How to Reach Auli from Kedarnath

Kedarnath to Auli distance is about 200 km by road from Sonprayag, after the 16–18 km trek down from Kedarnath to Gaurikund (and a short shuttle from Gaurikund to Sonprayag). From Sonprayag the road goes via Guptkashi, Ukhimath, Chopta and Gopeshwar to Joshimath, or via Rudraprayag and Karnaprayag; both are about 200 km, roughly 6–7 hours. Most travellers come down from Kedarnath one day and drive to Auli the next.

Kedarnath Temple is open only from about late April or May until around Bhai Dooj (late October or November), so this route is used during the yatra season.

From Sonprayag (where vehicles stop for Kedarnath) to Auli is about 200 km. Allow 6–7 hours, more with yatra traffic.

• Via Chopta: Sonprayag – Guptkashi – Ukhimath – Chopta – Gopeshwar – Chamoli – Joshimath – Auli. Scenic, but the Chopta stretch can close after snow.
• Via Rudraprayag: Sonprayag – Guptkashi – Rudraprayag – Karnaprayag – Chamoli – Joshimath – Auli, on the main NH-7.
• Trek first: Kedarnath to Gaurikund is a 16–18 km walk downhill (or pony, palki or helicopter to Phata/Sersi/Guptkashi).

Last stretch: Joshimath to Auli is 14–16 km up a mountain road (40–60 minutes by taxi or shared jeep). The Joshimath–Auli ropeway has been closed since January 2023, so the road is the only way up.

There is no railway near Kedarnath or Auli. The nearest working railway station is Yog Nagari Rishikesh. The Rishikesh–Karnaprayag railway was still under construction as of October 2026.

Helicopters fly to Kedarnath from helipads around Phata, Sersi and Guptkashi during the yatra season; book only on the official IRCTC heli-yatra site. There are no flights to Auli. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED).