Upcoming Winter Treks: Kedarkantha - Har ki Dun - Nag Tibba Trek - Bhramatal Trek - Phulara Ridge Trekking - Kuari Pass - Dayara Bugyal - Chopta
One of the most popular winter treks in Uttarakhand, Kedarkantha Trek is a trekker’s delight and rookie’s rite of passage due to its relative ease. Covered in sparkling snow during winters, this trek offers breathtaking view of the majestic Himalayan peaks.
Kedarkantha trek guide, Kedarkantha trekking route
At a towering height of 3800 meters, Kedarkantha is a majestic peak located in Govind Wildlife Sanctuary of Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kedarkantha is one of the most popular treks in Uttarakhand due to its relative ease of access and gradual inclination.
Kedarkantha trek gives you the unsurpassed beauty, magnificent views of charming villages, meadows, snow paths, dramatic landscape dotted with lovely lakes, mountains, tranquil rivers and the great Himalayan peaks.
The Kedarkantha trek also provides a great opportunity to view the scenic beauty and feel the experience of the life of remote villages of Uttarakhand Himalayas. It also offers trekkers a unique opportunity to experience the life in the remotest of villages in dead winter!
The Kedarkantha trek is a sheer delight for the mountain lovers who wish to explore every inch of the terrains. Commencing this trek will be one of the best decisions of yours as the meandering trail will take you through the dense blue-pine forests that will soon open up to a gorgeous view of the alpine meadows, covered with fresh winter snow from December to April.
Kedarkantha has some of the scenic campsites including Juda ka Talab, Kedarkantha base and Hargaon where you can have a pleasurable stay. You can also feel the bliss of having a crunchy walk on the carpet of withered brown leaves. On conquering the summit, you can feast your eyes on the stunning mountains of Garhwal pecking the morning sky with their snowy peaks.
Kedarkantha is covered with snow from December to April, so it is one of the best winter treks in Uttarakhand. The meadows of the area are covered with the white blanket of snow and that's what makes it a mesmerizing trek in Uttarakhand. You can also check winter pictures of the Kedarkantha trek as well.
Being at an elevation, Kedarkantha receives snowfall is plentiful and is one of the best winter treks in Uttarakhand which offer a mesmerizing view of the Himalayan skyline.
Experienced trekkers would recommend the trek to Kedarkantha to anyone who is relatively new to the uncertainty of the wilderness but still want to explore. It is also one of the few treks that are open to visitors all year round. For trekkers who love snow, Kedarkantha trek in winters is a viable option.
You can also enjoy skiing in Kedarkanta base camp and slopes over there during winters.
Day 1: Arrive at Sankri. Night stay in Sankri.
Day 2: Trek to Kedarkantha Base Camp via Juda ka Talab. Stay in Camps.
Day 3: Trek to Kedarkantha Summit and back to base camp. Stay in Camps.
Day 4: Trek down to Sankri. Stay in Sankri.
Day 5: Departure from Sankri.
As Kedarkantha is a popular winter trek, only adventurous trekkers visit this place. There are no hotels, resorts or guesthouses at Kedarkantha Summit or at Base camp. The trekkers take tents along with them and camp along the trail when they halt at night. Tents can also be rented from the town close to the base camp. The tour operators generally provide the camping equipment. The nearest market or roadhead is at Sankri. You can stay at Meraki Sankri Homestay during first and last night of your trek.
It is not possible for anyone to find a roadside dhabas en route to Kedarkantha as it is a place which is uninhabited by people. Though some shacks are open during few months of the year at 2 or 3 locations but you should not completely depend on them. Trekkers take the food supplies with themselves that they purchased at lower altitudes, preferably before starting the trek or a trekking company will take care of all your meals during the trek.
Any article on famous tourist destinations in Uttarakhand is incomplete without the mention of its mythological connotations associated with the place. Tourist attractions in Devbhumi Uttarakhand are smeared in mythological connotations and Kedarkantha is no different.
Kedarkantha is also known as Bal-Kedar and according to a local legend; it was supposed to be the site of Kedarnath. It is said that when Shiva was wandering at Kedarkantha in his bull avatar, to hide from the Pandavas, the local dwellers disturbed his peace. Therefore, he fled to the present Kedarnath site. The villagers of Sankri believe that the trident of Lord Shiva, erected at Kedarkantha protects them and keeps the Himalayan Rivers replenished.
As Kedarkantha is a popular winter destination, tourists and trekking enthusiasts flock to Kedarkantha in a large number during the Christmas and New Year. From the last 5 years, Kedarkantha has become one the best selling winter snow trek.
