The Kedarkantha Summit trek is arguably India's most popular winter trek — and it consistently earns that title. Every December to March, trekkers from across the country converge on Sankri village to make the journey to one of the most breathtaking summit viewpoints in the Himalayas.
At 3,800m, the Kedarkantha summit offers a genuinely unparalleled 360° panorama — 13 identifiable Himalayan peaks including Swargarohini, Bandarpunch, Blackpeak, Gangotri peaks, and Yamunotri peaks, all visible in a single view. The trail passes through pine forests, snow meadows, and quaint Garhwali villages.
13 Himalayan Peaks at Summit
Swargarohini, Bandarpunch, Blackpeak, Gangotri I/II/III — all visible at once from the summit.
Legendary 360° Sunrise
The Kedarkantha sunrise view is considered one of the most spectacular in all of Himalayan trekking.
Snow-Covered Pine Forests
Trek through dense pine and oak forests completely buried in 3–6 feet of snow — utterly magical.
Multiple Snow Campsites
Three beautiful campsites at increasing altitude — each with stunning mountain views.
Sankri — Garhwali Base Village
The charming starting point with warm guesthouses and authentic Garhwali hospitality.
India's Most Popular Winter Trek
Consistently ranked #1 — tried, tested, and loved by thousands of trekkers every season.
Arrive Dehradun — Drive to Sankri
Arrive Dehradun (by train, flight or bus). Drive 9 hours through the spectacular Govind Wildlife Sanctuary to Sankri village (1,920m) — the trek base. First glimpse of snow-capped peaks en route.
Sankri → Juda Ka Talab
Begin the trek through dense snow-covered pine forests to Juda Ka Talab (2,850m) — a beautiful frozen lake surrounded by snow meadows. This is the most enchanting section of the entire trek.
- 7:30 AM: Breakfast at Sankri guesthouse
- 8:30 AM: Trek briefing, equipment check
- 9:00 AM: Trek begins through Sankri forest
- Snow begins almost immediately (Dec–Mar)
- 1:00 PM: Lunch with first mountain views
- 3:00 PM: Arrive Juda Ka Talab — frozen lake
- 4:00 PM: Photography, acclimatization walk
- 7:30 PM: Dinner under the stars
Juda Ka Talab → Kedarkantha Base Camp
Trek through open snow meadows with unobstructed views of Bandarpunch, Swargarohini, and the Kedarkantha peak itself looming ahead. Reach base camp (3,500m) — the closest camp to summit.
Summit Day — Kedarkantha 3,800m
The iconic day! Early start for the summit push. Reach the 3,800m summit at sunrise — a 360° view of 13 snow-capped Himalayan peaks in the golden morning light. This is the moment trekkers travel thousands of miles for. Descend to base camp.
- 4:30 AM: Wake up call
- 5:00 AM: Summit push begins (headlamps)
- 5:30 AM: Treeline ends, full snow slope ahead
- 7:00 AM: Reach Kedarkantha summit at sunrise!
- 360° panorama: 13 Himalayan peaks visible
- Swargarohini, Bandarpunch, Gangotri peaks
- 8:30 AM: Begin descent
- 11:30 AM: Back at base camp, celebration meal
Base Camp → Sankri via Kedarkantha Village
Descend a different route via the picturesque Kedarkantha village — a quaint Garhwali hamlet with wooden houses. Arrive Sankri for your final night. Celebratory bonfire dinner and summit certificate ceremony.
Sankri → Dehradun Departure
After breakfast, drive back to Dehradun (9 hrs). Drop at railway station, airport, or hotel. Depart as a certified Himalayan summiteer — a title you've earned every step of the way.
Included
Not Included
The summit sunrise at Kedarkantha — 13 peaks, deep orange sky, snow covering everything in every direction — is the single most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I have done 7 treks across India and this one sits at the very top. MilesNPeople's team was organized, safety-focused, and genuinely passionate about the mountains.
We did this as a couple for our anniversary — best decision we ever made. The pine forest covered in 4 feet of snow at Juda Ka Talab was a fairytale. The MilesNPeople guide was knowledgeable, funny, and incredibly encouraging during the steep summit push. Already planning Brahmatal next January!
Kedarkantha combines everything a trekker wants: dramatic snow conditions, accessible difficulty, a genuine summit (3,800m), and an unbeatable 360° panorama of 13 peaks. Unlike higher treks that require technical skill, Kedarkantha delivers a world-class summit experience to anyone with basic fitness and determination.
January and February see the maximum snow accumulation — 4–6 feet on the trail, making it the most dramatic winter experience. December has 2–3 feet of fresh snow and is excellent for photography. March still has good snow (3–4 ft) with slightly warmer temperatures and longer daylight — ideal for beginners.
The main peaks visible include: Swargarohini (6,252m), Bandarpunch (6,316m), Kedarkantha West, Blackpeak (6,387m), Gangotri I/II/III, Jaonli, Draupadi Ka Danda, and several Yamunotri range peaks. Our guides will help you identify each peak at the summit.
Sankri is 200km from Dehradun (approx. 9 hours by road). We arrange all transport from Dehradun as part of the package. By train: Dehradun is connected to major cities via Shatabdi Express from New Delhi (5.5 hours). Dehradun airport also connects to Delhi and Mumbai.