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.
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-
Har ki dun valley and Rupin range are also visible from the summit if the weather is clear.
The mountain hopper is the seller of this event. View profile
It is advisable to carry a 6L backpack, the weight to be carried will depend on your requirements and capacity.
Most of the mobile networks do not work for most part of this trek. Vodafone and BSNL are the only mobile networks that work in patches along the way (but are inconsistent).
When it comes to trekking in India in winter, the Kedarkantha trek would be your best bet. From December to April, Kedarkantha makes for a terrific trek in virgin snow, with pretty campsites and astonishingly wide clearings in the forests. You are likely to come across snow just as you cross the 10,000 ft mark, lying on the forest floor among the pine trees. When you reach the meadows, a huge blanket of white is likely to surround you in every direction.
This trek begins easy but gets moderately difficult with every passing day. It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on a trekking holiday getting some additional exercise. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. For this trip you need to be aerobically fit and also comfortable with walking up to 7 hours on some days. Though, this trek is very beginner-friendly and falls in the easy category.
Carrying medicines is important while trekking anywhere in the world. Though basic first-aid can be provided if you ask to your trek guide. During the trek you may not have access to pharmacies. So it’s better to have your medications ready.
Kedarkantha peak winter trek is a great trek to do in winters during the month of December to April & in May also. During this time you can see the clear view of the region and snow filled campsites. Each campsite turns into a fairyland in the snow. During the springtime too this trek can be done as the forests come alive in this season, and the snow stays in parts all the way until April.
You should carry high-ankle trekking shoes. Different shoes are suitable for different kinds of treks, depending on the weather, trail condition as well as duration of the trek. For this particular trek, shoes with thick souls are recommended.
There are proper meals with subsequent nutritional values planned for the people coming in for the trek. All meals will be provided. This would include nutritional vegetarian meals, with the addition of tea and coffee during breaks.