Namaste! If you are reading this from Kathmandu, you likely have a dream in your heart—the dream of visiting the holy lands of Kedarnath and Badrinath.
For us Hindus, life is a spiritual journey. We visit Pashupatinath Ji in Nepal to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. But the circle of devotion often feels incomplete without bowing your head at Kedarnath, the home of Shiva in the Indian Himalayas, and Badrinath, the abode of Lord Vishnu.
I am Mayank, the founder of Clans Stays. I have spent the last 15 years helping devotees travel through the mountains of Uttarakhand. I have seen the tears of joy in the eyes of pilgrims from Nepal when they finally see the Kedarnath temple.
However, planning a Kedarnath Badrinath Yatra from Kathmandu can be confusing. Which route is best? Should you take a bus or flight? What about the cost?
Don’t worry. In this detailed guide, I will share everything you need to know—from flight schedules to a perfect day-by-day plan. I will guide you like a local friend.
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The Best Route (Kathmandu to Delhi)
Many people ask me, “Mayank, can we just take a bus from Kathmandu to Haridwar?”
Technically, yes. You can take a bus to the Sunauli or Banbasa border and then catch a train. But I do not recommend this for families or seniors. The road journey is extremely long (over 24-30 hours), tiring, and uncomfortable. By the time you reach the mountains, you will be too exhausted to do the trek.
The best and most comfortable route is to take a Flight from Kathmandu to Delhi. It takes less than 2 hours. From Delhi, your real Yatra begins comfortably in a private car or luxury tempo traveller.
Flight Option 1: Kathmandu to Delhi (Going)
Start your journey by flying to New Delhi. Try to book a morning flight so you can reach Haridwar the same evening.
| Airline | Flight No. | Departure (KTM) | Arrival (DEL) | Duration |
| IndiGo | 6E-1152 | 10:50 AM | 12:35 PM | 1h 45m |
| Air India | AI-214 | 10:05 AM | 11:50 AM | 1h 45m |
| Nepal Airlines | RA-217 | 01:45 PM | 03:15 PM | 1h 30m |
| IndiGo | 6E-1154 | 01:15 PM | 03:00 PM | 1h 45m |
| Vistara | UK-156 | 04:00 PM | 05:35 PM | 1h 35m |
Flight Option 2: Delhi to Kathmandu (Return)
After finishing your Yatra, you will return to Delhi. Here are the flight options to get you back home to Nepal.
| Airline | Flight No. | Departure (DEL) | Arrival (KTM) | Duration |
| Air India | AI-215 | 04:30 AM | 06:35 AM | 1h 50m |
| Air India | AI-213 | 07:00 AM | 09:05 AM | 1h 50m |
| IndiGo | 6E-1151 | 07:40 AM | 09:50 AM | 1h 45m |
| IndiGo | 6E-1153 | 10:10 AM | 12:15 PM | 1h 45m |
| Nepal Airlines | RA-218 | 05:00 PM | 06:50 PM | 1h 35m |
(Note: Flight timings can change slightly. Always check before booking.)
The Perfect 7 Nights 8 Days Do Dham Yatra Plan (From Delhi)
Once you land in Delhi, your spiritual journey begins. This itinerary is specially designed for families to ensure you are not rushing. We include rest, Darshan, and sightseeing.
Day 1: Arrival in Delhi – Drive to Haridwar (220 km / 5-6 Hours)
- Welcome to India: Our driver will pick you up from Delhi Airport.
- The Drive: We will drive towards Haridwar. The road is good, passing through green fields.
- Evening Bliss: We will reach Haridwar in time for the Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri. Seeing thousands of lamps floating on the river is a magical start to your trip.
- Stay: Hotel in Haridwar.
Day 2: Haridwar to Guptkashi (210 km / 7-8 Hours)
- The Journey Up: After breakfast, we start climbing the mountains. You will see the Ganga river turning into the Alaknanda and then Mandakini.
- Sightseeing: We will stop at Devprayag, where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers meet. This is where the river officially becomes the “Ganga.” It is a beautiful spot for photos.
