Kedarnath Vasuki Tal Trek

Every year, lakhs of people visit Kedarnath Temple, the third Dham of Uttarakhand and one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Kedarnath Dham is surrounded by many popular places which are explored by the pilgrims during their visit. However, there is one place that remains less explored is Vasuki Tal.
 

Vasuki Tal is located around 8 km away from the Kedarnath Shrine, whose trail is a bit difficult than the Kedarnath. Still, adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers trek to this beautiful lake to experience its beauty. In this Kedarnath-Vasuki Tal Trek guide, we share our experience and full details about the journey.

A Remarkable Trail of Kedarnath-Vasuki Tal Trek

The Kedarnath-Vasuki Tal Trek is one of the most scenic treks in the Great Himalayas of Uttarakhand, which is known for its alpine lake and mesmerising beauty. Situated at a height of over 13,500 feet in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag District, the lake is surrounded by snow-clad mountains.
 

The lake sits against the background of the majestic Chaukhamba Parvat, whose view is so grand that it looks like a picture postcard. Trekkers can choose to camp overnight at Vasuki Tal or trek back to Kedarnath Valley the same day. Although the trail is a bit tougher, the views it produces are immense, which makes your journey worthwhile.
 

Its trail also passes through the Doodhganga River, which later merges with the Mandakini River. The milky white appearance of the river gives it the name Doodhganga (Doodh means 'milk' in Hindi)

Base Camp of the Trek

The base camp of the Kedarnath-Vasuki Tal Trek is Gaurikund, which offers all basic facilities expected from a base camp. Gaurikund is the last motorable point of the journey, which is situated around 209 km away from Rishikesh. Trekkers can use a bus, shared taxi or private cab to reach here, which usually takes 8 to 9 hours.
 

However, vehicles are not allowed beyond Sonprayag; from there, trekkers must take a shuttle service to reach Gaurikund. After reaching the base camp, visitors can book their accommodation in Gaurikund to adapt to the conditions before starting the trek.

Trek Difficulty Level

Kedarnath-Vasuki Tal Trek distance is around 24 km, which is graded as a moderately difficult trek. Its final 8 km stretch begins from Kedarnath Temple, is the most difficult part of the journey. To reach the summit, good physical fitness and prior trekking experience are required. However, beginners with good physical and mental strength can also attempt this trek with the help of a local guide. Trekkers will not face any problem up to Kedarnath Dham as its path is relatively easy. From there, the rocky and unpaved path is tricky, which probably makes it difficult to navigate.

Best time for the Kedarnath Vasuki Tal Trek

Kedarnath Vasuki Tal trek is open only six months a year, from May to October. It is hard to undertake this trek in winter due to heavy snowfall and inclement weather conditions. Of these months, the spring and post-monsoon seasons are considered the best time to visit, especially the pre-monsoon. During these seasons, the weather is perfect and suitable for trekking, when the lake looks majestic. However, if you wish to witness the Brahma Kamal flower, the region is known for, the post-monsoon season is suitable.

Kedarnath Vasuki Tal Trek Short Itinerary

The Kedarnath Vasuki Tal Trek can be completed in 4 days. However, one must keep a buffer day, as weather conditions can change rapidly. Below, we have shared a short itinerary for the Vasuki Tal Trek: -

Day 1: Drive from Rishikesh to Gaurikund

• Take a shared taxi, bus or hire a cab from Rishikesh.
• After reaching Sonprayag, use the shuttle service to reach Gaurikund (as other vehicles are not allowed beyond this point).
• Gaurikund base camp is just 8 km away from Sonprayag and can be reached within an hour.
• The total distance from Rishikesh to Gaurikund is around 209 km, which takes around 8 to 9 hours to reach.
• Stay overnight at Gaurikund to start the trek fresh the next morning.

Note: Buses usually depart early, so try to reach the bus stand early in the morning.

Day 2: Trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath Dham

• Begin the 16 km trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath Temple.
• The trail is rated easy to moderate but comes with certain challenges, as it is extremely crowded and hard to navigate, especially between mules.
• Despite the challenges, the view along the trail is stunning.
• The trek will take around 5 to 6 hours to reach Kedarnath, depending on your fitness level.
• Stay overnight at Dham and before this offer a prayer at Bhairavnath Temple and Kedarnath Mandir. Also, visit the Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi located just behind the temple.

