Discover the Majesty of Kedarkantha Temple Trek: Feel the Nature!

Are you an adventurous soul looking to experience the most famous trek of the Himalayas? If so, then Kedarkantha Temple Trek is the perfect choice for you! Feel the nature as you discover the majestic beauty of this incredible trek. With breathtaking views, lush greenery, and challenging trails, Kedarkantha Temple Trek is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Whether you're a seasoned trekker or a novice traveler, this trek will leave you in awe of the beauty that nature has to offer. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your journey to the majestic Kedarkantha Temple Trek today with trekyaari.

The significance of Kedarkantha Temple Trek

The Kedarkantha Temple Trek is not just a popular winter trek but it holds great significance among locals. The temple, situated at an altitude of 12,500 feet, is believed to be more than a thousand years old and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The locals hold many stories about the temple, one of which states that Lord Shiva meditated here during his exile. The temple attracts many devotees, especially during the annual Mahashivratri festival.

Apart from its religious significance, Kedarkantha Trek is also known for its kedrakantha views and challenging terrain. It is often considered the best snow trek in India as it provides trekkers with an opportunity to witness snow-laden trails, dense forests, and beautiful campsites. The trek, however, is not an easy one and requires trekkers to be physically fit. Despite the difficulties of the Kedarkantha trek, the views from the top are rewarding and unforgettable.

Trekking Experience: Terrain and Difficulty Level

The Kedarkantha Temple Trek is known for its kedarkantha beauty and breathtaking views. This trek takes you through dense forests, vast meadows, and stunning ridges that offer panoramic views of the snow-capped Himalayas. The trek starts from Sankri, a beautiful village that serves as the base camp for this trek.

The Kedarkantha trek is considered one of the best snow treks in India, as the entire trail is covered in snow during the kedarkantha winter season. The difficulty level of the trek is moderate and can be done by beginners as well as experienced trekkers. The trail is well-marked, and there are no technical sections on the trek.

However, the altitude gain on the trek is significant, which can pose a challenge for some trekkers. Kedarkantha altitude of 12,500 feet, which is the summit of Kedarkantha. The summit offers a spectacular view of the surrounding mountain ranges, including the Bandarpoonch and Swargarohini peaks.

The trek also involves a steep climb on the last day, which can be physically demanding for some trekkers. But the reward is worth the effort as you get to witness the majestic beauty of the Kedarkantha Temple, which is located at the summit. Local stories about the temple and its tradition add a unique touch to the overall experience.

Preparing for the Trek: What to Pack and Essential Gear

If you're planning to trek the Kedarkantha trail, it's essential to prepare your body for the challenging terrain ahead. The trek involves steep ascents, rocky paths, and unpredictable kedarkantha weather conditions, making it crucial to have good endurance and strength. Here are some tips for getting fit for the Kedarkantha trek:

Start Early: It's ideal to start working on your fitness level at least two months before the trek. This gives your body enough time to adjust to the physical demands of trekking.

Cardio Exercises: Cardio workouts like jogging, cycling, and swimming are excellent for improving your cardiovascular fitness. Aim to have at least 30 minutes of cardio exercise, four or five times a week.

Leg Strength: Trekking in the mountains requires strong leg muscles. You can build leg strength by doing squats, lunges, and leg presses. These exercises help increase your endurance and improve your balance.

Core Strength: Your core muscles help with balance and stability. Incorporate planks, sit-ups, and back extensions into your workout routine to strengthen your core.

Stretching: Stretching is crucial to avoid muscle tightness and injuries. Make sure to stretch before and after your workouts and dedicate at least one day a week to yoga or Pilates. If you are planning on embarking on the Kedarkantha trek, it is essential to have the right gear and equipment to ensure a safe and comfortable journey. Here is a list of items you should consider bringing:

• Back Pack (55 L to 65 L)

• Warm Clothes (5-6 layers)

• 7-8 pairs of socks

• 1 Pair Gloves

• 1 Warm Jacket

• 1 Pair Warm Cap

• Hiking Shoes

• Raincoat or Poncho

• Toilet Papers

• Water Bottle (Thermal water for snow trek)

• Snacks like dry fruits, energy bar, candies etc.

• Power bank / Charger

• Sunscreen / Lip guard / Moisturizer

• Torch

• One Valid ID Proof

• Tiffin Box

Itinerary

DAY 1 - Dehradun to Sankri (Drive: 220 km, Duration: 10-11 Hrs, Altitude: 6,400 ft) All the trekkers arrive Dehradun (Departure at 7am from Dehradun Bus Stop/Railway Station) and start journey together from Dehradun to Sankri early in the morning by road, as a part of the Kedarkantha trekking package. It takes us 10 - 11 hours (app.) of an absolutely delightful drive, during which we witness the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary as well as the rejuvenating Tons River that flows through it. If you’re lucky, you even get to see some of the sanctuary’s precious animals! After an exciting drive through the alpine landscape, we reach and check into a hotel/Home Stay/ Guest House at Sankri village. We spend some time enjoying the evening in the village. Dinner is served, and it is now that the trek leader will give you a briefing for the next day. We shall now rest for the big day!

