Panch Kedar Trek
Region: Garhwal, Uttarakhand
Duration: : 16 days, 15 Nights (Haridwar/ Dehradun to Haridwar/ Dehreadun
Difficulty Level :Moderate
Best time to visit : During Summer time June to October
Max altitude: 3680 meters
Approx trekking: 170 kms
Panch Kedar refers to the five Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva all located in the Garhwal Himalayan region in Uttarakhand. The five temples for worship are the Kedarnath (3583 m), the Tungnath (3680 m), the Rudranath (2286 m), Madhyamaheshwar (3490 m) and Kalpeshwar (2200 m). The Kedarnath is the main temple, which is part of the four famous Char Dham Yatra; the other three dhams are Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri.
The total trek length to cover all the five temples of Panch Kedar is about 170 kms. The road from Rishikesh leads to Gaurikund from where the trekking starts to the Kedarnath temple. The trek to Kedarnath from Gaurikund is of 14 kms (one way). Here Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a buffalo hump.
After Kedarnath, road travel to Guptakashi and further to Jagasu covers a distance of 30 kms. Trek to Madhaymaheshwar temple from Jagasu via Gaundhar (24 kms). Madhaymaheshwar is a magnificent Lord Shiva temple with the imposing peaks of Chaukhamba , Kedarnath and Neelkanth soaring in the heavens.
The road back from Madhaymaheshwar the trekker encounters Chopta via Jagasu (45 kms). Chopta is 15 kms from Tala and 3 kms uphill from Chopta, Tungnath the highest Lord Shiva temple is reached through a path that wends through alpine meadows. The sanctity of the region is unsurpassed. Lord Shiva’s arm is worshipped here. An hour’s climb from here leads to Chandrashila (4090 m). The entire journey is one of the finest realms of the Himalayas.
After the Tungnath trek, the drive along the road up to Mandal (8 kms) leads to the Rudranath Temple trek 20 kms). Amidst thick woods the ‘mukh’ of Lord Shiva is worshipped here. Near the temple is a stream of sparkling water known as the Vaitarini (Water of Salvation). A cross country trek from Mandal to Heland via Anusuyadevi, Rudranath, bansi Narayan, Urgam and Kalpeshwar or vice-cvrsa can be rewarding.
Trek to Kalpeshwar temple from Mandal is for 11 kms via Urgam village and is considered strenuous due to the steepness of the route. The small rock temple entered through a cave is the manifestation of Lord Shiva’s hair (jata). The Panch Kedar yatra is completed after the Kalpeswar temple darshan.
WHEN SHOULD I GO?
All the temples of Panch Kedar are open, generally from April to October each year however the best months to visit are May, June, September and October. During the winter period all the Panch Kedar temples except Kalpeshwar are inaccessible due to snowfall. Kalpeshwar is open throughout the year.
WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF FITNESS REQUIRED?
The difficulty level of this trek ranges from moderate to tough thus, if you want to do this trek, your fitness level must be quite good and you must have habit of exercising and walking.
WHAT IS THE DURATION OF THE TREK?
15 Nights and 16 Days
Kalpeshwar– Urgam –Rudranath-Mandal-Chandrashila-Tungnath-Chopta-Mastura-Madhaymaheshwar-Gaundhar- Guptkashi-Gaurikund-Kedarnath
What is the 1st Trek Itinerary?
Day 1: Haridwar to Gaurikund 245Kms. Drive
Day 2: Gaurikund to Kedarnath (3584m.) 16 km. trek and overnight camp settlement.
Day 3: Kedarnath to Gaurikund 16 Km trek & drive to Ukhimath 47 Km. Overnight stay in Guest House.
Day 4: Ukhimath to Ransi Village (1765m) 17 Km drive and trek to Gaundhar (3073m) 7 Km. overnight stay in tents or Homestay.
Day 5: Gaundhar to Madhyamaheshwar (3490m.) 9 Km trek, overnight stay in tents.
Day 6: Madhyamaheshwar to Gaundhar, 9Km trek & overnight tent stay.
Day 7: Gaundhar to Ransi 7 Km trek & drive to Chopta 65 Kms. Overnight tent stay.
Day 8: Chopta to Tunganath (3636m) to Chandrashilla (4090m) & back to Chopta 8km trek. Overnight tent stay.
Day 9: Drive from Chopta to Sagar Village 33 Km. & Trek to Panar (9 Km.) overnight stay in tents.
