Kedarkantha Trek 2024 | Cost, Itinerary, Tips & More

Region: Uttarakhand

Base Camp: Sankri

Days: 5

Altitude: 12,500 ft

Grade: Easy-Moderate

Distance: 20 Km

Min Age: 10 Years+

Best Season: Winters

Trek Description

Mt. Kedarkantha is located within Govind Pashu Vihar National Park in the district of Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. The peak is at an altitude of 12,500 ft above sea level, allowing you to have the most breathtaking views of the Himalayan peaks like Mt.Swargrohini, Kalanag, Bandarpunch, etc.

Kedarkantha is the most famous winter trek in Uttarakhand because this trek grants you not only the wish of trekking in the snow but also the bonus of a fantastic summit climb.

The trek spans over 5 days and covers 20 kilometres on foot with a splendid summit climb and camping in beautiful sites like Juda ka Talab.

It is a beginner-friendly, easily accessible trek covered in thick snow in winter and dense forests of oaks, rhododendrons, pine, etc. A perfect trek to expand your horizon of snow treks and summit climbing with the advantage of no technical issues.

Itinerary

Drive Distance: 185 km via NH 507

Drive Time: 9-10 hours

Pick Up: Prince Chowk, Dehradun

Altitude: 6,400 feet (approx)

The pickup is included in our Kedarkantha trek package, so you just have to reach Dehradun. For the convenience of everyone coming through different modes of transport, the pickup point is Prince Chowk.

As the journey is long for Sankri, we will start our day early in the morning while enjoying the scenic drive. On our way, we will cross famous hill stations like Mussoorie, and from there, the Yamuna River will accompany us to Naugaon. Don’t worry, another ethereal beauty River Tons, will join us from Mori to all the way till Sankri.

Sankri is a beautiful village surrounded by Himalayas and forest, creating a picture-perfect atmosphere. The village serves as a base for various other treks like Har Ki Dun, Ruinsara Tal, Bali Pass, etc. After reaching Sankri by the evening, you are free to explore.

We will end our day with a hot dinner and rest well for tomorrow.

Trek Distance: 4 Km

Trek Duration: 4-5 hours

Altitude Gain: 2,750 ft

Altitude: 9,100 ft

Today marks the starting day of our trek as we will leave our cozy beds and head out for our first campsite – Juda ka Talab via Saud. After a delicious breakfast, we will start our ascend. The hike will be covered in snow, greenery, and different colors, depending on your chosen time of the year.

Juda ka Talab is a high-altitude lake surrounded by a thick forest of oaks, maple and pine. The lake is said to have formed when Lord Shiva opened a strand from his hair bun, and water droplets fell from it, creating this lake. There are several other interesting tales related to this beautiful lake, but the fact that it is a lovely lake remains true.

We will finish off our day with a hot dinner while sharing stories and rest for the night.

Trek Distance: 4 Km

Trek Time: 3-4 hours

Altitude Gain: 2,150 ft

Altitude: 11,250 ft

The next day, wake up early to enjoy the glow of sunrise and freshen up for the day. Today, we will head for Kedarkantha Base Camp & closer to the summit.

The hike won’t be tiring, but it is not a cakewalk. Giant trees and the Himalayas will accompany you while motivating you to be strong. After walking through the dense forest, the trail will open to an open field, which will be our campsite.

We will have our dinner early and sleep because the next day, we have to wake up at 3 am to chase the sunrise on the peak.

Trek Distance: 12 km (4 km ↗ + 4 km ↙ + 4 km ↙)

Trek Time: 7-8 hours

Altitude: 12,500 ft

As mentioned earlier, we will begin our day early at 3 am and get ready for the most exciting part of the trek – Summit Climb. Whichever season you choose, it will still be a bit cold in the morning, even in summer or spring, so pack your clothes accordingly. During winters, the weather will be harsher, and the snow will reach your knees; it is advised that you rent proper gear and equipment like crampons and gaiters.

After hiking for around 4 km with a final inclination climb of 40° to 60°, you will finally reach the summit. Seek blessing from the small Kedarkantha temple made of stone arrangement of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Relish in the most beautiful sunrise from a Himalayan Mountain Peak and discover yourself.

From the summit, enjoy the 360° views of the Himalayas and try to identify peaks like Swargrohini 1,2,3, Bandarpunch & Kalanag. You can also see Har Ki Dun and Rupin Valley from the top.

