Packing list for Kedarnath trek
- Warm clothes
- First aid kit
- Water bottle
- Hiking Boots
- Raincoat / Umbrella
- Energy bars
Method to travel : Kedarnath
- Trekking
- Horse or Mule
- Palki or Pitthus
- Helicopter Service
Trekking
The Kedarnath trek starts from the town of Gaurikund, which is well connected by road. The trek is around 16 km long. It will take 8 to 10 hours to finish if you are physically fit. The route is well-marked and properly maintained. There are several shops and tea stalls on the way where you can rest and replenish.
The trek is divided into three sections. The first section is from Gaurikund to Rambara, which is a gradual ascent through the forest. The second section is from Rambara to Garud Chatti, which is a steep climb and takes you through some beautiful waterfalls and gorges. The third section is from Garud Chatti to Kedarnath, which is a gradual ascent with several switchbacks.
The trail is lovely and has several little streams and waterfalls as well as mountain vistas.
Horse or Mule
If you can’t trek to Kedarnath, then horses and mules are the best and cheapest options for you. One way will cost you between 2000 and 3,000. The prices are fixed by the government. Generally, a helicopter costs the same, but you can’t enjoy the scenic beauty of a trek by helicopter.
Palki or Pitthus
Palki and Pitthus are very common in Kedarnath. For those people who can ride a horse, palki is best. There are four people carrying Palki, so it costs a little more than a horse. Palkis are very comfortable for older people. In Palki, you can enjoy the trek’s scenic beauty, which is missing from a helicopter. Plaki takes around 10 hours to reach Kedarnath from Gaurikund.
Pitthus are best for kids, as they can’t ride horses, and palki are too costly. So pitthu is economical because it is carried by a single person.
Helicopter Service
One of the greatest methods to go to Kedarnath is via helicopter. It works best for people with time constraints. Typically, a round-trip helicopter ride costs between 5,000 and 6,000 rupees. To prevent guests from having to wait in line for dharsan at the Kedarnath shrine, Helicopter services offer VIP dharsan.
The availability of helicopter services is based on the weather that day. The primary disadvantage of these services is that you can’t take advantage of the Kedarnath trek’s breathtaking natural scenery.
