Kedarkantha Trek, Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand

Most popular and Instagramable trek of India, one of the best treks in Himalayas to start your trekking adventures

DURATION

5 Days/4 Nights

Pickup point

Dehradun railway station

ACCOMMODATION

Guest house/Camps

Minimum Age

18

Best time to visit

Winter, Summer and Spring

Inclusions

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DURATION

5 Days/4 Nights

Pick up/Drop

Dehradun railway station

ACCOMMODATION

Guest house/Camps

Minimum Age

18

Best time to visit

Winter, Summer and Spring

Inclusions

---

From ₹4,499

per person

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Kedarkantha Trek, Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand

Starting From

4,499

Contact Us

OVERVIEW

One of the oldest and most popular treks in India, Kedarkantha trek is an ideal trek for beginners and is also considered as the best winter trek in India. This trek has gained its popularity from the fascinating mythological stories and 360 degree views of mesmerizing peaks from the top. Kedarkantha is the combination of 2 words ‘Kedar’ which is another name of Lord Shiva and ‘Kantha’, which means throat. This trek has mythological importance and there are various stories related to it.

Situated in Govind National Park, the trek starts from Sankri- a scenic little village nestled deep into the mountains of Himalayas. The 8-hour drive to this village from Dehradun will keep you fascinated as you drive along Yamuna and Tons river.

The 20 km long trek to Kedarkantha offers awe struck views of Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Kala Nag, Draupadi ka Danda peaks from the top as you climb to an altitude of 12,500 ft. As you push yourself to the summit, you will be delighted with a feeling of accomplishment. The trek is one of the few treks in India that has so many clearings, offering multiple stops for campsites with eye-catching views. From knee-deep snow in winters to green forest and golden meadows in summer, the trek offers you a unique experience in each season.

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Kedarkantha Trek Quick Info:

Kedarkantha trek distance: 20 km
Kedarkantha trek temperature:
Winter- Dec to Feb: 8 to 10 degree in day, 0 to -5 degree at night
Spring- Mar to Apr: 15 to 20 degree in day, 0 to 5 degree at night
Summer- May to June: 18 to 24 degree in day, 3 to 8 degree at night
Autumn- Sept to Nov: 10 to 15 degree in day, 0 to 3 degree at night
Kedarkantha trek best time: November to April
Kedarkantha trek height: 12,500 ft
Kedarkantha trek difficulty: Easy to moderate

Detailed Information

Kedarkantha Trek Distance- Cover a distance of 4 to 5 km daily during your four trekking days as the total trek distance is almost equally distributed on all four days. From Sankri to Juda ka Talab, trek for a distance of 4 km on your first trekking day which will take you around 4 to 5 hours. On your next day while trekking through the dense forests of pine and oak and some meadow clearings to reach Kedarkantha Base camp, cover the distance of 4 km in a span of 4 hours. On your summit day, the trek from Kedarkantha base camp to Kedarkantha peak and descend to Hargaon campsite takes 7-8 hours where the total distance covered is 7 km. From Hargaon, cover a distance of 5 km as you reach Sankri village.

Kedarkantha trek height- Kedarkantha peak is situated at a soaring altitude of 12,500 ft.

The altitude gain throughout the span of 4 days would be as follows:-
On your first day, you will gain an altitude of 6400 ft as you reach Sankri from Dehradun.
The next day while trekking to Juda Ka Talab, you will gain an additional altitude of 2450 ft as the lake is situated at an altitude of 8850 ft. Climb to the height of 11,250 ft as you reach the Kedarkantha base camp which is the last campsite for this trek. On your summit day, climb the peak situated at an altitude of whopping 12,500 ft.

Kedarkantha trek Difficulty- Kedarkantha trek is one of the easiest treks in the Uttarakhand region with an easy to moderate difficulty level.

Kedarkantha trekking starts from Sankri as you pass through the forests of pine and maple and many streams on the way to Juda Ka Talab. The trail is quite broad and ascends gradually for 2-3 hours. During winters, the trail is covered in snow and gaiters are used to navigate the path properly which gives this trek an exciting difficulty attracting thousands of trekkers across India.
The trekking route from Juda Ka Talab to Kedarkantha base camp opens into the clearing as you walk for 1 km through the forests. You will get introduced to the next clearing after covering another kilometer. The trail is steeper than the previous day and becomes steeper as it gets closer to the campsite.
The trek to the summit is comparatively longer as it begins by crossing the dense forests of pine and oak and is gradually inclined and steep towards the end, testing your fitness and skills a little. The descent to Hargaon campsite and then to Sankri is quite easier and faster as you pass through the forests and gurgling streams opening into the ridge and offering you a bird eye view of the Har ki Dun valley.

Kedarkantha trek weather-

Kedarkantha trek in Autumn (October and November)
During these months, the weather in Kedarkantha is pleasant with the temperature ranging from 0°C to 12°C. The temperature rises as in the month of November but the terrain and views remain beautiful for the trekkers.

