The Kedarkantha trek is one of Uttarakhand’s most popular winter Himalayan walks, and a common first snow trek for Indian trekkers. It climbs from the road-head village of Sankri, in Uttarkashi district, through pine and oak forest to a broad summit ridge that carries deep snow from about late December to March. This guide covers the route, the best months, how to reach the base, difficulty and altitude safety, permits and fees, and a realistic budget, with every volatile figure dated.
The Kedarkantha trek is a winter Himalayan trek in Uttarakhand’s Govind Pashu Vihar (Govind Wildlife Sanctuary), with a summit of about 3,800 m (12,500 ft). It starts from Sankri village, runs roughly 20 km over the walking days, and is graded easy to moderate, best done from December to April.
About the trek and quick facts
Kedarkantha is a summit and a trekking route in the western Garhwal Himalaya. The peak sits inside Govind Pashu Vihar, a sanctuary and national park established in the 1950s that also protects the Har Ki Dun and Ruinsara valleys.
The walk is loved because it packs a genuine snow summit into a short, forgiving itinerary. You gain height steadily through forest, camp beside frozen clearings, and reach an open ridge with wide views of Swargarohini, Bandarpunch and Black Peak. It suits fit beginners with no prior Himalayan experience.
The trek shares its base, Sankri, with several other routes, so the village stays busy through the season. The figures below are the ones most commonly cited by operators and verified against Wikipedia and sanctuary sources this session.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| State and district | Uttarakhand, Uttarkashi district |
| Protected area | Govind Pashu Vihar (Govind Wildlife Sanctuary) |
| Base village | Sankri, about 1,950 m |
| Summit altitude | about 3,800 m (12,500 ft) |
| Trek distance | about 20 km round trip on foot |
| Days on the trail | 4 walking days (5-6 day trip ex-Dehradun) |
| Grade | Easy to moderate |
| Best season | December to April |
For context on other Uttarakhand hill journeys before or after the trek, see our overview of the hill stations of Uttarakhand. Many trekkers pair Sankri with a few recovery days in the mountains.
Best time to do it
The trek runs mainly from December to April. Snow, crowds and comfort shift a lot across those months, so pick your window by what you want: deep powder, thinner crowds, or an easier walk on firmer ground.
December brings the first reliable snow and heavy festive-week crowds. January and February hold the deepest snow and the coldest nights. March and April see snow thinning to the upper sections as trails dry out.
| Season | Months | Snow and conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early winter | December | Fresh snow builds by mid to late month; nights below freezing | Very busy over Christmas and New Year weeks |
| Deep winter | January to mid-February | Deepest, most reliable snow; nights can fall to around -10°C to -15°C on the tops | Microspikes needed; the classic “snow” window |
| Late winter | Late February to mid-March | Thick snow up high, slightly milder days, longer daylight | Good balance of snow and comfort |
| Spring | Late March to April | Snow retreats to near the summit, then clears; drier, faster trails | Easier underfoot; less guaranteed snow |
Temperatures are indicative winter normals for the trail, not a forecast. Day temperatures broadly sit around 0°C to 12°C, with much colder nights at the higher camps. Always check a current forecast and local advice before you set out.
How to reach the base
Every itinerary funnels through Dehradun, the Uttarakhand capital and the nearest city with an airport and a major railway station. From Dehradun it is a long road day to Sankri, the last road-head before the sanctuary.
By air: Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport (about 25-30 km from the city) has daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai and other metros. From the airport you continue by road to Sankri.
By rail: Dehradun (station code DDN) is well connected to Delhi. The overnight Nanda Devi Express (12205) leaves New Delhi around 23:50 and reaches Dehradun near 05:40, which lines up neatly with an early drive to Sankri. The Dehradun Shatabdi and Jan Shatabdi run in daytime. Confirm live timings on IRCTC or NTES before booking, as numbers and schedules change.
By road: From Dehradun to Sankri is roughly 200 km and takes about 8-10 hours, climbing via Mussoorie, Nowgaon, Purola, Mori and Netwar. Shared taxis and operator vehicles run in season; you can also self-arrange a private cab. Most trek packages include this transfer both ways.
| Leg | Mode | Distance / time |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi to Dehradun | Train (Nanda Devi Exp 12205) | about 200 km, roughly 6 hours overnight |
| Delhi to Dehradun | Air to Jolly Grant | about 1 hour flight |
| Airport to Dehradun city | Road | about 25-30 km |
| Dehradun to Sankri | Road (taxi / shared) | about 200 km, 8-10 hours |
If you are already exploring the state, the drive shares much of its early stretch with routes towards Rishikesh; see our Rishikesh yoga and adventure guide for a gentler start or finish to a Uttarakhand trip.
