Activities

Kedarkantha Trek - Special Offer

We are providing -5 degree winter jacket sponsored by Tripole brand permanently free to take home with Rs.6,500/- package. When you book Kedarkantha trek with Rs.2,000/- booking amount, we deliver jacket to your home address before your departure date. Without jacket price is Rs.5,500/- (Dehradun to Dehradun)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed departure dates from Dehradun:

November: - Everyday

December: - Everyday

January: - Everyday

February: - Everyday

March: - Every Weekend

Overview

The trek to Kedarkantha takes place in the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary and stretches over a period of four nights and five days. Thus, it is more than just an uphill journey to the Kedarkantha peak, with a view that will entrap your mind and soul for weeks to come. The sanctuary adds volumes to our experience with the beautiful and rare flora and fauna scattered around us, waiting to be discovered. Kedarkantha trek covers a total distance of 26 Kms (height of 12,500 feet), and the entire Kedarkantha trek route is studded with maple and pine trees, making it breathtaking to say the least. Kedarkantha trek in December is probably the most popularly utilized package for the region, because of the abundance of regular snow. However, its magnificence is not lost on the trekkers even during the summer. The slight advantage of trekking up the Kedarkantha peak in the warmer months is that it is a little more on the easyside, as compared to a snow-covered trail. Either way, the journey uphill is absolutely delightful and once we reach the crest to find the stunning, expansive view of thirteen Himalayan peaks in front of us and the whole world below – we realize it is definitely worth all the effort and time! We cover a host of different places like Sankri village and Juda Ka Talab to even reach the Kedarkantha base camp, thereby creating an upbeat and constantly refreshing experience. The actual trekking experience begins Sankri onwards. The trekking distance from Sankri to the Kedarkantha peak and back to Sankri is 26 kilometres as a whole. While we don’t have to be a seasoned trekker to be able to cover Kedarkantha trek, a small period of physical exercise is both, beneficial and advised. The vegetation goes from dry to lush and coniferous with a rise in elevation. It is important to note that the temperature in Kedarkantha is always on the lower side here. In the summer, it ranges between 20 degrees (day) and 6 degrees (night). In wintertime, it can drop as low as -10 or -15 degrees, which is why carrying multiple layers of insulation, and shoes specific to trekking are a necessity. Camping on the way to Kedarkantha peak is dreamlike in the lap of the snowy landscape, and a thrilling experience on its own.

The best time to do Kedarkantha Trek is November to March.

Trek Route Map

Dehradun->>Sankri->>Juda ka Talab->>Kedarkantha Base Camp->>Kedarkantha Peak->>Hargaon Camp->>Dehradun

 

What to carry for Kedarkantha trek?

It’s a 6-day trek so do the packing according to the trek. Try to pack your bag light as possible. Here we are mentioning the essential items for the trek:-

• Backpack (~50L)
• Warm clothes (5-6 layers, subject to month) / 5-6 pairs of socks
• Gloves
• Warm cap
• Trekking shoes
• Trekking pole
• Raincoat or poncho
• Toilet papers
• Water bottle / Snacks
• Power bank / Charger
• Sunscreen / Lip guard / Moisturizer
• Torch
• One valid ID proof

FAQs

Where is Kedarkantha?

Kedarkantha is located in the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, Garhwal Region of Uttrakhand, India.

How to reach Kedarkantha?

Through Bus, distance between Kedarkantha from Delhi is about 452 km by road. There are facilities of direct buses that run from Delhi to Dehradun. These buses leave from RK Ashram/Majnu ka Tila (Private buses) & Kashmiri Gate (Govt. buses) in Delhi to the main depot at Dehradun. Once you have reached Dehradun you can take another bus that will directly drop you at Sankri. This journey can take up to 10 hours by bus. 

You can also take a direct flight from Delhi to Jolly Grant Airport and then take a taxi or cab or bus to reach at Sankri for Kedarkantha trek.

Through Rail, you have to come first at Rishikesh Railway Station and then take a taxi /cab/ bus to cover rest 105 km to reach at destination.

How difficult is Kedarkantha trek?

