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Kedarkantha trek – Altitude and Terrain

Kedarkantha trek

This is an excellent trek for anyone and specially for beginners who are interested in winter hikes in the Himalayas. With the arrival of winter snow, Kedarkantha starts to look like a Paradise. The trek runs largely through forest and lush green meadow, making it a safe and attractive place to complete the trek even when there is a blanket of snow on the ground. 

The vistas of the Himalayan peaks along the way and from the summit are what make this trek unique. During the winter, the sky is usually clear and the air is clean, allowing for spectacular vistas. At a high elevation of 12,500ft. The summit provides adventurous trekking experience to the trekkers. Which gives the sense of satisfaction and achievement for the efforts they made to get rewarded with mesmerizing views.

The day time used to be sunny, but the evenings are cold, with temperatures consistently falling below zero. The journey begins with a scenic drive from Dehradun to Sankri, a rural village in the Har-ki-Dun valley. This valley is home for the trekkers during the popular summer trekking season and has some of the most popular treks in the Indian Himalayas, such as Har-ki-Dun, Ruinsara Tal, Rupin Pass, Black Peak, and others. 

The trip begins from Juda-ka-Talab, a magnificent water lake. We proceed a short distance beyond the lake to our camping location for the night and acclimate to the conditions. By the end of the day, you will witness Himalayan peak covered with snow. The next day, you will begin your journey and hike across snowfields (green meadows in summer) to the base of Kedar Kantha.

Trek Elevation & Distance

The journey elevation is approximately 12,500 feet. The Kedarkantha hike is approximately 20 kilometers long. The trek, including acclimatization, takes about 4 days to finish comfortably. With temperatures ranging from 6 to 20 degrees Celsius from April to June and 8 to -10 degrees Celsius from November to March. During the monsoon season, the temperature ranges from 5 to 17 degrees Celsius. 

A selection of some of the spectacular Himalayan peaks coated in clean and fresh snow may be seen. In the summer, Kedarkantha is thought to be particularly refreshing if you reside anywhere in the plains where the temperature might reach approximately half a century. It is advisable mostly by everyone not to visit Kedarkantha during monsoon season.

What is the fitness required for Kedarkantha?

Kedarkantha is an easy-moderate trek that requires a reasonable degree of fitness. I say this because if you struggle the entire way, you will not be able to enjoy it. It’s not just about finishing the trek or reaching the summit; it’s about the experience that comes with it. 

In addition, the difficulty of a walk increases slightly during the winter months. This holds true for any other adventure out there. High volumes of snow might be difficult to navigate at times. That is why it is critical to prepare thoroughly before venturing into the mountains. 

You could begin running at least a month before your trip. Lack of stamina will not be an issue on the slopes if you can cover a 5 km distance in under 35 minutes. For those of us who don’t, you could perform any other type of exercise that improves your stamina and strength. You can walk up and down your apartment’s stairs several times. Squats of various types will aid in the development of your leg muscles. This will be quite helpful on the walk because it will not be a new chore for your muscles.

Kedarkantha trek altitude

Kedarkantha Trek is a traditional gem of winter treks in the Himalayas. It never ceases to entice trekkers with mesmerizing views along the journey up to its summit peak, which lies at an elevation of 12,500 feet. 

Kedarkantha is an all-time favorite trek for many travel enthusiasts and trekkers because it takes only 6 days round trip from Delhi and requires absolutely no prior trekking expertise for those who want to undertake this trek. 

It will refresh you and keek you away from the hustle and bustle of city life and into the isolated villages of Garhwal in just one night, and the next day you find yourself in settlements of the Garhwal Region that are strangely calm, unspoiled by time, and surrounded by panoramic views of high snow-capped peaks. This hike is easily accessible at any time of year and provides trekkers with a different tranquil experience depending on the season.

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