Kedarkantha Vs Brahmatal: Which Trek to Choose?

Going to trek? But confused between the Kedarkantha and Brahmata trek? If yes, then you’re at the perfect place, because in this article, we are going to give you a comparison between two of the most famous winter trekking destinations, Kedarkantha and Brahmatal. We will provide you with all the aspects of these two treks and help you to figure out which trek you should choose according to your needs. Do read the full article to have complete knowledge about both trekking destinations in India.

Comparison Table

Info	Kedarkantha	Brahmatal
Location	Uttarakhand	Uttarakhand
Base Camp	Sankri Base Camp 1950 m/6400 ft	Lohajung 2300 m/7,500 ft
Height or Altitude	12,500 ft (3,800 m)	12,250 ft (3,734 m)
Distance	18 km	24 km
Grade	Easy to moderate	Moderate
Age	5+	8+
Duration / Days	4N/5D	5N/6D
Health Requirement	Person should be able to jog for at least 5 kms in 30 minutes	Person should be able to jog 5 kms in 30 mins without stress
Avg Cost	Rs 8,000 per person	Rs 8,000 per person
Popularity Level	Very famous trek	Getting famous
Permit	Forest Permit Required	Trekking Permit Required
Best Season to visit	December to April	Mid December to early February

Trek Description:

Kedarkantha:

Kedarkantha is located in Govind Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Kedar refers to Lord Shiva, and Kantha means Throat. Sankari Village is where the trek begins, and this is where you will take your first break. During trekking the trail, you will see the stunning view of locally unique flora at the Govind National Park. Kedarkantha comes under the category of Easy-Moderate trek.

The most famous attractions of this trek are:

• Landscapes covered with snow. 
• Tall oak and pine trees can be seen throughout the trek.
• You will also get to see a high-altitude lake (Juda Ka Talab).
• The best time in which you can visit Kedarkantha to witness snowfall is between December and February. 
• At the summit of this trek, you will find a small shrine of lord shiva, which is the most beautiful feature of this trek.
• Prominent peaks visible from Kedarkantha summit are Swargarohini(6,252m), Kala Naag/ Black peak(6,387m) and Bandarpunch (6,316m). 

Brahmatal

Brahmatal Trek is located in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. This place is well-known for its beautiful views of the Brahmatal Lake and the snow-covered Himalayan peaks. The trek is regarded as challenging, and typically, it takes five to six days for a person to reach the summit. Trekkers who like to take in the beauty of the Himalayas during the winter season should definitely go for it.

The difficulty level of the Brahmatal trek is moderate. This trek is more suitable for experienced trekkers. During this trek, you will see mind-blowing views of the mountains

• Alpine meadows and frozen lakes can also be seen on the way of this trek. 
• You will witness a journey through a view filled with snow. 
• This trek is accessible from Lohajung. 
• The place is nearly 210 km away from Dehradun.
• Prominent peaks visible from Brahmatal is Trishul (7,120m)l and Nanda Ghunti (6,309m)

Brahmatal is the most considered destination for the people looking for a beautiful winter trekking experience. 

Scenery & Natural Beauty:

Kedarkantha

Situated in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, Kedarkantha is surrounded by pretty rivers, beautiful mountains, and eye-catching views of valleys. This trek is an excellent destination for wanderlusts, trekkers, and tourism enthusiasts.

Kedarkantha is renowned for its breathtakingly beautiful surroundings, forest trail, views of Gangotri and Saraswati ranges. The walk provides magnificent views of the beautiful scenery, which includes:

• snow-capped peaks
• meadows
• and dense pine forests
• The environment is unspoiled, and the way the view changes as you climb makes it the favourite destination for trekkers and nature lovers

On your way on the trek, you will find snow-covered landscapes, oak, and alpine trees. Trekkers will find young and old sadhus at the summit of the trek, meditating and praying. 

Brahmatal

This trek offers the most beautiful views of some of the most iconic Himalayan Peaks like 

• Charkhamba
• Nanda Ghunti
• Trishul

This trek takes almost 5 to 6 days to complete. This proves to be an excellent location for trekkers who want to explore the winter beauty of the mountains. This place is absolutely a paradise for snow lovers.

