The Kedarkantha Trek is one of the most beautiful treks of Uttarakhand. It has the most mesmerizing view of the Great Himalayas from the top. Kedarkantha Trek Peak is situated at the height of 12,500 feet and it is also one of the best treks for beginners. The trekking trail is about 20 km and it is not very difficult to do. The Kedarkantha trek is filled with the most beautiful of views and sceneries. It has lush green landscapes, vivid flora and fauna, frozen streams and lakes and mountains covered with snow.

Kedarkantha is located in the west of Garhwal in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. The Kedarkantha trek is filled with many adventures and thrilling activities and gives you an experience of a lifetime but the adventure will only be enjoyed when the trekker is fully prepared both mentally and physically. As you need to go to altitude, which makes this trail a bit difficult so, you should be physically fit as you have to carry a minimum 10 kg weight and then climb up the different types of trails.

The best time of taking Kedarkantha trek is during the winter which is from December to April. During this time, you will get to see the magical beauty of nature filled with snow-covered mountains, mesmerizing views, staying in camps under the stars, campfire and much more.

Kedarkantha Trek is perfect for those who are hungry for adventure and want to witness the untouched and purest beauty of nature and seeking some real thrill in life. The feeling cannot be described when you reach the top and conquer the tip of Himalayas and the view will give you an unforgettable memory of your lifetime. The view where everything is below you and the sparkling white mountains all around you. We’re sure you will forget all your pain, tiredness and fatigue of the trek when you witness this marvel of mother nature. Are you beginner?? Don’t worry if it is your first time trekking, you’ve got this and with proper preparations and training, you can conquer the beautiful Kedarkantha peak and experience a magical trip of your life.

Story of Kedar Kantha

The legend goes back to the Mahabharata when the Pandavas were roaming the Himalayas to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva but instead Lord Shiva disguised as a buffalo to mislead the Pandavas. To tackle this, Bheem (one of the Pandavas) decided to make a herd of buffalos (passing nearby) pass between his stretched legs, one of the buffalos refused to pass and Bheem got into a fight with it and torn it into pieces. All the pieces fell in different places across the Himalayas. The Kedar Kantha is the place where the throat of Shiva fell

The Journey of Kedarkantha summit

Kedarkantha summit is a week-long trek, starting the trip from Dehradun.

Kedarkantha trek journey starts from Dehradun, the drive to Sankri (altitude 6400 feet and distance of 220 km) and will take around 10 hours to reach. The next day you will leave for Juda Ka Talab ( altitude 9100 feet) will take 5 hours to reach. The same day, trek to Kedarkantha base Camp ( altitude 11,250 feet and distance of 4.5 km). The final destination is the Kedarkantha peak which is based at a height of 12,500 feet and trek to the top can be a little difficult. After reaching the top, the journey back will be to Hargaon camp ( altitude 8900 feet) and can be reached the same day by the evening. The next day, you will move back to Sankri and then back to Dehradun.

Short Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Sankri

• Height: 6,400 feet
• Distance:220 km drive
• Time: 10 hours
• You will be picked from Dehradun at 6:30 am
• Expected arrival time at Sankri – 5:00 pm

Day 2: Sankri to Juda-ka-Talab

• Height: 6,400 feet to 9,100 feet
• Distance: 4 km trek
• Time:5 hours
• Stay in tents

Day 3: Juda-ka-Talab to Kedarkantha Base Camp

• Height: 9,100 feet to 11,250 feet
• Distance: 4 km trek
• Time: 2.5 hours
• Today’s trek is on a ridge, under oak trees passing through some meadows
• Stay in tents

Day 4: Kedarkantha Base Camp to Kedarkantha peak then descend to Hargaon camp

• Height: 11,250 feet to 12,500 feet than to 8,900 feet for Hargaon
• Distance: 6 km trek
• Time: 7 hours
• Spend some time at the summit and come down to the base camp by noon
• After lunch, descend to Hargaon
• Reach by the evening
• Stay in tents

Day 5: Hargaon camp to Sankri

• Height: 8,900 feet to 6,400 feet
• Distance: 6 km trek
• Time: 4 hours
• Descend 2500 feet through dense pine forests

Day 6: Departure Day (Sankri to Dehradun)

• Distance: 220 km drive
• Time:10 hours
• You will be dropped at Dehradun station or airport as per the requirements

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Sankri

The journey will start from Dehradun, where you will be picked up early in the morning at around 6 AM. The drive to Sankri will start from there, the distance for Kedarkantha trek will be 220 KM and will take 10 hours. During the route, you will get to witness beautiful flora and fauna, amazing scenery, natural beauty, and more to leave you astonished. You will also get to take breaks between the drive, take photos, get refreshed at local eateries and experience the local culture along the way.

