Introduction 

Trekking during winter is a challenge in itself because you feel more out of breath but the experience feels surreal, especially when you tread on the snow-covered grounds. With every new Trek, you need to prepare differently and pack your things accordingly. If you like this trek then you also like the Skandagiri Trek which uplifts your trekking experience.

List of Things for Kedarkantha Trek

Before traveling to any place, your identity documents should be with you so that you can gain better accessibility. For a trekking trip to Kedarkantha, ensure that you buy a backpack that can hold up to 70 liters of essentials. Invest in good trekking gear such as shoes, poles, and gloves so that you can easily traverse the challenging terrains. Since people mostly like to visit this place during winter, thermals and body warmers along with jackets and woolen clothes are a must because nights can become very cold. Other things like first aid kits, your prescribed medicines, flashlights, power banks, water and munchies, cameras for capturing memories, etc. are also required for this trek.

Best time to travel 

All seasons of the year are suitable for visiting Kedarkantha, with the exception of the monsoon season when the trails are hazardous due to heavy rain. If you want to enjoy the wonderful sensation of strolling on snow, having fun with friends engaging in snowball fights, building a snowman, or going skiing, you must travel during the winter months of December to the beginning of April. The chilly mountain climate is not suitable for everyone, though. During the spring and summer months of May and June and the autumn months of September, October, and mid-November, you may not be able to experience the complete beauty of the snowscape but the vibrancy of the valleys make up for it

Overview of the Trek

You could either fly into Jolly Grant Airport or take the rail into Dehradun, depending on what you think is the most viable option. From these locations, buses can be accessed, which will guarantee your arrival at your intended destination. You can rent a car in Delhi and drive over the scenic roadways to Sankri, a tranquil location about 200 kilometers far from Dehradun.

As you make your way to the scenic village of Sankri in the Uttarkashi District of Uttarakhand, which serves as the beginning point for various treks like the Har Ki Dun Trek and the Kedarkantha Trek, you will have to travel quite a few kilometers on day 1 itself. To complete your day, take the Sankri Zip Line Ride, visit the roaring Kempty Falls, and pray at the Lakhamandal Temple.

 Along this route, it is possible to see the wonderful locations of Nainbagh, Mori, and Purola, which are adorned by dense alpine forests and the clear waters of the Yamuna and Tons rivers. 

The following morning, you can leave for  Juda ka Talab Lake, which is situated at 2700 meters above sea level. When Lord Shiva chose to meditate here, it is believed that a strand of hair from his "Juda" (hair bun) was used to construct this water body, which now supplies water to other nearby streams. The water body is within the embrace of the alpine trees and mountains in the distance which look so majestic.

 There are around 4 kilometers of walking required before you get here, but it's worth it. Trekkers will ascend to the Kedarkantha Summit on day 3 within 3 hours, which is the highest point of the route (11250 feet). row of Oak and Pine trees with the soaring peaks of Bandarpoonch, Kalanag (which resembles the head of a snake), Swargarohini, and Ranglana peaks in the background make the perfect subject for a photographer's camera. Enjoy the pristine beauty of nature as the sun sets over the entire Har Ki Dun and Rupin valleys. 

Make the most of the opportunity because moments like these are rare. Try Kedarkantha Skiing if you like extreme sports. Pray at the famed Shiva and Ganesha Temple at the summit before going back to Hargaon. Go slow on day four because going downhill is a task. Towards the end of the trek, you will have to cover about 12 kilometers to reach the Hargaon Campsite at an altitude of 8900 ft. and settle for the night. Dance around the bonfire, share stories with fellow travelers, make new friends, and strengthen your bond with old friends. On your way back to Dehradun via Sankri, take some time out to explore the quaint area adorned with wooden houses and small shops.

Conclusion 

Kedarkantha Trek is filled with new experiences and you must carry all the things that will help make your trip even better. This vacation, explore the beauty of Uttarakhand and come back for more!