Kedarkantha (3,810 m) in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand is consistently ranked as India's best beginner summit trek. Every winter, thousands of trekkers converge on the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park to walk through snow-laden forests and climb to a summit that rewards with a panoramic view of Swargarohini, Bandarpunch, Black Peak, Kala Nag and the distant Kedarnath range.
Here is everything you need to plan your Kedarkantha trek in 2026.
Day 1 — Dehradun to Sankri (200 km, ~8–9 hours drive) Most operators arrange shared SUVs from Dehradun. The drive takes you through Mussoorie, Purola and Mori into the Rupin valley. Sankri is a beautiful village at 1,920 m with good homestays and lodges. Acclimatise here, check gear, and sleep early.
Day 2 — Sankri to Juda Ka Talab (2,708 m) — 4 km, 3–4 hours The trail begins in Sankri village and climbs through oak and pine forests. The first proper camp, Juda Ka Talab, is built around a seasonal lake that freezes completely in January and February. On clear winter mornings, the reflection of Bandarpunch in the frozen lake surface is one of the most beautiful sights in Indian trekking.
Day 3 — Juda Ka Talab to Kedarkantha Base (3,450 m) — 4 km, 3–4 hours A short but gradual ascent through thick forest that eventually opens into the Kedarkantha meadow. Above the treeline, you get your first clear view of the summit. Camps here are exposed, so expect temperatures to drop to -10°C on winter nights.
Day 4 — Summit Day: Kedarkantha Base to Summit (3,810 m) and back to Hargaon (2,652 m) — 8 km, 6–8 hours This is the highlight of the trek. The summit push begins at 4:30–5:00 am to catch the sunrise. The climb is steep on the final 300 metres, but the trail is well-trodden and fixed with ropes during heavy snow periods. The 360-degree summit panorama — with 13 major Himalayan peaks visible — is the payoff. Descend to Hargaon camp for the night.
Day 5 — Hargaon to Sankri (2,652 m to 1,920 m) — 5 km, 3 hours A leisurely descent through forests back to Sankri. Debrief, hot meal and the drive back to Dehradun begins in the afternoon.
Day 6 (optional) — Buffer day for weather Responsible operators always include a buffer day. Weather windows can close quickly on Kedarkantha in January and February.
The forest: No other Himalayan trek passes through such dense, ancient oak and pine forest dusted with snow. The forest section between Sankri and Juda Ka Talab feels like walking through a calendar photograph for hours.
The accessibility: Sankri is 200 km from Dehradun — the closest major Himalayan summit trek to Delhi. Most trekkers do the entire return journey without a single flight.
The summit: At 3,810 m, Kedarkantha sits in the sweet spot — high enough to offer a true summit experience with spectacular panoramas, low enough to be safe for acclimatised beginners.
HeyHikers Kedarkantha packages cover: transport from Dehradun to Sankri and back, all meals on trek, tenting and camping equipment, guides and support staff, forest permits, and a first-aid-trained guide. Check current pricing on the trek page.
Kedarkantha is the trek that converts weekend travellers into lifetime Himalayan trekkers. If you have never stood on a summit and watched the Himalayas glow gold at sunrise, this is the trek to start with.