The last weeks before the doors close are the most beautiful and the coldest. A packing list for the bus, the trek from Gaurikund and the night near the temple.
October is when Kedarnath is at its quietest. The monsoon crowds have gone, the sky is clear most mornings, and the snow line comes down to meet the temple. It is also when night temperatures drop below zero, so what you carry matters more than in any other month.
Most package trips from Delhi leave in the evening, reach Sonprayag the next afternoon and start the trek early on day three. You will move between a warm bus, a 16 km climb and a cold night, so pack in layers rather than one heavy jacket.
For the bus
- A neck pillow and a light shawl. Overnight buses run the AC cold.
- Motion sickness tablets for the hill roads after Rishikesh.
- A power bank. Charging points are not on every seat.
- Dry snacks and a refillable bottle. Your organizer plans the meal stops, but the ghat roads can be slow.
For the trek
- Shoes with grip that you have already walked in. New shoes on the trek mean blisters.
- A thermal inner, a fleece and a windproof outer layer.
- A cap, gloves and woollen socks, plus one spare pair in a plastic bag.
- A rain poncho. Afternoon showers are common even in October.
- A small day bag. Leave the big bag on the bus or at the hotel.
For the night near the temple
Camps and lodges near the temple give you blankets, but the cold comes up through the floor. A thermal set to sleep in and a woollen cap make the difference between a short night and a good one before the morning darshan.
“We tell every group the same thing: dress for the evening, not for the afternoon. The sun goes behind the mountain by four.”
What to leave at home
Heavy jeans, extra gadgets and anything you would mind getting wet. Ponies and porters charge by weight, and the lighter you travel the more you will enjoy the walk.
