Kedarkantha Trek Guide: Best Time, Difficulty, Cost & Itinerary

Kedarkantha is the trek most people in India do for their first real Himalayan snow. It's short (six days from Dehradun), the trail is well marked, the campsites sit in oak and pine forest, and the summit gives you a full circle of peaks: Swargarohini, Bandarpunch, Black Peak and the Har Ki Dun valley below. This guide covers when to go, how hard it really is, the day-by-day route, what it costs and what to pack.

Kedarkantha at a glance

Is Kedarkantha the right trek for you?

Choose Kedarkantha if this is your first Himalayan trek, you want a winter snow experience, and you have about a week. Daily walking is short, three to five hours on most days. The campsites sit low enough that most people sleep well, and a summit day gives you a real sense of having climbed something.

Think about something else if you want solitude in peak season: December weekends and the New Year week are crowded. Ask about mid-week departures in January or February, or look at Brahmatal or Dayara Bugyal instead. If you've already done a couple of easy treks and want long ridge walks rather than one summit, Kuari Pass will feel bigger.

Best time to do Kedarkantha

Kedarkantha is open for most of the year. What changes is what you get. For snow, go between late December and March.

December

Snow usually arrives on the upper trail by mid-to-late December, though the exact timing changes every year. Days are short and nights are cold, and the Christmas and New Year week is the busiest time on the trail.

January and February

This is the deepest snow of the season, and often snow all the way down to the first campsite. The trail looks its best but it's also at its coldest, with nights well below freezing at the base camp. A good choice if snow is the whole point, as long as you're properly kitted for the cold.

March and April

Spring. Snow stays on the upper slopes and the summit while the lower forest clears, days get longer and warmer, and rhododendrons start flowering lower down. Many experienced trekkers think this is the best balance: snow at the top with far less cold.

May and June

Snow-free, green meadows and comfortable temperatures, though the summit views can haze over by late morning. Good for families and anyone who doesn't care about snow.

July to September

Monsoon. Rain, leeches in the forest, and a real risk of landslides on the drive in. Most operators don't run Kedarkantha in this period.

October and November

Crisp autumn air and the clearest mountain views of the year, with cold nights and usually no snow. Quiet, and an underrated time to go.

How difficult is Kedarkantha?

Kedarkantha is graded easy to moderate. Three of the four walking days are gentle climbs through forest on a clear trail. The summit day is different. You start in the dark, usually between 3 and 4 a.m., and climb steadily for three to four hours, with a steep final stretch to the top. In winter much of that is on packed snow, which is why microspikes (traction spikes that strap onto your shoes) matter.

From the trail: nobody fails Kedarkantha because of the distance. People struggle on summit morning because they're cold, under-slept and haven't trained for a sustained climb. Training for that one morning is what makes the trek enjoyable.

How fit do you need to be?

Start training four to six weeks before you go. A good target: jog 5 km in about 35 minutes, or walk briskly for an hour with no break. Add stair climbing or a hill walk once a week with a light backpack. If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure or asthma, talk to your doctor first. Most operators ask for a medical certificate anyway.

Kedarkantha itinerary (6 days)

This is the classic route most groups follow. Campsite names and the exact camp on day 4 vary between operators, but the shape of the trek is the same.

Day 1: Dehradun to Sankri (drive, 8–10 hours)

An early start from Dehradun, through Mussoorie and Purola, then up the Tons valley to Sankri. The last stretch follows the river through pine forest. Sankri is a small village with homestays and guesthouses, and the last reliable place for supplies.

Day 2: Sankri to Juda ka Talab (about 4 km, 4–5 hours)

A steady climb through oak and pine forest to Juda ka Talab, a small lake surrounded by trees at around 9,100 ft. In mid-winter it's often frozen. It's a short day so your body can start adjusting to the altitude.

Day 3: Juda ka Talab to Kedarkantha base (about 4 km, 3–4 hours)

The forest thins and the views open up. The base camp, around 11,250 ft, sits in a wide clearing with the summit ridge directly above. Have an early dinner and sleep early, because tomorrow starts before dawn.

Day 4: Summit, then descend to camp (about 6–8 km, 7–9 hours)

Leave in the dark with head torches, aiming to reach the top at around sunrise. From the summit you look across the Swargarohini range, Bandarpunch and Black Peak. Then descend to a lower camp, Hargaon or Juda ka Talab depending on the operator. Today is the longest and hardest day.

