Panch Kedar Trek

Wandering In the Himalayas In Search Of Lord Shiva

📅
Duration
20 Da
🔼
Highest Altitude:
5200m
🛑
Grade:
Strenuous
👍
Best Time:
May - Jun - July - Sep - Oct
🌞
Temperatures:
2 to 20 Degree Celcius
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Starts From:
Sari
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Airport:
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, Uttrakhand
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Railway:
Dehradun, Uttrakhand

Key Geographical Highlights

18 Popular Peaks:

Bhagirathi Parvat I ( 6856m ), Chaukhamba I ( 7138m ), Chaukhamba II ( 7058m ), Chaukhamba III ( 6974m ), Chaukhamba IV ( 6854m ), Dunagiri ( 7066m ), Gauri Parbat ( 6708m ), Hathi Parbat ( 6727m ), Janhukut ( 6805m ), Kedarnath (Main) ( 6940m ), Kedarnath Dome ( 6831m ), Mandani Parvat ( 6193m ), Nanda Devi ( 7816m ), Nanda Ghunti ( 6309m ), Nilkantha ( 6596m ), Sumeru Parbat ( 6350m ), Trisul I ( 7120m ), Chandrashila ( 3648m )

1 High Passes:

Ghiya Vinayak Pass ( 5250m )

2 Lakes:

Nandi Kund ( 4371m ), Deoria Tal ( 2386m )

1 Glaciers:

Panpatia Glacier

4 Rivers:

Mandakini, Kalpa Ganga, Madhyamaheshwar Ganga, Kedar Ganga

5 Villages:

Urgum, Ransi, Gaundhar, Bantoli, Sari Village

1 National Parks Or Forest Reserve:

Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary

Reach Sari find other treks

Daywise Itinerary For Panch Kedar Trek

(click to read detailed route briefing, elevation graph, altitude time info and photos from the day)

▼ Day 1Arrival DaySari 1980m
Arrive In Sari
Overnight In: Sari (1980m )
Accommodation: Hotel or Homestay
Meals Included: Evening Snacks, Dinner
Cost Of Transport Included: YES
Where and How To Reach Sari
Today we pick you up in the morning after breakfast and take on the beautiful drive to Ukhimath and then to Sari. On reaching, we check-in to the hotel and then rest for the remainder of the day. Sari is a peaceful little village. You must take time out to explore it.
Day 1
320 - Rishikesh
Day 1
1310 - Ukhimath
Day 1
1980 - Sari
180Km, 7hrs.
▼ Day 2Exploration DayChopta 2600m
Excursion to Deoria Tal & Nearby.. Return To Chopta - 5 Hrs.
Overnight In: Chopta (2600m )
Accommodation: Hotel or Homestay
Meals Included: All Meals
Today early morning we start our 1-hour trek to Deoria Tal from Sari to make sure we reach there at the time of sunrise to enjoy the dawn view. After spending enough time captivating the views and taking photos, we trek back to Sari. After that, we drive to Chopta which takes about 2 hours. On reaching Chopta, we firstly check-in to our hotel and then set out to walk around the village. We can do the Chandrashila Summit today itself, but we would rather keep it for sunrise time.
Day 2
1980 - Sari
Day 2
2600 - Chopta
Day 2
2450 - Deoria Tal
Day 2
2600 - Chopta
5hrs.
▼ Day 3Exploration DayRansi 2000m
Excursion to Tungnath, Chandrashila & Nearby.. Return To Ransi - 7 Hrs.
Overnight In: Ransi (2000m )
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals Included: All Meals
Today, we start our day a little before dawn to enable us to enjoy the dawn from the ridge top. It takes about 2.5 hours to reach the temple of Tungnath and then to the top of the Chandrashila Peak. The summit of Chandrashila peak offers a wide array of some of the popular peaks of the Garhwal Himalayas including the likes of Nanda Devi. After spending enough time to satiate ourselves with the views of the panorama of peaks and surrounding valleys, we head back to Chopta and drive to Ransi. Its a 3 hour drive to Ransi from Chopta.
Day 3
2600 - Chopta
Day 3
2000 - Ransi
Day 3
4000 - Tungnath, Chandrashila
Day 3
2000 - Ransi
7hrs.
▼ Day 4Trekking DayBantoli 2700m
From Ransi (2100m ) To Bantoli (2700m ), Via - Gaundhar (2850m ) - 4 - 5 Hrs. 8 Kms
Overnight In: Bantoli (2700m )
Accommodation: Homestay / Tents / Bantoli
Meals Included: All Meals
Today is the starting day of our Nandi Kund - Ghiya Vinayak Pass Trek. We head towards Bantoli from Ransi and its a very scenic trek. The village and religious life of the high altitude villages of Uttrakhand is on display throughout the trek route. Being a popular pilgrimage route, the route is chirpy as well with full of vivid colours and life.

