How to Reach Babaji Cave from Delhi, Kathgodam & Rishikesh: Complete Guide
Welcome to my blog, I am Om, living in Rishikesh, is on the foothills of the Himalayas along the bank of the Ganges, I have been always serious when plan to visit spiritual places of the Himalayas in India, and I have been travelling since 2006 in the regions of the Himalayas, I visited many times to Babaji cave from Delhi, Kathgodam Railway station and from Rishikesh too. Hence, I arrange / operate the tour to Babaji cave from various departure points like New Delhi, Kathgodam ( Nearest Railway station ) Pantnagar Airport ( Nearest Airport) and Yoga capital city Rishikesh. So, I decided to share travel insight, here is full details ” How to reach Babaji cave” .
1. How to Reach Babaji Cave in Kukuchhina village
First of all, I would like to explain about the last village of Babaji Cave is Kukuchhina. It is very small sparsely inhabited village near Babaji cave, and it is the last standing village, road ends here, there are 2 place to see, first is Babaji cave and second is Pandavkholi cave, It is in the Dunagiri sacred mountain near Dwarahat town, Almora district, Uttarakhand.
Dwarahat is dating back to Katyuri King 1000 AD, popular for temples, there are more 40 Hindu temples, some of them are ruined and some of them are still alive and active like Badrinath Temple, Krishna Temple and Mrityunjay Shiva temple. I strongly recommend to visit these 2 temples while you are to visit Babaji cave.
First Option by Road ( From Delhi )
The cave is well-connected by road from various famous entry points like New Delhi and Rishikesh. If you are looking to visit the cave from New Delhi, then best way to reach by own private vehicle, it takes 10 road trip and it is fastest route ( 300 km on Highway and 135 km on the zig-zag mountainous road) so, total distance from New Delhi is 435 km via Haldwani – Kathgodam – Naintial – Ranikhet – Dwarahat and Kukuchhina village.
By road , the journey to Babaji cave is rewarding and flexible but little bit tiring because in one day 430 km is too much, but I did and covered 435 km in one day, but was exhausted. So, I would like to tell you that take break road trip from Delhi up to Ranikhet ( approx. 380 km ), and you must leave New Delhi early morning around 6 am so that you can make it in 7.5 hours up to Ranikhet town because early morning no traffic and you do not waste 2 hours in Delhi’s traffic.
I think up to Ranikhet, is the best and balance road trip, and you feel energized for next day exploration of Babaji cave from Ranikhet, a day excursion 55 km / 2 hours + 3 km trek ( 45 minutes ) and drive back to Ranikhet and overnight and on 3rd day back to New Delhi via Neem Karoli Baba Ashram. Isn’t a great option ?
Second Option By Train ( From Delhi )
Start early morning, taking transfer from hotel to New Delhi Railway station to catch early morning train Shatabdi Train ( New Delhi to Kathgodam ) that departs around 06:20 am and drop you off at Khatgodam railway station around 11:30 am, it is the fastest train on this route and best option for those do not like to spend so much time on road like me, I do not like travel by road, I prefer always train if possible, easy, safe and comfortable, particularly for spiritual trip .
From Kathgodam railway station , there are curvy hill roads (about 5 hours from Khatgodam railway station) If you are travelling on weekend during during peak seasons such as April, May June, and consider at least 6 – 7 hours. As you know there are lost of curve on the road while going Babaji cave, so I advise that you must carry medicine if you have motion sickness problem.
Nearest Railway Station
Kathgodam Railway Station ( The code is KGM), approximately 135 km away from Babaji cave. There are 2 trains are frequently run between Delhi and Kathgodam are Ranikhet Express / Shatabdi.
From Kathgodam, I advise always to take private taxi because sharing taxi is very complicated, waiting for hours and hours, wasting time ang getting nothings, by the way here is breakdown fares of sharing taxi, you get taxi up to Ranikhet (about ₹300-500/person), then you have to wait for another taxi up to Dwarahat (₹200-400/person)— then the last stretch, from Dwarahat to Kukucchina village seems to me impossible. When I traveled in shared taxi, I was not able to find any taxi from Dwarahat to Kukucchina village, and I waisted 2 hours there in waiting for shared taxi and then finally I decided to take private taxi and paid double money then usual fare because, I need to reach there by any means.
Private taxis cost ₹3500-5500 one-way for the full journey. We can arrange pick-up—contact us in advance.
You can think of sharing taxis only if your reaches Kathgodam in the early in the morning, as they can take much longer than expected due to waiting times and multiple stops.