Day 5: Descend to Sankri (about 4–6 km, 3–4 hours)

An easy walk back down through the forest to Sankri, with a hot shower and a proper bed.

Day 6: Sankri to Dehradun (drive, 8–10 hours)

Expect to reach Dehradun in the evening, so book any onward train or flight for the next day rather than the same night.

How to reach Kedarkantha

Every route goes through Dehradun, where the drive to Sankri starts.

• From Delhi: an overnight bus (about 7 hours) or the morning Shatabdi to Dehradun (about 6 hours). The overnight bus means you reach Dehradun early enough for the drive the same day.

• From Bengaluru: fly to Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, the day before the trek starts. Alternatively, fly to Delhi and take the overnight bus. Plan to reach Dehradun a day early. Flights get delayed, and the drive to Sankri leaves early.

• Dehradun to Sankri: most operators arrange shared vehicles from Dehradun, usually charged separately. You can also take a local bus or shared taxi via Purola, but it's slower and less predictable.

Kedarkantha trek cost

Most people do Kedarkantha with an operator, and the package covers the trek itself. Here's what a full trip costs from Dehradun. These are typical market ranges as of late 2026; prices change every season, so check them when you book.

Neither total includes getting to Dehradun. The ranges are wide mostly because of group size and what's included. Before comparing two quotes, check whether transport, the stay in Dehradun and GST are in the price.

What to pack for Kedarkantha

In winter the summit morning can be well below freezing with wind, so pack layers you can add and remove, not one heavy jacket.

• Layers: two thermal sets, two fleece or wool mid-layers, a padded or down jacket, and a windproof outer shell

• Legs: two pairs of quick-dry trekking pants; no jeans

• Feet: trekking shoes with ankle support and deep grip, already broken in; wool socks; gaiters in winter

• Head and hands: a woollen cap, a sun cap, inner gloves plus waterproof outer gloves, a neck gaiter or buff

• Gear: a 40–50 litre backpack with a rain cover, a head torch with spare batteries, trekking poles, sunglasses with UV protection

• Personal: sunscreen, lip balm, a 1-litre water bottle (or two), a small personal first-aid kit, and any medicines you take regularly

• Documents: an original government photo ID for the forest permit, and a medical certificate if your operator asks for one

Safety on Kedarkantha

Altitude

The summit is high enough for altitude sickness to be possible, though the gradual climb keeps the risk low. Watch for headache, nausea, unusual tiredness or trouble sleeping, and tell your trek leader early. The cure is rest, water and, if symptoms get worse, going down. Don't push on to the summit if you feel unwell at base camp.

Cold and snow

Wet feet and wet gloves cause most of the trouble in winter. Keep a dry pair of socks and gloves in your bag for summit day, and wear microspikes on packed snow even where it looks flat.

Permits and network

The trail runs through the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, so you need a forest permit; operators arrange it with your ID. Phone signal is patchy at Sankri, and you shouldn't count on any above it. Tell family before you leave Sankri when to expect your next call.

FAQs

Is Kedarkantha good for beginners?

Yes. It's one of the most popular first Himalayan treks in India. You need basic fitness, but no previous trekking experience. Train for four to six weeks and prepare properly for the cold summit morning.

When is there snow on Kedarkantha?

Usually from mid-to-late December until March or early April, with the deepest snow in January and February. Snowfall changes from year to year, so check recent conditions shortly before you go.

How cold does Kedarkantha get?

In January, night temperatures at the base camp often fall to around −8 °C to −12 °C, and summit mornings feel colder in the wind. Days in the sun are much milder, often around 5–10 °C.

How many days does the Kedarkantha trek take?

Six days from Dehradun and back: one day's drive each way and four days on foot.

Can I do Kedarkantha without a guide?

It's possible outside winter, but you still need a forest permit, and in snow the trail is hard to follow and the summit morning is risky alone. Most people go with an operator, especially for a first Himalayan trek.

Is Kedarkantha safe for children and older trekkers?

Fit children from about 10 years old and active older trekkers do Kedarkantha every season. Train beforehand, and choose spring or autumn if extreme cold is a concern.

For more treks in the region, see our Uttarakhand trek guides.