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Gangotri to Yumnotri via Dhumdharkandi & Bali Pass

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Gangotri to Yumnotri via Dhumdharkandi & Bali Pass
  • Category: Trekking/Camping/Difficult/14days
  • Season: Mid- June / Mid -September
  • Location: Garhwal in Uttarakhand
  • Cost: Rs 62400/- per person approx plus taxes
  • Min Group: 4
  • Customizable: Yes
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About the trip

This is an exploratory trek through the absolutely remote country side in the western region of Garhwal Himalayas. This trail was known only to shepherds and local people until very recently, and has no habitation along it. It’s a challenging trek with plenty of rewards for even the most seasoned trekker. Big attraction of this trek is the vast variety of wild flowers & birds and some rare fauna of Govind Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s truly nature at its best!

This trail encompasses Bhagirathi to Yamuna valley through two high passes, imposing mountains, spectacular valleys laden with alpine flowers and starts from close to the holy shrine of Gangotri. The initial stages leading to the advance base camp of Dhumdarkandi Pass (DDK pass) are through beautiful forests and alpine meadows. The majestic Kiyarkoti meadows en route are inimitable in beauty. From here the landscape changes completely to boulders, scree, moraine and snow fields to reach the top of Dhumdarkandi pass (DDK pass - 5300m) in 3 days. After taking in the breathtaking views, we descend into the Ruinsara valley before crossing over to the other side of the river and reach upper slopes of Thangi meadows. From here we walk to the base camp for Bali pass. Next day there’s a delightful section of walking on top of a ridge before reaching the top of Bali pass (4780m). summit of this pass is relatively easier than the DDK pass. Close up views of Bandarpoonch & Swarga-Rohini peak is a sight to behold. We will reach the holy shrine at Yumnotri the next day and from here a short descend will get us to the road head from where we drive to the popular hill town of Mussoorie.

Note:  A detailed packing list will be shared with you once you have signed up for the trip

 

Duration – 14 days
Trekking days – 10 days
Max Altitude – 5300 mts Dhumdhar Kandi pass & 4780 mts Bali pass
Acco - Alpine Camping - 9 Nights,
Hotel/Guesthouse - 3 Nights, 
Train - 2 Nights

 

 

Cost Inclusive of

1.    All road transfers by private vehicles from Haridwar to Haridwar.
2.    Accommodation will be provided throughout the trip as mentioned in the itinerary on twin sharing basis.
3.    Meals: As per itinerary. Tea /coffee, snacks & drinking water during the trek. All meals would be vegetarian. The cuisine would be a mix of Indian, Chinese, Continental & Local.
4.    English speaking & professionally trained mountain guide.
5.    Kitchen staff would accompany the group on the trek.
6.    Porters / Mules will carry one bag per client ( not to exceed 20 Kgs)
7.    Camping equipment: 3/4 season tents (Mountain Hardwear, Black Diamond or similar), sleeping bags, ground mattress, mess tent & camping tables & stools.
8.    All trekking permits and park entry fees.
9.    First Aid Kit. 

Cost Not Inclusive of

1.    Air Fare
2.    Travel Insurance
3.    Accommodation in Delhi - We can arrange it if required. Rooms starting at Rs.2500 and upwards.
4.    Single supplements.
5.    Additional meals/services not mentioned in the above.
6.    Charges for video/ still cameras etc.
7.    Alcohol, beverages, soft drinks etc.
8.    Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
9.    Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, road blocks, bad weather, etc.
10.  Insurance
11.  Train fare. Can be arranged on request

Itinerary

DAY 01: DELHI – HARIDWAR
Arrive the previous night in Delhi. Day can be spent visiting old Delhi and other historical monuments. Take the late night train from Delhi for Haridwar

DAY 02: HARIDWAR - UTTARKASHI (1150m, Drive 200 kms /6-7 hrs)
Arrive at Haridwar early in the morning and from here depart for Uttarkashi by road. Check into the hotel. Evening visit the Vishwanath temple!
Overnight in a hotel

DAY 03: UTTARKASHI - JHALA/GANGOTRI (2575m, Drive/3-4 hrs)
After breakfast we will drive to Jhala and set up camp here. One can also decide to drive further to visit the beautiful temple town of Gangotri and from there drive back to the campsite at Jhala. This round trip will take about a couple of hours with one getting to visit the beautiful and spiritual temple town of Gangotri.
Overnight in tents

DAY 04: JHALA - DURAI GAAD (3440m, Trek / 3-4 hrs)
After breakfast we take the trail following left bank of Sian Gad. It's a steep climb today passing through flowering shrub forest with occasional river crossings.
Overnight in tents

