Brief Description
Kedar Tal, also known as Shiva's lake, is a glacial lake situated at an altitude of 4,750 meters (15,600 feet) in the Garhwal region of the Himalayas in India. The lake is fed by the snowfall over Mt Thalay Sagar (6,904m), Meru (6,672m), Mt Bhrigupanth (6,772m) and other surrounding peaks, which are also the source of Kedar Ganga, which in Hindu mythology is considered to be Lord Shiva's contribution to Bhagirathi (a source-stream of the Ganges). The proximity with magnificent peaks and the view this trek offers will make you believe in magic. The lake itself is crystal-clear blue, the coolest drink of water you'll ever find and a true gem of Uttarakhand. Adding to the allure of this trek is the trailhead of Gangotri, where the trail begins, and also the holy town said to be the origin of the Ganges River. The place bursts to life during yatra season, with markets, temples, nightly aartis and forests full of sadhus. Save a few days to explore here after your trek. The best time to do the Kedartal trek are the months of May, June, September and, October. Stay on this page for more details like Kedar Tal trek route map, itinerary, temperature chart, photos, and videos. Scroll to the end to read Kedartal trek blogs.
Gallery
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Himalayan wildflowers on the trail
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Sunset on Bhrigupanth from Kedar Kharak
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Sunset on Thalay Sagar from Kedar Kharak
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On the way to Kedar Kharak
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Bharal near Kedar Kharak camp
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Bharal near Kedar Kharak camp
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Kedar Kharak campsite
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Mana Parvat from Kedar Kharak
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Walking through moraine to Kedar Tal
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Glacial lakes on the route
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Bhrigupanth covered in clouds, seen from Kedar Tal
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Kedar Tal
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Hanging glaciers and icefalls near Kedar Tal
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Kedar Tal
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Kedar Tal
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Peaks in the Kedar Ganga valley
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Prayer flags near the lake
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Kedar Tal
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Thalay Sagar from Kedar Tal
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Bhrigupanth from Kedar Tal
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Kedar Tal under a starry night sky
Itinerary
Itinerary
Show complete Itinerary
Arrive in Gangotri
Trek to Kedartal starts from Gangotri, Uttarakhand. Arrive in Gangotri by 3 PM for debrief and a round of introductions with your team members. If you arrive early, savour all that Gangotri has to offer by visiting the Holy temple, by walking through the pine forests, browsing the local market, striking a conversation with a Sadhu, exploring the secret cave, and enjoying a delicious dinner. Overnight stay at the local guest house.
Acclimatisation at Gangotri
This day is reserved for rest and acclimatisation in Gangotri.
Gangotri (9,576 feet) to Bhoj Kharak (12,893 feet) - 8 Kms trekking
This trail is ready to go places, are you?! With the Kedar Ganga faithfully following you on your left, you do some serious ascending for the day. As you climb, the fresh pines recede and are replaced with a thick grove of birch trees. This opens into Bhoj Kharak, our first campsite. The birch trees provide much welcomed shade and the purple rhododendrons wave in distance. The stunningly jagged façade of Thalaysagar allure you from a distance beckoning on what Day 3 has in store for you. The final task for the day is the Spider Wall, a 60-degree slab of rock with just enough footing for you to reach the other end. Overnight stay in camps at Bhoj Kharak.
Bhoj Kharak (12,893 feet) to Kedar Kharak (14,468 feet) - 7 Kms trekking
Today is an adventure. As you continue to ascend steadily, a landslide several years back has erased a 100 meter portion of the original trail and it is up to us to find a new way to traverse the mountainside. After this you come across a stable trail which guides you down to the Kedar Gunga river bed, which you have to partially cross before heading back to a solid ground on the other side which now opens to your next campsite, Kedar Kharak. A truly spectacular campsite situated among the towering peaks of Drigubanth, Thalaysagar and Jogin 3. Kedar Kharak is frequently visited by herds of blue sheep.
