The five pilgrim site circuit of Kedarkhand in garhwal region is a popular trekking circuit comprising various terrains and landmarks. The holy circuit of Panch Kedar starts from Kedarnath and rounds off to Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and ends at Kalpeshwar. Located at various astounding heights ranging from 2200m of Kalpeshwar to 3600m of Tungnath Panch Kedar trek is a remote but highly celebrated pilgrimage circuit in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand.
According to legends and hindu mythology the Pandavas are said to have built the temples after the great Mahabharata war. It is believed that after the war, the Pandavas left their reign in search of atonement, and in the process, they attempted to seek forgiveness from Lord Shiva.
In contrast, Lord Shiva was deeply affected by the bloodshed and refused to meet with the Pandavas. Lord Shiva hid in the Garhwal Himalayas as a bull, and when one of the Pandava brothers caught him, the bull’s body submerged in the ground, only to later reappear in other forms, which is now known as “Panch Kedar.” The missing bull reappeared in parts in Kedarnath, Rudranath, Tungnath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar, with the hump in Kedarnath, face in Rudranath, arms in Tungnath, navel in Madhyamaheshwar, and hair in Kalpeshwar.
This Panch Kedar Trek generally starts from Kedarnath and ends at Kalpeshwar temple. Trekkers will not only be covering the beautiful vistas during the on vehicle road but also along the route. The journey will witness high altitudes, rocky terrain, green pastures, many glistening streams and many majestic Himalayan peaks.
Key Points of Panch Kedar Trek
| Duration | 12 Nights 13 Days from Rishikesh to Rishikesh (please keep a day or two spare for the schedule considering, acclimatization and weather conditions) |
| Terrain Type | Trails, steep at points |
| Temperature | Day (13°C to 17° C) Night (9°C to 12°C) |
| Altitude: | 3600m |
| Trek Weather | Winters are covered with snow summits and peaks whereas summers experience higher temperatures |
| Best Time: | Pre and post monsoon season, which occurs after and before the temple gates open and close. |
| Trek Level: | Moderate |
| Trek distance: | |
| Group Size: | A
minimum group size of 5
people and a maximum of 30
people.
(In case anyone wants to book a private tour for their friends and family we provide a different procedure for it) |
| Trek Fee |
Trek Highlights of Panch Kedar Trek
Even before the trek starts trekkers are subjected to beautiful vistas En route with stunning temples at every few kilometers clearly stamping that yes trekkers are indeed at the Land of Gods ‘Uttarakhand”.
The trek officially begins in Gaurikund and takes in a number of campsites and driveways along the way. The majestic views of the Kedarnath trails to the staggering height of Tungnath this circuit tests the physical endurance of devotees and trekkers. This trek will cover various forests of rhododendron trees adorned in crimson and pink colors. The meadows of Pun Bugyal and Punar Bugyal, with the Himalayan Mountains as a backdrop, will be the closest thing to pure bliss. The trail circuit to Panch Kedar is covered in changing vegetation and terrains in Himalayan region after every few kilometers.
Devotees would chant and celebrate the trail for the duration of the journey. The reverberation of “Har Har Mahadev” at various points in the journey will imbues you with a powerful spiritual presence.
The final reach of every temple is enough to overwhelm devotees with the chants of “Mahadev”. Temples covered in long ribbons of marigold garlands, long happy queues of devotees, spectacular glacier and mountain views and the calmness of the Panch Kedar temples everything about the sites will capture you in their essence.
Things to Look out for-
- Souvinersform Rishikesh are great for memories.
- There are countless photogenic vistas, so we recommend that you prepare yourself for any aesthetic shoots. The best pictures are those taken under a blue sky with snow-covered peaks in the background.
- Explore the tranquility of this holy site and submerge yourself in Mahadev’s blessings.
The altitude covered in Panch Kedar Trek
- Rishikesh-340m
- Sonprayag-1829m
- Gaurikund-1982m
- Kedarnath-3583m
- Ransi village-2438m
- Madmaheshwar-3490m
- Chopta-2608m
- Tungnath-3680m
- Chandrashila-4000m
- Punar Bugyal-2258m
- Rudranath-3600m
- Urgam village-2010m
- Kalpeshwar-2200m
Best Time to Visit Panch Kedar Trek
Panch Kedar temple is best visited during the months of May to November. Devotees and trekkers can enjoy the mild temperatures of these months. The unfavorable temperatures and precipitation make this trek a pre and post monsoon season trek. Temperatures typically range from 13 to 17 degrees Celsius during the day, with substantially colder nights.
Views along the journey in Panch Kedar Trek
Rishikesh to Gaurikund- Beautiful routes covered in Himalayan vegetation, witness the magical confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers at the site of Rudranath.
The distant views of Himalayan Mountains and varying legends associated with the place are sure to motivate trekkers.
The top view of temples offers a great view of many Himalayan peaks like Panchachuli, Bandarpoonch ,Kedarnath and many more.
Sagar village to Panar Bugyal-Pun bugyal after the 2hr journey from Sagar village before reaching Punar Bugyal is a beautiful grassland with hills covered in green pastures and strong confluences of distant mountains. Pitradhar ridge lying En route provides a spectacular view of Chaukhamba Peaks.
Nearby places to visit in Panch Kedar Trek
We recommend trekkers to first complete their Pilgrim circuit and then visit the places after Kalpeshwar. Trekkers will be bound to circuit trek and shall only be provided to explore nearby villages and trails while on rest days or camp set ups.
