About Kedar Tal Trek
Excellent beauty of Gangotri will be anticipated in the best way,
when you go for Kedar Tal trek. The route is not for the novice,
especially, if you go there in the winters. However, the summer trek is
good one, with ample floral beauty on both side of the trek route.
Aspiring meadows on both the side of the route is having excellent art
and craft, naturally maintained by nature, is going to greet you in all
of your turns. So, you will never feel tired, although the route is
tough and steep. Kedartal, the extension of the Kedar Ganga has enough
mythological merits, although that is covered well with utmost care from
nature god alone. She is protecting the precious myths in her air,
flora and the peeping snow covered hill tops. In fact, the snow covered
peaks on all sides will seem to be protecting the Bhagirath Shila from
all sides.
The trek starts from Uttarkashi. Till Gangotri, the trek route is
really tough one, with lots of turns, climbs and rocky surfaces. The
meadows and the shades with unparalleled beauty of nature god will never
allow you to feel the tiredness. The route till Bhoj Kharak and from
there to Kedartal Lake is filled with excellent flora. You will feel the
beauty and the admiration for heaven, once you go there in the autumns.
Outstanding lake view and ridge view are attracting photographers just
like the flower pollen grains do to the bees. Excellent backdrop, from
nature shows how much motherly affection she is having.
Beauty throughout the trek has been awesome in all words. As you will
cross all the levels, you will feel that your stock of words is at the
bottom-most level, to explain the beauty of nature. Meadows and alpine
forest that you will face in the trek route will give the refreshment
that you need from the nature mother. She is always ready to give you
the love and blessings – sometimes as nature and sometimes as the
protector of the ancient mythological holiness. Once you reach the Lake
of Kedartal, you will just feel to be in the heaven.
The lake is regarded to be the gift from Lord Shiva to Ganges, as a
token of blessings, for she reached the earth. Putting Gangotri and its
mythological stories apart, you will also find the inspirational rock,
called Bhagirath Shila, where Bhagirath sat and prayed for Lord Shiva's
blessings. The panoramic view of the place, especially the ridge that
Shiva presented will just take away all words and senses from your
heart. You will feel blessed to reach heaven, even in this body, after
you go through the accentual beauty of the place. Its essence, affluence
and odor will just make you fall in childhood love for nature. The
spirits, who are beyond all the mythological understandings, reaching at
this place, feel the touch of god. So, heaven it is and you are going
to explore that very soon.
Area : Garhwal Himalayas
Duration : 09 Days (4 day travel/5 days trekking)
Best Season : Mid May - Mid October
Grade :Moderate
Altitude : 4750 mts
Total Trekking : 60 K.M
Kedar Tal Trekking Tour Highlights
- Magnificent views of Thalay Sagar and Bhrigupanth Peak
- Enjoy camping in the lakeside of pristine Kedar Tal.
- Seek blessings of goddess Ganga in Gangotri Temple, one of the sites in the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage circuit.
Best Time to Visit
Best time to travel to Kedar Tal Trek is in summers (May – June) and Post Monsoon (September – mid October)
Summer: The weather of Kedar Tal Trek remains salubrious and
pleasing during summers. The Himalayas are distinctly visible and the
cool breeze adds charm to the vacation. Carry woolens with you.
After Post monsoon: Serenity and solitude are at its best
during post monsoon at Kedar Tal Trek. The region is blessed with
snowfall during winters and the accommodation options also remain few.
But you can see the best of Kedar Tal Trek during post monsoon as it
looks like Heaven on earth
Where is the Kedar Tal?
Perched at an elevation of 4,750m, Kedartal, commonly known as
Shiva's lake), is a glacial lake in the Garhwal region of the Himalaya.
Three prominent peaks- Thalay Sagar (6,904m), Meru (6,672m), Bhrigupanth
(6,772m) -are the lakes source of origination. To reach the lake, one
will have to trek for 17 km through narrow meandering trail and craggy
boulders.
How to Reach?
Nearest Railhead: Haridwar Railway Station, 325 km from Gangotri, is the nearest railway station.
Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the closest airport, 227 km from Gangotri.
To reach Kedar Tal, one can either take two days or five days, it all
depends on how well you acclimatize at high altitudes. Trek to this
beautiful high altitude lake commences from Gangotri.
