Kedartal Trek

Overview

Kedartal Trek, in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, takes you from the sacred town of Gangotri to a spectacular high-altitude glacial lake cradled at around 4,750 meters (15,584 feet). Ringed by towering Himalayan peaks like Thalay Sagar, Bhrigupanth and Manda Parvat, the emerald-green waters of Kedartal mirror the surrounding mountains in a way that feels almost unreal.

This is a demanding, high-altitude trek with steep ascents, rocky and boulder-filled terrain, and exposed sections like the famous Spider Wall. It is best suited for fit trekkers with prior experience in the mountains who are ready for long days, rugged trails and thin air — and who want to be rewarded with pristine Himalayan landscapes, crystal-clear reflections on the lake and a sense of deep wilderness away from crowds.

Key Highlights

Gaumukh Snout: Stand at the massive, icy mouth of the Gangotri Glacier—the sacred source of the River Ganges.
Mt. Shivling Views: Get an unmatched, base-to-summit view of the 6,543 m pyramid peak, widely considered the "Matterhorn of India."
Tapovan Meadows: Reach the serene alpine grasslands (14,640 ft) where sages live in caves year-round for meditation.
Bhagirathi Massif: Trek in the literal shadow of the Bhagirathi I, II, and III peaks, which dominate the skyline throughout the journey.

6–7 Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Dehradun to Gangotri (Drive)

Drive: 10–12 hours Route: via Mussoorie & Uttarkashi Altitude: ~3,100 m / 10,170 ft Stay: Hotel / guesthouse

Start from Dehradun and enjoy a long scenic drive along the Bhagirathi valley, passing Mussoorie, Uttarkashi and mountain villages en route to Gangotri. Settle into your stay, visit the Gangotri temple (time permitting) and rest up for the days of trekking ahead.

Day 2 — Acclimatization at Gangotri

Activity: Local walks & short hikes Altitude: ~3,100 m / 10,170 ft

Spend the day acclimatizing in and around Gangotri. Visit Surya Kund, explore the riverfront and take relaxed acclimatization walks to nearby viewpoints and caves. This extra day at altitude helps your body adjust before you gain further height on the trek.

Day 3 — Gangotri to Bhoj Kharak

Trek: 8 km Time: 5–6 hours Altitude: ~3,900 m / 12,800 ft Stay: Tents at Bhoj Kharak

Leave Gangotri and climb steeply through pine, fir and birch (Bhojpatra) forests on a rugged mountain trail. One of the highlight sections today is the famous Spider Wall — a narrow rock face with a sharp drop on one side that demands careful footing and concentration. Continue to the small campsite of Bhoj Kharak surrounded by cliffs and forest.

Day 4 — Bhoj Kharak to Kedar Kharak

Trek: 5 km Time: 3–4 hours Altitude: ~4,360 m / 14,300 ft Stay: Tents at Kedar Kharak

Gradually leave the treeline behind as the path opens into wide alpine meadows and moraine fields. The views of Thalay Sagar, Bhrigupanth and other surrounding peaks become more dramatic. Kedar Kharak is a stunning high meadow campsite with big-mountain views and a good chance of spotting blue sheep (Bharal) grazing on distant slopes.

Day 5 — Kedar Kharak to Kedartal & back

Trek: ~8 km round trip Time: 7–8 hours Highest Point: 4,750+ m / 15,500+ ft

This is the toughest and most rewarding day of the trek. Follow a steep, rocky trail over loose moraine and large boulders to finally reach the emerald waters of Kedartal. Spend time soaking in the surreal reflections of Mt. Thalay Sagar and the surrounding peaks on the lake surface before carefully retracing your steps back to Kedar Kharak for the night.

Day 6 — Kedar Kharak to Gangotri

Trek: ~15 km Time: 7–8 hours Altitude loss: ~1,200 m

Retrace your route via Bhoj Kharak, carefully negotiating the Spider Wall and steep descents back into the forests above Gangotri. The long downhill walk is tiring on the knees but filled with final views of the valley and peaks. Overnight at Gangotri.

Day 7 — Gangotri to Dehradun (Drive)

Drive: 10–11 hours End Point: Dehradun

After breakfast, drive back from Gangotri through Uttarkashi and along the Bhagirathi and Ganga valleys to reach Dehradun by evening. Trip ends with memories of one of the most dramatic lake treks in the Indian Himalayas.

What's Included / Not Included

Included

Accommodation (hotel, homestay, camps, tents on triple sharing basis)
Sleeping bag, mattress, inner liner, trekking tents
Toilet tent and kitchen tent setup
All meals while on trek & during road travel
Refreshments, soup and tea / coffee as per plan
All required permits and local fees
Trek leader, certified guides, cook and supporting staff

Not Included

Any kind of personal expenses
Personal toiletries and personal medicines
Travel insurance (recommended for high-altitude treks)
Any cost arising due to bad weather, road blocks, political or local issues, or natural calamities
Mules or porters to carry personal luggage (available at extra cost)
Anything not specifically mentioned under “Included”

Safety & Trek Preparation

Acclimatization is crucial on Kedartal — the itinerary includes a dedicated acclimatization day at Gangotri and gradual altitude gain to reduce the risk of AMS.
Carry proper high-altitude gear including multiple warm layers, waterproof shell, gloves, trekking poles, sturdy high-ankle shoes and a reliable headlamp.
Sections like the Spider Wall and boulder moraine require sure-footedness; always follow the instructions of your trek leader and maintain spacing on exposed stretches.
First aid, basic medicines and oxygen support are available on the trek; we monitor your health and oxygen saturation regularly.
Turnaround and evacuation protocols are in place for sudden weather changes, rockfall risk or health issues — safety always comes before summit or lake.

Gallery

Kedartal lake with Thalay Sagar reflected

High-altitude meadow and campsite on Kedartal trek