Patalsu Peak Trek vs Kedarkantha: Which Snow Trek to Book First?

Your Phone Lit Up with Snow Photos from Manali

On 15 October, the Himalayas sent their first winter postcard. Fresh snow fell across the higher reaches of Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba and Kangra. The Rohtang–Sarchu road closed, and temperatures in Manali dropped sharply enough that locals pulled out their warm clothes and lit bonfires (ThePrint). Tourism operators said the snow would bring more visitors (ThePrint). Your Instagram feed has been white ever since.

Most people respond to the first snow by booking the most famous winter trek they've heard of, and they book it late. By December, the popular batches are full and the trail is crowded. The smarter move is to decide now which snow trek actually suits your body, your calendar and your fitness.

This guide compares two very different snow summits. Patalsu Peak rises straight above Solang Valley, close to Global Events Travels' home base in Manali. Kedarkantha is India's best-known beginner winter summit in Uttarakhand. By the end, you'll know which one to book first and which to save for next.

"Patalsu is a sprint to 4,200 metres. Kedarkantha is a slow walk into a snow globe. Both are worth it, just not as the same first trek."

Patalsu Peak Trek vs Kedarkantha: Side-by-Side

*Published Patalsu figures vary between about 4,220 m and 4,251 m depending on the survey source.

The Patalsu Peak Trek, Explained

Route: Solang to the Summit Ridge

The Patalsu Peak trek starts at Solang Nala, the adventure-sports hub just outside Manali. You cross the Beas river, sometimes on a pulley bridge when the footbridge has washed away. Then you climb through apple orchards to the tiny Solang village and into oak, horse chestnut and spruce forest. Past a clearing called Shagadug, you camp at the treeline at about 3,282 m (10,768 ft).

Summit day starts about two hours before sunrise. It's a steep 3 km climb up alpine meadow to a ridge depression called "the saddle", then on to a boulder-strewn summit. From the top, Hanuman Tibba fills the skyline, with Indrasan, Deo Tibba, Friendship Peak and the Rohtang ranges around it.

Why Patalsu Is Harder Than Its Rating

Patalsu is often called "easy to moderate", and on paper it is. It's non-technical, so you need no ropes or ice axes in good conditions. But you gain about 1,800 metres in two trekking days. There is no water source on the summit push, and the final ridge is narrow in places. In December and January, deep snow on the forest sections and ridge makes it considerably more demanding.

Who Should Pick Patalsu

• You've done at least one Himalayan trek before.

• You can run 5 km comfortably, or climb stairs for 30 minutes without stopping.

• You want a 4,000 m+ summit but only have 3–4 days.

• You're already in Manali, or want a trek that starts minutes from town.

• You're thinking about Friendship Peak (5,289 m) next. Patalsu sits right beside it and is a natural first step.

The Kedarkantha Trek, Explained

Route: Sankri to a 360° Snow Summit

Kedarkantha starts with a 240 km drive from Dehradun to Sankri, a village of wooden houses inside Govind Wildlife Sanctuary. Day 2 is a gentle 5 km walk through pine forest to Juda Ka Talab, a pond ringed by oak and pine. Day 3 climbs to base camp at about 3,429 m. Summit day begins before dawn, with knee-deep snow in winter, and reaches 3,810 m for a full 360° Himalayan panorama. You descend via Hargaon.

Why Kedarkantha Is the Better First Snow Trek

You climb about the same total height as on Patalsu, but you spread it over three ascent days instead of two. That extra day is what lets your body acclimatize. The trail is well-trodden, the campsites are established, and Global Events Travels includes crampons for the winter summit push.

Who Should Pick Kedarkantha

• This is your first snow trek or your first trek ever.

• You can get 5 days off, ideally between December and March.

• You want snow guaranteed, not just possible.

• You're travelling from Delhi, Dehradun or anywhere in North India.

📞 Still torn? WhatsApp +91 63833 13359 with your last trek (or "none") and your available dates. A Manali-based guide will tell you which summit to book first.

When to Book Each Snow Trek in 2026–27

What the Weather Is Doing Right Now

After the mid-October snow spell, IMD expected clear weather in Himachal from 18 October (ETV Bharat). Light rain or snow is possible on the Kullu–Keylong route around 24–25 October (IMD Shimla). In Uttarakhand, IMD forecasts light snow above 3,500 m in Uttarkashi until 26 October, then dry days (IMD Dehradun). For Patalsu, that points to a good November window with snow on the summit and a firm trail below.

Gear for Both Snow Treks

• Waterproof, ankle-high trekking shoes with deep grip. Regular sports shoes will fail on snow.

• Thermal layers, fleece, down jacket, waterproof shell, gloves and a balaclava.

• Gaiters and crampons. Both are included on GET's Kedarkantha, and you should ask about them for Patalsu.

• A head torch for the pre-dawn summit start (rent for ₹250).

• At least 2 litres of water for Patalsu summit day.

Safety: Read This Before Either Summit

• Altitude sickness (AMS): Both treks go above 3,500 m. On Patalsu you climb more than 1,800 m in two days, so take headaches, nausea or breathlessness seriously. Tell your guide at once.

• Medical check: Patalsu goes above 4,000 m. Get a medical fitness check before booking.

• Acclimatization: If this is your first time above 4,000 m, arrive in Manali a day early, or pick Kedarkantha's 5-day schedule instead.

• Weather windows change: Snow can close the Patalsu ridge or the Kedarkantha summit at short notice. We reconfirm every batch, and your guide's turn-around call on summit day is final.

• No network: There's no mobile signal beyond Solang on Patalsu. Make your calls before you start.

🚀 Pick Your First Snow Summit of the Season

🔥 Acclimatization matters — book a 5–6 day trek if it's your first 4,000m+.