About the Trek
Kedartal is one of the most beautiful and challenging glacial lakes in the Indian Himalayas. Situated at 4,750 metres in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, this pristine lake is fed by the Thalaysagar glacier and reflects the magnificent peak of Thalaysagar (6,904m) in its crystal-clear waters.
The trek is demanding — the trail involves steep ascents through dense forest, exposed ridge walking, boulder hopping, and navigating around crevassed moraine. There is no established trail for much of the route, making it a true wilderness experience that requires good route-finding skills.
At the lake itself, you are in the heart of some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the Garhwal Himalayas. Thalaysagar, Bhrigupanth, Jogin peaks, and the Kedar Bamak glacier create an amphitheatre of ice and rock that is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Trek Highlights
- Pristine glacial lake at 4,750m reflecting Thalaysagar peak
- Close views of Thalaysagar (6,904m) and Bhrigupanth
- Challenging wilderness trail — true adventure trekking
- Remote and uncrowded with raw Himalayan beauty
- Rich birdlife in the lower forest sections
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A 7-day trek from Dehradun through rugged terrain to the magnificent Kedartal glacial lake at 4,750m.
- Drive from Dehradun via Uttarkashi
- Arrive at Gangotri
- Overnight at guesthouse
- Begin trek from Gangotri temple area
- Steep climb through dense birch and pine forest
- Reach Bhoj Kharak — a clearing in the birch forest
- Overnight in tents
- Continue steep ascent through thinning forest
- Boulder hopping and exposed sections
- Reach Kedarkharak campsite on moraine
- First views of Thalaysagar
- Overnight in tents
- Navigate through moraine and glacial debris
- Cross tricky boulder fields
- Arrive at Kedartal — the pristine glacial lake
- Thalaysagar reflected in crystal-clear water
- Overnight in tents
- Explore the lake shores and nearby ridges
- Photography with changing light on Thalaysagar
- Views of Bhrigupanth and Jogin peaks
- Overnight in tents
- Descend through the moraine and boulder fields
- Retrace steps to Bhoj Kharak
- Overnight in tents
- Descend to Gangotri
- Drive back to Dehradun (or overnight in Uttarkashi)
- Trek concludes
What's Included
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Accommodation — Hotel / Homestay / Tents on triple sharing
- All necessary entry fees and permits
- Professional trek leader, guide, cook and support staff
- Camping equipment — sleeping bags, blankets, mats, toilet tents
- Safety equipment — medical kit, oximeter, crampons & gaiters
What's Not Included
- Meals during the road journey
- Any kind of insurance
- Mules or porter to carry personal luggage (can be arranged at extra cost)
- Medical / evacuation expenses (assistance provided in emergencies)
- Any expense of personal nature
- Any expense not specified in inclusions
Things to Carry
Essentials
- Backpack (50-60 L) with rain cover
- Day pack (20 L)
- Trekking shoes with ankle support
- Headlamp / torch with spare batteries
- Water bottles (2 L)
- Personal medication
Clothing & Gear
- Thermal innerwear (top + bottom) x 2
- Heavy down jacket (-20°C rated)
- Waterproof hardshell jacket and pants
- Balaclava, insulated gloves, liner gloves
- Trekking pants x 2 + warm fleece pants
- Quick-dry t-shirts x 3
- Gaiters (high ankle)
- Mountaineering sunglasses (Category 4)
Documents
- Government photo ID (Aadhaar / Passport / DL)
- Two passport-sized photos
- Medical fitness certificate
Optional
- Trekking poles
- Sunglasses (UV protection)
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
- Power bank
- Energy bars / dry fruits
How to Prepare
This is a Moderate to Difficult grade trek. Expect long walking days (6–9 hours), steep ascents and descents, possible snow/glacier crossings, and altitudes above 4,000 m. Prior trekking experience and 6–8 weeks of dedicated preparation are strongly recommended.
Cardio — Start 6–8 Weeks Before
- Run: 5 km in under 25 minutes, 4–5x per week
- Long walks: 12–15 km weekend hikes with an 8–10 kg loaded pack
- Stairs with load: Climb 15+ floors with a backpack, 3x per week
- Incline training: Treadmill at 10–15% incline for 30 min, or find real hills
- Practice trek: Do at least 1–2 trail hikes (8–12 km) with full daypack before departure
Strength (4x per week)
- Weighted squats — 3 sets of 15 (10–15 kg)
- Bulgarian split squats — 3 sets of 12 each leg
- Step-ups with weight — 3 sets of 12 each leg
- Deadlifts or Romanian deadlifts — 3 sets of 10
- Core circuit: planks (90 sec) + mountain climbers (30) + Russian twists (20)
- Calf raises with weight — 3 sets of 20
Diet & Recovery
- 4+ litres of water daily throughout your training
- Protein-heavy diet (1.2–1.5 g per kg body weight) for muscle repair
- Load up on iron-rich foods (spinach, beetroot, dates) — helps with oxygen at altitude
- Avoid processed food, sugar and alcohol for 2+ weeks before departure
- Sleep 7–8 hours — recovery is as important as training
Altitude & Technical Readiness
- These treks cross 4,000–5,000 m — AMS is a serious concern
- Carry and know how to use Diamox (consult your doctor before the trek)
- Learn basic crampon walking if the trek involves snow — your leader will brief you, but practice helps
- Expect sub-zero camping nights — test your cold tolerance and layering system before departure
- Carry a personal first-aid kit: ORS, Diamox, Dolo, Avomine, bandages, antiseptic
- Inform the leader of ANY medical condition — no detail is too small at altitude
Photo Gallery
Photos from the trail. More coming soon — follow us on Instagram for daily updates.
Gallery photos will be added soon. Binoy is preparing the best shots from the trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is rated Difficult due to steep terrain, lack of established trail in sections, and high altitude. Prior experience with moderate-to-difficult treks is essential.
Yes, the rapid altitude gain to 4,750m requires good acclimatisation. We monitor all trekkers closely and carry emergency oxygen.
The lake is typically frozen from November to April. The best time to see it unfrozen with Thalaysagar reflections is May-June and September-October.
No technical climbing gear is needed, but the trail involves significant boulder hopping and exposure. Trekking poles and good ankle-support shoes are essential.