Rudraprayag stands where the Mandakini, flowing down from Kedarnath, joins the Alaknanda. It is a district town and a major junction: the road to Kedarnath and Chopta turns off here, while the Badrinath highway — and the route to the Valley of Flowers — continues up the Alaknanda through Karnaprayag and Chamoli.
It lies roughly 140 km from Rishikesh, a little over halfway to Joshimath, which makes it a common place to stop for lunch or to break the journey overnight.
What to see and do at Rudraprayag
Walk down to the confluence
Steps lead to a small temple and platform at the point where the two rivers collide. An evening aarti is held here.
Remember Jim Corbett’s leopard
In the 1920s a man-eating leopard terrorised the pilgrim road here for years until the hunter and writer Jim Corbett shot it in 1926. A memorial marks the spot near the town.
Detour to Chopta
With an extra day you can leave the main road here for Chopta and Tungnath, rejoining the highway at Chamoli.
How to get to Rudraprayag
- From Rishikesh: about 140 km, four and a half to six hours depending on traffic and road works.
- To Joshimath: about 115 km further, four to five hours.
Practical tips
- If you leave the plains late, sleeping here and reaching Govindghat by the next midday is safer than pushing on in the dark.
- A railway line from Rishikesh to Karnaprayag is under construction along this valley. Until it opens, the road is the only way up.
- Fuel up here; petrol pumps become fewer further on.
Best treks & tours for Rudraprayag
These packages are the easiest way to see Rudraprayag with a guide, transport and lodging sorted:
Day trip from US$60 From Rishikesh: Devprayag, Where Rivers Meet – A Day Tour
A day out from Rishikesh to Devprayag, where the Bhagirathi and the Alaknanda meet and the river takes the name Ganga. If your trek transport rushes past the confluence, this is the way to see it properly. Well reviewed.
- The confluence where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda become the Ganga
- The drive up the Ganga gorge from Rishikesh
- Time at the ghat and in the old town
Guided trek & pilgrimage from US$1800 From Delhi: Kedarnath & Valley of Flowers 9-Day Trek
A long Garhwal journey from Delhi that pairs the pilgrimage trek to Kedarnath with the Valley of Flowers — two of the great walks of Uttarakhand in one trip. It is the most expensive option here and the listing has no reviews yet, so confirm group size, lodging and what the price covers.
- The trek to the Kedarnath temple
- The Valley of Flowers National Park
- Round trip from Delhi through Garhwal
Guided pilgrimage tour from US$830 From Delhi: Chardham Yatra with Transport and Tour Guide
The full Char Dham circuit of Uttarakhand in ten days. The Badrinath leg uses the same highway as the Valley of Flowers trek, passing Joshimath and Govindghat, so it suits pilgrims who would like to see where the trail to Hemkund Sahib and the valley begins. No reviews yet.
- Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath
- Transport and a tour guide throughout
- Passes Joshimath and Govindghat on the Badrinath road
