Kedarkantha Trek (Dehradun to Dehradun)

Description

Kedarkantha trek is one of those that come to your mind if you think about the idol winter trek as a beginner. Situated in the Himalayas of Uttarakhand, this is the perfect trail for those who are initially planning for their first trekking experience in winters. From sunrise to sunset, dense forest, frozen lakes, panoramic views of Himalayan peaks, camping under the stars, bonfires,s and a perfect but unforgettable experience of trekking in the Himalayas, Kedarkantha is the perfect journey for you.

This mesmerizing trek is surrounded by the beauty of mountains. Covered in sparkling magnificent white snow, the trek presents a breath-taking view of the majestic and enormous mountain ranges. The unseen beauty of nature, the remotest villages, the meadows, and the snow-covered paths all comes within the beauty of this trek.

Adorned with the ravishing beauty of mountains the place is located in the altitudes of Uttarakhand, nested at a height of 3819 meters i.e. 12,500 feet.

The distance is not much challenging and is neither difficult nor too easy, which enables the very first-time trekkers to venture into this beauty of nature at its best. Kedarkantha Trek is the perfect journey for all nature lovers to bask in the beauty of dazzling mountains covered in snow. The Trek is located in the Garhwal region in Uttarkashi district. Also known as one of the easiest treks of the country.

The panoramic natural view of the mountains gives a thrilling experience to the trekkers where you can see beautiful mountains in Dehradun. The 10 hours’ drive from Dehradun to Sankri will never make you feel exhausted rather you will be enchanted by the serenity of the mountains. There comes along Govind National park in the way, which is quite known for its flourishing flora and fauna.

The thrilling drive leads you to the base camp Sankri. Located at an altitude of 6,455 feet. Sankri nestled deep in the ranges of the Himalayas. The view of you surrounded by the mountains will make an everlasting impression on your mind.

The trek commences from Sankri towards Juda ka Talab. Situated at an altitude of 9,100 feet, this place is nearly 4 kilometers away from Sankri. The journey takes you to the dense forest covered with maple and pine trees.

Another eye-catching view is the Himalayan langurs swinging all the way round to the highest trees.

Moving forward through crossing a few streams, one can view Juda ka Talab, which remains frozen during winters.

Summers make this Talab surrounded by which more greenery, giving an exquisite view of the area.

This trek is the perfect trek for all nature lovers. It's just an ideal destination for camping. Bright stars make the place perfect for the night camps, shining stars are treat to the eyes as well.

As you continue to trek through the pine forest, you will sight the summit of the Kedarkantha. The elevated trek of 6 kilometers, can be quite challenging but gives a 360° view of the amazing ranges of Kedarkantha. The scenic beauty of this trek leaves everyone awestruck.

From the Kedarkantha Summit, the famous peaks of Bandarpoonch, Kalanag, Swargarohini, Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Dhauladhar Ranges may sway you off. The picture-perfect with each frame is so beautiful and wonderful that it becomes one of those sights which stays within you forever. This trek is the one that should not be missed by the adventure seekers who love adventures and are ready to take on some challenges. It is more than a perfect place for nature lovers to bask in the beauty of nature and to enjoy blissful & heavenly sceneries with exhilarating experiences.

Highlights of the trek

Campsites

The Kedarkantha Trek has impressive campsites and scenery one could never find anywhere else. Juda-Ka-Talab campsite gives you an opportunity to camp near a frozen lake, covered with a dense forest of pine trees and maple trees. The wild camping night under a sky covered with stardust gives unforgettable pleasure to your soul. You can find other campsites at some distance below the summit and it provides scenic views of wide land covered with white enchanting snow. The sunrise and sunsets from this campsite can be seen as the best views ever, however, sunrise is more mesmerizing when seen from the top of the summit. On the way to your return, you can find another pleasant campsite, from where one can see the splendid views of Har Ki Dun Valley.

Trek route

Kedarkantha trek starts from Sankri and a journey elevated up and then you return via another route but finish at the same point where you get started which is Sankri. The most dazzling and enjoyable thing about this route is you find the prettiest views, that every path leads you to. As you move up towards Kedarkantha, you can see yourself facing some challenges, such as walking in the deep snow which becomes very thick as you climb up. Snowfall is the prettiest thing about the trek, which only the lucky ones can witness. This trek is best between Mid-Decembers to Mid-February where the chances of snowfall are very high. Filled with river streams, rocky clads, rough climbs, wide meadows, and dense forest, this trek makes your journey more exciting and thrilling. You'll be engrossed in the amazing beauty of the region while trekking through the lush meadows, dense forest of maple and pine trees, and crossing the wild streams.

Kedarkantha Summit

The incredible view is experiencing mountains and their beauty from the summit. Kedarkantha summit gives you an amazing 360-degree view, of the Himalayan ranges. This scenic beauty can't be expressed via words. You may get to feel Goosebumps when you set foot on top of the summit and that feeling is inexpressible. The views from the peak are insanely gorgeous.

Sights can be viewed from the Kedarkantha summit -

Kedarkantha summit presents you with a 360-degree view, which is the most mesmerizing scenic beauty you will have ever seen. Views can't be explained via words. The ravishing view will give peace to your soul and is worth getting Goosebumps. 

