Trekking involves walking uphill and sometimes
steeply downhill, 6-7 hours daily with 10kgs on
your back. The period of the trek can vary from
1 day to 30 days, depending on the masochistic
tendencies of the people involved.
Himalayas are spectacularly beautiful and can
quickly stun the senses into submission. So
trekking amidst the Himalayas is completely mind
blowing. Uttaranchal Himalayas encompasses the
major part of Indian Himalayas. Uttaranchal (Garhwal
& Kumaon ), harbouring many snow covered peaks
above 6,500 meters, is an excellent destination
for trekkers. Remained underdeveloped for a long
time the area is still in its primitive form and
has vast areas of pure wilderness, holding
different cultures offering a chance to have a
close encounter with outstanding views of
greater Himalayan range, alpine meadows, rare
high altitude flora & fauna, etc. Trekking in
the different valleys of pure wilderness in
Uttaranchal offers one to get an insight into
the lifestyle of the mountain people, their
settlement patterns, customs & costumes and much
more.
Major Sites for Trekking
Trekking in Garhwal
Panch Kedar Trek
Panch Kedars are the five distinct forms of the
Lord Shivas, and are known as Kedarnath (3584
m); Madmaheshwar (3289 m); Tungnath (3810 m);
Rudranath
(2134 m). The treks from each temple is
fascinating. The valley full of rich flora &
fauna and hospitable people is very exciting for
the trekkers.
Kedarnath - Vasuki Tal Trek
The trek starts from Gaurikund, where one can
have a refreshing bath in the hot water sulphur
springs. The trek from Gaurikund to Rambara
winds along the river Mandakini forest and
across beautiful waterfalls. The trek from
Kedarnath to Vasuki Tal is a continuous ascent
along a goat track and it offers a panoramic
view Of Chaukhamba peaks. The final trek to
Vasuki Tal is Downhill for 1 km. At the bottom
of this, one can see Rectangular slabs of rocks.
Dodi Tal
Situated at an altitude of 3024 m from sea
level, north of Uttarkashi and surrounded by
dense woods of oak, pine, deodar and
rhododendrons. The amazing lake is full of rare
fishes and the Himalayan Golden Trouts. The trek
to Dodi Tal commence from Utarkashi to Kalyani
and is accessible by motor. Kalyani to Agoda is
gradual climb through woods, fields and villages
on a mule track. The trek from Agoda to Dodi Tal
is steep and through dense forests.
Gangotri Kedarnath Trek
This trek is along the old pilgrim route from
Gangotri to Kedarnath. From Gangotri one has to
come down to Mala by motor. The actual trek
starts from Mala, after crossing the river
Bhagirathi. The trek is on equal level upto
Sauri-ki-gad and from this point the climb to
Belak is gradual. From Belak to Budha Kedar, to
is downhill through dense forests full of birks
and wildlife. From Budha Kedar to Panwali, it is
an uphill climb through terraced fields and
scenic villages. The marvellous view of the
Garhwal Himalaya is very refreshing. The 'Bugyals'
(alpine meadows ) on this trek are most
beautiful, specially the Kush-Kalyani and the
Panwali Bugyals.
Gangotri-Gaumukh-Nandavan-Tapovan Trek
This trek is a combination of mountain climbing,
rock climbing, boulder-hopping and glacier
traversing. It passes through orchards of
coniferous pine trees at chir-basa and birch at
Bhojasa. From Gaumukh to Nandanvan, one
traverses along the Gangotri and Chatturangini
glaciers. Pitch a camp at the junction of
Chatturangini and Bhagirathi Gangotri glaciers.
From Nandanvan, view the Shivalinga, Bhagirathi,
Sudarshana, Thelu peaks and Kedar Dome. Cross
the Gangotri glacier and rocky face before
arriving at the lush green meadows of Tapovan,
surrounded by many named and unnamed peaks of
the Garhwal Himalayas.
Trekking in Kumaon
Pithoragarh,
in the state of Uttaranchal, borders Nepal in
the east and Tibet in the north, and is often
called 'miniature Kashmir'. Known for the
abundant natural beauty and many fine temple
that are important pilgrimage points,
Pithoragarh is the base for many exciting treks
eg. Pithorgarh-Parwati Lake -Chota Kailash-Sinla
Pass Trek.
There are many interesting trekking routes along
the Gori valley in the district of Pithoragarh.
The trekking routes of
Munsyari-Martoli-Milam-Ralam glacier is just
fascinating. During treks in the kali, Kuti and
Dhauli eastern valley regions, one not only
walks along a large portion of the
Kailash-Mansarover route, but also gets an
insight into the social and cultural life of the
local people living in the Chaudans, Byans and
Darma valleys.
Bageshwar - Sunderdhunga - Pindari - Kafni
Glacier Trek
At the confluence of the rivers Gomti and Saryu
36 kms from Kausani, lies this religious town of
Bageshwar. A major pilgrimage centre of the
Kumaon Himalayas. Bageshwar is dotted by temples
and places of worship and is often equated, by
pilgrims, with Varanasi for its divinity. From
Bageshwar to Song is a 40 kms motorable road and
from Song and there is a trek of 14 kms to
Dhakuri, 8 km trek to Khati and 7 km trek to
Jatoli from where the route turns to
Sunderdhunga Pindari and Kafni.