It is moderate to difficult trek, but beginners can also do this trek. The trek is adventures and beautiful but challenging too. There are some areas of difficulty as a challenging for which you need to be prepared.  It’s a 5-day trek where altitude will change every day. It becomes challenging for few climbers.  Trails are simple and less steep but hardest part is in the summit. In winters, trek is covered with extremely hard and slippery snow and verglas. However, this is only in the months of December to around mid-April. If you go on trek without guide then have to extra careful otherwise you will get in danger.

How to get fit for Kedarkantha trek?

Physical fitness for any trek is important and if you are doing Moderate to Difficult Level trek then it is must to think about it. It’s not a picnic. For that, start by running or walking every day. Target running at least 5 km within 40 minutes before your trek starts or do walking at least 4 km every day. You should be able to do this consistently and not just once or twice.

Start slow if you’re not a runner. You can start by running 1 or 2 km every day and cover this until you can reach 5 km in 40 minutes. So, you will need to plan approximately 45 days to 2 months in advance, in order to get fit for the Kedarkantha trek. It’s must. During the trek it will help you to reach the destination or complete the trek.

Can Kedarkantha trek be done solo?

You can do the Kedarkantha trek solo. Just make sure to be careful in winter as the snow and verglas increases the difficulty level of the trek. You need to be aware of the path you’re stepping on, due to this snow and slippery ice.

Can the Kedarkantha trek be done in a day?

Even though it is physically possible to manage the trek in a day, it is not something we would recommend. Here’s why:

It is not possible for our body to acclimatize while climbing from 6,500 feet to 12,500 feet, all in a day. If such an altitude is covered at such a fast pace, it is not good for our body and there is a high chance of altitude sickness.

You won’t be able to enjoy the trek. Kedarkantha is a beautiful trek which takes you through picturesque forests, clearings and has campsites with wonderful views. This is something that you should get to enjoy on your trek, instead of rushing through and skipping the pleasure in it. You could spread the trek over 3 days, but we wouldn’t recommend shortening it more than that.

Can we do the Kedarkantha trek without a guide?

Yes, it is possible to do the Kedarkantha trek without a guide. However, we would highly recommend using a gpx file if you are trekking on your own. Keeping track of your trek is very important as the forests here are very dense, making it very easy to get lost.

Is Kedarkantha trek safe in December?

 Yes, it is safe to trek Kedarkantha during December month. Actually, winter season is the bestest season to see the beauty of this region at its peak. The trek is moderately easy so even if you have done very few treks earlier or a beginner, you will be good to go there.

Is Kedarkantha trek easy?

No, Trek is steep and hard at the last phase, but beginners can do the trek. The forests here are very dense, making it very easy to get lost so it is important to trek with a trek guide.

Is Kedarnath and Kedarkantha same?

There is always confusion where names are similar, and this situation is also happened with the Kedarnath and Kedarkantha trek. One more similarity of these treks is  that they both are situated in Uttrakhand but in different districts. There are lots of points which makes different from each other.

1. Distance: Kedarnath is 16 km long distance trek but Kedarkantha has 26 km distance.
2. Starting Point: Kedarnath starting point is Gauri kund and starting point is Sankri. 
3. Meaning: Kedarnath name means “The Lord of the field”. The Height of Kedarnath trek is 6,940 m / 22,769 ft. The peak is part of the Kedar valley in the Garhwal Himalayan range of Uttarakhand. Kedarnath is one of the twelve jyotirlinga temples, and is thus an important hindu pilgrimage site. Kedarkantha means "Throat of the Lord" and it is located in the govind wildlife sanctuary in Uttarkashi district and is a popular trekking destination. The trek to Kedarkantha is a relatively easy one, and it offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan range. 
4. Altitude: The Kedarnath temple is located at an altitude of 3,583 m (11,755 ft), and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains.  It is located Rudraprayag District of Uttarakhand.  On the other hand, Kedarkantha is a popular trekking peak and located at an altitude of 3,810 m (12,500 ft), and is surrounded by part of the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, Pir Panjal range, Uttrakhand and offers views of some of the most beautiful mountains in the Himalayan range.  
5. Difficulty level: Kedarnath is a moderate level trek and takes 4 days to complete the trek and Kedarkantha is moderate to difficult level trek and takes 5 days.
6. Mythological difference: Kedarnath is one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage sites and dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is said to have been built by the Pandavas, and it is believed that their visit to Kedarnath temple cleansed their sins. In the reference of local lore, Lord Shiva sat at Kedarkantha for mediation Purpose but there was a bull who disturbed him a lot and then Lord Shiva moved to Kedarnath and completed his meditation there.
7. Climate: The climate of Kedarnath and Kedarkantha is very similar. Both areas experience very cold winters with heavy snowfall. Summers are cool with some rainfall. However, Kedarnath experiences more rainfall than Kedarkantha.
8. Flora and Fauna: Kedarnath region is home to a wide variety of Himalayan flowers, such as the blue poppy, as well as a variety of animals, such as the snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, and red fox. In Kedarkantha region, it is home to a variety of Himalayan trees, such as the blue pine, as well as a variety of animals, such as the Himalayan musk deer, tibetan argali, and chiru.

