Kedarnath Doli Charges

Planning your Kedarnath Yatra and wondering what doli, pony, or mule service will actually cost? This guide covers every government-notified Kedarnath doli charge, pony and mule rate, and the cheaper kandi option — plus booking rules, animal welfare updates, and what to carry to the counter.

Palanquin (Doli/Dandi) Rates From Gaurikund to Shri Kedarnath Ji

Kedarnath doli charges cover the 16 km Gaurikund–Kedarnath trek for pilgrims who can't walk the full route. The table below reflects the current government-notified doli booking rates fixed by the Rudraprayag District Administration; these are revised before or during future Yatra seasons, so treat them as indicative and confirm the latest printed rate chart at the counter.

From	To	Day	Dist. (KM)	Up to 75 KG	Up to 90 KG	Up to 100 KG
Gaurikund	Shri Kedarnath	One Side	16	₹7,000	₹8,000	₹9,000
Shri Kedarnath	Gaurikund	One Side	16	₹6,400	₹7,400	₹8,300
Gaurikund	Shri Kedarnath	Same Day	32	₹10,400	₹11,400	₹13,100
Gaurikund	Shri Kedarnath	With Night Stay	32	₹13,000	₹14,000	₹16,000
Gaurikund	Lincholi	One Side	12	₹6,000	₹7,000	₹7,800
Lincholi	Gaurikund	One Side	12	₹5,400	₹6,400	₹7,100
Lincholi	Shri Kedarnath	One Side	4	₹3,500	₹4,500	₹4,900
Shri Kedarnath	Lincholi	One Side	4	₹3,300	₹4,300	₹4,500
Lincholi	Shri Kedarnath	Same Day	8	₹4,800	₹5,800	₹6,300

Doli, Dandi, and Palki are the same service — a four-porter palanquin, just named differently by region. If you see "Kedarnath palki booking" rates elsewhere, they describe this same table, not a separate cheaper option. Note also that the return leg is priced separately from the outbound leg on the current chart — it may not always work out lower, so check both directions on the printed slip.

Pony & Mule (Ghoda/Khachhar) Rates for Kedarnath

Kedarnath pony and mule rides are the most budget-friendly way to cover the trek if you can ride but can't walk. Government-notified pony charges generally fall within the range below, but — like doli rates — they're revised each Yatra season.

Sector	One Way (approx.)	Round Trip (approx.)
Gaurikund to Kedarnath	₹3,000 – ₹4,500	₹6,000 – ₹9,000
Return leg	Per the current seasonal chart	—

Pony and mule are priced the same and booked at the same counters as doli. Rates rise in weight slabs above 75 kg. Confirm the exact printed rate for both the outbound and return legs before paying, since seasonal notifications can adjust either one.

Kandi/Pitthu — The Cheaper Fourth Option

A kandi (or pitthu) is a basket carried by one porter — good for lighter pilgrims, children, or luggage. Current rates run approximately ₹3,500–₹5,000, usually the cheapest of all four options, though less comfortable over the full 16 km. As with doli and pony charges, treat this as an approximate, seasonally revised range.

Animal Welfare Rules You Should Know (2026)

Following Uttarakhand High Court orders after equine deaths on the route, horses and mules now operate daylight-only — no animal is permitted on the trail between sunset and sunrise. Registered animals also pass veterinary health checkpoints at Sonprayag, and some seasons have capped each animal to one ascent per day, tightening availability. Practically: pony and mule bookings wind down well before evening, so plan your trek start accordingly.

Booking Process, Payment, and ID Requirements

At present, Kedarnath doli, pony, mule, and kandi bookings are made through official prepaid counters at Sonprayag and Gaurikund — check the Rudraprayag District Administration or Char Dham Registration Portal for any seasonal changes. A few practical points:

• Payment: Cash is accepted everywhere; UPI acceptance varies by counter, so carry cash as backup.
• ID proof: Carry your Char Dham registration pass and a photo ID — counters may ask for either.
• Refunds: No universally published refund policy exists — ask counter staff about cancellation before paying.
• Weather: Heavy rain, landslides, or snow can pause operations without notice — keep a buffer day in your plan.