Kedar Kharak (14,468 feet) to Kedar Tal (15,748 feet) to Kedar Kharak - 8 Kms trekking
The final step to the beautiful Kedar Tal is through three ridges, primarily composed of deposited boulders and an occasional dirt trail running at the top of each. Cairns of rock towers dot the surface, reminding you where the trail is headed. Summiting the two ridges gives you a sneak-peek at that final ridge, forcing you to wonder what sights lay beyond it. After climbing the third ridge, Kedar Tal lake sits like a frozen emerald below. The gigantic views of Thalaysagar and other peaks make all your problems seem insignificant. The Kedar glacier flows motionlessly on your left, the origin of the river you have now become so accustomed to flowing by your side. Biding farewell to the divine Kedar Tal, we descend and head back to Kedar Kharak. Overnight stay in camps.
Kedar Kharak (14,468 feet) to Gangotri (9,576 feet) - 15 Kms trekking
The hard part done, we are homeward bound! While the distance to cover is a little long, the trail to Gangotri is almost entirely downhill. Your reward is a soft, warm bed back down in Gangotri and a chance to catch the famous aarti. Head back home on the next morning.
Gangotri - Uttarkashi - Dehradun (243 kms)
Check out after breakfast. If you have booked the transport with us, then the vehicle will pick you up from Gangotri and drop in Dehradun by evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pick your question
Eligibility: Is this trek good for me?
Kedar Taal Trek is a difficult glacier trek with the highest altitude of 4750 meters. The difficult terrains and steep ascent make it a challenging expedition. Kedartal is appropriate for the seasoned trekkers and for those who have done moderate level treks before. For details on trek difficulty level, please read on Bikat Rating Scale
Eligibility: Experience required
Should have at least 7-10 trek days in the Himalayas in their kitty along with the experience of trekking at altitudes of 3700 metres or above before Kedartal trek.
Eligibility: Requisite Skills
How to use basic mountaineering equipment like gaiters & micro spikes
Ascending & Descending on snow
Basics of Mountain Sickness
Basics of Mountain Hazards
How to cross small water streams
How to cross large water streams
Basic principles of acclimatisation
Eligibility: Fitness benchmark
- Jog/Run for 5 Kms in 25-30 mins or Walk continuously for 10 kms (with 3-4 small breaks) on plain terrain (slight incline is better) - You would be required to produce a screenshot from a fitness app testifying the same
- Hold your breath for 30-35 seconds
If you are not meeting these benchmarks, please use the preparation schedule to improve your fitness till you achieve the above benchmarks.
Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?
The best months to undertake Kedartal trek are from May to June and from September to October.
Packing List: What to pack
Click here for packing list.
Connectivity: How to Reach the base of the trek & how to go back from the end point?
The start point of the Kedartal trek is from Uttarkashi/Gangotri. You can catch a bus to Uttarkashi/Gangotri from the Pahadi bus stand in Dehradun, near the railway station. In order to get a taxi, you must reach the Rispana Pull (Bridge) by bus. You can get a regular taxi for Uttarkashi from here. The drop point of the taxi that takes you to Uttarkashi is the pickup point for the taxis further to Gangotri. You can easily get seats in the taxis at a minimal price of INR 200- 250 per person.
Connectivity: What is the cellular network connectivity for this trek?
BSNL and Airtel have a good connectivity in this region. Network is available at Gangotri. No network can be expected beyond this point.
Nearby attraction: What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?
Uttarkashi is a beautiful tourist point with many places to see. Visit Vishwanath Temple, the oldest and most sacred temple located on the banks of Bhagirathi River. Kuteti Devi Temple is another highly regarded religious place in town. Manekari Dam is a concrete marvel of Uttarkashi. Experience the village life in Sangem Chhati, a half an hour drive from Uttarkashi district. Nehru Institute of Mountaineering is also located in Uttarkashi. Gangotri is also an ancient town of utmost religious importance to Hindus.
Age limit: What is the minimum & maximum age limit?
The minimum age limit is 13 years. However, minors aged between 13 to 17 should be accompanied by their parents or guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking.
Accommodation type: What will be the accommodation type in this trek?
When you arrive in Gangotri, your stay will be made at local guest house or homestay. The rooms will be provided on twin or triple sharing basis. You will receive the details of your accommodation through email few days prior the trek.
On day 6 your stay will be made at a local guest house.