Day 10: Trek from Panar to Rudranath (2286m) 8Km, overnight tent stay.
Day 11: Rudranath to Panar (8Km), overnight tent stay.
Day 12: Trek back from Panar to Sagar Village 9Km. and drive towards Joshimath, overnight stay in guest house.
Day 13: drive from Joshimath to Urgam village 22km. & trek to Kalpeshwar (2134m) 1 Km. & back to Joshimath overnight guest house stay.
Day 14: Early morning drive from Joshimath to Haridwar (280Km)
What is the 2nd Trek Itinerary?
Day 1: Haridwar to Gaurikund 245Kms. Drive
Day 2: Gaurikund to Kedarnath (3584m.) 16 km. trek and overnight camp settlement.
Day 3: Kedarnath to Gaurikund 16 Km trek & drive to Ukhimath 47 Km. Overnight stay in Guest House.
Day 4: Ukhimath to Ransi Village (1765m) 17 Km drive and trek to Gaundhar (3073m) 7 Km. overnight stay in tents or Homestay.
Day 5: Gaundhar to Madhyamaheshwar (3490m.) 9 Km trek, overnight stay in tents.
Day 6: Madhyamaheshwar to Gaundhar, 9Km trek & overnight tent stay.
Day 7: Gaundhar to Ransi 7 Km trek & drive to Chopta 65 Kms. Overnight tent stay.
Day 8: Chopta to Tunganath (3636m) to Chandrashilla (4090m) & back to Chopta 8km trek. Overnight tent stay.
Day 9: Drive from Chopta to Sagar Village 33 Km. & Trek to Panar (9 Km.) overnight stay in tents.
Day 10: Trek from Panar to Rudranath (2286m) 8Km, overnight tent stay.
Day 11: Rudranath to Panar (8Km), overnight tent stay.
Day 12: Trek back from Panar to Sagar Village 9Km. and drive towards Joshimath, overnight stay in guest house.
Day 13: drive from Joshimath to Urgam village 22km. & trek to Kalpeshwar (2134m) 1 Km. & back to Joshimath overnight guest house stay.
Day 14: Early morning drive from Joshimath to Haridwar (280Km)
How to reach?
By Air: The nearest Airport is Jolly Grant Airport which is located around 27 kms from the Dehra Dun city has a daily flight from Delhi to Dehra Dun.
By Train: Dehra Dun railway station, lies in the heart of the city and Haridwar railway station, are well connected by major Indian cities.
By Road: Uttarakhand Transport Corporation and many private transport services provide road connectivity from Dehra Dun, Haridwar and Rishikesh to Govindghat. and also regular bus services are from Delhi to Dehra Dun, Haridwar and Rishikesh from ISBT Kashmere Gate, Delhi.
WHAT IS THE COST OF THE TREK?
Included in the cost:
- Accommodation
- Meals while on trek (vegetarian food only). Breakfast, packed lunch & dinner
- Qualified & experienced guide
- First aid medical kit
Not included in the cost:
- Transport from Haridwar/Dehradun to Joshimath & Back
- Meals during drive from Haridwar/Dehradun to Joshimath & Back
- Unscheduled stay due to road blocks etc.
- Personal Insurance.
WHAT IS THE COST OF THE TREK?
1. Rucksack with a rain cover (50 to 60 liters)
2. Day Sack with rain cover (30 to 40 liters)
A sturdy rucksack and day sack with a water/rain cover is recommended as during the monsoon the rain showers will greet the trekker as s(he) walks into the majestic valley
3. Trekking shoes
A good pair if trekking shoes with a quality bottom is a must for doing this trek. Waterproof shoes are recommended. Avoid shoes made of foam and cloth.
4. Thermal wear (Upper and Lower)
Temperatures dip specially in night and morning even in June. Thus, make sure you keep thermal wear.
5. Cotton sock (2 pairs)
6. Woolen socks (2 pairs)
7. Undergarments (2 pairs)
8. Gloves (1 pair)
9. T-shirts
10. Trek Pants
11. Woolen cap
12. Sun cap
13. Heavy jacket
14. Raingear
15. Water bottle
164. Sunglasses
17. Sunscreen lotion
18. Toiletries: Tooth Brush, Tooth Paste, Toilet Soap, Tissue papers, etc.
19. Head lamp or torch with extra batteries
20. Personal first aid kit