About Kedarkantha Trek:

Kedarkantha offers everything. Magnificent views, dense forest walks, snow covered mountains, camping at exciting locations. Sankri is a base village not only for Kedarkantha, but many more 20+ treks like Bali pass, Swargarohini peak etc. December- April season cannot be compared to any other season. With winter snow, it offers fresh pictorial view of snow-capped mountains in 360 degree. Trek height of elevation 3810 meters which is about 12,500 feet Ideal 20 kms trek. Trek distance is not much and it is suitable for beginners. Yet, Physical fitness is required and one should do basic exercise and jogging for min 20 days prior the trek. It helps you in happy trekking.

This year, Uttarakhand faced heavy snowfall in last 10 years. It’s rare for trekkers to face snow at very start of the trek. News was coming daily about snowfall, trekkers rescue and all. As we had best contacts with locals, it was not Risky and we had 90% weather clearance chances for our trek dates. Still uncertainty is a nature of mountains in Himalaya.

Travel to Dehradun:

I am frequent traveller now, and going all the way to Dehradun alone is like, I am used to. I packed my bag. It was around 12kg. As a leader I take care of all medicine list, emergency tools and documents. But when Abhijit is there, tension reduced to 50% for sure. I reached Dehradun by morning. We stayed at Hotel Kolam, Raja road near to Railways station.

Abhijit and team joined me by noon time. We explored Forest research Institute museum and Robbers caves. It was amazing to crack jokes, take selfies with Magic (Six seater) we hired. It was best experience to spot birds and photography of the beautiful structure. But yes, we didn’t understand any out of what was kept inside museum. It was all related to botany, trees and soon we found surrounding area is only worth to spend time in. there is a lot of empty space, and special plants planted at center of each building area. I found it pretty cool.

Robbers caves offered us greenery views, lava rock structure, warm and cold water flowing through, and sight of common kingfisher and Himalayan bulbul. It was a perfect day spent. We concluded it, at hotel room with briefing about upcoming trek schedule, necessary tips, care to be taken and slept tight for the night.

Day 1: Travel to Sankri.

The drive to Kedarkantha takes you through Mussoorie, Nowgaon, Purola and Mori before finally bringing you to Sankri. It is a remote route so exquisite that it is one of the most beautiful drives in the Indian Himalayas. There was no straight road through. Road heads along with Lupin River. River flow, homes on top of hills and farms together makes it wonderful journey. Reaching Sankri was best part of travel. It was almost evening. Everyone was eager to get out of vehicle. It was freezing cold out there. All Sankri was covered with snow. Making beautiful view of trees and houses. We were welcomed at campsite by locals, immediately they offered us a warm tea and biscuits. Campsite was built on hill. There was snow around 2 feet everywhere except route we walked on.  It was necessary to have some warm up in evening. We celebrated the day with DJ Dance on Zingat song and many more. Everyone was quite happy in tents. So day ended in warm blankets.

Day 2: Trek to Juda ka Taal

ay started with amazing breakfast served. Delicious Upma, along with bread butter and Jam. Everyone was ready on time. We fixed our crampons, getters and get selfie with bagpacks on. Peaks of Swargarohini was looking awesome on our left hand side, standing tall. Road was quite build by regular crowd over there. Multiple tea points giving hint about popularity of the trail. Small wooden bridges give you a chance for photography for sure. They look so beautiful like we see in Disney movies.

It was hike of 4 kms and we completed it with average speed till 3 pm. Our campsite was ready with 3 tents pitched. We made base for other tents. Pressing and crushing powder snow, is a fun. Making a snow man, throwing snowballs to each other, having hot snacks made our day. Shruti wanted to make an igloo. So team Raahi immediately started digging the snow. It took a lot of time. Tricky part was to build a gate. At start we wasn’t sure how it will look like, but when it was done, it was prettiest thing around. With an Indian flag on top, it was mark of happiness spent there.

Day 3: Summit to Kedarkantha.

As per local guide’s opinion, Skipping base camp stay was good, as temperature was very low. As route was all covered with deep snow, mules were unable to reach to base camp as well. So we decided to summit and come back to come same Juda ka Taal. Obviously it was going to be hectic hike. 2kms extra hike for the day. Abhijit conveyed message to all. Looking at our team’s strength, we decided to avoid night trekking and started early morning for the trek.

After steep ascent for 20 min, your reach to Taal. Juda ka Taal was all frozen. Very small difference between color of lake and surrounding was still giving presence of lake there. Color change is because of dense crystal formation of ice on lake. We clicked some photos. But there was no more time to spend so we continued our journey. Trail carries on with sparse pine trees, snow covered branches, snow covered rocks and views.

After some time, we arrived at a shepherd’s hut. To our surprise, the local person, played flute. I get video of the surrounding. Flute this morning created some positive atmosphere around and everyone enjoyed it with amazing tea. It is actually known as mountain tea made with strong flavor and extraordinary refreshing. Exactly what you needed.

Everyone got a fine break at base camp. A lot of photo session and snacks time it was. Alpine dogs were around, making us company. From base camp, fine views of Rangla and Swargarohini peaks making our journey happy. Kedarkantha peak was now clearly visible. Everyone was eager to conquer the destiny.

Soon we reached to top.

This majestic valley offers some extraordinary sights of Swargarohini – I, II, III (6300 meter) Bandarpoonch peak (6316 meter) and Black peak (6387 meter) all together. We were able to see Kinnaur kailash ranges, Gangotri and Yamunotri ranges. Summit is made up with square structure of stone creation with Trishul pointing to sky. There are prayer flags to the summit.

It was too much time passed since I reached summit. All team together clicked some photos. It was around 3pm and so, we left immediately. There was only one trail coming back. So we followed it. Other people joined us soon. We had our lunch at the hut. It was delicious Chapati and Bhaji. Unexpected proper lunch at this height. With full stomach, we started our journey back.

It was hectic day for all. Everyone got into tents. We had our delicious dinner with sweets and slept tight.

Day 4: Descend down to Sankri and back to Dehradun

Trek is never completed until you go and sit into your vehicle. Challenges keeps coming. I was descending at lead position. Soon, we faced massive rain fall. I was sure that everyone had passed hut point. So no shades until we reach base. We were left with 1 hour still to reach our base camp. we covered my bag, put on raincoat, soon Prajakta joined us. But no sign of others. Trail was getting down zigzag. But one can find shortcuts to get down in short time. I was worried whether I will find base camp or not, but it was very easy and by very side of the route.

We packed our bags, had lunch and headed to Dehradun with a lifetime memory of the trek.