Quick answer: October is Kedarkantha's clear-sky month: days of about 5–18°C, nights of about −2 to −8°C at the higher camps, and little or no snow on the trail, though the first snow can dust the surrounding peaks. Trekkaro batches start on 17 October 2026 (Dussehra is 20 October) at ₹9,000 + 5% GST = ₹9,450.
The Kedarkantha season reopens on 15 September after the monsoon, and October is the first full month of autumn trekking. It is a very different trek from the snow trek you see in December photos. This guide covers what October is really like, the October 2026 batch dates, how it compares with November and December, and what to pack.
Is October a good time for the Kedarkantha trek?
Yes, if you want views and dry ground more than snow. After the monsoon the air is clean, the trail is firm, and the long views from the summit at 3,810 m (12,500 ft) are at their clearest. Walking in the day is comfortable, and you camp on grass at Juda Ka Talab and the base camp instead of on snow.
October suits:
- First-time trekkers who want to try a Himalayan summit without walking on snow and ice.
- Photographers and people who care most about clear mountain views.
- Anyone who wants to use the Dussehra holiday (Tuesday 20 October) for a 5-day trip.
It does not suit you if snow is the whole point. For a snow trek, pick late December or January (see our December and January guides).
What is the weather on Kedarkantha in October?
October brings the biggest gap between day and night of the whole season. The sun is warm on the trail, and the cold arrives quickly after sunset.
| Place | Height | October day | October night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sankri | 1,950 m / 6,400 ft | Pleasant, sunny | Cool to cold |
| Juda Ka Talab | 2,773 m / 9,100 ft | About 5–18°C | Down to about −2 to −8°C |
| Base Camp | 3,429 m / 11,250 ft | About 5–18°C | Down to about −2 to −8°C |
| Summit (pre-dawn) | 3,810 m / 12,500 ft | Colder than the camps; wind makes it feel much colder | |
The camp ranges are the autumn (September to November) figures from the trek page, so expect the warmer end in mid-October and the colder end on the last batches of the month. Rain is not a feature of a normal October, but mountain weather can turn for a day or two. Check the district forecast for Uttarkashi from the IMD Meteorological Centre, Dehradun in the week before you leave.
Will there be snow on Kedarkantha in October?
Do not book October for snow. The trail is snow-free or close to it in most Octobers, and the first snow of the season appears on the higher peaks around you, not on your path. A weather system can leave a light dusting on the summit slopes some years, but it is not something to plan around, and it melts quickly in the October sun.
Microspikes come with Free Trekking Gear, and you carry them on summit night in case frost or an early dusting makes the top slippery. Snow on the trail can start in the second half of November and is most reliable from late December to February. Our Kedarkantha weather by month guide shows the full pattern.
Kedarkantha batch dates in October 2026
October batches start on Saturdays and Sundays. These were open when this guide was written on 13 October 2026; check live seats on the trek page.
| Batch | Start day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 17–21 Oct | Saturday | Includes Dussehra (20 Oct) |
| 18–22 Oct | Sunday | Includes Dussehra (20 Oct) |
| 24–28 Oct | Saturday | After the festival rush |
| 25–29 Oct | Sunday | After the festival rush |
| 31 Oct–4 Nov | Saturday | Colder nights; runs into November |
Booking for a batch closes at 5 PM India time on the day before it starts. Batches are capped at 20 trekkers, with one leader or guide for every 8, so holiday batches fill first. The Diwali batches (8 November) are covered in our Kedarkantha in November guide.
October, November or December: which should you pick?
| Month | Day at camp | Night at camp | Snow on the trail | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | 5–18°C | −2 to −8°C | Little or none | Clear views, dry trail, Dussehra holiday |
| November | 5–18°C | −2 to −8°C, colder late in the month | Possible in the second half, not guaranteed | Quieter trail, first-snow chance |
| December | −2 to 8°C | −10 to −15°C | On the upper trail in most years | Snow trek, Christmas and New Year |
If you can only get away in October, go: it is a complete summit trek with some of the best views of the year. If snow matters more than anything else, wait for winter.
