kedarkantha trek 2022

Kedarkantha Winter Trek

Kedarkantha winter trek overview.

One of the sacred locations and the holiest pilgrimage of Lord Shiva is Kedarkantha. It is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand's Garhwal area, and millions of pilgrims come here each year to seek Lord Shiva's grace. Kedarkantha Trek, among the most popular winter treks in Uttarakhand, is a trekker's delight and a newbie's rite of passage due to its relative simplicity. This walk provides stunning views of the beautiful Himalayan peaks, which are covered in dazzling snow throughout the winter. Furthermore, it gives hikers a rare chance to see life in the most isolated communities during the winter.

The Kedarkantha Trek package offers you the most breathtaking scenery, amazing views of quaint towns, meadows, snow-covered trails, dramatic landscapes filled with exquisite lakes, Mountains, peaceful Rivers, and the big Himalayan peaks. The Kedarkantha trek package is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty and experience rural life in the Uttarakhand Himalayas. For those who love exploring the Mountains and want to see every square inch of the region, the Kedarkantha trekking is an absolute treat. Kedarkantha is one of the greatest winter treks in Uttarakhand since it is covered with snow from December to April.

Quick Facts of Kedarkantha Winter Trek

Maximum altitude- Kedarkantha trekking is a challenging peak hike in Uttarakhand at 12,500 feet

Grade- Kedarkantha is a Easy To Moderate difficult trek, making it ideal for rookie explorers or amateur trekkers on their first trip.

Duration- The Kedarkantha trek itinerary is of 6 days

Trekking distance- The entire kedarkantha trek distance is around 20 km. Trail type

Railhead- Sankri Village

Airport- Jolly Grand Airport is 225 km.

Snow Season- December to April

Service from- Helicopter service is available from Dehradun, Haridwar, and Rishikesh.

Base camp- Linchauli to Kedarkantha Base Camp is 4 kilometers trek, and Kedarkantha Base Camp to Kedarkantha Temple is a 1-kilometer trek.

Best season- Winter trek

Region: Garhwal region

Who can participate: The Kedarkantha Trekking has a 9-year-old age restriction. Minors aged 9 to 17 must be accompanied by their parents or guardians. If you are above 60, please provide a doctor's note stating that you are fit for adventurous activities such as trekking.

Short Itinerary for Kedarkantha Winter Trek

Day 1: Dehradun to Sankri- Himalayan Paradise Route.

Day 2: Sankri to Juda Ka Talab- The place where Lord Shiva once meditated.

Day 3: Juda Ka Talab to Base Camp- Prepare your cameras.

Day 4: Base Camp to Kedar Kantha Summit- This is the day you've been putting a lot of effort into it.

Day 5: Base Camp to Sankri- Descend with the Mighty Mountains.

Day 6: Sankri- Dehradun- Farewell to the High Peaks.

Kedarkantha Winter Trek Detailed Itinerary

Dehradun to Sankri- Himalayan Paradise Route.

Drive time: 6-7 hours; Height: 1950 metres; Distance Travelled: 187 km.

Drive along the Yamuna and Tons rivers with pine trees surrounding you as you make your way towards Sankri village after arriving in Dehradun. This is a beautiful way to experience the beauty of nature.

After a pleasant ride, arrive at Sankri and check into the lovely campground.

Dinner at the campground will be wonderful.

A night at Sankri.

Sankri to Juda Ka Talab- The place where Lord Shiva once meditated.

Drive time: 3-4 hours; Height: 2786 metres; Distance Travelled: 4 km.

You'll leave Saur Village for the walk after breakfast and start hiking.

We will pass via a number of high-altitude suspension bridges and little towns along the way.

Arrive at the Juda Ka Talab lake, where Lord Shiva released a little strand of hair from which water dripped to create this enormous lake.

Step away from your tents to see the frozen lake and starry sky.

Stay the night in Juda Ka Talab.

Juda Ka Talab to Base Camp- Prepare your cameras.

Drive time: 4-5 hours; Height: 3430 metres; Distance Travelled: 4 km.

Later, head to Kedarkantha base after enjoying brunch at Juda Ka Talab.

Enjoy the beauty of the snow-lined route and bits of green that surround you on your journey.

In case the weather is bad, comfort yourself at the safe and fitted Gujjar huts

You will be mesmerized by the commanding sight of the snow-covered Himalayan peaks of Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini, Kala Nag, and Ranglana.

Once you arrive at the campground, have a delicious meal to celebrate the end of the day before returning to your tent for the night.

