- Region : Sankri, Uttarakhand
- Duration : 5 Days
- Distance : 20 km
- Altitude : 12,500 ft.
- Grade : Easy – Moderate
- Price : Rs. 7499/-
Kedarkantha Trek Itinerary
Day 1 – Travel From Dehradun to Sankri Village
The Kedarkantha Trek starts from Dehradun city. Trekkers are advised to reach Dehradun a day before the pickup date in order to avoid any last minute hassles. On the day of the commencement of the trip you will be picked up at around 8:00 am from Dehradun ISBT.
Once picked up from Dehradun, we will begin our journey to Sankri village which is located at a distance of 230 K.m. from Dehradun and takes around 7-8 hours. It’s a long journey but through the beautiful Himalayan mountains. The journey itself is very exciting and thrilling and you will pass through Mussoorie, Purola, Mori to finally reach Sankri. As we reach close to Sankri we will be passing through the Govind National Park which is famous for its flora and fauna which is not found anywhere else in the country.
Be sure to make your important phone calls before Mori because only the BSNL network is available after that with limited connectivity. On reaching Sankri, you will be checked in Homestay where you will spend the night & get ready for the Kedarkantha trek which begins tomorrow.
Brief Overview of the Day
- Altitude: 6,400 feet
- 230 km drive – approx 8 hours
- Trekkers will be picked from Dehradun ISBT
- Expected arrival time at Sankri – 5:00 pm
- BSNL network – Limited Connectivity
Day 2 – 4 Km Trek from Sankri to Juda Ka Talab
After having breakfast, we will start our trek and move towards Sor village. The Kedarkantha trek distance is 18km. After we cross Sor village, we move along a stream that leads us towards Kedarkantha. We would cross some bridges & pass through the dense forest of Maple & Pine. It’s an amazing view that leaves the travelers mesmerized . The forest remains calm and you can hear the various streams flowing but they won’t be coming into view until we go a bit further.
We will cross various villages and you will be able to see locals working in the area going about their day. Walking through the forest, you might be able to get a glimpse of Himalayan animals. On the way, we will cross a few more streams as the trail climbs into a sharp accent and through the dense Oak forest we will reach Juda Ka Talab. The unique beauty of this place leaves trekkers speechless every time.
Juda Ka Talab is a perfect camping destination. A huge lake on one side and the thick forest on the other makes for a fascinating view. You can explore the area around the camp and take pictures. The night sky at Juda Ka Talab is a different experience all together. On a clear night it this 5-thousand star hotel will make you forget all the 5-star hotels you have stayed in. We will be spending the night here for today.
Brief Overview of the Day
- Altitude: 6,400 feet to 9,100 feet
- 4 kms trek, approx 5 hours
- The trail passes through dense pine forests, maple trees, few streams and finally opens out to beautiful meadows
- Stay in tents
Day 3 – 4 Km Trek From Juda Ka Talab to Kedarkantha Base
On the third day of Kedarkantha trek we continue our journey and our next stop will be Kedarkantha base which is located at an altitude of 11,250 ft. and about a distance of 4 km. It will take us around 2 and a half hours to reach there.
We will set out for our Kedarkantha base after having breakfast. The trail is pretty much easy and passes through the dense forest of Oak & Pine. If you are trekking in winters you will start to see snow when we hit the 10,400 feet mark. Walking forward you will see nature at its best, and will be able to view the snow capped peaks of Kala Nag, Swargarohini and Bandarpoonch.
The view at the Kedarkantha base is fascinating, the evening sky is beautiful with glowing stars and shining mountain peaks. We will spend the night here as we prepare for the final push towards the Kedarkantha peak.
Brief Overview of the Day
- Altitude: 9,100 feet to 11,250 feet
- 4 kms trek, approx 2.5 hours
- Most of today’s trail is on a ridge, under oak trees
- You will also pass through some meadows where you can spot shepherd log huts
- Peaks :- Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini, Kala Nag and Ranglana stand among the others
- Stay in tents
Day 4 : 6 KM Trek From Kedarkantha Base to Kedarkantha Peak
The fourth day of the trek is destined to conquer the Kedarkantha Peak. Today the trekkers need to hike an elevation from 11,250 feet to 12,500 feet. The schedule of the day includes hiking to Kedarkantha peak and then again descending back to Base camp.
Today is a long day but looking at the sun as the first rays hit the Kedarkantha peak will make you forget all your worries and it’s totally worth the challenge that lies ahead of us. There are a lot of different trails that we can take on from here but we follow the main trail.
We will once again cross through oak forest but it’s an easier trail which gets a bit tricky as we get closer to the peak. At the top of the peak, you will find a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and a small shrine of Lord Ganesha. From the peak, you will be able to see an amazing 360 degrees view of the snow-clad Himalayan peaks. It is something which is difficult to put down in words and can only be experienced at a personal level.
