गुप्तकाशी
Uttarakhand · Char Dham Route · 1,319m
केदारनाथ से पहले का पड़ाव — विश्वनाथ मंदिर और चौखम्बा शिखर का दर्शन।
Why Special
विश्वनाथ मंदिर (प्राचीन, वाराणसी से भी पुराना)। गौरीकुंड (केदारनाथ ट्रेलहेड) से 30 किमी। होटल, ATM, अस्पताल — वो सब जो केदारनाथ में नहीं है। हेलीकॉप्टर ऑपरेटर यहीं से चलते हैं। केदारनाथ यात्रा करने वाले परिवारों के लिए सबसे व्यावहारिक बेस।
Festivals & Events
Guptkashi Vishwanath Temple Festival
MayMay (kapaat opening)
Celebrations at the ancient Vishwanath Temple when the Kedarnath pilgrimage season opens, with the deity's winter-seat rituals and devotional gatherings.
Guptkashi is where Shiva hid from the Pandavas before taking the form of a bull at Kedarnath; the temple predates Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath.
Infrastructure Reality
Network Coverage
Fair 4G. Better than areas further up.
WiFi: Some hotels
Medical & Emergency
Hospital: CHC Guptkashi. District Hospital Rudraprayag 40km. (0.5 km)
Ambulance: 108 (slow)
Police: Guptkashi police
Getting There
Rudraprayag→Guptkashi: 40km 1.5hrs. Rishikesh→Guptkashi: 180km 7hrs.
Roads: NH7 fair. Landslide-prone in monsoon.
Public transport: Buses from Rishikesh and Rudraprayag. No rail. Jolly Grant airport 230km.
Fuel & Stay
Fuel: Guptkashi
⚠ Carry extra fuel
Stay: ₹400-3000/night
40+ options (hotel, dharamshala, guesthouse)
Emergency: Available except peak yatra season.
Helpline: Uttarakhand Tourism: 0135-2559898
The stay decisions worth flagging in Guptkashi.
Guptkashi is a pilgrimage staging town, not a leisure resort destination. No Taj, Oberoi, IHCL, or comparable chain presence exists here. The market is 24+ properties deep, but only two clear the 2-source verification bar for our picks. April sits in pre-monsoon shoulder season—roads are open, pilgrimage traffic to Kedarnath builds through the month. Book helicopter transfers separately and in advance; don't rely on in-property heli claims without direct confirmation.
Buransh Heli Resort runs ₹5,500–8,500/night more than Himalayan Comforts, but the gap doesn't buy much: guests on both platforms flag ~150 sq ft cottages, the on-premises helipad is reported underutilized, and the approach road is untarred. If your trip is built around the Kedarnath helicopter, Himalayan Comforts at ₹4,500–6,500/night sits 100 metres from active helicopter pads and ranks #1 of 16 specialty lodging in Guptkashi. The ₹5,500+ premium at Buransh gets you a rose garden and a slightly longer Himalayan panorama from 4–5 km uphill—neither warrants the jump.
No experience pick here that's worth the flag. See alternatives below.
Himalayan Comforts
We pick this for pilgrimage-focused travellers who need reliable helicopter access without overpaying. Fifteen-plus years of operation, 122 Tripadvisor reviews at 4/5, and a #1 ranking of 16 specialty lodging in Guptkashi give it the most consistent track record in town. The 100-metre walk to active helicopter pads is a practical advantage that no other verified property in the dossier matches. Book online—walk-in rates run higher.
Himalayan Comforts
The location case is singular: 100 metres from Guptkashi's helicopter pads. If your trip pivots on the Kedarnath helicopter window—which can close with weather in under an hour—being a 2-minute walk from the pad beats every other amenity in this market. The valley views from the cottages track the same ridgeline you'll fly toward.
Buransh Heli Resort
The only verified property in Guptkashi with an on-premises private helipad—which is the xfactor, full stop. Add a 180-degree Himalayan ridgeline view from 4–5 km above the valley floor and a rose-landscaped mountain garden that reads as genuinely out-of-place for a pilgrimage-route town. We're not recommending this over Himalayan Comforts for most travellers, but if the view and the in-compound helipad concept matter to you, this is the only address in the dossier that offers it.
Ready to book?
We don't sell bookings. Check these trusted platforms.
Neighborhood guide
Where to base yourself, by vibe.
Daily Budget Reality
Budget
₹750Mid-range
₹2,700Luxury
₹6,300💡 Kedarnath route stopover; pilgrimage town; dharamshala stays from ₹200; Kashi Vishwanath temple here
Crowd Intelligence
Best days: Any
Key halt before Kedarnath. Yatra season May-Jun and post-monsoon Oct see heavy pilgrim traffic. Book accommodation early.
Food & Dining
Cuisine: North Indian, Garhwali
Pilgrim town — simple vegetarian food. Decent dhabas on highway.
कैसे पहुँचें
🌍 अंतर्राष्ट्रीय यात्रियों के लिए
सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ
Guptkashi means hidden Kashi (Varanasi) — legend says Lord Shiva hid here to avoid the Pandavas. It has an ancient Vishwanath Temple mirroring the famous one in Varanasi. The town at 1,319m is the last major stop before Kedarnath and serves as an important overnight halt for Kedarnath pilgrims.
क्या पहनें
Conservative dress required — major pilgrimage transit point. Cover arms and legs. Remove shoes at temples. Women should carry a dupatta for temple visits.
खाद्य सुरक्षा
Vegetarian food dominates. Several pilgrim-oriented restaurants serving safe, simple North Indian food. Quality improves during pilgrimage season (May-Oct). Bottled water only.
सामान्य धोखाधड़ी से सावधान
- Hotel touts at the bus stand booking rooms at inflated rates claiming everything else is full — walk around and check
- Helicopter booking agents for Kedarnath charging service fees above official IRCTC rates — book directly online
- Puja kit sellers near Vishwanath Temple overcharging for basic offerings
कार्ड और नकद
Some hotels accept cards. Most shops and restaurants are cash-only. Two ATMs available but unreliable during peak pilgrim season. Carry cash from Rishikesh.
अंग्रेज़ी बोली जाती है
low — Hindi is essential. Hotel staff at better properties speak basic English. Pilgrim town atmosphere means most communication is in Hindi.
फ़ोन और SIM
Jio and Airtel work in Guptkashi town. BSNL also functional. Coverage is okay as it sits on the main Kedarnath highway.
निकटतम दूतावास
Delhi — approximately 430 km by road
Standard Indian e-Visa covers Guptkashi. No special permits required.
Meet the Locals
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