Kedarkantha Trek : A 4 days round trip from Delhi to Kedarkantha

Adventure for some may be a hobby or avocation, but, for me, it is a medicine to my soul.

In past few months I have been through really rough period of life, I lost Chetan Pandey Sir (someone who introduced me to the world of adventure) and my Mausaji, Mr. Ramesh Joshi (A gentle & philanthropist soul, an avid traveller and trekker in the family). It is the most disheartening thing to see your people in pain. You try to portray strong and make them feel better but deep down, it hits you hard. I knew nothing else, but being on a hilltop with naked soul having zero weightage of pain could bring me the peace back. Honestly, this was one of the reasons to pick Kedarkantha this time, Shivay.

Traveller : 

Me (mountaingirldhara)

 

Kirti Joshi

Destination: Delhi - Dehradun – Kedarkantha

Trek Duration: 5 nights & 4 days

Kedarkantha Peak, situated at an elevation of 12500 ft, is a part of Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand. A short trek around 10 Kms from Sankri village in Uttarkashi to the summit brings you the mesmerizing view of 13 Himalayan peaks including Swargarohini from the Kedarkantha top.

I was accompanied by Kirti Di, my school time senior, an amazingly charming & caring person, in this trek. So, Kirti Di & I, met at Kashmiri Gate Metro Stn on 8^th nov as we had our bus from ISBT here to Dehradun at 10 PM.

Day 1- Dehradun to Sankri

 

After an overnight journey we reached Dehradun on 9^th Nov 2019, the day was special as it was Uttarakhand Foundation Day. We reached ISBT Dun at morning 5:30 and rushed towards Mussoori bus stand to board the bus, supposed to leave for Sankri (road-head for the trek) at morning 6. As we reached there we found a different story. There was only one bus leaving for Sankri from Dehradun at morning 8 o’clock. So, now we had ample time to get fresh n up and to feed our hungry stomach.

View on the way to Sankri 

The entire day was spent on travelling, thanks to the serene nature, mystic valleys and mesmerizing bridges to make it worth rejoice. We thoroughly enjoyed the journey while capturing the jaw dropping beauty of mother nature in our cameras.

The bus dropped us at Sankri Market area around 4:30 in the evening.

Suggestions:

1.       The journey from Delhi to Sankri is nearly 18-20  hour travel by road. So, be ready for that.

2.       Only one UTC bus from Dehradun goes to Sankri, leaves dun at 0800 hrs.

3.       A number of hotels and lodges are available in Sankri market area, A GMVN associate hotel is just above the bus stand for those seeking economic stay.

Day 2 – Sankri to Kedarkantha Base Camp

Next day, we were all set to hit our trek. While, most of the people usually opt for Juda Ka Talab on day one, we decided to reach directly to Kedarkantha Base Camp. So, we left at morning 9 from Sankri. Since, this area is a sanctuary, named as the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, you are not permitted to enter or trek without an authorized guide with you. There is a forest office at the entrance gate of the Sanctuary, where you have to fill all your details and pay the entry fee (charges as per government rules) for the trek.

We took Kanhaiya with us, a local guide. He was guiding four more people for the same trek, so, eventually we got new company to trek along. KK, Bagmishri, Monika, Akansha.

My victory pose with (L-R) Kirti Di, Akansha, Monika, KK, Baghmishri

We started climbing through the forest until we met the gorgeous lake on the way – Juda Ka Talab. An epic location facing Himalayas at front, green oak and deodar trees around, a meadow nearby and Chai ki Tapri, what else you need. Took a refreshing halt there and resumed our trek to base camp.

Juda Ka Talab

The beauty on the way automatically provokes the photographer inside, so, we were in no hurry to reach the base camp on the cost of missing this & capture in our cameras to cherish for a lifetime.

By 3:30 we reached the camp site. Pitched our tents and enjoyed rest of the evening doing chit-chat, bonfire, hot soup, dance & music.

                               
                                  A chill out session with Kanhaiya's Sher-o-Shayri

Suggestions-

I know most of us will be confident to trek alone. But, this is a request, please do not shy away hiring the locals as your guide. This is their livelihood and they are courageous enough to do not leave their home land and migrate outside. They are managing their lives in less. It would be great if we could respectfully encourage them.

Plus, they are amazing and friendly people. You will certainly enjoy their noble company.

Day 3 – Kedarkantha Base Camp to Summit

We started the trek quite early today, as our aim was to be on the top to witness the alpen glow while sun rising in the Himalayas. Morning 2 o’clock we started from the base camp. It was nail biting cold penetrating our bones as we were approaching Kedarkantha Summit. 

Huts where we had bonfire in the morning

One kilo meter before the summit which is a steep climb, some of our mates were finding uneasy. So, Kanhaiya set up a small bonfire on the ice, which was quite impressive for me. I also learnt the technique from him. Our numb toes got some senses and we resumed our trek.

The sun was about to rise, and we were yet to reach the hilltop. Kanhaiya was climbing at a pace and I was literally running after him, for I could not afford to miss that view.

The divine Sunrise near Kedarkantha Summit

And finally there we were! I witnessed the most amazing sunrise of my life there at Kedarkantha. Tears started rolling on my cheeks, for I was in complete awe of the divine beauty of mother-nature. Only one thought was striking my head again and again – Millions of people out there but, I was amongst the very few fortunate to witness this moment. Honestly, I was feeling so privileged and overwhelmed in that moment. It is hard to describe in words. You must visit Kedarkantha to feel that feel.

360 degree view from Kedarkantha Summit

The 360 degree view from the top, which compelled me to do Kedarkantha this time, finally I was able to capture it real in my cameras, eyes and soul for always.

With happy & contended hearts we started descending to our base camp. Packed our backpacks and started trekking down further to Sankri. Where we spent the night at GMVN guest house and left for Dehradun next day.

Day 4- Sankri to Delhi

There are three buses one can avail from Sankri to Dehradun, around 5, 7 and 8 in the morning. The bus left around 8:15 AM, crossing the same bridges and mountains, which were now familiar to us.

Just as we were lost in the memories of the trek and thought the excitement was over, Damta had something interesting to offer us.

Ladies dressed in folk attire at Damta

A local fair, where men and women were all dressed in traditional attires, singing, playing music. Wowwww, What an experience! J We interacted with the people, had roadside food, danced in groups. THRILLED AGAIN!

Khushi Dekho Zara... 😃 Location - Damta Market Area

This experience made the trek even more memorable. Evening 6:30 the bus dropped us at ISBT Dehraun. We had another bus from here to Delhi at night.

Suggestion-

Most of the people and trekking sites suggest you to do this trek during winter after snowfall (Post Dec), but, trust me people, November is THE BEST time to enjoy every bit of this trek, snow and greenery, everything at once. So, people like me who want everything, November is the time for us to do this trek.

So, this is how a four day’s dream, yet another amazing trekking story came to a beautiful end. But every end is a beginning in itself.

As ‘John Steinbeck’ has rightly said - “People don’t take trips, Trips take people.”

I got my next destination there! Will be back soon. 😉

Till then, Stay Home, Fight Corona, Read my other trek stories...

Let me know if you enjoy them, STAY TRAVELOHOLIC!