After spending some time at the peak we start to descend down to the basecamp Overnight stay at Hargawn Camp through the same trail that we came from. As we reach the base, this will mark the end of the day today as we retire to the tents to have some rest after dinner.
Brief Overview of the Day
- Altitude: 11,250 feet to 12,500 feet to 8,900 feet
- 6 km trek, approx 7 hours
- Spend some time at the summit and descend back to the base camp by noon for lunch
- Stay in tents
Day 5 : Return Back to Dehradun
Today we start descending down further towards Sankri after having breakfast in the morning. On our way down we will pass through the same Oak forest and small streams that we encountered on the first day. A bit down the trail there is a ridge from where you can catch the view of the Har Ki Dun Valley. Upon reaching Sankri Homestay Around 11:00 Am. you will be travelling back to Dehradun to Sankri as today marks the last day of the Kedarkantha Trek. The 200 Km journey will take around 8 hours and you will reach Dehradun by late evening
Brief Overview of the Day
- Altitude: 8,900 feet to 6,400 feet
- 6 km trek, approx 4 hours
- Descend 2500 feet through dense pine forests
- Distance: 200 km drive, approximately 8 hours
- You will be dropped at Dehradun station in a Tata Sumo or a similar vehicle
About Kedarkantha Trek
The Kedarkantha Trek is one of the most popular winter treks that you can also call the queen of winter treks. Knee deep snow in winter, picturesque views of the surrounding valleys, and easy to follow trails are some of the reasons that make it so popular. Kedarkantha Trek is no less than a paradise for trekking lovers. If you want to have the best trekking experience, then this trek is made for you.
Kedarkantha Trek starts from a village called Sankri in the Uttarkashi district and gains the maximum height of 12,500 feet (3,800 m) at the Kedarkantha Peak. There are other routes that can connect you to the Kedarkantha Peak, like an eastern ridge, western ridge, and Phulara ridge. But, the villages connected to these areas are not much explored so most of the trekkers use the Sankri route.
Being a winter trek, the Kedarkantha Trek receives heavy snowfall and is one of the best treks for beginners. It is not a short trek, it takes around 5-6 days to the summit and back (if you are starting from Dehradun). Kedarkantha trek is located in the range of Govind Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand and the best time to visit is from December to April.
As soon as you arrive at Sankri, you start to capture the wonderful views of the mountains and the diverse flora & fauna of the area. With these amazing imagery in mind, you move forward to Juda ka Talab from Sanakri and you see clearings in the middle of the forest, multiple colors, meadow, and sun rays shining down the lovely forest will make you mesmerized and amazed.
A stunning view of snow capped ranges like Har ki dun from Juda ka Talab will make you feel lost in the beauty of nature. In winters, Juda ka Talab is completely frozen due to a minimum temperature of -7 degrees, and this lake is also known as a frozen lake of India.
Finally going from base camp Juda ka Talab to Kedarkantha peak is one of the best feelings in the world. To witness the beauty of the sun rising from the peak can bring joy to your mundane life. This is just magical to see such a splendid view that strikes you at once.
In addition, you can explore more at the Sankri village while we stop there for a few hours. On your way to the Sankri village, you can also visit a village called Lakhamandal. Based on ancient beliefs, this village keeps a mythological history of Mahabharata. According to this belief, the fifth brother of Pandava named Sahadeva visited this place and buried lakhs of Shivling under the range of this village and much more.
Best Time to go for Kedarkantha Trek
Kedarkantha can be reached in any season. Reaching here in each season is a different thrilling experience. Kedarkantha trek is most favorite winter trek of Uttarakhand.
Kedarkantha Trek in Summer Season :
Summer Season in Kedarkantha Trek is between March and June when the temperatures are pleasant and the weather is clear. These two months are excellent for taking a day hike under a clear sky. The nights are also quite pleasant during this season.
Kedarkantha Trek in Winter Season :
One of the best time for which Kedarkantha Trek is famous for There is usually a lot of snowfall during winters from December to February. This increases the thrill and the sight of the journey. Snowfall is most common here in this season. It is very cold here in this season, so tourists should bring good warm clothes.
Kedarkantha Trek in Spring Season :
During the Season from Mid of September to November, there is a lot of greenery in the high altitude areas. During this the weather is also clear. The trek to Kedarkantha can be completed easily even in this season.
Avoid Kedarkantha Trek in Monsson Season :
During the rainy season, landslides, stones, and trees often fall on the mountain roads, and lightning strikes often on the peaks. This is why tourists should avoid visiting Kedarkantha Trek During Monsoon season. Monsoon season in kedarkantha starts from end of june until mid of september.
Location Direction and How to Reach Kedarkantha Trek
- Dehradun Jolly grant airport is the nearest airport .
- Haridwar and Rishikesh is the nearest railway station well connected with Indian railways from all the major stations.
From Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Haridwar you can take direct buses to Sankri Buses leave both the destinations early morning at 5:30 6:30 and 7:30. From Dehradun to sankri.
