Kedartal Trek

Know the trail before you step on it - difficulty, permits, weather, guide need and route clarity in one place.

Challenging Autumn
Explore Alpine Lake

Trek safety, weather & access status

Generally safe to travel Open to trek May–Oct

Advisory

No active alerts. Carry layers, keep emergency contacts handy and check local conditions before you set out.

Live weather

-11°C Overcast
  • Feels -15°C
  • 4 km/h wind
  • 96% humidity

Mountain weather changes quickly. Treat this as a planning signal, not a final safety clearance - confirm locally before you set out.

Emergency & official

112 National emergency 1363 Tourist helpline
Difficulty Challenging
Max altitude 4,750 m
Distance 36 km
Duration 5 days
Best time May to June, September to October
Fitness High - steep moraine and exposed sections
Start point Gangotri
End point Gangotri
Permit required

DIY Trek Readiness: can you go self-planned?

Beginners Some experience helps
Guide Recommended
Permit Required
Fitness High - steep moraine and exposed sections
Trail clarity Moderate
Network on trail None
Max altitude 4,750 m
Best season May to Jun, Sep to Oct
Languages Hindi, Garhwali
How is this score calculated?

This is a DIY-readiness gauge - how do-able it is to plan and travel yourself. Destinations show it as a 0-5 DIY Score; treks & routes as a 0-10 Score (a wider scale for the extra variables they carry). Both are built from these factors:

  • SafetyLocal safety, terrain and current advisory conditions along the route.
  • Transport accessHow easily you can reach the place and move around without your own vehicle.
  • NetworkMobile signal and data coverage you can expect on the way.
  • Season reliabilityHow dependable the weather and season window is for travel.
  • Budget clarityHow predictable day-to-day costs are, with few surprises.
  • Trail / route clarityHow well-marked and easy to follow the route or trail is.
  • Stay availabilityThe choice and reliability of places to stay along the way.
  • First-timer friendlinessHow forgiving it is for a first-time independent traveller.
  • Solo / women comfortHow comfortable and safe it is for solo and women travellers.
  • Local supportAvailability of guides, hosts and on-the-ground help if you need it.
Read the full method →

Readiness verdict

  • Best forExperienced, fit trekkers comfortable at altitude
  • Not ideal forFirst-time trekkers going without any support
  • Go DIY only ifYou can manage long walking days, permits, low or no network, basic navigation and changing mountain weather.
Guide: Recommended Permit: Required Network: None on trail
Plan it yourself

The DIY deep-dive

Kedartal Trek is at its best in May to June, September to October. It covers about 36 km, runs over 5 days, tops out near 4,750 m.

DIY route options

The classic route Start from Gangotri and follow the standard 5-day line - the most reliable, well-trodden way to do it.
Self-guided or with a guide Do it solo with the offline Gaia GPS trail file, or hire a local guide at Gangotri for the navigation and logistics.

What most travellers miss

  • Arrange your permit before you arrive - it gets checked on the way in, and last-minute permits are a hassle.
  • Download offline maps and share your plan first - the mobile network here is patchy to none.
  • Do not rush past Bhoj Kharak - most people treat it as a quick stop, but it is worth a slower evening.
  • Time it for May to June, September to October. Outside that window, snow, weather or road closures can cut access.

Where to base yourself

Gangotri Trailhead base - last shops, network and gear before you set off.
Bhoj Kharak A key stop on the route - where the trek halts for the night.
Kedar Kharak A key stop on the route - where the trek halts for the night.

DIY is the main way - this is the upgrade

Need expert help planning this trek?

Prefer not to manage permits, guide coordination, stays and route pacing yourself? We can help you turn this trek into a private, supported experience for your dates, group size and comfort level.

  • Permit and guide coordination
  • Private group support
  • Route pacing and halt planning
  • Stay, meals and local logistics
Enquire for pricing Enquire on WhatsApp

About this trek

Kedartal is a high glacial lake at 4,750m, mirroring the fearsome spire of Thalay Sagar. The trail from Gangotri is short but punishing – loose moraine, exposed traverses and a big altitude gain. A Gangotri National Park permit is required.

Essential packing list

  • Trekking shoes with grip
  • Warm base layer + fleece
  • Down jacket / warm jacket
  • Rain shell / poncho
  • Headlamp + extra batteries
  • Water bottle / hydration bladder
  • Sunglasses, cap, sunscreen
  • Personal medicines
  • Power bank
  • Offline maps
  • Cash and ID copies
  • Permit documents, if applicable

Map

Nearby route landmarks & places to know

Tap “Get directions” to open any spot straight in Google Maps.

