5-Day Itinerary for Kedarnath and Badrinath in October 2023

1. Day 1: Kedarnath Temple
   10 minutes (0.5 miles) from Kedarnath Helipad

   Visit the Kedarnath Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, in the morning. The temple opens at 6:00 AM and closes at 3:00 PM. Spend the afternoon exploring the nearby Gandhi Sarovar and Vasuki Tal. In the evening, attend the Ganga Aarti at the nearby temple.

2. Day 2: Chorabari Tal and Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary
   30 minutes (5 miles) from Kedarnath Temple

   Spend the morning trekking to Chorabari Tal, a scenic high-altitude lake. The trek is about 3 km and takes around 2-3 hours. In the afternoon, explore the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including musk deer, snow leopards, and Himalayan black bears. In the evening, relax at your hotel and enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains.

3. Day 3: Badrinath Temple
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   4 hours (109 km) from Kedarnath

   Leave Kedarnath early in the morning and drive to Badrinath, one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites. Visit the Badrinath Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is open from 4:30 AM to 12:00 PM and from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. In the afternoon, take a dip in the hot springs at Tapt Kund and explore the nearby Mana Village, which is the last village before the Indo-China border.

4. Day 4: Valley of Flowers National Park
   1 hour 30 minutes (37 km) from Badrinath Temple

   Take a day trip to the Valley of Flowers National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to a variety of alpine flowers and rare wildlife, including the Asiatic black bear and the snow leopard. The park is open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Spend the day trekking and enjoying the stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

5. Day 5: Hemkund Sahib
   1 hour 30 minutes (43 km) from Valley of Flowers National Park

   Visit Hemkund Sahib, a Sikh shrine located at an altitude of 4,632 meters. The shrine is open from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The trek to the shrine is about 6 km and takes around 4-5 hours. Spend the afternoon exploring the nearby Gurudwara and the beautiful Hemkund Lake. In the evening, return to your hotel and relax before your journey back home.

Recommendations

If you have more time, consider visiting the nearby town of Joshimath, which is home to the Narsimha Temple and the Kalpavriksha Tree. You can also take a helicopter tour of the surrounding mountains for a bird's eye view of the stunning scenery. To maximize your fun, make sure to pack warm clothes, comfortable shoes, and plenty of sunscreen. Don't forget to try the local cuisine, which includes dishes like aloo ke gutke, kachmauli, and bhatt ke dal.

For hotels and flights, check out https://booking.tp.st/VhZsadPo.