Brahmatal is not a very crowded place so one can experience the most out of the place. The walk for Brahmatal Trek is mainly inside the jungle of cedar, oak and fir trees. Several notable seven peaks are visible, including the peaks of Trishul, Nandaghunti, Chowkhamba, Nilkanth, Kamet, Hathi, and Ghoda. 

Difficulty Level:

Kedarkantha: 

Kedarkantha is of moderate difficulty level. The journey often lasts up to four to five days and passes through a variety of environments, including snow-covered meadows and deep pine forests. 

The experience of trekking at Kedarkantha gets better with the steady increase in altitude as you move up. Even though the trail is tough due to steep parts and snow, the journey is worth doing for the expansive vistas of Swargarohini and other Himalayan peaks seen at the summit of Kedarkantha.

One should take all the necessary health precautions before beginning the Kedarkantha trek. Physical fitness should be a top priority and doing strength and aerobic exercises can help you build up endurance and strength. One should minimise risk of getting altitude sickness by acclimatising at base camp. Pack clothes that are appropriate for the place’s climate, layered in case of temperature variations. Don’t pack any unnecessary items, as you will gain altitude your trek bag will feel heavier. So take only that is required. For long-term energy, you should carry energy-dense foods and drink a lot of water before starting the journey.

Brahmatal

Brahmatal trek is of moderate difficulty level, especially in the winter season. There are steep climbs, descents, and parts of the trail that are covered with snow and challenging to climb. Trekkers must make their way through cold conditions, alpine meadows, and deep woodlands. The difficulty is increased by the high elevation of the area, which is more than 12,000 feet.

But you can get rewarded with the views of snow-capped summits such as Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti. If you are a fan of Trishul Parvat and want to experience its beauty in full glory then Brahmatal is your trek. Only two treks offer the grandest views of Trishul Parvat, Bedni Bugyal and Brahmatal trek. 

To avoid altitude sickness make sure to get acclimatize at Lohajung and while trekking ascent slowly. Getting enough sleep and rest is essential before trekking. Share any health concerns with fellow trekkers and trek guide. Keep emergency medication ready on hand in case of altitude sickness. Observe Leave No Trace guidelines, and follow trekking regulations. Check the weather forecast frequently to keep the information up to date.

Weather & Seasons:

Kedarkantha:

Kedarkantha is a winter trek and is most visited between the months of December and March. April, May, and June are also good times to visit Kedarkantha if you can’t bear the extreme cold. At this time, the weather remains mild and pleasant. 

During July, August, and September, moderate to heavy rainfall can be seen. This time is not suitable for trekking as the trail will be slippery and muddy, even though many trekkers choose to challenge the limitations of the climate and walk up to the summit to have views of green valleys and lush forest.

During October and November, days are pretty sunny with clear skies. These months are for autumn lovers who want to experience the autumn vibes of the forest and Himalayas. 

Seasons	Avg Temperature
September–October	0°C  – 15°C
November–December	-2°C  – 12°C
January–February	6°C – 20°C

Brahmatal:

Brahmatal, one of the famous treks of Chamoli district can also be considered as a winter trek. Kedarkantha got so famous that a lot of trekkers have already done it and while looking for other winter trek options, Brahmatal comes in top place in their list. During the months of December and March, Brahmatal is covered in snow. If someone wants to experience snow and wants to do a snow trek then these months are suitable for those.

During May or June, temperature becomes bearable and ranges from 5 to 15 degrees Celsius. In contrast, in the winter season, it can drop as low as -15 degrees during the months of January to February.

January and February are considered the coldest months, with temperatures ranging from – 5 to -15 degrees Celsius. The temperature in November and December is between -1 to -5 degrees Celsius. During March, April and May, the temperature climbs to between 5 to 15 degrees Celsius, making it a comfortable time for trekking.

