It is one of the Finest Summit Climbs for Beginners (Kedarkantha Trek)
Kedarkantha Trek (not to be confused with the popular Temple Kedarnath) is a 6-day long trek in Govind Pashu Vihar National Park in Uttarakhand (6 when including the travel days from Dehradun to the base camp and back). Kedarkantha is easily one of the most popular treks in India — popular amongst seasoned trekkers and beginners alike.
There are many reasons why it is a very popular Kedarkantha trek to do in the Indian Himalayas. The most important of them is this — the summit climb.
The climb is not easy. The entire stretch is steadily steep. As you get closer to the summit, it gets tricky as well. But the big mountains of the upper Himalayas keep you company until you finally reach the summit.
Outside the summit, the trek is also unique for its beautiful clearings. Very rarely you will find stunning clearings on a trek that makes way for some rest spots and beautiful campsites. This trek is filled with clearings on all the different routes. What’s more, the clearings are just at the right locations, giving you beautiful vantage points to appreciate the trek and its views.
Planning your onward flight/train booking.
If you are Travelling from Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai, or any other city, book your air tickets for Day Zero, which is the day before Day 1 on the itinerary. If your trek starts da is 25 December , book your air tickets for 24 December to either Delhi/ Dehradun.
Fly Directly To Dehradun
We recommend this. It gives you an added rest day at Dehradun. Most metros are directly connected to Dehradun. However, if the cost of the flight ticket to Dehrada un is too high, book to Delhi and connect to Dehradun by train/bus.
Tip: Train is the best option to get to Dehradun. Bus journeys are often delayed by a few hours.
Taxis are available from the airport (plenty). Prepaid taxis are available (look for the pre-paid taxi counter just out of the conveyor belt at the arrivals). You can also flag down a taxi (bargain a bit) with taxis outside the airport. Airport taxis are exorbitant. They usually charge between Rs 800 to Rs 1,000 to Dehradun.
Usually, most passengers take taxis from the airport. Try to hook up with co-passengers on the flight for your taxi ride to Dehradun.
Pro Tip: If you want to save money, try to catch an auto just outside the airport terminal complex. They usually come there to drop passengers off. Autos are not allowed to enter the airport complex. They charge approximately Rs 300 to Dehradun.
If autos are not available, walk for a further 1.5 km to get to the Rishikesh Dehradun highway. From the highway, you can flag down regular town buses or shared autos (shared autos are called Vikram’s). The bus fare is about Rs 30 to Dehradun. Shared autos charge about Rs 20.
Flying To Delhi/Dehradun
Flying to Delhi may be a lot cheaper than getting to Dehradun. Make sure to book a flight that reaches Delhi by 8.00 pm. You must arrive in Delhi on Day Zero and not on Day 1.
Note: If you notice the difference in air ticket prices between Delhi and Dehradun is less than Rs 1000 then book directly to Dehradun. The rest and shorter travel time are worth the difference.
Next, book yourself on the Nanda Devi Express to Dehradun (Train No: 12401). It is a fully AC train that leaves at 23.35 hrs. from Hazrat Nizamuddin and gets to Dehradun at 5.40 am.
Bus from Dehradun to Sankri
There are 2 direct buses from Dehradun railway station to Sankri ( Where You Can Begin your Kedarkantha Trek ). They leave at 6 am and 7 am respectively from Dehradun ISBT. The cost per ticket is Rs 350 – 400/-
If you are reaching Dehradun late, you can take a bus to Purola/Naugaon and then a shared cab to Sankri. It costs Rs 150, make sure you reach Purola by 3 pm to take the last shared cab to Sankri.
After you reach Sankri, you can take a shared cab to Gaichwangaon. It costs Rs. 500 per cab. You will be sharing the cost with others. You can also walk up to Gaichwangaon. It is 4km away from Sankri.
Tip
While this bus hopping may sound cumbersome, They are a fun and a good way to know the real Uttarakhand. You also get to meet very interesting local people. So while no one wants to miss a pickup, don’t be too disheartened if it happens. You may just experience one of your best travel moments!
Kedarkantha Trek
The Kedarkantha trek begins in the majestic Govind Pashu Vihar Sanctuary and National Park. The area is rich and filled with biodiversity. Flora and fauna in the sanctuary are of a Western Himalayan type.
There are three categories of Western Himalayan flora: “Broadleaved forests, Subalpine conifer, and Subalpine shrubs and bushes”. One of the best things about Kedarkantha Trek is that you get to witness all three kinds.
You’ll notice the striking change in flora and fauna during the ascent. From forests and shrubs to vast meadows, Kedarkantha has it all.
In Kedarkantha, you get breathtaking views of the rivers Tons and Thamsa. The blue-turquoise color of river Tons can wash away your worries.
Not only this, India’s first Snow Leopard project began here. Huge efforts have been made to conserve the Snow Leopards by the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary.
Dehradun to Sankri | Route to The Paradise of the Himalayas
Dehradun
Drive Distance: 187 km | Duration: 6-7 hours | Elevation: 1950m
Arrive at Dehradun and start your journey toward Sankri village
Drive along Yamuna and Tons river, with pine forests surrounding your way, and enjoy the beauty of nature at its best
After the breezy ride reach Sankri and check in to the comfortable campsite
Enjoy a lip-smacking dinner at the campsite
Overnight stay at Sankri. kadarkantha trek
Sankri to Juda Ka Talab | Where Lord Shiva once came to meditate
Sankri
Trek Distance: 4 km | Duration: 3 – 4 hours | Elevation: 2786m
After breakfast, you will set out on the hike from Saur Village and start climbing up
Along the way, we will cross several high-altitude suspension bridges and small villages
Reach the lake called Juda Ka Talab (Kedarkantha trek), where Lord Shiva had opened a small lock of his hair and water dripped from his hair forming this huge lake
Step out of your camps and witness the starlit sky bedside the frozen lake
Overnight stay at Juda Ka Talab
Juda Ka Talab to Base Camp | Get your Cameras ready
Trek Distance: 6 km | Duration: 6-7 hours | Elevation: 3800m
Post Breakfast get ready for the ultimate adventure
Start early at around 2 am and it will take anywhere between 7 to 8 hours to get to the summit
You will get to feel the welcoming and filtered sunrays from the mountains of the Yamunotri and Gangotri ranges and also of the Kinner Kailash ranges.
On reaching the summit, your jaw is going to drop and your eyes will not blink as you see the sun rising from the summit
After spending some time at the summit and will start descending and walk down to base camp
Reach the campsite and end the day with a delicious dinner
Base Camp to Sankri | Descend with the Mighty Mountains
Trek Distance: 6 km | Duration: 4 – 5 hours | Elevation: 1950m
Enjoy the delicious breakfast at the base camp
As you descend to Sankri village, get ready to listen to some interesting local stories shared by your guide
Continue on the trail and admire the views of the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas
Arrive at the tiny Sankri village and share your trekking stories with your friends over a cup of coffee
Overnight stay at Sankri village
Sankri – Dehradun | Goodbye to the Lofty Peaks
Dehradun
Drive Distance: 187 km | Duration: 6-7 hours | Elevation: 640m
After a mouth-watering breakfast, board the vehicle and start driving back toward Dehradun
Arrive in Dehradun by around late afternoon or evening
The Kedarkantha trek package ends here with beautiful memories😊😊
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