Kedarkantha Trek - SAFARNAMA 2021

Day 1: Dehradun – Sankri drive: 200 km drive, 9-10 hrs

Day 2: Sankri – Juda Tal: 5 kms trek, 4-5 hrs

Day 3: Juda Tal – Kedarkantha base: 5 kms trek, 3 hrs

Day 4: Kedarkantha base – Kedarkantha peak – Kedarkantha base: 7 kms trek,6-7 hrs

Day 5: Kedarkantha base – Sankri: 8 kms, 4-5 hrs

Day 6: Drive back to Dehradun

DETAILED TOUR TIMELINE

Day 1: Drive from Dehradun to Sankri base (6,450 ft)

We will be leaving from Dehradun early morning and reach Sankri before sunset. Sankri village is a very beautiful which has a few small shops. We would be staying overnight in a guesthouse slightly up the road. We would be reaching Sankri at the time of sunset, which makes for a beautiful setting, as the Swargarohini peaks stand over the ridges beyond Sankri.

Day 2: Trek from Sankri to Juda Ka Talab (9,000 ft) (6 hrs)

We will be trekking to our campsite, Juda ka Talab. We will be leaving bit early after a sumptuous breakfast at the guesthouse. We will be leaving Sankri, passing through another small village of Saur, from where the trail takes us to Kedarkantha. The path goes through tall pine forest until we reach a ridge, which opens into a wide trail. After we have completed almost a 60% of our trek, we would catch up to the stream, and this will be the last spot to fill water bottles until Juda ka Talab. Juda ka Talab makes for a perfect campsite with a large lake on the left and dense pine and oak forests on the right. The lake was once two lakes that are now conjoined to make one.

Day 3: Trek from Juda Ka Talab to Kedarkantha Campsite (10,600 ft) (4 hrs)

We start our day with breakfast and then head towards Kedarkantha campsite. As we leave Juda ka Talab, the trail is straight and rises to an elevation at the edge of the lake and goes into the dense tall pine forest. As we continue to walk on the ridge for another hour, the ridge opens out to another open field. You will find a small shepherd’s hut here where you can take a tea break and relax yourself for a while as we have less than a thousand feet to climb to the Kedarkantha base. After a short climb, the route opens into a field again. Just look behind to absorb and enjoy the snow ranges surrounding the Kedarkantha peak. As we climb up more, usually over snow, we reach our destination, Kedarkantha base campsite. Mountains covered in snow like Ranglana, Kala Nag, Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, stretchs from your right to your left.

Day 4: Trek from Kedarkantha Campsite to Kedarkantha Peak and back to Base (12,500 ft) (7 hrs)

We will start our day with the beautiful sunrise from the Kedarkantha base; the Kedarkantha peak is clearly visible from the base. We then move forward with our day with a breakfast. There are many routes to go up to Kedarkantha Peak, the best one is from the northern elevation of the summit, it takes 3 hours to climb the summit from the campsite. The mountain top can be identified by a Trishul-like arrangement of stones that points to the sky. The mountain top gives a 360° view of the snowy mountains of Uttrakhand. Visible ranges from the peak are the Gangotri and Yamnotri , Chansil and Kinnaur Kailash. There is a straight descent from the peak to the Kedarkantha base, the route we would take is full of oak and pine trees and many frozen streams. Then we reach back in the evening and finally relax after an eventful day.

Day 5: Trek from Kedarkantha Base to Sankri (6,400 ft) (7-8 hrs)

This day we will head back to Sankri after we fill our stomachs with sumptuous breakfast. The route to Sankri is filled with stones and is basically a descent through pine trees with a stream on our left where you can fill water. The path gets even more beautiful as it spirals down to a pine forest that leads to Hargaon. The trail evens out and progressively go downhill through pine forest to come to another ridge. From this point, we can view the open Har ki Dun. Now after passing this, the trail divides numerous times and each division leads to a different part of Sankri. We will be reaching the guesthouse before sunset mostly and enjoy dinner there before we head to our beds to rest.

Day 6: Drive Back to Dehradun from Sankri

This day you start your 10-hour long drive from Sankri to Dehradun after breakfast. This drive would be one a kind with pine forests and rivers as your view as your drive down. Then will stop for lunch in between. And at the end will reach Dehradun by late evening.

