Kedarnath and Badrinath 4-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrive in Kedarnath
   1 hour 30 minutes (42.5 miles) from Phata Helipad

   Upon arrival in Kedarnath, visit the Kedarnath Temple, which is a 10-minute walk from the helipad. Afterward, take a pony ride to Gandhi Sarovar, which is a high-altitude lake with stunning views of the Himalayas. In the afternoon, visit the Bhairavnath Temple and learn about the legend of its deity, Bhairav. In the evening, attend the evening aarti ceremony at the Kedarnath Temple, which is a mesmerising and spiritual experience.

2. Day 2: Travel to Badrinath
   2 hours 30 minutes (78.7 miles) from Kedarnath

   After breakfast, travel to Badrinath. On the way, stop at the Mana Village, which is the last village before the India-China border. Here, you can visit the Vyas Gufa, which is a cave where the sage Vyas is believed to have written the Mahabharata. You can also visit the Ganesh Gufa, which is a cave where Lord Ganesha wrote the epic. In the afternoon, visit the Badrinath Temple and take a dip in the hot springs. In the evening, attend the evening aarti ceremony at the temple.

3. Day 3: Explore Badrinath
   Within Badrinath

   Spend the morning exploring the Badrinath town and visit the Tapt Kund, which is a natural hot spring, and the Brahma Kapal, where Hindus perform the last rites of their departed loved ones. In the afternoon, visit the Mata Murti Temple, which is dedicated to the mother of Nar and Narayan. The temple is located along the Alaknanda River and offers stunning views of the valley. In the evening, attend the evening aarti ceremony at the Badrinath Temple.

4. Day 4: Departure
   2 hours 30 minutes (78.7 miles) from Badrinath to Phata Helipad

   After breakfast, depart from Badrinath and travel to the Phata Helipad for your flight back home. On the way, you can stop at the Joshimath town and visit the Narsingh Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Narsingh, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. You can also stop at the Auli Ski Resort, which is a popular skiing destination in the winter months.

Recommendations

If you have extra time, consider visiting the Hemkund Sahib, which is a Sikh pilgrimage site located at an altitude of 4,632 meters. The trek to the site is challenging but offers breathtaking views of the mountains. You can also consider visiting the Valley of Flowers National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to a variety of alpine flowers.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Kedarnath Temple (1 hour, free)
• Gandhi Sarovar Pony Ride (2 hours, INR 1,000)
• Bhairavnath Temple (1 hour, free)
• Badrinath Temple (1 hour, free)
• Hot Springs Bathing (1 hour, INR 50)
• Mata Murti Temple (1 hour, free)
• Narsingh Temple (1 hour, free)
• Auli Ski Resort (2 hours, INR 3,000)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 4,050