Kedarkantha Trek

StartFragmentAbout Kedarkantha

Kedarkantha peak or mountain range situated in the valley of tons river. It is one of the popular and most visited peak in Garhwal region. This trek is open all around the year, winter is with full of snow till April and in summers whole valley become green. Kedarkantha trek is walk able in winters because the trail passes from these forests and vast meadows. We pass Govind National Park and get an opportunity to see vast flora and fauna of this protected area by government.

Location

Kedarkantha peak is situated within Govind National park in Uttarakhand. Sankri is the place which is the starting point of this trek. Kedarkantha peak is situated in Garhwal Himalayas

Distance

Sankri is situated is just 200 km from Dehradun. Shared taxi is available for sankri and take just Rs.1100/- only

How to reach

There is one direct bus that goes from Dehradun to Sankri village (via Barkot - Purola - Netwar route). It leaves Dehradun at 5:30 am and reaches Sari by about 4:00/ 4:30 pm.

if you are traveling from Delhi by any overnight trains, you won't be able to catch the bus.

For that, take Shatabdi (on previous day), reach Dehradun at night, stay at hotel/ Station Retiring room and go to the bus stand by 4:30 AM.

Otherwise, two options - Either hire a Bolero/ Max or go via shared jeep.

For share jeep, try Dehradun - Purola jeep/ bus or Dehradun - Mussoorie, Mussoorie - Naugaon, Naugaon - Purola, Purola - Sankri. You need to change shared jeep at least thrice if not four times, you should be able to reach Sankri by 4:30/ 5:00pm.

Maximum Altitude

Kedarkantha peak is situated at the height of 12500 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: Capture the 360° view of garhwal Himalayas from the top of Kedarkantha Peak.

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

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival at Sankri Village

Distance: 220 KMs (Dehradun to sankri)

Altitude: Sankri (6400 ft)

Time Take: 10 hours approx. (Dehradun to Sankri)

Trekking level: Easy

Water Sources: Carry water bottles with you.

Assemble at Dehradun station at 6:30 am. Start journey to sankri either by sumo or any other vehicle. It is going to be a long drive but enjoyable too. Our journey will pass from Kempty Fall, Mussoorie and also appreciate the view of Tons River. Stop for breakfast near mussoorie. Feel the fresh air of mountains that can make your mood fresh. Pass a small village with the name is "Purolo" and also pass so many pine trees. When we pass mori we will go closer to sankri and also get the glimpse of Supin River where Tons and a Glacial stream meet and make Supin. The last patch of 22 kms will go from Govind National Park. Arrive Sankri in the late evening. BSNL network work here to keep in touch with your family.

Day 02: Sankri to Juda Ka Talab

Distance: 4 KMs (Sankri to Juda Ka Talab)

Altitude: Sankri (6400 ft) Juda Ka Talab ( 9211 ft)

Time Taken: 4 hours

Trekking level: easy

Water source: carry 2 liters of water to keep your esophagus wet.

You have already started you journey from Dehradun but today you will start actual trekking experience.

Wake up little early and get ready for Trekking. After having breakfast move to start trek which will take you to Juda ka Talab. Journey will start from the outer point of Sankri called by "Sor". A steep trail will be a starting point out from Sankri village where you will find wide curve road. Trail will pass along with the stream. we will pass by several bridges from the dense forest and thick layer of maple and pine leafs, all brown in colour. Trail is little dense so you can not see the stream clearly but you can listen the sound of flowing water. You will find few small village or can say some families, who live in this remote area of Himalaya without any gadget or luxury. You can get an opportunity to see Himalayan languars as well who jump from one tree to another and take care of their family. You can also become witness of some shy birds or animals who only find in Indian Himalayas.

The last patch of our trek goes from dense forest of oak trees. Reach to an amazing spot which is juda ka talab. Juda ka Talab is a great combination of giant lake and oak and pine trees and this combination turns natural beauty into a paradise. Explore juda ka talab by your own to keep this beauty in your soul for a lifetime. You will miss your camera if you won't take it to this destination, so never forget to pack camera in your rucksack. Make night little warmer with bonfire, enjoy veg food and overnight at camp.

Day 03: Juda Ka Talab To Kedarkantha base Camp

Distance: 4 KMs (juda ka talab to base camp)

Altitude: Juda ka talab (9211 ft) Kedarkantha base camp (11,250 ft)

Time Take: 3 hours approx.

Trekking level: Easy

Water Sources: Carry 2 water bottles with you.

Wake up early in the morning, stretch your body and get ready to continue your trek. After having hot breakfast move toward Kedarkantha base camp which is up straight and trail is quite visible. Trail will pass from some of the dense forest of oak and pine trees. you will find many of the shepherd houses and open meadows. Trail will also offer you to see the snow capped peaks if you trek in winter season. when you reach little up, Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini, Kala Nag and Ranglana peaks will show their beauty to appreciate. we suggest you to walk in a group in the evening and appreciate the evening views near to campsite. Capture some of the best shots of night sky with mountains. If you are a professional photographer, come with your camera set up because you can capture some stargazing photographs but it to laborious job. Keep chatting with friends and solo travelers and enjoy bonfire. Enjoy hot dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 04: Kedarkantha base to Kedarkantha peak and back to Hargaon

Distance: 6 KMs (Base camp to Hargaon)

Altitude: Kedarkantha base camp (11,250 ft) Kedarkantha Peak (12500 ft) Hargaon ( 8900 ft)

Time Take: 7 hours approx.

