Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham are two sacred pilgrimage sites of the Chota Char Dham circuit of Uttarakhand. Dedicated to two different deities, Kedarnath is the abode of Lord Shiva, and Badrinath is a sacred site of Lord Vishnu.
Both hold immense spiritual significance in Hinduism; it is believed that undertaking this spiritual journey, called Do Dham Yatra, cleanses the souls of devotees and brings salvation (moksha) to them.
Pilgrims planning to visit these two shrines often ask either how to reach Badrinath from Kedarnath or what the Kedarnath to Badrinath distance is.
To answer all the questions related to the Kedarnath Badrinath tour, we have prepared this detailed travel guide on the Kedarnath to Badrinath distance to make traveling between these two holy destinations easier. So let’s start.
Kedarnath To Badrinath Distance
The distance between Kedarnath and Badrinath by road is approximately 218-240 km, spanning over a 4 to 5-day journey, including a 16 km trek from Kedarnath to Gaurikund.
Total distance: 222 km drive + 16 km trek
Time taken: 4-5 hours trek down + 8-10 hours drive
Let’s take a look at the Shri Kedarnath Temple to Badrinath Temple distance segment-wise:
- Kedarnath to Gaurikund distance: 16-18 km trek (down)
- Gaurikund to Sonprayag distance: 5 km
- Sonprayag to Joshimath distance: 179 km
- Joshimath to Badrinath distance: 42 km
How To Reach Badrinath From Kedarnath?
To reach Badrinath from Kedarnath, you must trek down to Gaurikund, then drive to Sonprayag first, and then head on a road journey of around 220 km to reach the shrine.
It takes about 8-10 hours due to the Himalayan terrain. Because of the high-altitude location of both shrines, there are no direct commercial trains or flights to these sites.
Below is a step-by-step overview of the Kedarnath to Badrinath road map:
Step 1: Trek down (Kedarnath to Gaurikund): Start the trek down from the Kedarnath temple to Gaurikund via walk or Pony/Palki.
Step 2: Drive to Sonprayag (local shuttle): From Gaurikund, you must take a government shuttle taxi for a 5 km drive to Sonprayag.
Final Step: Sonprayag to Badrinath: Once you arrive at Sonprayag. Proceed on a long road journey towards the Badrinath temple. Requires travel of roughly 8-10 hours on hilly roads via Taxi or local bus.
For a detailed travel guide, you can check out our blog on “How to reach Kedarnath” and “How to reach Badrinath”.
Travel Options: Kedarnath To Badrinath By Road
As you trek down to Gaurikund, arrive at Sonprayag via government taxi only. From there, you have three primary modes to travel towards Badrinath: UTC Buses, shared taxi, & Private taxi/car, which are mentioned below in detail.
Kedaranth to Badrinath by Bus
Well, traveling by bus is the most economical option, but there is no direct bus for this route. The buses are available from the Sonprayag Bus Stand for Badrinath.
The first bus starts at 5:30 AM, and the last bus departs around 10:00 AM.
- Kedarnath to Badrinath distance by bus: 222 km, depending on the chosen route.
- Travel Duration: 8-10 hours
- Key Bus stops: Guptkashi, Rudraprayag, & Joshimath
- Kedarnath to Badrinath Bus ticket price: ₹600 to ₹900 per person, which can vary by season or service provider.
Note: If you couldn’t get a direct bus from Sonprayag to Badrinath, you can take a bus from the nearby town, Guptkashi.
Kedarnath to Badrinath By Taxi
Hiring a private taxi can be a comfortable and reliable choice to travel from Kedarnath to Badrinath. Private cabs are available from Sonprayag and Guptkashi for Badrinath.
- Kedarnath to Badrinath taxi fare: A sedan ranges from ₹7,000 to ₹8,000, and an SUV ranges from ₹10,000 to 12,000 for a full-capacity vehicle.
- Shared taxi fare from Kedarnath (Sonprayag) to Badrinath: costs around ₹1,500 to ₹2,500 per person for a Bolero/Sumo.
Kedarnath To Badrinath Route Map
The most reliable Kedarnath to Badrinath route follows the NH-7 road, also known as the Rishikesh-Badrinath Highway.
There are two primary ways to reach Badrinath from Kedarnath. One route is via Rudraprayag, and the second is via Chopta Valley.
Below are the key details of both routes, covering distance, travel time, and road conditions:
Route 1: Rudraprayag (most common & recommended)
Kedarnath → Gaurikund → Sonprayag → Guptkashi → Rudraprayag → Karnaprayag → Joshimath → Badrinath
- Distance: 225-230 km
- Travel time: 10-11 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.
- Highlights: If you take this route, you will spot some scenic river confluences like Rudraprayag sangam and Karnaprayag sangam. If you have time, you can also visit the ancient Narshingh temple in Joshimath.
- Why choose this: The Rudraprayag route for the Badrinath temple is favored by many travelers due to the high frequency of taxi and local bus service.
