How to Reach by Kedarkantha Trek From Delhi
One of the most popular winter treks in India, the Kedarkantha trek offers mesmerising views of the snow-capped mountains and dense pine forests. You get to start your journey from Delhi, where the route involves travelling to Dehradun, which serves as the main gateway to Kedarkantha. From Dehradun, you head towards Sankri, a small village in Uttarkashi district that serves as a base camp for the trek.
This road journey from Dehradun to Sakri passes Mussorie, Purola and Mori, making it one of the most scenic routes for road travel in the Himalayas. Once you reach Sankri, the actual travel adventure begins, leading you into the heart of the Himalayas.
Quick Overview of the Route
The journey from the Kedarkantha trek begins from Delhi, with Dehradun being the first stop. This is the nearest city to the tree, which is connected by rail, road and air. From Dehradun, you get on a road trip of about 200 km to reach Sankri, which is a picturesque Himalayan town nestled in the Uttarkashi district.
Being the official base village for the Kedarkantha trek, the trekkers gather here before starting their ascent. This road passes through Mussorie, Purola and Mori while offering stunning views of rivers and pine forests. From Sankri, you take a trail to Kedarkantha, a snowy town.
Delhi to Dehradun
- By Train: There are multiple trains from New Delhi to Dehradun, including overnight options like Nanda Devi Express and Dehradun Shatabdi. The journey takes about 6-7 hours.
- By Bus: Regular Volvo Buses operate from Delhi’s ISBT Kashmiri Gate to Dehradun. The overnight buses are comfortable and convenient, with a travel time of 7-8 hours.
- By Flight: There are various direct flight options from Delhi Airport to Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun. The flight takes around 1 hour. This is the fastest option, which saves time for trekkers.
Dehradun to Sankri
- By Shared Jeep/Taxi- The most common and budget-friendly option is the shared taxi or jeep available from Dehradun in the morning. The 200 km journey takes around 8-10 hours, passing through the scenic hill roads.
- By Private Cab: Ideal for small groups and families, renting a private cab allows you to travel the route in greater comfort. Though costlier, they offer flexibility in timings and halts along the way.
- By Bus (Limited)– A government bus service operates from Dehradun to Sankri, albeit with limited and infrequent departures. It’s cheaper but requires planning due to the limited availability of the buses.
Kedarkantha Trek Starts from Sankri
The Kedarkanth trek officially begins from the village of Snakri, which is surrounded by pine forests and Himalayan views. From here, the trail takes you to Juda ka Talab, which is a serene high-altitude lake nestled in the dense woods. The next stop is the Kedarkantha base camp, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks.
Finally, the trekkers reach the summit of the trek, nestled at 12,500 ft for panoramic 360-degree views of the Himalayas. It is recommended to trek with a local guide or a reputed tour operator like Ban Banjara for safety, logistics and an authentic experience.
Suggested Itinerary: Delhi to Kedarkantha
- Day 1: Travel from Delhi to Dehradun and spend the night in Dehradun.
- Day 2: Drive from Dehradun to Sankri, which is at a distance of 200 km. You get to rest and prepare for the trek.
- Day 3: Trek from Sankri to Juda ka talab, a 5 km distance that takes approximately 4-5 hours to reach. Amp overnight over there.
- Day 4: Trek to Kedarkantha base camp, which is at a distance of 3-4 km and still takes about 3-4 hours to reach the highest altitude.
- Day 5: Early morning summit down the peak and return to the base camp.
- Day 6: Trek back to Sankri and drive to Dehradun/Delhi.