Trekking level: Easy

Water Sources: Carry 2 water bottles with you.

Today, we will face off the Kedarkantha peak. Start your day with some exercise and stretch you body as the trek is little long rather than other days and also appreciate the beauty of sunrise. Enjoy breakfast and pick your rucksacks to go and summit the peak which is situated at 12500 ft from the above sea level. You will find lots of trail from the Base camp to reach Kedarkantha but take the main trail and marked one. Today also trail will pass from dense forest. When you find meadow after finishing forest, it a symbol that you are so close to peak. The last part to reach is little difficult and steep. At the top of Kedarkantha Peak there is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati. There is a shrine of Lord Ganesh. The view from the top can distract trekkers mind from its exhaust body to amazing snow capped peaks. After taking rest, move back to camp and then to Hargaon.

Trail will pass from the same route with thick forest of oak and pine trees with chirping of birds and shepherds hut. Reach Hargaon and relax. Enjoy evening with light music as you have achieved 12500 ft and it a good achievement to look forward. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 05: Hargaon Camp to Sankri

Distance: 6 KMs (Hargaon to Sankri)

Altitude: Hargaon ( 8900 ft) Sankri (6400 ft)

Time Take: 4 hours approx.

Trekking level: Easy

Water Sources: Carry 2 water bottles with you.

Day will be so relax as we will go down to Sankri and whenever we go down, Trail always seems easy but take care of your need as some time we need to take brake and then full pressure come on our feet.

Well day will start wit relax activities enjoy the morning view of mountains and pack your rucksack and collect memories of your trip and have breakfast.

After having breakfast, head out towards sankri where a bucket of warm water is waiting for you to take bath. One can see Har ki Dun valley while getting down to Sankri. Reach sankri and settle down in hotel. Enjoy the presence of locals talk with families at sankri approx. 120 in numbers. Visit some shops where you can find some handmade goods and also buy to keep as a memory. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

Day 06: Sankri To Dehradun

Distance: 220 KMs (Sankri to Dehradun)

Altitude: Sankri (6400 ft)

Time Take: 10 hours approx. (Dehradun to Sankri)

Trekking level: Easy

Water Sources: Carry water bottles with you.

Plan your day, as this is the last day and a departure day from sankri. Keep you schedule with you and head towards Dehradun after saying bye to all the other members of the trip.

How to make yourself fit

Kedarkantha trek is classified as one of the easy treks in Indian Himalayas but it become little difficult in winter just because of snow on steep patches.

Cardiovascular Endurance

Nag Tibba is a short trek and participant cover 17 KM on both the day but 11 kms on the second day require more stamina and good amount of endurance. so we suggest you to start jogging every day, almost 2 weeks before from the starting date of trek. try to cover 4 KMs daily within 20 - 25 minutes. It will take time to cover 4 KMs in given time but prepare your mind to achieve it. Cycling and swimming is also a best way to get the stamina and endurance to trek to Nag Tibba without any hurdle.

Strength

This plays an important role when you trek in Indian Himalayas. Nag tibba has lot of snow in the month of Nov to Feb, so we suggest you to strengthen up your legs with few exercise like do 2 sets of 5 squats.

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 exercise you can do at your office as well or while travelling.

Workout indoors

If you can't go out and jog because of time and other reasons then follow this video and make yourself fit.

What to pack for trek

Basic necessities

• Trekking Shoes: Trek has some steep patches so we suggest you to take trekking shoes to make trekking easier for you. Regular Sport shoes is not suggestible from our side.

• Backpack (50-60 liters): A backpack with sturdy straps and a supporting frame. Carry rain cover for backpack is essential.

• Day Pack (20 liters): if you hire a porter then backpack is required to keep water bottle and energy bars or some useful items on trek

Clothing

• Five Warm Layers (in Winters): The highest altitude of this trek is 12500 ft so you will feel more colder when you go up. So Keep 2 fleece layers, 2 sweaters and 1 padded jacket layer. Carry three warm layer in summer, 2 fleece layers and 1 padded jacket.

• Three Trek Pant: Take three trek pant, one to use and keep other as an emergency third one use as a inner liners to keep warm in winters.

• Three Collared t-shirts: Carry light, full sleeved t-shirt that prevent sun burn on the neck and on arms. Carry 3 t-shirt atleast.

• Thermals: Carrying thermals is all up to participants, as the capacity to bear cold is different from participant to participant but we suggest you to take as safety. Mandatory in winters (upper and bottom both).

Accessories

• Sunglass: Sunglasses is mandatory to carry as the sky is so clear in mountains and UV rays come direct without any filter

• Synthetic hand gloves: One pair of fleece or woolen hand gloves which is water resistant

• Sun cap: It is required to cover your head

• Woolen cap: Carry in winters

• Socks: four pair of cotton socks as we prefer to change daily. Carry 1 pair of woolen socks in winters

• Headlamps: carry with spare batteries

• Trekking pole: Trail become difficult in winters because of snow. so, we suggest you to take it

Other

• Toiletries: Sunscreen, Moisturizer, light towel, lip balm, toilet paper, toothbrush and toothpaste

• Cutlery: Carry a spoon, coffee mug and a lunch box. we insist you to carry it because some of the people more concern about hygiene factor.

• Water bottles: 2 bottles of 1 liter