Kedar Tal Trek (Detailed Itinerary)
Day 01: Delhi – Haridwar - Rishikesh
In the morning catch an AC train for Haridwar at 06:50 hrs from New
Delhi train station. After arriving in Haridwar meet our guide and drive
to Rishikesh which will take 45 minute, check into your hotel. Evening
time is free for leisure activities. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 02: Rishikesh - Uttarkashi (165 km/ 6-7 hrs)
Undertake a drive towards Uttarkashi along the narrow valley of
Bhagirathi. Today we will pass some beautiful hill town like Chamba,
Tehri and Chiniyalisaur. Arrival at Uttarkashi by afternoon and check-in
to a hotel in Uttarkashi for night stay. One can visit the famous Kashi
Vishwanaath temple in Uttarkashi.
Day 03: Uttarkashi - Gangotri (3048 m/ 10,000 ft) Drive (95 kms)
Drive to Gangotri. Gangotri is one of the Chota Char Dhams of
Uttarakhand. It holds a great place in the Hindu religion. It is the
place which marks the birth of Ganga on earth. There is a Gangotri
Temple where Goddess Ganga is worshipped. The river originates from
Gangotri glacier at Gaumukh, which is about 18 km from the Gangotri
Town, at this stage it is known as Bhagirathi. A day's trek can take on
to Gomukh. Night stay in a hotel.
Day 04: Gangotri - Bhoj Kharak (3989 m) Trek 4 - 5 Hrs
Post breakfast begin the trek towards Bhoj Kharak. The 8 km long
trail goes by the banks of Kedar Ganga River and consists of a dense
cover of Cedar and Birch (Bhoj Patra) forests. It is a little hard trek
but respite keeps coming in the form of scenic waterfalls and beautiful
views of nature. Reach Bhoj Kharak (named after Bhoj Patra trees), set
up camp.
Day 05: Bhoj Kharak – Kedar Kharak (4,270 m)
Embark on a steep ascent which takes us through a pleasant forest of
birch trees. As the tree line is crossed, we will reach beautiful
meadows, which will also be the site for our camps. The whole landscape
becomes more alive with the presence of Bhirgupanth Peak, which stands
in the background. Meadows are frequented by shepherds, who come here to
graze their sheep. Camps will be pitched near the banks of a lovely
stream. Total distance covered today is just about 4/5 km, but the trek
is strenuous because of its various steep climbs.
Day 06: Kedar Kharak - Kedar Tal (4750 m) Trek 4 - 5 Hrs
Trek leading to Kedar Tal is difficult and goes through a trail which
is strewn with loose rocks and boulders. It will take a good amount of
determination to carry on the trekking. But what awaits you at the end
of the trek is one of the most marvelous works of nature. Kedar Tal is a
glacial lake and has the majestic Thalay Sagar Peak behind it to form a
perfect look. At the time of sunset the place looks heavenly. A blessed
night in the tents near the lake.
Day 07: Kedar Kharak - Bhoj Kharak Trek 3 - 4 Hrs.
Getting up early today will gift you with incredible views. As the
sun rises, the changing shades of the rays over the Thalay Sagar and its
reflection in the lake are just super! Till lunch, explore the area;
one might get to see the Himalayan Ibexes over here. Have lunch, and
start on the previous route to go back to Bhoj Kharak. Night stay in
tents at Bhoj Kharak.
Day 08: Bhoj Kharak - Gangotri Trek (3-4 Hrs) - Uttarkashi
Early breakfast we will trek down to Gangotri town and from here
drive to Uttarkashi via Harsil. On arrival check in to hotel. Dinner and
overnight stay at Uttarkashi in hotel.
Day 09: Uttarkashi - Haridwar - Delhi
In the morning after breakfast drive to Haridwar and from here catch
AC train for Delhi at 18:05 hrs. Arrival at Delhi by 22:45 hrs.
Things to Carry for Kedar Tal Trek
- Duffel bag Down/synthetic camp booties
- Sunglasses, Light gloves
- Sleeping bag
- Flashlight/Headlamp with extra batteries
- Daypack
- One liter water bottles wide mouthed
- Trekking Boots
- Water purification/filter
- Camp shoes/sneakers
- Walking stick/Trekking pole
- Cotton socks
- Note book with pens and pencils
- Gore-Tex jacket
- Lip balm
- Light wind jacket Sunscreen / Moisturiser
- Down jacket/vest
- Camp towel/towel/sarong
- Fleece jacket/vest
- Personal toiletries
- T-shirts
- Personal medicines
- Underwear
- Money pouch/belt
- Trekking pants
- Energy bars
- Thermal tops
- Vitamin tablets
- Thermal bottom
- Extra passport photos
- Warm hat and Bandana/scarf
- Sun hat/baseball cap
- Wind- and rain-gear with hood
- Swiss Army Knives (Classic pocket tool)
- One pair cotton trousers or shorts
- Two cotton shirts/T-Shirts One warmer (jacket with hood)
