Kedarkantha — Local services in Uttarakhand

My experience is a long one. It started from delhi to dehradun flight, which I was about to miss, I was the last one who boarded. From starting this trek was totally exciting and unplanned. If you want to feel how this trek feels like in short, here it goes:

Kedarkantha Trek 30 Nov-05 Dec:

Day 1: Dehradun to Sankri (6 hrs) Left Dehradun at 0750 hrs in a traveller cab. Halted in between for Hot butter parantha Breakfast at Mussurie and first Gorgeous mountains view. Reached Sankri at 1515 Hrs. Mountain view hotel was prebooked for me. Met Trek Leader Mr. BAKSHI. O Took room kept luggage. Had tea and snacks. Took shower, hot water was provided. Marriage function was going on in Sankri Village. After dinner took stall in sankri village. For dinner, Delicious Rice saag daal and Gajar Halwa was served, it was too yummy.

Day 2 : Sankri to Juda ka Talab (3 hrs) Woke up at 0700 hrs. Sunrise was hitting the peaks of the snow clad mountains, view from my window was amazing. Bucket full of Warm water was provided to freshen up. Packed essentials only, kept extra luggage in room. Breakfast at 0900 Hrs, 3 hot parantha chane and Tea with the Mountain view. Left Sankri at 0930 hrs with my trek guide Ajay. Took 4 to 5 halts in between, tea stalls and maggi points were there. Reached Juda Ka Talab at 1230 hrs. Tent camp were already set up in Snow. But due to clear weather, sun was giving enough warmth to sit outside without shoes and jacket. Very pleasant weather for sun basking Had lunch at 1330 hrs. After getting tired, was hogging the plain Rice n Daal with salad n pickle. Trust me it tasted better than biryani. Trek guide ensured I have had enough rice to keep me going till dinner. We value something only in its absence. The sun was starting to hide behind the tall trees. It was getting chilly. The view of Juda Ka Talab was magnificent, surrounded by snow yet not frozen. Tired, got inside the tent. 1530 Hrs trek guide, called me for tea, to my surprise freshly fried hot pakoras were also served along with one of the best teas I have had in uttarakhand. The staff ensures you eat the warm n crunchy freshly fried ones only. 1700 Hrs hot soup was served along with popcorn inside the tent, am I on a trek ? or on a luxury stay ! 1800 hrs bonfire was setup. 1900 Hrs warm dinner was provided. Tasty kheer was also there in sweet dish Sat by bonfire till 2100 hrs then slept off Had a bad dream woke up at 0100 hrs. Slept again.

Day 3 : Juda ka talab to Base Camp (1.5 hrs) Woke up at 0730 Hrs, it was freezing outside. Had hot ginger tea and sun was up by 0800 Hrs Had breakfast, tea with hot pan cakes with honey, couldn't have been any other better way to start my day. Left camp at 0930 Hrs halted at talab for photography Left Juda Ka Talab at 0945 Hrs It was clear weather, sun was keeping you warmed up. Reached Base Camp at 1115 hrs Had lunch by 1300 Hrs. Sun was keeping the tents warmed up Was feeling tired. Slept off till 1500 Hrs It was very cold post 1700 hrs, don't want to spend another day here, will try to finish summit early and descend to Sankri by evening. Had dinner at 1900 Hrs. Slept off early.

Day 4 : Base camp to Kedarkantha Summit (2.5 Hrs) & back to Base Camp (2 Hrs) Woke up at 0300 Hrs it was dark. Started with only daypack water bottles caps and gloves, rest all things were left in tents at base camp Left base camp at 0400 Hrs in the moonlit snow mountains The climb, can not be described ever in words, its dangerous, its thrilling, it keeps your heart pumping. The peak was lit in the night by moon. Around 0600 hrs, near the horizon, it was getting red, hinting for sunrise, the race started between me and the sun who will touch the peak first. After that last risky climb near the edges, we reached Kedarkantha Peak at 0630 Hrs, before the sunrise. The moon was still up and stars were seeming within hands reach. It was not dark anymore but very windy n chilly, temperatures must be -10°C.

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This place is heaven . Located in the Western Garhwal region in the state of Uttarakhand, Kedarkantha Trek is one of the most popular winter treks going around.