Temperature & Weather in Kedarkantha?

It depends upon the season for temperature and weather. Here we describe in brief you know about it.

In Summer (April, May, And June), Temperature range will be almost 6 to 20 degree Celsius. Kedarkanatha trek looks very attractive in summers. In the month of April, the whole winter snow melts and there is greenery all around which attracts the mind. In the months of May and June, there is a possibility of rain and the whole trail is filled with fresh blooming flowers, which keeps the trekkers from fatigue and fills up. The cold is tolerable at this time. Trekkers is blessed with a variety of vegetation and pine and oak trees are seen here. The average temperature of Kedarkantha remains around 20 degrees celsius in the day and 6 degrees celsius at night, during the summer season.

In monsoon (July, August and September), Monsoon enters the valley in July and there are landslides and heavy rains, which makes trekking difficult for trekkers, although adventurers consider trekking during this time as an opportunity, but it is advised not to trek in monsoon.  Temperature of the valley generally maintains a stable average of around 12 degrees celsius Although the attraction of the valley is worth seeing at this time, but the entire trail remains wet and risky. The month of September brings comparatively less rainfall to the place and the weather generally remains cloudy and pleasant during this time. The average temperature of Kedarkantha remains around 17 degrees celsius in the day and 4 degrees celsius at night, during the monsoons.

In Autumn (October and November), Kedarkantha trek in the month of October is a pleasant opportunity for trekking to Keras. At this time the temperature is to remain during 0 to 15 degree celsius. At this time, there are different types of flowers and forests on the route, which start drying up at the end of the month, so it is advised to do the trekking in the early days, although in November the greenery dries up and the whole valley gets covered in snow. This is a very good time for trekkers who love snow. The average temperature of Kedarkantha remains around 15 degrees celsius in the day and 2 degrees celsius at night, during autumn.

In Winter (December, January, February, And March), Kedarkantha remains covered with snow throughout the winter, which invites tourists to come for trekking. This is the best time to do trekking in Kedarkantha. You can also enjoy skiing at this time. The whole atmosphere becomes thrilling with the continuous falling snow and cold. The average temperature in Kedarkantha remains around 10 degrees celsius in the day and -2 degrees celsius at night, during the winter season.

Is there any famous holy temple in Kedarkantha ?

There is no temple in the Kedarkantha. The valley name is dedicated to Lord Shiva as the name meaning is “the throat of the Lord”.

Height of Kedarkantha Trek?

It about 12500 ft/ 3800m from sea level.

Best time to visit Kedarkantha trek?

Although Kedarkantha remains cold throughout the year, the winter months of December, January, February, and march bring in the maximum snowfall and make for the best time to trek the mountain. During this time, the place remains cold with Kedarkantha temperature dropping below the freezing point.

With the region receiving frequent and heavy snowfall, Kedarkantha weather becomes absolutely chilly and wet. Although this makes trekking a bit difficult, yet the thrill and adventure become double. The lofty snow-clad mountains trails coupled with the spellbinding vistas, lure a huge number of intermediate and seasoned trekkers to Kedarkantha during this time of the year.

Due to its challenging trail, Kedarkantha winter trek offers the perfect adrenaline-pumping experience to the adventure junkies.

