21 real photos of Kedarkantha that show you how the trek looks in January and February

The ambience of the Indiahikes community campus at Kotgaon, surrounded by vegetation on all sides, makes it very special for all of us at Indiahikes. Photo by Jothiranjan

The location of the Kotgaon campus marks the entrance to the village. Just by sitting outside the campus, you can get a glimpse into the culture of a remote Himalayan village. You get to witness stunning sunsets and sunrises right out of the campus, too. Picture by Caroline Mathews.

Indiahikes campus is isolated from the hustle-bustle of civilization, creating a peaceful environment for trekkers to bond with each other. The wooden structure of the campus gives you the taste of local architecture. Photo by Dhaval Jajal

Soon after you start the trek from Kotgaon, you enter a dense mixed forest filled with oak, rhododendrons, maple, and chestnut trees. Only a few winter treks have forests filled with such variety. Photo by Jothiranjan

When in Kotgaon, make it a point to take a stroll across the village. Today, as most of the villages are getting influenced by modernization, Kotgaon is one of those few villages where you still see the age old traditions being preserved and followed with pride. It’s seen in the architecture, occupation, and attire of the villagers. Here is a picture of a lady happily making threads out of cotton. Photo by Jothiranjan.

A clearing amidst brown oak trees on the way to Khujaai. In winter, the presence of snow reflects the sunlight, bringing out the colours of brown oak leaves strongly. This gives the whole clearing an orangish shade, making it a beautiful experience to soak in. Photo by Rajesh Akkidhasri.

Kedarkantha is known for it’s clearings. No other trek comes close to Kedarkantha when it comes to beauty and the sheer number of clearings. But have you ever wondered how are these clearings formed? These are the patches in the forest where the soil lacks the strength to support the growth of vegetation. Photo by Miraj Jungi.

Let me spill a little secret over here. When you are at Dhoka, the second campsite on your trek, climb up a small distance to witness this view of Mt Swargarohini and other ranges. Photo by Jothiranjan.

The settings of Kedarkantha are so unique that you can clearly see the distinction between the treeline and clearings. In peak winter, the high amount of snow makes it a fairy tale setting to trek in. Photo by Bappaditya Chandra

The sunsets are one of the highlights of the Kedarkantha trek. This is because all the campsites on the trek are located in a clearing opening up to the western side of the sky. After a long day’s trek, when it’s freezing cold outside, all you need is a cup of chai and a view to die for. Khujaai campsite offers you exactly that. Photo by Gaurab Nandy

The sunset views make this trek a photographer’s delight. “As the sun was setting in the horizon, I noticed beautiful layers created by nature, with oak trees in the foreground, the sun in the centre, and the golden sky in the background. I couldn't help but quickly grab my telephoto lens to capture this beauty,” says our inhouse photographer, Jothiranjan.

The location of campsites also makes up for stunning views of the night sky. Make sure you do not miss it. Photo by Jai Pandya.

The summit climb to Kedarkantha is nothing short of a winter expedition. You start the climb as early as 4 am to be able to make it in time for the sunrise. Photo by Jothiranjan

The summit climb is steep and adventurous. This photo taken from the Kedarkantha base gives you an idea of the steepness. Photo by Gurkeet Bagga

The sunrise view from the summit. This makes all your struggles worth it. Photo by Srihari M

The climb to the summit tests your willpower and mental strength. The sense of achievement upon reaching the summit often leaves trekkers teary eyed. Photo by Jothiranjan.

At the summit, you’re surrounded by mountain ranges and valleys. You see the Rupin and Har ki Dun valleys. You see Mt Swargarohini, Mt Bandarpoonch, and Mt Kalanag predominantly, and Jaonli, Gangotri, Draupadi Ka Danda, and Jorkanden peaks at a distance. It’s a view worth spending some time. Photo by Gaurab Nandy

The descent from the summit is as challenging as the ascent. The steepness, verglas, and amount of snow add to the challenge. On the brighter side, Mt Swargarohini accompanies you until the treeline, motivating you all through the tricky sections. Photo by Jothiranjan.

The descent to Kotgaon is a relaxing one. Soak in the woods to the fullest, as this is your last day of the trek. Photo by Jothiranjan

The stunning view of Mt Swargarohini from the suspension bridge at Kotgaon just before you end the trek. It is captured using a telephoto lens by our chief photographer, Jothiranjan.

The Someshwar Mahadev temple at Kotgaon is located right in the middle of the village. This is of utmost significance to the locals. Every monsoon, a big mela is celebrated in 22 Himalayan villages, including Kotgaon. The deity travels to all these villages during the mela. Photo by Jothiranjan.