Kedartal Trek
7 Days · 4750m Glacier Lake · Thalay Sagar Views · Gangotri Region
📅 7 Days
🌊 4750m Lake
🏔 Glacier Lake
🥾 Difficult
7 Days · 4750m Glacier Lake · Thalay Sagar Views · Gangotri Region
Kedartal trek reaches a glacial lake at 4750 metres (15,584 ft) in the Gangotri region of Uttarkashi district, Garhwal. The name means "lake of Lord Shiva." The lake sits in a high cirque with Thalay Sagar (6904m), Jogin I–III, Bhrigupanth (6772m), and Meru (6660m) rising directly above — a visual concentration of 6000m+ peaks around a single lake that is unmatched on any other accessible trek in Uttarakhand. The Thalay Sagar north face reflected at dawn is the defining image of this route.
The starting point is Gangotri (3048m), approximately 270 km from Haridwar (via Uttarkashi, ~7–8 hours drive). Total trek distance is 32 km round trip. The route climbs via Bhoj Kharak (3810m, 8 km) — a birch forest meadow — then to Kedar Kharak (4450m, 5 km) for acclimatisation, and finally to the lake (4750m, 5 km more) over moraine and boulder terrain. The altitude gain from Gangotri to the lake is 1700m. Difficulty level is Difficult — prior experience at 4000m+ is essential. Temperature at the lake ranges from 0°C to −10°C at night, so adequate sleeping gear is critical.
Best time is May–June and September–October. Monsoon (July–August) is avoided due to rockfall risk on the moraine sections. The route is inaccessible November–April when Gangotri itself closes. A Gangotri National Park permit is required — Dev Yatra handles all permits. The 7-day kedartal trek package from Haridwar covers transport, Gangotri temple darshan on Day 2, tent camping at Bhoj Kharak and Kedar Kharak, all meals, an experienced local guide, and porter support.
Thalay Sagar (6904m), Jogin peaks and Bhrigupanth surround the lake. Some of the most dramatic peak views on any Uttarakhand trek.
One of the highest accessible glacial lakes in Uttarakhand. Clear blue water fed by surrounding glaciers.
Beautiful birch tree meadow on the ascent trail. Very scenic in autumn when leaves turn golden.
Route starts from Gangotri — Uttarakhand's holiest Ganga source pilgrimage site. Temple visit included.
SUMMER
Snow on upper trail in May, melting by June. Good weather. Best for Kedartal lake access. Peak flowers below.
AUTUMN
Excellent clarity, best peak views. Bhoj Kharak birch trees turn golden. Less crowded. Very good season.
INACCESSIBLE
Route heavily snowbound. Gangotri itself closes in November. Trail inaccessible November-April.
All our treks start from Haridwar . Reach Haridwar first:
Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun (35 km from Haridwar). Flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru available.
Haridwar Railway Station — well connected pan-India. Overnight trains from Delhi take 5-6 hours.
Delhi ISBT to Haridwar by Volvo (6 hrs). State buses connect Haridwar to all base towns.
Delhi to Haridwar 210 km (4-5 hrs via NH-58). Pickup from Delhi/Chandigarh/Dehradun available.
Kedartal is challenging and the difficulty comes from the terrain more than the altitude. The section above Bhoj Kharak is steep moraine — loose, unstable rock that requires careful foot placement. Do not attempt in monsoon (July–August) when rockfall risk is high. The trail above Gangotri is not managed or marked — a guide with specific Kedartal experience is essential. The lake itself at dawn — with Thalay Sagar and Jogin reflected in the water — is genuinely extraordinary and worth the effort for prepared trekkers.
The route runs Gangotri (3048m) → Bhoj Kharak (3810m, 8 km) → Kedar Kharak (4450m, 5 km) → Kedartal (4750m, 5 km). Total distance is 32 km round trip with a total altitude gain of 1700m from the starting point. Bhoj Kharak is a birch forest meadow — the most scenic camping spot on the trail. Kedar Kharak serves as the acclimatisation camp. The final section to the lake crosses moraine and boulders and is the most technically demanding part of the route.
Kedartal trek is rated Difficult — the highest non-technical glacier lake trek most trekkers attempt in Uttarakhand. Daily altitude gain averages 700–900m. The moraine terrain above Kedar Kharak is unstable and requires careful foot placement. A guide with specific Kedartal experience is essential as the trail is unmarked above Gangotri. Minimum recommended prior experience: at least one 4000m+ trek. Not suitable for beginners or first-time Himalayan trekkers.
The trek is open May–June and September–October. Early June is ideal — snow has cleared from the upper trail and the lake reflects peak conditions. September–October brings golden birch forest at Bhoj Kharak and crystal-clear peak views. Monsoon (July–August) is avoided due to rockfall risk on the moraine. The route is fully closed November–April when Gangotri temple itself shuts. A Gangotri National Park entry permit is required — Dev Yatra handles this for all trekkers.
Gangotri is approximately 270 km from Haridwar — a 7–8 hour drive via Rishikesh, Tehri, Uttarkashi, and Harsil. Dev Yatra's 7-day package covers Haridwar pickup, Uttarkashi overnight on Day 1, Gangotri temple darshan and first trekking day on Day 2, camping at Bhoj Kharak, Kedar Kharak, and the lake circuit on Day 4, descent and return drive by Day 6 with a buffer day built in for weather.