On trekking days, all the trekkers will be accommodated in twin or triple sharing tents. Along with this, there will be also be a toilet tent and a dining tent installed at every campsite as we roll.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of tents and sleeping bags will be provided to us?
We provide 4 seasons tents by Gipfel for higher altitudes which can easily withstand heavy snowfall and storms. They are spacious enough to accomodate 3 people at once with a vestibule to place the backpacks. Our sleeping bags are made up of Heatseeker Pro synthetic insulation that can provide you comfort in -10 degrees celsius. We also use additional fleece liners to have thermal efficiency even in the extreme temperatures of -17 degrees Celsius. If you carry your own sleeping bag, you will get a cashback reward provided that you inform us as soon as you have booked your trek.
Equipment and facilities: Are there any washroom/toilet facilities on the trek?
Toilet tents will be provided to you on the trek.These are portable toilets tents where a deep pit will be dug. A shovel will be provided inside the tent to cover the waste after you have made your business. You can take a toilet roll inside. Make sure you dig used toilet paper along with the waste. Though water is recommended in place of toilet paper. Please refrain from using wet wipes as they are non-biodegradable.
There will be no facility for bathing on the trek. Go through our blog section for tips on how to maintain personal hygiene on treks.
Equipment and facilities: If we trek in snow, what equipment will you provide?
You will be provided with good quality gaiters and microspikes from us depending upon the situation of the snow. Our trek leaders will also be carrying ropes and ice axe.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of food will be provided for the trek?
Vegetarian food will be served throughout the trek. The only non-vegetarian item served on our treks are eggs. Our kitchen staff follows a proper menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner which has been designed in order to fulfil the nutritional requirements of the participants. There will be milk, poha, eggs, muesli/corn flakes, bread and butter served for breakfast. Rice or simple roti sabzi will be packed for lunch. In dinner, you will have dal, egg curry or any other vegetarian dish along with rice, roti, and a dessert item. Packed lunch will be provided to you on the days you are trekking. You are requested to carry your own tiffin box and a mug to consume food. The meals consumed on journey and arrival day are not included in our cost.
Equipment and facilities: What equipment can I rent from you?
You can rent following items from us- Trekking Pole, Trekking Shoes, Fleece Jacket, Rucksack
Weather conditions: What will the temperatures be like during this trek?
During the day, the temperature will range from 15-22 degrees celsius. The nights will get cold dropping the temperature to -2 to 5 degrees celsius. Higher the altitude you gain, the colder it gets.
Weather conditions: When will there be snow on this trek?
You are likely to experience snow till May, depending on the amount of snowfall received the previous winter. It is difficult to expect snow post monsoon season.
Miscellaneous : Is there an option to offload my backpack?
If you want to offload your rucksack, you will have to make a request for offloading a few days prior the trek through an email so that arrangement can be made in advance. You will be charged per day for offloading your rucksack. In case you decide to offload on the spot, you may have to pay a higher price than usual. However offloading your rucksack is not recommended since it is not a safe practice.
Miscellaneous : Who will lead us on the trek?
A team of participant will be led by a course certified trek leader and a local guide. All participants are requested to abide by what their leader says. There will also be a team of kitchen staff and porters on the trek. We maintain 1:8 ratio of trek leader and participants. All our trek leaders and staff have a certified training in first-aid and rescue operation.
Miscellaneous : Is the trekking pole necessary?
Yes, trekking pole is necessary. If you don’t want to buy one, you can rent it from us on minimal daily basis charges. You can request the renting link from us.
Miscellaneous : Are there any local stores/shops from where I can shop trekking necessities?
Dehradun has a reasonable size market. However you will have no time in hand for shopping as you have to head to Gangotri.
Gangotri has a small market. It would be difficult to find anything major there. Minor toiletries are available.
It is advisable not to leave anything for last minute buying.
Miscellaneous : Is it safe for a solo woman traveller to trek in Fixed departures?
Yes, it is absolutely safe for solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing tent with each other. In case you are the only woman on the trek, you will be given a separate tent.
Miscellaneous : Will you give certificates on completion of trek?
Yes, e-certificates will be given at the end of each trek provided that you completed it. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek.