Nearest Airport Pantnagar:
Pantnagar Airport (PGH) is the nearest airport , it is about 170 km away from Babaji cave . There are some direct flights from Delhi that takes 1 hour, if you are travelling from another cities of India you will get connecting flights via New Delhi.
Pantnagar airport to Babaji cave, a private taxi cost ₹5000-6500 one-way. We can arrange taxi once you arrive at airport or you can do it in advance with some local taxi operator.
When I landed there and went out form the airport looking for sharing or public transport options but I did not able to find any options, so I do not recommend you, I think, there are some options but limited availability and longer waits.
Babaji Cave From Rishikesh
When it comes in my head about my first visit to Babaji cave from Rishikesh, I immediately become excited about my travel experience, on the way, there are many ancient temples and holy sites while visiting of Babaji cave from Rishikesh. It is the best and most significant route, like our master Guru Yogananda did it via Rishikesh and Haridwar, he started his journey from Haridwar holy city by taking deep in the Ganga, visiting the Keshvananda Ashram, ( the Keshavananda Ashram is connected to Kriya Yoga ). I can ensure that it will be a fabulous trip along the holy mohter Ganges, wow!.
Rishikesh is itself very spiritual place and city of ancient temples where Hindu sages and saints and yogis have been lived. In Rishikesh there is Bharat temple is must visit temple before embarking on this trip, dating back to 900 AD, Krishna temple and after Rishikesh, on the way there ancient cave , called Vashishta cave on the bank of the Ganges, where you can stop off for reflection and contemplation.
When you travel more up in the Himalayas, you find another prominent stop-off, is Devprayag, confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers, and ancient temple Lord Rama dates back 5000 years, continuing more up, on the way Dhari Devi Temple, most powerful temple of goddess Dhari in this region of Himalayas, later you comes up to Rudraprayag, confluence of 2 holy rivers Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers along with Shiva temple, when you go more up, another holy confluence of Alaknanda and Pindar rivers along with Uma Parvati temple of Shiva and Shakti.
After lunch, you reach Adi Badri village, where you see the a big temple complex that is a group of 14 ancient temples, dating back to 9th century and many more, from Rishikesh to Babaji cave, this journey you never forget because spiritually and scenically powerful all the way up to the Mahavatar Babaji cave cave from Rishikesh.
I would like always to advise the travelers to go from Rishikesh, it is worth and meaningful you trip to Babaji cave.
Taxi and Transport Tips:
Private and sharing taxis are available outside of the Kathgodam station and Pantnagar airport. For smooth travel, take a private transport. Sharing jeeps run between Haldwani/Kathgodam and Ranikhet Dwarahat.
Once you are in the Dwarahat town , you can hire a private local taxis ( Sedan ) that costs INR 1000 up to Kukuchhina village. Roads are zig-zag and good but narrow, you can travel during daylight or after dark no problem. If you think of any direct buses to Kukuchhina, please do not think of it, there is no any bus.
What to Pack
I do not think you need to think to make any planning to pack anything, it is not an adventure trail or high altitude place, it is just at 2000 m altitude, most of time I visited wearing flip-flop and normal clothing, but during winter you have carry some warm clothes, like you prepare at hole before advent of winter but nothing special to pack while visiting Babaji cave.
Babaji Cave Timings and Visits
The Mahavatar Babaji Cave is the heart of Kriya Yoga—a moderate 3 km trek from roundabout Kukuchhina village (1 hours hiking , some extent a bit steep but easily manageable). Since it is remote place and not very popular, so you can visit any time between 9 AM to 4 PM. Hence the size of the cave is small, hardly 5-6 person can sit inside, so in the case of any group arrival at the cave, it might takes an hour to go inside the cave.
Summer Season (1st March to 30 September): Open 9 AM to 4 PM.
Monsoon Season ( 1st July to 30 September): Open 9 AM to 4 PM.
Winter Season (1st October to 28th February): Open 10 AM to 3:30 PM.
Best Time to Visit: March to June and September to November are peak times with pleasant weather (15-25°C days).
I prefer always to go there during monsoon time July-August (monsoon, fewer crowds but rainy) but I was alone at the cave for more deeper experience.
Travel Guide Assistance in Person
If you are solo traveler and looking to have any person who can accompany you up to the cave and can explain little about history then there are village boys are available, they are not professional but good human beings. Do not worry about safety, it is itself the safest place. You can go there any time alone no problem.
- The Guide charge INR 500 to 1000
- “Can I visit alone?” Yes, there are arrow sign cart all the way up to the cave to navigate paths safely.
- Airtel/BSNL network works in the area of Babaji Cave