Popularly known as the land of celestial beauty Uttarakhand is the most enchanting destination for escaping the ordinary and slipping into the divine beauty of nature that gives you a glimpse of what heaven looks like.
Situated in the isolated pockets of the Himalayas, the Kedarkantha trek trail is one of the most unearthly and divine locations for a surreal journey into the spiritual and majestic lands of the Himalayas.
From escaping the city’s crowded streets to saving oneself from the heat of baking summers and savoring the pleasant breathing air in the valleys there are a hundred reasons to visit Kedarkantha for trekking but no reason to miss such an olympian trip in their life.
The journey of the Kedarkantha trek is so overwhelming that one finds themselves so humbled amidst the enormous mountain peaks covered in a white blanket of snow so profound that it seems to overpower the surrounding landscape.
And the impact is so everlasting that it stays with you for life in the form of stories to tell on every occasion. Here’s more to know about the place, journey, and experience:
Kedarkantha in a nutshell
- Location: Uttarakhand Himalayas
- Altitude: 3800 meters
- Duration: 4-6 days
- Distance: 20 km
- Difficulty: easy to moderate
- Special features: Judah ka Talab, Hargaon camp
Best season to visit
Although the trails of the Kedarkantha trek are never vacant, the best season to visit Kedarkantha is believed to be winter. With its freezing impact on the high latitude peaks of the Himalayan mountains, winter brings a tremendous chill in the air along with the snow.
The bliss of trekking is best savored in Kedarkantha during the winters. It is one of the treks in the Himalayas which are open during winters and made accessible to trekkers. Absolutely, we can call it “Queen of winter Trek”.
The mythology of kedarkantha
Like many lofty, magnanimous mountain peaks mentioned in the Mahabharata, there is a story associated with Kedarkantha as well. According to Hindu mythology, Kedarkantha peak used to be the seat for meditation of Lord Shiva until one day when he was approached by Pandavas to see his blessings.
Noticing the Pandavas, Shiva disguised himself as a bull but Bheem recognized him. Lord Shiva escaped from there and hid underground. When he escaped from his hiding ground he let his body parts be divided and each fell at a different location. His throat fell in Kedarkantha and hence the name which means The throat of Lord Shiva.
Things to see on the Kedarkantha Trek
Here’s a list of unmissable experiences to savour on the Kedarkantha trek
1. Judah ka Talab
The Judah ka Talab is one of the most majestic campsites on the trails of the Kedarkantha trek. A high-altitude lake on the Kedarkantha trek, Judah ka Talab offers a scenic view of the tall mountains around it. During winters it is frozen to give the appearance of a shimmering surface.
2. The Kotgaon-Kedarkantha Route
Do ensure that you pass by Kotgaon village on your journey to Kedarkantha peak. This small village is a heavenly spot hidden amid the encompassing mountain ranges and giant pine tree forests.
3. Beautiful campsites
As it is often said, it is not the destination but the journey that matters more. The adage cannot be more true for trekking. Campsites are indeed one of the favorite spots for trekkers other than their trek trails and destination. Set on the bare ground under the starry sky campsites are more emotional for the trekker than places. They’re an emotion of relief, rest, tranquillity, wonder and awe, inspection, reflection, and much more.
4. Panoramic view from Pinnacle
Indeed, nothing can be more rewarding for a traveler than reaching the destination they’ve traveled far and wide for. The peak of Kedarkantha provides a panoramic view of the Garhwal mountains. You can witness Black peak, Swargrohini, Bandarpoonch and many more that haven’t been explored by the venture-seeking wanderers yet.
Things to keep in mind when going on the trek
- The temperature could be anything between 15 to – 5 degrees so you must carry thermals and jackets with you
- Keep extra cells for batteries, and flashlights for the night
- Keep the trekking bag lighter than or equal to 10 kgs because you will be travelling with the bag on your back all-day
- Carry power bank, cash (as there are no ATMs within 100 kilometers of distance), moisturisers, nutritious food
- Hydrate yourself regularly while trekking
