Kalindi Khal Trek
18 Days
Best Season: mid June - August
HIGHLIGHTS:
-
Trek to the Source of Ganges.
-
Know the mysticism wrapped around Hinduism.
-
Visit culturally & spiritually important cities.
-
Witness Ganga Aarti by the side of River Ganga in Rishikesh.
-
See the Source of River Ganges - Gaumukh.
-
Excellent view of Mt Shivling (6543 m), Bhagirathi (6856 m), Mt Meru (6672 m), Mt Kalindi (6100 m), Chandra Parbat (6728 m), Kamet (7756 m), Abi Gamin (7355 m), Mana (7272 m).
-
Unparalleled view of snow-clad mountains.
-
Visit Ghats of Haridwar to witness religious ceremonies of Hindu culture and walk through narrow lanes of local bazaar.
-
Train ride from Haridwar to Delhi.
-
Rickshaw ride in narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk.
-
Visit the largest mosque of India - Jama Masjid.
Kalindi Khal is a challenging expedition-style high attitude trek for intrepid trekkers and needs a good forehand experience as the trek offers all alpine ingredients of crevasses, avalanches, steep snow and ice, scree, moraine, wind and unpredictable weather conditions.
The trek starts from Gangotri Temple dedicated to Mother Ganga, who is worshipped by millions all over India. It is believed that the mystical power of Ganga washes away all the sins. The trail then winds through Bhojbas, Gaumukh (Source of Ganges), Nandavan, the base of the Bhagirathi peaks - a place that offers an unparalleled view of Mount Shivling, Vasu ki Tal (Lake), Khara Pathar, Shwet Glacier and crossing of the Kalindi Pass which is the highest altitude (5950 M) attained on this trek. The trek ends at Badrinath with a visit to the holy Shrine Badrinath and then travel to Delhi driving through winding roads from Badrinath till Rishikesh. Badrinath is the second of the holiest Shrines out of the four that we come across on our route, first being Gangotri. Tough trek but close views of snow mountains are an elixir of life – peaks like Satopanth (7075 M),Bhagirathi I, II & III (6856 – 6455 M), Shiviling (6543 M), Meru (6672 M), Kedar Dome (6831 M), Vasu ki Parbat (6792 M), Nilkanth (6597 M), and many more are lined up on our route.
Route Map
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 - Departure
Depart from your home country.
Day 2 - Delhi / Rishikesh (3400M)
Arrive at Delhi International Airport and transfer to hotel. Later, drive to Rishikesh – 224 km / 6 hr. Check in the hotel. Rest of the time is free. In the evening,we witness Ganga Arti (Worship) by the side of River Ganga. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 3 - Rishikesh / Uttarkashi (1150 M)
Morning after breakfast, we proceed to Uttarkashi 170 km / 6 hrs approximately. Uttarkashi is situated by the banks of Bhagirathi River originating from Gomukh, Gangotri Glacier. Upon arrival we check in the Hotel. Get ready for administrative formalities required to go to Kalindi Khal. Time permitting we will also visit Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. Overnight in hotel.
Day 4 - Uttarkashi / Gangotri (3048 M)
Drive 95 km / 5 hr to Gangotri, on the route we stop at hot water spring at Gagnani. Gangotri is a small town where the ancient temple of Goddess Ganga is situated. The 18th century's temple is located near a sacred stone where King Bhagirath worshipped Lord Shiva. Ganga is believed to have touched earth at this spot. According to another legend, Pandavas performed the great 'Deva Yagna' to atone the deaths of their kinsmen in the epic battle of Mahabharata. The temple is an exquisite 20 ft. high structure made of white granite. We witness the prayers at the Gangotri Temple in the evening. Overnight in simple hotel.
Day 5 - Gangotri
Day free for acclimatization and making arrangements for our tough trek to Kalindi Khal. We walk to Bhuj Kharak en route to Kedar Tal or Rudugaira Kharak, depending on weather conditions to make an acclimatization walk. Height to be gained around 700 / 800 meters. Overnight in simple hotel.
Day 6 - Gangotri / Bhojbas (3792 M)
After breakfast, we start our trek to Bhojbas following the river Bhagirathi on right the bank. It’s a gradual trek of 14 km / 5 hr. En route we get beautiful view of Sudarshan peak and Bhagirathi massif. Overnight in Dormitory / Tent.
Day 7 - Bhojbas / Gaumukh (3890 M) / Nandanvan (4340 M)
After breakfast we trek to Gomukh, the source of the River Ganga which erupts from the snout of Gangotri Glacier. We traverse the glacier strewn with moraine and arrive at the beautiful meadow of Nandanvan offering a majestic view of Shivling, Kedardome, Bhagirathi peaks etc. About 5 to 6 hour’s steady upward - at times steep trek. Overnight in tents.