Seasons	Avg Temperature
September–October	-1°C to 5°C
November–December	-1°C to -5°C
January–February	-5°C to -15°C

Cultural & Historical Aspect:

Kedarkantha: 

According to the beliefs, the first Kedarnath temple was meant to be here, but when village men interrupted Lord Shiva, who was hiding from the Pandavas as a cow during the time of his meditation, the cow (Lord Shiva) moped and vanished, leaving this valley.

• Local Food: Throughout the hike, savour the flavours of genuine Garhwali food. Suggested menu items include Kafuli (wild spinach curry), Bhatt Ki Churkani (roasted lentil curry), and Siddu (steamed bread).

• Village Life: As you begin your trek from Sankri, you’ll be greeted by the warmth of the local villagers. Witness their daily routines, like farming, herding livestock, and weaving woollen garments.

• Local Craftsmanship: Witness the skilled hands of local artisans crafting beautiful souvenirs like hand-woven shawls, wooden artefacts, and traditional Garhwali jewellery.

Brahmatal

Mythology and Mountains go together at Brahmatal, as the name signifies, this place is believed to be the lake where Lord Brahma meditated millions of years ago. True to its name, this place is a stunning part of the creator’s masterpiece celebrating the different faces and phases of nature.

This trek offers a mind-blowing array of cultural food and aspects of the society. You will be amazed to see the village life here and their way of living. 

• Local life: You can see the ways in which local villages reside in the small town and the daily activities they do to earn their living.

• Craftsmanship: You will also find handmade things on the way to Brahmatal, which the local villagers make in that area.

Guided Vs Independent Trekking:

Kedarkantha: 

Independent:

• You can go for solo trekking if you’re not a beginner. There are three buses starting from Dehradun to Sankri, which depart at around 5:30 am, 6:00 am, and 7:00 am from Gandhi Road in Dehradun.

• From Sankri, you can ask for a day’s stay at some place, and you can start the trek the next day. If you’re not a beginner, you can also go to Kedarkantha base on the very first day and camp there, go to the summit the next morning, and return on the same day to Juda Ka Talab and then to Sankri on the next day. 

• Then, on the following day, you can take a bus from Sankri to Dehradun. It’s always advisable to reach the bus station early.

Guided: 

• Going unguided for the very first time on mountains is like inviting danger for yourself. 

• You should definitely go for guided trekking if you are trekking for the very first time. You will be guided with all the safety measures and the things you should carry along with you for the trek. 
  Also read, how to pack a trekking bag.

• A guide is essential if you are not aware of the environment and climate of the mountains. You will enjoy the trek with your fellow mates and will not be feeling bored.
• The guided trek is less hassle as you don’t have to carry a tent, sleeping bag, and food. Also your forest permit is taken care of by the guide or company you are going with. 

Brahmatal:

Independent:

• Going solo for trekking to Brahmatal can be challenging, as it involves visiting through varying terrains and areas of high altitudes. It’s essential to be well-prepared with proper gear, knowledge of the route, and experience in trekking. 

• The weather conditions of Brahmatal also play a significant role during trekking. It is essential to be careful of the season in which you are planning the trek. You should also inform someone about your travel and have a reliable communication device with you for your safety.

• If you have any previous trekking experience and are well-prepared, then solo trekking Brahmatal can be rewarding.

Guided: 

• Guided trek to Brahmatal is recommended if you don’t want to get into applying for a permit, carrying your own food, sleeping bag and tent. 
• Hiring a trekking guide means that your trek will be well-planned, and you will be amazed by looking at the sights of the Garhwal region.

• You will discover the native flora, animals, and customs while trekking with the assistance of your guide. 

• For a smooth experience during the Brahmatal trek, you must reserve your spot in advance.

Which trek to choose?

Kedarkantha is a famous and crowded trek while Brahmatal is yet to get famous and is less crowded. 

If you are a beginner trekker, then choose Kedarkantha Trek.

If you have done winter treks like Kedarkantha, Chopta Tungnath and Dayara Bugyal then Brahmatal Trek is the best option. If you don’t like crowded places and want to experience some peace then Brahmatal is the option.

To get the perfect view of Swargarohini Peak, Kedarkantha is perfect. If you want to get a grand view of Trishul Parvat then Brahmatal is your option for trekking.