Panch Kedar Yatra

The next stop on this trek is Rudranath. The other option is to drive from Helang to Sagar Village and begin the trek from there. The details mentioned here are for going to Rudranath from Sagar via Panar and descending via Nala Pass and Anusuya Devi temple. You can also reverse this route. However, keep in mind that the Panar route has a lot of steps on a steep trail, which can make descending this route tough on your knees. 

Day 3
Sagar to Panar
• Altitude: 11,155 ft
• Time taken: 6-8 hours; 12 km
• Trek gradient: Difficult. Steep climb all the way to Panar
• Water sources: You can refill your water bottles from streams or at dhabas on the trail.
Take the route through Sagar. This is where Suryavanshi King Sagar, a descendant of King Harishchandra, had spent his childhood.
The route is a very steep climb through a dense forest. The trail is well laid, with steps cut out all the way to Panar.
On the way you hear the chirping of birds, the noise of the crickets and cicadas, rustling of leaves by the langurs. The gurgling waterfalls add to the surreal experience. Drinking water directly from the freshwater streams is rejuvenating. There are hardly any trekkers to be seen.

Start early in the morning for Rudranath. Take the trail that moves towards the ridge to the left. You will see some huge boulders and snow-capped peaks to your left.
The trail gradually climbs up the ridge. You will notice some undergrowth on the way. After 25-30 minutes of ascent, you can see the Panar meadows below. In another 30-40 minutes, you reach a huge overhanging boulder on the left. From here, the scene is magnificent – the vast green meadows of Panar below and snow-capped peaks in front engulfed in clouds.
Continue on the trail that climbs up the ridge. As you climb up you see huge boulders on the right and in the front. You will pass several boulders and eventually reach the ridge between Panar and Rudranath. The views of the Himalayas from this ridge are unmatched. You are surrounded on all sides by snow-capped peaks and lush green valleys.
This is also the place where you see another trail going down to the left. This is the one to Anusuya Devi, which you will take on the return.
Proceed ahead on the trail. You are now surrounded by colourful flowers and shrubs. Notice the temporary shepherd settlement made of stone to your left. Continue on the mud trail that gradually ascends, keeping the valley to your left. You will soon see prayer bells and flags in the distance. It takes 15-20 minutes to reach them.
This is Panch Ganga, the highest point on this trail. It takes 3-3.5 hours to reach here from Panar. En route, you also pass Pitradhar, where our forefathers are said to have departed for the other realms. There is a small unattended shrine here. The view from Rudranath temple is stupendous. We see a wide range of icy Himalayan mountain peaks. Nanda Devi and Kamet peaks look very enticing, especially at sunrise.

Day 6
See Tungnath. Reach Ransi
• Altitude: 12,083 ft
• Time taken: 2-3 hours; 6 km one side
• Trek gradient: Moderate. Steep ascent to Tungnath
• Water sources: None. Carry at least 2 litres of water.

The trek from Chopta to Tungnath is accessible via a cemented pilgrim trail. The trail ascends sharply via a series of 11 scissor bends. The walk is pleasant but is a very steep climb. The trek up to Tungnath temple is approximately 3 km. After you reach the 10th scissor bend, look for a flag and a small open temple towards your right side.
You can now see Chandrashila Peak and the Tungnath temple complex at the base of the peak. The views from here onwards are incredible. A connecting peak leading to Chandrashila, known as Ravanshila, is visible to your right.
Tungnath temple is only half a kilometre away from here. Towards your left, overlooking the valley is a section of Birch trees (Bhojpatra). This is a haven for birds like Monal and Griffin vultures. Take the 11th and last bend to reach the famous and holy Tungnath temple.

The trail from Ransi begins with a gentle ascent for about 25 minutes and tapers off into a level walk. Another 10 minutes into it, you will see the trail passing through a small stream near a stone-made hut which is a part of the “Gharat” system used to grind wheat using the ancient water wheel technology. Continue on the mud path for 10-15 minutes and you will see that the trail now enters a green forest with huge trees on both sides. The trail now moves downwards on a stone-paved path.
Continue descending on the stone-paved trail for 45 minutes to an hour till you reach the bridge over a river, with a grand view and the deafening roar of a waterfall cascading down. Cross the river coming from your left on a steel bridge and you are on the trail, which now starts to climb up gently. Continue on the trail for 20 minutes until you see a huge boulder on your left. The overhanging boulder with walls built on 2 sides serves as a temporary rest area. Continue the upward climb for 1 km and you will reach Gaundhar, a scenic place. On the way you cross 2 more bridges at an interval of 5-10 minutes each. Also, you come across a small temple on the right-hand side of the trail. It takes around 2 hours to reach Gaundhar from Ransi. You can break here for lunch.
The trail now ascends in the north-west direction from Bantoli towards Nanu. Continue ascending on the trail for 15- 20 minutes and you will see the top view of thick forested growth, with two rivers Madhymaheshwar Ganga and Martyenda Ganga and a bridge on one of the rivers. The trail which we traversed an hour ago is also in focus. Another 45 minutes into the trail you will come across a huge boulder on the left side of the trail.

The last few kilometres are an arduous and continuous climb. Proceed ahead as you now enter the zone of rhododendron forests on both sides of the trail. The fresh little pinkish buds of the flowers or tender leaves, all around, give a dash of warm colour to the landscape. All along the trail, you will see several markings (e.g. K.M. 32) on the way on stones written in black on a white background that indicate the distance. As you venture deep into the forest you come across several Himalayan birds.
After 2 – 2.5 hours into the trek, you will come across some meadows on the right and you will see cattle grazing on green pastures. This indicates that you are near the top. Continue on the trail for another 45 minutes and you will see the trail emerge from the forest as it moves around the mountain to appear at the Madhyamaheshwar meadow. The trail climbs up all the way and becomes flat just before Madhyamaheshwar. At 11,483 ft. Madhyamaheshwar is a unique Himalayan destination with green carpet-like bugyals with plenty of small bushes all around. The calm and serene environment is spellbinding. You will see that the  Madhymaheshwar valley shows forest cover in the background, signifying that this place must be getting an abundant amount of rainfall around the year.  You can also see corrugated and thatched roof structures along the route to the temple which are guest houses or dhabas.
You can pitch a tent or stay in the temple guest house /local huts.

Day 10
Reach Guptkashi
The 73 km journey from Ransi to Guptakashi
can be broken down into multiple bus rides. First to Ukhimath, next to Kund, further on to Sonprayag and finally a shared taxi to Gaurikund. You can also hire a private taxi. This costs around Rs.700 from Ransi to Kund.
Gaurikund is where the 18km trek to Kedarnath begins.

Day 11
Guptakashi to Kedarnath
Wake up Early and get ready for the Dham of the Lord Shiva i.e. Kedarnath also known as the home of The Lord Shiva.
Take the Shuttle Service from Sonprayag to Gaurikund and Start your trek thereafter
18 km trek to Kedarnath temple. ( You Can also opt for Dolli, Pony, Pitthu and Helicopter on your own )
Reach Kedarnath and one can go to Evening Darshan after taking some rest.
Dinner and Overnight stay at GMVN Cottages.
Night Stay Kedarnath