Kedarkantha Trek
Kedarkantha Trek Trip highlights
- Kedarkantha summit offers glorious 360-degree views of Himalayan peaks.
- Vie of Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini, Black peak.
- Camp alongside a high-altitude lake.
Kedarkantha Trek Trip Description
Kedarkantha - The snow abode
If you are looking for a landscape of snow-capped mountains engulfing oak forests, with the hustle and bustle of a village on one and the serenity of a frozen lake on the other then the Kedarkantha trek is what you are searching for. Located at an altitude of 3810m close to Govind Pashu Vihar National Park in the captivating state of Uttarakhand, the Kedarkantha trek is a perfect trek for beginners as the distance covered every day is short yet tricky. Another add on to the package is the stirring view of five peaks of the Himalayas - Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Black peak, Ranglana in the Yamunotri and Gangotri ranges.
The 5-6 days trek starts from the enchanting village of Sankri with the hustle and bustle of its market and the villagers watching over the flock of travellers visiting the Kedarkantha. As we start from Sankri, you'll see the pine forests - untouched and raw, as this path is only used by trekkers and villagers. The dense forests mystique beauty is outlined by streams, wooden bridges and narrow paths. The path from Sankri takes you to the frozen lake of Juda - ka - Taal, it weaves a thousand stories and memories as it stands still with all its majestic beauty.
As we ascend to the Kedarkantha base, 4 km from Juda - Ka - Taal, feel the mountains opening up it's arms to you with its rich flora and fauna. The delight of camping in clearings and waking up to the far-fledged stretches of the Himalayas is a treasure in itself. Where the Juda-ka -Talab campsite owns an aesthetic lake with all its pride in the middle of the clearing, the Kedarkantha campsite seems no less than a giant white blanket spread on an open meadow.
The trek to the summit begins in the early hours of the day with a torch in your hand. Here you are facing the most challenging part of the Kedarkantha trek, the chilling wind hits your face as you pave your way to the summit. The sunrise on the summit feels warm and proud, some of the famous Himalayan peaks are at your eye level leaving an exuberant you with overpowering emotions and that's when you feel disconnected from the nuances of life but somehow connected to yourself.
Kedarkantha Trek Trip Itinerary
Trek Leader
Activities
Homestay
Dinner The journey to the enthralling Kedarkantha trek begins from Dehradun. You can directly board vehicles provided by TripMoody from ISBT, Dehradun at around 7:a.m. It’s a 9 - 10 hours journey with a distance of 197 km. Even the road trip is worth it with hills, waterfalls, forests and streams running parallel to the long roads.
As we move closer and closer to our destination, we pass through Govind National Park standing tall with its rich collection of flora and fauna, another treat to the eye. We reach Sankri by approximately 5 pm, where you can check-in, freshen up and take off to explore the local life of a snow cladded Himalayan village.
Trek LeaderActivities
TentBreakfast | Lunch | Dinner The 3-4 hours trek to Juda ka Taal starts at 8:00 am after breakfast, packed lunches are distributed, followed by a short session with the trek leaders on do's and don'ts of the trek as well as how to use the provided equipment. The trail will first take you through another village - Saur before taking a wide curve and climbing sharply into a different location.
The journey to Juda ka Taal unfolds gradually with its unique ability to blend nature into human activity in every possible way. You pass through bridges while hearing the sounds of gushing water, trailing through dense oak forests thickly carpeted with dried maple leaves, witnessing the sunlight breaking through the beautiful clearings of the trek, the journey is nothing less than a nature safari offering you its scenic views and the unique experiences of nature.
The path to Juda ka Taal follows a zig-zag pattern ascending into denser oak forests where the air filled with woody scents brushes against your clothes. You will eventually catch up with the bubbling water stream you have been hearing so far.
Continuing the trail after crossing some more streams and passing through the forest, one can eventually reach the pictorial spot where the beautiful Juda ka Taal lake lays at an altitude of 2773 m surrounded by giant pine trees. This is our campsite for the day. Rest and gaze upon the starlit sky beside the frozen lake.
Trek LeaderActivitiesTentBreakfast | Lunch | Dinner Enjoy the breakfast at Juda ka Taal and we shall begin the trek at around 8:00 a.m. The trek will be steeper than the previous day and will take around 3-4 hours to reach the Kedarkantha campsite located at 3413 m.
