Quick Answer
What is the distance, fare and timing for the Sonprayag to Gaurikund shuttle?
Sonprayag to Gaurikund is 5 km, covered by a mandatory shared shuttle jeep in about 15–20 minutes, since private vehicles are not permitted past Sonprayag. The shuttle fare is approximately ₹50–250 per person, depending on vehicle type and season, set by the local transport union. From Gaurikund, the Kedarnath trek is approximately 16–18 km and typically takes 6–8 hours, or pilgrims can take a helicopter from Phata, Sersi or Guptkashi for approximately ₹4,000–8,000 one-way.
- Distance
- 5 km
- Shuttle Time
- 15–20 min
- Shuttle Fare
- ₹50–250 per person
- Onward Trek
- Approx. 16–18 km · 6–8 hrs
- Helicopter Alternative
- ₹4,000–8,000 one-way
Uttarakhand Cab 24/7 — Kedarnath Route Guide 2026
Why You Can't Drive Past Sonprayag
Important Yatra Information
No private taxis or personal vehicles are permitted beyond Sonprayag. This is a government-regulated congestion-control measure at one of the busiest bottlenecks on the Kedarnath route. Our taxi will drop you at Sonprayag, where you continue on the mandatory shared shuttle for the final ~5 km to Gaurikund.
How the Shuttle Works
At Sonprayag, shared jeeps and Boleros run from a designated counter, filling up before each departure — there's no advance online booking. You pay at the counter (approximately ₹50–250 per person, depending on vehicle type and season, set and revised periodically by the local transport union) and travel with other pilgrims for the short, narrow-road hop to Gaurikund. The same system runs in reverse for the return journey.
The shuttle operates through daylight hours during the Char Dham Yatra season (roughly late April to early November), with the heaviest queues in the early morning as pilgrims start the trek. Reach Sonprayag with enough buffer before your intended trek start time.
The Trek Onward: Gaurikund to Kedarnath
From Gaurikund, the trek to Kedarnath temple is approximately 16–18 km depending on the measured route and current trail alignment, and typically takes 6–8 hours. Ponies, palanquins (dolis) and porters are available at Gaurikund for pilgrims who can't walk the full distance. For those who want to skip the trek entirely, helicopter services operate during the yatra season from Phata, Sersi and Guptkashi — all just before Sonprayag — for approximately ₹4,000–8,000 one-way. For a full fitness and packing checklist, see our Kedarnath trek preparation guide.
- Reach Sonprayag early — shuttle queues build up fast during peak Yatra months (May–June) and the wait can eat into your trek daylight.
- Carry small change for the shuttle counter and keep your Yatra registration handy — it’s checked at multiple points along the route.
- Book our taxi to Sonprayag, not Gaurikund — no private vehicle, including ours, is permitted past Sonprayag.
- If you’d rather skip the shuttle queue and the approximately 16–18 km trek, ask us about combining your taxi with a pre-booked helicopter from Phata or Guptkashi.
- Mobile network is patchy from Rudraprayag onward and can drop out entirely near Sonprayag and Gaurikund — download offline maps and confirm plans with family before you lose signal.
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Sonprayag Taxi
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Fare includes fuel, toll taxes, driver charges/allowance and applicable state taxes. Parking charges are extra at actuals.
Call: +91 92589 12169Sonprayag to Gaurikund FAQs
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Book a taxi for your planned hill route to Sonprayag, then start the shuttle and trek fully prepared.