We do believe in living in the moment, but capturing them to preserve the memories forever is also essential. After clicking on many photos and videos, we will start our descent.

We will head for our favorite Juda ka Talab and spend another beautiful night under twinkling stars after a hot & delicious supper.

Trek Distance: 4 km

Trek Time: 3 hours

Drive Distance: 185 Km

Drive Time: 9-10 hours

After the well-deserved night’s rest and breakfast, we will start our final block of descent and head back to Sankri. From Sankri, we will bid final goodbye to the mountains with a promise to return back soon and leave for Dehradun via the same route we came.

What’s Included and Excluded?

Price Inclusion

Transportation is provided via a private vehicle (based on group size) for the entire journey.
Accommodation on a sharing basis.
All vegetarian meals included starting from Day 1 dinner to Day 5 breakfast.
Experienced and certified trek leader.
Professional cook and support staff.
Forest permits included.
All necessary camping equipment is provided, including tents, sleeping bags, gaiters, and spikes.
Trek Completion Certificate

Price Exclusion

Meals during transfer
GST 5% is not included
Any expenses not mentioned in the inclusion
For backpack offloading additional fee of INR 1200 will be charged
Any expenses arising from emergencies during the trek
Any personal expenses

Things to Carry

45-60 Ltr Bag Pack With Rain Cover & Comfortable Straps
Hot & Cold Water Bottle Like Borosil & Milton
Energy Bar, Dry Fruits & ORS
Personal Medical Kit

2/3 Full Sleeves (Non-Cotton)
1 Full Fleece T-Shirt
1 Fleece Jacket (Woollen Or Sweater)
1 Down Feather/Hollofil Jacket
1 Waterproof Jacket/Poncho
1 Pair Thermal Inners (Upper And Lower)
2 Trek Pants (Avoid Shorts & Denim Pants)
1 Pair of Waterproof Gloves
1 Pair of Woollen Gloves
Sun Cap
Woollen Cap
4 Pairs Of Cotton Socks
1 Pair Of Woollen Socks

1 Pairs Of Sunglasses (U/V Protected)
1 Neck Gaiters (Buff)
Tiffin Box

1 Waterproof & High Ankle Trekking Shoes
1 Pair Of Floaters

Hand Sanitizer & Sunscreen Lotion
Toothbrush And Toothpaste
Toilet Paper And Wet Wipes
Quick Dry Towel
Lip Balm & Antibacterial Powder
Moisturizer

How To Reach Sankri

As many major cities have direct connectivity to Dehradun, a quick flight is an easy option. The journey begins at 6:30 am from Dehradun. Make sure to book the flight which reaches Dehradun on Day 0 or before 6 am on Day 1.

To reach the central city from Jolly Grant Airport –

Airport buses that ply between Rishikesh to Dehradun via the airport are also a good option. They generally leave every 1.5 hours.
Book a taxi from the pre-paid taxi counter at the airport (near the conveyor belt), or get one from outside the airport. They usually charge 1500 but don’t hesitate to bargain.
Walk for 1.5 km from the airport towards the Dehradun-Rishikesh Highway. From there, catch a private or UTC Bus to ISBT Dehradun for just Rs.40.

Considering the price might lean on the higher side for Dehradun, you can also book a flight to Delhi. From Delhi, train options are best for reaching Dehradun. Otherwise, you can also use the bus or taxi service.

12401 – Nanda Devi AC Superfast Express Timing – 23:35 – 5:45 am, Runs Daily.

Note – Remember this train leaves from Hazrat Nizamuddin Rly St. To reach the railway station from Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), you can book a direct taxi or metro.

The train offers you a cheaper way to reach your destination with the comfort of long berths to sleep. Depending on your location, book a train directly to Dehradun and reach by Day 0. So you have ample time if the train gets delayed.

You can also book a train ticket for Delhi. For Delhi, you will easily find a train as the capital of the country, the connectivity is vast. Instead of interchanging trains, booking a ticket directly for Delhi is advisable. From here, you can book a taxi or ride by bus to reach Dehradun.

Dehradun is 248 km away from Delhi, with a travel time of 6-8 hours. Delhi has three significant bus stands – Kashmere Gate (ISBT), Anand Vihar, and Sarai Kale Khan. Most of the time, the bus to Dehradun leaves every half an hour. You can book tickets online for AC and non-buses.

