Kedarkantha Trek is a popular winter trek in Uttarakhand, India. It is a 6-day long trek in Govind Pashu Vihar National Park, starting from Sankri and reaching a height of 12,500 ft at the Kedarkantha Peak. The trek offers stunning views of the Himalayan peaks, frozen lakes, and dense forests of oak, pine, and silver fir trees. Kedarkantha mountain has been a popular destination for hikers throughout history due to its awe-inspiring beauty. The best time to visit for trekking is from December to April, which is also the winter season, offering a unique experience of trekking in the snow. The trek is graded as easy to moderate and is suitable for beginners and experienced trekkers alike.
Several reasons why you shouldn’t miss the Kedarkantha trek
- Stunning Views – The Kedarkantha trek offers stunning views of the Himalayan peaks such as Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Kala Nag, and Ranglana. The views are especially breathtaking during sunrise and sunset.
- Trekking in the Snow – The Kedarkantha trek is a winter trek and offers a unique experience of trekking in the snow. The snow-covered landscape, frozen lakes, and snow-capped mountains create a picturesque view.
- Dense Forests – The trek passes through dense forests of oak, pine, and silver fir trees, which are home to several bird and animal species. Trekkers can enjoy bird watching and spot animals such as barking deer, wild boar, and more.
- Cultural Experience – The trek passes through several remote villages, giving trekkers a chance to experience the local culture and interact with the locals.
- Adventure Activities – Apart from trekking, the Kedarkantha trek also offers opportunities for adventure activities such as rappelling, rock climbing, and more.
Overall, the Kedarkantha trek offers a unique combination of stunning views, nature, culture, and adventure, making it a must-visit destination for trekkers and adventure enthusiasts.
Itinerary
The first day of the trek involves a drive from Dehradun to Sankri Village, which is located at an altitude of 6,400 feet. The distance covered is approximately 230 km and takes about 8 hours to reach. Trekkers will be picked up from Dehradun ISBT.
The trek starts from Sankri Village, and on the first day of the trek, trekkers will trek to Juda Ka Talab, which is a beautiful lake surrounded by pine and oak trees. The distance covered is approximately 5 km and takes about 4-5 hours to complete.
The trek from Juda Ka Talab to Kedarkantha Base Camp involves a steep ascent, passing through dense forests of oak and pine trees. The base camp is located at an altitude of 10,600 feet. The distance covered is approximately 4 km and takes about 3-4 hours to complete.
The fourth day of the trek involves an early morning summit climb to Kedarkantha Peak, which is located at an altitude of 12,500 feet. The summit climb takes about 5 hours to complete. Trekkers can enjoy stunning views of the Himalayan peaks from the summit. After spending some time at the summit, trekkers will descend back to the base camp.
On the last day of the trek, trekkers will trek back to Sankri Village, covering a distance of approximately 7 km and taking about 4-5 hours to complete. From Sankri Village, trekkers will be driven back to Dehradun.
