Kedarkantha

KEDARKANTHA TREK

OVERVIEW

Uttarakhand, 5D 4N, Total Distance- approximately 32kms, Highest altitude 12500 ft, Grade Easy, Basecamp- Sankri

SHORT ITINERARY

Day 1 Dehradun to Sankri drive ~200km
Day 2 Trek from Sankri to Juda Ka Talaab Campsite ~7km
Day 3 Proceed to Kedarkantha Base Camp ~5km
Day 4 Early morning Summit and Back to Sankri ~15km
Day 5 Drop to Dehradun.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 Early morning pickup & drive to our Sankri basecamp . It will take approximately 7-8 hrs reaching Sankri by Afternoon . Stay at homestay/lodge.

Day 2 Trek starts from today. Total distance is 7 km & it will take approx 4 -5 hrs to reach the campsite. The trail will go gradually up through the forest by a well defined trail. You will be negotiating with piles of snow right after 3 hrs of trekking if you are doing this in the winter season (i.e December to march )

Day 3 Total distance around 5km & it will take about 4-5hrs. First trail goes upto the Oak & Rhododendron forest. After a while, the tree line end & you’ll enter into a snowfield. It will take you an hour after crossing the tree line to reach the campsite.

Day 4 Total distance 15km taking about 7-8hrs.
Today is summit day. We will start by 3 AM in order to reach the top during the sunrise. You’ll reach the upper Dhaba first after some uphill walk of one and half hours. The welcoming 360 views will leave you awestruck.
From here you have to go further 2kms to reach the kedarkantha top from where you’ll get the mesmerizing 360 degree open view. After reaching the highest point, we’ll come down the same way we took, back to our previous campsite namely Kedarkantha Base. After lunch we will return to our base Sankri.

Day 5 Early morning, we’ll start our journey & should reach Dehradun by evening. This is the drop point which marks the conclusion of your trek.

HOW TO REACH

Nearest airport to Dehradun is the Jolly Grant airport which is located in the outskirts of the city.
Also Dehradun is well connected by trains from all over India & by bus from Delhi. Our pickup and drop will be from airport/railway station.

FITNESS REQUIRED

You can start by jogging everyday. Start of slow with shorter distance & keep increasing it with each passing day. Atleast a month of jogging and freehand cardio should make your trek easier.
Start preparing from at least one month before the trek.

WHY THIS TREK

Kedarkantha is a classic winter trek which is ideal for beginners. You can also do it after winters. The forest and meadows are picturesque with seasonal changes that is bound to earn your appreciation. This trek is complemented by scenic lush forests, breathtaking gorgeousness of mountains, high altitude lakes & 360 view from the summit which would forever be etched in the corridors of your memory lane.

HIGHLIGHT OF THIS TREK

Winter trek is ideal for beginners, shorter distance not much height with mesmerizing views of the snowcapped mountains & the stunning 360° view, beautiful Oak & Rhododendron forest & meadows, Ridge walk & high altitude lake. Also Kedarkantha gives you a feeling of Summiting a peak. Climbing from 3 am to the top is itself a thrilling experience to be cherished for a long time ..

BEST TIME TO TREK

Winter is indeed the best time for Kedarkantha, you’ll get lots of snow during peak winter months, frozen lakes.
Temp will be 5-10 degrees during day time & -8 to -10 degrees at night.

During Oct-Nov, you’ll get clear mountain views, accompanied by beautiful sunrise & sunset. Day temp 15-18 degrees & night minus 2-5 degrees

During April, you will get to experience the forest in full bloom- of Rhododendron and other flowers. There will be snow on the upper portion of this trek as well. Day temp to be around 15-18 degrees & night around 0 degree

EQUIPMENT LIST

Sturdy trekking shoes with good grip and waterproffing, ankle support that can handle snow properly. Gaiters & micro spikes are needed if there is excessive snowfall. a 50-60L rucksack, proper warm winter clothes like jacket, thermals, thermal pants etc.

CONS OF THIS TREK

Crowds: During the peak trekking season, Kedarkantha can get crowded, especially around campsites and viewpoints. This can diminish the sense of solitude and tranquility that many trekkers seek in the mountains.

Weather Challenges: The weather in the Himalayas can be unpredictable, even during the trekking season. Trekkers may encounter sudden changes in weather, including snowfall and cold temperatures, which can make the trek more challenging and potentially hazardous.

Altitude Sickness: While Kedarkantha is not extremely high in terms of altitude compared to some other treks, some trekkers may still experience symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headaches, nausea, and fatigue, especially if they ascend too quickly without proper acclimatization.

Limited Facilities: Facilities along the trekking route, such as accommodation and dining options, may be limited or basic, particularly in remote areas. Trekkers should be prepared to rough it out and carry essential supplies with them.