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Kalpeshwar Trek – A Complete Guide

by Mohit Behl
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Where is Kalpeshwar?

Kalpeshwar (2,200 metres, approximately) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is the Fifth Kedar to be visited, in case you are staying true to the sequence of the Panch Kedar circuit. The other four being Kedarnath, Madhmaheshwar, Tungnath, and Rudranath. It is also the only one (of the five temples) that stays open throughout the year. The rest close down for the winter a day or two after the festival of Diwali.

Urgam Valley. Kalpeshwar Trek.

What is the motorable route?

Haridwar – Rishikesh – Devprayag – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Karnaprayag – Nandprayag – Chamoli – Pipalkoti – Helang – Lyari – Devgram

Total Distance – 275 kilometres, approximately

Earlier, the trek to Kalpeshwar started from Lyari as the road till Devgram was still under construction. Now, I’m told, the road has been completed although it’s not a firm one and not always open.

The road from Haridwar to Helang is more or less well-maintained except for a few patches that fall under the landslide zone.

But it is not going to be a cakewalk driving from Helang to Devgram. It is not a road but a trail of loose (mostly) soil and rocks that is prone to breaking apart. It is advised that you keep driving till Joshimath (14 kilometres from Helang), park your vehicle there and then take a shared jeep to Devgram via Helang. Unless you are a pro at off-roading!

This more than sorts it out in case you are driving your own vehicle or a self-drive vehicle.

In case I want to opt for public transport?

  1. Take a bus or shared taxi (Max) from Haridwar/Rishikesh to Joshimath
  2. Get down at Helang and take a shared taxi (Max) to Lyari/Devgram

Please note that almost all of the taxis to Devgram ply from Joshimath and aren’t as frequent as to other popular places. You might have to wait it out at Helang. Alternatively, you can get down at Joshimath and stay there for the night. Next morning, take a shared taxi from Joshimath to Devgram. If you don’t like to wait it out and have money to spare, you can book the entire vehicle (from Joshimath) at around INR 500-600 for one way.

Buses, both local and of Uttarakhand State Transport, and shared taxis start plying from Haridwar/Rishikesh to Rudraprayag and further as early as 4 am.

It should cost one person INR 1200-1400, Haridwar to Haridwar.

Crossing right before reaching Kalpeshwar Temple.

How long is the trek? How is the trek route like? Do I need a guide?

The trek from Lyari to Kalpeshwar is barely 2 km, whereas from Devgram to Kalpeshwar it is less than 500 m and pretty straight forward, passing through the gorgeous Urgam Valley. Most of the route is paved with little to no ascent. Reach till the end of the village, a curve from where the path descends towards the river. You will see a short ascent on the other side of the river, left to the waterfall, and leading up to Kalpeshwar temple, neatly hidden between the rocks. Walk down and take the little wooden bridge to reach to the other side.

If you start early, you can make it back to Joshimath by afternoon quite easily. You do not need a guide.

Kalpeshwar Temple.

Where to stay and how much will it cost?

There are a decent number of guest houses and lodges in Devgram where you can get a room for about INR 300-400 for two. The vibe here is inherently different than rest of the four Kedar combined. Even though the trek is short-lived, Urgam Valley makes it up with its chilled-out demeanour and ever-so-smiling locals.

If you wish to come back to Joshimath the same day, there are plenty of options, the cheapest one being the dormitory beds at GMVN, available for INR 300 per person. And if budget is not a constraint, you can also go for luxury cottages, and a few small guest houses and resorts at Auli, 25 km from Devgram.

This is the gist of it. If you have any further queries, feel free to leave a comment below. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Stay safe, travel responsibly!

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20 comments

Sumit January 1, 2019 - 7:54 pm

That’s pretty much all the info summed up.
How many days would it take to complete the trip from Delhi-Kalpeshwar-Delhi?
And what is the best time to visit?

Would appreciate the info.

TanksT
Sumit S

Reply
Mohit Behl January 1, 2019 - 8:24 pm

Hi. Thanks for writing in. It should take 3-4 days, Delhi-Kalpeshwar-Delhi. It is open through the year so depends on your preference. Personally, I’d recommend Oct-Nov. Also, there has been a correction. Request you to read it once before planning.

Reply
Aparna November 17, 2019 - 9:06 am

Hi Mohit, I am planning Kalpeswar and Tunganath with kids in May 2020. Please advice an itenary and also nearby places to halt after I visit these two place
Aparna.

Reply
Mohit Behl November 18, 2019 - 7:17 pm

Hi Aparna. Apologies but I don’t do itineraries. Tunganath-Kalpeshwar-Badrinath should be ideal.

Reply
GOURA CHANDRA PRADHAN April 13, 2020 - 5:13 pm

Good information.pls Tell me the opening and closing time of the kalpeswar temple.is it open
through out the year.
Can I get Jeep on share from Helang both up
and down. Can I get bus to Josimath from Helang.

Reply
Mohit Behl April 13, 2020 - 6:30 pm

Temple is open throughout the year. As I have written, it is better to take a jeep from Joshimath.

Reply
backlink moustache February 17, 2021 - 11:18 am

Thanks For Sharing The Information. Very Helpful

Kedarnath Tour

Reply
Mohit Behl May 28, 2021 - 5:11 pm

Glad to be of help!

Reply
Tapan Ghosh June 29, 2021 - 8:19 am

Worthy description!

Reply
Mohit Behl July 26, 2021 - 8:09 pm

Thank you.

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Utpal Chakravarty September 21, 2021 - 5:48 pm

Is guide and mule available at Urgam for treking to kalpeswar and Rudranath and sagar

Reply
Mohit Behl September 21, 2021 - 7:28 pm

You don’t need a guide or mule while trekking to Kalpeshwar. You will get them both for Rudranath though, at Urgam.

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Jayanta Saha November 5, 2021 - 10:57 am

I’m planning for kalpeshwar 3rd week of December. Is it feasible?

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Mohit Behl November 10, 2021 - 3:45 pm

Quite feasible. The trek itself should take you only about an hour.

Reply
gopala krishna mudunuru November 18, 2022 - 10:42 am

Dear Mohit,your post is excellent about Kalpeshwar.I want to stay in Joshimath and want to go to Kalpeshwar in Dec probably in second week.Can you please tell me whether it is OK in that time.

Reply
Mohit Behl January 8, 2023 - 1:10 pm

Hi. Apologies for a late response. I hope by now you’ve sorted this out and also heard the news about Joshimath.

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Sudip Kumar Das June 26, 2023 - 11:24 am

This October-end we are planning for Madhya Maheshwar. While coming back from Ransi village to Haridwar on the same day, can we visit Kalpeshwar on the way. Need your suggestion.

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Mohit Behl June 26, 2023 - 12:07 pm

Kalpeshwar is not on the way to Haridwar. It is not possible.

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Sabyasachi Paul December 24, 2023 - 2:30 am

Hi Mohit

Your writing contains everything. Just 1 QQ. Is the Trek to Kalpeshwar possible for a solo traveller?

Reply
Mohit Behl January 5, 2024 - 1:25 pm

Yes, absolutely.

Reply

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