Let's build a real budget for a 6-day winter trek like Kedarkantha, using actual numbers rather than 'it depends'.
The trek fee: ₹4,999–₹20,000
Our fees range from ₹3,499 (Nag Tibba weekend) to ₹20,000 (Bali Pass expedition), plus 5% GST. This covers meals, camping, permits, safety gear and certified leaders. For Kedarkantha at ₹4,999 + GST, call it ₹5,249.
Getting to basecamp: ₹1,000–₹2,000
Shared cabs from Dehradun to Sankri split roughly ₹800–1,100 per person each way. Budget another few hundred for the train or bus to Dehradun itself, depending on where you start.
Gear: ₹0 if you rent smart
First-timers renting shoes (₹599), a padded jacket (₹499) and a pole (₹249) spend about ₹1,400 — versus ₹8,000–15,000 buying the same items. Rent for your first two treks; buy only what you'll reuse.
The forgotten line items
Bag offloading if you want it (₹1,400), snacks and maggi stops on the drive (₹300–500), a small tip pool for the mountain staff (₹300–500 per trekker is generous and appreciated), and a buffer night's stay in Dehradun if your batch starts early (₹800–1,500).
Realistic total for Kedarkantha from Delhi: roughly ₹9,000–11,000 all-in — less than most weekend city trips, for a week you'll remember for years.
