Panchkedar Trek & Drive is a trekking and road journey in Uttarakhand that covers the five Panch Kedar shrines: Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar. The route combines drives with trekking through Himalayan villages, forests, and high-altitude meadows.

The trek takes 12 days and covers a total trekking distance of 107 km. It is described as moderate to difficult, with steep ascents and descents, rough terrain, and changing weather conditions.

The maximum altitude is 12000 ft, which is approximately 3658 metres.

The trek starts and ends in Rishikesh. Accommodation along the route is primarily in tents, guesthouses, or homestays depending on the location.

The commonly followed visit order mentioned in the source is:

1. Kalpeshwar
2. Rudranath
3. Tungnath
4. Madhyamaheshwar
5. Kedarnath

Kalpeshwar is described as the easiest among the five because it requires no long trekking distance and is accessible by road. Rudranath is described as the toughest due to challenging terrain, followed by Kedarnath because of its longer trekking distance and higher altitude.

Prominent peaks visible along the journey include Kedarnath Main, Kedarnath Dome, Chaukhamba, Neelkanth, Nanda Devi, Nanda Ghunti, Kamet, Dronagiri, and Mount Trishul.

The best time for the trek is May, June, September, and October, when weather and trail conditions are more suitable and the temples are open. Monsoon months are not recommended because of heavy rainfall, slippery trails, and landslides. In winter, from November to April, heavy snowfall makes routes inaccessible and the temples remain closed, except Kalpeshwar which remains open throughout the year.

The region is also home to wildlife such as Himalayan tahr, musk deer, red fox, and various bird species.

Permits are required for this yatra as it passes through protected areas.

First timers can do the trek if they have basic fitness and prepare in advance with walking, cardio, and light strength training.

Itinerary

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