- Arrival: We reach Guptkashi by evening. It is a small town and the base for Kedarnath.
- Stay: Hotel in Guptkashi.
Day 3: Guptkashi to Kedarnath (30 km Drive + 16 km Trek)
- Early Start: We drive to Sonprayag and take a local jeep to Gaurikund.
- The Trek: From Gaurikund, the 16 km trek to Kedarnath begins.
- Walking: Takes 7-9 hours.
- Pony/Palki: Takes 4-5 hours (Available for extra cost).
- Helicopter: If you booked a helicopter package with us, you will fly from Phata/Sersi directly to the temple in 10 minutes.
- Darshan: Reach the top, check into your hotel, and visit the Kedarnath Temple for evening Aarti. The energy here is powerful.
- Stay: Guest House/Hotel near Kedarnath Temple.
Day 4: Kedarnath to Guptkashi (Trek Down + Drive)
- Morning Blessings: Wake up early to see the golden sunrise over the snowy peaks behind the temple. Perform your morning Darshan and Abhishekam.
- Return: Trek down to Gaurikund. Our driver will be waiting for you at Sonprayag.
- Relax: Drive back to the hotel in Guptkashi and rest your tired legs. A hot dinner will be waiting for you.
- Stay: Hotel in Guptkashi.
Day 5: Guptkashi to Badrinath (190 km / 7-8 Hours)
- Scenic Drive: Today we travel from the abode of Shiva to the abode of Vishnu. The Nepal to Badrinath distance feels shorter when the views are this good!
- Chopta Route: Depending on weather and road conditions, we might pass through the beautiful Chopta region (Mini Switzerland of India).
- Arrival: Reach Badrinath by evening.
- Tapt Kund: Take a holy dip in the natural hot water spring (Tapt Kund) before visiting the temple. It removes all tiredness.
- Stay: Hotel in Badrinath.
Day 6: Badrinath to Rudraprayag (160 km / 6 Hours)
- Morning Darshan: Have a peaceful Darshan of Badri Vishal.
- Mana Village: Visit the last Indian village, Mana. See the Vyas Gufa (where Mahabharata was written) and the Saraswati River origin.
- Return Journey: We start driving down. We will pass Joshimath and Karnaprayag.
- Stay: Hotel in Rudraprayag or Srinagar.
Day 7: Rudraprayag to Rishikesh/Haridwar (140 km / 5 Hours)
- River Confluences: See the Sangam (meeting point) of rivers at Rudraprayag.
- Rishikesh: Stop at Rishikesh. Walk on the famous Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula. If you are young and adventurous, you can even try River Rafting!
- Shopping: Buy some souvenirs, Rudraksha, or Gangajal.
- Stay: Hotel in Haridwar.
Day 8: Haridwar to Delhi Drop
- Goodbye: After a hearty breakfast, we drive back to Delhi.
- Flight: We will drop you at Delhi Airport in time for your evening flight back to Kathmandu (See table above).
- Memories: You go home with blessings and memories for a lifetime.
Cost of Kedarnath Trip from Kathmandu
Budget is a big part of planning. The cost of Kedarnath trip from Kathmandu varies based on how much luxury you want.
Here is a simple breakdown to help you plan (Estimated prices):
| Expense Type | Approx Cost (Per Person) | Notes |
| Flights (KTM-DEL-KTM) | NPR 15,000 – 25,000 | Book 2 months early for cheap rates. |
| Yatra Package (Standard) | INR 22,000 – 28,000 | Includes Hotel, Breakfast, Dinner, Transport. |
| Yatra Package (Luxury) | INR 35,000 – 55,000 | 4-Star Hotels, Innova Car. |
| Pony/Palki (Kedarnath) | INR 5,000 – 8,000 | Depends on weight and demand. |
| Helicopter Ticket | INR 10,000 – 12,000 | Govt fixed rate (Need to book online). |
| Food (Lunch/Snacks) | INR 3,000 – 5,000 | Simple veg food is cheap. |
Tip: As a specialized travel agent for Nepal to Uttarakhand, Clans Stays offers special packages where you can pay a part of the amount in Nepal and the rest in India.
