Kedarkantha trek, often considered as one of the finest summit climbs for beginners, is the popular winter trek in Uttarakhand. Covered in milky white snow during colder months, it offers a panoramic view of the magnificent Himalayas and a unique opportunity to experience life in the remotest of villages in extremely low temperatures! 

Meet Aman Garg, a 25-year-old Lawyer from Shamli, UP, who is passionate about travel and adventures. Having a bucket list prepared months in advance, it was finally the time for some action! He along with his 2 other friends drove their own car and left for a 5-day venture to Kedarkantha!

Day 1: Beginning

Starting the morning early, they hit the road and took off from Shamli to Dehradun. It took them about 3-4 hours to make it to the destination. Fortunately having the right friends at the right place does help you. So instead of booking hotels, they decided to crash at their friend’s for the night. 

Dehradun, being the capital of Uttarakhand has a lot more to offer than you might imagine. From the 6 faced clock tower to Paltan Bazaar, a flea market and not to mention the Gurdwara Nanaksar, and the Tibetan Buddhist centre. If you happen to stay in the city for the day, you can hit several tourist spots even, with a few hours to spare. 

Day 2: Arrival in Sankri

The second day into the journey was the main inception of the events planned ahead! They left Dehradun and reached Sankri. It took them about 7-8 hours to make it to the place. Upon arrival, they checked into their hotels and settled in for the day. From this point there is rare or absolutely no internet connection moving forward. Make a point to plan your trip well in advance and carry enough cash for the rest of the journey!

Nestled in the high hills of Uttarakhand, Sankri is one of the most beautiful villages in the country. It also acts as a base camp for some of the best Himalayan treks ranging from easy to difficult.

Day 3: The Trek Begins

Starting the day at the break of light, they began their trek. The trail leads into the pine and oak forests with a gorgeous backdrop of snow-covered mountains. The first campsite is usually at or near Juda-ka-Talab. It is a high altitude lake that trekkers come across on their way to the summit. Situated 2,700 m above sea level, it remains completely frozen during winters and is a haven for migrating birds during the summers. Offering a mesmerizing view of the Himalayan range it takes about 4-5 hours to reach this point. 

If you are not trekking through some agency or company you might want to carry your own food, change of clothes, tent, sleeping bags, small medical kit, and other trekking gear that might come in handy. And don’t forget temperatures fall down quite drastically during the night, so pack accordingly. 

Day 4: Kedarkantha Base Camp 

The next step after Juda ka Talab was to start fresh with the trek to base camp. The distance is estimated to be 4 km, however, it took them about 2-3 hours to reach there. Passing through dense forests, steep ridges, oak and pine trees, meadows, shepherd huts they finally made it to the camping site. 

At this point you can see the magnificent peaks with crystal clarity, some of them being  Ranglana, Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Kala Nag, standing out proudly showcasing their beauty. The location is so picturesque you will not be able to restrain yourself from taking pictures. And then the golden hour sets in.  The view of the setting sun behind the majestic high peaks is glorious. 

The overnight stay beneath the starry sky, beside a bonfire and at such brilliant heights is enough to give you chills. 

Day 5: Making to the Summit 

This is the long-awaited day for all the trekkers attempting the Kedarkantha trek, the final climb to the summit. At this point, the forests start becoming less and less dense than before, but the trek becomes easy. But not for long, once you cross the thickets, the journey ahead becomes clear, the summit lies right ahead. The climb, however, becomes steep and a little strenuous for the beginners. But that’s what you signed up for in the first place, right? 

Aman and his friends started the trek early, as it takes a good 7-8 hours to make it to the top. They wanted to witness the sunrise from the mountaintop, and they did. The moments were so magical that they can’t be put into words. The view from the top of the Kedarkantha peak left them stunned and the amazing location was worth all the effort that they put in. After accomplishing their goal, they stayed atop a few hours and then gradually started the downhill journey. 

Reaching the Hargaon Base, they decided to camp there for the night.

Day 6: Return Journey

Having captured bags full of lifetime memories, they descended back to the ground and just like that it was the end of their great adventure!

To enjoy more amazing pictures and videos, check out Aman’s page @rusticghumakkad. 

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