5-day Family Friendly Itinerary for Haridwar and Kedarnath

1. Day 1: Explore Haridwar
   2 hours (49.9 km) from Dehradun Airport

   Visit Har Ki Pauri for an evening Aarti followed by shopping and street food at Haridwar Bazaar. Take a dip in the holy Ganges river in the morning.

2. Day 2: Adventure in Rishikesh
   1 hour 30 minutes (37.8 km) from Haridwar

   Try Whitewater Rafting at Brahmapuri or Shivpuri. Visit the iconic Lakshman Jhula and Neer Garh Waterfall. Savour authentic street food at Chotiwala Restaurant.

3. Day 3: Explore Guptkashi and Gaurikund
   6 hours (180 km) from Rishikesh

   Start early and drive to Guptkashi. Visit Vishwanath Temple and Ardh Nareshwar Temple. Rest at Guptkashi and go for a walk. Drive to Gaurikund and visit the Gauri Devi Temple.

4. Day 4: Trek to Kedarnath
   16 km trek from Gaurikund

   Begin the 16km trek to Kedarnath early morning. On the way, visit the Gandhi Sarovar and Vasuki Tal. Take a break at Kedarnath and explore the scenic beauty of the place.

5. Day 5: Return to Haridwar
   15 hours (315 km) from Kedarnath

   Leave early and travel back to Haridwar. On the way, visit the well-known Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Uttarkashi. Reach Haridwar by evening and rest. Shop for souvenirs at Hari Bazaar.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Whitewater Rafting (2-3 hours, INR 500-2000)
• Chotiwala Restaurant (1 hour, INR 500-800)
• Pony ride to Kedarnath (5-6 hours, INR 2500-3000)
• Horse ride to Kedarnath (5-6 hours, INR 1500-2500)
• Mules ride to Kedarnath (5-6 hours, INR 1000-2000)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 10000-20000 ($138-276)

Useful tips

Extend your trip to Badrinath with one additional day or skip Rishikesh if you are short on time. Car rentals and hotels are easily available at Dehradun. Avoid Trekking during winters due to heavy snow.