Planning an adventure to the Kedarkantha Trek? One of the most popular winter treks in Uttarakhand, Kedarkantha is known for its snow-covered trails, breathtaking Himalayan views, and the charming base village of Sankri. To begin this thrilling journey, you first need to reach Sankri, which serves as the starting point of the Kedarkantha Trek. Nestled in the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary of Uttarkashi district, Sankri is well-connected to Dehradun, Haridwar, and Rishikesh through scenic mountain routes. Here’s a detailed guide on how to reach Kedarkantha Trek (Sankri Base) from these major Uttarakhand cities.
- Kedarkantha Trek is one of the popular Himalayan treks in Uttarakhand (Garhwal region).
- The trek base starts from Sankri village, Uttarkashi district. It lies inside/near Govind Wildlife / Govind Pashu Vihar heritage area.
- The summit altitude is about 12,500 ft (≈ 3,810 m).
- Trek difficulty is considered easy to moderate, making it suitable for beginners (especially winter‐trek option).
- Distance & travel overview: Sankri is about 200 km by road from Dehradun; travel time is ~8-10 hrs depending on condition.
So, if you’re travelling from Dehradun, Haridwar or Rishikesh, you will first reach Sankri by road, then start the trek from Sankri → Juda Ka Talab → Base Camp → Summit → return.
Nearest Major Points
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nearest Airport | Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) is the closest airport serving Uttarakhand for this region. |
| Nearest Railway Station | Dehradun Railway Station is the closest major railhead for travelers heading towards Sankri / Kedarkantha. |
| Nearest Major City / Bus Hub | Dehradun is the main city / transit hub. Also towns like Purola, Mori lie en route. Sankri itself is last motorable village; beyond that road ends. |
Route from Dehradun → Kedarkantha (via Sankri)
Distance & Time
- Road distance from Dehradun to Sankri ≈ 200 km
- Travel time by road: about 8–10 hours under normal conditions.
Travel Options
- By road / car / taxi
- By bus + shared taxi / cab for last leg
- There is no direct railway / flight to Sankri — you must go via Dehradun by road
Recommended Route Description
- Arrive at Dehradun (by train or flight).
- From Dehradun take a bus or taxi to Mori / Purola / onward toward Sankri. The route generally passes via Mussoorie-Vikasnagar / Mori / Purola and then uphill roads to Sankri village.
- Reach Sankri. Overnight stay in Sankri.
- Next day begin the trek: Sankri → Juda Ka Talab (≈ 4 km trek) → onward to Base Camp → Summit etc.
Transportation Tips & Stops
- Take an early‐morning bus from Dehradun to Sankri if available. Many direct or semi-direct buses depart early (e.g. around 5:30–8:00 am).
- If you miss direct bus, you can get as far as Mori or Purola and then take shared taxi / cab / bolero to Sankri.
- Keep buffer time for road conditions (narrow hills, weather delays) especially in winter or monsoon.
- It’s wise to reach Sankri by evening of Day 1, rest, then start trek early next morning.
Route from Haridwar → Kedarkantha Trek (via Sankri)
Distance & Time
- Haridwar → Sankri by road is approx 250-260 km depending on route, with estimated travel time ~7-9 hours by car/taxi.
- Some sources list Haridwar to Sankri distance ~ 251 km taking ~7.7-8.5 hrs by taxi.
- If you use public transport (bus + transfers), it may take longer (~9-10 hours).
Travel Options
- Private taxi / cab from Haridwar to Sankri
- Shared / tourist bus to Dehradun first then onward to Sankri by bus / taxi
- Organised trek companies often offer pick up from Haridwar / Rishikesh to Sankri
Recommended Route
- From Haridwar drive via Rishikesh / Dehradun side, follow route toward Mori / Purola / onward to Sankri.
- Use road via NH / or state highway / local hilly roads (often via Mussoorie / Vikasnagar / Mori).
- Arrive Sankri by evening, rest, trek from Sankri next morning.
Transportation Tips & Stops
- Book taxi in advance if travelling from Haridwar directly. CabBazar lists fares for Haridwar → Sankri route.
- Consider breaks at towns like Rishikesh → Dehradun → Purola / Mori for refreshment, fuel, etc.
- Road conditions can slow down during rain / snow season; plan buffer time.
Route from Rishikesh → Kedarkantha Trek (via Sankri)
Distance & Time
- Rishikesh → Sankri by road ≈ 240 km (or close to that).
- Estimated travel time ~ 8 hours (depending on conditions).
- Alternate sources mention ~8–9 hrs depending on route / traffic.
Travel Options
- Private taxi from Rishikesh → Sankri
- Shared cabs / booking via trek operators
- Or travel via Rishikesh → Dehradun → onward by bus / taxi to Sankri
Recommended Route
- Depart Rishikesh early morning by taxi (or cab arranged via trek operator).
