Planning the Dream Trek to Kedarkantha
Going on a Himalayan expedition is still a dream for many who fantasize about mountains and nature’s pure beauty. Imagine finding yourself in the lap of majestic peaks, away from traffic noise, mobile networks, and pollution. Would you miss such an opportunity? I certainly wouldn’t—and I decided to create that opportunity for myself by visiting the snow-capped mountains and magical snow-laden trails of the Kedarkantha Trek.
I’d heard that Kedarkantha is one of the most beautiful snow treks in the Indian Himalayas. Ever since, I’d been dreaming of being there. Finally, I made it—and I’d love to share my experience of how truly blessed I feel to have visited this divine corner of the Himalayas. The cherry on top was planning the trek with Himalayan High (HH) as our trekking partner.
Pic 1: Mesmerizing view from Kedarkantha trek
Reaching Sankri – The Base Camp for Kedarkantha Trek
To begin the Kedarkantha trek, we first had to reach Sankri, a beautiful village in Uttarakhand’s Jaunsar region. HH communicated our meeting point as early as 7 AM outside Dehradun Railway Station, where transport was arranged to drive us to Sankri.
The journey was scenic, following the river Yamuna through winding mountain roads. After about 8 hours of driving with breaks, we finally reached Sankri, our first camp. There, Mother Nature greeted us with cold mountain breezes and a stunning sunset behind towering peaks. We were welcomed with warm drinks, which felt incredibly soothing in the crisp cold air.
We settled into cozy lounges, opting for the first floor so we could enjoy an open view stretching all the way to the snow-capped peaks of the Swargarohinis—known locally as ‘Char Sing’. The first day was dedicated to meeting the support team and learning about the trek ahead.
Pic 2: Our cozy campsite in Sankri
Trek to Juda Ka Talab – First Day of the Trek
Our excitement was sky-high as we set off toward Juda Ka Talab on Day 2. Before we started, our trek leader gave us safety instructions and a list of dos and don’ts for the trek. Everyone was eager to touch the snow we’d be surrounded by for the next four days.
After about 3-4 hours of climbing, we encountered our first snow patches—and we ran to touch it like children, thrilled and laughing. Our second campsite was Juda Ka Talab, meaning “the frozen lake.” Here, we were advised not to walk on the ice with spikes, as it could break and send us plunging into freezing water.
Being the first day of the trek, some of us felt exhausted and took a short rest. Meanwhile, HH served us tea, coffee, and cookies to revive our spirits.
Pic 3: The frozen lake—Juda Ka Talab
Trek to Kedarkantha Base – Second Day of the Trek
Day 3 was slightly tougher than the day before. We trekked over deep snow, and several stretches were slippery, where our microspikes saved us from slipping. The Kedarkantha base camp turned out to be the most beautiful campsite of all, offering our first glimpse of the snow-covered Kedarkantha Peak.
That evening, we gathered for instructions about summit day. We were to wake at 2:00 AM and start our climb by 2:30 AM to witness the magical sunrise from the peak.
One of the most exciting parts of the day was when HH took us to a spot where the snow was about two feet deep, so we could practice sliding and learn tips for climbing and descending on snow. We even built a snowman, and the fun escalated into a snowball fight targeting unsuspecting teammates who had skipped the instructions!
Throughout the day, we were well-fed with warm breakfasts, delicious meals, and plenty of hot drinks.
Pic 4: Fun in the snow at Kedarkantha base camp
Pic 5: Building our snowman
The Ultimate Day – Summiting the Kedarkantha Peak
At around 3:30 AM, we had an early breakfast and packed some oranges for the trail. Equipped with torches in one hand and trekking poles in the other, we set off into the icy darkness. Personally, after about four hours of climbing, I almost gave up. It was a tough climb with several challenging sections. But our trek leader encouraged me to push on—and I’m so grateful he did.
At precisely 7:00 AM, we reached the summit. As the sun rose, painting the peaks in golden hues, I realized one important truth: “To rise up with the sun, you must walk through the dark nights.”
Standing on Kedarkantha Peak at 12,800 ft. was an unforgettable moment. The views of snow-capped mountains all around were soul-stirring, making me feel as though I was in conversation with the mountains themselves, silently promising: “I will definitely come back again.”
The descent was much easier—and pure fun—as we slid down over 100 meters of soft snow, then indulged in hot Maggi noodles at camp. Even as we relaxed back at base, the summit view refused to fade from my mind. Part of me wished I could stay up there forever.
That evening, knowing it was our last night, we decided to celebrate at camp. We played music, lit a small campfire, and shared life stories that bonded us closer as a group.
Pic 6: Sunrise from the Kedarkantha summit
Pic 7: Pure joy on the snowy slopes
The Final Good-Bye
Finally, it was time to say goodbye to the snow—a moment that broke my heart for a few seconds. After breakfast, we trekked back from Hargaon to Sankri. Once in Sankri, we rested for a while. Someone suggested we cook something special for the HH team who had supported us throughout our journey. So we planned a small barbecue and drinks party that evening.
That final night was magical. Some people shared deep conversations, others played guitar, some sipped drinks, and eventually, everyone ended up singing together under the stars.
The next morning, we boarded our cab back to “home sweet home.” But in truth, it felt as if I had left a piece of my heart behind in the mountains.
Pic 8: Last night’s campfire celebrations