Kedarkantha Trek

Kedarkantha: Short Itinerary

Day 1: Reach Kotgaon (6,800 ft); 10-11 hours drive from Dehradun. Transport will be organised from Dehradun railway station at 6.30 am. Cab costs approximately Rs.5,500 per vehicle.

Day 2: Kotgaon (6,800 ft) to Khujey (9,400 ft); 5 hours

Day 3: Khujey (9,400 ft) to Odari (10,800 ft); 2 hours

Day 4: Odari (10,800 ft) to Kedarkantha summit (12,500 ft) and then on to Odari; 7 hours

Day 5: Odari to Sankri (6,800 ft); 5 hours

Day 6: Drive to Dehradun; 10-11 hours. The cab costs approximately Rs.5,500 per small vehicle (6 seater) and Rs 9,000 per tempo traveller. You will reach Dehradun between 6.00 pm and 7.00 pm.

Important points to note:

1. You will be staying at a village home in Kotgaon and a guesthouse in Sankri. The stay on all other days is in tents (3 per tent).

2. If the trail from Kotgaon is blocked with too much snow in peak winter, we will be rerouting trekkers to trek from Sankri to the Kedarkantha summit and back to Sankri.

3. You can leave behind extra luggage (no valuables) at Kotgaon. This will be transported to Sankri on Day 6. There are no charges for this.

4. It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo id for entry at forest check posts on the trek. 

Map

Click here to download KML file

The Trek

Day 1: Getting to the base camp – Kotgaon

•         Distance: 220 km
•         Time taken: 10 – 11 hours

Day 1 begins at 6:30 am when you leave Dehradun and reach Kotgaon at 5:30 pm. It is a long, and scenic drive. Kotgaon consists of a few dhabas, and a GMVN building slightly up the road from the rest of the village. Most trekkers reach Kotgaon in the evening. This offers them the time to look at the sun setting over the Greater Himalayan mountain ranges. It is absolutely stunning. The peaks of Swargarohini shimmer in the evening sun, standing tall over the ridges beyond Kotgaon.

Day 2: Kotgaon to Khujey (9,400 ft); 5 hours

•         Altitude: 6,800 feet to 9,400 feet
•         Distance: 4 km
•         Time taken: 5 hours

Begin the trek by taking the tar road leading out of Sankri until you reach Sol, an extension of the Sankri village. Once you cross Sol, the road takes a wide curve. After trekking for about 7-8 minutes, look to your right, you should be able to find a trail that climbs sharply, it is next to a stream.

This is the trail that leads to Kedarkantha. If you’re unsure of the trail, ask a local for directions.The  trail then enters a pine forest, and climbs sharply for about 10 minutes until it reaches a ridge.

Continuing on the ridge, you will notice that on the ridge, the trail widens out. This is the route to follow for the rest of the day.

To ensure you’re on the right track, an hour after reaching the ridge, look for a small wooden bridge on your right. Beyond the bridge you should be able to see a shepherds hut at a distance of 40-50metres higher up the trail. You are now a quarter of your way to your first campsite Juda-ka-Talab.

After a while, the stream that you have been hearing catches up with you. This is your final water point. They must last the entire journey to Juda-ka-Talab – a 2½ hour and a thousand feet height gain.

Do not take the trail that goes over the bridge. Instead continue on the trail that runs to your left – it forks clearly at the stream. After trekking for about half an hour, you will find a large grove of Maple trees. A little farther, the trail steals into a dark forest from the southern edge of the clearing.

Now you are at 8,100 ft, half the way to Juda-ka-Talab. Continue on the trail through a clearing, and re-enter the sparse pine and maple forest on its northern edge. From here through a series of switchbacks, the trail climbs rapidly through dense oaks finally emerging out into the open. Here you you will see your spectacular Juda-ka-Talab campsite for the first time.

Juda-Ka-Talab is almost too perfect in its setting as a campsite. On your left is the large lake that was once two lakes but now conjoined as one, and on your right is the thick edge of an oak and pine forest. The forest is so dense that light hardly seeps through it. The campsite is a series of gentle undulating mounds that form the clearing and campsite of Juda-Ka-Talab. High above, on your left, is the ridge line through which the afternoon light filters in. The area is entirely in the shadows of some of the densest pine forests you will ever see.

Day 3: Khujey (9,400 ft) to Odari (10,800 ft); 2 hours

•         Altitude: 9,400 feet to 10,800 feet
•         Distance: 4 km
•         Time taken: 2 hours

The trail out of Juda Ka Talab is clearly visible. It rises to a ridge at the edge of the lake. Once you reach the ridge, take a sharp left turn to enter the dense pine forest  and climb higher.

The trail veers further left sticking to the slope directly above Juda-ka-Talab, from here the lake is no longer visible. Climbing higher for another 30 minutes, the trail emerges at a ridge, gaining about 800 ft over Juda-ka-Talab.

Soon the ridge flattens out, and you are surrounded by oak trees. Continue walking on the ridge till your reach the edge of the meadows. From here start another steep climb through the oaks. Half an hour later, the ridge opens up to reveal yet another beautiful meadow. Standing here, to your right you should be able to see a solitary shepherd’s hut. (Hut Point).

This setting is strikingly beautiful. And a perfect place to take a break, and take in the stunning sights in front of you. From this point on, the trek to the Kedarkantha Base Camp is less than a 1000 ft away. 

Resume your climb on the same path, under the shade of the oaks. The trail opens out to a large clearing on the northern edge where this another shepherd’s hut. Here, don’t forget to turn around and look behind you.

Your first awe-inspiring 180-degree view of the magnificent snow peaks that surround the beautiful Kedarkantha Summit.

The trail then proceeds to move north, under the dry oak trees. During winter, the trail runs under snow, and climbs gently in two stages to reach another clearing. You have arrived at the Kedarkantha Base Camp Site. You should be able to see another dilapidated Shepherd’s hut here.

