Discription :
Best Season: Throughout the year
Level: Easy
Total Distance: 36 km
Maximum Elevation: 3850m KedarKanth Top
Weather: The nights can be cold; day temperatures are pleasant during the season. In winters nights are very cold.
Restrictions: None.
Getting From/To: Sankri is connected by road from Dehradun and is about 7 hours drive.
Equipment: None for walking
Kedarkantha peak, situated in the mountains of the tons river valley is a beautiful ridge peak; easily accessible anytime of the year. In the winters it snows in this valley and hence views from the summit are very rewarding. The trek goes through the Govind national park and gives you ample time to soak in the flora and fauna of this protected area. The summit lies at an altitude of 3850m and reaching the top is very satisfying as you are rewarded with views of peaks like the swargarohini, banderpooch, black and Ranglana.
Itinerary
Day 01 : DEHRADOON to SANKRI (1920m) - 210 km (7hrs)
The drive from Dehradoon to Sankri passes through the town of mussorie and the villages of nainbagh, damta, naugaon, purola, mori and netwar. We enter the forest (Govind National Park) after Netwar and the final 20km are through the forest. The drive to Sankri is very beautiful, past pine and deodar forest.Overnight in guest houses in Sankri.
Day 02 : SANKRI (1920m) to SEEMA (2560m)via TALUKA (1800m) - 12km (4hrs)
There is a motorable road connecting Sankri to taluka, but the walk through the forest is also delightful. However the path is a bit tricky and you may face blocks. Taluka is a small village with some shops, dhabas and a GMVN hotel.We cross taluka and continue along the true left of the river. It is a lovely walk along the true left of the river, passing through forests, apple orchards and fields. There are many small tea shops on the way. The town of Seema has many dhabas and a GMVN hotel. We campalongside the river or on the open grounds near the village.
Day 03 : SEEMA (2560m) TO ROILTIA or WATERFALL-CAMP(2900m) - 4 km (4hrs)
Continue along the true right of the valley along the tons river. The trail ascends through the fields and climbs high above the confluence of the tons and Ruinsara gad. After crossing the meadow of DevsuBugyal we reach roiltia. With the village of Osla&Puoni in front and the waterfall nearby this is a perfect place to camp at night.
Day 04 : ROILTIA TO RUINSARA LAKE (3350m) - 9km (5hrs)
We ascend into the Ruinsara valley. There is a stark difference in the vegetation with pine and fir giving way to birch and rhododendron. Ruinsara is a lovely lake surrounded by meadows and rhododendron bushes. It is considered sacred by the locals. The walk through the forests is beautiful, with Kalanag (6387) visible straight ahead in the valley. Overnight in camps near the lake.
Day 05 : REST DAY AT RUINSARA
Today we rest near the lake and spent the day exploring the nearby glaciers and valleys. This will help us to acclimatize before the next days climb to the pass. We reach kyarkoti which is the base camp for black peak (kalanag) and dumdarkandi pass. By evening we are back at the camp.
Day 06 : RUINSARA LAKE TO GODARI (4100m) - 4km (5hrs)
We start the day early so as to reach before afternoon. We camp below the pass along the glacial moraine. This is the one of the best locations for a camp with the valley below and the pass behind you. Camping at this altitude is a new experience which very few treks offer.
Day 07 : GODARI (4100m) TO UPPER DHAMNI (4000m) VIA BALI PASS (4800m) - 15km (7hrs)
We start very early today. The trail heads down south, over the ridge. It is a fairly short but steep climb up to the Bali pass on the southern ridge. A lot of glacial scree will be encountered here. We reach the top of the pass by 8am. You get a gorgeous view of various peaks from here especially of the Panchachuli peaks on a clear day. From the pass, we descend down into the alpine zone and reach the camping grounds of upper dhamni. This place has water nearby.
Day 08 : UPPER DHAMNI (4000m) TO YAMUNOTRI TO HANUMANCHATTI (2400m)
We descend to the forested trail leading to Yamunotri. After a quick visit to the famous shrine of Yamunotri, we make our way down the conventional pilgrim trail to hanuman chatti. Overnight in guesthouses in Yamunotri or in Hanuman Chatti.
Day 09 : YAMUNOTRI OR HANUMAN CHATTI TO DEHRADOON 180km (7hrs)
This is the final day of the trip and we drive back to Dehradoon.Essentials
Essentials
• Waterproof Rucksack
• Comfortable Trekking Boots
• One Raincoat
• Windproof Jacket
• 2-3 T-shirt/Shirt
• 2 Trouser/Jeans
• Tourch
• Woollen Gloves
• Thermal Inner-wears
• Warm Fleece
• Woolen Cap
• Woolen Socks & Regular Socks
• Water Bottle
• Towel
• Camera & Phone if you like (with full/Extra Batteries)
• Identity Cards
• Slippers
• Specific Medication Medicine
• Personal Toiletries
Weather
The nights can be cold (5-0°C). Day temperatures are pleasant during the season