These are as follows-

• • Swargarohini: Situated in Garhwal and is a part of the great Himalayas located at an altitude of 6,560 ft. (2000 meters). As its name suggests, Swarg means heaven and Rohini means path, therefore Swargarohini means the path to heaven. Legends believe that it truly provides a path to the heavens which was followed by the Pandavas but only Yudhishthira was able to reach the top.
  • Kalanag: The highest peak in the Bandarpoonch mountain range. Kalanag literally means 'Black Cobra'. The top of the mountain peak looks like the hood of a black cobra, hence the name Kalanag is given. It is also known as 'Black Peak'.
  • Gangotri: these mountain ranges are a subdivision of Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. You will be able to witness the Gangotri glacier from the Kedarkantha peak. These ranges have their own religious significance.
  • Yamunotri: You'll also be able to witness the Yamunotri mountain ranges from the summit. Yamunotri mountain ranges are located in Garhwal Himalayas. You can see these ranges if the weather is clear otherwise the clouds make it quite difficult to witness these.
  • Bandarpoonch:  located on the western edge of the High Himalayan Range. It comes under the Sankri range and is located within the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. Bandarpoonch means 'Tail of the Monkey', significant to Lord Hanuman, who is known as the monkey god and the almighty warrior, who went to its peak to extinguish the fire that caught his tail in battle alongside Lord Rama. 

Har ki dun valley and Rupin range are also visible from the summit if the weather is clear.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 2 - Sankri to Juda-ka-Talab (Located at 9000 ft.)

• The day 2 marks our journey from Sankri to Juda Lake. Juda-Ka-Talab is located at 2700 ft. of altitude and is 4-5 hours of trek within the dense pine and maple forest.
• Juda-Ka-Talab will be our camping site for the day and it is all surrounded by tall pine and oak trees and mountain slopes.
• The camp for day 2 will be here for night where you will be enjoying the serenity of nature.

Day 3 - Juda-ka-Talab to Kedarkantha Base Camp

• The third day is the most exciting one as we will be moving towards Kedarkantha base camp. Kedarkantha base camp is located at an altitude of 11,250 ft. and it will be our Destination for the day. It is a 2-3 hours trek to reach the open meadows of the summit. The undoubted mesmerising serenity of the bounty nature will be captivated by your minds forever. You will be captivated by the mighty Dhauladhar ranges. This campsite will be perfect for picturesque views and the main highlight of this trek.

Day 4 - Kedarkantha base camp (3,429 m / 11,250 ft.) to Kedarkantha Summit and back to Hargaon (9 hours)

• It will be a long and exhausting day today, but the joy of the journey and will to reach the peak would much more worthy compared to the challenges that would lay ahead for us. As soon we move towards the dense forest, the trails surrounded by Pine trees will start to disappear. After 2 hours we will be reaching and there, you will be surrounded by mountain valleys and ranges. Panoramic sights of the great Himalayas range along with the clouds scattered, will be the most magnificent view you would have ever seen. You will be able to catch the glimpse of the Dhauladhar range, Chainsheel Pass, Har ki Dun valley and Rupin valley. After spending some time on the top, we will head back to the campsite, will have lunch in between the trek and head towards Hargaon. Our night will be spent in the camps between the valleys.

Day 5 - Hargaon to Sankri (3 hours)

• It will be the last day of our trek today and you will be commencing towards Sankri that is an approximately 6 km long journey, taking about 3-4 hours. We will be descending through the stone path after having our breakfasts. Moving ahead we will be passing a ridge that will give us an awesome view of Har Ki Dun valley. We will be reaching Sankri by noon and will settle in our camps for the night. And this will add another adventurous chapter to our book called life.

• Inclusions
• Exclusions

  Accommodation

  Meals (Veg/Egg)

  Permits & Fees

  Medical kit & Oxygen cylinder

  Porters or mules to carry camping equipments

  Camping

  Hiking Gaiters, Micro Spikes, Trekking Pole

  Qualified and Professional Trek Leader & Staff

  Personal expenses

  Food during the transit

  Insurance

  Mules or porter to carry personal luggage

How To Reach

• By Road: As Dehradun is well connected with major cities of North India such as New Delhi, Lucknow, Haryana, etc. So you'll easily get transport for Dehradun from these cities. Also, some buses depart from ISBT Kashmiri Gate (Delhi) to Dehradun on a regular basis. The overnight journey might be good.
• By Train: Dehradun Railway Station is well-connected with major railway stations like New Delhi Railway Station, Lucknow Junction, Kolkata Railway Station, etc. Overnight journey via train would be a great choice.
• By Air: Jolly Grant Airport is the only Airport in Dehradun. And, it is well connected with daily flights from Delhi.

• Seller policy
• Refund Policy

Advisory

• Avoid smoking and consumption of alcohol while trekking.
• Do not disturb local people or animals during trekking.
• Do not try to harm nature in all terms.
• Pay attention carefully to the trek guides and instructors so that you can enjoy trekking safely.
• Do not trek during nights, this might lead to mishappenings.
• Do not throw plastic bags here and there and try to maintain the decorum of the Himalayas.
• Never take any medicines without consulting the trek guides.
• If you don't know much about the place then don't roam around without a guide because mountains are unpredictable.
• Avoid any kind of anti-religious comments and activity to respect the local religion, local people as well as your batch mates.
• Carry your identity proofs like Aadhaar card, PAN card, Voter ID etc.
• Follow the Guidelines issued by the State-Government during your whole journey.
• Maintain social distancing in all manners.
• Frequent hand sanitisation and use of mask recommended.

Things To Carry

  Raincoats And Rain Covers

  UV Protected Sunglasses

  Basic Medicines

  Body Care Essentials

  Facemask

  Hand Sanitizer

  Trekking Shoe

  Rucksack

  Torchlight or Flashlight

  ID Card

  Personal Toiletries