Day 1: Dehradun – Sankri
Distance: 200 Kms by road Time Taken: 8 - 10 Hours
Sankri Altitude: 1967 Meters
Highlights: Beautiful scenery, Tons river, Pine forests, Sankri village, HomeStays, Sankri Zipline
Reach at Dehradun and take an early morning bus or taxi to Sankri. The drive to Sankri will be a memorable one of most enchanting views. Overnight stay can be done at Meraki Sankri Homestay. If you stay somewhere else, you must visit the Meraki Cafe - Arthouse in the Himalayas, which offers the best food in the region. You can spend the evening strolling across the small village and enjoying the gentle sound of Tons river.
Day 2: Sankri – Juda Ka Talab - Kedarkantha Base Camp
Distance: 8 Kms trek Time taken: 7 - 8 Hours
Altitude: 3,430
Highlights: Small villages with wooden houses, bridges, diverse Himalayan flora and fauna
The trek commences today as we ascend towards Juda Ka Talab. The trial leading to Juda Ka Talab passes through beautiful forests of oak, birch, and deodar trees. Juda Ka Talab is one of the most sought after attractions in the Kedarkantha trek. It gains even more prominence in winters where it remains completely frozen. The trek will begin after a pleasant breakfast at Sankri. Sankri to Juda Ka Talab is a 4kms trek which will take around 3-4hrs to complete.
You’ll get your trekking gears and the instructors will give you information and tips for the journey ahead. The journey passes through beautiful villages and ascends as you go further. This is one of the most interesting parts of the journey. You’ll see women, men, and children going about with their lives, and short quick glances of Himalayan Languars, hares and boars along the way. There are small huts which serve tea, Maggi, and other eatables. You can stop for tea and have your lunch here.
As you ascend further, the beautiful Himalayan ranges come to view. You reach your destination- the mesmerizing Juda Ka Talab which is at an altitude of 2,700 mts. You’ll rest here for some time and take in the captivating scenery of the place. Swargarohini peak is visible from here. During winters, the entire lake remains frozen. You can walk and glide on the ice sheet.
From Juda Ka Talab, the trek to Kedarkantha Base Camp follows a steeper gradient and dense forests of pine and oak trees. You’ll cover a distance of 4kms which will take about 3-4hrs to complete. You’ll camp here for the night. Kedarkantha Base Camp, at an altitude of 3,430m, has one of the best campsites. Every location offers spectacular views. Explore the place and sleep under the alluring stars. The Milky Way looks spectacular from here.
Day 3: Kedarkantha Base Camp – Summit – Kedarkantha Base Camp
Distance: 6 Kms trek Time taken: 7 Hours
Altitude: 3,430 mts - 3,800mts - 3,430mts
Highlights: Early morning sunrise, 360° view of prominent mountain ranges and peaks, Kedarkantha peak
Today, you’ll start early (before dawn) after having a healthy breakfast and trek towards the summit. It’ll take around 2hrs to complete the trek.
The sunrise illuminates the meadows and the majestic peaks which leave you mesmerized. Walking along with the rising sun fills you with a refreshing energy and zeal. Take photos as you move forward for you don’t want to miss the views of the majestic Himalayas surrounding you.
The Kedarkantha summit looks breathtaking at an altitude of 3,800mts. Stones arranged in square with a Trishul pointing towards the sky mark the summit. A small beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati rises at the top of the peak along with a little temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. All your tiredness gets washed away with the enchanting sight in front of you. Surrounded 360° by mountains, you’ll feel something unworldly altogether. The Gangotri and Yamunotri mountain ranges, Chansil pass, Kinnaur Kailash ranges, Har ki Dun and Rupin ranges are visible from the summit. Along with the mountain ranges, notable peaks like Swargarohini, Black peak, and Bandarpoonch peaks are visible from the summit.
You can rest for some time here at the summit. Take momentous pictures and explore the sight. During winters, everything remains covered with snow and the contrasting beauty of the peaks amidst the snow captures the breathkating beauty of Kedarkantha.
We’ll head down towards the base camp on the same day. Walk carefully along the descent. You can have tea and light refreshments on tea huts. You’ll have your lunch at the campsite and spend the night there among the stars.