The road to Sankri Village is quite rough and bumpy, and it may take a bit of a long time to reach but after reaching you can rest peacefully and even explore the Sankri Village, its culture, its people, shops, and dhabas. You can even enjoy their local food or prefer to eat at the hotel. Stay the night at the hotel

Day 2: Sankri to Juda-ka-Talab

Kedarkantha trek will start from day 2. After breaking the fast, you will start your journey to Juda Ka Talab. The route will have an extension called Sor, then curvy roads. The route will have beautiful views of bridges, maple and pine trees. Walking on the thick cover of maple and oak leaves, you can spot Himalayan Langurs swinging on the branches, boars, martens and hares can also be spotted in the region.

Juda Ka Talab has a beautiful view of the lake and tall pine trees and is an ideal location for a campsite to spend the evening. Spend the evening taking photographs, explore the area. At night, the campfire will be lit and you can enjoy the twinkling stars and have a great time with fellow trekkers, then retreat to your tents and sleep the night

Day 3: Juda-ka-Talab to Kedarkantha Base Camp

The trek continues from Juda Ka Talab to Kedarkantha Base camp at an altitude of 11,250 feet. The distance is 4 km and will take 2.5 hours to reach the Kedarkantha base camp. After breakfast, move further trek through dense forests and steep ridges, you will come across shepherd huts. at the altitude of 10,400 feet, you can trace the snow-covered mountains. The roads may get windy and you can see oak forests and meadows with wide lanes, we continue further to the base. After some time, you can take a break to rest and enjoy the enchanting view of the region.

After reaching the base, you will get to witness the snow-clad mountains formed of Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini, Kala Nag and Ranglana. Set up your camps and spend the rest of the day under the stars. During this, you must be careful and remain in close groups while exploring the area. The night will be the most charming, sky filled with twinkling stars and maybe you even get the chance to witness an Orion in the sky. At night, the waves will be extremely cold, so make sure you keep enough warm clothes

Day 4: Kedarkantha base camp to Kedarkantha peak then descend to Hargaon camp

On the fourth day, we will reach the Kedarkantha peak. The trek will be from 11,250 feet to 12,500 feet. It’ll be a long trek and quite tiring too, but we’re sure all your hard work and tiredness will vanish within seconds after reaching to the top and witnessing the mesmerizing view. The day will start early, and after having breakfast, the journey to the top will start. The trail to the top will get steep further. You will be passing through the oak forests. After passing the oak forests, you will get a glimpse of the Kedarkantha peak. Remember, the trek will get a bit difficult at the end. At the peak, there is a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and of Lord Ganesh too.

You can witness a complete 360-degree view of the snow-clad Himalayas and bask in its magical beauty. Relax and breathe, take photographs, enjoy mother nature and most importantly collect some real unforgettable memories. After this the journey back down to Hargaon camp which is based at 8900 feet. The distance is 6 km and will take about 7 hours to reach the camp. Lunch at the camp and relax after the thrilling day, then dinner will be arranged, and you can light a campfire and enjoy some great time with friends and fellow trekkers. Sleep the night in the tents.

Day 5: Hargaon camp to Sankri

The next day, another descent to Sankri from 8900 feet to 6400 feet begins. The distance is 6 km and will take about 4 hours or more at a moderate speed. After breakfast, pack your bags and start your journey further down. The path will be filled with little stones and will be well paved, filled with pine trees and you can even see streams flowing in the way. The route will also give you the beautiful view of Har ki Dun valley (Valley of Gods). The last 2500 feet are filled with dense pine trees. Reaching the camp, you can relax or explore Hargaon Village. will be local shops and dhabas, you can buy things and enjoy the local food there. There are also local fair or entertainment functions are organized having native songs and dance. Stay the night at the hotel.

Day 6: Departure Day (Sankri to Dehradun)

This is the last day of the trekking journey. Today you will return to Dehradun from Sankri. Start the day early and after breakfast, your drive of 220 km to Dehradun begins. The time taken to reach the city will be 10 hours. In between the way, you can take breaks and enjoy the scenic beauty. The trekkers will be dropped to Dehradun railway station or the airport as per their requirements. From there the visitors can plan their journey back home.

Trek of a lifetime

Trust us, Kedarkantha will be an ultimate trekking experience. The views are worth every sweat and the feeling you get after conquering the Kedarkantha peak just cannot be described. The Kedarkantha gives you a feeling of witnessing an amazing and beautiful marvel of nature.

What are you waiting for?  Go ahead and bring out your adventure in you and embark on this life-changing experience