- Cons: It receives heavy traffic during peak season, May to June.
Route 2: Chopta (shorter but sharper)
Kedarnath → Gaurikund → Sonprayag → Ukhimath → Chopta → Gopeshwar → Joshimath → Badrinath
- Distance: 218-220 km
- Travel time: 8-9 hours
- Highlights: Choosing the Chopta route allows you to witness the revered Shri Tungnath temple and Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath.
- Why choose this: This route is shorter in its physical distance and more scenic. Chosen by devotees who want to explore sites such as Chopta and Ukhimath.
- Cons: Although this route is shorter, it can be highly rugged and narrow; it requires careful driving.
Note: Many pilgrims include the Chopta Tungnath Trek in their private package of Dham Dham Yatra.
Fuel Stations on the Kedarnath to Badrinath Route
| Places/towns in Uttarakhand | Fuel pumps |
| Guptkashi | Indian oil fuel station |
| Rudraprayag | Indian oil pump |
| Karnaprayag | Indian Oil & HP petrol pump |
| Chamoli | HP & Indian Oil petrol pump |
| Joshimath | Badri Vishal filling station (HP & Indian Oil) |
Kedarnath to Badrinath Distance By Train
Since there is no train from Kedarnath to Badrinath. Pilgrims visiting from major cities, like Delhi and Mumbai, travel to the nearest railhead to both shrines, which is Rishikesh Railway Station, around 210 km from Kedarnath and 284 km from Badrinath.
Haridwar Junction is another major railhead with frequent connectivity to these shrines. Pilgrims can take a train to either of these stations and then continue their journey by road to both shrines.
Final Thought
Visiting Kedarnath and Badrinath in a single trip is often called the Do Dham yatra, a spiritual experience for devotees. It’s a unique combination for devotees of two different deities (Vaishnavites and Shaivites) to come together, showing the unity of Vishnu-Shiva.
But the most important thing to keep in mind is having a clear understanding of the distance between Kedarnath and Badrinath and the best route to travel for a safe and memorable experience.
FAQs
How do I go from Kedarnath to Badrinath?
Reaching Kedarnath from Badrinath requires traveling in multiple stages: first, a 16 km trek down to Gaurikund from the Kedarnath shrine, then a 5 km short ride to Sonprayag. From Sonprayag, heading towards the final leg, around 218 km can be covered via taxi or bus.
How far is Badrinath from Kedarnath by car?
The distance between Kedarnath and Badrinath by road is approximately 225 km; it can take around 8-10 hours to complete. But the journey involves a 16 km descent trek from Kedarnath to Gaurikund, followed by a road journey to Badrinath.
Can I drive from Kedarnath to Badrinath directly?
No, firstly you need to trek down around 16-18 km, and then you must follow a road journey around 225 km, passing via the NH-7 route. You can hire a private vehicle or take a state-run bus for a road journey.
Can we walk from Kedarnath to Badrinath?
Practically, it’s not possible, as the distance between these two destinations is too far, involves a trek, and requires long road travel from Sonprayag to Badrinath.
Is there any bus from Kedarnath to Badrinath?
There is no direct bus from Kedarnath to Badrinath; buses are available from the nearby Sonprayag Bus Stand area and Sitapur Village for Kedarnath with a price range between 600 and ₹900 per person.
What is the best route to travel to Badrinath from Kedarnath?
The primary route from Kedarnath to Badrinath follows the NH-7 route, passing via
Sonprayag → Guptkashi → Rudraprayag → Karnaprayag → Chamoli → Joshimath → Badrinath
Alternate route, Via Chopta passing through Sonprayag → Guptkashi → Chopta → Gopeshwar → Joshimath → Badrinath, slightly shorter but narrower.
What are the major stops between Kedarnath and Badrinath?
The main stop points on the Kedarnath to Badrinath route are Guptkashi, Chopta, Chamoli, Joshimath, Pandukeshwar, and Pipalkoti, perfect halts with great facilities of basic amenities, food, stay, and fuel.
Can I reach Kedarnath to Badrinath in one day?
Yes, you can easily reach Badrinath from Kedarnath in one day, but it could be very tiring due to the long trek and drive. Starting your return trek journey around 4:00 AM, then heading towards the road. To reduce travel fatigue, you can split your journey over 2 days or take a Kedarnath Helicopter ride with the same-day return service.
Where to go first, Badrinath or Kedarnath?
Generally, pilgrims visit Kedarnath first, as it is believed that visiting the abode of Shiva first purifies sins and prepares souls to be prepared for the divine grace of Lord Vishnu. Logically, Kedarnath requires more physical exertion, so travellers prefer to complete the difficult one first, then continue to Badrinath by comfortable road journey.
Muskan is a skilled travel content writer, specializing in crafting engaging, informative, and helpful content that connects with readers. She has been writing content for over 4 years for Musafir Resort. She understands the strategies and techniques to deliver the best travel guides, destination reviews, and creative stories that showcase destinations at their best.
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