We all need to climb a mountain at least once in our lives. It changes us, inspires us and puts things in perspective. There is something about inhaling the wild carefree air that fills us up with positivity energy, hope, and dreams.
At the heart of Uttarakhand lies numerous proud peaks, one of which is Kedarkantha. It is perfect for all adventurous souls who love snow and high mountains. In just a matter of 4 days, you come back from what seems like a completely different planet. You get to walk in snow that sparkles like a million fallen stars on earth, you step foot on a frozen lake, watch snow clad peaks come to life after dark and watch the sunrise from the top of a mountain.
All this is better explained with some photos, so allow me to take you on a journey and show you why Kedarkantha is one of the most loved winter summit treks in the country.
Day 1: Gradual ascend and LOTS of snow
The starting point of the trek is a charming little village called Sankri. Life goes on at a different pace here. There are no bumper to bumper jams, no high rise buildings, no rush of any sort anywhere in the vicinity. Breathe in the peace that surrounds you and gear up to start your trek. The trail starts after a short 5 minute walk from the village.
And boom, all of a sudden you find yourself in a beautiful pine forest that welcomes sunlight throughout the day.
It's a short 4-5 hours hike today, but not at all challenging. You find yourself surrounded by knee-deep snow and have to wade through the zigzag path up the slope.
The forest is your companion today; you walk in and out of it, heading uphill throughout the way. Keep an eye out for woodpeckers and snow falling off tree branches, both are equally pleasant to experience.
There are two tiny restaurants midway that serve omelettes, maggie and hot beverages. Fill your bellies up, take in the sunshine, you are almost there now.
The rest of the way is a pleasant walk with beauty on all sides.
And just like that, you'll be at your first campsite. It’s hard to believe that you can reach such a beautiful place in a matter of hours. A slight change in altitude can do wonders.
I play a little game in my head every time I am at such places. I close my eyes and imagine myself back in the office stressed as hell and open my eyes and remind myself of where I am. And it always, always makes me smile.
Day 2: Frozen Lake. Base camp. Sleeping under the shadow of Kedarkantha
Day 2 is an exciting day.
The trail is easy, the distance is short, and we get to walk on a frozen lake. But remember we need to reach the basecamp today, so the journey is still uphill.
And here we are. Welcome to Juda Ka Tal, a small lake on the trail that freezes during winters. Your first walk on an ice sheet is almost as thrilling as your first walk ever!
The lake somehow gets you brimming with energy – splashing snow on each other and jumping around – is there a joy purer than this?! It is moments like these that make you realize the importance of taking time out for yourself. If the ocean within you is at peace and bubbling with joy at the same time, everything seems okay.
And, we’ve got the best seats in the world waiting for us at base camp. The best seats in the Himalayas. Of all the treks I have been on, I’ve never seen such an incredible campsite.
We can see Kedarkantha clearly from the basecamp. Admire the view, because it is going to shine brighter than the moon at night. We’ll be standing on top of that peak at sunrise the next day.
Day 3: Summit day. Epic views. Ice cold hands
The best thing about Kedarkantha is the expedition like feel. We wake up in the wee hours of the night to start our summit attempt (3AM to be precise). This is the exact same routine to summit higher peaks as well. Consider this a practice ground.
As the sun rises, the views steal our hearts. A 360 view of the Himalayas is a rare sight on treks, but here, the view is open and wide – waiting to be experienced, waiting to present itself as a reward to you. It is pretty intense and magical.
This is the only day that would feel strenuous not just because of the steep ascend but also because of the cold wind blowing in our faces and freezing our hands and feet. But by 7 or 7:30 AM, we'll be standing on top of Kedarkantha, witnessing the awe-inspiring beauty that surrounds us.
The views do not cease to amaze even on the way back down to basecamp. The sun comes up, the cold dissipates and everything starts to seem blissful.
Another highlight of the day is that we get plenty of opportunities to glissade in snow. Do remember to be careful though, these things have a way of turning into an accident very quickly.
The end calls for a celebration. Summiting a peak in winter is no easy feat!
Day 4: And it’s a wrap!
Picture of Hargaon campsite
Today is the easiest of all days. We have camped at Hargaon the previous night, which is just 2 hours away from Sankri. We wake up early to catch the sunrise at our last gorgeous campsite.
Then we make our way back to Sankri and enjoy the hospitality of the locals with a warm meal and endless stories.
So what say you? Are you up for the challenge? Four blissful days in the Himalayas are waiting for you. Get here before the snow melts.
Happy Trekking!
This article was originally written by Pooja Dhiman on 05-02-2018.
It was edited and updated by Neeti Singhal on 4-10-2023.