DAY 05: DURAI GAD - BAKARTHACH - KIYARKOTI (3850 m, Trek / 3-4 hrs)
Today the trail is again steep and passes through mixed forests and beautiful alpine meadows up to Kiyarkoti. Kiyarkoti is a beautiful and vast expanse of grazing land. This alpine meadow is surrounded by birch forest on top and boulder garden below it. Also surrounding it is Sian Gaad and the mountains of Dhumdhar.
Overnight in tents

DAY 06: KYARKOTI - REST / ACCLIMATISATION / EXPLORATION
For this trek one needs to acclimatize properly and be in good shape to cross the pass. Keeping this in mind we rest for an extra day here. You will surely love every minute of your time spent in this wonderful meadow. One can also go on a short exploratory hike around the campsite.
Overnight in tents

DAY 07: KYARKOTI - ROCKY CAMP BY SIAN GAAD (4250m, Trek / 5-6 hrs)
Today the landscape changes drastically once we cross the adjoining birch forest and enter an area known as Ghantraro. The terrain essentially has boulders and glacial moraine all along with some steep sections in between. We camp very close to the ominous looking Sian Gaad which will have to be crossed early morning. At the end of a long day of walking you will be rejuvenated by the soothing views and huge gardens of alpine flowers around the campsite.
Overnight in tents

DAY 08: ROCKY CAMP - ADVANCE BASE CAMP (4600m, Trek / 4-5 hrs)
Today we wake up early and cross the Sian Gaad. We might be required to take help of ropes, depending upon the water level. From here on it's an easy climb through meadows till we reach the advance base camp of the pass. From the camp one can get to see the pass in a distance and get an idea of what lies ahead.
Overnight in tents

DAY 09: ADVANCE BASECAMP - DAMDARKANDI PASS (5300m) - ARJUN CHARA (4850m) Trek / 6-8 hrs
We will start very early today with packed breakfast. After a short distance from the camp we will have to start walking on snow. We will walk quite a distance on a ridge and come down to the snowfield from where it's a steep climb to the pass. Reaching the pass will take anywhere from 3-5 hrs. On reaching the Dhumdhar Kandi pass (5300m) we get a spectacular close-up view of Bandarpoonch peak, Black peak, the Gangotri range of mountains amongst many others. It's a truly breathtaking sight. We have our breakfast here and quickly start descending. From the top there's a steep descend to the rock ledge below. We might have to fix a rope here. From here we will move down crossing the Bandarpoonch Glacier to reach Arjun Charra. This is a fabulous campsite with outstanding views all around. You can see the Kalanag icefall and many famous summits from here. Overnight in tents

DAY 10: ARJUN CHARRA - KIYARKOTI (3650m, Trek / 2-3 hrs)
After a leisurely breakfast (something you've not done for quite some time) walk down to the fabulous meadows of Kiyarkoti. This walk is again through boulders and moraine for quite some time. You will have shepherds with their livestock sharing the meadow with you.
Overnight in tents

DAY 11: KIYARKOTI - BALI UDIYARI (3850m, Trek / 5-6 hrs)
This is again a beautiful day for walking. We cross over to the other side of the river and reach the delightful grasslands of upper Thangi. View of the Ruinsara valley down below is out of the world. Rest for some time before ascending the steep slopes to the campsite at Bali Udiyari.
Overnight in tents

DAY 12: BALI UDIYARI - BALI PASS (YUMNOTRI PASS - 4780m) - DAMINI (3900m, trek / 6-7 hrs)
Today we start early and climb along the stream to reach the ridge on top of the camp. From here we have a very interesting walk along the ridge top till the glacier at the bottom of the pass. From here it's a short but quite steep walk over scree, boulders & snow to the top of the Bali pass (4780m). There are great views of the Swarga-Rohini & Bandarpoonch peaks along with several other summits. The descent on the other side is quite steep with one patch where we might need to use a rope. We walk down to the campsite at Damini.
Overnight in tents

DAY 13: DAMINI - YUMNOTRI - JANKICHATTI - MUSORRIE (2000m, trek 3-4 hrs drive / 5-6 hrs)
It's a short walk to the holy shrine at Yumnotri. We visit the temple at Yumnotri and walk down to Jankichatti from where we get into the vehicles and drive to Mussoorie. We check into a hotel and enjoy a  long awaited hot shower.
Overnight in a hotel

DAY 14: MUSORRIE - DEHRADUN - DELHI (Drive 1 hr & train / 5.5 hrs)
After a leisurely breakfast we explore the markets of Mussoorie and home to one of India’s best authors, Ruskin Bond. Late afternoon we drive down to Dehradun and board the evening Shatabdi express train for Delhi. We arrive in Delhi by 2240 hrs.

Trip Ends Here!
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