As the trail ascends you can see the lake retreating slowly below. Immerse yourself into the beauty of the snow-laden path which gradually advances through the dense oak forests offering you the beautiful glimpses of snow-capped mountain peaks of Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini, Kala Nag and Ranglana.
During winters, you can witness the residual snow as you unravel the path. And during summers, the exclusive flora is enough to enthral you with its beauty. You can come across a number of rhododendrons and fresh grasslands as you make your way towards the campsite.
Upon reaching the campsite, enjoy the early dinner and take a good sleep because the next day's trek begins as early as 2:00 a.m tomorrow.
Trek LeaderActivitiesTentBreakfast | Lunch | Dinner Our journey to witness the early sunrise at the Kedarkantha summit which stands tall at an elevation of 3430 m begins at around 2:00 a.m in the morning. It will take around 4-5 hours to reach the summit. Get ready for the real adventure and an enthralling experience that is going to remain with you forever.
The initial trek is easy to catch up with a mild ascent. After an hour or so the forests open up to a clearing paving a two-way path. The trek leader will decide which one to take on considering the conditions of snow. The inclination starts getting steep from here at around 45-60 degrees. Sometimes, especially during snow, it becomes challenging for even experienced trekkers to climb.
The final summit is the most rewarding of all the treks we have covered. The summit with its spectacular 360-degree view of the high mountain peaks of the Himalayas will knock the breath straight out of you. Enjoy the awe-inspiring views of mountain ranges in the region like Gangotri, Yamunotri, Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini and Har Ki Dun amongst others. After spending some time at the summit, we start descending and walk all the way down to the campsite.
By noon we will reach the Kedarkantha campsite where we will halt for a quick lunch before descending further down to Hargaon, an open grassland at an elevation of 2700 m. Continue to immerse yourself with the pictorial views of nature. We will spend the night here and end the thrilling day with a delicious dinner.
Trek LeaderActivitiesBreakfast It's time to gather all the memories and descend back to Sankri. The journey will be a little long and will take around 9-10 hours to reach Dehradun. Get started with breakfast and as we trail down the forest path get a look at the picturesque views of Himalayan Peaks.
We will reach Dehradun by around 9:00 p.m. in the evening. And here our journey ends with mesmerizing memories that will stay with us for a lifetime.
Kedarkantha Trek Gallery
Kedarkantha Trek Includes
- Guesthouse accommodation on the first and last day on a twin sharing basis
- All vegetarian meals on trek
- Professional guide, cook and support staff
- Clean sleeping bags and mats
- Good quality A-shaped or dome tents
- Kitchen tents, common tents, toilet tents with portable toilet seats
- Microspikes and Gaiters if required
- Forest entry charges for Indian National
- For non-Indian passport holders; there will be an additional charge
- Porter and mule support to carry camping equipment and NOT personal luggage
- Tented accommodation throughout the trek on a twin sharing basis.
Kedarkantha Trek Excludes
- Personal expenses like tips, personal medicines, phone calls etc.
- Any transport support during the trek apart from what is included above
- Any cost or services not mentioned in the Inclusions
- Cost arising due to unforeseen incidents like bad weather, medical evacuation, road blocks etc
- Porter/mule charges to carry personal luggage
Kedarkantha Trek Things to Carry
The following is a list of things that we suggest that you carry with you. It is not expected to be a comprehensive list; rather, it is intended to remind those items that we feel are essential for your comfort during the trek. However, we recognize that you may have your personal preferences for clothing, which may be equally appropriate.
