The short version
- 16 days, about 22km on foot, topping out at 3,810m. Rated Hard on Trail to Tides.
- 2Best in Dec – Apr.
- 3Starts from Sankri, reached via Dehradun.
- 4The itinerary gains height gently: no night above 3,000 m is more than 500 m higher than the one before.
- 5Operators charge ₹9,500 to ₹11,000 per person; 5 listed, 3 verified.
The trek
Overview
Kedarkantha is India's most popular winter summit trek — and for many trekkers, the first summit of their lives. From the village of Sankri in the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, the trail climbs through pine and oak forests dusted in snow before breaking into open meadows below the summit cone. It's one of the most accessible winter snow experiences in India, and the 360° panorama from 3,810m takes in Swargarohini and Bandarpunch to Gangotri and Kedarnath.
Right for you if
- First Himalayan trek: no technical skill or previous altitude needed
- You can climb steadily for 4–5 hours with a daypack, and start summit day at 4am
- Tent camping in snow is fine: nights around −10°C in Jan–Feb
- You can take 6 days off, Dehradun to Dehradun
Think twice if
- Long mountain drives make you sick: Dehradun to Sankri is 8–10 hours each way
- You hate being cold: winter nights in tents are well below freezing
- You're going after mid-April and want snow: by then most of it has melted
Season
When to go
Winter: expect snow on the trail and camps well below freezing at night, often -10°C or colder near the top. Days are short and summit pushes start in the dark.
Spring: longer days and rhododendrons lower down. Snow can linger on high ground into May, and afternoons often bring cloud or a shower.
More on the Himalayan seasons: When to go.
Travel
Getting there
Meet in
Dehradun
Nearest airport
Dehradun (Jolly Grant)
Nearest railway
Dehradun
By road
Dehradun to Sankri, about 200 km and 8 to 10 hours
Most operators run a shared pickup from Dehradun early on day one. Arrive the evening before so a late train or flight doesn't cost you the trek, and keep a buffer day at the end: mountain roads close for landslides and snow. Travel times are approximate.
Itinerary
Day by day
A typical plan, measured along the mapped trail: 20 km with about 1,840 m of climbing. The biggest day is day 1, climbing 890 m. Operators vary it a little.
- Day1
Sankri → Juda Ka Talab
Up through pine and oak forest to a small lake in a clearing
4.6 km890 m0 msleep at 2,813 m
- Day2
Juda Ka Talab → Kedarkantha Base
A short climb through oak and rhododendron to the open slopes below the peak
2.2 km260 m0 msleep at 3,063 m
- Day3
Kedarkantha Base → Hargaon
via Kedarkantha
The summit push starts around 3 am to top out at sunrise, then a long descent to camp
8.9 km680 m1,050 msleep at 2,728 m
- Day4
Hargaon → Sankri
Down through the forest to the road
4.2 km0 m790 msleep at 1,899 m
Altitude
Altitude and acclimatisation
Start
1,899 m
Highest night
3,063 m
Highest point
3,793 m
Know the warning signs before you go: Altitude sickness.
Fitness
How fit you need to be
Rated Hard. A fair benchmark before you go: jog 5 km in about 35 minutes, and manage a 4 to 5 hour hill walk with a pack.
What this trek asks of you, on the ACE scale from 0 to 5:
Take the Matchmaker to compare yourself against these scores, and use the 8-week plan to close any gaps. How ACE works.
Paperwork
Permits and paperwork
- Forest department permits for treks inside sanctuaries and national parks. Operators normally arrange them; carry original photo ID.
- Carry original government photo ID and a few photocopies.
- Rules and fees change. Ask your operator what's included and what you need to bring, two weeks before you go.
More detail: Permits and documents.
Kit
What to pack
For Kedarkantha Summit Trek in particular, on top of the standard layers:
- A down jacket rated to -10°C or lower, thermal bottoms, waterproof gloves, gaiters and microspikes (often provided)
- A warm down or synthetic jacket for nights near or below freezing
- Broken-in trekking shoes with ankle support, trekking poles, and a 25 to 35 litre daypack with a rain cover
The full list and how to layer: What to pack. The trek page has a tick-off checklist for this trek.
Safety
Safety on this trek
- Altitude is the main risk. Don't go higher with symptoms; descend if they get worse.
- Ice on the trail in winter: put microspikes on early, not after the first slip.
- Stay between the leader and the sweep, and respect the turnaround time on summit or pass days.
- Signal is scarce beyond the roadhead. Share your itinerary and your operator's emergency number with someone at home.
See also Trail craft and Insurance and emergencies.
Booking
Booking and cost
5 operators run this trek on Trail to Tides, from ₹9,500 to ₹11,000 per person. Prices usually cover the trek from the roadhead; check transport, permits and offloading.
- Trekmunk4.3₹9,500
- Trekup India4.2₹10,000
- Bikat Adventures4.7₹10,800
- Trek The Himalayas4.8₹10,900
- Indiahikes4.9₹11,000
What to ask before you pay: Choosing an operator.
Navigation
Offline map and GPX
Download the trail, with every overnight stop and its height, and load it on your phone before you lose signal.
Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors, via BRouter.
FAQ
Questions people ask
How difficult is the Kedarkantha Summit Trek?
It's rated Hard on Trail to Tides. A fair benchmark before you go: jog 5 km in about 35 minutes, and manage a 4 to 5 hour hill walk with a pack. The highest point is 3,810m, so pace and acclimatisation matter as much as fitness.
When is the best time for the Kedarkantha Summit Trek?
Dec – Apr. Winter: expect snow on the trail and camps well below freezing at night, often -10°C or colder near the top. Days are short and summit pushes start in the dark.
How many days does the Kedarkantha Summit Trek take?
6 days including travel to and from the trailhead, with 4 walking days. Add a buffer day for weather or road delays.
How do I reach the Kedarkantha Summit Trek?
Most groups meet in Dehradun. Nearest airport: Dehradun (Jolly Grant). Nearest railway: Dehradun. Dehradun to Sankri, about 200 km and 8 to 10 hours.
How much does the Kedarkantha Summit Trek cost?
Listed operators charge from ₹9,500 to ₹11,000 per person. Check what's included: transport, permits, meals, tents and offloading vary.
Do I need a permit for the Kedarkantha Summit Trek?
Forest department permits for treks inside sanctuaries and national parks. Operators normally arrange them; carry original photo ID.
This guide is built from Trail to Tides' trek data, mapped trails and operator listings, and checked by our team. Conditions change with weather and seasons: your trek leader's call on the day always comes first.