White peaks stretch from your left to your right forming a wide arc. Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini, Kala Nag, and Ranglana stand out from the scores of other peaks you can see.

Note: The cold in the open is intense and it often gets windy. Carry enough woolen wear to protect you from the elements.

Day 4: Odari to Kedarkantha summit and then on to Odari

•         Altitude: 10,800 feet to 12,500 feet to 10,800 feet
•         Distance: 6 km
•         Time taken: 7 hours

Sunrise from the Kedarkantha Base is something worth getting out of your sleeping bags early for. The Kedarkantha peak is visible from the KK Base. There are many trails that reach the top. 

The best route is to follow the northern ridge of the Kedarkantha summit. And climb up on a series of switchbacks to reach the Kedarkantha summit. It takes an hour to reach the summit from the Kedarkantha base campsite. 

You know you have reached the Kedarkantha summit when you see an arrangement of stones with a Trishul in between, pointing to the sky.

Towering over the rest of the region, the summit gives you a 360 degree view of the mighty snow clad ranges of Uttarakhand. The Gangotri and the Yamunotri ranges are clearly visible from the summit, as are the Chanshil Pass and Kinnaur Kailash ranges. 

Begin your descent on a different route. Follow the southern ridge of Kedarkantha. It is a straightforward ridge descent to the oak forest below.

Note: Depending on the amount of snow, many trekkers prefer to climb Kedarkantha from the southern ridge and descend by the northern side. The snow is less on the southern ridge and makes climbing easier. Both routes take approximately the same time, so choose a route depending on the snow. 

Get back to your Kedarkantha base camp site by noon, and not later than that. After a quick lunch,wrap your camp and begin your descent to Hargaon. 

This trail is spectacular. It ascends and descends through oaks, pines and frozen streams. It passes through small clearings every half an hour or so.These clearning are a unique feature of the Kedarkantha trail, and a rarity in the Indian Himalayas.

Some of the clearings are marked by shepherds huts. Continue your descent until you reach a wider clearing with several huts – and you would have reached Hut Point.

From here, instead of following the ridge down, descend to the meadow that runs below you. Continue on the meadow. Once you reach the end of the meadow, walk towards the right, until you see an open stream. Cross the stream and take the trail that moves down the slope. Don’t take the ridge that runs parallely above you.

A while later you will get to the cluster of four shepherds’s huts that you trekked by on your way up from the train on the ridge.Continue past the cluster of four huts and re-enter the deep dark pine forest that engulfs the trail as it moves farther away from the ridge.

The trail gets exquisitely beautiful as it winds its way down an enchanted forest of pines to reach the Hargaon clearing in an hour and half’s time.

Day 5: Odari to Sankri/ Kotgaon

•         Altitude: 10,800 feet to 6,800 feet
•         Distance: 6 km
•         Time taken: 5 hours

From the clearing at Hargaon the trail to Sankri is clearly marked by stones. Continue your descend through the pines in a series of switchbacks, until you find a stream flowing on your left. 

This is a good spot to fill up water. From here, the trail evens out and gradually descends through the pine forest to arrive at a ridge. From the ridge, make sure to take in the beautiful views – the vast and open Har-ki-Dun valley.

Continue your descend. You will soon be greeted by an apple orchard, and some potato and cauliflower farms. Here also notice the farmers’ huts on the right, that stand out in the beautiful skyline.

From here, there are numerous trails to Sankri, but the main one is a five foot wide trail that most people us.

Resume your descent until you get to the pine forest a couple of hundred feet above Sankri. The trail splits multiple times here, and each trail heads to a different part of Sankri. Wait for a local to show the direction to GMVN (which is a sharp detour from the main trail to the left. Descend to the GMVN to culminate a grand trek in the Uttarakhand Himalayas.

Day 6: Drive to Dehradun 

•         Distance: 220 km
•         Time taken: 10 – 11 hours

The drive back to Dehradun takes you through lovely pine forests, and goes side by side with the Tons river. It is a a scenic 8 hour drive. Try to get the window seat on the right for a beautiful view. You should stop for lunch somewhere close to Kempty Falls. Expect to reach Dehradun by 8pm. 

You can read these trek blogs to know of some trekkers’ experiences on the Kedarkantha trek. You could also watch a video of the Kedarkantha trek here. To read trekkers’ blogs about the Kedarkantha trek, click here.  

Banner image by Mani

How to get to the basecamp – Kotgaon

Delhi → Dehradun → Kotgaon

The Kedarkantha trek starts from Kotgaon, around 180 km from Dehradun. 

Indiahikes organises transport from Dehradun to Kotgaon. The pick up is at 6.30 am from Dehradun railway station on Day 1. The cab fare is Rs.5,500 per vehicle. This is not included in the trek fee. It is to be shared amongst trekkers and paid directly to the driver.

The drive is beautiful, beside the River Tons. You pass through Mussoorie, which is a popular hill station. Stop for breakfast at Kempty Waterfalls, which is a popular tourist destination. You can stop at Purola for lunch. The Dhabas here serve delicious Aloo Parathas. You will reach Naitwar around 4.00 pm.

To reach Dehradun

The best way to reach Dehradun is to take an overnight bus from Delhi. To stay on the safe side, book buses online in advance. Book such that you have some buffer time to make it to Dehradun on time for the pick-up; buses usually get delayed. We will be organising transport from and to the Dehradun railway station at 6.30 am on Day 1.

If you cannot find a bus, then take a train. There are two trains available from Delhi to Dehradun. We recommend that you take this one –

• 12205 Nandadevi Express – 23.50 – 5.40
• 12055 DDN Jan Shatabdi – 15.20 – 21.10 (reach the previous night)

Getting back

Sankri → Dehradun → Delhi

The Kedarkantha trek ends at Sankri. From here, you’ll be retracing your route back to Dehradun. It takes around 8 hours to drive back to Dehradun. Indiahikes organises this transport for a fare of Rs.5,500 per cab. This is to be shared amongst trekkers and paid to the driver directly. You will reach Dehradun by 6.00 pm.

