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Fill Your Senses with Adventure, Thrill, and True Divinity of Nature!
Kedar Tal trek flourishes amid lush green meadows, snow-covered Himalayan peaks, bubbling springs, and enriching flora and fauna. The place also holds religious importance as the lake is believed to have been born from the blessings of Lord Shiva.
The beauty of Kedar Tal is boundless, but the trek can be a bit challenging albeit magical for beginners. The 18 km trail is ample with spider walls, rocky terrains, steep slopes, and large boulders, and thus, requires the trekkers to be physically and mentally strong!
However, the first touch of the translucent water of Kedar Tal is healing enough to soothe the five senses of the tired trekkers. The silence surrounding the lake is so loud that it soothes one’s mind, body, and soul.
Kedar Tal, is, thus, a paradise for meditators, poets, photographers, yoga practitioners, and artists, but also a boon for those who wish to break free from the mundaneness of regular life.
Settled at an elevation of almost 16,000 feet, Kedar Tal Trek starts from the temple town of Gangotri, in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand.
The locals of Kedar Tal usually converse in Garhwali, one of the dialects of Hindi, which is also widely spoken in the region. Many natives also understand English, so trekkers can easily roam around the region.
The trek to Kedar Tal can be a bit challenging for the novice but the experience is truly magical.
Kedar Valley brims with all the fragrant things that grow in nature – gurgling rivers, vibrant meadows, rambling waterfalls, snow-covered Himalayan peaks – the list is endless.
Kedar Tal, also known as Lord Shiva’s Lake, offers picturesque views of Himalayan peaks, like Manda Parvat, Mt. Thalay Sagar, Mt. Bhrigupanth, Mt. Jogin, and Mt. Gangotri.
The hidden gem of the Kedar Tal trek is the spotting of mountain goats, known as Bharal, or Blue Sheep, along with Himalayan Black Bear, and Gorals. So, if there is one word to define the beauty of this magnificent glacial lake, it is divine!
The base or starting point of Kedartal trekking is Gangotri, which can be reached easily from Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Haridwar via private taxi or Volvo.
The nearest airport to Gangotri is the Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, which takes about an hour to reach the ISBT, from where one can find a cab or bus. Kedar Tal trekkers who don’t mind splurging can also visit Sahastradhara Helipad, Dehradun, to travel to Gangotri via helicopter service.
From Gangotri, the trekkers cover a distance of 18 km on foot to reach the lake of Kedar Tal in around 3-4 days.
The Kedartal trek cost depends on a lot of factors, like accommodation, food, and transport. A typical Kedartal trek itinerary would cost the trekkers around 15k to 20k.
The private cabs charge around INR 7K to INR 15K while Volvos cost between INR 700 and INR 1000 to Gangotri. The trekkers can go through a good Kedar Tal trek guide to learn more about a typical Kedartal trek package.
The starting point of the Kedar Tal trek, Gangotri, is one of the Char Dhams in Uttarakhand.
Kedar Tal translates as Shiva’s Lake since ‘Kedar’ is one of the Lord’s names.
Kedar Tal is one of the highest lakes in Uttarakhand, and also the most remote one.
The best time to do the Kedartal trek is during May and June, September and October. A Kedartal trek in May means shimmering emerald-green mountains, colourful meadows, and gurgling streams that truly bring out the beauty of this scenic place.
As per the legend, Lord Shiva, created the Kedar Tal lake to contribute to River Bhagirathi by letting Kedar Ganga become its tributary.
The crystal-clear water of Kedar Tal is thus fed by the River Kedar Ganga, which is believed to have plunged from the locks of Lord Shiva to purify the ashes of King Bhagirath’s ancestors with her pure yet commanding flow.
Kedar Tal was formed by the melting of the Kedar glacier and is the birthplace of Kedar Ganga, a tributary to the Bhagirathi River. Since the lake is fed by Kedar Ganga, it came to be known as Keda Tal and is highly revered by the locals.
There is no shade or shelter once the trek starts from Gangotri. It is thus recommended to carry your food, or a cook, to the trek. The restaurants in Gangotri usually offer vegetarian food since it is a pilgrimage center.
There are several hotels and homestays in Kedar Tal, Gangotri and nearby areas. Hotel GMVN Gangotri is usually a good lodge with decent rent to stay for trekkers.
However, there is no shelter once the Kedar Tal trek starts, so trekkers carry their tents to stay the night in campsites, like Bhoj Kharak and Kedar Kharak.
The Kedartal Trek is an adventure of a lifetime for anyone who finds peace and seeks thrill amid the heavenly beauty of the mighty Himalayas. One will enjoy the enchanting meadows and meandering streams on one side of the trail while losing their breath as they climb up the spine-chilling spider walls, on the other. The end reward of all the effort put into this trek will be the indescribable beauty and divinity of the Kedar Tal lake that will beckon you to come close and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva who has energized this serene lake with His unceasing energy.