Kedarkantha trek in Winters (December to February)
Kedarkantha trek in December to mid February is thrilling with temperatures ranging from -15 degree celsius to 5 degree celsius. The snowfall in this region starts from the month of December and usually lasts till the last week of February. The trek is most popular during winters as the trekking trails are submerged under a blanket of snow and along with the snow-covered alpines, the trek offers a right proportion of beauty and adventure.

Kedarkantha trek in Spring (March and April)
This is the great time to experience the last of the winter snow. In these months, the temperature ranges from 3-15 degree celsius. The trekking trail is full of rhododendrons trees and the freshly exposed grasslands as the landscape comes alive after the winters.

DETAILED ITINERARY

  • Get on the Kedarkantha trek journey from Dehradun at 8 AM.
  • Take a shared cab from Dehradun railway station.
  • Stop for breakfast(self-sponsored) after crossing Mussoorie.
  • Drive on the road covered by pine forest along Yamuna and Tons river
  • Make another stop for lunch(self-sponsored) at around 2 PM
  • Reach Sankri by evening and checkin to the homestay.
  • Have dinner and retire for the night.

  • Get up early and have your breakfast on your first morning in the mountains.
  • Get briefed from your guide and meet your co-trekkers.
  • Start your trek at around 9 AM to your first campsite- Juda Ka Talab.
  • Pass through the dense forest as your trail is covered with pine forests and maple leaves.
  • Kedarkantha trek route allows you to make a few stopovers at Dhabas available on your way while you admire the views of your surroundings.
  • Reach Juda Ka Talab in the afternoon and hear fascinating stories about the lake from your guide.
  • Check In to the camps situated a few meters away from the lake.
  • Have evening snacks and stroll around the lake to explore the area.
  • Have dinner and retire for the night.

  • Get up in the middle of mountains and enjoy your breakfast.
  • Start your trek towards Kedarkantha base camp.
  • Trek through the dense forest which opens into beautiful meadows and small huts.
  • Get the first views of Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Kala Nag peaks which will take your breath away.
  • Reach the campsite and enjoy your evening snacks.
  • Explore the area in the evening and enjoy a mesmerizing sunset.
  • Have dinner and retire early for the night.

  • Have breakfast and start your trek in the dark.
  • This is the day on which you will reach Kedarkantha trek height of 12,500 ft
  • Pass through oak forests and witness the unfiltered sun rays as you come close to the summit.
  • Witness the most amazing sunrise of your life on your way.
  • Reach the summit and gaze at a 360 degree view of Himalayas.
  • Get to know about all the peaks visible from your guide. 
  • There is also a small temple at the top, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
  • After spending some time at the summit, start your journey down to Kedarkantha base camp.
  • Have lunch and start towards Hargaon campsite which is around 2 km from the base camp.
  • Reach the campsite by evening and enjoy evening snacks.
  • Have dinner and retire for the night.

  • Get up in the morning and enjoy your breakfast.
  • Start your descent back to Sankri.
  • Walk through the forests with the views of snow capped mountains.
  • Reach down in the afternoon and have lunch.
  • Start your journey to Dehradun.
  • Reach Dehradun by evening as your memorable Kedarkantha trek experience comes to an end.

INCLUSION/EXCLUSION

The Kedarkantha Trek, Uttarakhand Package Includes:

  • Accommodation in tents on a sharing basis. Separate for male and female. For twin sharing extra charges will be applicable.
  • Transport required in the trek
  • Highly advanced & certified mountaineering guide
  • Cloak room to keep extra luggage.
  • Vegetarian meals on the trek (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
  • Cooks/helper and other requisite staff.
  • High quality tents and sleeping bags in all the camps.
  • First aid kit, oxygen cylinders, oximeter, medicines etc. will be with guide/trek leader and at camp site as well to deal with emergencies.
  • All trekking, forest permits.

The Kedarkantha Trek, Uttarakhand Package Excludes:

  • Personal essentials
  • Equipment - Gumboots, trekking poles, etc.
  • Insurance - Personal and travel insurances.
  • Beverage - Mineral water bottles/bottled or canned beverages
  • Snacks - Chocolate, dry fruits, protein or nutrition bar.
  • Any additional cost incurred due to changes in Government Guidelines related to travel/trek/COVID-19 will be borne by the trekkers.
  • Loading and unloading of personnel luggage.
  • Anything which is not mentioned in inclusions.
  • Any kind of emergency evacuation charges.

