Located in the Western Garhwal region in the state of Uttarakhand, Kedarkantha Trek is one of the most popular winter treks going around. This is also one of the few treks where a less experienced trekker can get a winter trek experience in less than a week’s time. The trip commences from Dehradun, from where you drive to the small, but pretty village of Sankri. The village is inside Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to diverse species of flora and fauna. Hiking towards Juda Ka Talab – the highlight of the Kedarkantha trekking tour - come across Saud Village and witness the traditional way of life without modern technologies. Juda Ka Talab is a mesmerizing pond, surrounded by lush pastures, and forests of maple, oak and Morinda spruce trees.

Stay overnight in the camps that are set up close to the lake. This gives you enough time to relax, spend some quality time, and to prepare for the trip ahead. The next leg of the Kedarkantha trekking itinerary takes you to the base of the summit that is a velvety meadow. Hiking through oak and maple trees, immersed in the aroma of various species of flowers, is a treat for the senses. The meadow comes out as an incredible location to set up camps as you get to see awe-inspiring scenery. Spend the night in your camp, and if you are an early riser, then you might just experience an amazing sunrise.

After breakfast, head towards the Kedarkantha Peak, which has a Trishul fixed on a pile of rocks. Make the most of this trek to Kedarkantha by standing on the summit and looking far and wide into the sky or at the valleys below. After spending some time atop the mountain, start descending towards the campsite. On arrival here, relish lunch, and then begin the downhill walk to reach the Sankri village. The stroll will be quite an experience in itself as you will come across numerous small ponds and streams on the way. On arrival in Sankri, drive back to Dehradun.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Dehradun/Sankri 

• 185km Drive - 9/10 Hours
• Orientation Session

Arrive at Dehradun ISBT on your own and take transport to Sankri (extra cost for transportation - INR 1500+GST). The drive is rather long but extremely scenic as you will see beautiful valleys and quaint villages throughout the route. You will pass through Mussoorie, Purola, Mora, and Netwar while following the Tons River as well. On arrival at Sankri, check in at your accommodation and rest. Later, a briefing session will be conducted. Have dinner and stay overnight.

Day 2: Sankri to Juda Ka Talab (2772m)

• Distance/Duration - 4.5 km/4 Hours
• Grade - Easy

As soon as the morning unfolds, you will be guided for some stretching exercises as a warm-up for the trek. Post breakfast at around 8 AM, you will start on your trek to Juda Ka Talab, which is a high-altitude lake that serves as the first campsite on this expedition. You will hike through pine forest initially and then gradually climb a bit to the campsite. The camp is settled around a small pond, completely surrounded with pine and oak trees, and you will have a stunning view of snow-laden peaks as you settle in for the day. The fragrance and serenity of nature will completely rejuvenate you. Have dinner and stay overnight.
 

Day 03: Juda Ka Talab to Kedarkantha Base (3430m) 

• Distance/Duration - 4.5 km/4 Hours
• Grade - Easy

Get up early in the morning to see the sunrise and watch the snow-peaks turn gold as the sunlight slowly washes over them. Then, have your breakfast and get ready to start the trek to Kedarkantha Peak base, which is the next campsite and would take around 4 hrs to reach. The trail again begins through pine and oak trees which get denser along the way. On reaching the base, you will be served hot lunch. Explore the area near the campsite, or just relax and marvel at nature's sheer beauty. Later, have an early dinner and stay overnight.

Day 04: Kedarkantha Base - Kedarkantha Top (3810m) - Juda Ka Talab

• Distance/Duration - 8 km/5-6 Hours
• Grade - Moderate

The trek on the fourth day will be long, as you will hike for 5-6 hours up to the summit of Kedarkantha peak, and then descend to Juda Ka Talab. We will start early in the morning and will try to reach as high as we can before sunrise. The trail moves in a zigzag manner so staying with the group is extremely important. You will make it to the summit after trekking around 4 hours. After reaching the summit, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Yamunotri and Gangotri ranges. Enjoy a hot lunch, and take some time to revel in the stunning beauty that surrounds you, before heading back to the next campsite. After reaching the base, we will take a short break and then begin our descent towards Juda Ka Talab. Reach the campsite and stay overnight.

Day 05: Juda Ka Talab to Sankri and Drive to Dehradun

• Distance/Duration - Trek 4 km/3 Hours, Drive: 190km/8Hours
• Grade - Moderate 

This morning you will begin to trek early, down towards Sankri. Start your day with a healthy breakfast and trek down back to Sankri on a well-marked trail of cobblestones. Your route will pass through thick forests of pine and maple trees, and you will have splendid views of the Har ki Doon valley. The descent is steep on some stretches so you will need to stay cautious. Arrive and then take a transport to Dehradun at the earliest possible so that you can reach Dehradun back before sunset. On the way, you will drive through some picturesque villages and valleys. Reach Dehradun in the evening after traveling for 8-9 hours.

FAQs for Kedarkantha Trek

What is the best time to do Kedarkantha trek?
Snow starts to set in around the middle of December and stays as late as the first week of April, which makes this a perfect choice for people who are looking to trek in winter. If you want to walk through verdant green forests and myriad flowers with views of snowy peaks, then summer is the time to go. Whichever month you choose, you not be disappointed. The trek is great throughout the year except from the monsoon months, and it will be a tough choice to make when you want to go on this stunning trek.

What kind of fitness level is expected for Kedarkantha trek?
The trail to Kedarkantha is a well laid out path that is mostly straight and ascends as you gain altitude.This trek is for beginners, but you still need to be physically prepared for the trek, especially if you have a sedentary lifestyle. We recommend you start working out 3-4 weeks before the trek, by jogging or walking briskly for at least half an hour everyday, and doing aerobics, which will help build up your stamina.

What is the scenario of network connectivity here?
Kedarkantha is a very remote place, so most of the mobile networks do not work here, but you can carry a BSNL sim, which offers better connectivity than others.

Should I carry medicines for the trek?
Yes, it is always best to carry a medical kit.

What distance will I be trekking each day?
You will be covering around 4-6 km everyday which will take an average of 4-5 hours. However, the longest you will trek will be on the day you summit Kedarkantha peak, because you will return to the basecamp on the same day.

Can I drink alcohol or smoke on the trek?
Drinking alcohol on mountains is always a bad idea, as the alcohol makes your body dehydrated and in the mountains, dehydration is one of the major causes for altitude sickness. You also shouldn’t smoke, because then you would require more oxygen, and the mountains have thin air to breathe.