If you are travelling further from Dehradun, keep a couple of hours as buffer time in case of delay. Book your onward travel from Dehradun post 8.00 pm. If you are travelling to Delhi, you can choose to go back by bus. Or go to Haridwar and then take the train to Delhi: Mussoorie Express (21.20) or Nanda Devi Express (23.30).

If you want to get to the basecamp by yourself

Take a bus headed towards Kotgaon/Sankri from Dehradun. It leaves at 6.00 am from Dehradun Railway station. Be there by 5.40 am to get a seat.

If you are reaching Dehradun late, you can take a bus to Purola/Naugaon and then a connecting bus to Sankri/Kotgaon. The last bus leaves from Dehradun Railway Station at 12 noon. If you reach Purola late, you can stay there overnight.

If you are taking a hired taxi, the route is pretty straightforward. First, head to Mussoorie, then move down to Yamuna Bridge, via Kempty falls. Then follow the Yamuna on your left until you reach Damta and further on to Naugaon. Cross the Yamuna at Naugaon and head towards Purola. The route immediately turns scenic, with pine trees overlooking the road.

At Purola break for lunch. From Purola, the route gets more mesmerising with the road climbing up and descending through thick pine forests until you get to Mori along the Tons River. 5 km out of Purola try to locate the south face of the Kedarkantha peak on your left. The highest peak, it is not difficult to spot.

Network Connectivity

There is no network on this trek. If you are lucky your BSNL sim might receive signal in patches.

How to get fit for the Kedarkantha trek

The Kedarkantha trek is marked as an easy-moderate trek. It starts at an altitude of 6,800 ft at Kotgaon and climbs to 12,500 ft at Kedarkantha peak. This means there is an altitude gain of 6,300 ft over the first three days of the trek.  Consequently, all the three days leading to the Kedarkantha summit involve constant ascent. 

Cardiovascular endurance

This trek requires a good amount of cardiovascular endurance. You can begin by jogging everyday. Start jogging at a slow pace and then keep increasing your pace day by day. In order to be prepared for high altitude trek, you should have a combination of distance and speed targets.

Here’s a fitness routine that works:

In case you’re just starting with a regular fitness routine, phase out your distance targets in the following manner –

–>Target completing 5 km in 45 minutes when you begin.

–> Gradually increase your pace by running 4 times a week and bring it down to 5 km in 40 mins.

–>If you are 45 years or above, try to cover 5km in less than 47 minutes.

If you are somebody you prefers cycling over running, then try to cover 22 km in 60 minutes.

How to send us a proof of your fitness routine?

Record your run on an app like Nike Run. Start recording your run when you start running. At the end of your run, hit the stop button.

Take a screenshot of the summary of your run. We will need a detailed split of each kilometre of your run. This is usually integrated in all running apps.

Note: Make sure your GPS is on when you record your run. If the GPS is off, we will not accept the screenshot.

Upload two screenshots 10 days prior to the start of the trek

For > 45 years age : One screenshot of 5 km in 50 minutes and the second 5 km in 47 minutes.

For < 45 years age : Two screenshots of 5 km in 40 minutes.

If you love cycling, cover a distance of 22 km in one hour and upload the same.

Fitness proof to be uploaded with GPS on and along with your picture.

Here’s a guide to help you prepare for the trek.

Working out indoors
If you can’t go out and jog because of time and space constraints, here’s a video you can use to work out indoors.

Things to get for the Kedarkantha Trek

Kedarkantha is a high altitude trek with snow. In winter, the temperatures drop to negative temperatures. You’ll need enough warm layers and accessories to keep you warm and help you trek comfortably. So pay careful attention to this entire section. 

• A list of everything you need for the trek (Skip to section)
• Useful videos to help you with your gear (Skip to section)
• A list of medicines for your trek (Skip to section)
• A list of mandatory documents (Skip to section)

First, The Essentials. You cannot do the trek without these.

1. Trekking Shoes

Kedarkantha requires trekking shoes that are sturdy, have good grip, have ankle support and can handle snow. Here is a quick video on how to choose your trekking shoes.

| Buying Tip: The Trek series and MH series are good options by Decathlon. They are tried and tested. There really isn’t any necessity to buy the higher priced models. Here is a list of other budget shoes that trekkers are using.

| Rental: We have the Trek series and the MH series by Decathlon available on rent from the Indiahikes store. They are already broken into and in good condition. Rental shoes are not dirty or unhygienic. This is how they are kept clean. Rent here.

2. Backpack

For a trek like Kedarkantha, you need a 50-60 litre backpack. Make sure your backpack has good hip support, shoulder support and quick access pockets. Here is a guide on how to choose a backpack.

| Buying Tip: Wildcraft, Decathlon and Adventure Worx usually make good backpacks. While Wildcraft has more expensive ones, the other two brands have budget-friendly backpacks to choose from. 

| Rental: The 48 litre backpack by Adventure Worx is available on rent from the Indiahikes store. They are custom-made for our Himalayan treks. Rent them if you don’t have a backpack. Rent here.

3. Clothes

Wearing layers is the mantra in the mountains. Layers give you maximum protection from all elements. And when the weather changes in the mountains (as it happens every few hours), you take take off or put on layers as required. 

Base layer: 3 T-shirts

Wear one T-shirt and carry two. Carry full sleeve dry-fit T-shirts (preferably collared). These prevent your arms and neck from getting sunburnt. In the rarified air on the trek, especially at high altitudes, UV rays can burn you in no time.

