Kedarnath - Gandhi Sarovar- Vasuki Tal trek

I am planning to go to Kedarnath(second week of may after temple will open). I'll stay for 3 days in Kedarnath and here's my plan:

day1 - Kedarnath village
day2 - Gandhi Sarovar
day3 - Vasuki Tal

Is it necessary to have a guide while trekking Gandhi Sarovar and Vasuki Tal? Can I hire a guide from Kedarnath for these 2 tracks? What other things I need to take care of?

Any information is greatly appreciated.

Gandhi Sarovar.... absolutely not necessary

Vasuki Tal.........though there is 3 foot Chaura man made trail for Vasuki Tal yet it is advisable to take guide, for several other reasons. For example When we visited the place, without guide during first week of May 2003, the last one km of the trail was completely covered with heavy snow. we have to return back from just one Km away from the tal.

Guide for Vasuki Tal can be taken from Kedarnath itself.

Mr. Rawat is absolutely right

Guide essential. I found in Kedar itself last October at Diwali time. After Diwali, its tough as Kedar shuts down. Plan accordingly. I did not do Vasuki Taal but Gandhi Sarovar was doable in One day and the bridge to cross was broken so walked Straight UP behind the Kedar Temple and over the glacier.

Best
Badrivishal

Will the 2nd/3rd week of May be chilly?
Also, do I have to have mountain gears while trekking Gandhi sarovar/Vasuki tal?

Thank you all for your responses. It's really helpful.

Morning and nights shall be very cold..

For Vasuki Tal ankle shoes and one or two ice axes in case you have to make steps or way through snow should be sufficient.

Is is possible to travel from Gaurikund to Chopta in a day, and is there any direct buses from Gaurikund to Chopta or any other conveyence(I'm a solo-traveller).

I had travelled Gourikund-Chopta by a direct bus (called Bhookh Hartal bus)about 10 years back and I am quite sure that said bus must be running even now. The bus left around 5.00 a.m. from Gourikund and reached Chopta at around 9.00 a.m. The bus went further to Badrinath. You can check the timings from the bus stand at Gourikund.

Sadanand

I'm also planning for Tungnath together with Kedarnath. So in the month of may, is it possible to get accomodation at all the places viz. Chopta/Tungnath, Gaurikund, Kedarnath?
Let me know if anybody know any nice place to stay at all the above places with contact number so that I can book well in advance, as I came to know that it is almost impossible to find accomodation on the spot in the month of May at all the above places as all these places are over-crowded with pilgrims and trekkers.
Thank you all for your helpful replies.

Always GMVN. Check out the GMVN site and book early. It can be done online.

DEAR VIHANG, GUiDE ON VASUKI taal trek is advisable specially in late june or july due to crossing of two falls (raptas). cold r there every day. it can be completed in a day. during may/ june no treking equipment required (i think). i approached vasuki taal from khatling glaciar. futher to kedar nath in july 2007. lake is good. i think, some high altitude trekking expereience is must. GO-GO man it short trek. remember, no life without thrill

Does any of you have pictures of this trek ? Also any contact number of the guide ?

Hope it can be done in a single day. Is May 1st week ok for the trek ?

Regards
Sriram.B

I have done this trek in October '98 in one day without encountering any snow. After a steep climbing, the trek is mainly through boulder-ridden path followed by about 500m of descend to reach the Vasuki Tal. In May, some portion of trek may have snow. A guide is a must for this trek as the trek -especially in the boulder-ridden area - is not well marked.

Guides are available in Kedarnath.

Sadanand

Thanks SK. looks like I won't time for vasuki tal trek. I am planning to do the gandhi sarovar which is easier and fits within schedule.

Hope guide is not needed for that.

Sriram.B

Guide absolutely not needed. It's just a 3-4 km walk.
http://gandhisarovar.blogspot.com/