CANCELLATION POLICY

  • If cancellation are made 30 days before the date of travel then 25.0% of total tour cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
  • If cancellation are made 15 days to 30 days before the date of travel then 50.0% of total tour cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
  • If cancellation are made 0 days to 15 days before the date of travel then 100.0% of total tour cost will be charged as cancellation fees.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Kedarkantha trek best time is from November to April. You can also opt for the trek in other months except for monsoons(July to September). Kedarkantha trek route offers different views on different months making it one of the best trekking experiences in India.
Kedarkantha trek difficulty level is easy to moderate. It’s the best option for beginners and also the most popular trek in India. The trek is about 20 km long and need 4 days to complete this trek. To make your first trekking experience memorable, Kedarkantha is the best choice to opt for.
Kedarkantha trek temperature changes from season to season. Winter- Dec to Feb: 8 to 10 degree in day, 0 to -5 degree at night Spring- Mar to Apr: 15 to 20 degree in day, 0 to 5 degree at night Summer- May to June: 18 to 24 degree in day, 3 to 8 degree at night Autumn- Sept to Nov: 10 to 15 degree in day, 0 to 3 degree at night
The total Kedarkantha trek distance is around 20 km. The average distance covered each day is 5 km which takes around 5 hours to cover. The trail is easy to moderate and you’ll have 2 guides with you who keep guiding and motivating you throughout your journey.
All the members of support staff are certified in wilderness first aid and are trained for all concerns related to high altitude. The staff will be carrying a first aid kit, a stretcher, and an oxygen cylinder. All these precautions will be included in the Kedarkantha trek cost.
The trek is led by professional trek leaders who have completed basic and advanced mountaineering courses. There will be one guide who leads the group and another guide who will be walking at the end of the group.
Usually, the Kedarkantha trek group consists of 20-24 people in one batch including males and females. We need a minimum of 6 people for a fixed departure, but for the customized trip, the group size doesn’t matter and will have customized Kedarkantha trek cost.
Absolutely. The safety of girls is of foremost importance to us. We always create a friendly environment on the trek. All our guides and other support crew are carefully chosen for your trips who are very experienced and reliable.
No. Female trekkers share tents with female co-trekkers. If you are the only girl on the trek, you get a separate tent for yourself. Kedarkantha is considered one of the safest trekking trails in Himalayas. Camping under a sky full of stars at different camping sites is one of the best experience.
The age group for the trek is 8 to 60 years. The minimum age limit to go on this trek is 8 years, so if your child is equal or more than this age limit you can easily go trekking with them.
Vegetarian Indian food is served during the trek making sure that you have enough energy to continue your trek.
The best suited shoes for the Kedarkantha trek route are the ones that are breathable and light in weight. Also, ankle support is a very important thing to take care of while buying the perfect pair of shoes. You can go for brands like- Decathlon, Wildcraft, Quechua, etc. In the winters, you’ll require gators or gumboots which you can rent from the base village.
Yes. Since it is a high altitude trek, chances to experience the drastic change in oxygen level and climatic conditions are high. Hence carry a Diamox with you which will help you overcome high altitude sickness.
Beyond the base location there will be no network connectivity. Only BSNL/Jio network will be there on the base location. So it is advisable to be prepared well for the same.
The accommodation during the trek will be in camps or tents on double/triple sharing basis. The camps are sanitized and will be in good condition.
Consumption of liquor and smoking is not advisable on high altitude treks. As both these activities dehydrate the body easily and make it very difficult for trekkers to complete the stretches.
The total trek distance we will be covering on this trek is 20 km. On each day the average distance we will be covering ranges from 4-6 km. The trek will be led by the professional trek guide who has experience of guiding numerous groups at Kedarkantha trek.
Dehradun is well connected with Delhi via road and air. First we have to reach Dehradun and drive to Sankri from Dehradun. Sankri is the base camp for Kedarkantha trek. The Kedarkantha trek starts from Sankri and the total distance we will be covering is 20 km.
Kedarkantha trekking route is an easy one, hence anyone with an average fitness routine can easily do this trek. Although someone with a serious medical condition like heart disease or breathing problem should consult a doctor beforehand.
Route for this trek is as follows: Delhi->Dehradun-> Sankri->Juda ka Talab-> Kedarkantha Base-> Kedarkantha Peak->Hargaon Camp->Sankri->Dehradun->Delhi
Yes, December is said to be the best time to go for Kedarkantha trekking. Kedarkantha receives snowfall during this month. The temperature ranges from -15 degree celsius to 5 degree celsius. The trek would be thrilling but that’s one of the best times to enjoy real adventure.
Yes, you can easily rent trekking equipment at the base camp Sankri. There are various options available at the base camp and make sure to check the quality of the gear before renting and that they should be in good working condition.
You will be provided with attached washrooms while staying in the guest house in Sankri and dry toilet tents while on the trek.
The journey from Dehradun to Sankri will be in a SUV like the Tata Sumo or similar will be provided. The rest of the journey is a trek on foot.
Kedarkantha trek is known for its snow. There is a completely different experience when you climb the peak trekking through the trails full of snow. Usually, the snowfall starts in mid December and lasts till the end of January. If you’re lucky, you will be able to find snow on your trails till the month of March.

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