Trek route of Kedarkantha trek?

The Trek route is Dehradun to Sankri whole day drive then next day trek fromm Sankri to juda ka talab. Then next day go to through trek. After that, Kedarkantha base camp to climb  Kedarkantha peak and come back to Hargaon camp through drive. On the last day come back to Dehradun.

Distance between from Dehradun to Kedarkantha?

It takes 26 km distance.

Is Kedarkantha to Kedarnath nearby location?

Both treks are in Uttrakhand but located in different region. Kedarkantha is famous for the peak and valley although Kedarnath is a holy pilgrimage of Hindu and famous for the Lord Shiva Temple. It has 100 km distance between each other.

What is the Trek Distance of Kedarkantha from major cities?

The difference from different famous cities is Pathankot-313 km, Delhi-452 km, Jaipur-504 km, Ahemdabad-1181 km, Mumbai-1656 kmPune-1670 km, Indore-1062 km, Calcutta-1767 km, Guwahati-2102 km, Chennai-2402 km, Banglore-2369 km

Difference between Dayara bugyal and Kedarkantha trek?

Kedarkantha and Dayra Bugyal are two winter treks, but both have their own characteristics that make them different. As Kedarkantha is a 6-day trek which leaves from Sankari. The height of Kedarkantha Peak is 3800 m/12500 ft, and it is a path of 25 km. Whereas Dayra Bugyal is 4 days which originates from Raithal and the height of the peak is 10,400 ft. Snow falls from Dayra Bugyal in Kedarkantha only in the early month of November, whereas in Dayra Bugyal snow falls later and snow falls from Kedarkantha here. In February and March, where Kedarkantha is covered in snow, the trek to the Trekkeras in Dayra Bugyal is a golden opportunity, there is greenery on both the treks in spring and summer. In Kedarkantha is famous of alpine lake, Juda Ka Talab, Oak and Pine trees forest and experience scenic beauty and feel the life of remote villages of Uttarakhand Himalayas. A huge fair is organized every year on 15 June in Kedarkantha. Here Shiva and Ganesh are worshiped, which is spoken in the local language Meru Bagwan! Kedarkantha is a place of faith for us, where we worship Lord Shiva and Ganesha every year. Every year a fair is organized in Kedarkantha, and people from every village come here to see a fair, this fair is held on 15th June. These are a special moment when people celebrate this festival together with local music and drums. in Dayra Bugyal is not only famous for its lush green meadows and beautiful wildflowers with clear view of the Himalayas but also for butter milk holi celebrated there. This is also known as ‘Anduri Utsav’ and is attended by local folk and many tourists. It is arranged by Garhwal Mangal Vikas Nigam. In this festival butter and milk is smeared over each other. A traditional ‘Raso’ dance is also performed. It is so beautiful that even the tourists join in. From Kedarkantha, mountains like Swargarohini, Black Peak, Bandarpoonch are seen but in Dayara Bugyal  magnificent view of many known peaks like Bhagirathi, Bandarpoonch, Black peak and unknown peaks, clean and pure water bodies reflecting the beautiful trees and skies and flowers covering the vast area describes the astounding Dayara bugyal.

Height of Kedarkantha trek from sea level?

Height of 12,500 feet above sea level, trekkers can enjoy the view of the godly peaks like Bandarpoonch, Kala nag, and Swargarohini. The main highlights of the Kedarkantha trek are the snowy trekking trail, beautiful campsites, snow-covered pine forest and the 360-degree view of the mountains.

Kedarkantha vs Brahmatal?

Kedarkantha and Brahmatal are two winter treks, but both have their own characteristics that make them different. As Kedarkantha is a 6-day trek which leaves from Sankari. The height of Kedarkantha Peak is 3800 m/12500 ft, and it is a path of 26 km. Whereas Brahmatal is also an argument of 6 days which originates from Lohaganj and the height of Khamila Top summit is (4000 m/13120 ft). Snow falls from Brahmatal in Kedarkantha only in the early month of November, whereas in Brahmatal snow falls later and snow falls from Kedarkantha here. In February and March, where Kedarkantha is covered in snow, the trek to the Trekkers in Brahmatal is a golden opportunity, there is greenery on both the treks in spring and summer. In Kedarkantha there is an alpine lake, Juda Ka Talab, and in Brahmatal there is Bekaltal and Brahmatal Pho Alpine Lake. From Kedarkantha, mountains like Swargarohini, Black Peak, Bandarpoonch are seen while Trishul, Nanda Ghunti, Mrigthuni, Chaukhamba, Hati Ghoda, Nilkantha are seen from Brahmatal.

