.png)
Kedarkantha stands at 12,500 ft lying in the Uttarakhand region of India. It’s one of the best winter trek in India.
It’s a 4 day trek starting from Sankri and back.
Winters is the best time to trek due to large amount of snow, plain white lush meadows and chilling weather. It’s a trekker’s delight.
You start from Sankri @6500ft which is the first base camp – Sankri is a 8 hour journey from Dehradun in Uttarakhand.
From Sankri you trek up towards the first campsite – this is mainly a forest trail with some local eatieries on small meadows. The camp is named Juda ka Talab @9100ft which is an alpine lake, frozen in the winters. It’s one of the most beautiful lakes surrounded by tall pines and lush green meadows with a hint of snow. Walking on the frozen lake is one hell of an experience. There are lots of open places to camp here, you may choose one and enjoy the chilled night. Temperature @0 deg to -3 deg
The next day you trek up towards the next campsite – Kedarkantha base camp @ 11250 ft. Now this is where the snow will be prominent – it’s a fully snow covered trail. You can use microspikes on your shoes here. You will find man-made slides in the snow just for fun, tree leaves fallen off on the snow give it that magical look that you’re walking in some fantasy world. The trail is a little steeper than that of Sankri-Juda. The camp area at Kedarkantha base camp is one of the mose mesmerising places you could go to – you see large clear snow fields and finally the Kedarkantha peak far away. People ususally reach around afternoon, so you can play in the snow – some create snowmen, some take topless pics :). Snow level here is knee deep in the winters and hence it is recommended that you practice ascending and descending in such deep snow for the next day where you will climb the last patch for the summit. Temp @ – 3 deg to -5 deg
The next day you have to get up super early for the summit climb to watch the sunrise. Sunrise is usually at 6:30-6:45 am which means getting up at 2:45am having breakfast, gear up, put your headlamps on and start climbing by 3:30-3:45am. This trekking experience in knee deep snow in the dark gives one hell of a feeling of a military expedition. I’s not comfortable for sure in the beginning bt gradually you start sweating in your down jacket. There are only one or two places to eat and have tea in the trail. Tea at 4:30 in the morning in snow is the best experience esp for the ones who haven’t been in snow in their life. Aroung 5:30-5:45am, the sky starts to get a little orange hint letting us know the sun is about to rise and the peak is near. After 3 hours of trekking you finally reach the summit. Pick a place to sit where you could wait for the sun to rise and once it does you feel so blessed and powerful at the same time that you were there on that mountain before the sun :). You can spend a hour or so on the summit as it’s -10 deg to -15 deg. More than a hour an a half is not recommended on top. There’s a Shiva temple beautifully made with stones. You also see the Indian flag hoiseted in the huge winds that blow. Take your clicks and head down.
The way back to Kedarkantha base camp is a lot of fun – it’s not tiring plus there’s a thick bed of snow as deep as covering your thighs. You look around and see clear white fields with virgin snow and pines. It’s a treat to the eyes.
You pick up your sacks from the Kedarkantha base camp and head the same day towards the next campsite – Hargaon. Now this is one leasure hike in the forest for 2 hours. You can chit chat with your trek mates on the way or simply refect on how awesome the morning has been – your mind and body will feel so fresh and alive it’ll automatically bring a smile to your face.
At Hargaon camp site, sit and relax, enjoy the mountains. Take a stroll to the nearby camps and enjoy the dense forests. You just won’t feel like going back to the city life as those last thrree days have been the best you’ve ever lived. That’s why they say mountains call you and you have to answer the calling. There’s anways a song whch olays in your heart which could only be sung and only heard here in the quiet serene nature.
The next day small descend back to sankri is again a leisure soothing experience. Make sure to ascend safely as you won’t be using any spikes on your shoes now. Back to Sankri base camp, you can now enjoy some fresh non vegetarian food, spicey delicacies from the local restaurants and just take a stroll in the main market area. Chit chat with your trek mates, relax at your stay and head back to Dehradun the next day with a heavy heart and lots of memories.
If you don’t have prior experience of snow trekking and high altitude, don’t do this alone. There are many trekking groups organising this trek. You can contact any of them – Indiahikes, Himalayan High, Trek The Himalayas and so on. They ussually charge you INR 7-8k per person excluding to and from from Dehradun. However they can arrange the transport for you. Food, stay, trekking guide/lead are included. You can rent trekking gear from them at additional charge. There’re also many local shops selling trekking gear and accessories in Sankri for you if you happen to forget something.
Juda ka Talab
Summit
Sunrise @ Summit
Comments