Overview
The Kedarkantha trek which is located near Govind Pashu Vihar is one of the most popular treks in Uttarakhand. The Kedarakantha trek is considered a moderate-level trek which makes it ideal for beginners and excerpt trekkers. From here you can have the most stunning views of the surrounding mountain peaks like Bandarpoonch, black peak, Swargarohini, and the Gangotri and Yamnotri ranges.
The Kedarkantha peaks stand 3810 meters tall and if you want to have the best experience then you must start your trek early in the morning before sunrise. So that you can reach the summit on time. It will take around 5-6 days to complete the whole trek as it is a 20 km long trek. Sankri serves as the base village of the trek and this trek is also a common base camp for most of the treks. This trekking route will take you through a forest of maple and oak trees and you’ll reach the first campsite by passing this forest. The first campsite of this trek is Juda-ka-talab which is one of the most beautiful campsites you’ll ever come across.
Best time for Kedarkantha trek
You can do the Kedarkantha trek throughout the year. The Kedarkantha trek is one of the unique Himalayan treks that can be done during the winter season. Trekking in this season gives trekkers a wonderful opportunity to witness the snow and trek on the snowy trails which makes it interesting for trekkers. The snow-covered landscapes look so heavenly and it is just a sight to behold.
The Kedarkantha trek is easier compared to other Himalayan winter treks. This trek can be easily done by beginners and is ideal for expert trekkers who want to enjoy the experience of trekking to high altitudes in the winter months.
Kedarkantha trek distance
The starting point of this trek is Sankri village and from there the total distance you’ll have to cover is 20 km. this peak stands 6,500 ft. tall. The trek starts from Sankri and takes you through the oak, pine, and maple forest to the first campsite of this trek which is “juda ka talab”. It is also one of the major attractions on this trek. While trekking you’ll also be able to witness the stunning har ki dun valley.
How to prepare for the trek
For the Kedarkantha trek, you need to be well-prepared and fit. Fitness is one of the major factors when it comes to trying out any adventure sport. Similarly, for any other trek, you need to be prepared physically and mentally. Here are a few tips on how you can increase your fitness level.
* Start jogging on daily biases.
* Do jumping jacks
* Train your calves and leg muscles
* Practice climbing on stairs, this will help you in ascent.
If you want to improve your stability then you must do squats. This will help you maintain balance and along with this, it will also train your thighs, hips, and legs.
Things to carry for the Kedarkantha trek
It is important to carry all the necessary items on the Kedarkantha trek so that you can use them whenever you need them. Here’s a list of things to carry
* Clothes: Winter clothes, layers, jackets, rain cover, and trekking pants
* Footwear: hiking shoes and slippers
* Toiletries: toothpaste, sunscreen, moisturizer, and tissue papers
* Charger and batteries: power bank, memory card, headlamp
* Food and snacks: chocolate, high-energy snacks, and dry fruits
* First aid kit: bandage, Dettol, move spray
* Essential medicines: medicines for headache, AMS, and digestion.
Itinerary details for Kedarkantha trek
Day 1: Today you will have to drive to Sankri village from dehradun. The distance between both places is around 230 km and this will take around 9-10 hours of drive.
Day 2: After reaching the base village you’ll trek up to the first campsite of this trek. “Sankri – juda ka talab”, this is the first campsite and it will take around 5 hours to reach the campsite from Sankri
Day 4: Today you will trek from the campsite to Kedar Kantha summit which is located at an altitude of 12,500 ft. and on the same day you’ll return to the juda ka talab campsite.
Day 5: today is the last day of your trek. You will have to trek to Sankri village from the juda ka talab campsite. It will take around 2-3 hours to complete this trek.
Day 6: Today you will drive back to dehradun from Sankri village. It will be a 7-8 hour long drive back to dehradun from Sankri.
How to reach Sankri (base village)
Sankri serves as the base village of the Kedarkantha trek and also for many other treks in Uttarakhand. Here’s a guide on how to reach Sankri village.
By air: you can take a flight to Dehradun Airport and from there you’ll have to reach the dehradun railway station from where you can take a bus or taxi to reach Sankri. The distance between the airport and the railway station is just 28 km.
By road: you can take a bus from Delhi to dehradun. It will take around 7 hours to reach here and after reaching dehradun you can take public transport or a shared cab to reach Sankri.
By rail: you can take a train to Dehradun/Haridwar railway station and after reaching there you can take a bus or taxi to reach Sankri. The distance between Sankri and dehradun is 187 km and between Sankri and Haridwar the distance is 239 km.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the Kedarkantha trek is one of the most stunning and beginner-friendly treks in Uttarakhand. This trek is the best winter trek which is also less challenging compared to other Himalayan treks. You can complete this trek with good preparation and physical health. You can also try amazing activities like paragliding, river rafting, and many more near Sankri village. You will get an opportunity to stay at one of the most beautiful campsite which is “Juda-ka-Talab”. While trekking you’ll also be able to see Har Ki Dun Valley and from the summit, you can have a stunning view of some other famous Himalayan peaks
