Kedarkantha
trek
The winter summit most people start with.
Best months, difficulty, how to reach and what to pack. Then every agency’s open batches side by side, with who’s going and how busy your dates are.
At a glance
All figures approximate · each agency’s plan has the exact numbers- Summit~3,800 mAbout 12,500 ft
- Days4–6From Dehradun and back
- DifficultyEasy–modFit beginners can do it
- Best timeDec–AprSnow usually Dec–Mar
- Base villageSankriAbout 1,950 m
- Trail~20 kmRound trip, over 4 trek days
What the Kedarkantha trek is like
Kedarkantha is a winter trek in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. The trail starts at Sankri village, climbs through pine and oak forest to camps beside small frozen lakes, and ends on a summit of roughly 3,800 m, with a wide view of Himalayan peaks like Swargarohini and Bandarpoonch.
It’s one of the most popular first snow treks in India. The trail climbs steadily, the camps are close together, and the summit day, though long and cold, is within reach for fit beginners. The summit push usually starts before dawn so you reach the top for sunrise.
That popularity is also the catch. Some winter weekends get very crowded on the trail and at the campsites. Pick your dates with the crowd chart below, and see how many people are already going on each batch before you pay.
When to go.
When it’s packed.
Deep snow on the upper trail and very cold nights, around minus 10°C at the base camp (approx). Classic snow trek conditions.
A typical 6-day plan
Plans differ by agency. Every batch on Flotr shows its own day-by-day before you pay.
- Day 1~1,950 m
Dehradun → Sankri
A long, scenic drive through Mussoorie, Purola and Mori to the base village. Settle in, meet your group.
~200 km · 8–10 h drive - Day 2~2,750 m
Sankri → Juda ka Talab
Through pine and oak forest to a small lake camp that often freezes in winter.
~4 km · 4–5 h - Day 3~3,400 m
Juda ka Talab → Base camp
A shorter climb through snow (in season) to the base camp, with the summit in view.
~4 km · 3–4 h - Day 4~3,800 m top
Summit and down to Hargaon
Start before dawn, reach the top for sunrise, then descend to a lower camp. The longest day.
~6 km · 8–9 h - Day 5~1,950 m
Hargaon → Sankri
An easy walk back down to the village. Hot water and a proper bed.
~6 km · 3–4 h - Day 6~640 m
Sankri → Dehradun
The drive back. Most groups reach Dehradun in the evening.
~200 km · 8–10 h drive
Getting to Sankri
- Delhi → DehradunOvernight bus from ISBT Kashmere Gate or a train to Dehradun, about 6–7 hours. Flying? Jolly Grant airport is about 25 km from the city.
- Dehradun → SankriAbout 200 km by road via Mussoorie, Purola and Mori, roughly 8–10 hours. Agencies usually run this in a shared vehicle.
- SankriThe base village and the last place with dependable shops. Network is patchy here and mostly gone on the trail.
Most agencies pick up in Dehradun and some from Delhi. Your trip page shows the exact pickup point and time. Times and distances are approximate.
Pack for minus ten
Every agency’s batches,
side by side.
Ask someone
who’s been.
Real answers from people who did the trek, not a sales pitch. Ask about the cold, the climb, the toilets, anything.
Is the summit day hard for a beginner?Ask in the appYes, you’ll be fine. Summit day is the only hard one: you start around 3 AM and it’s a long day up and down. Go slow on the descent and keep your gloves dry.
Very cold at the base camp. Sleep in your thermals, keep tomorrow’s socks inside the sleeping bag, and carry a liner pair of gloves. Our trip lead checked on every tent.
From people who went
Only travellers who did the trip can review it, with their photos, videos and a rating for the trip lead.“Went alone, summited with nine new friends. Rahul waited for the last one of us every single time.”
“Exactly the plan we were shown. Pickup on time, price didn’t change, and the camp food was hot.”
“My parents followed the whole trip from the family link. Zero panicked calls, which is a first.”
Kedarkantha trek questions
How difficult is the Kedarkantha trek?
It’s usually rated easy to moderate. The daily climbs are steady and the camps are close together. The summit day is the hardest part: a pre-dawn start and a long walk up and down in the cold. If you can walk 5–6 hours with a light pack, you can do it.
What is the best time for the Kedarkantha trek?
December to April for a snow trek, with the most snow usually from late December to March. April to June and September to November give clear, greener trails with fewer people. Most agencies avoid July and August because of the monsoon.
How many days does the Kedarkantha trek take?
Most group trips take 4 to 6 days from Dehradun and back: four days on the trail plus the drive to and from Sankri. Each batch on Flotr shows its own day-by-day plan.
What is the altitude of the Kedarkantha summit?
Roughly 3,800 m, or about 12,500 ft. The base village, Sankri, sits at about 1,950 m. These are approximate figures.
How much does the Kedarkantha trek cost?
It depends on the agency, your pickup city and what’s included, like meals, tents, gear and transport. Every batch on Flotr shows its full price up front, nothing is added at checkout, and you can hold your seat from ₹99 (each agency sets the amount).
Is Kedarkantha safe for a woman travelling solo?
Many women do it solo with a group. On Flotr you see how many women are going on a batch before you pay, and some agencies run women-only batches where a mixed group can’t book. Your family can also follow the trip from one link.
Is there mobile network on the Kedarkantha trek?
Network is patchy at Sankri and mostly gone on the trail. With Flotr, messages travel phone to phone through your group until someone has signal, and your ticket and trip kit are saved on your phone.
How do I reach Sankri for the Kedarkantha trek?
Get to Dehradun first, by overnight bus or train from Delhi, or by air to Jolly Grant airport. From Dehradun it’s about 200 km by road to Sankri, roughly 8–10 hours. Most agencies include this drive.