Adventure Trekking & Mountaineering in Himalayan Hills with HiMADRi Tour & Treks

GARHWAL

The name Garhwal is usually interpreted to mean the Country of Forts, because it is said to have been occupied by fifty two chiefs, each with his own fort. Garhwal, comprising the districts of Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Pauri, Tehri, Rudraprayag andChamoli is not only known for its pilgrimage centres-the Char Dham of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, but also for the limitless possibilities it offers to mountaineers.

The snow bound peaks of Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, Kamet, Bandarpunch and other peaks which rise thousands of metres into the blue yonder, offer the challenges mountaineers from the world over come to surmount.

BASE: MUSSOORIE

The ‘Queen of Hill Stations’, Mussoorie is a popular tourist destination from Delhi, and is also a favourite base for trekkers.

Route1- Sahastradhara Dehradun Trek

Mussoorie (2,005 m) – Dhanaulti (2250 m, 31 km) Sahastradhara (14 km) – Dehradun (14 km) – Dhanaulti, in a beautiful forest has a Tourist Rest House, Forest Rest House and Private Hotels. Sahastradhara has a Tourist Rest House and a PWD Inspection House. Sulphur springs and a beautiful waterfall are attractions of this place. At Dehradun, at the conclusion of the trek, stay in variety of private hotels, or at Hotel Drona run by G.M.V Nigam.

Route 2 – Harkidun Trek

Mussoorie (2,005 m.) – Purola (1,524 .., 100 km.) - Naitwar) (1,401 m., 48 km.) – Saur (1400 m., 12 km) – Takula (1,900 m., 12 km.) – Sema (2000 m., 12 km.)- Har-ki-dun (3566 m., 14 km.)). Situated in the interiors of the district of uttarkashi, Har-ki-dun is one of the most picturesque spots in the Garhwal hills. Buses ply up to Saur-Sankri, then taxis & jeeps are available upto Takula (11 km) from where the trek starts. The beautiful valley of Purola has hotels, a Tourist Rest house and a PWD Inspection House. Naitwar is located at the confluence of rivers Rupin & Supin and has Forest Rest House. There is a Tourist Rest House at Saur. From here on, till the end of the route at har-ki-dun, there are Forest Rest Houses for accommodation. The Forest Rest Houses are under control of the Divisional Forest Officer, Tons Division, Purola, District Uttarkashi. Tourist Rest Houses are also available at Taluka, Sema & Har-ki-dun.

Route 3 – Nagtibba Trek

Nagtibba is the most unspoilt wonder round the year. To reach Nagtibba, one has to reach Pantwari via Nainbagh from Mussoorie or Vikas Nagar by bus. Nagtibba is 8 kms. trek from Pantwari which is also base camp for this beautiful trek. Other route is via Thatyur (42 kms from Mussoorie) and 21 kms trek from here leads to Nagtibba through Devalsari.

BASE: UTTARKASHI

Uttarkashi is among the most beautiful districts of the Garhwal region with a snowline that endures all the year round and provides a breathtaking carpet of forests below beside a majestic view of the Himalayas. This is a district headquarter town and trekkers can stay in the Tourist Rest House, Forest Rest House, P.W.D Inspection House, Hotels & Dharamshalas.

Route 1 – Gangotri-Gaumukh – Tapovan trek

Uttarkashi (1,158 m) – Gangotri (3,048 m, 100 km) – Bhojbasa (3,792 m 14 km) – Gaumukh (3,892 m, 4 km) – Tapovan (4,463 m, 6 km). This trek in the Bhagirathi valley is through the picturesque countryside and the area beyond Gangotri is truly grand, a trail that leads to the high Himalayas. The trek begins at Gangotri, a holy shrine popular with pilgrims. Trekkers can stay in Tourist Rest House, Forest Rest House, PWD Inspection House or any of the several dharamshalas. Bhojbasa has a Tourist Rest House and an ashram. Gaumukh is the source of the river Ganga, known here as Bhagirathi. Tapovan is surrounded by many known and unknown peaks and has a convenient camping ground. Herds of Bharal on mountain ridges are a common sight.