The trek is more or less easier getting steeper at times. We get enough option to have our lunch and little snacks enroute Bantoli. Gaundhar is a point we come across on the route very near to Bantoli on the Nandi Kund - Ghiya Vinayak Pass Trek. It is here where the Madhyamaheshwar Ganga and Markanda Ganga meets, with a lovely looking small bridge over it. Little more on the route and we reach Bantoli, our halt for the night.

We have quite a few options to settle in one of the homestays on offer. If not, we pitch our small tents somewhere. Hot dinner awaits us and with this, the first day of our trek to Nandi Kund and Ghiya Vinayak Pass ends.
Day 4
2100 - Ransi
Day 4
2850 - Gaundhar
Day 4
2700 - Bantoli
8Km, 4 - 5hrs.
▼ Day 5Trekking DayMadhyameshwar 3500m
From Bantoli (2700m ) To Madhyameshwar (3500m ), Via - Nanu Chatti (2720m ), Kun Chatti (2780m ) - 4 - 5 Hrs. 8 Kms
Overnight In: Madhyameshwar (3500m )
Accommodation: Tents / Madhyamaheshwar
Meals Included: All Meals
We are into the second day into our trek to Nandi Kund and Ghiya Vinayak Pass. Madhyamaheshwar is one of the panch kedars and is one of the popular and highly rated pilgrimage route for the Hindus. The trek route crosses Nanu Chatti just after some time into the trek. It the passes by Maikhamba and Kun Chatti, from where its a good walk for some 3 hours to bring us to the shrine of Madhyamaheshwar.

Post lunch, we go on for a acclimatization walk to Buda Madhyamaheshwar. If lucky, we might catch a glimpse of Chowkhambha in a small water body near Buda Madhyamaheshwar.

Our route for tomorrow to Kachni Khal is visible and inspires enough motivation in us to take the challenge. Post dinner, we wish good night to each other and get into our cozy sleeping bags.
Day 5
2700 - Bantoli
Day 5
2720 - Nanu Chatti
Day 5
2780 - Kun Chatti
Day 5
3500 - Madhyameshwar
8Km, 4 - 5hrs.
▼ Day 6Trekking DayKachni Dhar 4400m
From Madhyamaheshwar (3500m ) To Kachni Dhar (4400m ) - 5 - 6 Hrs. 9 Kms
Overnight In: Kachni Dhar (4400m )
Accommodation: Tents / Kachni Dhar
Meals Included: All Meals
Today our trek to Nandi Kund takes a drastic change, both in the form of difficulties of the climb, and the solitude of the trail.

After waking up to a lovely morning in the blessed site of Madhyamaheshwar, we get ready to tackle the day's trek. It involves a steep continuous climb to the Kachni Khal marked typically by 2 huge rocks forming a gateway.

An arduous climb of some 4 - 5 hours gets us to the top of Kachni Khal. From here, the trail forks and one goes left towards Kedarnath, other to Panpatia and the route on the right goes towards Nandi Kund. Our campsite is a rocky patch today with great views of Chowkhamba.

