Kedarkantha
Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, India • 31.02°N, 78.15°E
📖 About Kedarkantha
- ✦Summit sits at 3,394 metres with 360-degree Himalayan views spanning Swargarohini and Bandarpoonch peaks
- ✦December to April brings 2-4 feet snow cover making this India's most attempted winter trek
- ✦Six-day trek covers 20 km through pine forests starting from Sankri village at 1,950m
- ✦No mobile network after Sankri and limited homestays require advance booking in peak season
The six-day Kedarkantha trek covers 20 km from Sankri village at 1,950m to the summit at 3,394m, climbing through oak and pine forests, crossing Juda Ka Talab lake at 2,700m, and reaching base camp at 3,000m before the final 4 am push to the peak. December through April brings reliable snow cover of 2-4 feet, with January and February seeing temperatures drop to -7.5°C to -8.2°C (17.5-18°F) at night. Around 5,000 trekkers attempt the summit each winter season, making this the most popular snow trek in India by numbers.
The summit delivers 360-degree views spanning Swargarohini (6,252m), Bandarpoonch (6,316m), Kala Nag, and Ranglana peaks across the Garhwal and Kinnaur ranges. The route passes through Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, home to Himalayan black bears (rarely seen) and langurs (common near campsites). Local legend connects the peak to Lord Shiva, though no temple exists at the summit itself - the nearest active shrine stands at Kedarnath 90 km southeast. Most trekking agencies use Sankri as base, a village with 15-20 homestays and two ATMs that often run dry on weekends.
The moderate gradient suits first-time high-altitude trekkers, though summit day involves a 1,000m climb over 6 km that takes 5-6 hours. Altitude sickness hits 10-15% of trekkers above base camp, and the final ascent gets steep with 30-degree snow slopes requiring microspikes.
🎯 Things to Do in Kedarkantha
The 3,394m peak requires a 4 am start from base camp at 3,000m covering 1.5 km in 2-3 hours through 30-degree snow slopes. Summit window runs 6:30-8 am for clear views of Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, and Black Peak ranges before clouds roll in. Around 80-100 trekkers attempt summit daily in peak December-January season creating queues on the final ridge.
The alpine lake at 2,700m sits 4 km from Sankri village making it the first night's campsite for most trekking groups. The lake freezes completely from January to March with ice thickness reaching 6-8 inches by February. Mobile network disappears here and temperatures drop to -5°C (23°F) at night requiring 4-season sleeping bags.
The 5 km section between Sankri and Juda Ka Talab passes through dense oak and pine forests at 2,200-2,500m elevation. December to February brings snow accumulation of 1-2 feet on this stretch requiring gaiters and proper trekking poles. Langur groups appear regularly near the forest edge around 3-4 pm during feeding hours.
Sankri at 1,950m serves as trek base with 15-20 family-run homestays charging Rs 500-800 per night including basic meals (confirm locally — rates vary by season). The village has two ATMs that frequently run out of cash on weekends during December-January rush. BSNL provides intermittent 2G connectivity while Airtel and Jio networks stop working after Purola 40 km before Sankri.
Base camp sits at 3,000m elevation, 3 km uphill from Juda Ka Talab through open meadows that get buried under 3-4 feet snow in January-February. Most groups spend the night here in tents before the 4 am summit push. Portable toilets serve 50-60 trekkers per campsite and water sources freeze requiring snow melting for drinking needs.
📅 Best Time to Visit
| Month | Low °C | High °C | Rain (mm) | Humid % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 🌤️ | -7.5 | 13.8 | 56 | 55% |
| Feb | 🌤️ | -8.2 | 15.9 | 56 | 56% |
| Mar | 🌤️ | -4.4 | 19.7 | 68 | 58% |
| Apr | 🌤️ | 1.2 | 23.0 | 54 | 54% |
| May | 🌤️ | 5.1 | 26.6 | 71 | 54% |
| Jun | 🌦️ | 8.7 | 27.5 | 138 | 63% |
| Jul | 🌧️ | 12.3 | 25.0 | 350 | 86% |
| Aug | 🌧️ | 12.0 | 22.4 | 332 | 89% |
| Sep | 🌦️ | 9.1 | 21.8 | 165 | 82% |
| Oct | 🌤️ | 3.1 | 19.8 | 22 | 64% |
| Nov | 🌤️ | -0.4 | 17.2 | 12 | 52% |
| Dec | 🌤️ | -5.6 | 15.8 | 16 | 45% |
📡 Data Source: NASA POWER
Climate figures are 11-year averages from NASA POWER satellite data. Values represent conditions for the broader Uttarkashi region, not exclusively Kedarkantha. Actual conditions at this specific location may vary due to local elevation and terrain. Always check a local forecast before travel.
🚗 How to Reach Kedarkantha
💡 Visitor Tips
Pack for -10°C (14°F) nights at base camp during January-February with a 4-season sleeping bag rated to -15°C, thermal inners, down jacket, waterproof trekking pants, gaiters, and microspikes for summit day snow slopes.
Book treks 3-4 weeks ahead for December-January peak season when most operators fill their 15-person batch sizes, and obtain Govind Wildlife Sanctuary permit through your trekking operator as individual permits require office visits to Uttarkashi Forest Office 85 km away.
Roads from Purola to Sankri involve 40 km of narrow single-lane stretches with hairpin bends where SUVs or Tempo Travellers work best, while sedans struggle with ground clearance on uneven patches during December-March snow season.
Sankri has two ATMs that run dry on weekends during peak months and UPI does not work reliably after Purola due to poor network, so carry Rs 5,000-8,000 cash per person for homestay payments, porter tips, and emergency expenses.
Most trekkers stay in Sankri village homestays charging Rs 500-800 for basic rooms with shared toilets and Rs 1,200-1,800 for rooms with attached bathrooms and hot water (confirm locally — rates vary by season).
📍 More Places in Uttarkashi
🗺️ Nearby Places
Tourist destinations within ~50km of Kedarkantha
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📚 About This Page
This travel guide for Kedarkantha covers key information for visitors including best time to visit, how to reach, things to do, and practical tips. Kedarkantha is located in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, India at an elevation of 3394 metres above sea level. Climate data on this page is sourced from NASA POWER and represents 11-year regional averages.