Do Dham Yatra Package from Nepal: What to Look For?
When you are booking a Do Dham Yatra package from Nepal, be careful. Many agents in Kathmandu are just “middlemen.” They take your booking and pass it to someone else in India. This increases the cost and lowers the service quality.
Why choose a local Uttarakhand Expert like Clans Stays?
- Direct Booking: You deal directly with us in Haridwar. No middleman commission.
- On-Ground Support: If a road is blocked or a hotel has an issue, we are physically present here to solve it.
- Language & Culture: We understand the needs of Nepali families. We ensure the food is good and the driver is polite.
- Sim Card Help: We know your Nepal SIM won’t work. We assist you in getting a local SIM so you can video call your family back home.
Important Travel Tips for Nepali Citizens
1. Documents
You do not need a Visa. However, you must carry:
- Original Citizenship Card (Nagarikta).
- Voter ID Card.
- Passport (Optional, but good to have).
- Note: Driving License is often not accepted as valid ID for helicopter or hotel entry.
2. Currency
- Indian Rupee (INR): Please exchange your NPR to INR before you start the hill journey.
- Cash is King: In small shops in Kedarnath or Badrinath, digital payments might fail due to network issues. Keep small notes (100, 200, 500).
- ATM: Withdraw cash in Haridwar. ATMs are rare in the upper Himalayas.
3. Clothing
- Do not be fooled by the heat in Delhi. Kedarnath is at 3,583 meters!
- Pack: Thermal inners, down jacket, woollen cap, gloves, and good quality trekking shoes.
- Rain: A raincoat is a must as mountain weather is unpredictable.
FAQs: Kedarnath Badrinath Yatra from Kathmandu
Q1: Is there a direct bus from Kathmandu to Kedarnath?
No, there is no direct bus. You can get a bus to Delhi or Haridwar, but it is very tiring. We recommend flying to Delhi and then taking a car.
Q2: Can I use my Nepali SIM card in Uttarakhand?
Mostly, no. International roaming is expensive and network coverage is poor for foreign SIMs in the hills. It is better to buy a local Indian SIM in Haridwar.
Q3: How difficult is the Kedarnath trek?
It is a moderate to difficult trek. The path is steep. If you have knee problems, asthma, or heart issues, please use a Pony, Palki, or Helicopter.
Q4: What is the best month for this Yatra?
May to June and September to October are the best months. July and August have heavy rains and landslides, so try to avoid them.
Q5: Can I book a helicopter for Kedarnath?
Yes. Since helicopters fly from within India, you must reach Phata or Guptkashi by road first. We can help you book these tickets.
Q6: Is vegetarian food available easily?
Yes! The entire Chardham route is a holy zone. You will get delicious pure vegetarian food (Dal, Rice, Roti, Sabzi) everywhere.
Q7: How many days are needed for Kedarnath and Badrinath?
You need at least 7 to 8 days from Delhi. If you want to visit Gangotri and Yamunotri also (Chardham), you need 11 to 12 days.
Q8: Is it safe for solo female travelers from Nepal?
Yes, Uttarakhand is very safe. However, for logistical ease and safety in remote areas, booking with a reputed agency like Clans Stays is recommended.
Q9: Do I need a permit?
Yes, a Yatra Registration (Biometric) is mandatory. We handle this registration for all our guests as part of the package.
Conclusion
The journey from the temples of Kathmandu to the snowy peaks of Kedarnath is a journey of a lifetime. It tests your body but fills your soul with peace.
Whether you want to walk the path or fly by helicopter, the most important thing is good planning. Don’t let the confusion of routes and bookings stop you.
Are you ready to say “Jai Bholenath”?
At Clans Stays, we treat every guest like our own family. Let us handle the hotels, cars, and permits while you focus on your prayers.
[Click Here to Contact Clans Stays for a Free Quote] or WhatsApp us today to get the best Do Dham Yatra package from Nepal.
Let’s make your Yatra divine and hassle-free!
