Kedar Tal Trek

Kedartal Trek is not for the faint-hearted, as this trail is truly devoted to adventure lovers who dare to take on challenges. Located in Uttarkashi, the Kedartal Trek is one of the most difficult yet popular treks in Uttarakhand. Though the route is challenging, the natural grandeur Kedar Tal trek is beyond imagination. The unseen and majestic beauty of the Himalayas can be witnessed here. It is a 7-day trek which covers a distance of around 32 km. During the trek, the maximum altitude you achieve is 16,000 feet. The trail is not suitable for beginners, as it requires prior experience with excellent physical fitness. In this Kedartal Trek guide, you will get detailed information about the trail and the challenges you will face.

Base Camp of the Trek

Gangotri serves as the base camp of the Kedartal trek, which leads to the Gangotri Temple. Gangotri is located around 288 km away from Dehradun and is easily accessible by both public and private transport. The town provides all basic facilities one can expect from a base camp. Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) and other private buses provide a direct bus facility to Gangotri. Alternatively, private taxis can also be hired to access the site conveniently.

Trek Difficulty Level

Though the Kedartal trail is mostly blanketed with snow, it doesn't mean that the journey will be a cakewalk. The Kedartal trek is among those treks that are prominent for their challenging terrain right from the very beginning. Its challenging route puts it in the list of the most difficult treks in Uttarakhand.
 

The difficulty level of this trek can be understood from the fact that on the very first day, you climbed around 2,000 feet, and that too with an angle of 45 to 50 degrees.
 

The second day is almost equivalent to the first day, and for a minute, it might give you a thought, why you chose this trek. Though the final ascent is not as difficult as the previous day, the high altitude is the real challenge. Considering its difficulty level, it is a must to have an expert trek guide and prior trekking experience.

Best Time for the Kedartal Trek

The best time to undertake the Kedartal trek is during the summer and the autumn seasons, especially in May, June and October. During this period, the weather is perfect, and the clear skies produce magnificent views of the surrounding landscapes. Monsoon months (July to September) are generally not recommended, as trekkers may face various issues.

Kedartal Trek Short Itinerary

From the Gangotri base camp, the Kedartal Trek distance is around 32 km (both ways). The trek can be completed in 7 days, which includes a travel and acclimatisation day. Below, we have shared the overview of the Kedartal Trek route: -

Day 1: Drive From Dehradun to Gangotri

• Drive Distance: 288 km
• Drive Time: 8-9 hours
• Accommodation: Hotel and Homestay

The journey starts from Dehradun, where you have to reach Gangotri, the trek's base camp. The drive will pass through some scenic places, namely Narendar Nagar, Harshil and Tehri, taking around 9 hours. Upon arrival, check into your accommodation, and thereafter, you can rest or explore the local market. Being the last motorable point, Gangotri attracts thousands of devotees visiting Gangotri Temple, the second dham of the Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra.

Day 2: Acclimatisation Day

Gangotri temple is situated at an elevation of 10,000 feet. Trekkers need time to acclimatise to the high altitude, so the second day of the Kedar Tal trek is kept reserved for the acclimatisation, which is mandatory for all. For this, you can visit the Gangotri Temple to seek the Goddess's blessings. Additionally, explore the nearby popular areas such as Pandav Gufa, Gauri Kund, Surya Kund, and Bhagirathi Shila.

Day 3: Trek from Gangotri to Bhoj Kharak

• Trek Distance: 7-8 km
• Trek Duration: 6 hours

The third day of the journey marks the first day of trekking, where we have to reach Bhoj Kharak. The trek is 8-9 km long, which includes the challenging Spider Wall. The trail passes through Bhairav Ghati along the Bhagirathi River. Initially, the path is rocky until you enter the forest. The bhojpatra trees are found in abundance here, whose barks are generally used to write sacred mantras and texts in ancient times.

Being the first trekking day, the trail demands significant energy. Stay hydrated and refill your bottle from available water sources. Marching towards the first campsite, you arrived at the toughest part of today's trail, the Spider Wall. It is a quite narrow path where only one person can move at a time. Focus carefully on each step and remember to avoid looking down, or else it may appear impossible to pass. After crossing the first spider wall, a second spider wall awaits in the next 20 minutes. Much of the trail passes through a narrow valley, which does not offer a great view. However, the campsite offers some scenic views, making it a perfect place for an overnight stay.

Day 4: Trek from Bhoj Kharak to Kedar Kharak

• Trek Distance: 3-4 kms
• Trek Duration: 4 hours

Today, we will hike a shorter distance to reach our campsite at Kedar Kharak. It is located at an elevation of 14,000, which passes through a steep ascent. After walking about one km, the trails open up to a vast meadow, which produces a breathtaking view, particularly during the autumn season. In this stretch, you might get a chance to spot Bharal, Goral, and Himalayan black bear. Although it's daytime, but as you move forward, the temperature begins dipping. Along the trail, the Bhrigupanth peak offers a majestic backdrop. Once you arrive at the campsite, enjoy the trail's renowned sunset, which sets beautifully behind the Bhrigupanth Peak.