Sankri is 185 km from Dehradun and there are multiple ways you can reach there. In Kedarkantha Trek Package you will get transport included from Dehradun. In case you opt for the Sankri to Sankri package then you will need to reach there on your way. In that scenario there are multiple mediums that you can use.

Bus from Prince Chowk: Prince chowk is the pickup point for Kedarkantha package. During the season, that is winter, buses force travelers run to and fro from Sankri daily.
Hire bike in Dehradun and then ride to Sankri.
If you are planning Kedarkantha family trek then you can also hire a taxi from Dehradun to Sankri.

Raithal is the point where we start our Dayara Bugyal Trek in Uttarakhand. It is approximately 183 kilometers away from Dehradun, which takes around 6 to 7 hours by public transportation. To reach Raithal you have to reach Uttarkashi first.

The bus to Uttarkashi leaves early in the morning around 5:30 am from Dehradun Hill station. You can also book your ticket online via the UTC portal. The average cost of the ticket is around 350 to 400 INR. Shared taxi option is also available.

If you are traveling via taxi, you will be charged around 400 to 500. You can hire a taxi from Rispana Pul and Parade Ground to Uttarkashi. Upon reaching Uttarkashi, you can rent another taxi to Raithal from Uttarkashi Taxi Stand. You must pay 100 to 150 INR to hire the taxi.

Difficulty Level of Kedarkantha

Though the speciality of this trek is that it is available for 10 months of the year, except for the rainy season months of July and August, it is known as the best winter trek in Uttarakhand.

Every season brings a different colour palette for the trek, so choose what you want to see.

Winter

Months – December to Mid-March

Temperature – Day: 8℃ to 10℃, Night: -10 degrees

Kedarkantha is the most famous winter trek in Uttarakhand for all the right reasons. During winter, the trail will be covered in thick sheets of snow. The days will be filled with cold winds, and nights will dip even lower in winter. Weather conditions during these months create a perfect atmosphere for snow and snowfall, resulting in a picture of white surroundings, a frozen lake and the mighty Himalayas in the background.

Kedarkantha Trek gives you the best opportunity to experience a winter trek, even if you are a beginner. It is not a technical trek, but you can still go to a snow summit. For seasoned trekkers, it is a joyful trek that is enough to fill your thrill levels.

This is a balanced trek combined with the perfect time of snow, teaching you how to walk in snow, make tents and overall live in a snow-covered world.

Spring

Months – March to April

Temperature – Day: 15℃ to 18℃ | Night: 0℃ to 5℃

The snow will start melting during this time, with rising temperatures and life and greenery returning to the area. You will encounter a splash of colours as various flowers begin blooming & the main highlight will be the bright pink, scarlet and oranges of Rhododendrons.

Spring is a perfect time to enjoy mild cold weather, greenery and colours which will fill your heart with the backdrop of the Great Himalayan peaks.

Summer

Months – May & June

Temperature – Day: 18℃ to 24℃ | Night: 3℃ to 8℃

Bright sun and clear skies welcome you in summer on your trek. This is a perfect time to do this trek as it will be less crowded, leaving the trails, lake and summit all to yourself.

Summer won’t be scorching hot, and you will feel light, cool evening breezes. By the end of June, some pre-monsoon showers might catch up with you, so be prepared with raincoats or ponchos.

Autumn

Months – September to November

Temperature – Day: 10℃ to 15℃ | Night: 0℃ to minus 5℃

Right after the monsoon season, the trek will remain fresh & green in September and October. The trails still be charged with greenery and colours, and the fragrance of maple and pine will linger in the air, adding more to your experience.

In November, the temperature won’t be harsh but you can feel the cold and the upcoming winter days.

Best Time to do Kedarkantha

Preparing for the Gaumukh Yatra must be done properly, and choosing the best time to go for this trek falls under it. Considering this topic, the best time depends on what trekkers expect from this journey. Some might like to travel during the autumn while some in other seasons. But there are several parameters that indicate the ideal time for taking on this journey.

Summer Season:
Summer season, starting from May, is the season when the weather is most stable. With temperatures being moderate during this timeframe, most trekkers prefer trekking during this time. The clear skies, mild temperature, minimal rainfall, and clear vision are some of the advantages of the summer season.

