Overview
Kedarkantha is a classic Himalayan winter summit rising to about 12,500 ft, famous for its snow-covered trails, sunrise views, and beginner-friendly route. Starting from the village of Sankri in Uttarakhand, the trek usually spans 4–6 days, covering roughly 18–20 km in total, which makes it ideal for Indian youth, first-timers, and backpackers short on time.
On the Kedarkantha Trek with Trip To Ocean, group sizes are kept small, typically 10–12 trekkers, so that the guide can genuinely look after everyone and not just “lead from the front.” The vibe is adventurous but friendly, with trek leaders who speak politely, explain the route clearly, and constantly check how you are feeling rather than rushing you to camp.
The route takes you from Sankri to the beautiful forest campsite of Juda Ka Talab, then to Kedarkantha Base, and finally to the summit, before descending back via base and Sankri. Expect dense pine and oak forests, wide snowfields, and a dramatic summit ridge where sunrise paints the Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, and other peaks in shades of orange and pink. The daily altitude gain is moderate, with Juda Ka Talab sitting around 2,700–2,800 m and Kedarkantha Base around 3,400–3,450 m, so your body gets time to adapt as you climb.
Days on the trail are deliberately paced with plenty of chai breaks, Maggi points, and photo stops, because half the fun is in relaxing with the group and soaking in the views instead of treating it like a race. For anyone who does not own full winter gear, essential trekking equipment like gaiters, microspikes, and select clothing items can be arranged for rent so you do not have to invest heavily for your first Himalayan trek.
At the summit, there is a real sense of achievement: standing above the tree line at 12,500 ft after a pre-dawn climb, watching the first light hit the surrounding ranges, and realizing you have completed a proper Himalayan peak. After you return to Sankri, Trip To Ocean can provide a completion certificate that recognises your Kedarkantha summit and becomes a reminder of your effort and adventure.
Logistics are kept as smooth as possible for youth, couples, foreign, and female trekkers: there is organised pick-up and drop-off (typically from Dehradun to Sankri and back), all required permits, comfortable alpine tents, hot meals, and a safety-first approach on the trail. Whether you come solo, with friends, as a couple, or in an all-girls group, the experience is designed to feel safe, energetic, and memorable-right from the first chai in Sankri to the last group photo with your certificate at the end.
