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Kedarkantha Winter Trek is simply the best choice when you want to play with the chilled breezes and the tinkling rays of the sparkling sun in the Himalayas. Kedarkantha is one of the perfect places to visit in India, mainly to witness creamy fresh snow. The word 'Kedarkantha' means 'Lord Shiva's throat' similar to Neelkanth.
This place is a paradise for those novice trekkers who are in search of adventure trekking in the Himalayas with minimal risks. In winter, it is one of the most popular trek destinations, where thousands of trekkers arrive every year to enjoy the snow-covered Himalayas.
This one of the best winter treks in uttarakhand, is located at an altitude of 12500 feet in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. When the convoy of travelers passes through the forests of deodar and oak trees, it is as if a magnet i...
As Kedarkantha is situated at a considerable altitude in the Himalayas, it is one of the best easy winter treks in india and takes about a week to reach the summit and return. Five days are usually sufficient to start from Dehradun/Rishikesh and back.
Unlike other treks, while traversing Kedarkantha, the only sounds you hear are the crunching of leaves beneath your feet and the chirping of birds. The fresh fragrance of the jungle, the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees, and the peaks like Bandarpooch and Swargarohini captivate the mind.
Sankri village marks the initial stage of this trek, from where the trekking route to Kedarkantha begins. In Sankri, there is a small market where supplies essential for the trek are readily available for rent. The Sankri village provides excellent arrangements for food and accommodation.
If you are undertaking the jou...
The journey towards the Kedarkanth summit can be started from either Dehradun or Rishikesh. Both the cities in Uttarakhand have excellent road connectivity, whether you drive your own or use public transport. Trains are also available to reach Dehradun or Rishikesh. To save time, one can reach Dehradun by taking a flight from a convenient departure.
We offer you pickup and drop service from Dehradun to Dehradun, thus, you only need to reach Dehradun junction or a dedicated pickup point if you buy a trek package from Places to Visit India.
Nearest Airport: Dehradun Airport is the closest airport to Uttarakhand's Garhwal region, making it the ideal gateway for those planning a winter trek to Kedarkantha.
Nearest Railway Station: Dehradun and Rishikesh are both key gateways to the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand, making them ideal starting points for the Kedarkantha winter trek.
Dehradun or Rishikesh to Base Camp: It usually takes one day to reach Sankri village from Dehradun or Rishikesh, which is the starting point or base camp of the trek. If you're not driving your own, there are several options for public transport, such as shared cabs or buses.
Trekking: After a night of acclimatizing in Sankri, your journey to Juda ka Talab begins the following morning. With a trekking agency, the journey follows their planned itinerary, typically spanning up to 3 nights. However, if trekking independently, you can often complete the trek to the base camp and summit of Kedarkantha in just 2 nights.
Tip: Trekking gear is available for rent in Sankri village, making it convenient if you're trekking on your own. A nominal fee applies depending on the number of trekkers and the gear you carry.
Note: If this is your first time attempting the Kedarkantha trek, it's highly recommended to either hire a professional guide. However, one should not be concerned about the Kedarkantha Trek difficulty as our trek guide provides great comfortable experience.
Lakhmandal Temple: After covering approximately 120 kilometers from Dehradun towards Sankri, you reach the picturesque village of Lakhmandal. Nestled amidst the mountains, this village is situated on the banks of the Yamuna, is remarkably simple like any typical hillside village. The Shiva temple, constructed in ancient style, is renowned throughout Uttarakhand. The main attraction of this temple is the Shiva Linga, made of graphite.
The architectural style of the temple represents the major Nagar style of northern India. When traveling to Sankri, it's advisable to pause here for a while and explore this captivating site. One can also visit the very ancient Kedarnath temple in Bhatar village, just 16 km away from Lakhamandal.
Devrana Rudhreshwar Mahadev: In Naugaon, the Rudreshwar Mahadev Temple is also a major attraction in Uttarkashi, renowned for its vibrant fair. While traveling to or from Sankri from Dehradun, one can appreciate the beauty of this place.
