Difficulty
Difficult | Level 2
Duration
7 Days
Highest Altitude
15,500 ft
Age
15 to 62 years
Duration
7 Days
Age
15 to 62 years
Difficulty
Difficult | Level 2
Highest Altitude
15,500 ft
Kedartal Trek
A Rare Adventure Among Big Mountains
The Kedartal trek is for lovers of adventure. It is for those trekkers who have done a considerable amount of Himalayan treks and now want to push themselves. It is a difficult trek, with a truly magical experience to give in return for all the effort.
The trek climbs to the glacial Kedartal lake, sitting amid a cauldron of big mountains. Famous mountains of our country rise in front of you in this cauldron – Mt Thalaysagar, Mt Bhrigupanth, Manda Parvat, Mt Jogin, and Mt Gangotri. You camp in the shadow of the mighty Mt Thalaysagar and Mt Bhrigupanth.
Very few treks bring you so close to such big mountains. And fewer still allow you to spend so much time in their proximity. The closest we can think of is Goechala, and that is a big statement to make.
The trail is also extremely remote. There is no human habitation at this altitude. And you find very few trekking groups on this trail. This solitude, when seen in comparison to a lot of other unfortunately crowded trails, is a blessing.
The trail, however, has a lot of challenges. You start the trek at around 11,000 ft and climb to over 16,000 ft. This altitude gain happens in 3-4 days. Climbing boulders, and navigating steep ascents and descents on tricky terrain becomes infinitely more challenging when you are also trying to catch your breath. This needs sufficient physical and mental preparation.
This preparation and hard trekking are rewarded amply on this trek – there are lovely bhoj forests, vast high altitude meadows and then there is the indescribable serenity of the Kedartal lake. You complete the trek having a very high feeling of accomplishment.
Before we begin, here are some quick facts about the Kedartal trek:
The Kedartal Trek lies in the state of Uttarakhand. It begins and ends at the pilgrim town of Gangotri. It is approx. 30 km trek hiked over 4 days (7 days including a drive to and from the trek, and an acclimatization day) in the Himalayas. It is a difficult trek (more on this ahead on this page) that should be attempted only by experienced trekkers.
It lies in the Greater Himalayas and is known for its brilliant big mountain views of peaks like Mt Thalay Sagar, Mt Bhrigupanth, Manda Parvat, Mt Jogin and Mt Gangotri.
Kedartal Videos
Watch these videos to prepare for your Kedartal trek
Quick Itinerary
Study this chart to know how much altitude you would gain/lose every day on the Kedartal trek.
Day 1
Reach Gangotri from Dehradun
Drive distance: 242 km | Drive Duration: 8 hours
Transport will be arranged from Hotel Grand Legacy Dehradun at 6.00 am. Cab cost per vehicle will be Rs.8,000(5-6 seater). This is to be shared among trekkers and paid directly to the driver.
Day 2
Acclimatization day around Gangotri (10,052 ft)
Take a short trek up one of the trails around Gangotri and then return to base.
Day 3
Trek from Gangotri (10,052 ft) to Bhoj Kharak (13,220 ft)
Trek distance: 9 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours
Moderate-difficult. Steep ascent all the way. The terrain is rocky in many parts.
Day 4
Bhoj Kharak (13,220 ft) to Kedar Kharak (14,240 ft)
Trek distance: 4.25 km | Trek Duration: 3 hours
Moderate-difficult. 1 km of steep ascent followed by 3 km of moderate ascents and descents.
Day 5
Kedar Kharak (14,240 ft) to Kedartal (15,500 ft) and back to Kedar Kharak (14,240 ft)
Trek distance: 5.40 km | Trek Duration: 8 hours
Difficult. Continuously ascending trail over a rocky terrain.
Day 6
Kedar Kharak (14,240 ft) to Gangotri (10,052 ft)
Trek distance: 8.50 km | Trek Duration: 8 hours
Moderate. Continuously descending trail over a rocky terrain
Day 7
Gangotri to Dehradun
Drive distance: 242 km | Drive Duration: 8 hours
Cab cost per vehicle will be Rs.8,000 (5-6 seater). You will reach Dehradun between 6.00 PM and 7.00 PM.
Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending the weather conditions and the route you take. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.
IMPORTANT POINTS
- You will be staying in tents on all days of the trek.
- Trekkers must carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek.
Please note: Twin sharing tents may not be available in May, June, July and August. This is because raw materials for making tents are sourced from different countries. But their export has been affected due to international unrest. This has led to a global shortage of tents. Having said that, you'll still have comfortable space as these tents have been designed to accommodate three trekkers.
Study this chart to know how much altitude you would gain/lose every day on the Kedartal trek.
PRO-TIPS
Onward Journey:
While getting to Gangotri, we recommend you arrive a day earlier and stay at Dehradun (Day zero). Our vehicles can pick you up at Hotel Grand Legacy Dehradun (on Day 1). Staying at Dehradun gives you a well-deserved rest for the night. Plus some bonus sightseeing.
Indiahikes organises transport from Dehradun to Gangotri. The pick-up is at 6.00 am from Hotel Grand Legacy Dehradun. The cab fare is Rs.8000 per vehicle. This is not included in the trek fee. It is to be shared amongst trekkers and paid directly to the driver.
You will reach Gangotri at around 5.00 pm. The trek begins at Gangotri the next morning.
Return Journey:
On your return from the trek, you can get off at Mussoorie. If you do not want to get off at Mussoorie, the final stop of the vehicle is at the Hotel Grand Legacy Dehradun. You reach Dehradun between 6.00 and 7.00 pm.
Indiahikes organises transport from Gangotri to Dehradun. The cab fare from Gangotri to Dehradun is Rs.8000 per vehicle. This is to be shared by 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 further travel from Dehradun post 8.00 pm. If you are travelling to Delhi, you can choose to go back by Mussoorie Express or Nanda Devi Express.
Kedartal is Best Discovered Through Pictures
Mt Bhrigupanth
Picture by: Mahesh Srinivasan
Campsites at a Glance
At Indiahikes, we are very particular about choosing terrific campsites. For the Kedartal trek too, after a lot of back and forth, we have settled on these terrific campsites, which trekkers have come to love.
The Kedar Kharak campsite is buried in snow at 14,000 ft, in the shadows of Mt Thalaysagar and Mt Bhrigupanth. Picture by Sanjay Goel
Bhoj-Kharak Campsite. Picture by Atul Kini
Kedar Kharak Campsite. Picture by Sudheer Hegde
What I Like and Don't Like About the Kedartal Trek
What I Like About the Kedartal Trek
Know Your Trek
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 Kedartal 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.
PRO TIPS
Get your Trek Questions Answered Here
Over 20,000 people trek with Indiahikes each year and vouch for our unmatched safety standards.
Why fitness matters on Kedartal
On Difficult treks like Kedartal, expect extremely steep ascents and descents. Expect maximum altitudes above 15,000 ft, which can go up to 19,000+ ft. Technical sections (such as rockfall zones, near-vertical sections, glacier walks, boulder and scree sections) are an everyday affair. Some sections can only be crossed with the help of our Technical Staff.
Difficult treks are the most demanding, which is why we take only those trekkers with prior trekking experience on them.
To do a difficult trek, target running 10 km within 60 minutes consistently. This will be possible only if you can run 5 km within 30 minutes comfortably before signing up for a difficult trek.
Note: There is a strict fitness screening process for difficult treks. In addition, if you are above the age of 58 years, you'll need to submit a Treadmill Test report within 7 days of registration.
Trek Trivia
Why Pilgrims Throng at Gangotri
If you are visiting Gangotri in May-June, expect to see thousands of pilgrims at Gangotri. This happens especially during the Chardham yatra season. They throng here to see the source of the river Ganga, so sacred in Indian mythology.
It is said that King Bhagirath prayed to Lord Shiva for the salvation of the souls of his 60,000 sons. Shiva obliged and requested Goddess Ganga to release her water, which purified the ashes of Bhagirath’s sons. This mythological story elevated the status of the River Ganga as a means to purify one’s soul.
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