Kedarkantha: India's Favourite First Winter Trek
Youth Travel India ·
Snow forest, frozen lake and sunrise at 12,500 ft on a student budget.
→ The Kedarkantha route map: camps, passes and elevation
Kedarkantha is the favourite first winter trek, short, snowy and full of views without a long expedition. From Sankri at 6,400 ft you walk about 20 to 23 km round trip over four to six days to 12,500 ft, roughly 3,810 m. The trail runs through pine and oak forest inside Govind Pashu Vihar, past Juda Ka Talab lake to meadows and a ridge top with Swargarohini and Bandarpoonch in view. Nights are cold and bright, days white and quiet. It is easy to moderate and suits a fit beginner with warm layers and a guide.
Getting there: base at Sankri, about 200 km from Dehradun, eight to ten hours via Mussoorie, Purola and Mori. From Delhi take bus or train to Dehradun, often ₹400 to ₹1,000 by bus and ₹600 to ₹1,200 by sleeper. Direct Dehradun to Sankri buses leave near half past five and cost roughly ₹450 to ₹550. Shared cabs often cost ₹600 to ₹1,200 per person, private cabs ₹5,000 to ₹6,000 to split. Reach by evening for briefing.
Getting there: keep costs low. Station hostels in Dehradun often cost ₹500 to ₹1,200, Sankri homestays ₹800 to ₹1,500 with dinner. Eat at dhabas and carry cash, as there are no ATMs beyond Purola. Signal fades after Mori, Jio and BSNL work best. Keep ID ready for Netwar gate checks. Start early from Dehradun to reach before dark on hill roads and rest well.
What it costs: this is among cheapest snow treks. For 2025 to 2026 Sankri groups are listed from ₹4,500 to ₹5,000, Dehradun groups from ₹5,500 to ₹7,500, comfort tiers from ₹9,000 to ₹12,000. Common examples near six thousand four hundred ninety nine are widely listed. That covers homestay plus tents, veg meals, guide, forest fees, bags, spikes and gaiters. Extras are gear at ₹300 to ₹500 per item, mules at ₹400 to ₹600 per day, tips and travel to Dehradun.
When to go: go for snow late November to early April, peak December to March for powder. November brings first snow above, January is coldest near minus ten at night, February balances snow and crowds, March keeps snow above with longer days. September to November is clear for trails over snow. Avoid July to August when paths slick. Sankri road can close briefly after snow, so keep a buffer and confirm pick up early.
Stay safe: cold plus altitude is the test, though sickness is rarer than on higher treks. You climb 6,400 ft to 12,500 ft in three days, so pace, water and warm sleep matter. Report headache or nausea at once and do not climb while unwell. Be able to walk four to six hours uphill, so train with walks and stairs. Summit starts are predawn with lamps, so learn spike use and turn back if weather worsens. Insurance is advised. Park entry is about ₹150 for Indians and six hundred for foreign guests.
Day by day: drive Dehradun to Sankri, 190 to 210 km, rest and check gear. Trek Sankri to Juda Ka Talab, four to five km in four to five hours to 8,858 ft through forest. Next walk Juda to base, three to four km in three to four hours to 10,498 ft above trees for first big views. Early dinner and briefing follow under stars above the snowy meadow camp.
Day by day: summit day starts near half past three for sunrise. Climb to 12,500 ft and back toward Hargaon, nine to eleven km in six to eight hours via ridge and shrine flags with dawn panorama. Descend for lunch, then to Hargaon or Juda for night. Last day walk four to five km to Sankri and drive eight to ten hours to Dehradun by late evening. Some use Kotgaon base to avoid crowds, same summit route.
Leave no trace: snow hides waste but melt reveals it, so winter care matters doubly. Carry back all packets, use refill bottles and boiled camp water, stay on path to save pines, and use toilet tents well. Do not burn plastics, do not cut branches, keep noise low. The park holds birds and mammals that stress in winter. If you haul gear up in snow, you can haul waste down as well.
If you are visiting from abroad: villages are kind and traditional. Greet with a smile, dress modestly and warmly, ask before photos, remove shoes where asked, and respect summit shrine boards. Carry passport original for park notes and send copies early for permits. Most need an Indian e visa before arrival. Food is veg with rice, dal and hot drinks. Keep rupees in cash and enjoy offline days.
This is the right start for first snow on trail with winter skills taught safely. Start on land with briefing and pacing, then aim higher later.
Route craft, safety thinking and expedition notes in this guide draw on Dr Satinder Singh Malik's Adventure Tourism in India.