I Surviving in -20°C My Unforgettable Kedarkantha Trek with BanBanjara

They don’t tell you how cruel –20°C really is. Your water bottle freezes, your fingers stop responding, and even your thoughts turn sluggish. Standing there in the dead of night, climbing towards Kedarkantha’s summit, I felt the mountain was testing me—asking if I truly deserved that sunrise.

This is not just a trek story. Hi, I’m Sahith Bingi from Hyderabad, Telangana. This is my personal journey of laughter, struggle, wonder, and discovery—shared with new friends and guided beautifully by kedarkanthatrekfromdelhi.com (BanBanjara).

Why Kedarkantha? Why This Trek?

It was December 2024. I was 27, and for some reason, I felt this urge to step away from the noise of daily life. When I first read about the Kedarkantha trek, I knew it had everything I wanted—snow, a frozen lake, a true summit climb, and of course, the famous sunrise.

Another reason? I wanted something achievable but still challenging. Kedarkantha’s “easy to moderate” difficulty level sounded perfect. It promised beauty without being impossible.

When I stumbled upon kedarkanthatrekfromdelhi.com (BanBanjara), I liked how professional and simple they made everything. The booking was seamless, the instructions were clear, and their reviews felt real. That’s how it all began. Little did I know how unforgettable it was going to be.

Dehradun to Sankri – The Start of Something Real

The journey started from Dehradun with a group of strangers who would soon become friends. The drive to Sankri was long but beautiful—mountain roads twisting through pine forests, tiny villages flashing by, and streams glistening under the winter sun.

By the time we reached Sankri, the sun had dipped behind the ridges. The air was sharp, almost biting, reminding me that this wasn’t a casual holiday—it was the Himalayas calling. The village of Sankri, small and quiet, felt like the doorway to another world. That night, I could barely sleep. Excitement mixed with nervousness—tomorrow, the real trek will begin.

Day 1 – Sankri to Juda Ka Talab

The next morning, we started walking towards Juda Ka Talab. The first stretch was through forests of pine and oak. Slowly, the trail began changing—the mud beneath our boots turned into a soft layer of snow. Each step made a crunching sound, like a reminder that winter had fully arrived.

When we reached Juda Ka Talab, I was stunned into silence. A frozen lake stood in front of us, tucked between tall snow-covered pines. It looked like something out of a fairy tale. I remember thinking, Is this even real?

That evening, we sat at the campsite sipping hot chai. The laughter of people I had met just a day ago filled the air. As the sun set, the sky turned golden, then purple, before finally giving way to darkness. And that’s when the real magic began.

The night sky was something else. –15°C cold made my hands numb, but I couldn’t stop staring. The Milky Way stretched across the sky, so clear it felt like I could walk right into it. I lay there under billions of stars, feeling tiny and infinite at the same time.

Summit Day – Darkness, Struggle & Light

Summit day will forever stay with me.

We woke up at 1 am, stepped out into pitch darkness, and switched on our headlamps. The snow crunched with every step. The air was so cold it almost burned to breathe. And then came the steep incline—relentless, never-ending.

There was knee-deep snow in parts. The wind was sharp, cutting across my face. Every few steps, I had to stop, take a deep breath, and remind myself—one step at a time. It wasn’t technical, but it was exhausting. The cold made everything harder.

At one point, we reached the ridge earlier than expected. The wind was blowing at 30–40 kmph, so we hid behind a rock, trying to shield ourselves. Sitting there in the freezing dark, chanting “Om Namah Shivaya” softly to keep myself going, I questioned everything—why was I here? Could I make it?

And then… the horizon began to change.

First, a faint glow. Then streaks of orange and pink. And suddenly, the entire sky exploded in colours. The peaks of Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, and Kalanag lit up in fiery light.

That sight gave me the strength for the final push. Step by step, with every ounce of determination I had left, I climbed to the summit. And then, finally, I stood at 12,500 ft, the flag snapping in the wind.

I can’t describe the feeling. The 360° view of the Himalayas around me, the sunrise painting the peaks, the sound of silence—it was overwhelming. I wasn’t just proud; I was humbled. That sunrise wasn’t given to me. I had earned it.

The Nights of Laughter

Not all memories were about struggle. Some were pure joy.

At Juda Ka Talab, one night was so cold that even sleeping bags felt useless. To distract ourselves, we started telling stories inside the tent. Slowly, stories turned into jokes. And then, laughter.

We laughed so hard that people in nearby tents woke up. Some even joined us, squeezing into our cramped tent, just to be part of it. We gave each other funny nicknames, laughed until our stomachs hurt, and for a while, forgot that it was –15°C outside.

That’s the magic of trekking—you arrive as strangers but leave as family.

The Backbone – Our Guides

If there’s one thing I want to highlight, it’s how amazing the kedarkanthatrekfromdelhi.com (BanBanjara) trek leaders and guides were.

They weren’t just guides; they were our support system. They knew exactly when to encourage us, when to slow down, and when to crack a joke to lighten the mood. On summit day, their calm words kept us steady. Around the campfire, their stories made us smile.

Their presence turned fear into confidence. Without them, I doubt I would’ve enjoyed the trek this much.

What I Learned in the Himalayas

The Kedarkantha trek gave me much more than views and photographs. It gave me lessons:

• Patience. The mountain doesn’t care about your pace. You just have to keep moving.
• Resilience. If I could walk through knee-deep snow at –20°C, I could handle far more than I thought.
• Simplicity. We lived in tents, ate simple meals, and still felt joy. Comfort isn’t always needed for happiness.
• Connection. Without phones and distractions, we bonded deeply—with each other and with nature.

In short, it taught me that sometimes you find yourself only when you lose the comforts you’re used to.

Would I Recommend It?

Without a doubt—YES.

The Kedarkantha trek is perfect for anyone who wants a taste of the Himalayas without diving into an extreme expedition. It has everything—snowy forests, frozen lakes, stargazing, and a summit that makes you cry with joy.

And if you’re planning it, do it with kedarkanthatrekfromdelhi.com (BanBanjara). From booking to base camp to summit—they made sure everything was safe, smooth, and memorable.

If you’re waiting for a sign to go, let this be it. Pack your bags. Trust the mountains. Never miss a sunrise you haven’t earned.

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