Transport: In case we opt for the transport with you, where will you pick us from and where will you drop?
We have one pick-up point: Dehradun ISBT. The dropping point remains the same.
Transport: What time will you drop us at the end point on last day of the trek?
Expect to reach Gangotri late in evening between 17:00-18:00 Hrs, where arrangements for overnight stay will be made. Make sure your bookings from Gangotri are in the morning on the next day.
If you have booked transportation with us, expect to reach Dehradun in the evening. Make your bookings from this point to your destinations in the night, post 22:00 Hrs.
Packing List: How should I pack my rucksack?
Packing List: How should I select my trekking shoe?
Mandatory documents: What are the mandatory documents required for the trek?
ID Proof (Soft Copy to be sent to us in Advance & original to be carried) is the mandatory document required for the trek.
About the activity: Why should I go for this trek?
Kedartal Trek Uttarakhand
If you are looking for a high ROI trek, along with a trail that pushes your limits and tests your skills then the Kedartal trek is for you. This trek also offers breathtaking views all along the trail. Kedar tal trek is one of the lesser explored Himalayan treks, which makes it the best alternative to the popular treks like Roopkund. One can expect to find solitude and remoteness here.Why Bikat
Why Bikat
Learning Experience
- We are an Adventure Learning Organisation first.
- We want you to not just complete a trek safely but also pick up some basic trekking knowledge and skills along the way.
- To achieve this we have integrated learning modules into our itineraries.
- These modules will help you build the necessary skills to progress from trekking to mountaineering over time.
Loyality Programs
Our community is an integral part of us and we take pride in our trekkers and climbers. When you complete at least three days on any trek or expedition with us, you become eligible for our membership and referral programs.
- Currently we have three levels:
- Basic Membership
- Summiteer Membership
- Leader Membership
Personalized Attention
- Our group sizes on treks don’t exceed 15 members in order to maintain a healthy Participants : Leader Ratio of 8:1.
- Over time we have found this number to be optimum when it comes to ensuring personalised attention to every member of our group.
- On mountaineering expeditions this number is even smaller. Our group sizes are capped at 12 members ensuring a Participants : HAP Ratio of 2:1.
Best Expedition Leaders
- Our Expedition leaders are advanced mountaineering course qualified, specially trained in rescue procedures from NIM and certified first-aid responders.
- Even our local guides are certified first-aid responders.
Eco-friendly Practices
- Group sizes are capped at 15 people.
- Batch sizes are capped at 250 people per trail per season.
- We follow a rolling campsite model.
- We are constantly exploring and introducing new trails to reduce the burden on existing ones.
Safety
For us, a successful summit is not about reaching the highest point of a mountain but about making it safely back to base.
- To ensure this:
- Every region of ours is mapped with an emergency evacuation plan.
- The equipment we use is UIAA certified.
- Our trek leaders are AMC certified with specialisation in rescue procedures.
- Our support staffs are trained in first aid as well.
Reviews
What's Included
Whats Included
- Meals during the trek (Starting lunch on Day 3 till lunch on Day 6)
- Forest Permits/Camping Charges (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
- Tents on twin sharing basis, Sleeping bags, mats
- Micro-spikes, Gaiters, Helmets, Carabiners, Harness as required
- Trek guide, cook, helpers, porters & mules for carrying common luggage
- Porters or mules for carrying common supply
- Mountaineering course certified Trek Leader with First Aid certification and special rescue course from NIM, Uttarkashi
- 3 night hotel stay in Gangotri (twin or triple sharing) on Day 1, 2, and 6)
Whats Not Included?
- Hotel Meals
- Journey Meals
- Carriage of Personal Bags during the trek
- Any kind of Insurance
- Any expense of personal nature
- Any expense not specified in the inclusion list.
Cancellation Policy
Cash Refund
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
5% Deduction
Between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure
50%
deduction
Less than 15 days of departure
No Cash Refund
Voucher Refund
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
No Deduction
Cancellations less than 5 days prior to departure
No Refund
Please note
- Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers.
- This is only a brief of cancellation terms. For finer details please refer Detailed Cancellation Policy.
Blog Posts
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