1. Kedartal Trek
16110 feet is the highest point on the mountain.
Trekking time: 7 days
May-June and September-October are the best months to visit.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Dehradun to Uttarkashi to Gangotri
- Day 2: Gangotri to Bhoj Kharak
- Day 3: Bhoj Kharak to Kedar Kharak
- Day 4: Kedar Kharak to Kedar Tal to Jogin ABC to Kedar Tal
- Day 5: Kedar Tal to Gangotri
- Day 6: Gangotri to Uttarkashi to Dehradun
This Uttarakhand trip, located in the Gangotri district of the Garhwal Himalayas, is great for mountaineers because it gives spectacular views of the Great Himalayan ranges, including the Jogin peaks, the Bhirgupanth peak, and the Thalayasagar peak. Uttarakhand’s hidden beauty is this high-altitude glacier lake. On the Kedartal Trek, travellers may see various mountain animal species such as the Blue Sheep, Goral, and the famed Himalayan Black Bear among the snow-covered peaks and scenery.
Trek Highlights
- Views of Thalay Sagar and Bhrigupanth Peak are breathtaking.
- Enjoy camping along the beautiful Kedar Tal lakeshore.
- In Gangotri Temple, one of the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage sites, seek the blessings of goddess Ganga.
2. Rupin Pass Trekking
15,250 feet is the highest point reached.
Trekking time: 8 days
Summer (May-June) and Post-Monsoon (September-October) are the best times to visit.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Dehradun to Dhaula [5,100ft]
- Day 2: Dhaula to Sewa [6,300ft]
- Day 3: Trek from Sewa to Jiskun [7,700ft]
- Day 4: Trek from Jiskun to Udaknal [10,100ft]
- Day 5: Trek from Udaknal to Dhanderas Thatch [11,700ft}
- Day 6: Trek from Dhanderas Thatch to Upper Waterfall [ 13,100ft]
- Day 7: Trek from Upper Waterfall over Rupin Pass [15,380ft] via Ronti Gad
- Day 8: Ronti Gad to Sangla [8,600ft]
Rupin Pass is known for its high waterfalls, deceptive vistas of surrounding peaks, and exotic flower-filled meadows. The trip begins in the little village of Dhaula and takes seven days to ascend over 10,000 feet to Rupin Pass, straddling the state line between Uttarakhand and Himachal. There are numerous lovely villages along the road, such as Jakha, that make excellent rest places.
3. Trek to Kedarkantha
12,500 feet is the highest point reached.
Trekking time: 5 days
The best time to visit is between December and April.
Level of Difficulty: Easy
The prospect of traversing nearly 18 kilometres in just 4-5 days while attaining an altitude of over 6000 feet may sound daunting, but the breathtaking 360-degree vistas of numerous famous mountain peaks in Kedarkantha make it worthwhile. Start at the Uttarakhand town of Sankri and feel as if you’ve touched the sky by the time you reach the Kedarkantha mountain!
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrived at Sankri [6,400ft]
- Day 2: Sankri to Juda Ka Talab [9,100ft]
- Day 3: Juda Ka Talab to Kedarkantha Camp [11,250ft]
- Day 4: Kedarkantha Camp to Kedarkantha Summit [12,500ft] then come down to Hargaon [8,450ft]
- Day 5: Hargaon to Sankri [6,400ft]
- Day 6: Back to Dehradun from Sankri
Places to visit in this trek:
- Sakri Zipline Ride
- Someshwar Mahadev Sankri
- Juda Ka Talab
- Pinnacle View
- The Kotgaon – Kedarkantha
4. Trekking the Bali Pass
The elevation is 16,250 feet above sea level.
Trek length: 9 days
Summer (May–June) and Post-Monsoon (September–October) are the best months to visit.
Level of Complexity: Difficult
Due to its difficult terrain, the Bali Pass Trek is intended for experienced hikers. Expect to encounter a lot of unique flora and animals along this walk route, which is located within the renowned Govind Wildlife Sanctuary. You will be rewarded with magnificent views of Bandarpoonch, Kalanag, and Swargarohini Peaks as you stroll through the lovely Tons and Siyan Gad rivers through coniferous woods to the enchanting lake of Ruinsara Tal.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Dehradun to Sankri
- Day 2: From Sankri to Taluka to Seema
- Day 3: Trek from Seems to Dev Thatch to Untigad Campsite
- Day 4: Trek from Untigad to Bali Pass Base Camp
- Day 5: Trek from Bali Pass Base Camp to Bali Pass to Damini Forest Camping Ground
- Day 6: Damini Forest Camp to Yamunotri – Janki Chatti – Barkot
- Day 7: Barkot to Dehradun
Highlights
- The Jaunsari Villages are a small hamlet noted for its wooden homes.
- Spend some time admiring the beautiful green Dev Thach meadows at a high height.
- Meet up the residents of the villages of Gangad and Osla. Learn about the culture and folklore of their area. Osla is noted for its fascinating Himachali architecture, which may keep you engrossed for hours.
- Get Lord Shiva’s blessings at the Yamunotri temple, which is part of the Chota Char Dham itinerary.
- Ruinsara Lake, one of the glacial lakes, is a great place to relax.
5. Auden’s Col Trek
The highest point is 18,020 feet above sea level.
Duration of expedition: 16 days
Summer and Post-Monsoon are the best seasons to visit (May and October)
Level of Difficulty: Extremely Difficult
Auden’s Col is one of Uttarakhand’s most difficult trek routes. Gangotri is the starting point for the journey. You’ll pass through pine and cane woods on your way to Nala Camp. The path will take you from Nala Camp to the Rudra Gaira Base Camp, which offers spectacular views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks. This journey connects the peaks of Jogin I and Gangotri III, as well as the Khatling and Jogin I glaciers; along the way, trekkers cross countless glaciers, moraines, tiny cliffs, and snow ridges, therefore requiring extreme endurance, while also testing skill, as well as resilience.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Dehradun to Gangotri drive (250 km, 10/11 hours). Accommodation at a hotel
- Day 2: Entire day spent in Gangotri. Day of active acclimatisation. Half-day trek for height gain. Lodge.
- Day 3: Trek from Gangotri to Nala Camp.
- Day 4: Rudragaira Base Camp to Nala Camp
- Day 5: Rudragaira base camp – acclimatisation and relaxation day
- Day 6: Rudragaira Base Camp to Gangotri Group Base Camp
- Day 7: Base Camp Gangotri Group to Base Camp Auden’s Col
- Day 8: Auden’s Col Base Camp to Khatling Glacier
- Day 9: Khatling Glacier to Waterfall Camp/Zero Point
- Day 10: Day of rest and restoration.
- Day 11: Waterfall Camp/Zero Point to Chowki
- Day 12: Chowki to Masaki Tal
- Day 13: Masaki Tal to Vasuki Tal
- Day 14: Vasuki Tal to Kedarnath
- Day 15: Come down from Kedarnath to Gauri Kund then to Dehradun
Highlights
- Auden’s Col, at 5490 metres above sea level, connects Rudragaira and Bhilangana Valleys.
- Jogin group of summits, Bhagirathi group himalayan peaks, and Kedar Dome all have Rudragaira peak (5818m).
- Gangotri is the Ganga’s starting place.
- The Khatling Glacier is the largest glacier in the world.
- Villages in the Outback
- Nights spent at a hotel or a guest house.