Evening, we take a light acclimatization walk to Kachni Khal and return to our campsite
Day 6
3500 - Madhyamaheshwar
Day 6
4400 - Kachni Dhar
9Km, 5 - 6hrs.
▼ Day 7Trekking DayPandavsera 4100m
From Kachni Dhar (4400m ) To Pandavsera (4100m ) - 5 - 6 Hrs. 9 Kms
Overnight In: Pandavsera (4100m )
Accommodation: Tents / Pandavsera
Meals Included: All Meals
The trek for today leaves behind all signs of civilization and follows an unmarked shepherd's trail to reach Pandavsera. A very efficient local guide is much required here. We trek through bushes and cross the Madhyamaheshwar nala multiple times and pass by few small waterfalls to reach a flat meadow. This is marked as Pandavsera and we camp here for the night, by the stream.
Day 7
4400 - Kachni Dhar
Day 7
4100 - Pandavsera
9Km, 5 - 6hrs.
▼ Day 8Trekking DayNandi Kund 4800m
From Pandavsera (4100m ) To Nandi Kund (4800m ) - 3 Hrs. 6 Kms
Overnight In: Nandi Kund (4800m )
Accommodation: Tents In Nandi Kund
Meals Included: All Meals
The trail to Nandi Kund from Pandavsera follows the small stream of Madhyamaheshwar Nala emerging out from Nandi Kund. It's a gradual climb that gets steeper at times. The rough terrain presents its own challenges. We cross the Madhyamaheshwar Nala multiple times and then climb up steep for another hour to reach the serene Nandi Kund. The peaceful lake and its tranquil waves take our hearts right away and lower down our energy injecting immense peace in us and give us divine happiness and satisfaction. This is why we travel to the difficult parts of the Himalayas for!The entire view of the surrounding is so beautiful that simpler words which I know fail to do justice to the actual beauty of the place. The peaks of Chowkhamba hovers over the lake. The name of the Lake is derived from Nandi - The name of the Bull which was actually Lord Shiva in disguised avatar hiding away from the Pandavas, who were seeking mercy and moksha (liberation from the cycle of life and death as per the Hindu belief) from Lord Shiva after the war of Kurukshetra. We spend the remaining part of the day relinquishing the beautiful place that we are in with no one around to disturb. No noise, no disturbances from unwanted people around, no mobile, no internet. Just us and Mother Nature in its heavenly best.
Day 8
4100 - Pandavsera
Day 8
4800 - Nandi Kund
6Km, 3hrs.
▼ Day 9Pass Crossing DayBarma Bugiyal 4100m
Cross Ghiya Vinayak Pass And Reach Barma Bugiyal - 5 - 6 Hrs. 8 Kms
Overnight In: Barma Bugiyal (4100m )
Accommodation: Tents In Barma Bugiyal
Meals Included: All Meals
Today is the highlight day of our trek as we cross the mighty Ghiya Vinayak Pass to topple over to the other side of the valley. It will be a long tiring day today. We can cut out the chances of bad weather hitting us on this hard terrain by starting the day as early as we can. A steep continuous climb for about 3 hours from Nandi Kund will take us to the top of the mighty Ghiya Vinayak Pass. The views from the top of the Ghiya Vinayak pass is just breathtaking. The coveted peaks of Chowkhamba, Neelkantha and Nanda Devi are visible on a clear day. The glacier table of the Panpatia too is visible from here.Weather permitting, we will spend a good time enjoying the views from the top of the Ghiya Vinayak Pass. After that, we will soon find ourselves negotiating the very steep descend to the lush green valley on the other side of the Ghiya Vinayak pass. It's the beautiful meadow of the Barmna Bugiyal on the other side of the pass. We lose altitude rapidly and in about an hour and a half we reach our designated campsite for the night. It will be a long rewarding day today and we will complete the 2 important missions of this trek - The Serene and Pious Lake Of Nandi Kund and Crossing the Mighty Pass Of Ghiya Vinayak. This being done, the remaining days of the trek are just about taking ourselves back to civilization. The remaining part of the trek still remains very beautiful though, as it passes through some untouched meadows and beautiful villages of the Garhwal Himalayas.
