Kedarkantha Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Drive from Dehradun to Sankri
Drive-210kms; Duration -7 to 8 (Hours), Altitude-6500 feet, Stay - Guest House Sankri, Starting Time-7 AM, Meals -Dinner only
Ensure you reach Dehradun before 7:00 AM. One of our representatives will meet you there. After a brief briefing about the trip and an introduction session, we will take our seats and proceed on a scenic drive to Sankri village.
Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the city, you will step into a dreamland full of beauty all around. Roads will wind around the snow-capped mountains, with the landscape dotted with pine forest, terraced farm lands. The drive will take you through the scenic view of the Garhwal Himalayas, with pit stops at
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Massoorie - "The Queen of Hills"
- Purola - "A town of Apple orchards"
- Mori - "Peaceful town located on the bank of the Tons River"
The route will flow all along the river bank, giving a regular view of gushing stream, forested ridges and Himalayan birdlife. It's a beautiful transition from urban plain to pure mountain serenity.
Early evening, you will reach Sankri village, which is located at an altitude of 6500 feet above sea level and serves as the last motorable road to most of the trekking routes of this region. Check into your rooms at the homestay, where you will be welcomed by lovely locals.
After taking a short trek, you can stroll all along the streets of Sankri village, enjoying the view of the sun setting behind the Swargarohini peaks, turning the landscape golden. Or you can just sip a hot cup of tea while chatting with the other fellow trekkers.
Day 2: Sankri to Juda Ka Talab
Trek- 4 km; Duration- 5-6 (Hours), Altitude-9100 feet, Difficulty - Easy to Moderate, Stay -camp (Gulling), Starting Time-8 AM, Meals -Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, tea and snacks
After spending a refreshing night at Sankri village, our adventure will truly begin today. On this day, we will trek from Sankri village to our first stop, i.e. Junda ka Talab, a beautiful lake located in the heart of a pine and maple forest.
After a nourishing breakfast, we will start our trek around 8:00 AM. Today's trekking route will have a moderate ascent but a high reward view of wide clearings under the dense maple forest, with beautiful flowers and leaves spread all along the trekking route. During the peak winter season, the whole region will turn into a winter wonderland with a thick sheet of snow spread all along the trekking route.
After trekking for about 5 to 6 hours, we will finally reach the beautiful lake "Junda ka Talab" which sits at an altitude of 9100 feet above sea level. This high-altitude lake holds both mythological and natural significance. It is a perfect destination to acclimatise properly before ascending to a higher altitude.
During the winter season, this lake generally freezes over completely, creating a surreal white landscape, making it a picture-perfect place.
Today, we will be staying in the tent accommodation at the Juda ka Talab camping site. After setting up camps and getting comfortable, you will be served with hot tea or soup, followed by a hot dinner served under the sky.
Day 3: Juda ka Talab to Kedarkantha Base camp
Trek- 4 km; Duration -5 to 6 (Hours), Altitude-11,250 feet, Difficulty- Moderate, Stay- camp (Kedarkantha base camp), Starting Time-8 AM, Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, tea and snacks
Day 3 of the Kedarkantha peak expedition. After a sound sleep at Juda ka talaab, today we will trek to Kedarkantha base camp, which is a short trek of about 4 km. Kedarkantha base camp is a beautiful location, located at an altitude of 11250 feet above sea level. The steeper ascent compared to the last two days makes it both challenging and exciting. The trail is well-marked and winds through dense forest, scenic clearings, and snow-covered paths.
The trek to Kedarkantha base camp will start early at 8:00 AM after a hearty breakfast and a short briefing session. The trails will get steeper and will wind through the dense forest and snow-covered mountain paths with very water sources. It is recommended to carry at least 2 litres of water bottle with you to keep yourself hydrated.
By afternoon, you will reach the Kedarkantha base camp, a stunning campsite located amid an alpine and maple forest. This camping site is mainly known for the majestic and clear view of Swargarohini, Bandarpooch, Black peak and Ranglana.
Enjoy the lunch at the Kedarkantha base camp and stroll all along the camping location. You can also take lots of beautiful pictures or just enjoy the serenity of the environment.
Dinner will be served early at the Kedarkantha base camp, ensuring everyone gets enough sleep so that you can get ready for the next day's summit. Before dinner, your trek leader will conduct a briefing session covering
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Summit Trail condition
- Starting time
- Things to carry and clothes to wear
After dinner, take a proper rest so that you can give your best on the day of your summit.
Day 4: Kedarkantha Base camp to Kedarkantha summit and back to Base Camp
Trek- 11 km; Duration- 6-7 (Hours), Altitude-10,900 feet,Difficulty- Moderate, Stay -Camp(Kedarkantha Base Camp), Starting Time-2 AM, Meals -Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, tea and snacks
Today is the most awaited day of our trekking journey. Today, we are going to witness some of the most majestic Himalayan peaks and experience the mesmerising view of dawn from one of the most beautiful Himalayan peaks of India.
The summit push of the Kedarkantha high altitude trekking route will start at 2:00 AM under the starlit sky. After a light snack and tea, you will be geared up in the warmest layer of clothes. Switching on our headlamp, we will start our ascent.
As you keep on trekking, challenges will keep on increasing. The temperature will fall drastically, and trails will get steeper and narrower. A trekking guide will help you there as you ascend through this trail.
Reaching to the summit at sunrise is a once in a life time experience. At 12500 feet above sea level, you will be surrounded by dozens of snow-capped mountain peaks with the sun rising in the background, making a picture-perfect location. Take your time to celebrate your achievements and feel the stillness in the mountain.
After spending enough time at the summit, start your descent to the Kedarkantha base camp. Descending is much easier at takes hardly 2 to 2.5 hours. But be cautious while descending, as the loose gravel could be the biggest challenge. On returning to the base camp, you will be served with hot brunch with a cup of tea.
In the evening, catch up with other fellow trekkers, sharing their stories, challenges during the trek and many more. In the evening you will be served dinner under the clear starry sky.
Day 5: Kedarkantha Base Camp to Sankari and drive to Dehradun
Trek- 6 km, Drive-210kms; Duration -9 to 10 (Hours), Altitude- 6500 feet, Starting Time-6 AM, Meals -Breakfast only
On this day, we will start our trek back to Sankri and then drive back to Dehradun. This is a time to bid goodbye to the mountain and some of the beautiful views all around.
Today we will start our trek at 6:00 AM and will take 2 to 3 hours to reach Sankri village. We will start our journey back to Dehradun at 8:30 to 9:00 AM. If you have time, then you can stroll all along the Sankri village, trying some local delicate and handicrafts. Sankri village is known for its warm hospitality and welcoming locals.
Following the same route, we will expect to reach Dehradun by 6:00 to 7:00 PM, depending on the route conditions. It is recommended to book your train, bus or flight after 11:00 PM, keeping enough margin.