Visit the famous sagar temple in the Sagar village, the village is a great exploration point for a start and end stop of a trek.
While returning from the Kedarnath Temple trekkers can opt for trek via Anusuya Devi temple to Mandal further from where teams can either walk or take a cab to Sagar Village. The temple of Anusuya Devi is dedicated to goddess Sati. Sati was believed to be the wife of Atri Muni, one of the great sages from Saptarishi.
Trekkers can visit Budha Kedar temple, Sapt Badri and Dhayan Badri temple that are in close vicinity of Kalpeshwar temple.
Is it safe
Set amidst the high altitude ranges, concerns regarding Panch Kedar circuit trek safety are undeniably very valid questions. Yes, the trek to all the Panch Kedar are indeed very safe and reliable; trails and much clearer safety protocols are sure to ease anyone’s concerns.
Difficulty level in Panch Kedar Trek
Because the temple sites are relatively high in elevation, we strongly advise any beginner level trekkers to have a reasonable level of physical fitness. We recommend that trekkers prepare physically and mentally for this trek before embarking on it.
Any medical assistance that is required will be provided at any point of the journey; however, trekkers must consult their professional care before beginning any trek. We also strongly advise trekkers to learn about altitude sickness and to notify our teams as soon as any symptoms appear.
Weather conditions in Panch Kedar Trek
Weather conditions depend on the time of the year trekkers are travelling. In the months leading up to and following the monsoon season, the daytime temperatures are moderate, but the nighttime temperatures are significantly lower. Monsoons receive moderate to heavy rainfall.
Things to carry in Panch Kedar Trek
1) Because nights at elevations tend to be considerably colder, we suggest having well-graded, warm and comfortable clothing along with good quality shoes.
2) Despite the fact that we handle medical crises, we urge individuals to keep their emergency kits at hand in any case of personal underlying illnesses.
3) Since the journey provides you with a picturesque view of many peaks, don’t forget to bring your camera along with extra batteries.
4) Our staff will consult with fellow trekkers about their luggage and, if lacking, will assist trekkers in obtaining any necessary equipment. Only the relevant luggage should be brought, as a result.
Other trekking Essentials-
Connectivity and Transactions
1) Because connectivity along the route is unpredictable, we urge people to do all of their work ahead of time.
2) Last ATM transactions available will be at Gaurikund But we recommend travelers to collect cash beforehand or while in Rishikesh as ATMs available at other places might not dispense cash at times.
How to Reach in Panch Kedar Trek
If you are travelling from any metropolitan city in India or from outside India, getting to the capital city of Delhi may be the first and most important step. All major modes of transportation, such as air, road, and rail, can take you to Delhi.
Rishikesh is connected to most major cities in India via all chief modes of transportation. Trekkers could perhaps conduct extensive research for their direct mode of transportation to ensure a much smoother arrival.
How to reach Rishikesh from Delhi
By air– Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport to Rishikesh. It is well connected to Delhi and many chief cities with daily flights.
By road-Delhi has direct road routes to Rishikesh. Trekkers will have to book either a bus or private cabs. Prior booking for cabs and buses are easily available at various sites.
Delhi>Rishikesh>Gaurikund
By railway– Nearest Railway station to Rishikesh will be Rishikesh Railway station. Since Rishikesh is connected to all major railway routes, trekkers can opt for a direct route or via Delhi. They can also opt for direct trains to Dehradun or Haridwar and the take acab or bus to Rishikesh.
Some important points to note-
- Please note that we don’t provide timings schedules for transportation before Rishikesh. Subjected to various conditions the scheduled timings and availability of particular rides may differ. We recommend trekkers to reach out our teams for any queries. You can drop an email or call us for an initial guided session.
- Our teams will be collecting trekkers at fixed points of airports, railway stations and bus stands.
- It is recommended that unless any delay arrives, trekkers are advised to reach the destinations at least 2 hours prior.
Short itinerary of Panch Kedar Trek
Note: – Our service will remain from Rishikesh to Rishikesh – for more details please check includes or excludes
| Day 1 | Rishikesh to Sonprayag |
| Day 2 | Gaurikund to Kedarnath |
| Day 3 | Rest day |
| Day 4 | Kedarnath to Gaurikund to Ransi village |
| Day 5 | Trek to Nanu |
| Day 6 | Trek to Madhmaheshwar |
| Day 7 | Trek down to Ransi village |
| Day 8 | Tungnath to Chandrashila to Saggar village |
| Day 9 | Trek to Panar Bugyal |
| Day 10 | Punar Bugyal to Rudranath |
| Day 11 | Rudranath to Urgum village |
| Day 12 | Kalpeshwar to Urgam |
| Day 13 | Urgum to Rishikesh |
Things Himalayan Hikers Recommend
As previously stated, a camera, as well as spare batteries and memory cards, are recommended. We can assure and guarantee that you will be stopping frequently along the trail to observe the grandeur of the trekking experience.
We strongly recommend trekkers to prepare beforehand for the journey ahead. Regular practicing physical fitness and mental endurance will surely assist trekkers in great time.
After the trek, we strongly encourage trekkers to tag us on social media when they post any memories from the trip; this will not only prove invaluable to us with our work, but will also serve as a motivational example for all of our experts.
Why you should choose us
We’re here to give you the greatest experience possible through the eyes of highly skilled and qualified specialists who have a passion for adventure sports. We are community members attempting to promote our favorite adventure sports while also supporting local businesses. We, at Himalayan hikers, dedicate ourselves to providing you with an unforgettable experience.