This is also one of the few treks where a less experienced trekker can get a winter trek experience in less than a week’s time. kedarkantha trek package

The trip commences from Dehradun, from where you drive to the small, but pretty village of Sankri. The village is inside Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to diverse species of flora and fauna.

Hiking towards Juda Ka Talab – the highlight of the Kedarkantha trekking tour – come across Saud Village and witness the traditional way of life without modern technologies. kedarkantha trek height

Juda Ka Talab is a mesmerizing pond, surrounded by lush pastures, and forests of maple, oak and Morinda spruce trees. The trek route offers a breathtaking view of snowy mountains, peaks, deodar & pine forest, waterfalls, bugyals (high altitude meadow), wildlife and rare Himalayan birds.  One can view the majestic peaks of Swragarohini, Bandarpoonch and Kala Nag from a close range.

For ages, the land has been known for temples and shrines with sacred mythological attachments.  Duryodhana, the eldest of Kauravas, is worshipped here.  kedarkantha trek difficulty

This trek route is virtually a paradise for the botanists, bird watchers, photographers, nature lovers, foot loose trekkers and anyone connected with nature in exploring and learning in an unconventional way.

With charming and captivating sights of snow clapped Himalayas, the verdant greenery, lush landscapes, myriad collection of flora, frozen ponds, to the sights of mesmerizing peaks, this trek have all the delightful marvels that a trekker wish to experience and view in his journey.

Not only for the adventure seekers and trekkers, to enjoy thrilling challenges, the Kedarkantha Trek is an ideal destination for the nature lovers to bask in the beauty of undisturbed nature and enjoy delightful and blissful moments with exhilarating experiences.

Folk tales of Kedarkantha

At the trek top, there is a stone-sheeted shrine of Lord Shiva, which is bordered by snow-covered mountains all around. A Trishul is positioned on the shrine’s ground, pointing towards the great blue sky.

Locals visit the top every now and then to pay their respect at the shrine, and a small temple below is- also at the summit- that houses a statue of Lord Ganesha in peak summer every year.

People here believe in the fact that if the summer experiences no rainfall, laying Ganesha’s statue on the ground would result in good rain. Lord Shiva and the Bull story According to the Kedarkantha legend, Lord Shiva sat at the summit to meditate but was disturbed by a bull, which was running below.

So he went to Kedarnath, a town in Uttarakhand, to meditate afterwards. The Pandava legend Another local myth relates to the Pandavas, who went to the Himalayas to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings.

However, he hid from Bheem and disguised himself as a bull. But, Bheem recognised him and went after him. So Shiva hid underground. When he rushed out from his hiding place, he let his body parts get divided, and each part fell at a different place.

His throat fell on the Kedarkantha, thus earning the peak its name- transliteration- “the throat of Lord Shiva”. The myth resembles the story of Panch Kedar, a set of five Shiva temples- Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar- located in Uttarakhand’s...

Kedarkantha is a breathtaking winter trek located in the Uttarakhand region of India. It is one of the most popular treks in the region, offering majestic views of the snow-capped Himalayas. The trek takes you through dense forests, quaint villages, and scenic meadows, providing a truly magical experience.

The trek starts from a village called Sankri, which is the base camp for several other treks as well. From there, you will gradually ascend through beautiful pine and oak forests, witnessing the stunning surroundings along the way. As you gain altitude, the landscapes transform, and you'll find yourself surrounded by snow-covered peaks and sprawling valleys.

Kedarkantha Peak stands at an elevation of approximately 12,500 feet (3,800 meters). Reaching the summit offers panoramic views of some of the famous Himalayan peaks, including Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, and Black Peak. The summit climb is generally done early in the morning to catch the sunrise, which adds to the enchantment of the entire experience.

As with any trek, it is recommended to be physically fit and adequately prepared. The level of difficulty for the Kedarkantha trek is moderate, making it suitable for both experienced trekkers and beginners. However, it is always advisable to ensure that you have the necessary gear, warm clothing, and a trained guide when undertaking such treks.

In addition to the stunning natural landscapes, you will also have the opportunity to interact with the locals in the villages along the way. This gives you a glimpse into their way of life, culture, and traditions, making the trek an enriching cultural experience as well.

Overall, the Kedarkantha trek offers a memorable and captivating adventure for nature lovers and trekking enthusiasts. It is a perfect blend of scenic beauty, thrill, and serenity, making it a must-do trek for anyone visiting the...