Peak Season
Kedarnath in October
Uttarakhand, India
October is Kedarnath's farewell month. The temple closes on Bhai Dooj (day after Diwali, date varies). The 16km trek in October is cold (0-8°C at the temple) but clear — the surrounding peaks in early winter snow are staggering. The closing ceremony — final prayers, murti wrapped for transfer to Ukhimath, temple doors locked — is deeply moving. Last-chance pilgrims create an emotionally charged atmosphere. Helicopter services continue until closure.
The October story
October is Kedarnath's farewell. The closing ceremony (Bhai Dooj, date varies) draws pilgrims who want to be present for the temple's last day. The murti is wrapped, prayers intensify, and the doors are locked on a temple that won't reopen for six months. The emotional charge is significant — grown men weep at the closing. The trek in October is cold (0-8°C at the temple, below freezing at night) but clear. The Kedarnath dome carries early snow. The trail is well-maintained for the final pilgrims. The helicopter service runs until closure day. For the full experience: trek up the day before closing, attend the final evening aarti, sleep in the cold (dharamshala or tent), attend the 4am closing-day morning aarti, witness the murti transfer ceremony, and trek down as the last pilgrim. It's physically demanding and emotionally unforgettable. Budget: Rs 3000-7000. Carry serious winter gear — October nights at 3583m are well below freezing. The descent after the closing ceremony has a specific poignancy: walking away from a temple that's going to sleep.
Why October scores 5/5
Weather
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.
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 — Spiritually profound for older teens
Elevation
3,583m — High altitude, acclimatisation needed
Who should go
- ✓Experienced trekkers / adventurers
- ✓Closing ceremony witnesses — deeply moving spiritual event
- ✓Last-chance pilgrims completing Char Dham before winter
- ✓Photographers wanting winter-dressed Kedarnath dome
- ✓Experienced cold-weather trekkers with proper gear
Who should think twice
- ✗First-time travelers
- ✗Anyone with health conditions
- ✗Cold-intolerant visitors — below freezing at night
- ✗Anyone without winter trekking gear — essential, not optional
- ✗Late October visitors who may arrive after temple closure
- ✗Families with young children — extreme cold and altitude
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. |
| March | 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 — 30-minute darshan instead of 6-hour queues. Autumn scenery beautiful. |
| Octoberviewing | 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 — 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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Nearby in Uttarakhand scoring high in October
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