This was a winter trek with two friends — Kedarkantha in late December. It’s one of the most popular winter treks in India, and we found out why. Freezing cold, a 2:30 AM summit push, wind that wouldn’t let you take your hands out of your gloves — and a sunrise that made all of it worth it.
Day 1 — Delhi to Dehradun
December 23, 2022
Took an evening train from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Dehradun — ₹1,100 for 3AC. Reached Dehradun early the next morning.
Day 2 — Dehradun to Sankri
December 24, 2022
Took a government bus to Sankri — ₹400 per person. The bus took almost the entire day to get there, but the journey was scenic — winding roads through the mountains with valley views the whole way.
Reached Sankri village around 6:00 PM. Got freshened up, ate dinner, and packed the essentials for the trek starting the next day.
We also rented gear in the village:
- Trekking shoes — ₹500
- Trekking stick — ₹100
- Headlamp — included
Tip: You can rent shoes, sticks, and headlamps right in Sankri. No need to buy expensive gear if you don’t trek regularly.
Day 3 — Sankri to Base Camp
December 25, 2022
Had breakfast and started the trek. The beginning is a little steep but doable.
Juda Ka Talab (~5 km from Sankri)
First stop was Juda Ka Talab — a frozen lake surrounded by pine and oak trees. Some people camp here overnight, but we decided to push ahead to base camp the same day.
Base Camp (~4 km from Juda Ka Talab)
Reached base camp around 5:00 PM. Total distance for the day was about 9 km. It was cold but beautiful.
We lit a bonfire, sat around it for a while, had dinner, and went to our camp early. The plan was to wake up at 2:00 AM to start the summit push for sunrise.
Day 4 — Summit Day & Descent to Sankri
December 26, 2022
2:30 AM — Summit Push
Couldn’t sleep — partly excitement, partly the cold, partly not our usual sleep time. We were up by 2:30 AM, had a quick breakfast, and started the trek to the summit in the dark.
It was freezing. The kind of cold where every exposed inch of skin feels like it’s burning. But we kept going.
Sunrise at the Summit (~3 hours up)
The trek to the summit took about 3 hours. We made it just in time for sunrise.
At the peak, the wind was brutal. We couldn’t even take our hands out of our gloves to hold a phone for photos — fingers would freeze instantly. Even our eyes stung from the wind. But the view — snow-covered peaks in every direction, lit up by the first light — was something else entirely.
Descent — Summit to Sankri
After the sunrise, we started heading back down. Stopped at base camp, ate a quick meal, and then continued all the way down to Sankri. Some people stay another night at base camp, but we decided to push through.
Back at the starting point by 3:00 PM. Reached our room, got freshened up, roamed around the village, and had dinner.
Total trek package cost (room + trek + all food): ₹4,000 per person
Day 5 — Sankri to Delhi
December 27, 2022
Took a traveller to Dehradun — ₹400 per person. Much faster than the government bus on the way up. Reached Dehradun, headed to the railway station, and took the train back to Delhi.
What It Cost (Per Person)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Train: Delhi → Dehradun (3AC) | ~₹1,100 |
| Bus: Dehradun → Sankri | ₹400 |
| Trek package (room, food, camping, guide) | ₹4,000 |
| Shoe rental | ₹500 |
| Trekking stick | ₹100 |
| Traveller: Sankri → Dehradun | ₹400 |
| Return train: Dehradun → Delhi | ~₹1,100 |
| Total | ~₹7,600 |
Things to Know
- Trek distance: ~12 km one way (Sankri → Juda Ka Talab → Base Camp → Summit)
- Difficulty: Moderate — harder than Triund or Chopta, especially the summit push in winter
- Best time: December–January for snow, or March–April for a greener trail
- Rent gear in Sankri — Shoes, sticks, headlamps are all available. Saves you from carrying or buying.
- Start the summit push by 2:30 AM — You need about 3 hours to reach the top. Miss the sunrise and you miss the best part.
- Layer up for the summit — The wind at the peak is no joke. Thermals, fleece, windproof jacket, gloves, balaclava — bring it all.
- Government bus to Sankri takes all day — Plan accordingly. The traveller back is faster and worth the same ₹400.
- Push to base camp on day 1 if you can — Some people split it with a night at Juda Ka Talab, but doing Sankri → Base Camp in one day gives you a more relaxed summit morning.
- ₹4,000 trek package is great value — Includes room in Sankri, all meals on the trek, camping, and guide.
Final Thoughts
Kedarkantha in winter is tough but rewarding. The cold is real — your feet freeze, your hands freeze, your eyes sting from the wind at the summit. But watching the sunrise from the peak, surrounded by snow-covered Himalayan ranges, is one of those moments that makes all the discomfort disappear.
Compared to Chopta or Triund, this is a step up in difficulty. The 2:30 AM wake-up and the summit push in the dark are the hardest parts. But if you’ve done a couple of easier treks and want something more challenging, Kedarkantha in December is hard to beat.
