What is the distance from Rishikesh to Kedarnath?

Rishikesh to Kedarnath distance: 216 km by road to Gaurikund (nearest motorable point), plus 16 km trek or helicopter to the temple. Route: Rishikesh → Devprayag (70 km) → Rudraprayag (70 km) → Guptkashi (46 km) → Sonprayag (35 km) → Gaurikund (5 km). Total road distance: ~216 km. Travel time: 7.5–8.5 hrs by road. Rishikesh is slightly closer than Haridwar but has fewer direct train connections — most pilgrims arrive at Haridwar by train and take a local bus/auto 25 km to Rishikesh if needed.

How to go from Rishikesh to Kedarnath by bus?

Rishikesh to Kedarnath (Sonprayag) by bus: (1) Uttarakhand Roadways buses from Rishikesh ISBT (main bus stand, near the main market) — service to Guptkashi (₹230–₹320, 6.5–7.5 hrs) and during yatra season direct to Sonprayag. Departs 5:00–6:00 AM. (2) Shared taxis from Rishikesh to Guptkashi: ₹350–₹500/seat. (3) Yatra-season special GMVN buses from Rishikesh — check GMVN Rishikesh office. Note: Rishikesh ISBT is 3 km from Laxman Jhula/tourism area — take auto (₹80–₹150) or taxi (₹150–₹200) to the bus stand.

Is it better to start from Rishikesh or Haridwar for Kedarnath?

Both are equally viable starting points — Rishikesh is 25 km further up the road and saves ~30 minutes on the Kedarnath journey. Choice depends on: (1) Train arrivals — Haridwar has far more trains (all major expresses stop here); Rishikesh station is a small terminus with very few trains. Most people travel to Haridwar by train, then take a 30-min bus/taxi to Rishikesh if they want to start from there. (2) Stay preference — Rishikesh has more tourist accommodation and restaurants; Haridwar is more traditionally pilgrim-oriented. (3) Either city works — the Kedarnath road distance difference is minimal (4 km).

Rishikesh to Kedarnath 2026 | Distance, Route & Time

Overview

Rishikesh to Kedarnath is approximately 216 km by road to Gaurikund (the nearest motorable point) — 4 km shorter than the Haridwar route. Rishikesh is a popular starting point for Kedarnath pilgrims, particularly for travellers who prefer Rishikesh's yoga and meditation retreats before the yatra. The road route via Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Guptkashi is scenic and passes two of Uttarakhand's most beautiful river confluences.

Leg	Distance	Time	Notes
Rishikesh → Devprayag	70 km	2 hrs	NH7, mountain road starts after Shivpuri
Devprayag → Rudraprayag	70 km	2 hrs	NH7, Alaknanda gorge, scenic
Rudraprayag → Guptkashi	46 km	1.5 hrs	NH107, Mandakini valley
Guptkashi → Sonprayag	35 km	1 hr	State road (congested May peak)
Sonprayag → Gaurikund	5 km	15 min	Shared jeep only
Total (Rishikesh → Gaurikund)	~216 km	7.5–8.5 hrs	—

Planning

Bus from Rishikesh ISBT (₹230–₹380):
Rishikesh ISBT (Inter-State Bus Terminal, near the main Rishikesh market / Haridwar bypass road — 3 km from Laxman Jhula) has Uttarakhand Roadways services to Guptkashi and Sonprayag. First bus: ~5:00–5:30 AM. Fare to Guptkashi: ₹230–₹320. To Sonprayag direct (seasonal): ₹280–₹380. Journey: 6.5–8 hrs. Book seat by arriving early (4:30 AM) or at the ISBT counter the evening before.

Shared taxi from Rishikesh (₹350–₹500/seat):
Shared taxis (Bolero/Innova) from Rishikesh to Guptkashi depart when full (typically 5:00–6:30 AM) from near the Rishikesh bus stand / railway station area. Cost: ₹350–₹500 per seat. Journey: 6–7 hrs. Faster than bus, more comfortable. Available throughout the yatra season.

Private taxi from Rishikesh (₹2,800–₹4,500):
Private taxi Rishikesh to Guptkashi: ₹2,800–₹4,000. To Gaurikund (drop + return): ₹3,800–₹5,000. Book through Rishikesh taxi stands near the railway station or via hotel reception. Many Rishikesh tour operators offer combined packages (Rishikesh ashram night + Kedarnath taxi).