The route, day by day
The classic loop walks Sankri to Juda Ka Talab, on to the Kedarkantha base area, up to the summit and back down, usually descending to Sankri over four walking days. Distances and altitudes below are the commonly cited figures; exact camps vary by operator and by snow.
Day 1: Arrive Sankri (about 1,950 m)
Drive from Dehradun and settle into Sankri, a working mountain village with guesthouses, small shops and forest offices. Rest, collect any rental gear, and complete permit formalities. This is your last point for reliable mobile network and supplies.
Day 2: Sankri to Juda Ka Talab (about 2,700 m)
A short first day of roughly 4 km, taking 3-4 hours through dense pine and oak. Juda Ka Talab is a forest clearing with a lake that freezes over in deep winter. The gentle gain helps your body begin to adjust.
Day 3: Juda Ka Talab to Kedarkantha base (about 3,400 m)
Another 4 km, about 3-4 hours, as the forest thins into open meadow slopes with the summit ridge ahead. The base area offers the first big views and is the launch point for summit morning. Nights here are the coldest of the trek.
Day 4: Summit (about 3,800 m) and descend
The long day. Most groups start around 3-4 am to reach the summit near sunrise, climbing roughly 3 km and about 400 m of height over snow. The top opens a wide arc of peaks. You then descend the same way, usually to Juda Ka Talab or Sankri for the night.
Day 5: Descend to Sankri and drive out
A short descent completes the roughly 20 km round trip on foot, followed by the long road transfer back to Dehradun. Build in buffer time, as winter road conditions can slow the drive considerably.
Difficulty, fitness and AMS safety
Kedarkantha is graded easy to moderate. There is no technical climbing, but you walk on snow at altitude, in cold, with daily gains and one long summit push. Steady cardio fitness, built over four to six weeks of walking or jogging, makes the trek far more enjoyable.
The summit at about 3,800 m is high enough to bring on acute mountain sickness (AMS) in some people. The trek’s short, steady profile helps, but do not treat altitude casually.
The US CDC’s Yellow Book advises that once above 3,000 m you should raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m per day, and take a rest day at the same altitude every three to four days (CDC Yellow Book 2026). Kedarkantha’s staged camps broadly follow this, but individual response varies.
Watch for headache, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite and disturbed sleep. The CDC’s core rule is that the most reliable treatment for altitude illness is to descend, typically by 300 to 1,000 m, and to not go higher while symptoms persist. Tell your guide early. Ascending with worsening symptoms is dangerous.
Discuss preventive medication such as acetazolamide with a doctor before you travel; this guide is general information, not personal medical advice. Trekkers with heart or lung conditions should seek medical clearance first.
Permits and fees
Because the route lies inside Govind Pashu Vihar, every trekker needs a forest entry and camping permit. These are issued at the forest check post in Sankri, or at the Divisional Forest Office in Purola on the way in. Any trail beyond Sankri requires this permit.
As of September 2026, the commonly cited sanctuary entry fee is about ₹150 per Indian visitor and about ₹600 per foreign visitor, typically valid for around three days, with separate camera charges (around ₹200 for still photography). Students may get a partial discount with a valid institution ID.
These figures come from operator and travel-guide sources, not from an official Uttarakhand Forest Department page this session, so treat them as indicative. Fees, camping rules and camp locations change, and note that the Uttarakhand High Court has restricted overnight camping on high alpine meadows in the state. Confirm the current fee, permitted campsites and any per-day camping charge at the Sankri forest office before you start, and carry photo ID.
What it costs
Costs split between the guided package and your own transport, gear and extras. Most people book an operator package ex-Dehradun that bundles the road transfers, camps or stays, meals on the trail, permits, guide and safety support.
