Kedarkantha Trek Itinerary: Complete Day-by-Day Guide
The Kedarkantha Trek, famously known as the Queen of Winter Treks, is one of the loved winter treks of the country. With snow-covered trails, scenic campsites, and a breathtaking summit view of Himalayan peaks, it’s the perfect adventure for both beginners and experienced trekkers.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the complete Kedarkantha Trek itinerary (5 Days / 4 Nights) with travel tips, highlights, and important details to help you plan your journey.
Kedarkantha trek Summary:
Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Maximum Altitude: 12,500 ft (Kedarkantha Summit)
Base Camp: Sankri/Kotgaon (6,400 ft)
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate – suitable for beginners
Best Season: December to April (for snow); October–November & April–June (for greenery and clear skies)
Kedarkantha Trek Itinerary – Day by Day
Day 1: Dehradun to Sankri (6,400 ft)
Drive Distance: 220 km | Time: 9–10 hours
Route: Dehradun → Mussoorie → Purola → Mori → Sankri
Dehradun → Vikasnagar → Purola → Mori → Sankri
Stay: Guest house/homestay in Sankri (Triple/ Quad Sharing)
Your journey begins from Prince Chowk Dehradun at 7am with a beautiful drive from Dehradun to Sankri. Along the way, you’ll pass Mussoorie, pine forests, river valleys, and remote villages. Evening briefing at Sankri prepares you for the trek.
Day 2: Sankri to Juda Ka Talab (9,100 ft)
Trek Distance: 4 km | Time: 4–5 hours
Stay: Campsite at Juda Ka Talab
The trek begins! You’ll walk through dense pine and oak forests before reaching **Juda Ka Talab**, a scenic high-altitude lake that often freezes in winter. This is one of the most picturesque campsites of the trek.
Day 3: Juda Ka Talab to Kedarkantha Base Camp (11,250 ft)
Trek Distance: 3 km | Time: 3–4 hours
Stay: Campsite at Kedarkantha Base
Today’s trek is short but rewarding. As you gain altitude, you’ll see stunning views of Himalayan peaks such as Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, and Black Peak. The Kedarkantha Base campsite is perfect for stargazing at night. You will witness the Kedarkantha peak right next to you giving you an aderaline rush that you might never have experienced before.
Day 4: Summit Day – Kedarkantha Peak (12,500 ft) → Descend to Hargaon (8,900 ft)
Trek Distance: 9 km | Time: 6–7 hours
Stay: Campsite at Hargaon
This is the most exciting day! Start early (around 3 AM) for the summit push. The Kedarkantha summit offers a 360° panoramic view of the Himalayas, including Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, and Rupin Ranges. After enjoying the sunrise, descend to Hargaon campsite for the night.
Day 5: Hargaon to Sankri (6,400 ft) → Drive to Dehradun
Trek Distance: 6 km | Time: 3–4 hours
Drive: 220 km, 9–10 hours back to Dehradun
Descent back to Sankri. Be watchful for your foot movements as the route might be slippery. Once you reach Snkri drive back to Dehradun, marking the end of your Kedarkantha trek with lifelong memories.
Why Choose Kedarkantha Trek?
- The most exciting and challenging winter trek of the country.
- Ideal for beginners and first-time trekkers
- Known as the best winter snow trek in India
- Stunning summit views of 13+ Himalayan peaks
- Beautiful campsites like Juda Ka Talab and Kedarkantha Base camp
FAQ's of Kedarkantha Trek
Is Kedarkantha a difficult Trek ?
Kedarkantha Trek comes under easy to moderate category. It is best done in winters from Mid November to Mid April. The main difficulty of the trek is the cold temperature as it is done in peak winters. The temperature drops to -10 degrees on few days making the nights very cold. One should prepare accordingly if planning for this trek.
How much does Kedarkantha trek cost ?
Kedarkantha Trek cost varies from Rs. 6000 to Rs. 11000 depending on the group size and the time of the year you are planning to do it. Being a very popular trek there are many companies which sell this trek online but only few companies are service providers.
How Long is Kedarkantha Trek ?
Kedarkantha trek is around 20 kms from Sankri to Sankri. It is one of the most popular winter treks in India.
Can a beginner do Kedarkantha Trek ?
Yes a beginner can do Kedarkantha trek. If you are a beginner and planning this trek you should have three things in mind.
- Physical fitness : You don’t have to be a fitness freak to do a trek it is just that basic fitness should be maintained. You should not be obese and should not have any medical ailments.
- Mental fitness : You should come with an open mindset and be ready for the harsh conditions winters have to offer.
- Gear : Being a winter trek good gear is extremely essential.
Which month is best for Kedarkantha ?
Kedarkantha is mainly done from mid November to mid April. Talking about the best month among these is a difficult option because each month has something to offer. It depends on what you are looking for. In December and January the number of trekkers is much higher on the trail because of the available holidays. In February and march the trails have lesser number of people making it wonderful for people seeking peace away from the crowd. If you’d like a detailed breakdown of which month suits you best, check this blog: Best Time for Kedarkantha Trek Guide.
Does mobile work in Kedarkantha ?
If you are planning Kedarkantha Trek mobile phones will only be used to click pictures. There is no network available during the trek. Jio networks maybe available in Sankri.
Is Kedarkantha Trek worth ?
It is totally worth as it is one of the few winter treks where the trails are snow laden through out winters. It’s a small trek when it comes to distance but offers remarkable views. It will give you a feeling of climbing a Himalayan mountain.
Is Kedakantha safe in December ?
Yes, it is absolutely safe in December. In fact, most number of trekkers visit in December because of the available Vacations. It is a safe trek and can be done throughout the year except monsoons.
What if we want to leave extra luggage at the base village?
You can keep extra luggage in the base village for any particular trek. There are no cloak room charges applicable. Its free of cost
Is there mobile signals available on treks?
If you are going on a trek don’t expect mobile signals. There are few spots on the trails of few treks where you might find a single tower or something but it always depends if that is enough to make a call or not
Pro Travel Tips
- Pack essentials as per the required during the winter trek.
- Begin summit climb early morning for the best sunrise views.
- Bring Toiletries and Lunch Box
- When Booking Through agencies Ensure few things : Stay at Sankri, Campsite at Juda ka talab, Spikes and Gaiters as inclusions
- Carry essential medicines and a power bank as campsites have no charging points.
- Work on your Fitness at least 30 days before the start of your trek.
Final Thoughts
The Kedarkantha Trek itinerary offers the perfect mix of adventure, natural beauty, and cultural experience. Whether you are a beginner trekking for the first time or a mountain lover looking for a quick Himalayan escape, Kedarkantha never disappoints.