The Kedarkantha Short Trek is one of our very popular treks and hardcore trekkers just love it. Kedarkantha is one of the prettiest winter and snow treks in our Himalayas. However, its a short trek of just 24 kilometers. Although short, this trek isn't an easy one and involves steep ridge walking straight away from the start of the trek as it climbs the ridge to the summit of the Kedarkantha Peak. The descend from the summit of the Kedarkantha Peak is a steep descend which tests your leg and core muscle strength with real-time mountain challenge. Hence, it's not an easy task. Although difficult to be done in 2 days, many people who are fit and strong can do it and we have been supporting them from the beginning of Himalayan High's journey. This Hardcore and Short version of the Kedarkantha Trek definitely helps someone with lesser time on hand, or someone who wants to explore more in lesser time.

Kedarkantha Peak Covered With Snow
Can Kedarkantha Trek Be Done In 2 Days? Who Should Do It?
Yes, Kedarkantha is just a 24 Km trek which makes it easy to complete it in just 2 days. Doing it in 2 days requires a good amount of fitness and stamina. It's definitely not as easy as the KEDARKANTHA POPULAR TREK which is done over 4 trekking days and 3 nights of camping. Alternatively, this trek has only 1 night of camping. The day's trek involves walking on the ridge climbing continuously till we reach base camp. The distance of the Kedarkantha Trek is about 9 Km and takes about 6 hours of rigorous walk. However, it's doable and we have witnessed people doing it in 5 hours, whereas local guides do it in 3 hours. On the next day, its the climb to the summit which is the remaining 3 km of the climb. Once you reach the summit, then its all about descend and it comparatively easier. We descend down to Sankri on the same day and reach Sankri around 2 PM. Whosoever is generally fit with good stamina can choose this trek. This will not just help you test your physical stamina, but will also save you vital number of days and a little money as well. On any proper Himalayan trek, walking for 6 hours and 14+ km is a normal day's activity. Hence, keeping things in that perspective, our itinerary for Kedarkantha Short and Hardcore trek works out just to be like any other normal trek in the Himalayas. We would say, the popular version of the trek is rather a slow version of the trek which is suitable only for occasional and unexercised trekkers and especially beginners, who are looking to make things easier for them.
Having said the above, it has to be noted explicitly that this trek is not for everyone. Those who are not used to discomfort, less used to exercises, and do not have good stamina should choose the usual leisure trek to Kedarkantha as that's the one everyone can do. When we are asked to measure the required stamina, we would say someone who could complete a 10K marathon. Need not come first or second! Just need to have the stamina and mental strength to complete it.

The last leg to the summit of The Kedarkantha Peak Trek
Safety And Comfort On Our Kedarkantha 2 Days Trek
No trek should ever be done in the Himalayas or anywhere without estimating the risk and planning for safety. When you do difficult things, safety and proper gears become more important. You should plan for backup and take all precautions to make it one of the best experiences in your life.
On our managed trek to Kedarkantha, we make sure the guide we allocate is of equal stamina and possesses a positive and helpful nature. Its of no use sending a slow guide with a fast trekker. On the other hand, even though it is just a night's camping in Kedarkantha Base Camp, it becomes important that we send proper cook and good warm food be served right on time. We typically attempt the summit before dawn at around 4 Am in the morning, so that we reach the summit at a time when the sun is just rising. That's the magical hour! To facilitate that, we need to serve dinner and breakfast on time and odd hours. To do that, the cook needs proper assistance and support.
The trail safety includes gears like ice-traction crampons and gaiters. Gaiters prevent snow to get inside your shoe when you are walking on soft snow. On the other hand, crampons help you grip on the slippery packed snow, typically in the morning when you will be trekking in the dark with your headlamps. It will help you walk quickly over the snow-laden trail.
Medical safety would consist of an oxygen cylinder which is to be used in case required. A safety medicine box with emergency medicines and pulse oximeter to monitor your health. The trek leader would be alert on your health conditions and knowledgeable about mountain medicines and physiology.
Camping arrangement will mean comfort, even in the extreme climatic conditions of a snow trek. Double Layered Dome tents with thick cushioned waterproof mattresses to properly insulate cold from the ground. Subzero Sleeping Bag topped up with a thick and cozy fleece sleeping bag liner makes sure you sleep well, even in the extreme weather conditions outside your tent. You will dine in a warm Kitchen tent if in a small group or in a small dining tent if in more than 5 member teams. This makes sure that you don't freeze while you are eating your dinner. Your accommodation in Sankri in a local homestay managed by Himalayan High will not just ensure that it's comfortable but also expose you to the local values and culture as much as possible.
The entire trek is well managed with our expertise and many trekkers in the past who have done this trek successfully recommend us for the same.

