Kedarkantha is a tall and mighty mountain peak, elevated at 12,500 feet in the Himalayas in Uttarakhand. The kedarkantha Trek is famous for the vast variety of flora and fauna it has to offer. Whether walking on a snow blanket in winter or trekking through the glossy green pine in summers, it is a delightful and beautiful journey to take. Placed in Govind Ballabh Wildlife Sanctuary and Govind Ballabh National Park, you can choose this trek route for when your heart is craving for some quiet time away from the city. The Kedarkantha trekking trip usually takes up to 6 days to finish, which makes a fairly long yet easy trek; a perfect choice for beginners. Since it is a summit climb, there’s always a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when you reach the Kedarkantha Peak. When it comes to choosing the right season for visiting the trek, you have to keep in mind a lot of things; most of all your own preference. Every season comes with a different Kedarkantha Weather so in the end you have to decide what works for you best. But before we delve into the best time for Kedarkantha trek, let’s take a look at its route.
Kedarkantha Trek Route
• The Kedarkantha Trek begins from the city of Dehradun. Dehradun railway station is the nearest to your starting point while for a route by air you will have to land at Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun.
• The starting point of the trek is Sankari Village and it is also your first resting point. You will get to visit the Govind National Park before you reach your destination and witness a beautiful collection of Flora that is specific to this area.
• Then you will trek to the Kedarkantha base camp crossing Juda-Ka-Talab on the way. This will also be your next resting point.
• Finally, you will visit the peak of your journey; the Kedarkantha height will be 12,500 at this point. You will also get to see the Kedarkantha Temple at this point.
• After reaching the peak, the descend will begin where you will cross all the aforementioned places again. After reaching Sankri, you can visit the Sankri Village on your last day. Here, you will get to have a taste of the local life of this place.
Kedarkantha in spring (March-April)
In March, you will still find residual snow lingering from the winters just gone by; more on the higher altitude. It will still have the beginnings of the spring season in the form of Rhododendrons and the fresh exposed grasslands. April will be a goodbye to any snow remaining with the spring season in full swing. A splash of colour will be there wherever you turn with a carpet of meadows especially on lower altitudes. The days will be longer and much brighter with the nights becoming more bearable. This season offers a pleasant weather for trekking amongst the beauty of the nature.
Kedarkantha in summer (May-June)
In May, Kedarkantha sees a fairly warm morning joined by colder evenings and nights; although they are not harsh as compared to other seasons. The sun is bright on top and it could even be considered hot by a lot of people. On the other hand, June welcomes the occasional rainfall but it is rare and not very heavy. The best part about Kedarkantha Trek at this time would be that in summers most people go for treks with higher altitudes. This means that Kedarkantha is not really crowded and offers you enough isolation if that is that you are looking for. You will not find any snow in this season.
Kedarkantha in Autumn (September-November)
Who doesn’t like that crisp and fresh air of the winter without the terrible cold it brings along? Well, the Kedarkantha weather in autumns is much like that. The forests look almost alive with the pleasant breeze brewing in the air and the meadows look fresh from the monsoon seasons almost at their end. The view of the Himalayas on top is super clear. Although these months do start bringing in the cold especially in November. The Kedarkantha temperature going as low as zero during the nights. There is still a lot of green in the mountains at this point, so if you’re someone who wants to enjoy the greenery with a hint of cold; well, this one is the perfect weather for you to visit Kedarkantha.
Kedarkantha in winter (December-February)
Fresh snowfall and cold days mark the entrance of the winter season in Kedarkantha. Starting at the end of December, the snow keeps falling till mid-February. Nights are terrible cold in this weather, with days offering little to no respite. But with the right layering, the winter trek becomes the most enjoyable treks of all. The best part being that mid-January to February bring little crowd, leading to a quiet and pleasant trek. During peak winters, the trail might me blocked by snowfall for 2-3 days so be ready for that. But that is all a minor convenience in the face of a blanket of beautiful snow.
Kedarkantha Trek Best Time
Despite all the difficulties the season brings, winter is the best season for Kedarkantha. In fact, the place is popular for its winter trek. The landscape is completely covered by pure white snow and not only does it make the place look beautiful but also a more adventurous feat for the trekkers. Dense forests with thick snow, campsites with a wonderful view and a fairly good challenge for all those who seek it. Kedarkantha is perfect in winters and preferred by most in this season only.
We hope this list of pros and cons help you make a decision on when you want to visit this beautiful place. But one thing is for sure, whether or not you visit it in winters due to the temperature in kedarkantha, it is one of the must try treks of India for all its beauty and tranquillity.
For Kedarkantha trek cost or any other information about the place, visit www.captureatrip.com