Dry-fit T-shirts quickly dry your sweat, they are easy to wash and in case of a rainy day, they dry quicker. Round neck T-shirts are ok, but collared ones are better.

| Cotton or Synthetic? As Indians, we love cotton. Down in the plains when the heat is a blistering 40°C it makes sense to wear cotton. But it takes a long time to dry when it gets wet. In the mountains, where it is cooler, synthetic is what you wear. They wick sweat rapidly and keep you dry. (But they do tend to smell quickly, so carry a roll-on deodorant with you.)

| Buying tip: You can get dry-fit T-shirts from Decathlon. Also, stores like Reliance Trends, Max have dry-fit T-shirts. They don’t usually cost much.

| Pro Tip: If you are extra susceptible to cold, you could get a set of thermal inners. In our experience, wearing two T-shirts over another works as a better thermal. And they save you weight and space, since you’re already carrying them. 

5 insulation layers in winter

The Kedarkantha trek is primarily a winter trek. If you’re going any time between December and March, you will need at least 5 warm layers.

You will need 1 pair of inner thermals, 2 light fleece layers, 1  light sweater and 1  padded jacket. Do not get your grandma stitched sweaters, which can be very heavy. You need sweaters and fleece jackets that can fold into compact rolls.

For your outer later, a padded jacket serves the purpose here. You don’t really need a water resistant material. But you need an outer padded jacket that keeps the wind and cold out. Ensure your padded jacket has a hood as well.

| Do you need a down/feather jacket? Not really. A regular padded/shell jacket will do. This video here will help you to learn more about the difference.

| Note: Down/feather jackets are really not available these days. Many jackets masquerade as down/feather jackets. They are essentially fine polyester-filled jackets. They mimic the function of a down jacket but are usually expensive.  

| Rental: Padded jackets made by Fort Collins are available on rent at the Indiahikes store. They are custom made for Indiahikes and trekkers find them terrific, even in winter. Rent here.

Trek pants

A minimum of one pair and maximum of two pairs of trek pants should suffice for this trek. Wear one pair and carry one just in case it rains/snows. Trek pants with zippered cut offs at the thighs are very suitable for treks. Also, choose quick-dry pants over cotton. They dry up soon even in the cold climate.

| Buying tip: Go for pants with zippered pockets. They come in handy to keep your phone, handkerchief or pocket snacks.

| Track pants or trek pants? Stretchable track pants make a good backup and can double up as your thermal bottoms. But track pants are not trek pants — so don’t use them as your main outerwear. Keep them only as a backup. 

Mandatory Accessories, without these too you won’t be able to do the trek.

These accessories are mandatory. Don’t go to Kedarkantha without them. Trekkers generally put off purchasing / borrowing the accessories for the last minute. We suggest the opposite. Start gathering these accessories first. 

1. Sunglasses

Sunglasses are to prevent snow blindness. On a winter trek like Kedarkantha, expect to walk on long stretches of snow. A small overexposure to direct sunlight on snow can lead to snow blindness (about a half hour’s exposure). That’s because fallen snow is like thousands of mirrors that reflect direct UV rays. So you need sunglasses with UV protection. 

| Wearing tip: Wear sunglasses if the trekking day is bright and sunny (on open sections, meadows). On a snowy section you must absolutely never take off your sunglasses until the section has been fully crossed.

| Buying Tip: Try getting sunglasses that wrap around instead of those that have openings on the side. Even peripheral UV ray exposure is not a good idea.  

| If you wear spectacles: If you wear spectacles, you can get oversized sunglasses that you wear over your regular glasses (available at Decathlon). If that is cumbersome, photochromic lenses work equally well. Here’s a quick guide on managing sunglasses with spectacles.

| Contact lens users: If you use contact lenses, you can use them on the trek too. The lens solution will not freeze. You will also not face any problems in changing your lens in your tent. Just carry enough cleaning solution with you to clean your fingers well. Wear your sunglasses over your contact lens. Read this article for more guidance on managing contact lenses on treks.

 2. Suncap

A sun cap is mandatory. Trekking without a sun cap can lead to headaches, sun strokes, quick dehydration and a sharp drop in trekking performance. 

| Tip: In the mountains, the general rule is to keep your head covered at all times. During the day a sun cap protects you from the harsh rays of the sun (it is doubly stronger with naked UV rays). A sun cap keeps your body temperature in balance. In the evening/early morning, the reverse is true. Your head loses your body heat quickly. A woolen cap prevents heat from dissipating from your head.

| Pro Tip: Sun caps with flaps are a blessing for trekkers. They cut out almost all UV leaks. They prevent sun burns in every possible way. They are a lot more effective than sunscreen lotion. A wide-brimmed sports hat also helps to prevent sunburn in a big way. 

3. Synthetic hand gloves

On a trek like Kedarkantha you are going to be handling snow quite a bit. You’ll need gloves to grip something or to steady yourself in snow. You also want the gloves to keep you warm. Get synthetic hand gloves that have waterproofing on the outside and a padded lining on the inside. If you find the combination difficult to get (not likely), wear a tight fitting fleece hand glove inside a synthetic hand glove. Hand gloves are mandatory on this trek.   

4. Woollen cap or Balaclava

Ensure these cover your head. In the cold mountains, you lose maximum heat from your head, not from your hands, feet or the rest of your body. Which is why you need to keep your head protected, especially when the sun is down. Early mornings, late evenings, a cold trekking day are when you must use your woollen cap.

Your ears are sensitive too, so a woollen head cap that covers your ears is absolutely essential. A balaclava is a modern version of the woolen cap. It covers your ears, neck and parts of your face as well. If you get woollen cap that only covers your head, you will need a neck warmer or a woolen scarf.

5. Socks (4 pairs)

Apart from three to four pairs of sports socks, take a pair of woollen socks. Sports socks give you cushioning plus warmth. Again the mantra is to wear synthetic socks or at least a synthetic blend. Cotton socks soak in water and sweat. They are very hard to dry.

As for woollen socks, they help you to keep warm and snug in the night. If you cannot get woolen socks, wearing two sports socks serves the purpose as well. 

