Kedarkantha Trek

Winter sets in this region by the mid of December till the mid of February. The first snowfall typically can happen anytime in early days of December

Is The Kedarkantha Trek Summitable In January and February?

• Often the months of January and February are the best months to do the Kedarkantha Trek.
• Usually, the month of December is very crowded with Christmas and New Year Holidays making it convenient for many office goers and college students to get leaves. However, the months of January and February are some of the best times to do the Kedarkantha Trek.
• During the month of January and February, the Kedarkantha trek route is very less crowded and the trail typically remains completely under snow.
• Less crowd makes it a great trek experience as it sets the appropriate ambience and solitude of a Himalayan Trek. It lets you capture good photographs and also works out to be ideal for wildlife sightings.
• Often it works out to be a great adventure as in the month of January, it snows for 2-3 days continuously. While this calls out for a great adventure, it might disrupt your schedule at the same time. Do keep a few buffer days on hand while you plan this trek, especially between the end of January till the end of February.
• Our teams have submitted the Kedarkantha Peak many times in these months and we see no reason why you cannot be able to do it.
• However, you do need a good, strong, and positive support team to work for you. Sometimes we did face disruption which we managed by waiting for a day or two and then doing the same trek to complete it in style.

• The Kedarkantha Trek falls in the Jaunsar region of Uttrakhand bordering the Kinnaur belt of Himachal Pradesh.
• This region lies in the juncture between the Great Himalayas and The Dhauladhar range and receives an immense amount of snowfall during the winter months from December till March.
• Sometimes, it even snows here out of the schedule like in the months of April, October, or November too. However, they disappear very soon with the bright sun melting off the snow.
• The snowfall that happens in the months of December remains for as long as till the end of March.
• The cold weather of the winter prevents it from melting, whereas fresh snowfall keeps on piling over it making it a snow wonderland.
• Typically it can snow anytime in December till March and many trekkers and local people wait eagerly for it. Good snowfall brings prosperity to the village. It results in a good apple season in the coming months and also good earning opportunities for the local trek guide and porters.

If you read the internet you will feel as if the Kedarkantha trek is full of snow all round the year. However, it's not true. It snows in this region during the winter months of December and goes on till the mid of March. The snow starts to melt starting end of March and after the mid of April, the trek becomes green and colourful with blooming flowers. During the winter months from December till March, the trek remains under snow cover and the visual sight is one of the rarest in the Himalayas and referred by many trekkers as 'the most beautiful trek in the Himalayas'

How Cold Is The Kedarkantha Trek In The Winters?

• Kedarkantha Trek is freezingly cold in the winter months from December till March.
• During the winter months when the trek is full white because of snow, the temperature dips down below freezing point and goes to as low as -10 degrees on the top of the summit at midnight or at dawn.
• However, the temperature inside the tent is around 3-4 degrees depending upon how many people share the tent.
• Daytime temperature during the winter remains around 8 - 12 degrees. We need to be mindful that when sunlight reflects on fresh white snow above 3000 meters, it can get quite warm and even hot at times due to the reflection of UV rays.
• On a bright sunny day, even in the winters when there is snow all around, the temperature can reach up to 20 degrees due to reflection.
• We need to protect ourselves not just from the UV rays but also from frequent temperature changes and sweating.

• Anyone who is generally fit with no cardiac problems should be able to complete the Kedarkantha trek without any problems.
• When we say 'Generally Fit', we mean he/she should be able to run and 6Km marathon and should be able to complete it. He need not come first. Just be able to complete it.
• Having strong legs, shoulders and core strength helps a lot. You may do staircase climbing with or without weight to train your legs.
• Cycling, Swimming, or brisk walking should help build stamina. Plank helps strengthen your back and core. A few pushups and chin-ups should strengthen your shoulders and back muscles.
• Do note that you need not be a champion in marathon running or be a bodybuilder. You just need to have a positive mindset and a generally fit body used to exercises.

• Kedarkantha trek is perhaps one of the best treks for beginners.
• It is a multiday Himalayan trek that involves camping and surviving extreme conditions of snow and cold.
• On any good Himalayan trek that goes higher and above 4000 meters it becomes very important that you are well accustomed to camping and sustaining discomfort for multiple days. Kedrarkantha trek just gives you a crash course for the same.
• The walks on each day are planned to be shorter, there is an ample amount of snow but we keep no stones unturned to give you comfort even during that extreme temperature and wilderness.
• It is about managing the adventure under the safe hands of experienced trek leaders. We do exactly the same. We hone your trekking skills while on the trek, to make you a better trekker, to make you love and care for the Himalayas, just as we do! With our planned trek, safety instructions, and fitness guidelines, anyone who is generally fit, should be able to complete the Kedar Kantha trek without any problem.

