Kedarkantha Trek

About Kedarkantha Trek
Kedarkantha is widely regarded as India's finest winter summit trek for beginners. Located
in the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, the trail climbs from the
charming village of Sankri to a summit of 3,810 metres (12,500 ft) — and rewards every trekker
with one of the most complete 360-degree panoramas in the Indian Himalayas.

What sets Kedarkantha apart is how much it offers for how little it demands. No prior trekking
experience is needed. Over six unhurried days, the trail moves through thick pine and oak forests
blanketed in snow, past the postcard-perfect Juda Ka Talab, and up an open ridge to a summit from
which more than a dozen major Himalayan peaks are visible on a clear morning.

What Makes Kedarkantha Special
The winter magic is the headline. From mid-December to mid-March, fresh snow transforms the entire
trail into a white wonderland — the forests, the meadows, the campsites, and the summit climb itself.
Juda Ka Talab, a high-altitude lake ringed by pines, often freezes over and becomes the most
photographed spot on the route.

The summit push is the emotional peak of the trek. Setting out in the dark with headlamps, trekkers
reach the top at sunrise to witness Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Black Peak (Kalanag), Ranglana, and
the Gangotri range glowing in the first light. For most first-time trekkers, this is the moment they
fall in love with the mountains.

Flora, Fauna & Landscape
The Govind Wildlife Sanctuary that surrounds the trek is home to Himalayan monal (the state bird),
koklass pheasant, bharal (blue sheep), and, higher up, the elusive snow leopard. The lower forests
are dominated by towering deodar, blue pine, and oak. In spring, the same meadows that hold snow in
winter bloom with alpine grasses and wildflowers.

Trek with BootsAndGear
Our Kedarkantha batches run with a maximum of 15 trekkers and a certified trek leader, a local
Garhwali guide, and a full support crew. We handle all forest permits, provide four-season tents and
-15°C-rated sleeping bags for the cold winter nights, and arrange comfortable homestays in Sankri so
your trek begins and ends with genuine Garhwali warmth. Microspikes and gaiters are provided on snow
batches so you stay safe and confident on the summit climb.