Kedarkantha Trek
Level: Easy
KEDARKANTHA TREK
Garhwal Himalayas
Altitude: 3810 Mtrs
Kedarkantha trek offers breathtaking views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks and a pristine alpine experience, making it a popular winter trekking destination in Uttarakhand, India.
4 N / 5 D
Departure: November : 15, 23. December : 7, 14, 21, 29.
Dehradun to Dehradun : ₹7469/-
OFFER - FREE RUCKSACK worth 2000/-*
Extra Benefits worth 500/-*
Brief Description.
Kedarkantha Trek is famous for its snow-covered landscapes, which offer a breathtaking view of the Himalayan peaks. The trek involves a summit climb to the Kedarkantha peak, which stands at an elevation of 12,500 feet. From the summit, you can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding peaks, including Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, and Kalanag.
The trek offers some of the most beautiful camping sites, where you can spend the night under the starry sky. Juda ka Talab is a scenic high-altitude lake located in the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarakhand, India. Here are some of the highlights of this beautiful destination. There are several campsites around the lake where you can spend the night under the stars and enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the surrounding wilderness.
Overall, the Kedarkantha trek is a perfect blend of adventure, natural beauty, and cultural exploration.
Image Gallery!!
-
Day 1: Arrival in Sankri (1950 m) from Dehradun
Moring 7-8 Am – Pickup from Dehradun Rly Station and Drive to Sankri.
Arrive in Sankri, a scenic village in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
Check-in to your accommodation and rest.
Explore the village, get accustomed to the surroundings, and meet your trekking guide.
Attend a briefing session with your guide to discuss the upcoming trek.
Dinner and overnight stay in Sankri.Day 2: Sankri to Juda-ka-Taal (2773 m)
Start your trek early in the morning after a hearty breakfast.
The trail will take you through dense forests, charming meadows, and alongside flowing streams.
Reach Juda-ka-Taal, a beautiful high-altitude lake, and set up camp.
Enjoy the serene surroundings and have dinner at the campsite.
Overnight stay at Juda-ka-Taal.Day 3:Juda-ka-Taal to Kedarkantha BC (3413 m)
Begin your trek towards Kedarkantha Base Camp.
The trail will offer panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and alpine meadows.
Set up camp at Kedarkantha Base Camp, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes.
Evening relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay at the base camp.Day 4: Kedarkantha BC to Summit (3810 m) & back to Juda-ka-Taal (2700 m)
Start early for the summit push to Kedarkantha Peak.
Enjoy the mesmerizing views from the summit.
Descend back to Kedarkantha Base Camp for a brief rest.
Continue the descent to Juda ka Taal campsite for an overnight stay.
Dinner and well-deserved rest in Hargaon.Day 5:Juda-ka-Taal campsite to Sankri (1950 m); Depart from Sankri to Dehradun
Trek back to Sankri, retracing your steps through the enchanting landscapes.
bid farewell to Sankri and the beautiful Himalayan region.
Depart for Dehradun, enjoying the scenic drive.
Reach Dehradun by evening, and your Trek concludes.es here -
Moderate Level of Difficulty.
But, There are quite a few things you need to be prepared for.
First is the altitude.
You're starting the trek at around 6,500 ft and you climb upto 12,000 ft within three days. This means that the trek involves quite a few climbs. You’re gaining altitude every day.
Next is the summit push.
There are not many steep ascents on this trek. But the summit push is the toughest. You consistently ascend on a steep slope while climbing to the summit. It becomes trickier if you are trekking in winter. The steep slope is covered with snow. To ascend on it, you need the strong grip of microspikes.
Verglas
In winter you also come across sections of verglas. This is extremely hard and slippery ice. You slip the moment you step on it. You’ll find this in the winter months — from December to mid-April.
Temperatures
While the trek is pleasant during most part of the year, temperature dips to sub-zero levels in the winter. That’s when the trek becomes challenging. You need to carry a minimum of five layers to stay warm and maintain your core body temperature.
-
When it comes to terrain, Kedarkantha can be considered as highly safe. The entire route is marked with:
Well marked trails
Well trodden routes
Gradual ascents
Well placed campsites (important when considering AMS)
Easy and multiple exit points
There are hardly sections that are challenging and require technical assistance. The only tricky section is the ridge walk closer to the summit. However, even this section does not require technical assistance.
-
Kedarkantha in Winter (December, January and February)
Day time: Between 8 °C and 10 °C | Night time: Will drop to temperatures between 0 °C and -10 °C.
Presence of snow: You will find snow from the base camp towards the end of December. The entire landscape and valley will be in white.
No. of warm layers required: 5 warm layers.
Kedarkantha is most popular as a winter trek and it is rightly so. The beautiful snow-covered landscape and an adventurous summit climb especially in the winter can make anyone go weak in the knees. It was discovered, documented and brought out to Indian trekking by Pahadi hikes as a winter trek.
Kedarkantha is a perfect winter trek – especially for beginners. What makes it perfect is how it brings about beauty and adventure together in the right proportion. You get to trek through dense forests that are covered with snow. You will learn to camp in clearings on thick mounds of snow.
The summit climb will get your adrenaline kicking with the thick blanket of snow to the summit. These make the trek in winter a memorable and a unique experience even for experienced trekkers.
Note: Kedarkantha trek gets extremely crowded from the Sankri side starting December 15th until mid-January. It is at this time, you will appreciate the more quiet and pristine Gaichawan Gaon route which Indiahikes trekkers go on.
Kedarkantha in Spring (March and April)
Day time: Between 15 °C and 18 °C | Night time: Will drop to temperatures between 0 °C and 5 °C.
Great time to experience the last of the winter snow. The snow starts to recede from the lower campsites when spring sets. The upper reaches of Kedarkantha are still under snow.
No. of warm layers required: 3 warm layers.
Kedarkantha in March still carries quite a bit of snow – especially the higher campsites towards the summit. What you will also see are the Rhododendrons and the freshly exposed grasslands blooming. This is a sight to watch especially when you see the flush of colours in contrast against the snow backdrop as you climb higher.
Snow melts away by April in Kedarkantha. Kedarkantha in April is a must to experience the beautiful landscape come alive after its long winter hibernation. The weather is much more pleasant to trek and camp in and the spring is in full force during this month. There is a riot of colours all along the way.
Kedarkantha in Summer (May and June)
Day time: Between 18 °C and 24 °C | Night time: Will drop to temperatures between 3 °C and 8 °C.
Presence of snow: You will not find any snow in the summer season.
No. of warm layers required: 2 warm layers.
Kedarkantha in May is marked with bright sun in the morning. In the evenings, the cold is not as harsh as in the other months.
Kedarkantha in June has occasional rainfall. Monsoon sets in only in July. The entire trek turns lush green.
In May and June, crowds are less as most of them are now moving towards the higher altitude treks. All in all, a great time to trek if you are looking to enjoy the trek in more isolation.
Kedarkantha in Autumn (September, October and November)
Day time: Between 10 °C and 15 °C | Night time: Will drop to temperatures between 0 °C and -5 °C.
Presence of snow: You will not find any snow in the autumn season.
No. of warm layers required: 4 warm layers.
Right after the monsoon, the entire trek comes alive in September. The meadows and the forests are fresh and alive during September and continue to be so in October as well. The air is crisp and the views of the upper Himalayas are strikingly clear.
The trek does get cold as we proceed towards November. And the feeling of incoming winter sets in during November. The views and the terrain remains crisp and beautiful for the trekker.
All in all, the ten months are ideal for anyone to do the trek.
Click here to download Trek essentials for the trek.