6. Headlamp

Trekkers are often confused about whether they need to get a headlamp or a handheld torch. You need to get a headlamp because it leaves your hands free to do other activities. On the Kedarkantha trek you’ll need your hands free to wash dishes, pitch tents and hold your trek poles. 

| Buying tip: Ensure your headlamp covers a wider area and is not too focused as a single beam. On a trek, your headlamp must help you see around you as much as ahead of you.

| Rental: Headlamps are available on rent on the Indiahikes store. Rent here.

7. Trekking pole (a pair)

Trekking poles give you stability and balance. They reduce your energy consumption by almost 40%. On the Kedarkantha trek there are steep ascents and descents. A pair of trekking poles will make the difference between a comfortable and a strenuous trek. In India we tend to use a single trekking pole. However, two trekking poles give you greater stability and balance. They also increase your walking pace.

| Rental: Imported side-locking trekking poles are available on rent on the Indiahikes store. Rent here.

8. Rainwear

On a trek, the weather can change quickly. A bright sunny day can turn into a downpour in a matter of minutes. Carry a poncho or a rain jacket to tackle this. A poncho is a big rain cover with openings for your arms and your head. It is extremely effective because it covers both you and (partially) your backpack. It is extremely light and weighs next to nothing. 

| Pro tip: Rain jackets are more streamlined and less cumbersome but weigh more. Rain pants are really not required. Dry fit trek pants dry quickly even if soaking wet.  

| Rental: High grade ponchos are available on rent on the Indiahikes store. Rent here.

9. Rain cover for your backpack

Backpacks are your life. You carry all your dry clothes, your warm gear in your backpack. It is important that your backpack stays dry at all times. Modern backpacks usually come with built in rain-covers. If your back pack does not have a rain-cover, ensure you get a rain cover by either (a) buying a rain cover (b) or cutting a large plastic sheet to the size of your backpack. You can roll the plastic sheet around your backpack and keep it in place with a string or elastic.  

| Pro tip: It’s good practice to compartmentalise your clothes, accessories and other things in plastic covers inside your backpack. That way, even if it rains and your backpack gets wet, your things are water-proof inside the backpack.

10. Daypack (20-30 ltrs, optional)

Some trekkers opt to offload their bags to a mule on the Kedarkantha trek. While we do not encourage this practice, in case you opt for offloading, then carrying a daypack is mandatory. In your daypack you carry essentials like water bottles, rainwear, emergency medicines, headlamp, some snacks and a warm layer. Your main backpack that carries most of your equipment is accessible only at the campsites. 

A daypack is a smaller backpack that is usually of 20-30 ltr capacity. Laptop bags are not daypacks. Do not get them. 

Other mandatory requirements

1. A toilet kit

Keep your toilet kit light. Carry just the basics — toothbrush, toothpaste, small soap, toilet tissue roll, a small moisturiser, lip balm, and a roll-on deodorant. You will not be able to have a bath on the trek, so don’t overload on soaps and shampoos.

| Pro tip: Carry miniature-sized items. You will not need more than that. If you’re travelling in a group, share one toothpaste for all.

| Pro tip: Avoid getting large toilet rolls. The smallest size roll is more than enough for a trek like Kedarkantha. 

| For women: If you are likely to have your periods on your trek date, don’t worry about it. You can use your pads, tampons or menstrual cups on the trek. There will be toilet tents where you can get changed. Make sure you carry ziplock bags to bring back your menstrual waste. Don’t leave behind any waste in the mountains. Watch this video to learn how to dispose your sanitary waste.

2. Cutlery

Carry a lunch box, a mug and a spoon. Your lunch box must be leak proof. You are expected to wash your own cutlery. Trekkers often expect Indiahikes to wash their cutlery. When you allow Indiahikes to wash your cutlery, your cutlery becomes part of a mass washing system. You immediately invite germs, bacteria to settle on your cutlery. Incidence of stomach disorders rises exponentially.  

| Pro tip: Carry stainless steel cutlery. Avoid fancy high grade plastic cutlery. Stainless steel cutlery is infinitely easier to wash in cold water. Grease is easier to remove and hygiene is at the highest. 

| Two 1 litre bottles or a 2 litre hydration pack: Kedarkantha has many hours of trekking everyday (approximately 6 hours). You need to carry two one litre water bottles to keep yourself hydrated over the distance. If you are used to a hydration pack, then that is ok too. If one among the two bottles is a lightweight thermos, then that helps you to store warm water on a really cold day or for late evenings and early mornings.   

| Rental: You could rent lightweight thermos flasks from the Indiahikes store. Rent here.

3. Plastic covers

Carry 3-4 old plastic covers to keep your used clothes. You could use them even for wet clothes. Re-use old plastic bags for this and do not buy new ones.

Useful videos to help you with your gear:

• What to take on your trek 
• How to pack your backpack
• How to choose your trekking shoes 
• Trekking shoes vs sports shoes. How are they different?
• How to layer up on a Himalayan trek
• Why you need a trekking pole
• How to manage sanitary waste on a trek

Personal medical kit

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medicine unless you have consulted your trek leader. 

1. Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is a paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever, mild pain
2. Avomine (4 tablets): Carry this especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Pop one half hour before the start of your road journey.
3. Combiflam (5 tablets): Take a combiflam if you get a sudden twist of the leg or a muscle strain. It is a pain reliever. It also contains paracetamol. 
4. Digene (4 tablets): Take it if you feel the food that you’ve taken is undigested. Alert your trek leader immediately. It could be a sign of AMS. 
5. ORS (6 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually mid day when you are in the middle of your trek. It replenishes essential salts lost while trekking.  Tip: It also makes cold water easier to drink.
6. Knee Brace (optional): Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known issues of knee pain.

Our trek leaders carry a high altitude medical kit with them which also consist of Life Saving Drugs. If there is an emergency our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines listed here.

| Pro tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek please donate unused medicines to your trek leader. Some of these medicines get distributed to villages on the trek and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.   

Mandatory Documents to carry

These are documents required for legal purposes by Indiahikes and the forest department. Without any of these, you will not be allowed to trek.