DAY 2 - Sankri to Juda-ka-Talab (Trek: 4 km, Duration: 4-5 Hrs, Altitude: 9,100 ft) Today marks your first day of trekking. After breakfast, we make our way out of Sankri village and start the steep climb up the hill to Juda-ka-Talab. We have 4 km to cover. The climb is steep, since the lake is located at the height of 9,100 feet. The scenery here is irresistible and worth every step of the way, dotted with hares, langoors and other such beautiful, harmless fauna. The sound of nearby streams waft in and out of your ears as we make our way to the lake, along with the crisp sound of leaves under your feet. We also witness some heart-warming scenes of rural life in this region. Women with firewood and men taking their cattle out to graze, all against the backdrop of the breathtaking landscape. Juda ka Talab is a vision of wonder under the clear, blue sky. Trekkers can take their time to relish the vegetation and scenery. Lunch is provided to the trekkers, followed by some group activities to keep up the morale and spirit. After dinner, we will be camping here for the night, under a blanket of stars.

DAY 3 - Juda-ka-Talab to Kedarkantha Base Camp (Trek: 4 km, Duration: 3 - 4 Hrs, Altitude: 11,250 ft) Excitement is building up as we start our trek towards the Kedarkantha base camp. After breakfast, we begin our 4 km long journey. The trail, though steep in some patches, is not difficult to follow. The route to the Kedarkantha base camp is dotted with small lakes. The trail snakes through oak-laden forests, wide meadows and more evidence of remote life. When you are close to the base camp, you can see the arch of the Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Ranglana and Kala Nag ranges. We will have our lunch here. The evening will be peppered with fun experiences like group games, or an acclimatization walk to familiarize you with the area and the terrain. Afterwards, the trekkers can rest while enjoying some evening snacks and soup. The rest of the evening is mostly free. Dinner will be served early as the trek begins tomorrow early morning! The temperature at Kedarkantha base camp may drop very low at night. Make sure you have enough layers on to keep yourself warm.

DAY 4 - Kedarkantha Base Camp to Kedarkantha Peak (Altitude: 12,500 ft); Descent to Juda Ka Talab (Trek: 12 km, Duration: 7-8 Hrs, Altitude: 9,100 ft) Today, we shall cover the Kedarkantha peak. Afterwards, we shall descend from the peak to Juda ka Talab campsite, once again. The trek ahead is moderately difficult, but with a little bit of determination. Today, we commence at the early hours of 2 or 3 am, so that we can witness the glorious sunrise at the Kedarkantha peak. After breakfast, we first make our way through a few more thick patches of oak trees. The trail is mostly simple and facilitates enjoying the route uphill. It only gets slightly difficult as we get closer to the peak. As we reach the Kedarkantha peak, along with the grand view, we are greeted with a small shrine of rocks, which is considered to be holy by the locals. The energy radiating from this religious space is something that entrances one and all. The view from the top, however, is what captivates you the most. Thirteen peaks of the Himalayas, all bask together in the glory of the sun. We make a brief stop here. All this beauty deserves some admiration. Our descent is a beautiful route crossing many frozen streams and more wildlife and flora. We stop for lunch at the Kedarkantha base camp and quality conversation about the wonderful views we have been blessed with. Afterwards, we make our way downhill steadily to the Juda ka Talab campsite. Here, we set up tents for the night, light up some campfires and spends some quality time having dinner with our fellow trekkers and stay overnight here.

DAY 5 - Juda Ka Talab to Sankri (Trek: 4 km) to Dehradun (Arrival Dehradun at ~10 pm, Drive: 220 km, Duration: 10 - 11 Hrs) Although there is a sharp drop in our altitude today (9,100 to 6,400 feet), the trek from the Juda Ka Talab camp to Sankri is relatively simple and takes only a little over 2-3 hours. It is time to say goodbye to the base camp, but with a lot of memories in our heart and tonnes of trekking experience. Through endless pathways full of oak and maple, we witness the phenomenal view of the trek. It is wondrous how nature’s splendor has been spread across for us like a picture to see. This is one of the greatest achievements of the universe. We make our final journey to Dehradun via road, over a 10-11-hours stretch, including breaks for food and refreshments. It is the same alpine road that we crossed on our way uphill, but we feel changed and content after such a wholesome experience. By late evening, we are back in Dehradun. Trekkers looking to travel on Day 5 itself can be dropped at the bus stand or the railway station, as required. Anyone wanting to spend the night in the cozy city of Doon can make their bookings accordingly. For this time, our journey ends here with lots of happy memories.