath Temple is a renowned temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and one of the Chota Char Dhams. It is located on the Garhwal Himalayan range, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and is accessible only through a trek, horse ride or helicopter ride. It is believed that worshipping Lord Kedarnath liberates the soul from the cycle of birth and death.
Vasuki Tal is a glacial lake situated at the base of the Vasuki peak. The trek to Vasuki Tal is filled with scenic beauty, and on arrival, a blue-green high altitude lake reflecting the surrounding mountains awaits. This location is also famous for its beautiful surroundings, which include Brahma, Vishnuprayag and Devariyatal.
Sonprayag is a small town located at the confluence of the Basuki and Mandakini rivers. It is surrounded by mountains and is considered to be a base camp for treks to Kedarnath and Badrinath. This place has numerous cafes and souvenir shops, and it is also popular for adventure activities like white water rafting and trekking.
The only way to reach Kedarnath is by helicopter, a 30-minute ride from Phata Helipad, which costs around £650 per person/one way. The trekking route from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is around 16 km and takes about 6-7 hours, and horses are available for rent. Keep in mind that there are no taxis or buses to Kedarnath.
If you have more time, you can visit other nearby attractions like Triyuginarayan Temple or Gaurikund. Alternatively, if you have less time, you can skip Vasuki Tal trek and visit the Gandhi Sarovar.
The nearest airport to Kedarnath is Jolly Grant Airport (DED) in Dehradun city, which is 248 km away. It takes around 8 hours by car to reach Kedarnath through picturesque scenic routes.