KEDARKANTHA TREK: My first conquest to the Throat of Lord Shiva

Hiking is the perfect way to see the world's most stunning natural wonders. It's one of the few opportunities to experience solitude, to communicate with nature, and to see things that few people get to see due to the time and effort required to get there. It's a physical challenge, but the reward is a stunning mountain view, an ocean vista, or a sunrise over a volcano!

I began my trek carrier with Kedarkantha Trek. While, my first trek experience can be defined as fuelled by adrenaline, and terrified to the core. But, more than fear I was stressed about slowing down the party or failing to complete the trek. I was already out of breath before we even started. Thanks to our trek guide from Moustache, who helped me prepare my mind and body for hiking.

Talking about the Kedarkantha trek, one should not be confused with the Kedarnath Trip. And, located at an incredible elevation of 12,500 feet, the Kedarkantha Trek gives you a glimpse of spectacular terrains, incredible flora and fauna, and scenic natural views of snow-capped mountains. Kedarkantha is aptly named the Winter Wonderland. Which gives you a blissful sense of accomplishment and the thrill of conquering something. The trek begins in Dehradun, Uttrakhand, which is located in the Himalayan foothills and is a famous hill station in India.

As one of India's first commercial winter treks, Kedarkantha has captured the imagination and hearts of millions of Indian trekkers throughout its history. This trek is credited with igniting the trend and enthusiasm around what is now known as "Winter Trekking." Every year, a mountain full of surprises and adventure, vast clearings and a frozen river, starry skies, and cold winds will become one of your favorite places to hike. And, throughout the 23-kilometer Kedarkantha trek, the sheer beauty it contains will captivate not only your eyes but also your heart with a lifetime of memories.

FUN FACT:

Did you know that the name Kedarkantha comes from two Hindi words, Kedar and Kantha? Lord Shiva is also known as Kedar, and Kantha refers to the throat. They are collectively known as Lord Shiva's Throat. This fact had such an effect on me that I immediately looked up other similar treks across India and discovered that almost every Himalayan trek has a fascinating mythological side to it. Doesn't it sound intriguing or should I say inviting?

I booked my trip with Moustache Escapes, which has an itinerary that takes 6 days and 5 nights to reach the destination place. Recommended by one of my close friends, the trek duration is perfect for a week's escape. I immediately booked the package and took a flight to Dehradun. We started our journey with a cab ride to Sankri, thanks to our fantastic tour guide and fellow travelers. The 7-hour cab ride follows the Yamuna River and passes through the Govind National Park, which is 22 kilometers from Sankri. Our first stop was in Sankri, which is also the starting point for many other Uttrakhand treks, the most famous of which are Har ki Dun and Bali Pass.

The trail begins with the trekking part, with our next stop at Juda ka Talab. The route winds through a thick forest of maple and pine trees, leaving you speechless. After resting at Juda Ka Talab and admiring the light blue sparkling water, continue trailing to the Kedarkantha Base Camp. Let me tell you this before, when you arrive at the base camp, the view is something to behold. And, as a first-time trekker, I was spell-bounded by the splendor of majestic peaks such as Swargrohini, Bandarpunch, and Draupadi Ka Danda. I was speechless in front of the vision, and the whole experience is still beyond words. I've never seen the sky so blue or a view so beautiful. It was pure bliss.

The Kedarkantha Trek also gives you a great sense of beauty due to its accessibility throughout the year. As a result, the beauty of trekking changes with the seasons. In the summer, the trail will take you through oak trees with colorful Rhododendrons, and in the winter, you'll be able to see the gleaming snow peaks in the sunshine. It appears to be a true marvel.

Surprisingly, I made a few friends on our journey. Thank you to the Moustache mentor, who was extremely helpful in teaching me about teamwork and teammates. And, when it comes to comrades, the top of the Kedarkantha base camp provides plenty of opportunities to discover the mountain's secrets. Gather your closest friends and head out to the open snow-white fields to build the largest snowman you can, and don't forget to take pictures for us!

We later returned to Hargaon campsite, and after passing through the woods, we arrived back in Sankri and boarded a cab to Dehradun. Marking the end of my first, and most memorable trek. Trekking on Kedarkantha is much more than it appears in pictures on your computer screen. It's an accomplishment, a remarkable sense of fulfillment, a triumph, and a sensation that none of India's winter treks will be able to equal any time soon. It is not necessary to wait until you begin trekking to begin creating memories.