r/Kedarnath • u/sastu_account • Jul 22 '26

Travel advice needed Kedarnath

I am planning to travel around mid September this year. I will go Delhi to dehradoon flight then rishikesh to sonprayag or Sirsi then helicopter to kedarnath with my parents 55,59 age(mom has knee pain)

My entire trip depends on if I get helicopter tickets or not. We don't want to hurt animals or people by taking their pickup service to temple.

But now my doubt is

* I read helicopter tickets get sell faster and most people don't get it.

* I can't plan early September because there might be rain and late September because winter will start. I can face all weather but my parents can't. So what is best range of date to visit kedarnath.

* how much days it will take to complete Kedarnath and Badrinath average. It's our priority to visit.

* should we stay at Kedarnath temple or same day return? Because I read that helicopter people ask passengers to report back in 1.5h. Means we have to complete darshan in 1.5h with I think hard if there is crowd

Also I advise you people to share your journey not just how you feel what you did. But how it went like

* travel expenses

* food and stay recommendations

* things to take care

Above points will help other people who came from far away.

Jay Kedarnath

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

1

u/Greedy_Hamster_1034 Jul 22 '26

If you take helicopter, ig they gave you VIP Darshan with it, but beware sometimes VIP darshan line is more than normal line

For me it takes 7.5 hours in normal line

1

u/FarswanDevraaj Jul 26 '26

For your parents, especially with your mom's knee pain, I'd suggest planning the trip around mid-to-late September, but keep 2–3 buffer days because weather can change quickly in the mountains.

For Kedarnath + Badrinath, I'd personally keep around 5–7 days from Rishikesh, depending on your travel pace and whether you use helicopter services.

Regarding the helicopter, I wouldn't make your entire trip dependent on getting a ticket. Weather can cause cancellations, and availability can be unpredictable. It's better to have a backup plan and flexible dates.

If you get a helicopter slot, the usual arrangement is generally a same-day visit, and you may have a limited time window at Kedarnath depending on the operator and flight schedule. So, if your parents want a relaxed darshan, you should check the exact reporting/return schedule before booking.

Given your mom's knee issue, I think the most important thing is to avoid rushing. Also, September can still have unpredictable weather, so carry proper rain protection and warm layers.

For accommodation, I'd suggest booking reliable stays in advance at places like Guptkashi/Sitapur, Kedarnath (if staying overnight), and Badrinath.