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The Himalayas Calling
The Himalayas Calling
Snow slopes edged with conifers below a line of Garhwal peaks
  • Uttarakhand
  • 6 days
  • Easy

Kedarkantha winter trek

Overview

India’s best-loved winter trek: forest trails, a frozen lake and camps on snow, with a pre-dawn climb to the summit for sunrise over the Garhwal peaks.

  • Summit sunrise over Swargarohini and Bandarpunch
  • A camp on snow at Juda ka Talab
  • Pine and oak forests heavy with snow
  • The village of Sankri

Day by day

Where you sleepHighest night 3,400 m
  1. Night 1: Sankri, 1,950 m
  2. Night 2: Juda ka Talab camp, 2,750 m
  3. Night 3: Base camp, 3,400 m
  4. Night 4: Hargaon camp, 2,800 m
  5. Night 5: Sankri, 1,950 m
  1. 1

    Day 1: Dehradun to Sankri

    Via Mussoorie, Purola and Mori to the trailhead village of Sankri.

    • Night in Sankri, 1,950 m
    • 200 km, 9 to 10 hours
  2. 2

    Day 2: To Juda ka Talab

    A short climb through forest to the frozen lake.

    • Night in Juda ka Talab camp, 2,750 m
    • 4 km
  3. 3

    Day 3: To base camp

    Up through oak and pine to the open meadow of base camp.

    • Night in Base camp, 3,400 m
    • 4 km
  4. 4

    Day 4: Summit day

    A pre-dawn start for sunrise on the summit, then a long descent to Hargaon.

    • Night in Hargaon camp, 2,800 m
    • Highest point 3,810 m
    • 10 to 11 km
  5. 5

    Day 5: Down to Sankri

    An easy walk back to the village.

    • Night in Sankri, 1,950 m
    • 5 to 6 km
  6. 6

    Day 6: Back to Dehradun

    The drive back to Dehradun.

    • 200 km

What the price covers

Included

  • Certified trek leader and local guides
  • All meals on the trek, cooked fresh by our kitchen team
  • Twin-share tents, sleeping bags and mats
  • Guesthouse nights before and after the trek
  • Mules or porters for the common gear
  • First-aid kit, pulse oximeter and oxygen with the group
  • Forest and trekking permits
  • Transfers listed in the itinerary

Not included

  • Travel to the start and from the end
  • Carrying your personal backpack (offloading on request)
  • Travel insurance and evacuation costs
  • Extra nights caused by weather or road closures
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • 5% GST

Good to know

Permits

Govind Wildlife Sanctuary forest fees are included.

  • Temperatures fall to −10 °C at base camp in January. Our sleeping bags are rated for it.
  • Microspikes and gaiters are needed on the snow, and we provide them.
  • You should be able to jog 5 km in under 40 minutes.
  • The drive to Sankri is long, so the first and last days are travel days.

Questions travellers ask

Is Kedarkantha a good first trek?

Yes. It is one of the best first snow treks in India, with short walking days and a summit that is challenging but achievable.

When is the best time?

December to April for snow. December and January are the coldest, with the most snow on the trail.

What is the minimum age?

We recommend nine and above, travelling with a parent.

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