- Route goes through hills / via Dehradun / Mori / Purola → Sankri.
- Reach Sankri by evening, stay overnight in Sankri. Then start trek next day.
Transportation Tips & Stops
- Book taxi ahead especially in peak / winter / snow season.
- Check if trek operator offers pickup-drop service (many do).
- Watch for weather delays on hilly roads; verify that roads are open (in winter snow, landslide risk etc).
Road Connectivity to Sankri (Base Camp)
Major Highways & Towns En Route
- From plains (Dehradun / Haridwar / Rishikesh) you climb into the hills via roads passing through towns like Mussoorie / Vikasnagar / Mori / Purola etc depending on specific route.
- The last motorable point is Sankri — beyond that you trek on foot.
- The road gets narrower and hilly as you approach higher altitudes.
Best Vehicle Type
- For most of the route (winding mountainous roads), a reliable car/taxi / SUV is preferred. Sedans or hatchbacks may work if roads are in good condition, but for snow, narrow turns or rough patches, SUVs or good ground-clearance vehicles are safer.
- Shared taxis / boleros are often used for last legs to Sankri.
Condition of Roads & Precautions
- Roads are mountain roads; expect sharp bends, uneven surfaces in places, possible landslides especially during monsoon or snow obstruction in winter.
- During winter (snowfall), roads closer to Sankri may be slippery or blocked—check local updates.
- Fuel stations / service points may be sparse en route; plan refuel stops (e.g. in Mori / Purola or earlier).
- Start early in day to avoid travelling after dusk in narrow mountainous roads.
- Weather can impact travel speed; allow buffer time especially when travelling from Haridwar / Rishikesh during winter or rainy season.
How to Reach Kedarkantha by Different Transport Modes
| Mode | How It Works |
|---|---|
| By Air | Fly into Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun), then proceed by road (taxi / bus) from Dehradun → Sankri. |
| By Train | Arrive at Dehradun Railway Station. From there hire taxi / take bus to Sankri. |
| By Bus / Car | Direct or shared-buses / local buses from Dehradun → Sankri (early morning departures). Or hitch a taxi / private car. From Haridwar / Rishikesh, first reach Dehradun or use direct cab to Sankri. Trek organizers may include transportation. |
Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
- Best time to travel: Late autumn / winter months (December–March) if you want snow; summer months (May–June) for green trekking. Check weather forecast.
- Start early: Because road travel to Sankri may take 8+ hours; daylight driving is safer.
- Altitude & acclimatisation: Though the trek isn’t extremely high, you’re ascending from ~1,950 m (Sankri) toward higher camps — take it easy on Day 1 trek leg, carry warm clothing.
- Stopover suggestions:
- Stay in Dehradun (if you fly/train in night before).
- Mori / Purola towns for any supplies / breaks.
- Overnight in Sankri day before trek start.
- Safety Advice:
- Check road status (snow / landslide alerts).
- Carry contact of local guide(s) or trek operator.
- Ensure your vehicle / taxi is reliable, driver familiar with mountain terrain.
- Carry sufficient cash (ATM may not be functional near Sankri at times).
- Permits & essentials: If trekking in winter, ensure warm gear; if going via an operator, check whether transport, meals, camping gear are included.
Book Your Kedarkantha Trek Package
If you’re interested in a ready-made trek plan, you can check out packages such as UK Travel Company’s Kedarkantha Trek Package:
They may include transport, guide, lodging, meals and other logistics.
10. FAQs about Reaching Kedarkantha Trek
1. Nearest airport to Kedarkantha Trek?
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun.
2. How to reach kedarkantha trek by train?
Via Dehradun Railway Station → then road transport to Sankri.
3. How far is kedarkantha trek from Dehradun?
200 km by road to Sankri (base village).
4. Can I drive to kedarkantha Base camp?
You can drive to Sankri (base village), but not beyond. From Sankri, trekking on foot is needed.
5. Is public transport is available to Sankri?
Yes — there are buses from Dehradun / shared-taxi / local transport options; but schedules may be limited; many people prefer private taxi / trek-operator transport.
11. Final Words
Reaching Kedarkantha is quite manageable for first-time trekkers if you plan well. Whether you start from Dehradun, Haridwar or Rishikesh, the key is to reach Sankri village by road in time, stay overnight there, and begin the trek next morning. The roads may be long and winding, but the views make it worth the journey.
If you want a hassle-free experience, consider booking a Kedarkantha Trek Package with UK Travel Company which can handle your transport, accommodation & guide logistics. Let me know if you want me to compare a few trek-packages for you (cost / duration) or map out a sample itinerary from your city.
