Kedartal Lake

Kedartal Lake Trek is a splendid Glacial lake located in the Gangotri valley of Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand. Kedartal Trek is one of the most beautiful yet challenging and spiritual treks in Uttarakhand. The high altitude and quick elevation gain make the Kedartal trek a difficult one. Therefore, this Himalayan Trek can be done by experienced trekkers who have done at least 1 or 2 high latitude Himalayan treks before.

The altitude of Kedartal is nearly 15,500 ft which makes this trek a high-altitude glacial lake trek. The trek starts from one of the most divine places of Uttarakhand and one of the Char Dhams known as 'Gangotri'. From Gangotri, you will begin your trek and walk by the Kedar Ganga River. Kedar Ganga river originates from Kedartal and Kedartal gets its water from the Gangotri Glacier.

After a while, you will find yourself among the lush green forests of Gangotri Valley. The steep climb starts from this forest line and takes you to Alpine meadows and moraines. In some sections, you will trek through the landslide-prone areas.

Your first day camping will be at Bhoj Kharak, which is a small opening through the forest. Since there is no plain ground available here, we will fix our camps on slightly sloping areas. The sunset and sunrise views from the Bhoj Kharak campsite are magnificent.

The next day, you will reach Kedar Kharak. This too is a beautiful small Himalayan meadow. From there on, you will have to walk through moraines to reach the divine Kedartal. The very first sight of the divine Kedartal lake will take away all your exhaustion, and you will find yourself in a completely different state of consciousness. You will get sufficient time to feel those moments of solitude.

The famous mountain peaks of India like Bhrigupanth, Thalaysagar, Jogini peaks, and Mandar Parvat are visible from Kedartal. The view that is created by the reflection of Thalaysagar over the bluish water of Kedartal will remain there in your heart till eternity. Come, join us on this Thrilling Adventure...

History Of Kedartal Lake

The name “Kedartal” means “Lake of Lord Shiva”. This lake is a gift to Lord Shiva. You will see the Thalay Sagar Peak behind the lake. This peak is the guardian of the Kedartal Lake. The Thalay Sagar Peak is one of the most difficult expeditions in Garhwal. People believe that challenges mean the strength and endurance of the devotees. Locals believe that the waters of Kedartal Lake are divine. Many sages and yogis meditated near the lake due to its holiness and peace. The Kedartal Lake is not very commercialized like other temples and places because it is not part of the main pilgrimage circuit. People who love nature and believe in the divineness trek to Kedartal Lake for blessings.

​Kedartal Lake became a trekking spot when mountaineers started exploring the Gangotri region. You can experience calmness and beauty. This beauty attracts lots of nature lovers. When you reach the lake, you find reconciliation with your heart. Mountaineers also camp near the lake. The Kedartal is also an acclimatization zone for many expeditions. When you trek to the lake, you can see shepherds with their cattle. They have been using the trail for centuries.

Highlights Of The Kedartal Lake

• Celestial Kedartal Lake: The Kedartal lake is a beauty and a gift of nature. You will trek for days to reach the Kedartal. Your tiredness and pain will disappear the second you see the Kedartal Lake. This majestic lake is so attractive and divine. Touch the cold waters and you can feel the warmth of holiness.
• Challenging Terrain: Your trek to Kedartal Lake is not easy. You will start your trek from simple terrain and walk into the forest area. The camping sites in the forests are not plain and you may have to camp in a sloping area. The final ascent to Kedartal Lake is very difficult. You need good strength and guidance to reach Kedartal without any trouble.
• Diverse Flora And Fauna: The trail to Kedartal is beautiful and filled with greenery. The forest area has different types of trees like Pine, Oak, and Rhodo. The small meadows in the trail grow wildflowers. You can also see local shepherds with their cattle in the meadows. At night, you can hear the sound of wild animals. You can also spot rare Himalayan Ibex and snow leopards on the trail.
• Remote And Untouched Trails: The Kedartal Lake is still holding its authentic natural beauty due to its remote location. The minimum contact with humans is saving the lake from any harm. You can still feel the pioneer of Himalayan roots and lifestyles.

Difficulty Level Of Kedartal Lake

• High-Altitude Challenges

The Kedartal Lake is located at an altitude of 4912 m. You may face difficulty in breathing because the oxygen level will be less in this height.The air becomes very thin, and you can get AMS symptoms.

• Difficult Terrian

The route to Kedartal Lake is not simple. You will walk on rocky patches and moraines. The terrain can challenge your mental and physical strength. You should have expertise in ascending high-altitude areas.

• Unpredictable Weather

Weather conditions in high-altitude areas are not stable. You can see a bright sunrise and snowfall by the evening. The trail can become very challenging in rain and snowfall. The rain and snow make the trail slippery, and you can face difficulty while walking. Heavy rainfall can also sweep out the trails.

• Trek Duration And Remoteness

You will walk about 50 km in the Kedartal Lake Trek. The distance is not very lengthy, but you have to cover it in a week. You will walk for about 8-10 km uphill daily. The lake is situated in a very remote location, which means you won’t see any rest shops on the way.

Best Time To Visit The Kedartal Lake

You can make your plans to visit the Kedartal Lake in summer around late May. Another good time for Kedartal Lake trekking is the autumn.

• Kedartal Lake In Late May And June

The best trail conditions to visit the Kedartal lake is summer. The snow starts melting, and the trails will open for trekking. The weather also became nice with decent daytime temperatures. You can also see greenery and wildflowers in the meadows.

• Kedartal Lake In July And August

Monsoon is not a good time to visit Kedartal Lake. The difficulty level of the trek is already very high, and rains make it worse. You can see big and small landslides on the trail. The trail became very muddy and slippery.

• Kedartal Lake From September To Mid-October

Another good time to plan your Kedartal Lake Trek is the post-monsoon season. The route becomes dry and manageable. You can see autumn in the Himalayas. The trek will be less crowded and peaceful.

• Kedartal Lake From Late-October To April

You cannot visit Kedartal Lake in the winter. The lake will be buried in the snow. The temperature can drop to -15℃, and trekking becomes extremely challenging. Only experienced mountaineers trek to Kedartal Lake in winter for some special expeditions.

How To Reach The Kedartal Lake?

Your trek to Kedartal Lake starts from Gangotri. You must reach Gangotri a day before starting your trek. You will see Uttarkashi, Harshi, and Dharali villages on the route.

• Gangotri Via Road

Look for the bus services to Dehradun. You can find overnight buses to Dehradun from Delhi. Reach Dehradun in the morning, and now you can find direct buses to Gangotri. The bus services to Gangotri are limited. You can also find shared taxi services to Gangotri.

• Gangotri Via Railways

You can take a train to Dehradun as you can find direct trains from all major cities. If not, look for trains to Haridwar or Rishikesh. Reach Dehradun or Haridwar and now look for bus or taxi services to Gangotri.

• Gangotri Via Air

Regular flight services are available to Dehradun from Delhi. Take a flight to Jolly Grant Airport and then take a cab to Dehradun bus station. Now check for the bus services to Gangotri. Some shared taxi services are also available from Dehradun and Haridwar.