This route is very safe with respect to AMS as the sleeping altitude on the entire trek is below the tree line with a natural oxygen supply. On top of it, we are always prepared for any untoward symptoms with our special medical team to take preventive actions based upon the symptoms. In most cases, the problems are the result of indigestion and cold, smoking or drinking on the trek.

Trail Safety: Yes - Kedarkantha Trek is very safe, but only when done under a responsible and alert guide. Or else, this trek can go wrong for many. A twisted ankle, fractured hand, wrist, leg, etc are something that ignorant and irresponsible trek guides have shown to us in the past. In fact, a trekker under the supervision of one of the most popular, the largest and pioneer trek companies in India have even died on this trek route. All thanks to the ignorant trek leader. Sometimes, even a few trek leaders have returned with a frostbitten leg on this trek. It is common to get lost in the jungle on this trek route. So this historical data does reflect that this trek is easy, but needs to be done under good supervision and a responsible trek company.

In the history of Himalayan High, we have not had a single case of even twisted ankle on any of our treks. All thanks to our well-planned adventure, strict discipline, and mountaineering principles. and most importantly - trained trek leaders who are mountaineers themselves.

Excessive Snowfall: It is typically very common in the month of February to receive excessive snowfall for continued days. Many times it snows bad when treks are still on. While you are in the tents, it is a possibility that the tent might break if you don't keep clearing the snow to pile on the top. We require a swift response at that time and hence the trekking company you chose to trek with matters a lot. With Himalayan High, you will be advised what to wear and our team is a professional and experienced team to handle these issues.

High Altitude and AMS: The Kedarkantha trek route is very safe from Altitude Sickness. If you are fit and have the desired stamina, you may even climb the peak in a matter of 2 days. all of the camps on this trek have natural oxygen from trees. The highest altitude of this trek is 3800 meters, which is not the sleeping altitude. The highest sleeping altitude is 3000 meters and below the tree line where natural trees give out fresh oxygen. However, on our managed treks, we carry oxygen cylinders with us as a precautionary safety measure and monitor the health of all the trekkers every day.

Emergency Exit: There is no alternative way out on this trek route apart from either trekking back to Sankri or bring an injured trekker down on the back of a horse. On reaching Sankri, cabs can be managed.

Water On Trek: Water is a very important element on any trek. Wrong water intake can cause you to withdraw from the trek and be hospitalized as well. On any Himalayan trek, natural water sources like lakes and streams are the only option. We serve stream water boiled, filtered, and then treated with oxidizing agents like chlorine or iodine. Till now we haven't had any bad experience with water.

Women Safety: It is typically very safe for women in the Himalayas. The locals respect them and treat them well. We haven't yet heard of any stories or incidents of bad treatment with women in this region. However, it must be noted that local culture and sentiments must be respected.

ATM and Cash Points: There are no ATMs or rather any banks in Sankri. Purola - 70 Kms below Sankri is the last place which you can trust to withdraw some cash from ATM. Else, it is advisable you withdraw it from Dehradun or Mussoorie.

Mobile and Internet Network In Sankri: The mobile network is very unreliable and is not consistent. It has mobile towers for BSNL and Vodafone. When it works, even on the trek route there are points including the summit from where you can make calls. However, it does not work most of the time. It is better to inform your family members accordingly so that they do not panic when you aren't reachable on phone. Also, while reaching Sankri, Purola is the last point where you get a reliable 4G network of Airtel, Jio along with BSNL and Vodafone. Once you leave Purola, Only BSNL and Vodafone is available. Jio will be up soon. Mori is the last point which is 36 KM before Sankri where you may get internet on BSNL 3g most of the time. After that do not expect the Internet on your mobile.

For small vehicle (bolero, mahindra max, or similar ), the price is 5500 * 2 = 11000. an be shared by 7 - 8 people

For tempo traveller, the cost is 9000 * 2 = 18000, can be shared by 9 - 13 people

For small vehicle (bolero, mahindra max, or similar ), the price is 5500 * 2 = 11000. an be shared by 7 - 8 people

For tempo traveller, the cost is 9000 * 2 = 18000, can be shared by 9 - 13 people