Temperature during this time ranges from 17 degrees Celsius to 1 degrees Celsius.

In June mid week or end week you may also get to see new born Lambs of Bharal or Blue sheep.

This is also the time when gates of Ganga Temple opens up. You will get to see lot of pilgrims in this season and trail will have more people as compared to Autumn season.

Autumn Season:
Autumn starts from the month of September and continues till October. The weather and climate patterns are somehow similar to the Spring season. Moderate temperature, clear skies and views are the major features of this timeframe.

Autumn starts after the end of the monsoon, so you can still enjoy the views of the greenery around the Tapovan region. Average temperature during this time ranges from 15 degrees Celsius to -3 degrees Celsius. Sky remains clear and sunny offering perfect views of Bhagirathi Massif and Shivling.

Can I Go For A Winter Trek to Gaumukh Yatra?
Off-season trek to Gaumukh cannot be done since the Gangotri National Park remains closed during the winter season. This is because the high altitude locations in Tapovan areas get freezed due to extremely low temperatures. Average temperature ranges from -2 degrees celsius to -15 degree celsius.

More Info regarding Kedarkantha

We have many folklore and religious mythological stories for about everything, especially in the mountains, one such story is –

Upon reaching the peak, the Kedarkantha Temple, made of loose stone arrangement, can be seen ornated with a Trishul (like a trident) with idols of Shiv ji, Parvati ji, and Ganesh ji.

It is believed that Lord Shiv decided to practice meditation here but was disturbed by surrounding bull so he left the place and went to Kedarnath, the famous temple now, to practise meditation.

Another story is like the one of Panch Kedar Temples, where the Pandavas were searching for Lord Shiv to uplift their curse of Brahman Htaya and Fatricide. But Lord Shiv was angry with them and hid in the Guptkashi region (The name itself is derived from this tale) in the form of a bull. When one of the Pandava Bheem identified him and started chasing the bull, Lord Shiv disappeared underground and reappeared in 5 different locations.

It is believed that Lord Shiv’s neck part appeared here, hence the name

As Kedarkantha comes under Govind Pashu Vihar National Park, you will encounter various species of flora and fauna on your trek. In the year 2009, the Snow Leopard Project was started from here, making it essential and a reminder for you to be responsible trekker.

In Flora, you will see tall pine, maple, chir, oaks and deodar trees. Other common flora that are different from the rest of the country are horse chestnuts, walnuts, apple orchids, blue pine, silver firs, etc.

In wildlife, you can encounter Asian black bears, European otters, musk deers, bharal, Himalayan tahr, civets, gorals and many more. In birds, you can spot Himalayan Monal Peasant (state bird of Uttarakhand), snowcock, bearded eagle, black eagle, owls, warblers, bulbul, and so on.
Take some time to read about the Leave No Trace Policy to understand and become a responsible trekker.

While on this adventure, you can explore other beautiful destinations such as Har Ki Dun, Black Peak Expedition, Gulabi Kantha, Lakha Mandal, and Mahasu Devta Temple.

Gallery

View of Himalayan Ranges from Kedarkantha

kedarkantha trek — View of Himalayan Ranges from Kedarkantha

Map of Trail

FAQs

No, Kedarnath is one of the four Char Dham Yatra pilgrimages. Kedarkantha is a famous winter trek in Uttarakhand, a summit trek.

Each has its own specialty. Kedarkantha for a summit trek experience, Dayara Bugyal for snow-covered vast meadows, and Brahmatal to experience the scenic beauty of the Himalayas.

Yes, given that you have joined a trekking agency for all the arrangements or you are an experienced and certified trekker.

Yes, if you are trekking in winter because snow reflects runaways, which can cause damage to the eyes.

Charging your gadgets might be always challenging during the trek. During Trek, the last charging point you will get is at Sankri. So it is recommended to carry spare batteries for cameras and a power bank with a capacity of more than 20,000 mAh to ensure you have enough power for the entire trek.

Till Sankri, BSNL has sparse connectivity, and after that, at higher altitudes, there is no connectivity.

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Cancellation Policy

Available Dates

Oct: 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16, 17, 21, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30

Call for booking: +91 80896 93825 / +91 94565 46051

Nov: 7, 9, 14, 16, 19, 21, 26, 28

Call for booking: +91 80896 93825 / +91 94565 46051

Dec: 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31