Day 4: Kedarkantha Base Camp - Sankri
Distance: 6 - 7 Kms trek Time taken: 4 - 5 Hours
Highlights: Early morning sunrise, pine and oak forests, Har ki Dun valley
Today you bid adieu to the majestic Kedarkantha and trek back to Sankri via Hargaon. Wake up early to capture the beautiful sunrise from Kedarkantha Base Camp. You’ll have your breakfast and get ready for the descent. Walking through the gorgeous pine and oak forests and the crystal clear streams where you can fill up your water bottles, makes the descent interesting. The clear summer streams remains completely frozen during winters. It’s a sight worth watching. The glorious Har ki Dun valley can be seen from the ridge.
After trekking for 4-5 hours at moderate speed you reach Sankri, Since, you started the trek early in the morning, you’ll have a plenty of time to stroll around the villages in Sankri and explore the area. At Sankri, we’ll stay at Meraki Homestay.
Day 5: Sankri – Dehradun
Distance: 200kms by vehicle Time taken: 8 - 10hrs
Highlights: Scenic view of the route, Mori town, Purola, Tons River, Doon view from Mussoorie
Today, you’ll head back to Dehradun via Mussoorie. You can either drive back or take an early morning bus to Dehradun. It will take around 8-9 hrs to reach Dehradun. Halt at Mussorie or Kempty Falls and have your lunch there. You can visit places nearby Dehradun like Mussoorie, Rishikesh, or Haridwar.
Q. What is the height or altitude of Kedarkantha Peak (Summit)?
Ans. Height of Kedarkantha Peak is 3810 mts (12500 feet)
Q. What is the average trek cost for Kedarkantha Trek?
A. The average trekking price for Kedarkantha from sankri vary from Rs 6000 to Rs 12000 per person for 4 nights tour and around Rs 7000 to Rs 14000 for 5 nights tour. The Kedarkantha trek cost depends on the services offered, group size, stay quality in Sankri, Season and off season time and other factors.
Q Can we get trekking equipments, tents, shoes on rent for Kedarkantha trek?
A. Yes, you can get trekking equipment, tents for camping, trekking shoes, gators and spikes during winter trek when snow is all around, trekking poles (sticks), jackets and other stuff for Kedarkantha trek. There are few shops which offers equipment for rent.
Q. We have a shoe string budget. Can we do Kedarkantha trek on low budget cost?
A. If you are very tight on budget then you can plan for YHAI (Youth Hostel Association of India) Kedarkantha Tours. YHAI offers low cost and very basic trekking tour and programmes of Kedarkantha.
Check our more Frequently asked questions for Kedarkantha
Kedarkantha is also popular as Kedarkantha Trek, Kedarkantha Snow Trek, Kedarkantha Winter Trek, Kedarkantha Summit, Kedarkantha New Year Trek
Map for representation only. Map NOT TO SCALE.
Check out the Kedarkantha Trek weather report for September
The minimun and maximum temperature in September in Kedarkantha Trek is 4°C and 15°C respectively. The weather is generally cloudy and pleasant in September and you would feel cold throughout the day. Heavy Woolen clothes are recommended for Kedarkantha Trek in September.
Kedarkantha Trek is famous among tourist as Trekking, Winter Trek, Snow Trekking, Summit Trek, Frozen Lake, Camping, Adventure.
Kedarkantha Trek is recommended destination for Corporates, Couples, Foreigners, Groups, Solo.
Kedarkantha Trek is popular destination for following activities/ interests - Adventure, Camping, Christmas and New Year, Emerging Destinations, Meadows, Skiing, Trekking, Winter Treks.
We stayed in Meraki homestays for one night on our way to Kedarkantha trek and one more night after we came back. As one would expect, a trek starting point should offer nothing fancy but a good night's sleep, clean toilets and homemade food. The Meraki homestay offers all of these and additionally, warm hospitality, calm and serene locale in the lap of the mighty Himalayas. During winter, you can see snow clad peaks from here. Last but not the least, it is designed beautifully to give you an escape from the humdrum city life. Fight club movie quotes, Murakami and Marquez books and Himalaya... Contemplate about life, reenergize and rejuvenate. Overall, highly recommend.
Kedarkantha was my first trek and thankfully it was adventures and wonderful. Guide and other facility was good, Meraki team was experienced and taking care of everything superbly, surely gonna take Meraki services for my next trek.
I had one of the best experiences in a place I had never known or visited before. I visited this place for Kedarkanta trek, right from the pick up from Dehradun till I reached back the same, PPL at Meraki made sure the whole experience was hassle free & homely. Be it the travel, the food(mouth watering), accommodation facilities (comfortable beds & quilts, clean toilets), the trek, each & everything was amazing.
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Last Updated: 12 Sep 2024
