Kedarnath to Badrinath — distance, route, and how to connect both Dhams

Kedarnath and Badrinath are not connected by a direct road. Kedarnath temple sits at 3,583 m and is accessible only by a 16 km trek from Gaurikund. To reach Badrinath, you must first descend to Gaurikund, then drive 225 km by road via Rudraprayag and Joshimath.

Total journey: approximately 240 km (16 km trek + 225 km road)

Trek down from Kedarnath to Gaurikund: 5-7 hours

Drive from Gaurikund to Badrinath: 8-10 hours

Combined time: 13-17 hours across a full day (or split over two days)

There is no shortcut. You cannot drive to Kedarnath, and there is no direct road between the two Dhams. Every pilgrim doing the Do Dham yatra must plan for this descent-and-drive sequence.

Here is the complete route with verified distances for each segment.

Step 1: Kedarnath to Gaurikund (16 km trek)

This is a downhill trek from 3,583 m to 1,982 m. The trail was rerouted after the 2013 floods — the old 14 km path no longer exists. Walking downhill takes 5-7 hours depending on fitness and crowd. Ponies (₹2,500-3,500) and palki/doli (₹5,000-8,000) are available.

Step 2: Gaurikund to Sonprayag (5 km, 15 min)

Shared jeeps shuttle pilgrims between Gaurikund and Sonprayag. Sonprayag is where you pick up your pre-booked vehicle or find taxis onward.

Step 3: Sonprayag to Guptkashi (25 km, 45 min)

A short hill drive. Guptkashi has hotels if you need an early stop, and it is also a helipad location for Kedarnath helicopter services.

Step 4: Guptkashi to Rudraprayag (45 km, 1.5 hours)

You descend through the Mandakini valley toward Rudraprayag, where the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers meet. This is a sacred confluence (prayag) and a good lunch or chai stop.

Step 5: Rudraprayag to Joshimath (115 km, 3.5-4 hours)

The longest segment. You follow the Alaknanda river through Karnaprayag, Nandprayag, and Chamoli. This stretch can be slow during peak Char Dham season due to one-way traffic restrictions on narrow sections between Chamoli and Pipalkoti.

Step 6: Joshimath to Badrinath (43 km, 1.5-2 hours)

The final climb from 1,875 m to 3,133 m. The road passes through Govindghat (trailhead for Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib) and Hanuman Chatti before reaching Badrinath.

Total road distance (Gaurikund to Badrinath): approximately 225 km

Total road distance (Sonprayag to Badrinath): approximately 220 km

Trying to trek down from Kedarnath and drive all the way to Badrinath in a single day is possible but exhausting. Here is the recommended 2-day plan.

Day 1: Kedarnath to Joshimath

Start the descent from Kedarnath at 5 AM

Reach Gaurikund by 10-11 AM

Drive from Sonprayag toward Badrinath

Stop overnight at Joshimath (arrive by 8-9 PM)

Day 2: Joshimath to Badrinath

Drive 43 km to Badrinath (1.5 hours)

Arrive fresh for morning darshan at Badrinath temple

Why Joshimath as the overnight stop: It is the last major town before Badrinath, has reliable hotels (₹700-2,500/night), and spending a night at 1,875 m helps your body adjust before climbing to Badrinath's 3,133 m.

Typical Do Dham circuit (5-6 days):

Day 1: Haridwar/Rishikesh to Guptkashi (200 km, 8 hours)

Day 2: Guptkashi to Gaurikund, trek up to Kedarnath (16 km trek)

Day 3: Kedarnath darshan, descend to Gaurikund, drive to Rudraprayag or Guptkashi

Day 4: Drive to Joshimath (115 km from Rudraprayag)

Day 5: Joshimath to Badrinath darshan, return to Joshimath or Pipalkoti

Day 6: Return to Haridwar/Rishikesh

Private taxi (most practical)

A private taxi from Sonprayag to Badrinath costs approximately ₹3,500-6,500 depending on vehicle type and season.

Sedan (Swift Dzire): ₹3,500-4,500

SUV (Ertiga): ₹4,500-5,500

Innova Crysta: ₹5,500-6,500

If you booked a Pahadi Express Do Dham package, your driver will be waiting at Sonprayag at a pre-agreed time. Share your expected descent time via WhatsApp the evening before.

Shared transport

Shared jeeps run from Sonprayag to Rudraprayag (₹400-600 per seat). From Rudraprayag onward, you can find shared vehicles toward Joshimath and Badrinath, but connections are irregular and time-consuming.

State bus (GMOU/UTC)

Uttarakhand Transport Corporation runs buses on this corridor, but there is no direct Sonprayag-to-Badrinath service. You would need to change at Rudraprayag and again at Karnaprayag or Chamoli. This can add 3-4 hours of waiting. Not recommended if you are trying to complete the journey in a single day.

Helicopter options

Shuttle helicopter (Kedarnath descent only): If you took a helicopter up to Kedarnath, you can fly back to the base helipad at Phata, Sirsi, or Guptkashi. This skips the 16 km trek down. IRCTC shuttle fares range from ₹3,500-7,500 per seat depending on the helipad. Book via the IRCTC HeliYatra portal.

Do Dham helicopter package (Kedarnath + Badrinath): Several operators offer packages that fly you from a base like Dehradun (Sahastradhara helipad) to both Kedarnath and Badrinath in a single day or over two days. Prices range from ₹70,000 to ₹1,20,000 per person depending on the operator and inclusions. Operators include Pawan Hans, Himalayan Heli, Arrow Aviation, and others. Booking opens mid-April each year through IRCTC or private operators.

Important: Helicopter services are weather-dependent and can be cancelled without notice. Always have a road backup plan.

Guptkashi (30 km from Gaurikund)

If you descend Kedarnath late in the day and cannot make the full drive, Guptkashi is the closest proper town. Hotels from ₹800-2,000. Also home to the ancient Vishwanath temple.

Rudraprayag (75 km from Gaurikund)

A comfortable mid-route stop at the confluence of Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers. Hotels from ₹800-2,500. GMVN tourist rest house available.

Chamoli / Gopeshwar (140 km from Gaurikund)

A smaller stop, but convenient if you left Gaurikund by early afternoon. Basic guesthouses ₹500-1,200.

Joshimath (190 km from Gaurikund)

The best overnight stop. Gateway to Badrinath, just 43 km away. Hotels from ₹700-2,500. Spending a night here helps with altitude acclimatisation before reaching Badrinath at 3,133 m. Visit the Narsingh temple while you are here.

Pipalkoti (165 km from Gaurikund)

A quieter alternative to Joshimath, about 25 km before it. Good budget hotels from ₹600-1,500.

What is the distance from Kedarnath to Badrinath?

Can I travel from Kedarnath to Badrinath in one day?

Do I have to trek down from Kedarnath or is there a road?

Is there a direct bus from Kedarnath to Badrinath?

What is the best route for a Do Dham yatra (Kedarnath + Badrinath)?

Can I take a helicopter from Kedarnath to Badrinath?

केदारनाथ से बद्रीनाथ की दूरी कितनी है? (Kedarnath se Badrinath ki duri kitni hai?)

What is the taxi fare from Sonprayag to Badrinath?

Badrinath temple guide — darshan timings, how to reach, and what to see

Kedarnath trek guide — Gaurikund to Kedarnath route and preparation

Rishikesh to Badrinath by taxi — distance, route, and booking

Char Dham yatra planning — complete circuit guide

Joshimath travel guide — gateway to Badrinath and Auli