Nestled amidst the deodar forests, this colorful temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. To reach here, one has to trek approximately 6 kilometers, which might take around 3 hours. Naugaon is a stop on the way from Dehradun to Sankari, at a distance of 125 km.
Sankri Village: Sankri is a small village surrounded by towering mountains on all sides. Situated at an altitude of approximately 6500 feet, this village is renowned for its natural beauty. Old colorful houses, a small market, the banks of the Tons River, and the rays of the setting sun make it a perfect hill village. In addition, the homestays here are exceptionally beautiful, enticing you to stay for longer and immerse yourself in the tranquility of the valleys.
Juda-Ka-Talab: At an altitude of 8850 feet, this natural lake marks the first milestone in the Kedarkantha trek. It usually takes 4 hours to trek from Sankari village to Juda Ka Talab. During the winter, the lake freezes, providing the opportunity to walk and glide on its surface. The dense pine forests and snow-covered peaks surrounding this lake make it a splendid place to halt and appreciate the scenic beauty.
Kedarkantha Summit: The summit is the ultimate destination in the Kedarkantha trek. It can never be expressed in words what trekkers experience at the summit. Extraordinary emotions and vibrations welcome travelers at the peak. Thus, undoubtedly Kedarkantha winter trek is the best winter trek in Uttarakhand. You move forward, sinking your feet in powdery fresh snow, and cross the fragrant forest after leaving behind the base camp.
The view of the sunrise from the summit is breathtaking—an image you'll want to etch into your memory forever. Icy winds may shake up the confidence of the trekkers, but one can beat them with emerging willpower.
Trekking: Since mountains have height, to get a different experience, one needs to climb them. Kedarkantha is mainly known for snow trekking in India, highly recommend in winter. A round of the summit from Sankri may take 2-3 days while giving you incredible vibes throughout the way. Stepping ahead to reach a height and simultaneously breathing fresh air helps detoxify the body and strengthen the lungs.
Himalayan Wildlife Exploration: The wildlife and atmosphere of the Himalayas are completely different from those of the other mountain regions. From listening to the melodious chirping of colorful, cute birds to seeing rare species of trees and plants closely, it provides a very pleasant experience.
Tall cedar and oak trees give a scary look to the forest. Apart from this, the white blanket of new snow increases both your enthusiasm and curiosity. The Himalayas are called the land of gods; hence, the experience here seems different from any other place in the world.
Rural Overview: The rural life of Himalayan villages is quite tough on the plains but eventful at the same time. Sankri is a beautiful village where you can experience the local lifestyle and how they live in such an extremely cold and difficult mountain life. If you are attracted to the beautiful nature the Himalayas offer, you should also learn about the sacrifices the locals make.
Zipline Adventure: The zipline in Sankri village is the highest in Uttarakhand. The length of the zipline is 700 meters, which crosses the sour village. It gives a mesmerizing aerial view of surrounding hilly areas. One can enjoy the zipline for 1 hour by paying Rs. 1800 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Local Food: Pulses and potatoes are mainly used in mountain food. The homestays available in Sankari are not only excellent in terms of accommodation but also mountain food can be enjoyed here. Apart from this, you can also demand food from dhabas, or houses located in the village. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food is provided here.
Tips to consider while visiting Kedarkantha Trek in Uttarakhand:
● It is always recommended to not limit time while visiting mountains.
● It is highly recommended to go on a trek with local agencies to avoid unnecessary trouble.
● Trek companies book hotels and homestays in peak season; better done with pre-booking procedures before leaving your place.
● It is recommended to have breakfast before starting your trek and also keep drinking water.
● You may not find a proper network or internet connection here, so keep enough cash before reaching Sankri.
● As per the authorities of Govind Vihar National Park, it is mandatory to hire an experienced local trek guide if you're going without agency assistance.
● Check with the warmers and accessories before starting your trek, and be sure to have all the gear needed for such a snowy trek.
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