Panch Kedar Trek
12 Days · Five Shiva Temples · Garhwal Himalaya · Spiritual & Trek Combined
📅 12 Days
🛕 5 Shiva Temples
🥾 Himalayan Treks
🥾 Moderate-Difficult
12 Days · Five Shiva Temples · Garhwal Himalaya · Spiritual & Trek Combined
Panch kedar trek covers five sacred Shiva temples in the Garhwal Himalayan range of Uttarakhand — Kedarnath (3583m), Tungnath (3680m), Rudranath (2286m), Madhyamaheshwar (3497m), and Kalpeshwar (2200m). According to the Pandava legend, each temple enshrines a different body part of Lord Shiva. Tungnath at 3680m is the highest Shiva temple in the world. The complete yatra route covers approximately 80 km of trekking and is rated Moderate-Difficult. Best time is May–June and September–October when all five temples are open and trails are clear.
Trek distances vary considerably across the five. Kedarnath requires a 16 km trek from Gaurikund (one way) — the most famous and busiest route. Tungnath has a short 4 km climb from Chopta. Rudranath is a 22 km, 2-day trek from Sagar village — the most remote and scenic. Madhyamaheshwar (the navel of Shiva) involves a 24 km round trip from Ransi village — the longest individual trek of the five. Kalpeshwar near Urgam valley has just a 1 km flat walk and is the easiest of the five, open year-round. Most demanding in order: Madhyamaheshwar, Rudranath, Kedarnath, Tungnath, Kalpeshwar.
Completing all five in one trip takes 12–14 days from Haridwar with vehicle-assisted travel between the temple base towns. The traditional yatra sequence is Kedarnath → Tungnath → Rudranath → Madhyamaheshwar → Kalpeshwar. Dev Yatra runs the complete panch kedar trek package from Haridwar with transport, accommodation at each base, guide, porter support, and all meals across the circuit.
Five ancient Shiva temples — each with unique spiritual significance and mountain setting.
Tungnath at 3680m is the highest Shiva temple in the world. Summit of Chandrashila at 4130m nearby.
24 km trek to the Navel of Shiva temple at 3497m. Excellent mountain views including Kedarnath dome.
2-3 day trek through alpine forest to Rudranath temple. Most scenic and remote of the five temples.
SUMMER SEASON
All five temples open. Best trek weather. Wildflowers. Most popular time for Panch Kedar circuit.
AUTUMN
Very clear skies. Good mountain views. Less crowded. Excellent weather for all five temple visits.
CLOSED
Kedarnath, Tungnath, Madhyamaheshwar close for winter. Full Panch Kedar circuit not possible. Only Kalpeshwar open.
All our treks start from Haridwar . Reach Haridwar first:
Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun (35 km from Haridwar). Flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru available.
Haridwar Railway Station — well connected pan-India. Overnight trains from Delhi take 5-6 hours.
Delhi ISBT to Haridwar by Volvo (6 hrs). State buses connect Haridwar to all base towns.
Delhi to Haridwar 210 km (4-5 hrs via NH-58). Pickup from Delhi/Chandigarh/Dehradun available.
Completing all five Panch Kedar in one trip is an ambition for serious pilgrims and trekkers. Tungnath (3680m) is the easiest — a 4 km trek from Chopta, can be done in one day from Ukhimath. Kedarnath (3583m) requires 2 days minimum. Madhyamaheshwar (3497m) requires 3 days from Ransi village. Rudranath (24 km trek) is the longest and most remote. Kalpeshwar (2200m) is accessible year-round and the easiest to reach. Most people visit Kedarnath separately and then combine the other four in another trip.
Each of the five Kedar requires a separate trek: Kedarnath (3583m) — 16 km from Gaurikund, most famous; Tungnath (3680m) — 4 km from Chopta, shortest and highest; Rudranath (2286m) — 22 km, 2 days from Sagar, most remote; Madhyamaheshwar (3497m) — 24 km from Ransi, longest individual trek; Kalpeshwar (2200m) — 1 km flat walk from Urgam, easiest and only one open year-round. Total trekking distance across all five is approximately 80 km.
Kedarnath, Tungnath, and Madhyamaheshwar open after Akshaya Tritiya (late April / early May) and close after Diwali (October–November). Rudranath opens around the same time. Kalpeshwar alone is accessible year-round. The best time for the full panch kedar circuit is May–June (wildflowers, clear weather) and September–October (crisp autumn skies, less crowded). Monsoon (July–mid-September) is not advisable due to landslide risk on mountain roads.
The circuit is rated Moderate-Difficult overall. Kalpeshwar and Tungnath are accessible to most pilgrims with basic fitness. Rudranath and Madhyamaheshwar demand 2-day trekking with altitude gain and rough terrain. Kedarnath at 16 km each way and 3583m altitude requires good stamina — pony and palki (palanquin) services are available for those who need them. Trekkers should build cardio fitness with 3–4 weeks of regular walking before departure.
The five temples are spread across Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts of Garhwal. The logical order by road from Haridwar is Kedarnath → Tungnath (Chopta) → Rudranath (Sagar) → Madhyamaheshwar (Ransi) → Kalpeshwar (Urgam). Dev Yatra's 12-day package covers the full circuit with dedicated vehicle, guesthouse and tent stays at each base, all meals, local guide for each trek section, and porter support on the longer routes.