Kedarkantha Trek

Kedarkantha Trek

from
7,000.00

Best time to visit Kedarkantha Trek is in Winter during December to March, although the trek is accessible throughout the year except during monsoons.

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  • Vacation Style Holiday Type
      Trekking
    • Activity Level Fairly Easy
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    All about the Kedarkantha Trek.

    The Kedarkantha trek route starts from a charming little village called Sankri, which is a trekker’s delight as it is the doorway to many Himalayan treks. En route is the Juda-ka-Talab just 4 kms away, a glacial lake surrounded by pine trees. During Winter, the lake is frozen and the pine trees become triangular standing blocks of ice. The peace and serenity around this place takes you to a different world altogether.

    Best time to do the Kedarkantha Trek

    The Kedarkantha winter trek is one of the best winter treks in India. Naturally, the best time to visit Kedarkantha is in Winter during November to March, although the trek is accessible throughout the year except during monsoons. The months of December-January-February are the coldest and there will already be thick snow on the ground. Chances of experiencing fresh snowfall are also high. The stretching blanket of snow creates a quiet heavenly atmosphere as if the hills are sleeping. The snow makes for an adventurous and challenging climb to the peak. Days are gently cold and nights are harsh with freezing subzero temperatures. 

    The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
    What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
    • Transportation on Day 1 – Dehradun to Sankri and Day 6 Sankri to Dehradun
    • Accommodation in Sankri (1st nights and 5th Night) and camp tents on twin or triple sharing basis ( Day 2 to Day 4)
    • Meals on trek: Breakfast, lunch, Evening beverages (hot), snacks, soup and dinner
    • Experienced and qualified professional trek guide and support staff
    • All camping gear Like –
    • High quality tents
    • Sleeping bags
    • Mattress
    • Liner
    • Pillow
    • Separate Toilet tents – Ladies and Gents
    • Dining Tent
    • Dining table
    • Helper
    • Kitchen team
    • First aid medical kits
    • Oxygen Cylinders
    • Gaiters or Crampons
    • All permits and entrance fees
    What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
    • Breakfast and lunch on the first day 
    • Lunch and dinner on the last day
    • Personal insurance 
    • Individual toiletries and medicine kits
    • Porters or mules for carrying personal luggage
    • Any expenses borne by trekker on their own
    • Train or Flight tickets charges
    • 5 % GST
    • Anything not mentioned in Inclusions
    1. Day 1 Dehradun - Sankri (200 Kms / 8 Hrs)

      Distance: 200kms

      Time: 8-9 hours

      Altitude reached: 6398 feet

       

      The first day of the Kedarkantha Trek starts with the drive from Dehradun to Sankri. Early morning around 6:00-7:30 AM,  we pick you up from Dehradun and the drive to Sankri takes about 9 hours. Sankri is a beautiful village in Uttarkashi district sitting right in the lap of the mountains at an altitude of 1950 metres above sea level. The tall pine forests flank the road throughout the drive taking us through Mussoorie and Dehradun making it one of the best long drive routes. Upon reaching Sankri, take some time to explore the peace and serenity of this misty hamlet. Sankri is the perfect vantage point which provides views of mountains like Ranglana, Kalanag and Bandarpoonch. Overnight stay at Sankri.

       

    2. Day 2 Sankri - Juda-ka-Talab (5 Kms / 4 Hrs)

      Distance: 5 kms

      Time: 4-5 hours

      Altitude reached: 9100 feet

       

      The second day we start trekking to Juda-ka-Talab from Sankri. Juda-ka-Talab is a lake that has mythical roots to its name. It is said that once upon a time, when Lord Shiva had meditated at Kedarkantha, a droplet that fell from His hair had created the lake, hence the name Juda-ka-Talab. You will also catch sight of the rarely seen maple forests that are exclusive to this region. After scaling an altitude of 9100 feet we finally reach Juda-ka-Talab where we camp for the night.

    3. Day 3 Juda-ka-Talab - Kedarkantha base camp (4 Kms / 3 Hrs)

      Distance: 4 kms

      Time: 3 hours

      Altitude reached: 11, 250 feet.

       

      This is the day we trek to Kedarkantha base camp. The Kedarkantha base from Juda-ka-Talab is 2.5 kms which takes about 4 hours to cover. The trek path takes us on a steep ridge passing through the oak and pine forests which gradually grow dense as we move upward. Since the trek is easy, you can catch a little break to enjoy the gorgeous views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. After reaching Kedarkantha base by afternoon or early evening we set up our tents. At night, you can see the sky full of stars and the vibrant Milky Way splashed across it. The feeling is to being in space and floating among the stars! 

