Kedartal Trek

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A Shiva's Lake or call it Kedartal Lake, both means same. It is one of the famous glacial lakes in Garhwal Region of the Himalayas in India. Altitude of the lake is 4,750 m (15,500 feet). Some significant peaks surround Kedartal Lake as Thalayasagar (6904 m), Meru (6672 m), Bhirgupanth (6,772 m) and other more peaks. Kedartal feed Kadar Gange river which is a tributary of Bhagirathi River. The lake looks like green with the water of melting glacier Kadar glacier. Highlights

Spectacular views Thalayasagar (6,904m), Meru (6,672m), Bhirgupanth (6,772m) Atmospheric Gangotri and its pilgrimage temples

Hike from Gangotri along with Kedar Ganga & Lord Shiva Lake

Location

Kedartal is one of the highest lake in Uttarakhand state of India. Kedartal is 17 km away from Gangotri, so trekkers need to reach Gangotri to start trekking for Kedartal Lake.

Distance

Gangotri is just 471 km away from Delhi. Trekking distance is just 17 kms (one way). Some reach Kedartal in 3 days and some covers the same distance in 2 days.

Elevation

Kedartal situated at an altitude of 4,750 meters (15,580 ft).

Level of Trek

Kedartal Trek fall in Difficult category as it is full of Steep mountain trekking

Region

Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand

Duration

5 Nights & 6 Days

Activity

Trekking: Trek requires a fit trekker to complete it. Trek daily around 5-6 hours to complete it.

Photography: Witness the beauty of Kedartal Lake and giant peaks around the lake, so Capture everything to show to your friends.

Camping: Stay under the stars, there will be 3 nights stay in tents.

ITINERARY Day 01: UTTARKASHI – GANGOTRI (3048mt. / Drive 99 km./ 4-5 hrs.)

In the morning drive (90 km) to Gangotri (3048 m). Gangotri is originating point of Ganga river from where goddess Ganga come on this earth from heaven. It's also the road head for the trekking in Gangotri valley. Visit the temple of Goddess Ganga. Overnight stay in tourist lodge.

Day 02: GANGOTRI – BHOJ KHARAK (3780 mt./Trek 08 km./ 5-6 hrs.)

The morning after breakfast trek to Bhoj Kharak. The steep ascent to Bhoj Kharak starts as we leave the camp. After an hour climb, we traverse Kedar Gorge To reach Bhoj Kharak. The entire trek is along Kedar Ganga, through Fir (Cedrus ) and Bhoj (Birch) trees. The bark of Birch was used as paper for an ancient manuscript in India.

Overnight tents & Dinner.

Day 03: BHOJ KHARAK - KEDAR KHARAK (4150 m/ 6kms/ 5hrs)

The day is little easy to trek in comparison to last day. We will pass trough tree lines along with Meadows which is in different color patches. Bhrigupanth is the peak which will come in backdrop while trekking to Kedarkharak. You can get a chance to see some fauna of High altitude. Reach Kedarkharak in the evening after crossing two water streams.

Overnight tents & Dinner.

Day 04: KEDAR KHARAK - KEDARTAL (4700 m/ 5 km / 4 hrs)

This day makes you more excited as this is the day when you will get the chance to see the beauty of Kedartal. The trail is so far from greenery, walking on the rocky trail makes trekking difficult. Weather condition on the trek is so unpredictable with the probability of snow and rain so make yourself prepare before anything. The way to Kedartal is rocky, so it 's hard to identify but local or people who visit marked the trail with stones. Reach Kedar Tal and observe the beauty of giant thalaysagar peak.

Overnight tents & Dinner

Day 05: KEDARTAL - GANGOTRI (18 km/ 8 hrs)

Wake up early in the morning for a glorious sunrise and click best possible picture because some of you will not visit this place again in life, so capturing photographs is the best possible way to keep memories lifetime.

Day 06: GANGOTRI - DEHRADUN (258 km / 10 hrs drive)

Back to Dehradun.

Guidelines

Do's

Carry sufficient water

Carry sufficient of energy supplements like Dry Fruits, Chocolate Bars, Candy.

Don't make your rucksack too heavy

Don'ts

Don't trek too fast, maintain your pace and save energy

Carry good pair of Shoes to Trek (Prefer old one, Trekking shoes not required)

Must go with a Guide and also follow his or her command.

What to Pack in your Rucksac

Mandatory Stuffs

Trekking shoes: Trekking distance is so long and you will have to trek some steep patches on the trail.
Backpack (40-60 liters): A backpack with sturdy straps and a supporting frame is required for this trail. Carry rain cover for your rucksack.

Clothing

Thee warm layers: At high altitudes, temperature goes down to 2-6° after sunset. So we suggest you to carry two light layers fleece and one woolen padded jacket
Two trek pants: One pair of pants should suffice for this trek, but carry one spare pair in case the first one gets wet.
Two collared t-shirts: Carry light, full sleeved t-shirts that prevent sun burns on the neck and arms.
Thermals (Optional): If you feel little colder after three layers then add thermal over your body with three layers

Accessories

Sunglasses: Prevent snow blindness with the help of sunglass.
Sun cap: Sun rays are on peak when you go to high altitude.
Synthetic hand gloves: One pair of fleece or woolen hand gloves. One pair of water proof/resistant, wind proof gloves.
Balaclava: Can prevent your neck from cold waves.
Socks (3 pairs): Carry 3 pair of cotton socks as we suggest you to change daily and also carry one pair of woolen socks.
Headlamp/LED torch: Mandatory
Trekking pole: Trekking to Kedartal Lake is not so easy, you will require trekking poles on the trail.

Others

Daypack (20 liters): We suggest you carry a day pack in which you can store water or some energy bars and hang it on the front while walking.
Toiletries: Sunscreen, moisturizer, lip balm, light towel, toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste
Cutlery: Carry a spoon, coffee mug, and a lunch box. We insist trekkers get their cutlery for hygiene reasons.
Two water bottles: 1 liter each
Plastic covers: Keep big polybag to make an inner line of you rucksack so that your clothes can be safe and keep few small poly bag to keep your wet clothes.

Mandatory Personal Medical Kit

Diamox – 10 Tablets (To prevent AMS)
Crocin – 6 Tablets (Fever)
Avomine – 4 Tablets (Motion Sickness)
Avil 25 mg – 4 Tablets (Allergies)
Combiflam – 4 Tablets (Pain Killer)
Disprin – 6 Tablets (Headache)
Norflox TZ – 6 Tablets (Diarrhea)
Digene – 10 Tablets (Acidity)
Omez – 10 Tablets (Antacids)
Crepe Bandage – 3 to 5 Meters
Gauze – 1 Small Roll

Stay

Gangotri is the place where you can get budget hotels to stay, or you can stay at Uttarkashi as well. During trek stay in Tents.

Weather

The nights can be cold; day temperatures are pleasant during the season.

Summer temperatures: Daytime +3° C to +15° C

How to make yourself fit

Kedartal trek is classified as one of the challenging treks in Indian Himalayas and requires a good amount of stamina and strength.

Cardiovascular Endurance

Start jogging if you have selected this trek to explore. Start with a slow pace, the daily practice because we have a very hard target to complete before the trek and the target is 4 km in 20 minutes. Swimming, Cycling and stairs climbing will help you to achieve this target. Strength Strength plays an important role when you trek in Indian Himalayas. Flexibility It is not just a word to discuss, so many times you will find to use it as an asset on Nag Tibba Trek. Few of the exercise to make your body flexible like Stretch your hamstrings, Quadriceps, Hip flexors, lower back muscles, and shoulders. These exercises you can do at your office as well or while traveling.