Kedarkantha vs Har Ki Doon?

When we are talking about comparison between Kedarkantha and Har ki dun then we can discuss some point which can help to make the difference between them and understand the nature and landscape of these two treks.

 

1. Height : Kedarkanta is 2000 meters to 4000 meters whereas Har ki Dun trek elevation for Har Ki Dun is about 1900 meters to 3500 meters
2. Nature : Kedarkantha trek is a summit trek where you are climbing a peak. It is needless to say that because of their location in the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary trekkers get to ample amount of flora and fauna but Har Ki Dun trek is a valley trek. Being a valley Har Ki Dun allows the trekkers to have a closer look at them and the trek also leads people through thick forests and meadows
3. Duration & Distance : Kedarkantha is a 6-day trek and covers 26 km distance and Har ki Dun is a 7-day trek and covers 47 km distance
4. Temperature : Kedarkantha also receives sub-zero temperatures and in the winter months, trekkers can expect to witness -10degrees Celsius or even below. Har ki Dun is pleasant but it can still reach -1 degrees Celsius at times, so packing well is essential. Because of the harsh winter, it is not an option to trek in Har Ki Dun when the temperatures may drop down -15 degrees Celsius.
5. View: In Kedarkantha, trekkers can see view of the Himalayas and the Swargarohini, Kala Nag, Ranglana, and Bandarpunch Peaks. In Har ki Dun, trekkers get to see an amazing view of the Swargarohini peak
6. Best time to visit : Kedarkanta trek is available throughout the year. It is best to avoid the Kedarkanta trek during the monsoon months when the showers are erratic, and they can cause landslides. During the winters you can find the Juda Ka Talab is a frozen masterpiece. The beautiful streams during the summer months and the green pine forests are a sight to behold. Best season to visit from November to March. It runs throughout the whole year. On the other hand, path of Har ki Dun is covered less than 5 feet of snow and it begins snowing from November. The Government closes the gates to the trek because of the subzero weather during the winter months. The gates only reopen in March when spring visits the valley leading to the melting of snow and the visitors can also find the regained greenery of the place. One can pursue the Har ki Dun trek from March to December. Close in winters due to weather harshness. It’s a seasonal trek.

Kuari Pass vs Kedarkantha?

Kuari Pass and Kedarkantha are popular trek. There are many differences which makes them unique. Here we brief the certain points:

Meaning: Kuari pass means the Doorway and Kedarkantha means “The Throat of the Lord Shiva”.

View: This trek was explored by Lord Curzon and is also known as the Curzon trail. A picturesque trek with beautiful camp sites. View of almost all major Himalayan Peaks of Uttarakhand including Mt. Nanda Devi, which is the highest peak of India within its borders Like Kamet, Dronagiri, Trishul, Bertholi, Hathi Ghodi Parvat, Mana and Neelkanth. As we talk about Kedarkantha, it known for his Valley trek. Trekkers can see view of the Himalayas and the Swargarohini, Kala Nag, Ranglana, and Bandarpunch Peaks. 

Altitude: Kuari pass lies at an altitude of 3876 m/ 12,516 ft and Kedarkantha altitude is 3800m/ 12500ft.

Difficulty level: Kuari pass trek is “easy to moderate” level trek but Kedarkantha is a "moderate to difficult level" trek.

Day and Distance: Kuari pass is 6 days trek which covers 33 km, but Kedarkantha is also 6 days trek and covers 26 km distance.

Best time to visit: Kuari pass is good for December to March as the entire trail is covered in snow. It has Snow laden trails which are accessible throughout the year. The trek is beautiful in all seasons. But Kedarkantha is open through the year but November to March.