Pick Kedarkantha if you want a classic snow summit, have 5 to 6 days, and don’t mind camping in deep cold. Pick the Dhakuri-Khati Winter Trek if you want snow, big mountain views and a quieter trail, with a lower altitude and a bed to sleep in each night. Both are good first snow treks in Uttarakhand. They suit different people.
Kedarkantha vs Dhakuri at a glance
| Kedarkantha | Dhakuri-Khati Winter Trek | |
| Region | Garhwal, Uttarkashi district | Kumaon, Bageshwar district |
| Trailhead | Sankri (a long drive from Dehradun, roughly 9-10 hours) | Kathgodam, then a drive to Ganghet, and from there to Dhoor Wachham, the starting point. The drive from Kathgodam to Dhoor Wachham can be done in a day if you are ok with a long 9-10 hour drive |
| Duration | About 4-6 days | 7 days / 6 nights, 5 trekking days |
| Highest point | Summit at about 12,500 ft (3,800 m) | Chiltha Mai at 3,200 m (about 10,500 ft) as a day hike |
| Highest night | Camps below the summit | Dhakuri at 2,900 m |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate |
| Stays | Camping | Quaint village stays, lodges and guesthouses, no camping |
| Snow | Deeper snow, frozen Juda Ka Talab | A fair amount of snow in the winter months |
| Views | Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch | Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, Panchachuli |
| Best months | December to March | December to February |
| Best for | Fitter beginners who want a summit | Beginners and families who want snow views at lower altitude |
The difficulty labels don’t rank which trek is harder overall. Kedarkantha’s challenge is altitude, cold and a pre-dawn summit start. Dhakuri-Khati’s challenge is five trekking days in a row, with the longest around 9 km.
Kedarkantha: the classic snow summit
Kedarkantha gives you the full winter-trek experience. The trail climbs through oak and pine forest to the frozen Juda Ka Talab, then opens into wide snow slopes. On summit day you start before dawn and reach about 12,500 ft, where you see Swargarohini and Bandarpoonch in every direction.
The slope is steady and not technical, and the route is well marked, so many first-timers do well. But it is a real altitude and cold-weather trek. Nights are very cold, you sleep in tents, and the summit push begins in the dark. That makes it better suited to fit beginners than to young children.
Dhakuri-Khati: snow views without the summit push
Dhakuri was once a stop on the route to the Pindari glacier. When a road to Khati bypassed it, the high meadows went quiet. That is part of its appeal: hardly any people, and the same sweeping view of the southern rim of the Nanda Devi sanctuary.
Here is how the trek runs:
- Day 1: Reach Kathgodam by noon and drive about 100 km to Ganghet, arriving around 5 pm.
- Day 2: A 5 to 6 hour drive to Dhoor Wachham, then a hike up to Dhakuri (2,900 m).
- Day 3: A day hike of about 9 km to the Chiltha Mai temple (3,200 m), with views of Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot and Panchachuli, then back to Dhakuri.
- Day 4: About 8 km (4 to 5 hours) from Dhakuri to Khati, a village on the Pindar river.
- Day 5: Walk along the Pindari route to the river bridge (about 4 km) and back.
- Day 6: A 2 to 3 hour walk to Kharkhiya, then a drive to Kausani.
- Day 7: Drive to Kathgodam, in time for the afternoon Shatabdi to Delhi.
You sleep in lodges and guesthouses. Rooms at Dhakuri are dorm-style with up to four people, and double-sharing at the other stops. Meals are simple, freshly cooked vegetarian food. Nights at Dhakuri and Khati can fall to about -5°C, and days are around 5°C. Snow depth varies from year to year, so we can’t guarantee snow on every departure.
How to choose
Choose Kedarkantha if:
- You have 5 to 6 days and want a real summit.
- You are fit, and happy to camp and start before dawn in sub-zero cold.
- You want the deepest snow and a frozen lake.
- You are ok running into crowds on a mountain.
Choose the Dhakuri-Khati Winter Trek if:
- You want snow and big mountain views at a lower altitude (nothing above 3,200 m, and you sleep no higher than 2,900 m).
- You prefer a proper bed and a hot meal each night over camping.
- You are travelling with older children (we recommend 10 and above) or want a quieter trail.
Things to know before you go
- Be ready to be offline. At Dhakuri and Khati only BSNL works for voice calls, and it is unreliable. Electricity at both is also very unreliable, with no power back-up. Carry a charged power bank and spare camera battery.
- Get fit first. For either trek, a few weeks of regular walking helps, building up to 8-10 km with a few breaks.
- Dress in layers. See our winter trek packing list for what to carry.
- Safety: Our guides are qualified wilderness first aid responders, groups carry a first-aid kit, and we have an emergency evacuation plan. We recommend travel insurance that covers trekking.
FAQ
Is Kedarkantha or Dhakuri better for a first snow trek?
Kedarkantha is better if you are fit, have 5 to 6 days and want a summit. Dhakuri-Khati is better if you want a lower altitude, lodge stays and a quieter trail, or are travelling with older children.
Is the Dhakuri-Khati trek suitable for children?
We recommend children aged 10 and above who are comfortable walking 4 to 5 hours a day. The cold and snow make it a winter trek for children who enjoy the outdoors.
Will there be snow on the Dhakuri-Khati trek?
Dhakuri sits at 2,900 m and receives a fair amount of snow in winter, but snow depth varies, so we can’t guarantee it on every departure. Kedarkantha is higher, so snow there is usually deeper in the coldest weeks.
Can I do the Dhakuri trek over a weekend?
Our Dhakuri-Khati Winter Trek takes 7 days (5 trekking days) from and back to Kathgodam, so it isn’t a weekend trip. If you only have a long weekend, ask us about shorter options.
Plan your Dhakuri-Khati winter trek
See the full itinerary, inclusions and upcoming dates on the Dhakuri-Khati Winter Trek page. Not sure it’s right for you? Send us your dates and who is coming, and we’ll help you choose. If you’d prefer to see the glacier itself, the Pindari Glacier trek runs in spring and autumn.