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Kedarkantha Trek

Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand

Moderate5 daysBest Dec–AprSnow trek

Snow-capped Kedarkantha peak rising above dark conifers and red autumn trees under a clear blue sky3,810 mhighest point3 Photos
Max altitude
3,810 m
Days
5 days
Distance
20 km
Difficulty
Moderate

Best months Dec–Apr

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Short 4 km days through forest, but summit day starts around 3 am with a steep climb on snow and ice in sub-zero wind, then a long descent of about 8 km.

Photos

On the trail

Snow-capped Kedarkantha peak rising above dark conifers and red autumn trees under a clear blue sky
Snow-capped Kedarkantha peak rising above dark conifers and red autumn trees under a clear blue skyPhoto: Kanthi Kiran · CC BY-SA 4.0

1 / 3

The route

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Dehradun → Sankri

    By road · 8 h · Guesthouse

    640 m → 1,950 m

  2. Day 2

    Sankri → Juda Ka Talab

    4 km · 4 h · Camp

    1,950 m → 2,775 m

  3. Day 3

    Juda Ka Talab → Kedarkantha Base Camp

    4 km · 3 h · Camp

    2,775 m → 3,400 m

  4. Day 4 · highest point

    Kedarkantha Base Camp → Juda Ka Talab (via Kedarkantha summit)

    8 km · 8 h · Camp

    3,400 m → 3,810 m → 2,775 m

  5. Day 5

    Juda Ka Talab → Sankri (drive to Dehradun)

    4 km · 3 h · No overnight

    2,775 m → 1,950 m

Ups and downs

Altitude profile

1,5002,5003,5004,500Sankri: 1,950 m, 0 kmJuda Ka Talab: 2,775 m, 4 kmKedarkantha Base Camp: 3,400 m, 8 kmDay 4 high point: 3,810 m, 12 kmJuda Ka Talab (via Kedarkantha summit): 2,775 m, 16 kmSankri (drive to Dehradun): 1,950 m, 20 km
Metres above sea level · distance 20 km

Where it is

Map

Download GPX waypoints

Trailhead and high point only — not a recorded track. Use it with a proper map.

Weather

Next 5 days on the trail

Live forecast for the trailhead and the high point. Mountain weather changes fast — check again on the morning you start.

Each day: high / low °C · rain mm and chance · snow cm · wind km/h

Weather data: Open-Meteo.comModel forecast, not an official warning. For alerts follow IMD and the local administration.

Plan the trip

How to reach

Trailhead
Sankri
Nearest railway
Dehradun
Nearest airport
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
By road
Dehradun (about 190 km via Mussoorie, Nowgaon, Purola and Mori)
Drive
About 8 h from Dehradun

Plan the trip

Permits and fees

We could not confirm the current permit rules and fees from an official source. Check with the local forest department or tourism office before you go.

Plan the trip

Cost

Self-guided

₹5,000–9,000

With an operator

₹7,500–12,500

Per person, ex-Dehradun. Guided prices published October 2026: Himalayan Dream Treks ₹7,500 including Dehradun transport; Himalaya Shelter ₹10,000 + 5% GST; Bikat Adventures ₹9,500 + 5% GST ex-Sankri plus ₹2,200 for Dehradun transport. Self-guided is an estimate: shared jeep or bus to Sankri, a guesthouse night, a local guide and porter, tent and stove hire, and sanctuary entry fees.

Gear

Top picks for this trek

The gear that matters most on this route, chosen from its altitude, season and risks.

See the full packing checklist

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Packing checklist

Matched to this trek: altitude, season, days and the risks on the route.

Packed 0 of 32

Snow on the trail in Dec–Mar: microspikes, gaiters and a warm layer are not optional.

Tick each item as it goes in the bag.

What to wear
Pack and gear
Sleeping

Many trek operators provide tents and sleeping bags. Ask before you buy.

Safety
Water and food
Documents and money

Your ticks are saved on this device only.

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Know before you go

Good to know

Mobile network
Only BSNL and Jio work in Sankri; no mobile reception beyond Sankri.
Last ATM
Purola, on the road to Sankri
Nearest hospital
Mori and Purola for first care; AIIMS Rishikesh for serious cases
Water
Streams along the forest trail and near Juda Ka Talab; in deep winter water at the upper camps often has to be melted from snow. Boil or treat all water.

Highlights

  • Sunrise from a 3,810 m summit with a 360° view of Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Black Peak and the Ranglana range
  • Camping beside Juda Ka Talab, a small forest lake that freezes in winter
  • Oak, pine, maple and rhododendron forest inside Govind Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Snow from Sankri itself in December to February, making it one of India's classic winter treks

Risks

  • The final summit slope is steep and icy in winter and is climbed in the dark from about 3 am; microspikes and gaiters are needed.
  • Night temperatures fall to about -10 °C at the camps in December to February.
  • July-August monsoon rain makes the trail slippery and risky, and most operators advise against trekking then; the Dehradun-Sankri road can also be slow in bad weather.

Know before you go

Questions

Is Kedarkantha suitable for first-time trekkers?

Yes. Operators describe it as an easy to moderate beginner summit trek: the first two trekking days are about 4 km each, and only summit day is long (about 8-9 km, 7-8 hours) with a steep final climb.

When is the best time to do Kedarkantha?

December to February for deep snow, March and April for snow with milder days. October and November give clear views but little snow. Avoid July and August, when monsoon rain makes the trail slippery.

How do I reach Sankri, the base village?

Sankri is about 190 km from Dehradun, a 7-9 hour drive via Mussoorie, Purola and Mori. Public buses and shared jeeps run from Dehradun, and most operators run a 7 am pickup from Dehradun.

Do I need a permit for Kedarkantha?

The trek lies in Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, so forest entry and camping fees apply. Guided groups include them in the package. We could not confirm the current official fee, so self-guided trekkers should check at the forest office in Sankri.

Is there mobile network on the trek?

Only BSNL and Jio work in Sankri, and there is no mobile signal beyond Sankri. The last ATM is in Purola, so carry cash.

Your 8-week plan for this trekModerate grade. Start about 8 weeks before you travel.
SOS

In an emergency

Save these numbers before you lose signal. Tap to call.

You are in

District: UttarkashiUttarakhand

Nearest hospital
Mori and Purola for first care; AIIMS Rishikesh for serious cases
Last ATM
Purola, on the road to Sankri
Phone network
Only BSNL and Jio work in Sankri; no mobile reception beyond Sankri.

Before you set off

  1. Tell someone your route and when you will be back.
  2. Carry a charged phone and a power bank.
  3. Download an offline map of the route.
  4. Turn back if the weather turns bad — the mountain will wait.
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Where this comes from

Sources

Last reviewed:

  1. Kedarkantha Trek 2026-27 — Bikat Adventures
  2. Kedarkantha Trek 2026 | Package Cost, Difficulty & Permit — Himalayan Dream Treks
  3. Best Time to Visit Kedarkantha Trek — Himalayan Dream Treks
  4. Kedarkantha Trek 2026: Cost, Distance, Itinerary & Difficulty Level — Himalaya Shelter
  5. Best Time to visit Kedarkantha Trek: Weather, Temperature, Seasons — JustWravel
  6. Kedarkantha — Wikipedia
  7. Kedarkantha Trek — Indiahikes

Photos: Kanthi Kiran, CC BY-SA 4.0; Kanthi Kiran, CC BY-SA 4.0; Atulbhats, CC BY-SA 4.0

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