How does the October trek run, day by day?
- Day 1: 6:30 AM pickup at Dehradun Railway Station, about 200 km and 7–8 hours by road to Sankri (1,950 m).
- Day 2: Sankri to Juda Ka Talab (2,773 m), 4 km, 4–5 hours through oak and pine forest.
- Day 3: Juda Ka Talab to Kedarkantha Base Camp (3,429 m), 3 km, 2–3 hours.
- Day 4: 2:00 AM start for the summit (3,810 m), then down to Juda Ka Talab; 9 km, 8–9 hours.
- Day 5: Down to Sankri, 4 km, 3–4 hours, then the drive back to Dehradun by about 6 PM.
For the distance and height of each stage, see Kedarkantha trek distance and height.
What should you pack for October?
Pack for two seasons in one day. You will walk in a T-shirt or light fleece by late morning and need every warm layer after dark.
- Layers: two quick-dry T-shirts, a fleece, thermal inners for the night, and a windproof layer for summit morning.
- Sun: sunglasses, a cap, sunscreen and lip balm. The October sun at altitude is strong even when the air is cold.
- Night: a woollen cap, warm gloves and dry socks kept only for sleeping.
- Water: two one-litre bottles; dry autumn air makes you thirstier than you notice.
- Provided with Free Trekking Gear: Decathlon trekking shoes, a −10°C jacket, trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes.
Our winter trek packing list has the full checklist.
Trek leader Kushal Bisht's tip: "In October, people dress for the afternoon and get caught by the evening. Put your warm layer on as soon as the sun drops behind the ridge, before you feel cold, and change out of sweaty clothes the moment you reach camp. That one habit decides how well you sleep before summit night."
What it costs
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Trek fee (Sankri to Sankri, 5 days) | ₹9,000 |
| GST (5%) | ₹450 |
| Total | ₹9,450 |
| EMI (24 months) | From ₹463 a month |
| Free Trekking Gear | ₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹200 washing charge |
| Backpack offloading / single tent (optional) | ₹1,500 / ₹2,000, + GST |
Transport is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers. The Dehradun–Sankri cab is about ₹6,500 one way per 5–6 seat vehicle. For the Dussehra batches, keep the cancellation rules in mind: free reschedule or a 100% TrekCash voucher (valid one year) up to 7 days before departure; otherwise 70% back at 30 or more days and 50% at 15–29 days. Book on the Kedarkantha trek page, or compare with the full Kedarkantha cost breakdown.
See Kedarkantha October dates and book | Kedarkantha weather by month | Kedarkantha in November | Kedarkantha distance and height
Frequently asked questions
Is there snow on the Kedarkantha trek in October?
Expect little or no snow on the trail in October. The first snow of the season shows up on the higher peaks around you, and an early light dusting near the summit is possible but not reliable. For a snow trek, choose late December to February.
How cold does Kedarkantha get at night in October?
Nights at Juda Ka Talab and the base camp drop to about −2 to −8°C in autumn, colder towards the end of the month. The pre-dawn summit start is the coldest part of the trek, and wind makes it feel colder still, so carry every warm layer on summit night.
Can a complete beginner do Kedarkantha in October?
Yes. Kedarkantha is graded Easy–Moderate with a minimum age of 8, and October's dry trail makes it one of the easier months for a first Himalayan summit. Start regular cardio a few weeks before and walk at a steady pace on the climbing days.
Which October 2026 Kedarkantha batches include the Dussehra holiday?
The batches starting on Saturday 17 October and Sunday 18 October both include Dussehra on 20 October. Holiday batches fill first, and booking for any batch closes at 5 PM India time on the day before departure.
Do I need microspikes for Kedarkantha in October?
Most October trails need nothing more than good trekking shoes, but frost on the summit slopes can make the top slippery in the early morning. Microspikes are part of Free Trekking Gear, and your trek leader decides on summit night whether the group wears them.