Day 8 - Nandanvan / Vasu ki Tal (4880 M)
Start our trek along Chaturangi Glacier to reach Vasuki Tal, base camp for Mt Satopanth (7075 m) with a small lake. En route we have an excellent view of Mt Meru (6672 m). The trek is gradual upward. Arrive in 5-6 hours. Overnight in tents.
Day 9 - Vasu ki Tal / Khara Patthar Or Suralya Bamak (5480 M)
Morning after breakfast we start trek to Suralya Bamak (Khara Pathar). It’s a tough trekking onward on the glacier, moraine and up and down crevasses. Hence, one needs to be careful. The camp at Khara Pathar is after passing steep rocky slope. About 4 hr trek. Overnight in tents.
Day 10 - Khara Patthar / Sweta Glacier (5550 M)
After breakfast, we start trek covering the steep moraine looks deceptively simple, but the altitude makes this ascent an uphill task! The 3 – 4 Kms of the day’s walk take almost 5 - 6 hrs to cover. Sweta Glacier at 5500 mts sits on a very windy mountain top and tent pegs are often uprooted and tents lost due to the windy conditions here! Commanding views of the the Bhagirathi group, Shivlinga mountain, and the rear of Tapovan can be seen peaks.Overnight in tents.
Day 11 - Sweta Glacier / Kalindi Base (5780 M)
After breakfast we move forward to cross the Sweta Glacier. It’s a tough trekking through scree and boulders traversing Chaturangi Glacier which forms a big part of Gangotri Glacier. Chaturangi Glacier, literally means four coloured, is about 15 km long which is half the length of Gangotri Glacier.Chandra Prabat (6728 M) towering above us, we get to the Kalindi Bamak Camp, in close vicinity to the Kalindi glacier’s snout. Up ahead lies the Kalindi Khal (5950 M) which is a deep gap between Avalanche Peak (6420M) and Kalindi Peak (6100 M). The effects of the altitude can be clearly felt by the starving lungs and running out of breath a common phenomena! Set up camp over the glacier at the point known as the Kalindi base camp. About 4 hr trek. Overnight in tents.
Day 12 - Kalindi Base / Kalindi Pass (5950 M)/ Raj Parav (4910 M)
Hit the trail early slowly towards Kalindi Pass the highest altitude of our trek for today’s 6 – 7 hr trek. From the pass we have a superb view of Kamet (7756 m), Abi Gamin (7355 m), Mana (7272 m) and Tibetan plateau on the other side of Mana Pass. We can also still see peaks of Gangotri region like Chandra Parbat (6728 M), Vasuki Parbat (6792 M), Bhagirathi Parbat (6512 M) etc. Descend to the camp site at Raj Parav. Overnight in tents.
Day 13 - Raj Parav / Arwa Tal (3910 M)
Continue descent over the crevasses to arrive at Arwa Nala (stream). On the northern side of Arwa Tal is Mana Pass (5600 M) used frequently to trade between Tibet and India in olden times. Today’s trek is about 6 hr. Overnight in tents.
Day 14 - Arwa Tal / Ghastoli (3796 M)
Our downward trekking continues by following Arwa Nala. We reach Arwa Valley after a steep descent and finally to Ghastsoli village, a meeting point of Arwa River and Saraswati River. Administrative formalities will be done at Ghastoli by Army officials by checking our permit and other travel documents. About 6 hr trek and our last night in the tents.
Day 15 - Ghastoli / Mana Village (3170 M)/ Badrinath (3150M)
About 5 hr trek brings us to the end of our trekking programme at Mana Village, the last Village before the border. Our vehicle is already waiting at Mana Village to take us to Badrinath, 2 km. On arrival, check into hotel. Later visit the temple of Badrinath situated on the right bank of River Alaknanda commanding a majestic view of Neel Kanth peak. Overnight in simple hotel.
Day 16 - Badrinath / Srinagar (Uttarakhand) (5079 M)
Bid farewell to the mountains and head towards plains. After breakfast, we drive to Srinagar; 197 km / 5 hr. En route we enjoy nice views of hills, river and typical Garhwali villages. Srinagar is situated by the bank of river Alaknanda, the same river which we have seen flowing from Badrinath, Mana and beyond. Overnight in simple hotel.
Day 17 - Srinagar / Haridwar / Delhi
We drive 135 km / 5 hr to Haridwar. Local bazaars are worth exploring in spare time to see various things for sale for religious ceremonies. Visit Narrow street of Haridwar market and Ghats. Thereafter transfer to Railway Station for Shatabdi train to Delhi. Overnight in hotel.
Day 18 - Delhi / Departure
Sightseeing of Old & New Delhi, visiting Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Rickshaw ride in crowded Chandni Chowk, drive through President House and India Gate. Later, we transfer you to the International Airport for your journey back home.
