Kedartal Trek

• Distance – 242 km
• Time Taken – 8 to 9 hrs

Kedartal trek begins from Gangotri. A long journey on meandering mountain roads leads you to the base camp. The distance of around 242 km between Dehradun and Gangotri is covered in 8 to 9 hours. 

There are several travel options available to reach Gangotri from Dehradun. You can get on a bus from Dehradun ISBT or shared taxis. The other option is to travel to Uttarkashi and then hire a taxi. Try reaching Uttarkashi in the afternoon as finding shared cabs is challenging in the late afternoon. The distance between Uttarkashi and Gangotri is 99 km. 

• Trek Distance – 9 km
• Time Taken – 5 to 6 hrs

Your trek begins from the holy town of Gangotri. The day starts early, and you will traverse a moderate trail for the first few hours. As the Bhoj Kharak campsite approaches, the trail becomes challenging with rocky patches and steep ascents that will test your physical fitness. 

 You will also encounter the infamous spider wall, a tricky patch of rock before reaching  Bhoj Kharak. After your arrival in the afternoon, you can enjoy a hot meal at the campsite. 

• Distance – 4.5 km
• Time Taken – 3 to 4hrs 

The trail from Bhoj Kharak to Kedar Kharak passes through some rugged terrain. You will navigate a fair share of steep ascents and descents to reach the campsite. 

Bhoj forest presents a serene setting, with its leaves creating a perfect backdrop for photography in the autumn.  If you are lucky, you will catch a glimpse of Himalayan wildlife, including Himalayan Black Bear and Blue Sheep, which many trekkers have spotted on the trail. 

After a tiring walk on a moderate to difficult trail, you will reach the campsite of Kedar Kharak, where you will be greeted by beaming Bhrigupanth in the backdrop. 

• Distance – 5.4 km
• Time Taken 6 hrs

It’s finally the day to witness the allure of Kedartal. The emerald lake welcomes trekkers while Mt Thalaysagar’s reflection on the lake adds magic to the experience. This moment is when every trekker feels a sense of accomplishment and snow-studded peaks appear surreal right in front. 

The route to Kedartal is strenuous and altitude gain makes the trek an arduous journey. You will traverse rocky terrain, steep ascents and demanding trails, however, the first sight of a lake and big mountains calms your soul and mind.  

The day is long and strenuous, as the altitude increases and the trail becomes demanding. After admiring the surreal beauty of Kedartal Lake, the team heads to Jogin Advanced base camp to be mesmerised by the grandeur of Mt Thalaysagar and Jogin peaks.  

• Distance – 14 km
• Time Taken- 8 to 9 hrs

On Day 6, you will descend to the holy town of Gangotri after a fascinating mountain adventure. The day starts early after breakfast, with the trail leading you on a continuous descent to Gangotri,  navigating rocky terrain along the way. 

By evening, you will arrive in Gangotri, where you can visit the Gangotri temple to celebrate the successful completion of your trek. 

After a challenging yet exhilarating experience, the team returns to Dehradun on day 7. The cab starts early from Gangotri and reaches in the evening. Include a buffer day while booking your return tickets. 

​

Kedartal Trek is located in Uttarakhand. The trek starts from Gangotri. 

The trek is suitable for seasoned trekkers with prior experience of high altitude treks. We do not recommend the trek to beginners. 

The trek can be categorised as difficult, considering the duration and altitude of Kedartal. It is recommended for seasoned trekkers. 

Autumn months are colder with day temperatures ranging from 18°C to 20°C in Kedartal. During the night, the temperature drops to 3°C to 5°C. The higher campsites also record sub-zero temperatures towards the end of October. 

The best time to visit  Kedartal is during the autumn months. Kedar Trek remains accessible during the summer months. 

May and June are ideal for witnessing lush green trails and snow-covered trails. 

From September to November, you can enjoy clear mountain views, with the reflection of Mt Thalaysagar on the clear water of Kedartal creating a breathtaking experience after the challenging climbs. 

The colour of the lake shifts from blue to green, depending on the day’s weather. As you ascend towards the summit, you’ll be surrounded by the vibrant hues of autumn, with the trail transforming into shades of yellow, gold, and brown. Towards the end of October, the higher elevations of the trek may experience early snowfall.

Yes. Kedartal is a high-altitude trek. You will find plentiful snow along the trail if you plan your trek in early summer.  

 The Kedartal trek cost ranges between INR 10,000 to INR 15,000. 

 The trek cost covers your experience from basecamp to basecamp. 

The total distance of the Kedartal trek is 37 km. You walk an average of 6 to 8 hours daily. 

Gangotri is the base camp of Kedartal trek.

Kedartal Trek spans over 7 days, including the time required for travelling to and from the base camp.

The trek is at an altitude of 15,500 ft.

Kedartal trek is challenging with long hiking hours. The trek requires experienced guides to help you navigate the difficult terrain. If you plan to go solo on this trek, hiring a guide is necessary to avoid any unforeseen situation in the wild. 

The most important thing to do on a trek to avoid AMS is to drink water, more than your daily intake. Water is an excellent way to avoid AMS. Along with this, you should also have all the nutritious meals we provide on the trek. If you still are sceptical about getting AMS, we would advise you to carry Diamox tablets with you. However, according to the situation your Outdoor leader will advise whether or not you should take it.

We encourage everyone to trek, even if or not they have a medical condition. We have an in-house doctor at OWLS with whom you can discuss your medical condition and accordingly, we can help you better prepare you for the trek.

Please keep the following documents ready before filling out this form

1. ID proof
2. Health form (for all participants of Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh treks) and (for all participants <15 and > 60 years of age)
3. RTPCR for children <15 years/Vaccination certificate for adults (for Nepal treks)

Although we provide filling breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with morning tea and evening snacks, you can carry some light snacks for munching on the trail. You can carry protein bars, dry fruits, and homemade snacks like Shakkarpara to help you give that extra energy on the trek. 

All our Outdoor Leaders are trained and experienced leaders. They have completed basic Mountaineering Course, and are equipped with basic first-aid knowledge. Our leaders are certified Wilderness First Responder course

You don’t need to carry your medical kit. If you have your prescribed medications, you need to carry them on the trek

The accommodation will be on twin sharing basis. One tent will be shared by two trekkers. 

Yes. Communicate your requirement to the trek leaders beforehand, as it will be difficult to arrange to offload at the last minute. The offloading charges will be Rs 350 per bag, and your bag should not weigh more than 9 kg. 

Note: At OWLs, we suggest our participants carry their backpacks and avoid offloading. However, in case of pressing circumstances, you can opt for offloading.

Yes, you can leave the extra luggage at the base camp. However, do not leave valuables like laptops, jewellery, or any other expensive items in the base camp. 

The OWLS team will set up a toilet tent near the campsites. The toilets will be dry toilets and you will have to use toilet paper. There will be a pit dug by the team and you will have to cover your nature’s call with dry soil. Avoid using wet wipes, as they are not biodegradable. At OWLS, we thrive to leave no trace in the mountains. 

At the base camp, you will have regular concrete toilets.

The food offered will be as per the nutritional requirements. As you will be walking every day for 4-6 hours, you will be burning a good amount of calories. The team makes sure that the food you will be offered is healthy and helps you sustain through the day. The regular meal comprises eggs, locally grown vegetables, rice, roti, and pulses. The menu changes from day to day. 

The last place with a mobile network will be the base camp in Gangotri