The figures below are indicative ranges as of September 2026, in Indian rupees, for a standard 5-6 day group trek. They assume a shared package, budget transport from Delhi to Dehradun, and modest personal spending. Premium operators and private trips cost more.
| Item | Estimate (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi to Dehradun return | 1,200 – 3,500 | Train sleeper/AC or bus; flights cost more |
| Dehradun to Sankri transfer | often included | Bundled in most packages; shared taxi otherwise |
| Operator package (5-6 days) | 8,000 – 13,000 | Camps, meals on trail, permits, guide, safety kit |
| Forest entry and camping permit | 150 – 600+ | Indian vs foreign; camera extra; reconfirm locally |
| Gear rental (spikes, gaiters, jacket) | 500 – 1,500 | Optional; per-item daily rates in Sankri/Dehradun |
| Personal extras and tips | 500 – 1,500 | Snacks, ATMs, porter or mule if hiring |
| Typical per-person total | 10,000 – 18,000 | Ex-Delhi, shared group trek |
Carry enough cash for the trail. Digital payments are unreliable above Purola, and there are no working ATMs at Sankri.
What to pack
Winter here is cold and snowy, and getting the layers right matters more than any single expensive item. Pack for wet snow, wind and sub-zero nights, and keep pack weight sensible.
- Layers: thermal base layers, a fleece or mid-layer, and an insulated down or synthetic jacket
- Waterproof shell jacket and trousers, plus warm hat, buff and two pairs of gloves
- Sturdy, waterproof high-ankle trekking boots, well broken in
- Microspikes and gaiters for snow; a trekking pole or two for balance
- UV sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen and lip balm; snow glare is strong
- Headlamp with spare batteries for the pre-dawn summit start
- Reusable water bottles or a thermos, personal medicines and a small first-aid kit
- Thermal socks, a warm sleeping-bag liner, and quick-dry clothing
Rent bulky items such as microspikes and heavy jackets in Sankri or Dehradun if you trek only occasionally, rather than buying gear you will rarely use.
Practical tips
A few local realities make the trip smoother. Sankri is the last dependable point for mobile network, so tell family your plans before you leave the village; signal on the trail is patchy to absent.
Draw cash in Dehradun, and top up at Purola if needed, since Sankri has no reliable ATM. Download offline maps and any documents before you lose signal.
A local guide is strongly recommended and, in deep snow, effectively essential for route-finding and safety; most trekkers go with an organised group. Start summit day early, keep a slow steady pace, and turn back if weather or your body says so. For a very different high-altitude trip once you have snow experience, our Ladakh travel guide covers acclimatisation at much greater heights.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kedarkantha trek difficult?
Kedarkantha is graded easy to moderate and is a common first Himalayan trek. There is no technical climbing, but you walk on snow at altitude with one long summit day. Four to six weeks of cardio preparation makes it comfortable for most reasonably fit beginners.
What is the best time for the Kedarkantha trek?
The trek runs from December to April. January and February hold the deepest, most reliable snow and the coldest nights. December is busy over the festive weeks, while late March and April offer thinner snow and easier, drier trails underfoot.
Do you need a permit for Kedarkantha?
Yes. The route lies inside Govind Pashu Vihar, so every trekker needs a forest entry and camping permit, issued at the Sankri forest check post or the Purola forest office. Carry photo identification, and reconfirm the current fee and camping rules locally before starting.
How high is Kedarkantha?
The Kedarkantha summit is about 3,800 m (12,500 ft) above sea level, in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. The base village of Sankri sits near 1,950 m, so the trek gains roughly 1,850 m of height across its staged camps over four walking days.
How long is the Kedarkantha trek?
On foot, the round trip is about 20 km, usually spread over four walking days. Including the long road transfers from Dehradun, most people plan a five to six day trip. Distances vary slightly with the exact camps and snow conditions.
Is Kedarkantha safe for altitude sickness?
The staged, gradual ascent lowers the risk, but at about 3,800 m acute mountain sickness is still possible. Watch for headache, nausea and dizziness, ascend slowly, and descend if symptoms worsen. Consult a doctor about preventive medication and any pre-existing heart or lung conditions.
Last updated and sources
This guide draws on public geographic records, the sanctuary framework, railway information and government health guidance, cross-checked with trek operators for logistics. Volatile figures such as fees, transport and package prices change with the season.
Last updated: 25 September 2026. Fees, permits and conditions change – reconfirm before you go.
Sources: Wikipedia: Kedarkantha (summit altitude, coordinates, district); Wikipedia: Sankri (base village altitude, distance from Dehradun); Wikipedia: Govind Pashu Vihar National Park (protected-area status); Wikipedia: Nanda Devi Express and IRCTC / NTES (train timings, to be reconfirmed); CDC Yellow Book 2026, High-Altitude Travel and Altitude Illness (AMS ascent and descent guidance); and trek-operator and travel-guide sources consulted for itinerary distances, indicative permit fees and budget ranges. Accessed September 2026.
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