The Finest Summit Climb for Beginners
The 6-day Kedarkantha Trek in Uttarakhand’s Govind Pashu Vihar National Park is famous for its amazing peak trek and is suitable for trekkers of all skill levels. Kedarkantha, frequently confused with the temple of Kedarnath, is notable for its daring ascent, beautiful forests, and attractive wooded areas.
From the base camp, the summit climb starts early in the morning and leads you up high, snow-covered routes with incredible views as you go. The last push to the summit offers genuine accomplishment and amazement as you delight in the wide Himalayan views. It’s a challenging but worthwhile adventure.
Kedarkantha is notable for its open areas and lovely campsites along the route, which allow trekkers to unwind and enjoy the scenery. The equally interesting route makes the trek feel like a genuine natural destination.
Quick Itinerary
Day 1: Travel 200 kilometers from Dehradun to Sankri village
You will meet your trek leaders and other adventurers at the Dehradun Railway Station early in the morning when your journey begins. From here, you will travel over beautiful roads that are bounded by the Yamuna River, enjoying the sights of green valleys and charming hill towns such as Mussorie. After arriving in Sankri village, you will check-in, change, and get a briefing with the trekking staff. Enjoy a tasty meal and relax in the charming Himalayan atmosphere before retiring for the night.
Day 2: Walk 5 km (9000 ft) to Juda ka Talab
After a refreshing breakfast, begin the first part of the trek towards Juda ka Talab. Bird song fills the trail as it passes through fragrant pine forests and isolated interactions with wildlife. Once you get to the quiet lake surrounded by towering trees, pitch your tent and relax in the quiet grace. Before a peaceful sleep, the evening provides a campfire gathering where you may tell stories to other trekkers beneath the stars.
Day 3: Travel 4 km (11,200 ft) from Juda ka Talab to Kedarkantha Base Camp
Following breakfast, the walk passes through mountain meadows decorated with wildflowers before continuing uphill until Kedakantha Base Camp. You will come across local farmers and be treated to astounding views of the distant Himalayan Peaks along the route. Once you arrive at base camp, breathe in the wide view and talk about the day’s events with your group. While you prepare for the summit ascent, the evening comes with another campfire.
Day 4: Reach the top of 12,500 ft. Kedarkantha peak and head back to Juda ka Talab
With an early start, you can climb to Kedarkantha Peak and get to the summit before sunrise for a stunning, broad view of peaks like Black Peak and Swargarohini. After relishing the scenery, start descending to return to the base camp.
Day 5: Drive back to Dehradun after returning to Sankri
After breakfast, descend from Juda ka Talab to Sankri village while admiring the last mountain views and wooded roads. Take a short break in Sankri before continuing the eight-hour drive back to Dehradun. You will return home with recollections of a difficult but worthwhile journey over the superb Himalayas after arriving in the evening.
How Difficult is the Kedarkantha Trek?
Many factors should be considered when determining the difficulty level of the trek, such as trek length, greatest height, surrounding type, and daily altitude. However, Kedarkantha is an easy-moderate trip for beginners but enjoyable.
Moderate climb & easy length: The Kedarkantha journey takes five to six days and climbs 5,500 to 6,000 feet altitude over three days, reaching a height of 12,500 feet. Although there are a few tougher parts that can be handled with planning, the climb is generally mild. Except for the summit day, which takes 7-8 hours to finish, most days entail about 4 hours of trekking, particularly difficult on the legs because it has a difficult 5-hour climb and 2-3 hours downhill.
Height and exit points: With a maximum height of 12,500 feet, it is perfect for trekkers who are unfamiliar with high altitude. Kedarkantha offers a variety of safe and convenient ways to reach the summit. This adaptability makes it perfect for trekkers, particularly for solo travellers, who may need to leave early.
Safe location: The route is designated with a familiar route, a gentle rise, and well-located campsites to help avoid altitude sickness. The entire hike is very accessible and non-technical, except for an uphill walk close to the peak, which could feel difficult.
Although Kedarkantha has all the markings of a simple trek, it falls into the easy-moderate category due to the lengthy, steady climb on the summit day, which makes it somewhat more difficult. Kedarkantha’s route is perfect for beginners looking for a satisfying experience because it is generally safe, has several exit locations, and has moderate climbs.
The Best Time to do the Kedarkantha trek
Winter (December to February)
With temperatures varying from 8°C during the day to -10°C at night, snow covers the surroundings. The climb offers a thrilling summit rise, thick woodlands, and unspoiled snow views, ideal for beginners, although crowded at Sankri.
Spring (March-April)
Daytime highs reach 18°C higher campsites are covered by the final snow and rhododendron bloom provides a splash of colour. By April, the snow has melted, making trekking more beautiful and pleasant.
Summer (May-June)
The snow melts and the temperature rises from 18°C to 24°C, and the area becomes green. The walk is excellent in June because of the warm weather, fewer people, and occasional showers.
