Kedarkantha is also known as Bal-Kedar and according to a local legend; it was supposed to be the site of Kedarnath. It is said that when Shiva was wandering at Kedarkantha in his bull avatar, to hide from the Pandavas, the local dwellers disturbed his peace. Therefore, he fled to the present Kedarnath site.

The villagers of Sankri believe that the trident of Lord Shiva, erected at Kedarkantha protects them and keeps the Himalayan Rivers replenished.

The drive from Dehradun to Sankri takes you through picturesque towns and villages like Mussoorie, Nowgaon, Purola, and Mori. The scenic route takes you through a dense pine forest, filling the air with the sweet aroma of pines. After driving through the forests, you’ll reach Mori, where the Tons River joins you on the route. The Tons River is the biggest tributary of Yamuna and is well-known for rafting activities. The 190 km long drive typically takes 8-9 hours to complete, so it’s advisable to start early to reach Sankri by evening. You’ll spend the night at a guesthouse before starting your hike the next day.

Day 1, Sun: Highlights

• Altitude: ⇑ 1,280 m / ⇓ 0 m
• Drive (approx.): 190 km, 8-9 hrs. 🚌
• Accommodation: Guesthouse
• Meal: Dinner

We start our trek towards Juda Ka Talab early in the morning after breakfast from Sankri. The trek is eventful as we pass through local villages, such as Saud, and encounter kids heading to school and women starting their daily chores. The trail takes us through a dense pine forest, which gradually steepens until we reach a ridge. After walking on the ridge for a while, the trail evens out and widens. The thick forest provides a cool environment, shielding us from the sun’s heat. Finally, we reach the famous Juda Ka Talab, a small lake adorned with three floating landmasses. We camp by the lake, savouring a starry dinner.

Day 2, Mon: Highlights

• Altitude: ⇑ 855 m / ⇓ 0 m
• Walk (approx.): 4 km, 3-4 hrs. 🚶
• Accommodation: Campsite
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From Juda Ka Talab, the trail leads deeper into dense pine forests until reaching a meadow with shepherd’s huts. Climbing further for another thousand feet, trekkers will finally reach the Kedarkantha base camp, taking around 2-3 hours to complete. The trail from Juda Ka Talab to the base camp is incredibly stunning, providing an ideal setting for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike. Despite being a bit colder due to the lack of insulation, the base camp offers panoramic views of the famous peaks of Uttarakhand, making it an ideal spot for camping.

Day 3, Tue: Highlights

• Altitude: ⇑ 655 m / ⇓ 0 m
• Walk (approx.): 4 km, 3-4 hrs. 🚶
• Accommodation: Campsite
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 is the day you’ve been waiting for!

The trek to the summit from the base camp is not long, and upon reaching the top, you’ll be rewarded with a jaw-dropping 360-degree view of the Uttarakhand peaks, the Chaainsheel Pass, and the Kailash ranges of Himachal. You can even see the Har Ki Dun valley below.

The Kedarkantha summit is marked by an arrangement of stones with a Trishul pointing to the sky. Legend has it that the peak was meant to be the original Kedarnath temple, but Lord Shiva, who was disguised as a cow hiding from the Pandavas, was disturbed during meditation by the villagers. The interruption made him change his location to the present Kedarnath temple.

After spending time on the summit, we hike back to the base camp and head towards Juda Ka Talab (2 km trail) post-lunch, where we will spend the night before bidding farewell to this beautiful place.

Day 4, Wed: Highlights

• Altitude: ⇑ 380 m / ⇓ 1035 m
• Walk (approx.): 8 km, 5-6 hrs. 🚶
• Accommodation: Campsite
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is the final day of our trek and we will descend from Kedarkantha to Sankri, which is a 4 km trek taking 2-3 hours. Once we reach Sankri, you can take the rest of the day to explore the charming village and nearby villages like Gangad and Osla, which are known for their warm hospitality and traditional Pahari culture. Sankri is also the last road to the Govind Balabh Pant Wildlife Sanctuary.

Day 5, Thu: Highlights

• Altitude: ⇑ 0 m / ⇓ 855 m
• Walk (approx.): 8 km, 5-6 hrs. 🚶
• Accommodation: Guesthouse
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Going back home is always a bittersweet moment, but the journey is made easier by taking the same picturesque road back to Dehradun. As we leave behind the dense pine forests and descend towards the city, the landscape slowly changes and opens up into wider roads. Finally, we arrive in the bustling city, bidding farewell to the serene mountains and valleys of Uttarakhand.

Day 6, Fri: Highlights

• Altitude: ⇑ 0 m / ⇓ 1,280 m
• Drive (approx.): 190 km, 8-9 hrs.🚌
• Accommodation: N/A
• Meal: Breakfast