Kedartal Trek
A Glacial Lake Trek that enchants you with its beauty
Available Batches
Brief Description
Itinerary
Arrive in Gangotri
Acclimatisation at Gangotri
Gangotri (9,576 feet) to Bhoj Kharak (12,893 feet) - 8 Kms trekking
Bhoj Kharak (12,893 feet) to Kedar Kharak (14,468 feet) - 7 Kms trekking
Kedar Kharak (14,468 feet) to Kedar Tal (15,748 feet) to Kedar Kharak - 8 Kms trekking
Kedar Kharak (14,468 feet) to Gangotri (9,576 feet) - 15 Kms trekking
Gangotri - Uttarkashi - Dehradun (243 kms)
Day 1
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.
Day 2
This day is reserved for rest and acclimatisation in Gangotri.
Day 3
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.
Day 4
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.
Day 5
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.
Day 6
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.
Day 7
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.
What's 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)
What's 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.
Packing List
This is a list of essential items for individuals doing the trek with Bikat Adventures. This list contains only those items which the participants are required to bring with them. The list excludes those items which are provided by Bikat Adventures on the trek. We have divided the items into five categories. All the items in the list are essential except for those marked as optional.
Trekking Gear
- Ruck sack bag with rain cover. Qty -1
- Day Pack Bag - Recommended for treks with summit day
- Head Torch with spare Batteries. Qty -1
- U V protection sunglasses. Qty -1 Here is how you can choose the best sunglasses for trekking.
- Water Bottles: 2 bottles of 1 liter each
Footwear
- Non-skid, deep treaded, high-ankle trekking shoes Qty -1
- Pair of light weight Slipper/Sandals Qty -1
Clothing
- Quick Dry Warm lower or Track Pants. Qty - 2
- Full sleeves T-shirts/ Sweatshirts. 1 for every 2 days of trekking
- Pair of thick woolen socks. 1 pair for every two days of trekking
- Thermal Body warmer Upper & Lower. Qty-1
- Undergarments. Qty - 1 for every day of trekking
- Warm jacket closed at wrist & neck .Qty-1
- Full sleeves sweater. Qty -1
- Rain wear ( Jacket & Pants ) . Qty-1
- Pair of waterproof, warm gloves. Qty-1
- Woolen cap. Qty-1
- Sun shielding Hat. Qty -1
Toiletries
- Personal toiletries kit (Small Towel, Toilet paper, paper soap, Bar soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, cold cream, etc.)
- Sun screen lotion small pack. Qty -1 Here is your Sun Protection 101 to stay safe in the bright sunny outdoors.
- Lip Balm small pack. Qty-1
Utensils
- Small size, Light weight & Leak proof lunch box. Qty-1
- Plate. Qty- 1
- Spoon.Qty-1
- Tea/Coffee (plastic) Mug.Qty-1
Miscellaneous
- Camera (Optional)
- Carry your medicines in plenty in case you have any specific ailment. Consult your doctor before joining the trek.
- Dry fruits, Nuts, Chocolate bars (Optional)
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
- 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.
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
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
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.
The best months to undertake Kedartal trek are from May to June and from September to October.
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.
BSNL and Airtel have a good connectivity in this region. Network is available at Gangotri. No network can be expected beyond this point.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You can rent following items from us- Trekking Pole, Trekking Shoes, Fleece Jacket, Rucksack. Visit: http://rent.bikatadventures.com/
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We have one pick-up point: Dehradun ISBT.
The dropping point remains the same.
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.
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.
ID Proof (Soft Copy to be sent to us in Advance & original to be carried) is the mandatory document required for the trek.
Why Bikat?
Small Group Size
Our batch sizes are capped at 15 for smaller treks with the trek leader and trekker ratio of 1:8. This ratio, in our years of experience, has proven to deliver the best trekking experience for individuals as well as groups. Capping the size of the group ensures individual attention to each trekker so that no signs of distress or need during the trek go unnoticed. It also helps to form a more cohesive cohort with better group energy which helps define the rhythm and pace of days on the trek. As you go higher up on the BRS scale, since the stakes are higher, expeditions have an even smaller group size with the ratio of expedition leader to climber set at 1:2.
Qualified Trek Leaders
We follow a rigorous regime of hiring and training our experts in the field. Each trek leader is a certified mountaineer with years of experience in the field. In addition to their qualification, they also go through practical and situational training to tackle any and all kinds of sudden conditions that may present themselves on the ground. Being unpredictable is the core nature of the mountains but being ready for any circumstance as best as possible is a controllable asset that we try to nurture. Our field experts are also trained in basic medicine and first-aid response. Watch: Forerunners - The Making of A Trek Leader At Bikat Adventures
Guided Progression
Since Bikat Adventures is a learning-based organization, we help you climb up the ladder of difficulty within the sphere of outdoor adventure systematically. Our on-ground training modules are designed to handhold you through the upskilling process so that you are ready to take on bigger challenges.
Equipment Quality and Check
All the gear used on our treks and expeditions is tried and tested, maintained for good quality, and is overall top-notch in quality and condition. We are continually looking to obtain the best of everything there is in the market so as to ensure optimum safety.
Support Systems
Along with the staff you see on-ground, we have a team of superheroes working in the background to give you the best experience possible. Our background team also comprises local staff from each area who know the region best. Having local support helps with studying the area, pre-planning, execution, and in receiving timely support in case of emergencies in these remote locations.
Communication
Our on-field staff is in constant contact with our teams based in primary locations so as to eliminate any avoidable delay in reaching additional help and support when required. We try to use the best tools for communication available, including satellite phones, in regions where they are not restricted.
Reviews
Cancellation Policy
Cash refund
Voucher refund
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
Cancellations between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure date
Cancellations within 15 days prior to departure date
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
Cancellations within 5 days prior to departure date
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
Informative
Have you ever heard someone tell a story like this?
“Dude, and that day was really moderate and we did some things that were mildly challenging, but not too much, and then we just had a normal night where we did average things and it was cool,...
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Informative
A trek asks a lot of you.
You have to leave your comforts of home, spend a little bit, arrange leave from work, push your body to new limits and mentally encourage yourself to keep moving. But why?
Something we spend this much time ...
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Experiential
The Challenges of Kedar Tal Trek
This ain't your grandma’s Sunday afternoon walk.
Kedar Tal is rated as a moderate hike, but don't let labels fool you- this one is feisty, throwing some curveballs to those who choose to take the journ...
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The Lovely Kedar Karak Campsite
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