While trekking is commonly thought of as a summertime activity, the number of people who are exploring the world of winter trekking, or snow trekking as some prefer to call it, is steadily increasing. When you think of winter walks, it is the Kedarkantha Walk that has become a clear favorite among adventure lovers. There are many reasons for this, and the opening sentence of this article only gives a glimpse of what they are. But first, some information about this beautiful part of the Himalayas:

Sobre Kedarkantha

It is located within the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary in the Uttarkashi district of the western Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.

Situated at an elevation of 3,810 meters (about 12,500 feet), this trekking trail covers a consolidated distance of 20 kilometers.

The best time to visit is the winter months, that is, from November to February, with the last snow present until April.

The nearest major city is Dehradun, about 220 km from Sankri, the starting point of the trek. Dehradun also has the nearest railway station, which is located in the center of the city, and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, which is located about 22 km southeast of Dehradun.

El Kedarkantha Trek

The Kedarkantha trek starts from Sankri, which is a picturesque little place in the foothills at an altitude of 6,400 feet. The first major stop is when one reaches Jadu Ka Talab, which is about 9,100 feet high and takes about 5 hours on foot from Sankri. This first section gives a sample of the abundant beauty that awaits hikers ahead. It offers the beautiful pine and maple forests that Kedarkantha is famous for, with stunning meadows and streams lining the trail. Jadu Ka Talab is the first camp on this trek; here you can spend the night and rest for the next leg of the next day.

Next is the trek to the base of Kedarkantha, up to 11,250ft and a distance of 4.5km. Along this stretch is where you first encounter the luxurious and dazzling 360-degree views of the snow-capped peaks all around you. Kedarkantha Base Camp is one of the most beautiful camping spots any trekup India has to offer, and is an ideal place to pitch your tent, do some Maggi and sleep for the night.

The next and final destination is Kedarkantha Peak, which is situated at an altitude of 12,500 feet. This section is the only slightly challenging part of the hike, but even this can be done with ease if you are moderately fit. Furthermore, the views to be found along the way and ultimately at the top are unmatched in beauty and magnificence. The Himalayas are presented here in all their glory, and trekkers find the experience most rewarding.

After reaching the top, it is a journey back to the terrain where the first stop would be Horegaon camp. It offers another attractive campsite and can serve as your overnight stop. The next day you can go straight back to Sankri through those dense pine forests, which won your heart when you started this trek.

Why Kedarkantha Trek is special?

Where do I start?

First of all, it is a moderately easy hike, which is nonetheless among the most scenic. It just offers a great return on investment (in terms of effort and skill required) for most hikers and especially beginners)

A total of 13 peaks, that’s what you find during this trek. That is a very impressive number, especially when they are all covered in snow and offer great views of the sunlight reflecting off them. Swargarohini, Black Peak, and Bandarpoonch are some of the particularly beautiful Himalayan peaks you’ll see on this trek.

It is relatively easier to access as it is not far from Dehradun, which offers great connectivity by road, rail and air. Plus, the drive to Sankri from Dehradun is an experience in itself, guaranteed to keep you glued to your window seat all the way.

The most special and unique feature of the Kedarkantha trek is the number of wide open clearings this trek offers, which is quite uncommon and not found on most other treks. That is why the campsites on this walk are famous for being among the most paradisiacal. Jadu Ka Talab, Kedarkantha base and other camps are located in these clearings, nestled between peaks of snow and sunlight.

There are charming little towns along the trail where the inhabitants are friendly. You can get amazing insights into the local Garhwal folk culture and the way of life of the people who inhabit the Himalayas.

Tips for the Kedarkantha Trek

There are a few things to keep in mind if one decides to go on this amazing hike (cough cough, you should). The total number of days to and from Dehradun required for this trek should be around 6 days, but you can always customize the itinerary according to your preferences.

While the hike isn’t particularly challenging or hard, a decent level of fitness is always a plus. The altitude increases a bit when you get to the top so prepare accordingly. Carrying a good amount of water is always a safe bet and a good trekking habit.

You can’t expect mobile network reception after Sankri, but with the mesmerizing views and natural beauty all around you, all you need on your phone to function is that amazing camera to click dozens of images for your Instagram feed! And Snapchat stories!