1. Original and photocopy of government photo identity card. Anything such as a driver’s license, Aadhar card, passport will do. This is required by the forest department for your identification.  
2. Disclaimer certificate. This is a legal requirement. Download the PDF, read carefully and sign it. This must be handed over to your Trek Leader during registration at the base camp – Download PDF
3. Medical certificate. There are two sections in this. The first part must be filled by a practising doctor. The second part must be filled by you. Without the medical certificate the forest department will not issue permissions for your trek. It is also a requirement by Indiahikes – Download PDF

| Pro tip: Keep important documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet. 

What are the risks on the Kedarkantha Trek?

Kedarkantha is an easy to moderate trek in terms of difficulty but it goes up to an altitude of 12,500 ft. Which means it’s still a high altitude trek. As with every high altitude trek, the Kedarkantha trek comes with certain risks.

At Indiahikes, we pay utmost importance to safety of trekkers. While we do our bit to ensure your life is safe, we also expect you as a trekker to know what could go wrong, and if it does, how to tackle it.

What Indiahikes does to ensure your safety

Our philosophy is simple. We ingrain safety aspects in the people we work with, in the processes that we follow and in the equipment we carry. All our trek leaders are trained repeatedly on safety issues and protocols. Most issues are resolved with their intervention.

From the time you register for a trek, we will keep you informed of safety procedures on high altitude treks. We have listed a few of them below.

1. Fitness criteria before registration

Over the years, we have come to notice that safety issues are widespread among unfit, unaware and ill-prepared trekkers. Therefore we have brought in an eligibility criteria for the Kedarkantha trek.

Before registration, you need to meet the fitness requirements. The primary measure for fitness is BMI or Body Mass Index. An ideal BMI is a minimum requirement to register for this trek. You can take a look here.

2. Monitoring health on a trek

Every trekker will be given a Health Card at the beginning of the trek. The Health Card is issued to monitor the trekker’s daily health. It contains details of symptoms he should look out for and what action he should take during emergencies as well. These Health Cards will be taken back at the end of the trek.

On the Kedarkantha trek, your Trek Leader will be monitoring your Oxygen levels and Pulse rate twice a day. Your blood pressure is measured once every day. Any abnormal reading will be paid special attention to and immediate action will be taken.

3. High Altitude Medical Kit

Your trek leader will also be carrying a full-fledged high altitude medical kit. This will include basic medicines and specific medicines catering to altitude sickness – Diamox, Dexamethasone (tablets and injections) and Nifedipine.

Your Trek Leader will also be carrying a portable oxygen cylinder throughout the trek. In addition to that, there are oxygen cylinders installed at all high campsites for any emergency situations.

4. High Altitude Trek Equipment

Kedarkantha is popular for its snowy terrain. If you go on this trek in the months from December to mid-April, you will be trekking on snow. To ensure safe trekking on snowy terrain, Indiahikes will provide you with micro-spikes.

These are attached to your shoes and will give you good traction on hard snow. To avoid snow from entering your shoes, Indiahikes will provide you with gaiters that you can wear over your shoes. You will have qualified technical guides with you. They lead the way on difficult terrain, where there might be too much snow.

All our sleeping bags and tents are custom-made for high altitude. If it is cold outside, it will be around 10 degrees warmer inside the tent. Our sleeping bags can withstand temperatures as low as -10 degree Celcius.

5. Being hydrated and well nourished on the trek

You need to drink a minimum of 4 litres of water every day during the trek to ensure that you’re well hydrated. De-hydration on a trek can make you lose energy very quickly and intensify the effects of AMS. Your trek leader will brief you about the amount of water that you need to carry with you at the start of each day as well as water sources on the trail.

We provide trekkers with nutritious meals to ensure that they are energized to complete the trail each day. Apart from this, snacks or packed lunch is provided wherever the trail before a meal break is likely to be long. Make sure that you do not skip any meal as this can lead to serious health emergencies on high altitudes.

With all these processes and equipment in place, you can be rest assured that you will have a safe trek with Indiahikes.

What you need to know if you’re going on the Kedarkantha trek

If you have registered for this trek, then here is some information that you must know in order to have a safe trek. At Indiahikes, we believe that as long as you are well-informed and well-prepared, you can survive easily at high altitude.

Like in every winter trek, a common risk factor on the Kedarkantha trek is slippery snow. You will be provided with micro spikes to help you walk better. But if you fall, no need to panic.

Even the smallest wound takes longer to heal at higher altitude. Reasons for this are increasing stress hormones and lower overall oxygen delivery to the tissues. Keeping your wounds clean and covered will prevent infection. To prevent the bruise from festering, apply a triple antibiotic ointment regularly.

Where on the Kedarkantha trek is Acute Mountain Sickness likely to affect you:

Any campsite above 11,000 ft poses a risk of AMS. On the Kedarkantha trek, the Kedarkantha Base camp is at 11,250 ft. It is the only campsite on this trek where you could be affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. From here and while going up to the summit is when you should watch out for symptoms.

AMS occurs when your body isn’t acclimatising to its surroundings. It can accelerate very rapidly, so it is important to identify the symptoms as soon as you see them. Before you read further, watch this video to understand the symptoms of AMS.

We cannot stress enough on how important it is for you to communicate any symptom to your Trek Leader.Only then will he be able to take steps at the right time.

What to do if you feel symptoms of AMS at Kedarkantha Base Camp

Very few cases of AMS have been recorded on the Kedarkantha trek. Nevertheless, don’t let your guard down. If you feel any symptoms of AMS on the trek, report to the Trek Leader immediately. Do not wait till the end of the day’s trek. Do not try to handle it yourself either. Our Trek Leaders are well-trained and experienced to handle any cases and they will be the decision makers in any such cases.

As a first step, your trek leader will run you through the Triple One Test – One Disprin, One litre of water and One hour of rest. If you’re suffering from dehydration, this will solve the problem and you will be fine in one hour.