Stay the night at Kedarkantha Bas

Base Camp to Kedar Kantha Summit- This is the day you've been putting a lot of effort into it.

Drive time: 6-7 hours; Height: 3800 metres; Distance Travelled: 6 km.

Prepare for the experience of a lifetime after breakfast.

It will take 7 to 8 hours to reach the top if you start out early at around 2 in the morning.

You will experience the friendly and filtered sunrays rising from the Kinner Kailash, Yamunotri, and Gangotri ranges of Himalayas.

When you reach the peak and see the sun rise, your mouth will drop and your eyes won't blink.

After some time at the peak, we will begin our descent and trek all the way down to base camp.

Arrive at the campground and end the day with a nice meal.

Base Camp to Sankri- Descend with the Mighty Mountains.

Drive time: 4-5 hours; Height: 1950 metres; Distance Travelled: 6 km.

Enjoy the tasty breakfast served at the base camp.

Prepare to hear some fascinating local tales as you descend to Sankri village from your guide.

Observe sights of the Himalayan peaks as you hike farther along the trek.

When you reach the little settlement of Sankri, meet your friends for a cup of coffee and discuss your hiking experiences.

Stay the night at Sankri village.

Sankri- Dehradun- Farewell to the High Peaks.

Drive time: 6-7 hours; Height: 640 metres; Distance Travelled: 187 km.

After a delectable breakfast, get in the car and head back to Dehradun.

You might arrive at Dehradun by late afternoon or early evening.

With these wonderful memories, the kedarkantha trek package comes to an end. This is the kedarkantha trek itinerary of 6 days.

What to pack for Kedarkantha Winter Trek

Basic Essentials-

• An identity card, both the original and copies.
• Backpack and raincoat (50-60 liter)
• Raincoat and Daypack (20-30 liter, If you hire a mule or porter)
• Water bottle or hydration pack for 1 liter.
• Sandals, Floaters, or Trekking Shoes precisely waterproof
• Headlamp/LED Torch
• One from a poncho, raincoat, or umbrella is mandatory.

Clothing and other essentials-

• Track pants and two pairs of Quick Dry t-shirts.
• One set of t-shirts
• Three cotton pairs and two woolen pairs of socks
• Two fleece jackets or full-sleeve sweaters
• One pair of Thermal clothing
• To be worn over mid-layers like fleece or down jackets in the rain or snow is a hard shell akin to Gore-Tex.
• One down and feather jacket
• Gloves, one scarf, a small towel, a cap
• Dark UV sunglasses, a wool cap, or Balaclava that covers the ears

Eatables- - Chocolates, glucose, biscuits, energy bars- Dry fruits, toffees, nuts

Personal Kit- - Toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, sanitizer.- Medical kit- Sunscreen lotion, cold cream, lip balm.- Anti-fungal cream

Other equipment or accessories- - Camera with extra batteries and memory card.- Torch or headlamp with extra batteries.- Hiking pole

Know before you go to Kedarkantha Winter Trek

Nowadays, going on a trek is a very common sport. Trekking enthusiasts are always up for a hike, a weekend trek, or a multi-day journey. One should constantly be aware of some procedures, do's and don'ts, and trekking tips and tricks in order to enjoy a trip. Every journey revolves around certain skills. If you are employing the proper approach, you will need to utilize less strength, and the adventure will be simpler for you to handle, which will increase your enjoyment.

Before embarking on the Kedarkantha hike, have a physical examination.

People who have health issues precisely with their hearts, lungs, or blood pressure shouldn't go on the trek before properly contacting a doctor.

If you plan to go by Palki, Kandi, or Ponies, be sure to make a reservation in advance at the Gaurikund/Sonprayag booking counter.

Remember that you can only hike between 4 AM and 1.30 PM, beyond which time pilgrims are not permitted to go to Kedarkantha.

If you cannot complete the trip by late evening, you can take Palki or Ponies to your destination. You can also just stay at the campgrounds at Jungle Chatti, Bheem Bali, and Linchauli for the night and resume your journey the following morning.

By Flight- Although Kedarkantha doesn't have an airport, locals can use the one in Dehradun, which is the closest. Jolly Grant Airport, important to tourism in Uttarakhand, is between 238 and 250 kilometers from Kedarkantha. Major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, and Lucknow, are easily accessible from the airport. Individuals have the option of flying with IndiGo, Spice Jet, or Air India. The distance between New Delhi and its Indira Gandhi International airport is merely 260 kilometers, and a flight there takes 45 minutes to an hour.