Many pilgrims arrive between 4:00 and 5:00 AM in peak season simply because demand is highest early — practical advice, not an official rule.

Which One Should You Choose?

Option	Best For	Comfort Level
Pony / Mule	Confident riders, budget-conscious travellers	Moderate — exposed, less stable on steep sections
Doli / Palki	Elderly pilgrims, mobility issues, non-riders	Highest — carried the whole way
Kandi / Pitthu	Children, lighter pilgrims, short stretches, luggage	Basic — one porter, basket seat

Doli and Pony at Other Dhams & Panch Kedar Temples

Kedarnath isn't the only shrine with palanquin and pony services. Yamunotri, the other trek-only Char Dham, offers similar doli and pony rides from Janki Chatti (a shorter 5–6 km climb, so rates are lower than Kedarnath's). Among the Panch Kedar temples, Tungnath — reached via a short trek from Chopta — also has pony service, though doli availability there is more limited than on the Kedarnath route. Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar have little to no organised palanquin/pony infrastructure, so plan those treks assuming you'll walk.

FAQs

Q1. What is the difference between Doli, Dandi, and Palki?

Ans: None — same four-porter palanquin service, just different regional names.

Q2. How much does a pony cost from Gaurikund to Kedarnath?

Ans: Roughly ₹3,000–₹4,500 one way on the current seasonal chart; confirm the exact rate at the counter.

Q3. Is doli more expensive than a pony?

Ans: Yes, generally — doli needs four porters and costs more, but it's far more comfortable.

Q4. Can I book a pony or doli online in advance?

Ans: Not currently — bookings are made at prepaid counters in Sonprayag or Gaurikund on the day; check for seasonal updates.

Q5. Can I book a doli before reaching Gaurikund?

Ans: No, doli, pony, and kandi are booked in person at Sonprayag or Gaurikund counters, not in advance from home.

Q6. What is a kandi/pitthu, and is it cheaper than a doli?

Ans: A single-porter basket, usually the cheapest option at around ₹3,500–₹5,000.

Q7. Do children need a full pony or doli fare?

Ans: Charges for children vary by operator and age — confirm the current policy at the booking counter.

Q8. Which is safer, a pony or a doli?

Ans: A doli is generally steadier on steep, narrow sections since it's carried by four porters; a pony needs some riding comfort on uneven terrain.

Q9. Can senior citizens use the pony service?

Ans: Yes, many senior pilgrims use pony or doli service — a doli is often more comfortable for those with limited mobility.

Q10. Does the doli rate change with body weight?

Ans: Yes, in slabs — the table above shows the current bands up to 100 kg.

Q11. Can horses and mules operate at night on the Kedarnath route?

Ans: No, a Uttarakhand High Court order restricts them to daylight hours only.

Q12. Are pony or doli charges refundable if I cancel?

Ans: There's no fixed published refund policy — ask the counter staff about cancellation before paying.

Q13. What happens if bad weather closes the trek?

Ans: Pony and doli operations can pause without notice during heavy rain, landslides, or snow — keep a buffer day in your plan.

Q14. Are doli and pony available at Yamunotri too?

Ans: Yes, similar services run from Janki Chatti, though rates are lower given the shorter climb.

Q15. Is a fitness certificate required for the horses and mules?

Ans: Yes, registered animals must pass veterinary health checkpoints before being allowed to operate.

Conclusion

Whether you choose a pony, mule, doli, palki, or kandi, each option gets you past the toughest stretch of the Kedarnath Yatra without the full 16 km walk. These Kedarnath doli charges and pony rates are government-notified but revised every season, so pick based on your budget and comfort, book only at the official Sonprayag or Gaurikund counters, and confirm the current printed rate chart — including for palki and dandi services — before you pay.