Bhrigupanth

1.2 km from Gangotri, Uttarakhand centre

Bhrigupanth is a mountain of Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand, India. It stands at 6,772 metres (22,218 ft). It is the 38th highest located entirely within Uttarakhand. Nanda Devi is the highest mountain in this catego…

Get directions Learn more

Thalay Sagar

1.4 km from Gangotri, Uttarakhand centre

Thalay Sagar is a mountain in the Gangotri Group of peaks in the western Garhwal Himalayas, on the main ridge that lies south of the Gangotri Glacier. It lies in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, 10 kilometres…

Get directions Learn more

Meru Peak

3.1 km from Gangotri, Uttarakhand centre

Meru Peak is a mountain located in the Garhwal Himalayas, in the state of Uttarakhand in India. The 6,660-metre (21,850 ft) peak lies between Thalay Sagar and Shivling, and has some highly challenging routes. The name…

Get directions Learn more

Manda III

3.9 km from Gangotri, Uttarakhand centre

Manda III is a mountain of the Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand India. The elevation of Manda III is 6,529 metres (21,421 ft) and its prominence is 450 metres (1,476 ft). It is joint 81st highest located entirely withi…

Get directions Learn more

Bhartekunta

4.4 km from Gangotri, Uttarakhand centre

Bhartekunta is a mountain of the Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand India.The elevation of Bhartekunta is 6,578 metres (21,581 ft) and its prominence is 280 metres (919 ft). It is 69th highest located entirely within the…

Get directions Learn more

Kirti Stambh (mountain)

5.8 km from Gangotri, Uttarakhand centre

Kirti Stambh is a mountain of the Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand, India. The elevation of Kirti Stambh is 6,270 metres (20,571 ft) and its prominence is 100 metres (328 ft). It is 128th highest located entirely withi…

Get directions Learn more

Mount Shivling

6.2 km from Gangotri, Uttarakhand centre

Shivling is a mountain in the Gangotri Group of peaks in the western Garhwal Himalaya, near the snout of the Gangotri Glacier, one of the biggest glaciers in the Himalayas, and Tapovan, a meadow, both being also popul…

Get directions Learn more

Jogin III

6.2 km from Gangotri, Uttarakhand centre

Jogin III is a mountain of the Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand, India. The elevation of Jogin III is 6,116 metres (20,066 ft). It is 155th highest located entirely within the Uttrakhand. Nanda Devi, is the highest mou…

Get directions Learn more

Manda II

6.2 km from Gangotri, Uttarakhand centre

Manda II is a mountain of the Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand India also called Manda south. The elevation of Manda II is 6,568 metres (21,549 ft) and its prominence is 583 metres (1,913 ft). It is joint 71st highest …

Get directions Learn more

Jogin II

7 km from Gangotri, Uttarakhand centre

Jogin II is a mountain of the Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand India.The elevation of Jogin II is 6,342 metres (20,807 ft) and its prominence is 259 metres (850 ft). It is 110th highest located entirely within the Uttr…

Get directions Learn more

Jogin I

7.2 km from Gangotri, Uttarakhand centre

Jogin I is a mountain of the Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand India.The elevation of Jogin I is 6,465 metres (21,211 ft) and its prominence is 843 metres (2,766 ft). It is 94th highest located entirely within the Uttra…

Get directions Learn more

Manda I

7.8 km from Gangotri, Uttarakhand centre

Manda I is a mountain of the Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand India also called Manda. The elevation of Manda I is 6,510 metres (21,358 ft) and its prominence is 226 metres (741 ft). It is joint 86th highest located en…

Get directions Learn more

Stay & food planning around the trailhead

Base and stock up at the trailhead before you start; on the trail expect basic halts and simple meals - tea stops and packed snacks, with no cafe-style reliability once you set off.

Nothing sits right at Kedartal Trek - the closest of these is about 10.3 km away. Distances are straight-line, so road time is longer in the hills.

Stay

GMVN

GMVN, Kalindi Pass, -, Uttarakhand, India

10.3 km away Open in Maps

Stay

Cherbasa

Cherbasa, Bhatwari, India

12.4 km away Open in Maps

Stay

Guest house

Guest house, NH34, Gangotri -, Uttarakhand, India

14.9 km away Open in Maps

Frequently asked questions about Kedartal Trek

What is the best time to do the Kedartal Trek?

The best time for the Kedartal Trek is May to June, September to October.

How difficult is the Kedartal Trek?

The Kedartal Trek tops out near 4,750 m.

How long is the Kedartal Trek?

It covers about 36 km and takes around 5 days.

Comments are closed.

More treks nearby

View all
Trek Autumn

Kedarnath

Moderate
Uttarakhand 3,583 m 16 km one way
7.4Trek Score 7.4 / 10Good clarity Readiness
Trek Autumn

Madhyamaheshwar

Moderate
Uttarakhand 3,490 m 18 km one way
7.3Trek Score 7.3 / 10Good clarity Readiness
Trek Autumn

Rudranath

Challenging Guide Advised
Uttarakhand 3,600 m 20 km one way
7.2Trek Score 7.2 / 10Good clarity Readiness
Trek Autumn

Yamunotri

Moderate
Uttarakhand 3,293 m 6 km one way
7.3Trek Score 7.3 / 10Good clarity Readiness
Trek Autumn

Kalpeshwar

Easy
Uttarakhand 2,200 m 3 km one way
8.1Trek Score 8.1 / 10Good clarity Readiness
Trek Autumn

Hemkund Sahib

Challenging
Uttarakhand 4,329 m 19 km total
7.3Trek Score 7.3 / 10Good clarity Readiness
Autumn

Phulara Ridge Trek

Moderate
Uttarakhand 3,700 m 26 km
7.3Trek Score 7.3 / 10Good clarity Readiness
Autumn

Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek

Moderate
Uttarakhand 3,650 m 24 km
7.3Trek Score 7.3 / 10Good clarity Readiness