Kedarkantha Trek

Your Kedarkantha adventure with FirstTrek begins early morning at Natraj Chowk, Rishikesh, where our team will greet you warmly. After a short introduction and luggage check, we start our scenic drive towards Sankri, the base village of the trek. The journey takes you through the picturesque landscapes of Uttarakhand, passing by Mussoorie’s rolling hills, the apple orchards of Purola, and the pine-scented forests of Mori. You’ll also enjoy the tranquil views of the Yamuna and Tons rivers flowing alongside the winding roads. We’ll stop en route for a delicious lunch (included) before continuing our ascent into the higher Himalayas. By evening, we reach Sankri village, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and lush valleys. After check-in at your comfortable guesthouse/homestay, enjoy evening tea & snacks. This is followed by a trek briefing session with your trek leader, where you’ll get important information about the route, weather, and safety guidelines. End the day with a wholesome dinner and rest well in preparation for the adventure ahead.

After a hearty breakfast at the Sankri guesthouse, we begin our first day of trekking towards Juda Ka Talab, a stunning high-altitude lake nestled amid dense forests of oak, pine, and maple. The trail starts with a gradual ascent, giving you time to adapt to the altitude. As we make our way up, you’ll pass through charming Himalayan hamlets, apple orchards, and thick woodland alive with the sound of mountain birds. In winter, the trail is often blanketed in snow, making the journey even more magical. By midday, we reach our campsite near Juda Ka Talab. This serene, emerald-green lake (frozen during winter) has a fascinating legend — it is believed to be formed when Lord Shiva dropped a few drops of water from his hair. A hot lunch will be served at the campsite. The afternoon is free for exploration and photography — you can stroll around the lake, enjoy panoramic views, or simply relax in the fresh mountain air. As evening falls, gather around a warm campfire (weather permitting) and share stories under a sky full of stars. End the day with a wholesome dinner before resting in cozy sleeping bags inside your tents.

Wake up to the crisp mountain air and the peaceful sight of Juda Ka Talab reflecting the morning light. After a warm breakfast, we pack up and begin our journey towards the Kedarkantha Base Camp. The trail today is a gentle but steady climb through dense forests and snow-covered clearings (in winter). As we gain height, the views open up — you’ll start spotting majestic peaks like Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, and Black Peak in the distance. By early afternoon, we reach the Base Camp, a beautiful open meadow surrounded by towering mountains. The silence here is only broken by the sound of the wind and occasional bird calls — it’s the perfect spot to just pause and take it all in. We’ll have a hot lunch at the campsite and spend the rest of the afternoon resting, exploring nearby viewpoints, or getting our cameras ready for a magical sunset. The trek leader will also brief you about the summit climb tomorrow, our most exciting day. After an early dinner, tuck yourself into your sleeping bag — tomorrow’s sunrise from the summit is worth every bit of the early wake-up call.

This is the day you’ve been waiting for — Summit Day! We start before dawn, around 3:00–4:00 AM, with our headlamps lighting up the snow trail. The cold mountain air feels sharper, the stars are still glittering above, and every step takes us closer to the top. The climb is steady but rewarding — as the first light of the sun begins to spill over the horizon, you’ll see the snowy peaks slowly turning golden. When we finally reach the Kedarkantha Summit, the view will leave you speechless — a 360° panorama of the mighty Himalayas, with peaks like Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Black Peak, and Ranglana standing tall around you. We’ll spend some time at the summit soaking in the sunrise, clicking photos, and simply letting the moment sink in. After a short celebration, we start our descent back to Base Camp for a hot breakfast. Post-breakfast, we continue downhill to Hargaon campsite, surrounded by pine forests and open clearings. By evening, we settle into our tents, share stories from the climb, and enjoy a warm dinner before calling it a night.

Wake up to the gentle rustle of pine trees and the cool mountain breeze at Hargaon. After breakfast, we pack our bags for the final stretch of our trek. The descent today is short and pleasant, with the trail winding through dense forests, small clearings, and occasional glimpses of snow-capped peaks behind you. As you walk, you’ll notice the change in scenery — the high-altitude snow meadows give way to lush greenery and the familiar charm of the lower Himalayas. Along the way, we pause to soak in the views one last time and capture those moments you’ll want to remember forever. By late morning, we reach Sankri village, our base camp where the journey began. Check into your guesthouse or homestay and enjoy a hot lunch. The rest of the day is free to explore Sankri, interact with locals, shop for small souvenirs, or simply relax with a cup of chai while watching the sunset over the mountains. In the evening, gather with your trek mates for a final group dinner, sharing stories and laughter before retiring for the night.

Your Himalayan adventure comes to a close today. After a hearty breakfast in Sankri, we load up our bags and board the vehicle for the journey back to Rishikesh. The drive takes you once again through the scenic mountain roads, pine forests, and river valleys that first welcomed you here. This time, the view feels different — calmer, warmer — because you’re taking home more than just photographs. You’re carrying memories of snowy trails, golden sunrises, laughter by the campfire, and the quiet magic of the mountains. We’ll make a stop en route for your happy meal provided by FirstTrek, before continuing towards Rishikesh. By evening (around 6:00–7:00 PM), we reach Natraj Chowk, where we bid goodbye to each other — not as strangers anymore, but as friends bound by a shared Himalayan story.