A 7-Day Itinerary for Kedarnath

1. Day 1: Kedarnath Temple
   5 minutes (0.3 miles) from Kedarnath Bus Stand

   In the morning, visit the Kedarnath Temple, which is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. In the afternoon, take a leisurely walk around the town and explore local shops. In the evening, attend the aarti ceremony at the temple.

2. Day 2: Bhairav Nath Temple
   10 minutes (0.5 miles) from Kedarnath Temple

   In the morning, visit the Bhairav Nath Temple, dedicated to Lord Bhairav, who is believed to be the protector of the Kedarnath Temple. In the afternoon, trek to Gandhi Sarovar, which is a beautiful lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains. In the evening, return to Kedarnath and enjoy local cuisine at one of the restaurants.

3. Day 3: Vasuki Tal
   1 hour (6.2 miles) from Kedarnath Temple

   In the morning, drive to Sonprayag and start trekking to Vasuki Tal, which is a picturesque lake situated at an altitude of 4,135 meters above sea level. In the afternoon, enjoy a picnic lunch by the lake. In the evening, return to your hotel in Kedarnath.

4. Day 4: Shankaracharya Samadhi
   5 minutes (0.2 miles) from Kedarnath Temple

   In the morning, visit the Shankaracharya Samadhi, which is the resting place of Adi Shankaracharya, who is believed to have established the Kedarnath Temple. In the afternoon, visit the Triyuginarayan Temple, which is situated in the picturesque Mandakini Valley. In the evening, return to Kedarnath and enjoy a cup of masala tea at a local tea stall.

5. Day 5: Chorabari Tal
   2 hours (8.7 miles) from Kedarnath Temple

   In the morning, drive to Gaurikund and start trekking to Chorabari Tal, which is a serene lake located at an altitude of 3,900 meters above sea level. In the afternoon, have a picnic lunch by the lake. In the evening, return to your hotel in Kedarnath.

6. Day 6: Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary
   30 minutes (7.5 miles) from Kedarnath Temple

   In the morning, visit the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including snow leopards, musk deer, and Himalayan black bears. In the afternoon, visit the Gauri Kund hot springs, which are believed to have medicinal properties. In the evening, return to Kedarnath and enjoy a traditional Garhwali dinner at a local restaurant.

7. Day 7: Vasistha Cave
   20 minutes (5.1 miles) from Kedarnath Temple

   In the morning, visit the Vasistha Cave, which is believed to be the meditation spot of Sage Vasistha. In the afternoon, visit the Kedar Dome, which is the highest peak in the region. In the evening, return to Kedarnath and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate at a local café.

Recommendations

If you have time, you can also visit the nearby towns of Guptkashi and Ukhimath. You can also take a side trip to Badrinath, which is another sacred pilgrimage site in the region. To maximize your fun, try local delicacies like aloo ke gutke and kachmauli.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Kedarnath Temple (2 hours, free)
• Bhairav Nath Temple (2 hours, free)
• Gandhi Sarovar Trek (4 hours, Rs. 2,500 for guide and permit)
• Vasuki Tal Trek (7 hours, Rs. 4,000 for guide and permit)
• Shankaracharya Samadhi (1 hour, free)
• Triyuginarayan Temple (2 hours, free)
• Chorabari Tal Trek (9 hours, Rs. 5,000 for guide and permit)
• Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (3 hours, Rs. 1,000 for guide and permit)
• Gauri Kund Hot Springs (2 hours, free)
• Vasistha Cave (1 hour, free)
• Kedar Dome Trek (5 hours, Rs. 3,000 for guide and permit)
• Total Estimated Costs: Rs. 15,000