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Kedarkantha Trek
Duration
6 Days 5 Nights
Tour Type
WeeklyDestinations Covered: Dehradun , Kedarnath
Route: Dehradun – Sankri (1N) -Juda Ka Talab (1N)- KedarKantha base (1N) - Kedarkantha Summit – Hargaon (1N) – Sankri(1N) – Dehradun
This is a great trail for people looking at winter treks in the Himalayas. With the falling of winter snow the landscapes take on a completely different and refreshing look. The trail is mostly through forest sections and meadows making it safe for walking even with lots of snow on the trail. What make this trek special is the views of the Himalayan ranges that one gets along the trail and from the summit. In winters the sky is usually absolutely clear and the air clean ensuring fantastic views. At an altitude of around 3800 m/12500 feet, the summit (Kedarkantha) offers a good challenge to trekkers who are rewarded for the hard work with mesmerising views which are sure to stay with one, lifelong. Days are going to be warm and sunny but be prepared for cold nights with temperature always being sub zero. If lady luck is taking the trip with you then get ready to be enthralled by spotting wildlife of the region. There are leopards, wild cats, birds, bear, boars and the musk deer to be seen. We have a policy of ‘Safety first’ and in line with this have chosen campsites which have back up Gujjar huts so just in case the weather gets really bad we can use these huts and be totally safe.
The trip begins with a beautiful drive from Dehradun to the remote village of Sankri in the Har-ki-Dun valley. This valley plays host to some of the most popular and enchanting treks in the Indian Himalayas like Har-ki-Dun, Ruinsara Tal, Rupin Pass, Black peak etc, and is home to many a trekker during the popular summer trekking season. The trek starts with an easy climb to a beautiful water pond called Juda-ka-Talab, we continue a short distance beyond the pond to our camping site for the night and get acclimatised to the conditions. By the end of the day we start seeing the snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas including some peaks that stretch into the Himachal region. The next day we start climbing and gaining altitude and trek through snow fields (green meadows in summer!!) towards the base of KedarKantha. The ease or difficulty of today’s hike will depend on the snow conditions but one thing is guaranteed we will have a great hiking day. We camp at the base. The next day we move as early as possible to try and get maximum time for the climb to the top. From the top we get brilliant views all around, the Himalayan ranges and the underlying valleys make quite a sight. Equally enjoyable as the views are going to be the sense of achievement that one experiences on climbing a snow clad Himalayan mountain. Next day we get down to Sankri early and celebrate the successful summit of the KedarKantha peak. From Sankri we drive down to Dehradun next day.
- Day 01: Dehradun to Sankri (1,920 m) (Drive/187 km/7 hours)
- Day 02: Sankri to JudaKaTalab (2,774 m) (Trek/4 km/3 to 4 hours)
- Day 03: JudaKaTalab to Kedarkantha Base Camp (3,429 m) (Trek/4 km/3 hours)
- Day 04: Kedarkantha base camp to Kedarkantha Summit (3,810 m) and back to Hargaon (2,713 m) (Trek/8 km/5-6 hours)
- Day 05: Hargaon to Sankri (Trek/4 km/2 to 3 hours)
- Day 06: Sankri to Dehradun (Drive/187 km/7 hours)
Itinerary Details
Day 01: Dehradun – Sankri (2000m) (Drive / 6-7 Hrs)
Today you will start your drive from Dehradun to reach Sankri. We will stop for lunch en route. This is an enjoyable drive initially along the Yamuna and towards the latter part along the beautiful Tons River. There are very beautiful pine forest sections along the drive today. Upon reaching Sankri we will check into the scenically located campsite. Sankri is paradise on earth and we will take an evening stroll in this beautiful hamlet to get our muscles charged for the trek to come. Overnight stay at Sankri.
Day 02: Sankri (2000m) – Juda Ka Talab (Trek / 4-5 Hrs)
After a leisurely breakfast we will set out on the hike. Today’s hike is a moderate one and moves through a beautiful forest section for most part. We will walk to Saur village and from there we start climbing up. We will reach a small lake/pond called Juda-ka-Talab. This pond freezes into solid ice during winters. We will camp here for the night. Overnight stay at Juda – ka–Talab.
Day 03: Juda Ka Talab - Base Camp (2800m) (Trek / 4- 5 Hrs)
Post breakfast we begin the trek towards KedarKantha base, our destination for the day. The route is beautiful with vast fields of snow and patches of green in between them. Views are open on all sides and will keep one busy with the camera. It is going to be an exhausting but enjoyable hike today. The KedarKantha base campsite is an open snow ground surrounded by trees. This site has been chosen keeping in mind the safety aspect and is a wonderful place to set up a camp. Here we have Gujjar huts for safety back, in case weather is harsh. From nearby we get fabulous views of Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch&Kalanag peaks. Overnight stay at the base camp of Kedarkantha.
Day 04: Kedarkantha Base Camp To Kedarkantha Summit (3,810 M) And Back To Hargaon (2,713 M) (Trek/8 Km/5-6 Hours)
The distance to the summit is not long but is reasonably steep and walking on snow makes it more tiring and time consuming. We will, depending upon the snow conditions select the best route leading to the summit. We will start quite early about 2 am in the morning. It will take anywhere between 7 to 8 hours to get to summit. Marvel at the astounding views from the summit. You get to see all the mountains of the Yumnotri and Gangotri range and also of KinnerKailash range and other ranges in Himachal. Also there are some great views of the underlying valleys.
After spending time on the summit, we hike back to the base camp and head towards Hargaon. Hargaon is a large camping area en route to Sankri, where we will spend the night before bidding farewell to this beautiful place.
Day 05: Hargaon To Sankri (Trek/4 Km/2 To 3 Hours)
Today marks the culmination of our trek as we begin our descent from Hargoan to Sankri. This leg of the journey spans approximately 4 kilometers and is expected to take 2-3 hours to complete. After arriving in Sankri, you'll have the opportunity to dedicate the remainder of the day to discovering the enchanting village, along with nearby hamlets such as Gangad and Osla. These locales are renowned for their hospitable communities and preservation of traditional Pahari culture. Additionally, it's worth noting that Sankri serves as the final point accessible by road leading to the Govind Balabh Pant Wildlife Sanctuary.
Day 06: Sankri (2000m) – Dehradun (Drive / 6 - 7 Hrs)
After breakfast board the vehicle and start driving back towards Dehradun. Arrive in Dehradun by around late afternoon or evening. Our trip ends here.
Inclusion
- Transport from Dehradun to Sankri on Day 1 &Sankri to Dehradun on Day 6.
- Accommodation on Triple Sharing basis. Day 1 & Day 5 in Guest house, rest in Alpine Tents.
- All Meals from Day 1 Dinner to Day 6 Breakfast.
- Camping, Dining equipment , with Stools at Campsite & Dining Tables with appropriate Cutlery.
- Certified Guide, Cook & Other Support Staff.
- Forest Permits & Association Permits.
- Gaiters & Crampons Included
Exclusion
- Personal Luggage Offload charges. INR 350 per day per bag weighing up-to 10 KG.
- Any meals/services not mentioned above
- Any charges for video cameras, still cameras, etc.
- Bottled water, alcohol, soft drinks, beverages, etc.
- Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
- Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, road blocks, bad weather, etc.
- Insurance
- GST 5%
