Kedarkantha in 6 days from Dehradun
Dehradun to Sankri (≈ 1,950 m)
Leave early and drive about 190 km via Mussoorie, Naugaon, Purola and Mori, 8-10 hours. Evening walk in Sankri and a gear check.
Sankri to Juda ka Talab (≈ 2,780 m)
About 4 km, 3-4 hours, climbing steadily through pine and oak forest to the small lake in a clearing. Camp nearby.
Juda ka Talab to Kedarkantha Base (≈ 3,400 m)
About 4 km, 2-3 hours, through fir forest to open slopes with a view of the summit. Short day to rest and acclimatise.
Summit (≈ 3,800 m) and descent
Start around 3-4 am with head torches, reach the top for sunrise, then descend to Juda ka Talab or Hargaon. About 10-12 km, 7-9 hours in all.
Back to Sankri
About 4-6 km downhill, 3 hours. Hot meal and a shower in Sankri.
Sankri to Dehradun
Leave early and reach Dehradun by evening.
How to make the itinerary safer
- Keep one spare day in winter in case snow blocks the road or bad weather delays the summit.
- If you feel headache, nausea or breathlessness at base camp, tell your guide and do not go higher.
- Drink 3-4 litres of water a day, even in the cold.
- Turn-around time on summit day is set by your guide; respect it.
Kedarkantha Itinerary: FAQs
What is the total distance of the Kedarkantha trek?
About 20-24 km on foot from Sankri and back, depending on the route your group takes on the descent.
Can Kedarkantha be done in 3 days?
Some groups do it in 3-4 days from Sankri by merging camps, but it is harder and leaves less time to acclimatise. Five days from Sankri is more comfortable.
What time do you start on the summit day?
Usually between 3 and 4 am, to reach the top around sunrise and come down before the snow softens.
