Top 5 treks in Uttarakhand

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Top 5 treks in Uttarakhand

Thursday, 21 February 2019 | Seema Gurnani

Top 5 treks in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand, the northern state of India, is adorned with many beautiful and magnificent mountain ranges such as Great Himalayas, Central Himalayas, Kumaon Himalayas, Garhwal Himalayan ranges etc.

Where some of these mountain ranges are ferocious when it comes to scaling them, some of them offer one of the best trekking routes in the country. Moreover, Uttarakhand is specifically abundant in having year-round trekking trails. Where most of the trekking routes in Himachal Pradesh are accessible only in the month of May to October, trails in Uttarakhand vary from easy to challenging, a gradient that can be accessed throughout the year depending upon its grade and geographical location.

Each trek beats the otherson different terms, be it raw scenic beauty or the challenge, but here is a carefully curated list of the top five treks in Uttarakhand that one must do.

1. Har Ki Dun

Days: 7

Grade: Easy

Max. Altitude: 11,483 feet

Har Ki Dun is an ideal trek for a beginner. It gives just the right amount of glimpse into the trekking world. Where some of the slopes are really steep and backbreaking, the paddy fields in between come to rescue the tired trekkers and moreover, you’ll find quite a few refreshment stalls throughout this trek. While you enjoy a cup of tea in one the refreshment stalls, one can listen to the local tales that revolve around this trek. The Swargarohini peak, at the foothills of which the trek ends, is known to be used by Pandavas as their exit gate to heaven when they left the earth. If that does not fascinate you enough, wait till you reach the Sankri village which is the base of this trek. Sankri is engulfed in old mountain village lifestyle and yet offers quite a comfortable and cozy homestay experience. The Osla village is another gem in itself, it is one of the main reasons to embark on this trek and one may find himself marveling over the intricate wooden architecture of the village. Villages like Osla are located at such remote regions that the people still dwell upon medieval medicines and stored food during harsh winters, let alone that there are no roads and one has to hike miles to reach the village.

 

2. Pangarchulla Peak

Days: 6

Grade: Moderate

Max. Altitude: 14,700 feet

Pangarchulla is one of those treks that lies in the range of easy to moderate and yet gives the amazing feel of summiting a mountain top. Pangarchulla peak is a beautiful introductory peak in the world of mountain climbing. The summit day is a bit challenging, but is ideal for not-so-frequent climbers who want to get the feel of doing a summit trek. The geographic position of the peak is as such that it can have a lot of snow until as late as May. One can expect knee-deep snow towards the summit, and hence they have to start climbing quite early in the morning on the summit day. The overall trail to Pangarchulla goes through a variety of terrains that range from lush green farms, dark jungles and finally the snow-covered hike till the top. Once at the top, don’t forget to witness the magnificent beauty of the visible peaks like Vasudhara, Mana, Mandir, Ghodi, Hathi, Barmal, Lampak Massif, Dronagiri, Nanda-Devi, and Bertholi. Depending upon the level of snow, one may be required to use certain climbing gear such as ropes, crampons, ice ax, harnesses etc.

 

3. Rupin Pass

Days: 8

Grade: Moderate

Max. Altitude: 15,197 feet

Rupin Pass starts from Dhaula in Uttarakhand and ends in Sangla in Himachal Pradesh. It is known for its continuously changing scenery and picture-perfect landscapes. It won’t be wrong to say that this trek holds surprises up its sleeve on nearly every turn. Every day there is something exciting and new to witness on the trail to Rupin Pass. It can be termed as a complete trek as you are going to traverse some steep green valleys, pave your way through dense forest and not to mention the innumerable waterfalls and streams and finally the walk on a glacier during the pass crossing day. The three-stage Rupin waterfall is the main attraction point in this trek. The trek is also a famous Himalayan route between Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. Rupin Pass is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful treks in India.
 

4. Bali Pass

Days: 8

Grade: Difficult

Max. Altitude: 16,240 feet

Bali Pass is categorized as a difficult trek and links Har Ki Dun valley to Yamunotri Valley. It starts from Sankri village and ends at JankiChatti. The meadow at Dev Thatch is one the key highlights of this trek. The Ruinsara Lake, which is a glacial lake situated at high altitude, is one of the rare gems in itself. The pristine blue lake is bound to leave you speechless. The fact that it lies inside Govind Pashu National Park generates a sense of adventure in oneself. Enjoy the view of Swargarohini peak, Banderpooch, and Black Peak. The best time to do Bali Trek is post-monsoon. The main highlights of the treks are Govind Pashu National Park, sacred lake of Ruinsara and Yamunotri temple.

 

5. Auden’s col

Days: 14

Grade: Difficult

Max. Altitude: 18,011 feet

Are you in for some real challenge, some extreme adrenaline rush? Better buckle up real tight because this one is going to be a long trek and with that, it is going to bring innumerable challenges, extreme temperatures and immense beauty of nature. Auden’s col connects Rudgaira with Bhilangna valley and goes through risky Katling glacier. The grade is steep and the altitude is quite high. No doubt it is one of the most challenging treks, hence recommended for experienced trekkers only. But once done, it is bound to leave you with a lifelong memory of survival, fighting spirit and the sheer joy of conquering the untamed Himalayas.

With the ongoing boom in the trekking field, there are various companies that organize treks ranging from easy to challenging. I have done quite a few treks with Bikat Adventures. I like their learning-based adventure theme. But of course, you need to see which operator is best for you before going with one.

If you are really into trekking, how many of these treks have you already been to? And if you are just pondering upon which one should be your next trek, just pick one of these according to the grade and you are sure to rate it as of one of the best treks yourself!

 

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