Sankri, Uttarkashi · Uttarakhand
Kedarkantha
The classic first winter trek: pine forest, snow camps and a summit sunrise over the Garhwal range.
Kedarkantha is an easy–moderate trek in Sankri, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, reaching 3,810 m. The best time to go is December to March. Plan 6 days on the ground from Dehradun and about ₹2,800 per person per day.
What to do in Kedarkantha
The one thing not to miss
Summit at sunrise
Leave the last camp well before dawn; the final hour is the steepest and the view takes in Swargarohini and Bandarpoonch.
- 2Juda Ka TalabThe forest lake where most groups camp on the first night; frozen in winter.
- 3Sankri villageWooden houses and a small temple at the trailhead; walk it the evening before you start.
A sample plan: 6 days
Day 1
Dehradun to Sankri
A long drive; arrive by evening.
Day 2
Sankri to Juda Ka Talab
About 4 km uphill through pine and maple forest.
Day 3
Juda Ka Talab to base camp
A short day to save your legs.
Day 4
Summit, then down to Hargaon
Start before dawn; the last hour is the steepest.
Day 5
Hargaon to Sankri
An easy descent.
Day 6
Sankri to Dehradun
The drive back.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
Why go
Reliable snow from December to March on a trail beginners finish. The summit push is short and the views are huge.
Why not
It is the most crowded winter trek in India — camps are packed on weekends and around New Year.
Before you go
- Permits
- Forest entry fee (Govind Wildlife Sanctuary area), usually handled by your trek operator.
- Guide
- Go with a registered operator or local guide; route-finding in fresh snow is not obvious.
- Safety
- Camp temperatures drop to around −10 °C in peak winter. Summit day starts before dawn.
- Phone & internet
- Patchy signal in Sankri; none on the trail after base camp.
Altitude
Kedarkantha reaches 3,810 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Uttarakhand →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: District disaster control room, Uttarkashi, Uttarkashi.
All emergency contacts for Uttarakhand →What to pack for Kedarkantha
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
12 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) Nights drop below freezing in the snow months.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Waterproof gloves You will be touching snow; ordinary woollen gloves get wet.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava Covers nose and neck in wind and on cold mornings.
- Hand warmers A small, cheap comfort at camp and on early starts.
- Quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs Jeans stay wet and heavy; these dry overnight.
- Quick-dry T-shirts, 2–3 Cotton holds sweat and chills you when you stop.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Rain jacket or poncho Mountain weather turns quickly; rain gear doubles as a wind layer.
Footwear
4 items
- Trekking shoes with ankle support About 20 km of uneven trail; break them in before you go.
- Microspikes For grip on hard snow and ice. Trek operators often provide these — ask before buying.
- Gaiters Keep snow out of your shoes.
- Camp sandals or floaters Let your feet rest at camp, and useful for stream crossings.
Trek gear
10 items
- Rucksack, 40–60 litres Carries everything for a multi-day trek.
- Rain cover for your bag Keeps your bag and dry clothes dry.
- Headlamp with spare batteries Camps and villages have little or no lighting; summit starts are before dawn.
- Insulated flask Water freezes in ordinary bottles overnight.
- Dry bags or zip pouches Separate wet from dry, and protect your phone and documents.
- Trekking poles Take load off your knees on the descent.
- Energy bars and dry fruit There are few or no shops on the trail.
- Tissue roll, hand sanitiser and wet wipes Camp and trail toilets are basic.
- Quick-dry towel Dries overnight in a tent.
- Sleeping bag liner Adds warmth and keeps an operator's sleeping bag hygienic.
Health and sun
8 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- ORS sachets For dehydration and tired legs.
- Water-purifying bottle or tablets Stream and tap water should be treated.
- Blister plasters and a crepe bandage New or wet shoes rub; treat a hot spot before it becomes a blister.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 3,810 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsForest entry fee (Govind Wildlife Sanctuary area), usually handled by your trek operator.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works therePatchy signal in Sankri; none on the trail after base camp.
For what you're going for
2 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
Read before you go
2 items
- A guidebook for Uttarakhand Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
- A paper trekking map A paper map still works when the phone doesn't.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Dehradun.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. The road beyond Purola is narrow and broken in places.
By road
From
Dehradun
- Distance
- about 200 km
- Drive time
- 8–9 hours
- Dehradun
- Mussoorie
- Naugaon
- Purola
- Mori
- Sankri
The walk starts at Sankri.
Live directions from DehradunFrom
Delhi
- Distance
- about 450 km
- Drive time
- two days
Reach Dehradun on day one and drive to Sankri on day two.
Live directions from Delhi
Buses and shared taxis. A few early-morning buses and shared jeeps leave Dehradun for Sankri; most operators arrange the transfer.
Pickups & drivers
From Dehradun. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Kedarkantha yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Kedarkantha: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Kedarkantha?
The best months for Kedarkantha are December to March. April and November are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in December to March.
How difficult is Kedarkantha?
Kedarkantha is rated easy–moderate. The trek is about 20 km in total, starting at 1,950 m and reaching 3,810 m.
How many days do you need for Kedarkantha?
Plan 6 days on the ground, counted from Dehradun. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Kedarkantha cost?
Expect about ₹2,800 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹16,800 for 6 days, before the cost of getting to Dehradun.
How do you reach Kedarkantha?
By road: from Dehradun it is about 200 km, 8–9 hours (Dehradun → Mussoorie → Naugaon → Purola → Mori → Sankri); from Delhi it is about 450 km, two days. A few early-morning buses and shared jeeps leave Dehradun for Sankri; most operators arrange the transfer. The nearest gateway is Dehradun.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Kedarkantha?
Permits: Forest entry fee (Govind Wildlife Sanctuary area), usually handled by your trek operator. Guide: Go with a registered operator or local guide; route-finding in fresh snow is not obvious.
Is Kedarkantha suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is possible with care; with seniors it is not advised. It is busy in season. Camp temperatures drop to around −10 °C in peak winter. Summit day starts before dawn.
What should you pack for Kedarkantha?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, waterproof gloves, neck gaiter or balaclava, hand warmers, quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Kedarkantha?
Patchy signal in Sankri; none on the trail after base camp.
Will I get altitude sickness at Kedarkantha?
Kedarkantha reaches 3,810 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Kedarkantha?
Kedarkantha is not a good choice for families with small children, senior citizens and anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 3,810 m. Also keep in mind: It is the most crowded winter trek in India — camps are packed on weekends and around New Year.
Close to Kedarkantha
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Har Ki Dunabout 27 km