Recommended 2-day Rishikesh–Kedarnath plan:

Day 1: Depart Rishikesh 5:00 AM → Devprayag 7:00 AM (brief stop at Ganga confluence) → Rudraprayag 9:00 AM (brief stop at Mandakini confluence) → Guptkashi 11:00–12:00 PM → Check in → Lunch → Visit Vishwanath temple Guptkashi → Rest → Sleep by 9 PM.
Day 2: Wake 4:30 AM → Transfer to Phata helipad (30 min) → First helicopter slot 6:00–7:00 AM → Kedarnath by 7:30 AM → Full day darshan → Sandhya Aarti (5 PM) → Overnight GMVN tent.

Travel Information

Rishikesh ISBT location: 3 km from the Laxman Jhula/Ram Jhula tourist area. Take a local auto (₹80–₹150) or Ola/Uber to the ISBT. Don't confuse with the Rishikesh Railway Station (which is even further at 5 km from Laxman Jhula). Both are in the same direction.
Rishikesh railway station (limited trains): Rishikesh railway station has very few direct trains from Delhi or other major cities — it's a terminus with ~4–5 trains daily. Most pilgrims arrive at Haridwar by train and transfer to Rishikesh by bus (25 km, 30–45 min, ₹30–₹50 shared bus) or auto (₹300–₹400). Don't specifically target Rishikesh as a rail destination.
Devprayag — worth a 20-min stop: Devprayag is where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers merge to form the Ganga. The blue Bhagirathi meets the green Alaknanda — the colour difference is visible from the bridge. Sangam steps allow a brief visit. This is on the main road — not a detour.
Rishikesh as yatra start — special considerations: Rishikesh yoga retreat visitors who want to extend their trip to Kedarnath: (1) Book Kedarnath registration at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in before arriving in Rishikesh. (2) Store extra luggage at your Rishikesh hotel while doing the yatra (most hotels accommodate this). (3) Leave Rishikesh with only trek essentials — your large bags stay safe at the hotel.

Tips

Leave Rishikesh by 5:00 AM for Guptkashi arrival before dark: The 216 km takes 7.5–8.5 hrs in normal conditions — more in peak May traffic. A 5:00 AM departure from Rishikesh means arriving Guptkashi by 1:00–2:00 PM comfortably. Any later and you risk Guptkashi after dark on a mountain road.
The Rishikesh–Devprayag road is now largely widened: The NH7 between Rishikesh and Devprayag has been improved under the Char Dham Mahamarg project — most of this 70 km stretch is now wider and faster than it was 2–3 years ago. The Rudraprayag–Guptkashi stretch (NH107) is still mostly narrow 2-lane — plan extra time here.
Rishikesh to Kedarnath in one day is only possible by helicopter: If you take a flight + taxi to reach Rishikesh and then want to reach Kedarnath the same day — it's only realistic via helicopter (Rishikesh → Phata by road 4 hrs → helicopter → Kedarnath, reaching by noon). By trek, the same-day journey is not feasible.

FAQs

What is the distance from Rishikesh to Kedarnath?: 216 km by road to Gaurikund (nearest motorable point). Route: Rishikesh → Devprayag (70 km) → Rudraprayag (70 km) → Guptkashi (46 km) → Sonprayag (35 km) → Gaurikund (5 km, shared jeep only). Then 16 km trek (6–8 hrs) or helicopter from Phata helipad (10 min, 30 min drive from Sonprayag).
How to go from Rishikesh to Kedarnath by bus?: Uttarakhand Roadways from Rishikesh ISBT (3 km from Laxman Jhula): to Guptkashi ₹230–₹320, 6.5–7.5 hrs. Direct seasonal buses to Sonprayag during May–June and Sep–Oct. Departs 5:00–5:30 AM. Shared taxi ₹350–₹500/seat also available from bus stand area.
Is it better to start from Rishikesh or Haridwar for Kedarnath?: Both work equally well. Rishikesh saves 30 min (4 km shorter). Haridwar has far more train connections. If arriving by train: Haridwar is the better rail gateway. If already staying in Rishikesh: start from there — no need to backtrack to Haridwar. Road time difference is negligible.