THINGS TO CARRY

Basic Gears

Backpack & Day Pack (50-60 litres): With comfortable shoulder and waist straps

Day pack + rain cover: 20 - 30 litres (If hire a mule or porter)

Trekking pole: with snow cap

Head Torch: 1 No. with extra batteries

Water Bottle/ Hydration pack:  2 bottles of one litre each

People who use hydration pack: 1 hydration pack and 1 bottle of one liter

Carry at least one thermos flask

Snacks: Energy bars, dry fruits, electoral/ORS

Personal Medical Kit: Consult your Doctor

Wear

T-shirts: 3 Quick Dry Tees (Non-Cotton)

Fleece T-shirts: 1 No.

Fleece Jacket: 1 No. (Alternative woolen sweater)

Down feather / Hollow fill jacket: 1 No.

Wind & waterproof (jacket & pant): 1 Pair

Thermal inners (upper and lower): 1 Pair

Trek pants: 2 Nos. (avoid shorts, fitting denims, capris)

Poncho: 1 No.

Floaters or Sandals: 1 Pair (for easy movement while at the campsite)

Trekking Shoes: 1 Pair (Waterproof, high ankle with good grip)

Cotton Socks: 3 Pairs

Woolen Socks: 2 Pairs

Woolen Gloves: 1 Pair

Waterproof Gloves: 1 pair (to be kept handy)

Sun caps & Balaclava: 1 Pair

Sunglasses Dark with side cover, it should be U/V protected

Personal Utilities

 Toothbrush & toothpaste  Hand Sanitizer

 Quick dry tower  Toilet paper, wipes and other toiletries

 Moisturizer, Lip Balm & Sunscreen Cream (SPF 40+)

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

Inclusions:

 Trek equipment’s: Sleeping bags, sleeping mattress, sleeping tents, kitchen & dinning tent, toilet tent, utensils.

 Basic First-Aid kit, Oxygen Cylinder & Oximeter

 All trekking permits and park entrance fees

 Qualified and experienced Trek Leader and support staff

 Cook, kitchen assistant, porter, yak and horses to carry central equipment

Exclusions:

 Transportation to and fro from base camp

 Any fees and permits for Non-Indians

 Meals during transit or in Sankri

 Any personal expense

 Cost incurred due to natural calamities

 Anything which is not a part of our inclusions

Stay:

 1 Nights Guest House/ Homestay accommodation in Sankri on Sharing basis

 5 Nights Tented accommodation while on trek on double/triple sharing basis

Meals/Snacks:

 Veg Meals from Day-2 Lunch till Day-5 Lunch while on Trek

 Morning, evening tea/coffee served with light snacks while on trek

Advisory:

 Climatic conditions in the high altitudes vary from the plains; set aside sufficient time to get acclimatized to high altitudes.

 Pay heed to the tour leaders or instructors in order to enjoy a safe and sound experience.

 Do not consume alcohol or any other intoxicants during the tour.

 Avoid roaming during the nights.

 Carry basic medications and a first-aid kit during the tour.

 The tour takes place through eco-friendly zone; do not encourage littering the local sites or campsites.

 Porters or helpers to carry Central Equipment’s

HOW TO REACH SANKRI

Railways: Dehradun is the nearest railway station, which is well connected with major big cities like Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata etc. The Frequency of trains are high as it is the gateway to the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.

Airport: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun offers daily connectivity with New Delhi and other major cities.

Road: Dehradun is well connected with major northern cities. There are various bus services available from Delhi (Kashmere Gate ISBT) to Dehradun. It generally takes 10 hrs to reach Sankri and most of them reach Dehradun early in the morning.

CANCELLATION POLICY

 If cancellations are made 30 days before the start date of the trip, 50% of total tour cost will be charged as cancellation fees.

 If cancellations are made within 0-30 days before the start date of the trip, 100% of total tour cost will be charged as cancellation fees.

 In case of unforeseen weather conditions or government restrictions, certain trips or activities may get cancelled. In such cases operator will try their best to provide an alternate feasible. However, a cash refund will not be applicable for the same.

 Cancellations are strictly subjected to cancellation policies mentioned on the website & are irrespective of the date of booking.