    4. Day 4 Kedarkantha Base - Kedarkantha Summit - Hargaon or Juda Ka Talab base (9 Kms / 8 Hrs)

      Distance: 9 kms

      Time: 7 – 8 hours

      Altitudes reached: 12, 500 feet followed by descent to 8, 900 feet

       

      This is the most important day of the trek as we start for the long-awaited Kedarkantha Summit from the base camp. The distance to the Summit is not too long. As we head out for a while, the trail becomes clearly visible and the Summit comes right into your view. The route again goes through the oak forests with shepherd log huts along the way. Towards the end the trail becomes a little steep and the climb might get strenuous, especially if you’re a first-timer. But once you reach the Summit, the view from the top will leave you speechless. You will forget all your worries and fatigue from the climb as the raw beauty of the mountains enthralls your heart and mind. The highest Kedarkantha Trek height you will scale on this tour is 12, 500 feet.

       

      On the Summit you’ll find an arrangement of stones with a Trishul(trident) pointing towards the sky as a nod to the mythological history of the place. After all, Kedarkantha literally means the throat of Lord Shiva. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the famed Gangotri and Yamunotri ranges, the Har ki Dun and Rupin range, Chaainsheel Pass, and the Kinnaur Kailash ranges from the Kedarkantha Summit. From here we trek back to Hargaon or Juda Ka Talab base camp at an altitude of 8, 900 feet and stay the night at camp.

       

    5. Day 5 Hargaon or Juda Ka Talab - Sankri (5.5 Kms / 3 Hrs)

      Distance: 5.5 kms

      Time: 4 hours

      Altitude reached: 6,400 feet

       

      Today we begin the descent from Kedarkantha Summit to Sankri through Hargaon or Juda Ka Talab base camp. The trail takes us through the same picturesque forests of oak and pine trees, sunlight gleaming through them. It takes us about 2 to 3 hours to reach Sankri, which is the last road head to the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarkashi.

      You can explore the place, mingle with the very humble and welcoming locals, try the local food and last but not the least, gaze endlessly at the mountain ranges. Overnight at Sankri.

       

    6. Day 6 Sankri - Dehradun (200 Kms / 8 Hrs)

      Distance: 200kms

      Time: 8-9 hours

      This day marks the end of the exciting and adventurous Kedarkantha Trek, after breakfast we drive back to Dehradun from Sankri post breakfast. We will reach Dehradun in the evening at 7 to 8 pm.

    The best time to embark on the Kedarkantha Trek is in winter between December – April. Although the trek remains open for most of the year, the monsoon months are better avoided. Heavy rainfall makes the trek route slippery and a bit dangerous.

    The highest altitude reached during the trek will be 12,500 feet which is the Kedarkantha Summit. The trek from the Kedarkantha base camp to the peak is taken on the fourth day of the trip.

    The Kedarkantha Trek cost is INR 7000 to 8000 Rupees/person. The cost includes pick-up and drop to and from Dehradun, all meals starting during the 6 days of trek, permits and entry fees and accommodation. Refer to the Inclusions section for details.

    The Kedarkantha Trek is broadly easy with moderate trek. It is very suitable for first-timers & beginners and can be easily completed by ensuring minimum fitness. 

     

    Kedarkantha trek is 23 kms long from Sankri and takes 4 days. It takes about two and a half days for the ascent and one and a half days for descent. A day each for travelling to and from Dehradun makes the entire trek of 6 days.

    Buy only very good quality trekking shoes with excellent grip and water resistance features. Ordinary sports shoes or walking shoes will absolutely not do. We recommend good waterproof shoes.

    The Kedarkantha winter trek is one of the safest treks that is accessible during the winter months. It is absolutely safe for beginners as well. You will have certified and experienced trek guides with you along with support staff. Although if you have any respiratory disorders or any other medical conditions, then its best not to attempt this trek.

    The reason why many first-timers begin their affair with trekking with the Kedarkantha Trek is because it’s easy to moderate level trek. Most of the trail is easy to climb, only a couple of ascents before submitting the Kedarkantha trek are steep.

    The temperature in December ranges from -5°C to 5°C. With increasing altitudes the temperature keeps dropping with chilling winds. You might also get to experience snowfall on the way which makes the journey even more magical.

    Ensuring an optimum fitness level is must for this trek. People with respiratory problems and asthma are not allowed. Don’t overtrain just before the trek. Do some daily basis yoga, morning walk and exercise. 

    Absolutely not! Intaking  alcohol during the whole journey is strictly prohibited since it can cause nausea and vomiting.

    Mostly vegetarian meals that include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, soup, and hot beverages in the morning and evening with light snacks are provided. Refer the Inclusion section for more details.

    No, Kedarnath and Kedarkantha are not the same. In fact they are separated by a distance of a hundred kms. Kedarnath is one of the four Char Dham and also one of the 12 Jyotirlinga sites in India known for the Kedareswar temple. Kedarkantha is a mountain peak in Uttarakhand of the Garhwal Himalayan range. 

    The Kedarkantha winter trek is known for its layers and layers of snow on the ground, tree-tops, and the mountain peaks. You will definitely find snow, may even experience fresh snowfall if you’re travelling between December to February.

    No, there will be no mobile network during the trek. The last point of mobile network is Purola, Uttarakhand

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