If the symptoms don’t go away, then he’ll begin to treat you for AMS, perhaps with a course of Diamox. If you’re already on a course of Diamox, your trek leader is likely to increase the dosage. The increased dosage of Diamox usually takes care of the Acute Mountain Sickness. Evacuation will be done if no improvement is shown. You will be taken down to Sankri as descent is the sure cure for AMS.

Exit points on the Kedarkantha trek:

There are only a few exit points on the Kedarkantha trek – the base camps, Kotgaon and Sankri. It takes around 5 hours to descend from the highest campsite of the trek. Both these base camps are well below high altitude. So any symptoms of AMS will stop showing there.  

Closest hospital:

For advanced treatments, the closest hospital is in Purola which is around 54 km away. Please note that these are mountain roads and usually takes around 2-3 hours to cover this distance. It takes longer after nightfall.

Why you should personally know about the risks and precautions of high altitude treks

If you cannot find your fellow trekkers or anyone else while trekking independently or with another organisation, there are some life-saving steps you can take.

Firstly, you should be able to recognise symptoms of altitude sickness. So acquaint yourself with the symptoms.

Secondly, there might be instances when you have to administer medicines to yourself or to a fellow trekker.

If you are trekking independently, you need to know when exactly to administer these medicines and in what dosage.

Here, Sandhya UC, partner at Indiahikes, explains in detail about HAPE and HACE. Here, you can learn about the advanced symptoms are and how to tackle them.

It is a myth that fit and experienced people are not affected by Acute Mountain Sickness

Click here to read about Sandhya’s first hand experience of suffering from AMS on her 28th high altitude trek.

If you’re of the opinion that fit people don’t get AMS, please get rid of that notion right away. AMS can affect anyone without paying heed to their fitness and prior experience at high altitude! Altitude sickness does not distinguish between a first timer and an experienced trekker.

For more detailed information about Acute Mountain Sickness, you can download and study the manual below.

 

The Indiahikes Cancellation Policy 

We understand the pain of cancelling a trek. As trekkers, we always look forward to treks, and after months of training and planning, if we have to cancel our trek, there’s no greater disappointment than that. 

Given that, we have one of the most trekker-friendly cancellation policies. 

Take a look at the Indiahikes cancellation policy below. This policy is effective starting January 29th, 2020.

In the event that you cancel your trek, this is the cancellation policy we follow:

– Cancellation 30 days before the starting date of the trek — Get your full trek fee back in an Indiahikes Trek Voucher OR get a monetary refund with 15% cancellation charges.

– Cancellation between 30 days and 20 days before the starting date of the trek — Get 80% of the trek fee in an Indiahikes Trek Voucher OR get a monetary refund with 50% cancellation charges.

– Cancellation less than 20 days before the starting date of the trek — No monetary refund, get 50% of your fees in an Indiahikes Trek Voucher 

 

In the rare event that we cancel your trek, this is the cancellation policy we follow:

We almost never cancel our treks. But in case we cancel a trek because of natural calamities (snowstorms, thunderstorms, floods, landslides, earthquakes) or unexpected political unrest, curfews, local riots, government orders, Indiahikes will issue a voucher for the full amount of your trek fee (minus the trek insurance). You can redeem the Trek Voucher on any of our treks over the next one year.

Important note: The Trek Insurance amount is not refundable once it has been paid for. 

If you cancel any rental gear from our store:

• Cancellation of rental gear 7 days before the starting date of the trek — Get a monetary refund with 4% cancellation charges.
• Cancellation of rental gear less than 7 days before the starting date of the trek — Get a voucher of the whole amount you have paid for the rental gear. This voucher is applicable on your future treks.

If you cancel the offloading of your backpack:  

The offloading fee will be refunded to your account with a 4% transaction charge. 

If you choose to cancel your backpack offloading AFTER reaching the base camp, you will get a voucher of the offloading fee. 

Special Cases That Could Occur:

There are some special cases that could occur when you’re on a trek.

1. You may not be able to complete the trek because of bad weather, high snow conditions, or any natural calamity.

2. You may have to leave your trek abruptly (could be due to altitude sickness, abnormal BP, unpreparedness for the trek, any emergencies at home)

In the above two cases, you’re welcome to come back and repeat the same trek any time in future. You do not have to pay us for this. If you’d like to repeat your trek, get in touch with your Trek Coordinator and they’ll help you. 

Important note: Your offloading and rental fee will not be refunded in the above two cases.

3. You may not be able to report at the base camp at all (could be due to blocked roads / cancelled flights/curfews), we will try to accommodate you in the next day’s team (if we have one). 

In the third case, if we cannot accommodate you in the next day’s trek, we will give you a Trek Voucher of the entire trek fee (including your offloading and rental fee), which you can use on any Indiahikes trek within the next one year.

How to cancel your trek: 

In case, you wish to cancel your trek, follow these steps. 

1. Login to your Indiahikes Trek Dashboard using this link. 
2. Find your upcoming trek on your home page. 
3. Click on “Cancel Trek” 
4. Mention why you’re cancelling your trek on the form that appears.
5. Choose either a voucher or a refund (where applicable). 
6. Click on “Cancel Booking” 

How long does the refund process take?

After you have cancelled your trek, if you have opted for a refund, the refund amount will land in the same account that you have made the payment from. It will take 4-5 working days.

If you have chosen a trek voucher, it will land in your inbox within an hour. You will also be able to see it on your Trek Dashboard.

What is a Trek Voucher?

Trek Vouchers are credit amounts added to your Indiahikes account. You can redeem these on any of your future treks with Indiahikes. Every Trek Voucher has a validity of one year.

Important note: Indiahikes Trek Vouchers are non-refundable, not transferable to others or extendable. 

How to use an Indiahikes Trek Voucher?

If you have received an Indiahikes Trek Voucher, you will automatically see it when you are making a payment for your next trek. 

Once you click on the voucher and apply it, the system will deduct the voucher amount from your payable amount. 

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your Trek Coordinator. 