Day 9
4800 - Nandi Kund
Day 9
5250 - Ghiya Vinayak Pass
Day 9
4100 - Barma Bugiyal
8Km, 5 - 6hrs.
▼ Day 10Trekking DayMatigair 3500m
From Barma Bugiyal (4100m ) To Matigair (3500m ) - 5 - 6 Hrs. 10 Kms
Overnight In: Matigair (3500m )
Accommodation: Tents In Bansi Narayan
Meals Included: All Meals
Will write later
Day 10
4100 - Barma Bugiyal
Day 10
3500 - Matigair
10Km, 5 - 6hrs.
▼ Day 11Exploration DayDhing 3200m
Excursion to Kalpeshwar Temple & Nearby.. Return To Dhing - 4 - 5 Hrs. 8 Kms
Overnight In: Dhing (3200m )
Accommodation: Hotel or Homestay In Urgum
Meals Included: All Meals
Will write later
Day 11
3500 - Matigair
Day 11
3200 - Dhing
Day 11
2200 - Kalpeshwar Temple
Day 11
3200 - Dhing
8Km, 4 - 5hrs.
▼ Day 12Trekking DayRudranath 3600m
From Dhing (3200m ) To Rudranath (3600m ), Via - Kalgoat (2200m ) - 5 - 6 Hrs. 16 Kms
Overnight In: Rudranath (3600m )
Accommodation: Tents
Meals Included: All Meals
Will write later
Day 12
3200 - Dhing
Day 12
2200 - Kalgoat
Day 12
3600 - Rudranath
16Km, 5 - 6hrs.
▼ Day 13Trekking DayPanar Bugyal 3340m
From Rudranath (3600m ) To Panar Bugyal (3340m ) - 5 - 6 Hrs. 13 Kms
Overnight In: Panar Bugyal (3340m )
Accommodation: Tents
Meals Included: All Meals
Will write later
Day 13
3600 - Rudranath
Day 13
3340 - Panar Bugyal
13Km, 5 - 6hrs.
▼ Day 14Trekking DayKalpeshwar 2200m
From Panar (3340m ) To Kalpeshwar (2200m ), Via - Toli Bugyal (2900m ) - 3 - 4 Hrs. 8 Kms
Overnight In: Kalpeshwar (2200m )
Accommodation: Tents or Homestay
Meals Included: All Meals
Will write later
Day 14
3340 - Panar
Day 14
2900 - Toli Bugyal
Day 14
2200 - Kalpeshwar
8Km, 3 - 4hrs.
▼ Day 15Trekking DayGaurikund 2200m
From Kalpeshwar (2200m ) To Gaurikund (2200m ) - 7 Hrs.
Overnight In: Gaurikund (2200m )
Accommodation: Hotel / Homestay
Meals Included: All Meals
Will write later
Day 15
2200 - Kalpeshwar
Day 15
2200 - Gaurikund
7hrs.
▼ Day 16Trekking DayKedarnath 3550m
From Gaurikund (2200m ) To Kedarnath (3550m ) - 6 - 7 Hrs. 16 Kms
Overnight In: Kedarnath (3550m )
Accommodation: Tents or Hotel
Meals Included: All Meals
Will write later
Day 16
2200 - Gaurikund
Day 16
3550 - Kedarnath
16Km, 6 - 7hrs.
▼ Day 17Trekking DayGaurikund 2200m
From Kedarnath (3550m ) To Gaurikund (2200m ) - 6 - 7 Hrs. 16 Kms
Overnight In: Gaurikund (2200m )
Accommodation: Hotel or Homestay
Meals Included: All Meals
Will write later
Day 17
3550 - Kedarnath
Day 17
2200 - Gaurikund
16Km, 6 - 7hrs.
▼ Day 18Trekking DayRishikesh 300m
From Gaurikund (2200m ) To Rishikesh (300m ) - 8 Hrs.
Overnight In: Rishikesh (300m )
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: All Meals
Drive to Rishikesh
Day 18
2200 - Gaurikund
Day 18
300 - Rishikesh
8hrs.
▼ Day 19Contingency Day
Overnight In: Rest Day 22 (22m )
Accommodation: Tents or Homestay
Meals Included: All Meals
This is a planned reserved day to keep a window for bad weather and other contingencies. If unutilized, we can spend this day at any other campsite of our liking. The cost of this day is included in the trek package. If you decide to finish your trek instead of utilizing this reserved day, no money will be refunded and the local resources will be paid in full
Day 19
25 - Rest Day
Day 19
25 - Rest Day 22
1hrs.

