If you’re someone sitting in the chaos of Delhi traffic, dreaming of snow-capped peaks and silent pine forests, then kedarkantha winter trek 2025 might just be the winter escape you need. Let me take you through my personal journey—a story not just of a trek, but of discovering something far more profound: the joy of doing something for yourself, completely alone, yet never really lonely.
The Decision to Go Solo
I did the Kedarkantha Trek in the second week of January 2025. What made it special? It was my first solo trek. Despite trying to convince friends and cousins, no one was ready to brave the cold and the climb. But I was determined. There was a fire inside me that wouldn’t let go. So, with nothing but excitement (and a slightly overstuffed backpack), I boarded an overnight bus from Kashmiri Gate, Delhi to Dehradun Railway Station, where the trekking company had arranged the pickup.
The Journey to Sankri
As expected in India, things didn’t go exactly on time. Our pickup was scheduled for 7 AM, but thanks to some late arrivals, we only left by 10. The upside? During the wait, I got to know that I wasn’t the only solo traveler. There were 2-3 more like me—each with their own story, all equally excited.
Our long journey began, passing through Mussoorie and gradually climbing up towards Sankri, our base village, nestled about 250 km from Dehradun. I grabbed a window seat and found myself hypnotized by the stunning views. One particular moment that stayed with me was the Yamuna River, looking so crystal clear that I could see the riverbed from the road. Who knew the same Yamuna that flows through Delhi has such a divine origin?
As we neared Sankri, the mobile networks faded away—a welcome break. We reached our guesthouse run by the trekking company, where we got our first taste of real Himalayan cold. Trust me, the cold in Delhi had not prepared me for this. The mercury here can drop to -20°C. After a warm meal, we had our briefing and went to bed, excited for the adventure that lay ahead.
Day 1: Sankri to Juda Ka Talab
The next morning, we got our gear: microspikes, trekking poles, and headlamps. I had already brought my own jacket and trek pants, so I was all set.
We began our trek at 9 AM, and just 30 minutes in, a thought crossed my mind: “This is going to be tough.” The trail was steep in parts, and the altitude was no joke. We took frequent breaks, clicked photos, and slowly soaked in the environment. Surprisingly, the day was so sunny that I ended up trekking in just a thermal and T-shirt, ditching my jacket.
At first, there were only small patches of snow. We were a little disappointed, thinking maybe we wouldn’t see much snow after all. But everything changed when we reached Juda Ka Talab. That’s where the real snow started.
We camped here for the night, and boy, what a night it was. I heard someone say it was around -18 to -20°C. The sky was filled with stars, and there was a pitch-black silence you can’t find anywhere else. We were even told there might be snowfall during the night. Fingers crossed!
Day 2: Juda Ka Talab to Kedarkantha Base Camp
Woke up to freezing cold, but also full excitement. We saw the frozen Juda Ka Talab and even stood on it! Dancing, reels, photos—everyone went crazy. That was the first time I had ever walked on a frozen lake.
As we gained more altitude, snow became thicker. Our trek leader asked us to wear our micro spikes. The terrain was changing fast—the green path was now turning into a white carpet. When we finally reached Kedarkantha Base Camp, I had just one reaction: WTF. Just wow.
The whole meadow was blanketed in thick, untouched snow, and in the distance, we saw the summit we would (hopefully) conquer the next day. But our leader warned us: “The weather might not allow us to summit. Be prepared.” That night, after some snowball fights and igloo-making attempts, we went to sleep early to be ready for our 3 AM summit push.
The Snowstorm
But nature had other plans.
Around 10 PM, I heard the winds howling. The tent shook, and soon we heard snow falling heavily on the roof. What began as excitement for a light snowfall quickly turned into a full-blown snowstorm. We were stuck. It was scary and beautiful at the same time.
By morning, the storm hadn’t stopped. The leader made the call: no summit today. Disappointed but safe, we stayed back and turned the base camp into a winter playground. We built snowmen, slid on slopes, and played like kids.
In that surreal morning silence, surrounded by snow, a thought hit me hard:
“Why do we spend so much money on alcohol and material stuff that harms us, when we could be spending it on experiences like this?”
Descent: Kedarkantha Base Camp to Sankri
We began our descent, and it kept snowing. The trail we came up through, once green and rocky, was now completely white. Even our bags and jackets were covered in snow.
We stopped for lunch again at Juda Ka Talab. From there, we descended all the way back to Sankri in one go. It was magical to see the transformation—what was once a muddy trail was now a pure white path, like walking through a fairytale.
Back to Dehradun, Back to Reality
We stayed the night at Sankri and the next morning boarded our bus back to Dehradun. I sat quietly during the return journey, reflecting on everything I had experienced.
From being a Delhi guy who had never done a solo trek, to braving a snowstorm and dancing on a frozen lake, Kedarkantha gave me memories that no Instagram reel or photo could ever fully capture.
Final Thoughts – kedarkantha winter trek 2025
Kedarkantha isn’t just a trek; it’s an emotion. It taught me more than just how to climb a mountain. It taught me patience, resilience, and the unmatched joy of doing something out of pure passion.
If you’re sitting on the fence about going solo or doing your first winter trek, don’t think too much. Just go. The mountains are calling, and you owe it to yourself to answer.