The Indiahikes “Repeat My Trek” Policy (trekkers love this!)

At Indiahikes, we can’t help but fall in love with a few trekking trails. And we love revisiting them, perhaps in other seasons, when treks take on a totally different hue. In such cases, we do not like the thought of having to pay for it. Our trekkers shouldn’t have to pay either.

So if you have loved a trek that you did with us and want to repeat it, you’re welcome to sign up for the trek. We will not charge you for this. (Many people think this is a rumour, but it’s true.) 

To repeat your trek for free, just get in touch with your Trek Coordinator. We’ll help you sign up with no charges. 

Note: The Indiahikes “Repeat My Trek” policy does not apply for our international treks.

Your trek fee includes:

1. Accommodation –  Stay is included from Day 1 to Day 5 (Kotgaon to Sankri). You will be staying in lodges at Kotgaon and Sankri and camping on remaining days of the trek (3 per tent).
2. Meals – All meals from dinner at Kotgaon on Day 1 to breakfast at Sankri on Day 6 are included. We provide simple, nutritious vegetarian food on all days of the trek.
3. Camping charges – All trekking permits and forest camping charges are included.
4. Trekking equipment – High-quality tents, sleeping bags, ice axes, roped, microspikes, gaiters etc. as required.
5. Safety equipment – First aid, medical kit, oxygen cylinders, stretchers etc.

Your trek fee does not include:

1. Transport to and from the base camp – We will arrange shared taxis for trekkers to pick you up from Dehradun and drop you back. This will cost approx. Rs. 5,500 per 5-6 seater vehicle one way. You will have to share this cost with the other trekkers
2. Food during transit to and from the base camp
3. Backpack offloading charges – Rs. 1,000 + 5% GST  for the full trek. The backpack cannot weigh more than 9 kg. Suitcases/strollers/duffel bags will not be allowed. Please note that charges will vary for last minute offloading in case you decide to offload your bag after reaching Naitwar (Rs.335 per day + 5% GST).
4. Anything apart from inclusions

In our years of experience as a trekking organisation, we have observed that adults imbibe lessons from the outdoors on a daily basis. Children are much more receptive to the world in their growing years. It is the perfect time to inculcate valuable lessons from trekking which will stay with them throughout their life.

On a family trek, not only are you exposing your child to trekking at a young age but you are also deepening your bond as a family. Trekking facilitates this sense of heightened bond as well their own personal growth.

Kedarkantha is right up there as one of the best treks for children.It’s a trek that comes with a huge sense of achievement upon climbing the summit at 12,500 ft! The bonus is that it covers short distances everyday and you’re at the next campsite before lunch!

This initiative is under the Experiential Learning Programme.

How Is It Different From A Regular Trek?

Family treks will have only families with their children of age limit 8 to 17. Children of age 13-17 can also join this trek without their parents.Further we also have scholarships for children trekking as part of the family treks. For 8 -12 year olds 50 % scholarship, and for 12-17 year olds a 30% scholarship.

Parents have the support and comfort of having other parents in the same group. Children will trek and be engaged in activities along with other children. This will encourage them to form meaningful bonds of friendship.

On the first day, we will organise the children into teams. They will be responsible for certain camp related activities and will switch roles every other day.

Here’s a peek into what the teams will do:

• The Camp set-up team oversees pitching of tents. They make sure pitching and dismantling is done properly. They also help those who need assistance.
• The Green Trails team ensures that everyone are engaged with keeping the trails and campsites clean. They oversee waste segregation. They see to it that the toilets and washing areas are set up and clean.
• The Cooking team assists the cook and helps in serving all meals. They ensure that all eat well and there is no wastage.
• The Trek Leader Assistants team assists the Trek Leader in keeping discipline with regard to timing. They will also aid those who are struggling or need any help.

Along with this there will also be co-operative games, star gazing on clear nights, story time, wilderness survival tips and knowledge sharing sessions.

Reflections at the end of each day will allow children to contemplate their learnings and experiences of the day. It’s a time of introspection and gratitude.

What Scholarships we provide

We are offering a scholarship to all children trekking with us on the exclusive family batches.

• 8 – 12 year olds – 50% scholarship
• 13 – 17 year olds – 30% scholarship

You can follow these steps to avail them:

Step 1: Click on the date that suits you on the selected trek page.

Step 2: Start the registration process. You will require unique emails IDs for all participants, including the children.

Step 3: For the scholarship – before making the payment, send an email with a proof-of-age of your child to [email protected] Any id card with the Date Of Birth will do.

Note: Mention the subject line as “Proof of age for (selected trek).”

Step 4: Our Trek Coordinator will get back to you within 24 hours with a voucher for your child.

Step 5: Make the payment once you get a thumbs up from the Trek Coordinator. 

Will My Child Be Safe on trek?

We understand that trekking with your child may cause you to worry about their safety. All our past family trekkers however have always found our treks to be safe.

Here are some of the commonly asked questions we receive from parents.

  – Who will ensure safety on the trek?

Our Trek Leaders are certified Wilderness First Responders.  They have been trained in wilderness survival and emergency medical aid. They are capable of taking care of any emergency on a trek.

Our staff is constantly in touch with each other though radio communication to ensure that all the children and safe and sound.

  – What safety gear do you carry? 

We carry fully stocked high altitude first aid kits, oxygen cylinders, ropes and stretchers. In addition to this these treks have easily accessible exit routes for any emergency evacuation.  Click on this link to watch a video about what equipment we use.

  – How do I prepare my children for a Himalayan Trek?

Active preparation is important for any trek, especially for children. Watch this video on how to get children trek fit. 

Also remember to pack the right things for the trek.

Our Experience With Children

In 2018 alone, we have taken 943 children below 18 years of age on our Himalayan treks. This is not counting the 1000+ school students we have taken on local and Himalayan treks.

There is no doubt that children naturally learn more in the outdoors. The joyful memories created and the natural learning experienced can last a lifetime!