Panch Kedar Trek - Why Its A Must-Do

The mythological story around the establishment of Panch Kedar is very fascinating. It is believed that the Pandavas after the war of Kurukshetra felt very guilty of killing their own kins and brahmans. They were seeking the mercy of Lord Shiva, who was angry with them and was hiding and running away from the Pandavas. Shivji in order to hide from the Pandavas had taken the form of a bull named Nandi. In Guptkashi, Bhima recognized the bull as Shiva. However, Lord Shiva disappeared and the bull burst split into 5 parts which fell in 5 different locations. Later the Pandavas established 5 temples in all these 5 locations to be collectively named the Panch Kedars, meaning 5 Shivas. These locations are Madhmaheshwar where the navel of the bull is supposed to have fallen, Tungnath where his limbs fell, Kalpeshwar, where hairs fell, Rudranath, where face fell and finally Kedarnath where the hump of the bull fell.
Apart from religious significance, the architecture, construction and location of these temples draw tremendous curiosity and fascination.
The lakes of Deoria Tal, Buda Madhyamaheshwar and Nandi Kund are the ultimate serene lakes situated at an altitude of 4000 meters. The turquoise hues of the waters of Nandi Kund surrounded all around by rocky barren mountains will certainly blow off your mind in appreciation of Mothe Nature.
The mountain massif of Chowkhamba lures you and gets you lost in its vastness and beauty.
The peak of Chandrashila offers a grand panorama of many popular peaks of the Garhwal Himalayas including the revered Nanda Devi, Dunagiri, Hathi, Gauri, Trishul, Kedarnath, Chowkhamba among many others.
The temple of Kedarnath needs no introduction to anyone who keeps knowledge of the Indian Himalayas and the culture of India. It is one of the most pious temples of the Hindus.
These valleys are home to myriads of wildflowers, wild berries and rhododendrons. The alpine meadows of the high altitude and dense jungles are home to many wildlife including the likes of Himalayan Black Bear and the feared Leopard.
This trek itinerary gives you a good amount of time to understand the Garhwali culture and its rich heritage. It offers you a good time to enjoy the Garhwali Hospitality and cuisines in their authentic and raw forms.

How We Grade Our Treks and Expeditions

Easy

Usual daily walks of 4 - 5 hours in altitude below 4000 meters. The sleeping altitude on these treks are below 4000 meter and the trails are gradual involving no steep ascent or descent. Sometimes, the trail may be longer, but on level trails. The duration of trek may be a week or lesser than it. The trek is not too remote and evacuation might be possible from almost any point of the trek

Moderate

The trek duration each day may span from 4 - 5 hours, but on some days, it may push up to 8 - 9 days. The trail might involve steep ascents or descents on occasions This kind of treks demand good fitness, and trekkers must involve themselves in cardio exercises regularly to do these treks comfortably. Sleeping altitude are below 4000 meters or little above it, but the trail might go as high as 4500 - 5000 meters. The trek is bit remote and evacuation might be possible from almost all, but not all campsites

Moderate +

This type of treks are bit more demanding than the moderate ones. It might involve few days of very long walks at higher altitude, or serious gradients, exposures, more remote or involves sleeping at higher altitudes for more days.

Strenuous

The trek duration each day may span from 5 - 8 hours, and may go up to to 8 - 9 on few days. The trail involves steep ascents and descents. Good fitness are demand of these treks, and trekkers must involve themselves in cardio exercises regularly to do these treks comfortably. Sleeping altitude may go above 4000 meters or little above it on couple of days, but not more than that. The trail might go as high as 4500 - 5200 meters. These trek are remote and evacuation might not be possible from all the campsites

Challenging

The trek duration each day may span from 5 - 8 hours, and may go up to to 8 - 9 or even more than that on few days. The trail involves steep ascents and descents. Crossing a glacier or a scree zone might be a feature of these treks. You might on some occasions, require technical equipment like rope, ice axe and snow stacks etc to complete these treks. Good fitness are demand of any treks, but these treks demands strong character. Sleeping altitude may goes well above 5000 meters on some days. The trail might go as high as 5000 - 6000 meters. These trek are high or remote or both. The trek usually might be a week long.

Sometimes irrespective of altitude and distance, a trek may ge graded Challenging if the route is treacherous, which might demand some footing skills or assistance of ropes and other equipment

Challenging +

The trek duration each day may span from 5 - 8 hours, and may go up to to 8 - 9 or even more than that on few days. The trail involves steep ascents and descents. Negotiating glacial moraines, scree zones, crossing them, camping on them etc are features of these treks. You might also require technical equipment like rope, ice axe and snow stacks etc to complete these treks. Good fitness are demand of any treks, but these treks demands strong character. Sleeping altitude may goes well above 5000 meters on some days. The trail might go as high as 5000 - 6000 meters. These trek are high and remote. A good technical support team and knowledgeable local guide is a must. Only experienced trekkers are advised to do these treks. The trek goes over 2 week and may be longer than that.

Sometimes irrespective of altitude and distance, a trek may ge graded Challenging if the route is treacherous, which might demand some footing skills or assistance of ropes and other equipment