Autumn (September-November)
After the monsoon, there are clear skies and fresh air, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to -5°C. The scenery is green.
How to Reach the Base Camp
1. Arrival Planning
If you are flying straight to Dehradun, be there the day before the trek (Day Zero) so you can rest. Although direct flights are easy, if they are expensive, take a plane to Delhi and then take a bus or train to Dehradun.
From Delhi: If you decide on Delhi, schedule flights that arrive by 8:00 p.m. By 5:40 AM, the Nanda Devi Express, which departs Hazrat Nizamuddin at 11:35 PM, arrives in Dehradun. Due to delays, stay away from the Mussorie Express. Alternatively, for a same-day arrival, catch an afternoon Jan Shatabdi (3:20 PM) from New Delhi station.
2. Travel Advice
Dehradun taxis: There are plenty of taxis at the airport, but if you want to cut costs, try sharing rides. Outside the airport, cars are less expensive.
Bus option: There are regular Volvo AC buses from Delhi to Dehradun, departing at around 7-8 hours. At 11:15 PM, the last airport metro from New Delhi to Kashmiri Gate leaves.
3. Return reservation
On the day of your return, make your reservation for travel from Dehradun or Delhi after 9 PM. The Nanda Devi Express (10:40 PM) from Dehradun arrives in Hazrat Nizamuddin by 4:50 AM for early flights from Delhi.
4. Places to Stay in Dehradun
The Grand Legacy Hotel is a comfortable place to stay
Nomads house is reasonably priced and near the train station
Other choices include the reasonably priced hotel Drona, the simple Simran Guest House, or lodgings like Sun n Soil Backpackers near Jolly Grant Airport.
Packing List
Required Documents for Trekking with Himalayan Daredevils
You will not be permitted to begin your walk unless you have these documents with you.
Original government identification and photocopy of it: To be verified by the forest department, bring identification such as a driver’s license, Adhar card, or passport.
Disclaimer certificate: Consist of your legal agreement and medical records. This form should be downloaded, completed, and signed before being turned in to your base camp trek leader.
Medical certificate: An MBBS physician is required to complete this form.
Rental Equipment
For excellent, reasonably priced rentals before purchasing trekking equipment, visit the crosstrek rental store, where you may get all your needful items such as headlamps, rain gear, poles, jackets, trekking shoes, and backpacks.
List of Equipment for Kedarkantha Trekking
Shoes and rucksacks: if necessary, rent a rucksack with a rain cover and trekking shoes that support the ankles.
Warm layers, three layers ( padded jacket, fleece, and wool sweater) for spring and summer
Four layers in the autumn and in winter, five layers of thermals included
Two quick-dry trekking trousers and three collared T-shirts
Trekking pole, rain gear, wood socks, waterproof gloves, sunglasses, a sunbonnet, and a headlamp
Reusable plastic covers, sunscreen, moisturizer, towel, lip balm, and toilet paper
A hydration pack or two water bottles, a coffee mug, a spoon, and a steel lunchbox
Why Get Fit for the Kedarkantha Trek?
You must be able to jog 5 km in less than 38 minutes to comfortably finish the trip. Begin by jogging four days a week or more. If 5 km is difficult for you, start with 2 km and increase your pace gradually over two to three weeks to reach 5 km. For the two weeks before the walk, keep up the desired pace consistently. Preparation should ideally begin 6–8 weeks beforehand.
Strength training will assist you in handling the physical difficulties of high-altitude trekking, like high climbs and uneven surfaces, in addition to jogging.
Being physically fit is required for trekking at high altitudes. It makes it easier to stay up with the group, lowers the chance of injury, and makes the walk safer and more pleasurable for all.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Long is the Kedarkantha trek?
The 18-kilometer Kedarkantha Trek takes four days to complete (six days) if you add travel time from Dehradun. You will walk 5 km in roughly 4 hours on day 1. Day 2 is shorter; it takes about two hours to hike two kilometers. The longest day is day three when you travel 6 km to the summit and return in 6-7 hours. You will walk 5-6 km in about 5 hours over roughly 5 hours to complete the journey.
2. What is the Height of the Kedarkantha trek?
The Kedarkantha walk climbs steadily for three days, reaching an altitude of 12,500 ft. The journey back down takes place over the last two days.
3. Is Kedarnath and Kedarkantha the same?
In Uttarakhand, Kedarkantha and Kedarnath are two distinct locations. While Kedarnath is a revered Shiva temple that attracts pilgrims from all over the world, Kedarkantha is a beautiful rise in the Himalayas. The distance between them is roughly 370 km, or 12 hours by car.
4. Do I Get a network on the Kedarkantha trek?
Kedarkantha has a limited network and connectivity. On the trek route, however, there aren’t many places where you can count on a strong network for communication.
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