TREK DIFFICULTY
Easy Moderate
TREK DURATION
6 days
HIGHEST ALTITUDE
12,500 feet / 3,810 meters
AGE LIMIT
8 to 62 years
One of the finest summit climbs in Winters
Kedarkantha (not to be confused with the popular Temple Kedarnath) is a 6-day long trek in Govind Pashu Vihar National Park in Uttarakhand (6 when including the travel days from Dehradun to the base camp and back). Kedarkantha is easily one of the most popular treks in India — popular amongst seasoned trekkers and beginners alike.
There are many reasons why it is a very popular trek to do in the Indian Himalayas. The most important of them is this — the summit climb.
The summit climb of Kedarkantha is a very rewarding one. Right from the base camp of the trek, the summit looms large. As you start your trek in the early hours of the morning and steadily climb up the steep slope of snow, the world opens up around you.
The climb is not easy. The entire stretch is steadily steep. As you get closer to the summit, it gets tricky as well. But the big mountains of the upper Himalayas keep you company until you finally reach the summit.
As you stretch yourself and take in the views of the Himalayas from the summit, you feel a strong sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. This is an unparalleled feeling.
Did you know Indiahikes was the first to explore and document Kedarkantha in winter? Read the untold story here.
Very few treks offer the same adventure, making it popular among beginners for its finest summit climb.
Outside the summit, the trek is also unique for its beautiful clearings. Very rarely you will find stunning clearings on a trek that makes way for some rest spots and beautiful campsites. This trek is filled with clearings on all the different routes. What's more, the clearings are just at the right locations, giving you beautiful vantage points to appreciate the trek and its views.
The third biggest reason this trek is unique is its beautiful forests. All three routes have beautiful diverse forests that will immerse you. If you are not careful, you will get lost in them (in a good way).
Kedarkantha (not to be confused with the popular Temple Kedarnath) is a 6-day long trek in Govind Pashu Vihar National Park in Uttarakhand (6 when including the travel days from Dehradun to the base camp and back). Kedarkantha is easily one of the most popular treks in India — popular amongst seasoned trekkers and beginners alike.
There are many reasons why it is a very popular trek to do in the Indian Himalayas. The most important of them is this — the summit climb.
Kedarkantha Videos
Recommended Videos Before Going For The Trek
Kedarkantha - Complete Trek Information
We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.
Use this section to learn about the Kedarkantha trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.
Photo Gallery
What I Like and Don’t Like About the Kedarkantha Trek
What I Like About the Kedarkantha Trek
Trek Trivia
Things Nobody Tells You About Kedarkantha
Did you know that you'll be trekking inside a wildlife sanctuary on the Kedarkantha Trek?
The Kedarkantha trek begins in the majestic Govind Pashu Vihar Sanctuary and National Park. The area is rich and filled with biodiversity. Flora and fauna in the sanctuary are of a Western Himalayan type.
There are three categories of Western Himalayan flora: Broadleaved forests, Subalpine conifer, and Subalpine shrubs and bushes. One of the best things about Kedarkantha is that you get to witness all three kinds.
During the ascent, you'll notice the striking change in flora and fauna. From forests and shrubs to vast meadows, Kedarkantha has it all.
In Kedarkantha, you get breathtaking views of the river Tons and Thamsa. The blue turquoise colour of river Tons can wash away your worries.
Not only this, India's first Snow Leopard project began here. Huge efforts have been made to conserve the Snow Leopards by the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary.
Did you know the religious significance and culture of Kedarkantha?
Kedarkantha holds great religious significance among the locals. It is believed that the mighty Lord Shiva came here to hide from a demon and stayed there for a while. The three villages, Sankri, Gaichawan Gaon, and Kotgaon, have a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
While 'Kedar' means Lord Shiva, 'Kantha' is translated to be his neck. The locals consider this mountain to be holy and worship Lord Shiva religiously.
Although Kedarkantha is in Uttarakhand, the Kinnaur culture greatly influences the people. They dress up and talk similarly too. Since Kedarkantha is located close to Himachal Pradesh, the culture crosses over and merges with them.
Do you know about these treks around Kedarkantha?
The region of Govind Pashu Vihar National Park is famous for the start of many of the trekking trails of our country.
However, many are not aware of these treks which are surrounding our famous Kedarkantha. Here is a list of those treks:
- Har Ki Dun Ruinsara
- Phulara Ridge
- Bali Pass
- Maldaru Lake
- Devkyara Valley
- Fachu Khandi
- Lekha Top
- Rupin Pass
- Borasu Pass
- Baraadsar Lake
- Vijay Top
- Khimloga Pass
Why Indiahikes
As industry leaders, we have innovated and set safety standards in the trekking industry. Our people, our processes, and our equipment—these are what make Indiahikes the safest trekking organisation in India.
Trekkers often call the Indiahikes Experience “life-changing.” This is because, through our treks, we consciously bring about a transformative impact on your mind, body and spirit.
Green Trails is our promise to leave the mountains better. We have cleaned over 1 lakh kilos of waste from trekking trails. Yet this is a small percentage of what we do. Green Trails dives into reducing the use of resources, reducing our carbon footprint, and bringing about a change in the daily practices of our trekkers too.
On our treks, you learn skills that teach you to trek independently. Besides, not every time you trek, you will have Indiahikes next to you. Our vast database of trek information gives you all the confidence you need to trek on your own.
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