Trekking Gears
- Backpack with Rain Cover - (Should be more than 50-70 Liters)
- Daypack 20 Liters -Collapsible (This will require on summit day)
- Head Torch with Spare Batteries
- Sunglasses with UV Protection
- Sun Cap / Hat
- Trekking Poles (If required)
- Poncho / Rain Coat (Protect from rainfall and Snowfall
Clothes
- Padded / Down Jacket
- Fleeces Jacket
- 2 Quick Dry Trek Pants
- 3 Quick-Dry T-Shirt (full sleeve)
- Thermals Inners (upper and lower)
- Woolen Cap
- Neck Gaiters/Balaclava
- Waterproof Gloves
- Undergarments
- Plastic Bags for wet clothes
Footwear
- Trekking Shoes (Waterproof & High Ankle)
- Woollen socks - (2 pairs)
- Cotton Socks - (3 pairs)
- Floaters
Toiletries
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste
- Sunscreen (40+ SPF)
- Toilet Paper
- Lip Balm
- Hand Sanitizer
- Moisturizer
- Quick Dry Tawal
- Soap
- Sanitary Napkin/Tampons (for female participants)
- Intimate Wash (for female participants)
Medicines
- Personal Medicines prescribed by the doctor, if any (Consult your doctor before coming)
- Combifilm - Half Strip
- Digene - 1 Strip
- Cetirizine - 1 Strip
- Painkiller Tablet - Half Strip
- Muscle Relief Spray
- Knee Cap (if you are prone to knee pain/injury)
- ORS/ Electrals - 5 Pouch
- Band-aid - 5
- Antibacterial Powder
Utensils
- Leak-Proof Lunch Box with a spoon
- 2 Water Bottles/Hydration Pack
- Plate and Tea Mug
Documents
- TripMoody Medical form signed by the doctor
- Disclaimer form, signed by the participant
- Rent Gear Voucher (If you have rented gear from TripMoody)
- Valid ID Proof Photocopy (that have mentioned Address)
- Sufficient Cash
Miscellaneous
- Camera (optional)
- Power Bank (optional)
- Tripod (optional)
- Protein Bars, Snacks and Dry Fruits
Kedarkantha Trek Basic Instructions
- Covid-19 guidelines issued by the State-Government is to be followed. Social distancing to be maintained. Frequent hand sanitization and use of mask recommended.
- Do carry a valid ID and undertaking form print at the time of reporting.
- It is recommended to carry enough warm clothes as per trek and the right kind of waterproof high ankle shoes for the trek.
- Do not carry expensive valuables with you during the trek. Camp does not have locker facilities and take no responsibility for the same.
- Keep your luggage minimum; the less you carry, the more you hassle-free.
- Smoking, drinking and any kind of intoxication are strictly prohibited during the trek.
- Network connectivity is pretty bad after basecamp, please inform your guardians or friends beforehand.
- Treat the Kitchen and helping staff with respect and speak to them comfortably!
- On the trek decisions taken by the trek leader are final.
- Don’t use earphones during the trek; this might hinder your audibility.
- Avoid using plastic bags and maintain the ecological balance of the destinations.
- Keep your snack rappers with yourself during the trek and dump it on the campsite’s garbage bag.
- The trek takes place through an eco-friendly zone; do not encourage littering the local sites or campsites.
How to Reach
How to reach Dehradun by Bus:-
Dehradun is very well-connected to the important Cities in Uttarakhand (Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mussoorie, Uttarkashi), Chandigarh (150 km), Delhi (Kashmere Gate ISBT-250 km), and Ambala (140 km) by means of state-run and private buses at a reasonable cost. It is advisable to choose Volvo buses over ordinary buses, to ensure a more comfortable journey in the mountainous terrain.
Note: - The bus journey from Delhi to Dehradun takes 7 to 8 hrs for 250 km and it is advisable to book your tickets around 9-10 pm in the night to reach early in the morning for your treks and to avoid delays.
How to reach Dehradun by Train:-
Dehradun Railway station is one of the biggest and busiest railheads of Uttarakhand after Haridwar. Dehradun Railway Station is connected to all major cities of the country like New Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur, Ajmer, Mumbai, Lucknow, Varanasi, Patna, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai, circuitously. The railway station is located at the heart of the city which is 2 km away from ISBT and the City Centre. Cabs, auto, sharing rickshaws are easily accessible for exploring all parts of the city. Besides the railway station, there is Dehradun Hill Bus stand which offers regular services to Mussoorie and Dhanolti.
How to reach Dehradun by Air:-
The nearest airport is at Jolly Grant, located approximately 22 km away from Dehradun City Centre. Domestic flights connect Dehradun with Delhi, Chandigarh, Banglore, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Once you reach the airport, you can take prepaid taxis outside the airport which can be availed to get transferred to the main city of Dehradun and it has easy access to the holy towns of Rishikesh (25km) and Haridwar (32 km).
The major airlines operating in this airport are IndiGo, Jet Airways, Spice Jet and Air India.
Nearest Airport: - Jolly Grant (DED), Dehradun
Nearest International Airport: - Delhi International Airport (DEL)
Kedarkantha Trek Cancellation Policy
Amount Refund
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
5% Deduction
Cancellations up to 15 days prior to departure date
25% Deduction
Cancellations up to 7 days prior to departure date
50% Deduction
Cancellations less than 7 days prior to departure date
No Refund