Visit Juda Ka Talab, a peaceful lake in the Himalayas surrounded by mountains and woods. Ideal for camping and environment lovers, this is the high point of the Kedarkantha journey.

Beauty, and Trekking in the Himalayas: Juda Ka Talab

I still remember the first time I saw Juda Ka Talab. We were halfway through the Kedarkantha trek trail, tired and honestly just wanting to get to the campsite. And then—out of nowhere—this frozen lake appeared. It wasn’t huge or loud or anything dramatic like that. Just... quiet. Like the kind of quiet that makes you stop walking and forget to take your phone out. Some of us stood there saying nothing for a good minute. Weird, right? But in a good way.

The Night at Juda Ka Talab (Frozen Lake)

Camping near the lake was... something else. We reached just before sunset, and the entire clearing had this golden hue — like the snow was glowing, not just reflecting the light. The forest around it was dead silent. No birds, no wind, nothing. Just that weird squeaky sound your boots make in snow. 

Setting up tents with half-numb fingers wasn’t fun, but the moment I zipped mine shut and peeked out — I saw the lake again, this time slowly freezing under the night sky. It had this glassy layer on top, and stars were starting to show up above it. For a second, I honestly thought, “I wish I could pause life right here.”

We huddled near the kitchen tent with soup in our hands and laughed over how unprepared we were for the cold. But everyone was smiling. Shivering, but smiling.

Waking Up to Silence

I didn’t sleep much that night. Maybe it was the cold, or maybe it was just the weird excitement of being somewhere so… unreal. Around 4:30 AM, I unzipped the tent just to breathe for a second, and honestly? I thought I was dreaming.

The lake was fully frozen by then. Like, completely still — no cracks, no sound, just this mirror of the sky above. And the stars? Don’t even get me started. You don’t see stars like that in the city. You forget how many there are. It was so silent, I could hear my own breath. That kind of silence is rare. It's the kind that makes your mind slow down, whether you want it to or not.

The Trek Continues, but the Lake Stays With You

After breakfast (which felt like eating in a freezer, no joke), we packed up and got ready to hike further. Leaving the lake behind actually felt a little weird. I kept looking back, like I was forgetting something. But the trail doesn’t stop for you to get sentimental.

Still, all the way up to the Kedarkantha summit, I kept thinking about Juda Ka Talab. Not because it was the most "epic" part of the trek — it wasn’t. But it was real. It was quiet in a way that got under your skin and stayed there. You don’t forget places like that.

Some Real Talk for Future Trekkers

If you’re planning this trek and you’re reading this for tips, here’s the stuff people don’t always tell you:

• Yes, it’s cold. Not “wear a sweater” cold — it’s “your fingers hurt even inside gloves” cold.

• Carry extra socks. You’ll thank yourself when your boots are half-frozen.

• Don’t overpack. You think you need ten things, but on the trail, you only care about three: water, warmth, and sleep.

Take photos, sure. But take a few moments without the camera too. Just be there.