By Railway- Although Kedarkantha doesn't have a railway station, travelers can use the railhead in Rishikesh. The capital city is easily accessible from Rishikesh Railway Station, around 210 kilometers from Gaurikund. People may board a quick train from Delhi to Rishikesh in just over eight hours. Regular buses travel from the airport to the base camp, where the trip starts.

By Road- Kashmeri Gate Bus Terminal and Anand Vihar Bus Terminal are significant interstate bus hubs in Delhi from where daily trips to Dehradun are scheduled. Depending on their preferences, passengers can choose between A/C sleepers, non-A/C sleepers, Volvo A/C, Volvo A/C, and semi-sleeper buses.

The Best time to Visit kedarkantha is in Winters starting from December to March. Be prepared for extremely cold weather while visiting the Himalayas in the winter. Winter at Kedarkantha will put your stamina to the test and leave you out of breath in more ways than one. Although the scenery is lovely, there are moments when it will be below freezing. Even though the region experiences some bright days, Kedarkantha's winters are often chilly.

Sixteen kilometers make up the entire Kedarkantha trip, which begins at Gaurikund and ends in Kedarkantha. After the 2013 flood catastrophe, the 14-kilometer Kedarkantha Trek distance was altered and became a 16-kilometer journey. Here is a comprehensive overview of the new Kedarkantha hike route.

From Sonprayag, you can take a shared taxi or hire a private cab to Gaurikund.

Through the Rambara Bridge, it is a 4 km trip from Gaurikund to Jungle Chatti and a 3 km hike from Jungle Chatti to Bheembali.

There is a 4 km hike from Bheembali to Linchauli.

The trekking distance from Linchauli to Kedarkantha Base Camp is 4 km.

A 1-kilometer journey connects Kedarkantha Base Camp with Kedarkantha Temple.

But each pilgrim must first obtain a physical fitness evaluation before beginning the 16-kilometer, which is a moderately difficult trip.

Why to Go for Kedarkantha Winter Trek?

The 12 Jyotirlingas in India include Kedarkantha. One of Lord Shiva's most sacred pilgrimages is to Kedarkantha, located in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand State, India. While there are other Panch Kedar in Uttarakhand, Kedarkantha is one of the most significant and well-known Dhams there. The Lord Shiva Kedarkantha temple is located at the height of 3587 meters. For those who have never went hiking before or who wish to witness snow, the Kedarkantha trip is amazing. Owing to its stunning scenery, it's also a highly well-liked trek among photographers. It is one of the top winter hiking destinations in India.

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FAQ's of Kedarkantha Winter Trek

How difficult is the kedarkantha trek.

The difficulty of every trip or walk is determined by the terrain's slope and altitude. Most walking itineraries are designed for persons who are fairly active and traverse mild terrain at low altitudes, with many having shorter routes available. It is also possible to take stops along the trails.

When we talk about Kedarkantha Trekking, this hike does not have many steep expeditions. The hike is mainly moderate to the top. The summit push, on the other hand, is the most difficult stretch of the course. However, there isn't much to worry about regarding grade or topography for the rest of the trek. However, this is not consistent throughout the year. In the winter, when the trails are heavily covered in snow, things may get a little challenging. However, there is a technical team who will help you in difficult situations. If there is snow, they clean the entire trail and make sure you are traveling on a safe path.

Why is Kedarkantha Trek Famous?

Kedarkantha is renowned as Uttarakhand's best winter hike. The peak of the trek is famous for its 360-degree views of the snow-capped Himalayas. The Kedarkantha hike is spectacular and simple to do. On the slopes of Kedarkantha, skiing is extremely popular throughout the winter.

How far is Kedarkantha from the airport?

Although Kedarkantha doesn't have a local airport, people can visit the closest one in Dehradun. The distance from Jolly Grant Airport, which is important to Uttarakhand's tourism industry, to Kedarkantha is between 238 and 250 kilometres. The airport is well located in major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, and Lucknow. People can travel with IndiGo, Spice Jet, or Air India. It just takes 45 to an hour to fly from New Delhi to its Indira Gandhi International airport, which is 260 kilometres away.

How is the Winter in Kedarkantha?

The monsoon season at Kedarkantha may be unpredictable. Overall, there isn't much rain in the region, but when it hits, it may be quite heavy, leading to landslides and perhaps blocking highways. Unless you wish to be brave, it is advised to avoid this time of year and plan your spiritual vacation for the summer.

More Treks in Himalayas

• Treks in Himachal
• Treks in Uttarakhand
• Weekend Treks in India
• Treks in Ladakh & Kashmir
• Treks in Nepal
• Treks in Sikkim

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