Day 3: Kedarnath Dham to Vasuki Tal

• Wake up before sunrise and enjoy the surreal beauty of nature.
• After soaking in the morning views of the Kedarnath Dham and seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva, proceed towards Vasuki Tal.
• This pristine alpine lake lies at a distance of 8 km from Kedarnath Dham.
• It is the final stretch of the trail, which is tough and takes around 4 to 5 hours to cover.
• Along the trail, the view of the Kedarnath Valley is stunning, and the Doodhganga River, true to its name, looks ravishing.
• After covering 7 km, you will arrive at Jaya-Vijaya Dhar, where you get the first glimpse of Vasuki Lake.
• A few minutes later, you will finally arrive at the Vasuki Tal.
• Enjoy the panoramic views of the landscape.
• Take a refreshing dip in the lake before returning to Kedarnath Dham for an overnight stay.

Day 4: Kedarnath Dham to Sonprayag

• Trek back to Gaurikund, whose 16 km can be completed within 3 to 4 hours.
• From Gaurikund, take the shuttle service to Sonprayag.
• If you start early, you will reach Sonprayag by 11:00 AM.
• From Sonprayag, take a shared taxi or bus (if available) back to Rishikesh.

Journey Commenced From

• Rishikesh marks the starting point of the Kedarnath-Vasuki Tal trek journey.
• Known as the gateway to Garhwal and the world's yoga capital, Rishikesh offers good connectivity with the nearby cities.
• Rishikesh is located around 246 km away from the national capital Delhi, and is accessible by road, rail, and air services.
• Rishikesh doesn't provide direct air connectivity, so visitors need to reach Jolly Grant Airport, which is just 16 km away.
• It's Yog Nagri Rishikesh Railway Station offers a few trains from Delhi to Rishikesh.
• Among all, the road medium is the most convenient one, as it offers regular buses and taxis from Delhi and other nearby areas.

Kedarnath Vasuki Tal Trek Route: Key details

Kedarnath Vasuki Tal Trek Route Map

The Kedarnath Vasuki Tal Trek route passes through some notable places, which add charm to your journey. Of these, Devprayag, Srinagar and Karnprayag are particularly prominent. At Devprayag, you can see the sacred confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers, which together form the holy Ganga, while a few kilometres from Srinagar, you can also seek the blessings of Goddess Dhari Devi, known as the protector of the Char Dham. Below, we have shared the travel route map that involves the most lovable Kedarnath-Vasuki Lak Trek.
 

Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Dhari Devi Temple → Rudraprayag → Tilwara → Augustmuni → Guptkashi → Phata → Sonprayag → Gaurikund.

Backpack Check List for Kedarnath Vasuki Tal Trek

Accommodation

Gaurikund offers a variety of accommodations, including hotels, guest houses, homestays, etc. Trekkers can book their stay online or upon their arrival. During peak season, a large number of people arrive here to visit Kedarnath, which may also cause availability issues. Here are some suggestions that are available near Gaurikund: -

• Anoop Hotel
• New Shri Ram Hotel
• Hotel Shiv Bhumi
• Hotel Rudraksh
• Deepak Lodge
• Purohit Hotel
• Hotel Gayatri
• Devlok Hotel
• Hotel Sunil Lodge
• GMVN Gaurikund.

Important Tips for Trekkers

• Physical fitness is important as the trail involves some tough stretches.
• The weather remains cold around the year, except during summer days.
• Bring sufficient cash, as network connectivity is limited.
• ATMs and medical shops are available at Gaurikund.
• Carry the essential items necessary for the trek.
• Take a local tour guide if trekking without an agency.
• Begin your trek early to reach the Kedarnath Dham before evening.
• Carry enough water and apply sunscreen while trekking.

Kedarnath Vasuki Tal Trek Package

Various local tour guide provides packages for the Kedarnath-Vasuki Tal Trek, which range between Rs 5,000/- and 8,000/-. The package will not include transportation and meal charges. Besides this, you can hire a local tour guide either from Gaurikund or Kedarnath Dham, which will not cost you much.

Facilities offered by the agencies