Kedarkantha Trek
6 Days · 12,500 ft Summit · Winter Snow · 360° Himalayan View
📅 6 Days
🏔 12,500 ft Summit
🥾 Snow Trek
🥾 Easy-Moderate
6 Days · 12,500 ft Summit · Winter Snow · 360° Himalayan View
The kedarkantha trek is India's most popular winter snow trek — a 3810m (12,500 ft) summit in the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary of Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. Starting point is Sankri village (1920m), reached from Haridwar via Dehradun, Mussoorie, and Purola (220 km, 8–9 hours). Total distance is approximately 20 km round trip from Sankri, with altitude gain spread over 4 days. The trail stays open December through April — when most Himalayan treks are closed — making it the best winter snow trek from Dehradun and Delhi for beginners and seasoned trekkers alike.
The route passes through dense pine and oak forest in the lower section, opening into wide snow meadows in the upper zone. Juda Ka Talab — a frozen lake at 2732m — is one of the most scenic camping spots on any Himalayan trail. Base camp sits at 3500m, and the summit push starts at 3–4 AM. Difficulty level is Easy-Moderate; great for beginners as it requires only basic fitness (7–12 km walking daily). Temperature drops to -15°C at base camp in January — proper layering is essential.
The 360-degree kedarkantha trek view from the summit spans Swargarohini, Bandarpunch, Black Peak, Kala Nag, and Ranglana — one of the finest sunrise panoramas on any short trail in India. Dev Yatra organises packages from Haridwar including transport to Sankri, all camp food, experienced guide, tents, and permits. Best time is December to February for deep snow; March–April for wildflowers; October–November for first snow and clear views.
360° view from 3810m. Swargarohini, Bandarpunch, Black Peak and other peaks visible at sunrise.
Trail open December-February when other treks are closed. Dense snow on upper sections.
Frozen lake camping site at 2732m. Beautiful in winter. Camping in snow-surrounded meadow.
Lower trail through thick pine and rhododendron forest of Govind Wildlife Sanctuary.
SNOW SEASON
Best for snow trek. Thick snow on upper trail. Juda Ka Talab frozen. Summit views clear on good days.
SPRING
Snow melting. Good wildflower views in forest section. Less snow on summit but still beautiful.
PRE WINTER
Fresh first snow in October-November. Good views. Not as deep as December-February but comfortable.
All our treks start from Haridwar . Reach Haridwar first:
Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun (35 km from Haridwar). Flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru. Airport pickup arranged.
Haridwar Railway Station — well connected pan-India. Overnight trains from Delhi reach Haridwar in 5-6 hrs.
Delhi ISBT Kashmere Gate to Haridwar by Volvo (6 hrs). State buses connect Haridwar to trek base towns.
Delhi to Haridwar 210 km (4-5 hrs via NH-58). We arrange pickup from Delhi/Chandigarh/Dehradun on request.
Kedarkantha is the right first winter high-altitude trek for most people, but there are a few honest things to know. The cold in December–January is serious — temperatures at Kedarkantha Base Camp drop to -15°C at night. You need a quality down sleeping bag and full-body winter layers — a light jacket is not enough. Good operators provide sleeping bags on rent — check the rating before accepting. The summit attempt starts at 3–4 AM — this is genuinely cold and dark and requires warm headgear, gloves, and a working headlamp. Physical fitness matters: if you walk less than 5 km regularly, spend 2–3 weeks building walking stamina before the trek. Sankri village (base) is 8–9 hours from Dehradun by road — leave Dehradun by 7 AM at the latest.
The kedarkantha trek is widely regarded as the best winter trek in India for beginners — a 3810m (12,500 ft) summit in the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary of Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, offering a 360-degree Himalayan panorama that rivals treks twice as demanding. Starting point is Sankri village (1920m), which is 220 km from Haridwar and 185 km from Dehradun via Mussoorie, Purola, and Naukur. Total distance from Sankri to summit and back is approximately 20 km over 4 trekking days, with altitude gain of 400–700m per day — manageable for first-time Himalayan trekkers with basic cardio fitness.
Best time is December to February for the classic snow experience — thick snow on upper trails, Juda Ka Talab frozen solid, and summit temperatures dropping to -15°C. March and April offer wildflowers in the forest section with patchy snow on the upper route; October–November gives first winter snowfall and excellent peak clarity. Difficulty level is Easy-Moderate throughout the season — the trail is well-marked and non-technical, though the summit day is a steep 4–5 hour push starting at 3–4 AM. Weather in winter is cold but stable; monsoon (July–September) is not recommended. Is the kedarkantha trek safe? Yes — with a qualified guide, proper layers, and a rated sleeping bag, it is one of the safest high-altitude treks in Uttarakhand.
The route passes through three zones: lower pine and rhododendron forest (Sankri to Juda Ka Talab), mid-altitude snow meadows (Juda Ka Talab to base camp at 3500m), and the steep summit ridge (base camp to 3810m). Juda Ka Talab is the overnight campsite at 2732m — a frozen lake surrounded by snow-laden pines that many trekkers rate as the most beautiful night of the trail. The summit view on a clear morning spans Swargarohini (6252m), Bandarpunch (6316m), Black Peak, Kala Nag, and Ranglana — a named-peak panorama that makes every hour of the climb worthwhile. Common comparisons: vs Chandrashila and vs Brahmatal — this kedarkantha trek is easier and better suited for first snow treks; Brahmatal offers higher altitude and more remote terrain.
Dev Yatra's package from Haridwar includes transport to Sankri, all camp meals, tents, certified local guide, forest permits, sleeping bag on rent, and safety equipment. Cost varies by group size and season — contact us for current price and kedarkantha trek booking on +91-8057146497. We run departures through the season with fixed group batches and private customised itineraries on request.