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Kedarnath in March
Uttarakhand, India
March begins the long process of thaw but Kedarnath remains closed. Snow melts on the lower Mandakini valley while the temple area at 3583m stays frozen. The BRO starts clearing the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund road. The 16km trek route from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is buried. The Char Dham yatra registration opens online â book early, the season fills fast.
The March story
March is planning month. Use this time to: register for Char Dham yatra online (mandatory biometric registration at Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Sonprayag), book helicopter tickets if you want to fly (Phata or Guptkashi helipads, Rs 5000-7000 one-way, book months ahead for May-June peak), arrange Gaurikund accommodation for the night before the trek, and prepare physically â the 16km climb from 1982m (Gaurikund) to 3583m (Kedarnath) gains 1600m elevation and takes 6-8 hours up, 4-6 hours down. Train with stair climbing. The Gaurikund-Kedarnath trail has been improved since 2013: wider path, better drainage, rest stops with tea stalls every 2km. Ponies and palki (palanquin) services available for those who can't walk the full distance. The temple area has basic dharamshala accommodation (Rs 200-800) and tented camps (Rs 1000-3000). No luxury options exist at 3583m.
Why March scores 0/5
Weather
Temple closed. Snow melting at lower points but Kedarnath at 3,583m still buried. Trek route blocked. BRO begins road clearing to Gaurikund.
Roads & Access
self drive: Drive to Sonprayag. No cars beyond.. road condition: Char Dham highway. Monsoon landslides.. public transport: Bus to Guptkashi. Shuttle to Gaurikund. Trek or helicopter.. from nearest city: Rishikesh 220km to Gaurikund. Then 16km trek.. last km difficulty: extreme (16km trek)
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 3/5. rescue: SDRF, NDRF during yatra. helpline: Char Dham Yatra: 1364. ambulance: 108 (to Gaurikund only). police station: Kedarnath outpost (seasonal). nearest hospital: Medical camp at Kedarnath (seasonal, basic). District Hospital Rudraprayag 80km.
Network
VI: No, JIO: No, BSNL: Yes, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: No. BSNL intermittent at Kedarnath. All networks at Guptkashi. No signal on 16km trek.
Kids
Not ideal for kids â Spiritually profound for older teens
Elevation
3,583m â High altitude, acclimatisation needed
Who should go
- âExperienced trekkers / adventurers
- âNobody â temple and trek still closed
- âChar Dham registrants booking helicopter tickets
- âFitness enthusiasts training for the 16km, 1600m elevation trek
- âEquipment buyers gathering trekking gear
Who should think twice
- âFirst-time travelers
- âAnyone with health conditions
- âEveryone â temple and trek are closed
- âImpatient visitors hoping for early access
- âAnyone without understanding that 3583m in March is deep winter
- âCasual trekkers who think the trail might be open â it isn't
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0/5 | Temple closed. Valley buried under 10+ feet snow. Trek route impassable. Kedarnath town completely evacuated. Murti worshipped at Ukhimath for winter. |
| February | 0/5 | Temple closed. Heaviest snowfall month. Avalanche risk in Mandakini valley. Zero access possible. Valley in complete winter hibernation until late April. |
| Marchviewing | 0/5 | Temple closed. Snow melting at lower points but Kedarnath at 3,583m still buried. Trek route blocked. BRO begins road clearing to Gaurikund. |
| April | 1/5 | Temple opens Akshaya Tritiya (late April, date varies). Trek route clearing. Helicopter bookings surge. Only visit last week if confirmed open. Cold and icy. |
| May | 5/5 | Season opens, 0-12°C. Trek from Gaurikund (16km) or helicopter. Pilgrims surge. Mule and pony bookings essential. Snow patches on trail. Peak spiritual energy. |
| June | 5/5 | Peak pilgrimage, 5-15°C. Helicopters booked months ahead. 6-8 hour queues for darshan. Trek busy but beautiful. Meadows blooming. Book everything far in advance. |
| July | 2/5 | Monsoon makes trek route extremely dangerous. 2013 flood disaster killed 6,000+. Landslides, swollen rivers, slippery trails. Temple open but access life-threatening. |
| August | 2/5 | Peak monsoon. Trek route at its most dangerous. Multiple landslide zones. Helicopter flights cancelled frequently. Pilgrims stranded regularly. Avoid completely. |
| September | 4/5 | Post-monsoon, 2-10°C. Rain retreating. Trek route stabilizing. Far fewer pilgrims â 30-minute darshan instead of 6-hour queues. Autumn scenery beautiful. |
| October | 5/5 | Best for peaceful darshan, 0-8°C. Clear skies, snow-dusted peaks, tiny queues. Trek route at its most scenic. Cold but rewarding. Temple closing mid-Nov. |
| November | 1/5 | Temple closes post-Diwali with Bhai Dooj ceremony. Last helicopter flights early Nov. Snow arriving. Only early Nov viable â check exact closure date. |
| December | 0/5 | Temple closed for winter. Valley under deep snow. Trek route impassable. Murti moved to Ukhimath. No access until late April next year. |
Practical Details
How to reach
Rishikesh 220km to Gaurikund. Then 16km trek.. Roads: Char Dham highway. Monsoon landslides.. Self-drive: Drive to Sonprayag. No cars beyond.. Public transport: Bus to Guptkashi. Shuttle to Gaurikund. Trek or helicopter.. Last stretch: extreme (16km trek)
Elevation
3,583m
Difficulty
hard
Budget tier
budget
Permits required
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