Are you planning a spiritual journey from the sacred shrine of Kedarnath to the peaceful hill station of Almora? This guide will help you understand how to travel between these two significant places, making your trip as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Almora, located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, is famous for its stunning scenery, unique culture, and calm atmosphere. Let’s find out how you can reach this lovely destination from Kedarnath.
Kedarnath to Almora Distance
The direct road distance between Kedarnath and Almora is approximately 275 kilometers. However, it’s important to remember that Kedarnath itself requires a trek, and the motorable road ends at Gaurikund. The actual driving distance from Gaurikund/Sonprayag to Almora will be around this figure. The journey involves a significant drive through mountainous terrain and typically takes around 6 hours 20 minutes to 7 hours by road, not including the trek time.
How to Reach Almora from Kedarnath
Given that Kedarnath is a pilgrimage site accessible after a trek, your journey to Almora will involve first reaching a motorable road from Kedarnath, and then continuing by road, or a combination of air/train and road from a nearby accessible point.
1. By Road: Taxi/Cab (Most Common and Direct)
After completing your pilgrimage to Kedarnath, you’ll descend to Gaurikund or Sonprayag, where you can arrange for a taxi. This is the most practical and direct way to reach Almora by road.
- Kedarnath to Gaurikund/Sonprayag (Trek/Pony/Helicopter):
- The trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is about 16-18 km. You can also use ponies/mules or helicopter services to cover this part.
- Gaurikund/Sonprayag to Almora by Taxi/Cab:
- Distance: Approximately 275 km.
- Travel Time: The drive from Gaurikund/Sonprayag usually takes about 6 hours 20 minutes to 7 hours. This can vary significantly based on road conditions, traffic, and any stops.
- Route: The route generally passes through major towns like Rudraprayag, Srinagar, Devprayag (where Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet), Rishikesh/Haridwar (often bypassed for a more direct route to Kumaon), and then towards Kathgodam/Haldwani before ascending to Almora. This involves navigating winding mountain roads for a significant part of the journey.
- Booking: Taxis are available at Gaurikund or Sonprayag. It’s advisable to book from a reputable local service or arrange one in advance, especially if traveling during peak season.
- Taxi Fare: Fares can vary widely depending on the type of vehicle (hatchback, sedan, SUV), service provider, and whether it’s a one-way or round-trip booking. Given the distance and mountain terrain, expect fares to be substantial. For a rough idea, services from Almora to Kedarnath are quoted starting from around ₹8-₹12 per km, with a minimum of 250 km for a round trip.
- Pros: Offers direct travel once you are on the motorable road, allowing you to control your stops and schedule. Comfortable for groups or families.
- Cons: It’s a long journey, which can be tiring. It is generally the most expensive ground transport option.
- Tips: Due to the long distance and mountain roads, it’s highly recommended to break the journey with an overnight halt if you feel tired or if you start late. Places like Rudraprayag or Srinagar could be good stopover points. Ensure the taxi is well-maintained and the driver is experienced with mountain driving.
2. By Bus (Economical, but Involves Transfers)
While there are no direct buses from Kedarnath (Gaurikund/Sonprayag) to Almora, you can use a combination of local buses.
- Kedarnath (Gaurikund/Sonprayag) to Rishikesh/Haridwar (Bus):
- Regular buses connect Gaurikund/Sonprayag to major hubs like Rishikesh or Haridwar. This leg can take several hours.
- Rishikesh/Haridwar to Haldwani/Kathgodam (Bus/Train):
- From Rishikesh or Haridwar, you can take a bus or train to Haldwani or Kathgodam, which are the main gateways to the Kumaon region.
- Haldwani/Kathgodam to Almora (Bus/Shared Taxi):
- From Haldwani or Kathgodam, frequent buses and shared taxis are available to Almora (approx. 80-90 km, 2.5-3.5 hours).
- Pros: Generally the most affordable way to travel.
- Cons: Involves multiple transfers, making it a very long and potentially less comfortable journey. Schedules can be unpredictable, and buses might be crowded.
- Tips: Be prepared for a full day (or even more) of travel if relying solely on public buses. Keep your luggage light and manageable for transfers.
3. By Air (Flight + Road – Fastest, but Multi-leg)
This option minimizes travel time but involves multiple changes and can be expensive.
- Kedarnath to Phata/Guptkashi Helipad (Helicopter):
- Most pilgrims use helicopter services to return from Kedarnath to nearby helipads like Phata or Guptkashi.
- Phata/Guptkashi to Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (Road):
- From the helipad, you would need to arrange a taxi to Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (DED), which is the nearest major airport for the Garhwal region. This is a significant drive (several hours).
- Dehradun Airport (DED) to Pantnagar Airport (PGH) by Flight:
- There are usually no direct flights between DED and PGH. You would typically need to fly from Dehradun to Delhi (DEL) and then take a connecting flight from Delhi to Pantnagar.
- Nearest Airport to Almora: Pantnagar Airport (PGH), approximately 115-127 km from Almora.
- Pantnagar Airport (PGH) to Almora (Taxi):
- From Pantnagar Airport, you can easily hire a taxi to Almora (approx. 2.5-3.5 hours drive).
- Pros: The fastest way to cover the major distance, reducing overall travel fatigue.
- Cons: Most expensive option. Involves numerous transfers (helicopter, multiple taxis, potentially two flights with layover), making it complex.
- Tips: Book all flights and helicopter services well in advance, especially during pilgrimage season.
Road Conditions:
The roads in Uttarakhand, especially those leading to and from pilgrimage sites like Kedarnath and connecting to remote hill stations like Almora, are entirely mountainous. They are often winding, narrow, and can be challenging to navigate, particularly during the monsoon season.
As of July 3, 2025, Uttarakhand is experiencing heavy rainfall. This has led to reports of numerous roads being blocked across various districts due to landslides and debris. While specific real-time conditions for the entire Kedarnath to Almora route might vary, it is crucial to be aware that monsoon season significantly impacts road safety and travel times in the region. Roads around Kedarnath (like the Gaurikund-Rudraprayag stretch) are particularly prone to landslides. Similarly, the Almora-Haldwani national highway (part of the route from the plains) has seen recent nighttime restrictions due to landslide risks.
It is highly advisable to check local news, official government advisories, and road status updates (e.g., through district administration helplines or online sources like Travel Vaidya’s “Char Dham Yatra Road Condition” reports) immediately before and during your travel, especially during monsoon (July-September). Avoid night travel on mountain roads.
Choosing Your Best Way to Travel
Your ideal way to reach Almora from Kedarnath depends on what matters most to you:
- For directness and relative speed after the trek: A private taxi/cab from Gaurikund/Sonprayag is the most practical choice.
- For budget travellers (with patience and flexibility): A combination of local buses is the most economical, though it will be a long journey with transfers.
- For the fastest overall journey (if budget allows and you want to minimize road travel): Helicopter from Kedarnath + taxi to Dehradun Airport + flight (via Delhi if necessary) to Pantnagar + taxi to Almora is the quickest option, but also the most expensive and complex.
No matter which way you choose, the journey from the spiritual heights of Kedarnath to the cultural heart of Kumaon, Almora, promises a memorable experience amidst the stunning landscapes of Uttarakhand. Enjoy your travels:)