Day 5: Kedar Kharak to Kedartal and back to Kedar Kharak

• Trek Distance: 6 kms
• Trek Duration: 3 hours

The fifth day of the trek will be the most exciting of the journey, where we will get to see the high glacial Kedartal Lake. Unlike the previous day, when meadows offered a lush green view, today's trail is completely different. Passing through boulders and dust, the path is barren and hardly offers any greenery. A few streams cross the trail, where you can refill your bottle.

Once you pass the final ridge, the emerald green Kedartal Lake appears. When viewed from a distance, it offers a breathtaking view that lures you in. If the weather is clear, you can see the gigantic peaks of Manda, Brighupant, Gangotri, Bhagirathi, Mery, and Thalyasagar. Of these, the reflection of Thalyasagar peak in the lake is particularly stunning. After soaking for some time near the lake, retrace the path to trek back to Kedar Kharak for an overnight stay.

Day 6: Kedar Kharak to Gangotri

• Trek Distance: 14 kms
• Trek Time: 9 hours

Wake up early, as it will be the last day of the trek, where you will cover around 14 km distance. Capture the magnificent sunrise view from Kedar Kharak, and start descending towards the Gangotri. It will take about 9 hours to reach the base camp. If time permits, seek the blessing of Goddess Ganga at Gangotri Temple and take a stroll through the market.

Day 7: Drive back from Gangotri to Dehradun

• Drive Distance: 288 km
• Drive Time: 9 hours

Finally, the journey starts on the first day and comes to an end, as today we will drive back to Dehradun, retracing the same route we took on the first day.

Journey Commenced From

You can start your journey either from Dehradun or Rishikesh, as both offer good transportation services. However, in terms of overall connectivity, Dehradun offers better connectivity compared to Rishikesh. The starting may also depend on the trek organising agency, as each has its own designated departure points. In both scenarios, you must reach the starting city a day before the journey begins. Both cities offer a variety of accommodation options, so you won't feel short of options for your overnight stay. Since Dehradun offer better connectivity, the details shared below focus on Dehradun.

How to reach Dehradun?

Dehradun is easily accessible by all means, i.e. road, rail, and air. Trekkers travelling from other cities can choose the mode of transport that suits them best.

• By Road: Dehradun provides excellent road connectivity with Delhi and other nearby cities. Thanks to the Delhi-Dehradun expressway, the journey from Delhi to Dehradun now takes only 4 hours. It can be reached easily by bus, as the Dehradun ISBT is well connected with major ISBTs and bus terminals. For more convenience, you can also use a taxi service.
• By Train: You can also access the city by rail, as Dehradun Railway Station has direct trains from Delhi and other major railheads. Popular trains like Jan Shatabdi, Shatabdi Express, and Vande Bharat Express operate on this route daily.
• By Air: Travellers coming from distant cities, air travel will be the best option. Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest one, which provides direct flights from major Indian cities.

Kedartal Trek Route: Key details

Kedartal Trek Route Map

Kedar Tal Trek journey begins from Dehradun and goes up to Gangotri. Along the way, you will pass through some popular scenic places, including Narendra Nagar, Tehri, Harshil, and Gartang Gali. This journey can be challenging, especially post-monsoon, as landslides can cause road blockages. Below we have shared the route map involved in the journey: - 
 

Dehradun → Narendranagar → Tehri → Uttarkashi → Maneri → Gangnani → Harsil → Dharali → Gartang Gali → Bhaironghati → Gangotri.

Backpack Check List for Kedartal Trek

Accommodation

Gangotri serves as the base camp for Kedar Tal Lake, offers a range of accommodations. Visitors can book their stay either online or offline, subject to availability. However, if you opt for trekking services from an agency, your accommodation will be arranged by the organisers.

Important Tips for Trekkers

• Prior trekking experience with good physical fitness is a must.
• Carry all the essential items, except those provided by the trekking agency.
• Trekking gear and other necessary items can also be rented at reasonable prices.
• Direct public transport facilities are available from Dehradun Hill Bus Stand.
• Using the trekking agency transport facility will add more value to your journey.
• ATM facilities are available at Gangotri.
• Mobile network signals are available up to the base camp.
• Keep monitoring your oxygen level regularly; if it drops, return to the base camp immediately.
• Always carry a valid identity proof.

Kedartal Trek Package

Various Trekking agency provides packages for the Kedar Tal Trek, which generally range between Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000/-. Apart from this, trekkers can also visit the trek's base camp directly and hire a trek guide. Before taking the services of any agency, trekkers must carefully read the terms and conditions, as well as the services provided.

Facilities offered by the agencies

Popular Trek Providers

Note: The prices mentioned above are indicative and subject to change by the agencies. For the latest package cost, visit the portal of the respective agencies.