Every great Himalayan trek starts with an exciting mountain road trip. For the Kedarkantha Trek (12,500 ft), your hiking trail starts from Sankri village, an idyllic mountain hamlet situated inside the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand.
Whether you are travelling from Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, or Kolkata, the biggest logistical puzzle is figuring out how to get to Dehradun and then cover the 200 km mountain stretch to Sankri smoothly.
In this detailed travel guide, we break down bus timings, train schedules, flight options, road conditions, and taxi costs so you can reach your base camp without any stress.
Why Stress Over Early Morning Buses?
Public buses to Sankri leave at 5:30 AM and are often packed. Treki Travels includes reserved group transport in comfortable tempo travellers directly from Dehradun Railway Station to Sankri and back. Travel with your batchmates and enjoy the ride!
Book Kedarkantha with Dehradun Pickup →At a Glance: The Complete Journey
- Transit Hub: Dehradun, Uttarakhand (Train Station & Airport).
- Base Village: Sankri (Altitude: 6,400 ft / 1,950 m).
- Distance from Dehradun: 200 km (around 8 to 10 hours drive).
- Route: Dehradun → Mussoorie Bypass → Kempty Falls → Nainbagh → Damta → Naugaon → Purola → Mori → Netwar → Sankri.
Step 1: How to Reach Dehradun (From Across India)
Dehradun is the central meeting point for almost all western Garhwal treks. Here is how you can reach Dehradun from different parts of India:
1. From Delhi NCR (By Train, Bus, or Car)
- Overnight Train (Best Option): Take the Nanda Devi Express (Train #12205). It leaves New Delhi Railway Station at 11:50 PM and reaches Dehradun at 5:40 AM. This timing is perfect because morning trek pickups start around 6:30 AM to 7:00 AM right outside the station.
- Vande Bharat Express (Train #22457): Leaves Anand Vihar (Delhi) at 5:50 PM and reaches Dehradun by 10:35 PM. You can stay overnight in a hotel near the station.
- By Volvo Bus: State-run UTC and private Volvo AC buses run every 30 minutes from ISBT Kashmere Gate in Delhi. The ride takes around 5 to 6 hours.
2. From Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kolkata (By Air)
The fastest way is to fly into Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED). Most major airlines operate direct or 1-stop flights. We recommend landing in Dehradun one day before your trek starts. You can spend the evening exploring Dehradun's local cafes and wake up fresh for your morning mountain drive.
Step 2: The Scenic Road Trip from Dehradun to Sankri (200 km)
The drive from Dehradun to Sankri takes 8 to 10 hours, but it is one of the most picturesque journeys in the Himalayas. You drive past pine ridges, deep valleys, and along two mighty rivers—the Yamuna and the Tons.
| Travel Option | Timings | Approx Cost | Pros & Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treki Travels Group Transport | 06:30 AM pickup at Dehradun Station | Included in package | Guaranteed seat, friendly group, safe mountain drivers. |
| Public Bus (UTC / GMOU) | 05:30 AM to 06:00 AM (Only 1 bus per day) | ₹450 – ₹550 per person | Very cheap, but if you miss it, you are stranded. |
| Private Taxi (Bolero / Ertiga) | Available on demand | ₹6,000 – ₹7,500 one way | Flexible timing, but quite expensive for solo travellers. |
Key Highlights & Stops Along the Route
- Mussoorie Foothills & Kempty Falls: The road winds up quickly from Dehradun, giving you panoramic views of the Doon Valley before bypassing Mussoorie.
- Nainbagh (Breakfast Stop): Most cabs stop here around 8:30 AM for hot parathas, chai, and Maggi.
- Purola (Lunch & Last Town): Purola is a busy market town with apple orchards and pine trees. This is where you have lunch and withdraw cash from the ATM.
- Mori & Netwar Checkpost: Beyond Mori, the road runs right alongside the roaring Tons River. At Netwar, your vehicle enters the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park. Government permits and identity cards are verified here.
- Arrival at Sankri: By 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM, you reach Sankri (6,400 ft). You will see traditional wooden houses, local homestays, gear shops, and smiling local villagers.
5 Important Travel Tips Before You Hit the Road
- Carry Cash: Purola is the last place with functioning ATMs. Sankri has zero ATMs. Keep at least ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 in cash for emergency personal expenses, gear rentals, and snacks.
- Prepare for Mountain Sickness/Motion Sickness: The mountain roads after Mussoorie have hundreds of twists and turns. If you are prone to car sickness, take motion sickness medication (like Avomine) 30 minutes before the drive starts.
- Phone Network Heads-Up: As you drive past Purola, Airtel and Vodafone signals disappear completely. Jio and BSNL have weak reception in Sankri. Tell your family you will be off the grid for the next 4 to 5 days.
- Government Photo ID: Keep your original Aadhaar Card or Voter ID handy. Forest officials check permits at Netwar checkpost. (Treki Travels arranges permits for all registered trekkers).
- Dress in Layers on the Drive: Dehradun can be warm in the morning, but as you approach Sankri in the late afternoon, the temperature drops sharply. Keep a light jacket or fleece in your daypack.
Let Treki Travels Handle Your Travel Logistics
From the moment you step out of Dehradun Railway Station to your summit victory at 12,500 ft, we take care of transport, homestays, food, gear, and safety.
Book Kedarkantha Package (From ₹6,499) →