Team Himalayan High Trek Leader opening the route to the summit of Kedarkantha Peak after fresh snowfall
How To Reach Sankri
Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehraoon, Uttrakhand
Nearest Rail Head: Dehraoon, Uttrakhand
Route Hubs: Dehradoon - Vikasnagar - Nuagaon - Purola - Mori - Naitwar - Sankri
From Airport: Dehradun airport is outside Dehradun city and there are no buses or jeeps that go to Sankri from the airport itself. If you hire a taxi directly from Dehradun airport, we may help to pre-arrange it for you. It costs about 6000 - 6500 Rs and takes about 8 hours to reach Sankri. Alternatively, you may take an auto or a can to come to Dehradun and use public transport like shared jeeps or buses to reach Sankri. Read Below.
From Railway Station: All buses or shared Jeeps for Sankri leave near the Railway Station. There is only one Government bus which leaves from Sankri right beside the railway station exit. Its called the Mussurie Bus Stand. Other private buses and taxis leave from Purola Taxi Stand outside the railway station on the main road opposite to Grand Hotel.
By Bus: There are 3 buses which leave early morning at 530, 630, and 8 AM. Private buses to Sankri leave from the main road near the Grand Hotel. There is no stand. They just stand beside the road and start from there. There is a single Government Bus which leaves from Mussurie Bus Stand, beside Dehradun Railway station at 830 AM. Do enquire for a bus on the previous night before heading to the bus stand. Sometimes timings can change.
By Shared Jeeps: From Dehradoon, you will get shared jeeps to Purola. From there, Mori is the next hub which is 35 km away and takes about 1.5 hours. From Mori, you get the next shared jeep to Naitwar which is 11 km in distance. It takes about 30 minutes to reach Naitwar from Mori. From Naitwar, Sankri is 25 km and takes about an hour. However, the shared vehicles wait to get filled and it takes a lot of time to fill. Sometimes as long as 3 hours. You may hire a vehicle from Naitwar to Sankri which will cost you 600 Rs. Hiring a jeep from Mori will cost you about 1200 Rs. If you are late, hiring jeeps are your only choice for reaching Sankri. Or else, you will have to book a hotel and stay there itself. If you plan to stay in a hotel then Purola or Mori makes a good choice. Naitwar does not have any proper hotel to stay in. On the next day, you can take a direct bus or a shared jeep to Sankri from either Mori or Purola. The first bus in the morning to Sankri from Purola leaves at 530 AM and reaches Sankri at 10 AM.
Distance From Major Points:
Dehradun to Sankri: 211 kms
Dehradun to Purola: 140 kms
Purola to Mori: 35 km
Mori to Naitwar: 11 km
Naitwar to Sankri: 25 km
Equipment Rental For Kedarkantha Trek
We have just made it super flexible for the Trekking Community looking to venture deeper and higher in the Sankri range in Uttrakhand for your treks to Kedarkantha, Har Ki Dun and many other treks and expeditions like Black Peak or Kaalanag Expedition, Swargarohini Expedition, etc. starting from Sankri. Now you can rent almost any trekking and mountaineering equipment from Sankri. From lightweight butane gas canisters to sleeping bags, tents, Kitchen tents, toilet tent, gaiters, crampons, ponchos, etc. Safety gears like oxygen cylinders, pulse oximeter, and many more. We've covered it all for you.
Just come down to Sankri, arrange your trek by yourself and get it done in Your style - Your way! That will definitely hone and nurture the Trek Leader in you. Only one thing - pre-book the rental equipment through our Online Trek Gear Booking System and carry your invoice to our Sankri Location.
If you are looking for our relaxed and leisure trek to Kedarkantha for Beginners? You may follow the link and check out
KEDARKANTHA SNOW TREK.