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Quick answer: Kedarkantha starts at Sankri village, about 200 km (7–8 hours) by road from Dehradun. Reach Dehradun by overnight train, bus or flight, then take Trekkaro's 6:30 AM shared pickup from Dehradun Railway Station (about ₹6,500 per 5–6 seat vehicle, split), or a morning bus. There is no train, flight or helicopter to Sankri.
Getting to Sankri is the part of the Kedarkantha trek that catches people out. The trek itself starts on Day 2, but Day 1 is a long mountain drive, and the timing only works if you are in Dehradun early in the morning. Here is how to plan it, step by step.
Step 1: How do you get to Dehradun?
Dehradun is the gateway for Kedarkantha. You need to be at Dehradun Railway Station by 6:30 AM on Day 1, so most people travel overnight.
| Option | From Delhi | Travel time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight train (Nanda Devi Express) | New Delhi to Dehradun (DDN) | about 6.5 hours | Arriving in time for the 6:30 AM pickup |
| Shatabdi | New Delhi to Dehradun (DDN) | about 5 hours | Travelling a day early and staying overnight |
| Overnight Volvo bus | ISBT Kashmere Gate to Dehradun ISBT | about 6–7 hours | Budget travel; flexible departure times |
| Flight | Delhi to Jolly Grant Airport (DED) | about 45 minutes, then about 30 minutes by cab to the city | Trekkers from Mumbai, Bengaluru and other far cities |
If you are flying in from far away, the safest plan is to land in Dehradun the day before and stay near the railway station. Morning flights rarely land early enough for a 6:30 AM start.
Driving directly from Delhi in your own vehicle?
You can skip Dehradun city entirely. The route is roughly 430 km (11–13 hours with stops) via Panipat – Karnal – Yamunanagar – Paonta Sahib – Vikasnagar – Nainbagh – Naugaon – Purola – Mori – Sankri. Leave Delhi before dawn so you cover the hill section from Vikasnagar onwards in daylight, and plan to reach Sankri the evening before Day 2. Sections between Purola and Nainbagh are prone to loose stones and landslides, and the last stretch near Sankri can see snow and ice in winter, so a car with good ground clearance and tyres helps. If you drive, tell your trek coordinator so they skip your Dehradun pickup, and ask about parking at Sankri.
Step 2: Dehradun to Sankri — what is the route?
The road runs Dehradun – Mussoorie – Nainbagh – Naugaon – Purola – Mori – Naitwar – Sankri. It is about 200 km and takes 7–8 hours, sometimes more if there is roadwork or snow near Sankri. The road is winding for most of the way, so carry motion-sickness tablets if you need them, and eat a light breakfast.
Purola is the last reliable ATM before Sankri. Cards are not accepted in the mountains, so withdraw cash in small notes there or before you leave Dehradun. Sankri has the last stable mobile signal, and only Jio works consistently; there is no network after Sankri.
Step 3: Choose how to travel to Sankri
| Option | Departs | Approx. cost | Pros and cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trekkaro shared pickup | 6:30 AM, Dehradun Railway Station | about ₹6,500 one way per 5–6 seat vehicle, split among trekkers (roughly ₹1,100–1,300 each) | Door to door with your batch; not included in the trek price |
| Direct morning bus | around 5:30–8:00 AM from near Dehradun Railway Station | around ₹400 per seat (fares change) | Cheapest; slower, crowded, fixed timings |
| Shared jeep via Purola | morning, from near the railway station | a few hundred rupees per leg | Needs a change at Purola; jeeps to Sankri leave before midday, so late arrivals can get stuck |
| Private car | any time | roughly ₹5,500–9,500 one way per vehicle, depending on car | Flexible; sensible for families or groups of 4–6 |
Bus and jeep timings and fares are set locally and change often, so confirm them on the day. If you choose public transport, still leave Dehradun early: arriving at Sankri after dark on a mountain road is not worth the savings.
Trek leader Kushal Bisht's tip: take a window seat facing forward, keep your warm layer in your day bag rather than the roof, and stay hydrated on the drive. People who arrive tired and dehydrated feel the first climb much more.
Step 4: What happens when you reach Sankri?
Sankri sits at 1,950 m (6,400 ft). On a Trekkaro batch you stay the first night in a guesthouse, collect and check your Free Trekking Gear, and meet your trek leader for a briefing. Dinner on Day 1 is the first included meal. The trek to Juda Ka Talab starts the next morning.
How do you get back from Sankri?
On Day 5 you descend 4 km from Juda Ka Talab to Sankri, have a meal and drive back. The trek page gives a 6:30 AM departure in one place and an arrival at Dehradun Railway Station around 6:00 PM (or simply "by evening") in another; in practice, plan for an evening arrival. Do not book a train or flight out of Dehradun before 9:00 PM on Day 5, and a next-morning departure is safer in winter.
Sample travel plan from Delhi
- Night before Day 1: Overnight train or Volvo from Delhi to Dehradun.
- Day 1, 6:30 AM: Pickup at Dehradun Railway Station; drive about 7–8 hours to Sankri; guesthouse stay.
- Days 2–4: Trek: Juda Ka Talab, Base Camp, summit.
- Day 5: Descend to Sankri, drive back to Dehradun by evening.
- Day 5 night or Day 6: Overnight train or bus to Delhi.
What it costs
The Trekkaro Kedarkantha trek is ₹9,000 per person, Sankri to Sankri, plus 5% GST: ₹9,450 in total, or EMI from about ₹463 per month (24 months). Travel to Dehradun, Dehradun accommodation and the Dehradun–Sankri transfer are extra. The fee covers 1 night in the Sankri guesthouse, 3 nights camping, vegetarian meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 5 breakfast, permits, leader and support staff, and Free Trekking Gear (₹3,000 refundable deposit, ₹200 washing charge). Batches have a maximum of 20 trekkers. Cancellation: 70% refund 30+ days out, 50% at 15–29 days, or a free reschedule or 100% TrekCash voucher (valid 1 year) up to 7 days before departure.
A realistic budget from Delhi is the trek fee plus your train or bus fares both ways, your share of the shared taxi both ways, and a little cash for tea and snacks on the road. Check Kedarkantha dates and pickup details.
See Kedarkantha dates and book | Kedarkantha trek cost | Is Kedarkantha difficult?
Frequently asked questions
What is the nearest railway station to Kedarkantha?
Dehradun (DDN) is the nearest practical railhead. From there Sankri, the base village, is about 200 km and 7–8 hours by road.
What is the nearest airport to Kedarkantha?
Jolly Grant Airport (DED) in Dehradun, about 45 minutes by flight from Delhi and about 30 minutes by cab from the city. You still need the full road journey to Sankri after landing.
Is transport to Sankri included in the Trekkaro price?
No. The trek is priced Sankri to Sankri. Trekkaro arranges a shared vehicle from Dehradun Railway Station at about ₹6,500 one way per 5–6 seat vehicle, split among the trekkers in it.
Can I reach Sankri by bus?
Yes. Morning buses run from near Dehradun Railway Station, at roughly ₹400 per seat. Timings change, so check locally and take the earliest one you can.
Can I reach Dehradun on the morning of Day 1?
Only if you arrive before 6:30 AM, which usually means an overnight train or bus from Delhi. If you are flying in, arrive the day before and stay near the railway station.
