Kedarkantha Trek
6 Days / 5 NightsHill Trekking
Overview
Kedarkantha Trek is a 6-day guided winter trek to a 12,500 ft Himalayan summit in Uttarakhand, widely regarded as one of India's best treks for beginners. Starting from the base village of Sankri, the route winds through dense pine and oak forests to Juda Ka Talab, a frozen alpine lake campsite, before reaching a high base camp with sweeping views of the Himalayan range. The summit push begins before dawn, rewarding trekkers with 360-degree views of peaks including Swargarohini and Bandarpoonch. Camping gear, all trek meals, forest permits and a certified trek guide are included, making this an accessible yet genuinely rewarding introduction to Himalayan trekking, especially popular in the snow season between December and April.
Destination
Itinerary
Arrive in Dehradun and transfer by shared/private vehicle to Sankri, a roughly 9-10 hour scenic drive through the Yamuna valley, gradually climbing into the Himalayan foothills of Uttarakhand. On arrival, check in to a guesthouse or homestay in this remote base village, surrounded by terraced fields and pine forests. In the evening, our trek leader conducts a detailed briefing covering the route, altitude gain, safety protocols, and a check of personal gear and clothing to ensure everyone is adequately equipped for the cold ahead. Enjoy a warm dinner and rest well before the trek begins.
After breakfast at the guesthouse, begin the first trekking day, covering approximately 4 km through dense pine and oak forest with a gradual, steady ascent. The trail opens up periodically to reveal views of the surrounding ridgelines. By afternoon, reach Juda Ka Talab, a picturesque campsite beside a small frozen or semi-frozen lake, ringed by tall pine trees. Set up camp, enjoy a hot lunch and evening tea, and gather around for dinner under a sky full of stars, with temperatures dropping noticeably after sunset at this altitude.
Continue the ascent from Juda Ka Talab toward the Kedarkantha base camp, a trek of roughly 5 km that gains significant altitude as the tree line begins to thin out. The trail offers increasingly open views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks, including glimpses of Swargarohini in the distance. On reaching base camp, set up tents amid a wide, exposed meadow (often snow-covered in winter), with unobstructed 180-degree mountain views. Rest and acclimatise through the afternoon, with an early dinner and lights-out in preparation for the pre-dawn summit push.
Wake well before dawn (typically around 2-3 AM) and begin the steep, roughly 5 km summit push to the Kedarkantha peak at 12,500 ft, timed to reach the top around sunrise. The final stretch involves a demanding snow/scree ascent, rewarded at the summit with a full 360-degree panorama of Himalayan giants including Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch and the Har Ki Dun valley. After time at the top for photographs and celebration, descend back to base camp for a late breakfast, then continue further down to Hargaon or a lower campsite for overnight stay, having covered the trek's toughest and most rewarding day.
After breakfast at the campsite, begin the descent back toward Sankri village, retracing sections of the outbound trail through pine forest, with the pace noticeably easier now that the summit push is complete. On reaching Sankri by afternoon, check in to a guesthouse for a proper hot shower and comfortable bed after two nights of camping. Enjoy a relaxed evening with fellow trekkers, sharing photos and stories from the trek over a hearty dinner.
After breakfast, check out of the Sankri guesthouse and begin the drive back to Dehradun, roughly 9-10 hours through the same scenic Yamuna valley route. Depending on arrival time, you can proceed directly to your onward train or flight from Dehradun, bringing to a close a physically rewarding introduction to Himalayan trekking, capped by summit views few short treks in India can match.
Inclusions
- Camping stay with sleeping bags & tents
- All meals during trek (veg)
- Certified trek guide & support staff
- Forest permits & camping fees
- Base camp to Sankri transfers
Exclusions
- Dehradun to Sankri transport
- Personal trekking gear (jackets, shoes)
- Porter/mule for personal luggage (optional, extra)
- Medical/travel insurance
₹13,999/ adult
Enquire Now- Category
- Hill Trekking
- Duration
- 6 Days / 5 Nights
- Destination
- Sankri (Kedarkantha Base)