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Uttarakhand

Kedarnath in December: mostly shut — here's what's open

Not the ideal month · fit score 5/100Crowds: lowStays ~30% cheaper than peak

Closed in December.

Kedarnath is shut in December; this page is for planning the trip around when it reopens. Cold days around 2°C, nights near -10°C, almost no snow. Nights drop to -10°C — pack properly for them. Stays run about 30% below the usual rate this month.

The next season opens in May, 5 months away. It reopens in May, 5 months away. The rains usually arrive in July, 7 months away. The cold months usually begin in September, 9 months away.

Kedarnath is closed in December

Kedarnath temple is closed from after Diwali (early November) to late April/May due to heavy snowfall. July–August is open but monsoon season: landslides and rain suspend the trek and helicopter services for days at a time — check the daily yatra status before setting out.

What the weather actually does

10-year average · Kedarnath

Cold days around 2°C, nights near -10°C, almost no snow. Nights drop to -10°C — pack properly for them.

Day2°

Night-10°

Rain days1

day-to-night rangerain daysData: Open-Meteo (CC-BY 4.0)

Before you book December

Conditions specific to Kedarnath this month.

Plan around this

Kedarnath Closed

⚠️ The temple is open from late April/May to just after Diwali (early November). The best windows are May–June and September–October — the July–August monsoon gap is landslide-prone and the trek is frequently suspended. Verify exact opening dates at badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in.

What a day in Kedarnath looks like

The things most people actually do here, by time of day.

Morning

Kedarnath Temple dawn abhishek darshan2h · easy
Gaurikund hot spring ritual dip1h · easy
Vasuki Tal alpine lake trek4h · strenuous
Himalayan sunrise panorama viewpoint1h 30m · easy

Afternoon

Gandhi Sarovar lake and glacier viewpoint2h · moderate
Bhairavnath Temple visit1h · easy

About 11h 30m of activity in total — the planner spreads this across your days and fits travel time around it.

What a December trip costs · 2 days, total for two

Budget

₹4,115 for two

Stay · 1n₹630
Food₹2,080
Local + entry₹1,100
Buffer₹305

Mid-range

₹10,568 for two

Stay · 1n₹1,985
Food₹4,800
Local + entry₹3,000
Buffer₹783

Luxury

₹25,403 for two

Stay · 1n₹6,321
Food₹11,200
Local + entry₹6,000
Buffer₹1,882

December multiplier already applied (0.70× on stays). Covers stay with GST, food, local transport, entry & activities, 8% buffer for two people sharing one room — the same figures the planner opens on. Excludes travel to Kedarnath. How we price this

Getting to Kedarnath

Usually the biggest line in the budget — and the one the estimate above leaves out.

Rishikesh → Gaurikund

cab · 8h

₹6,000

1 way / person

Sonprayag → Gaurikund

shared jeep · 0.5h

₹100

1 way / person

Cheapest listed route is Sonprayag → Gaurikund by shared jeep. Return for two works out to about ₹400 — so a whole trip lands near ₹4,515 for two, travel included.

Fares are typical one-way estimates per person from Kedarnath's common gateways, not live prices — book early and expect festival months to run higher.

Every month, scored

What you’ll actually do in Kedarnath

Worth knowing for when you do go — several of these are unavailable in December.

Kedarnath Jyotirlinga darshan (3583m)
Himalayan backdrop sunrise panorama
Vasuki Tal alpine lake trek (8km)
Gandhi Sarovar lake viewpoint
Gaurikund hot spring & dip (base)
Bhairavnath Temple (protecting deity)
Ukhimath winter Kedarnath deity seat
Triyuginarayan Temple (Lord Vishnu fire, 15km)
Chopta meadow trekking (50km)
Tungnath highest Shiva temple (70km)
Helicopter darshan from Phata/Sersi
Sonprayag river confluence ritual

Within reach: Vasuki Tal trek · Gandhi Sarovar lake · Bhairavnath Temple · Gaurikund · Triyuginarayan Temple.

Packing for December

Thermals, a down jacket, gloves and a cap — nights drop below freezing.
Sunglasses and strong sunscreen: the sun is harsh at altitude even when it is cold.
Clothes that cover shoulders and knees, and slip-on footwear — shoes come off at every temple.

December questions, answered

Is December a good time to visit Kedarnath?

No — Kedarnath is closed in December. Kedarnath temple is closed from after Diwali (early November) to late April/May due to heavy snowfall. July–August is open but monsoon season: landslides and rain suspend the trek and helicopter services for days at a time — check the daily yatra status before setting out.

How much does a trip to Kedarnath cost in December?

A typical 2-day trip for two costs from ₹4,115 (budget) to ₹25,403 (luxury), excluding travel to Kedarnath. Seasonally adjusted for December.

When is the best time to visit Kedarnath?

The best months are October, June, September. From December: The next season opens in May, 5 months away. It reopens in May, 5 months away. The rains usually arrive in July, 7 months away. The cold months usually begin in September, 9 months away.

What is there to do in Kedarnath?

Kedarnath Jyotirlinga darshan (3583m). Himalayan backdrop sunrise panorama. Vasuki Tal alpine lake trek (8km). Gandhi Sarovar lake viewpoint. Gaurikund hot spring & dip (base). Bhairavnath Temple (protecting deity). Rishikesh is the nearest railhead, 220 km away.

Is Kedarnath open in December?