Route 2 – Dodital Trek

Uttarkashi (1,158 m) – Bhatwari (1,210 m, 27 km) – Raithal (2,102 m, 10 km) – Dayara (3,048 m, 6 km) – Dodital (3,307 m, 35 km) agoda (2,286 m, 16 km) – Kalyani (1,829 m, 5 km). Another picturesque hike through high mountains and beautiful valleys. The trek begins at Bhatwari, a small marketplace which has a PWD Inspection House. Trekkers will have to camp at Dayara, and can enjoy stunning Himalayan views from here. Dodital has a beautiful lake and is excellent for trout fishing. Both Dodital and Agoda have Forest Rest House to stay in. Kalyani has a fish hatcher and from here one can catch a bus back to Uttarkashi. Camping is suggested on several points of the trek. The Forest Rest Houses are under the charge of the Divisional Forest Officer Uttarkashi.

Optional route: Dodital – Hanuman Chatti – Yamunotri Trek.

From Dodital, there is an exciting trek route to Hanuman Chatti in the Yamuna valley. As there is no accommodation between Dodital and Hanuman Chatti, trekkers are advised to carry their own alpine tents, or spend the night in a shepherd’s shelter. Hanuman Chatti, however is an important halting point enroute to the pilgrimage at Yamunotri and has a Tourist Rest House and a Forest Rest House. From Hanuman Chatti, Yamunotri is at a distance of 14 kms.

Route 3 – Gangotri – Kedarnath Trek

Uttarkashi (1,158 m) – Mala (1,478 m, 22 km) – Belak (2,439 m, 15 km) Jhala (2,439 m, 9 km) – Budakedar (1,524 m, 8 km) – Ghuttu (1,524 m, 30 km) – Panwalikantha (3,963 m, 15 km) Kankhaliakhal (3,049 m, 14 km) – Triyugi Narayan (1,982 m, 10 km) – Sonprayag (1,821 m, 5 km) – Gaurikund (1981 m, 5 km) – Kedarnath (3,584 m, 14 km). The trek starts from Mala. The temple town of Budakedar has a Rest House and a PWD Inspection House, as does the market town of Ghuttu. At Panwalikantha, one can stay in a hut, or camp, while camping is the only option at Kankhaliakhal. At Triyugi Narayan, which has a Shiva temple, there is a PWD Inspection House, ordinary hotels and the Birla dharamshala. Buses are available from here to Gaurikund which has hot springs and a Parvati temple. For accommodation, a Tourist Rest House and a PWD Inspection House are available. Kedarnath is one of the important ‘dhams’ with a temple devoted to Lord Shiva. Accommodation is available here in guest houses, dharamshalas and a Tourist Rest House.

BASE: PAURI

Pauri is a divisional headquarter town of great beauty and has a Tourist Rest House to stay in. The views from this quiet Himalayan town are captivating.

Route 1- Doodhatoli – Binsar Trek

Pauri (1,814 m) – Thailisain (2,090 m, 92 km) – Biyasi (7 km) – Marora (1,061 m, 3 km) It is important to carry alpine tents as the only accommodation lilely to be available are a few shepherd huts and that too at limited stops. From Thailisain one can get a bus to either Pauri or Ramnagar.

Route – 1 Roopkund Trek

Gwaldam (1,960 m) – Deval (1,218 m, 13 km) – Mundoli (2134 m, 8 km) – Wan (2,436 m, 14 km) – Bedni (3,354 m 13 km) – Bagubasa (4667 m, 9 km) – Roopkund (5,029 m, 5 km) – Shila Samudra (3,658 m, 4 km) – Homkund (4,061 m, 4 km) – Sutol (24 km) – Ghat (25 km) Nandprayag (19km). Situated in the lap of Trishul Massif, it was at the Roopkund Lake that a large number of human skeletons and remains from the Paleolithic age were found. The place was visited by Lord Curson, the then Viceroy of India. The route was hence named Curzon Road. There is a Forest Rest House, a Tourist Rest House and a few dharamshalas at Deval. Tourist Rest houses are available at mundoli and Wan, which is also the last village on the route. Bedini, with its beautiful meadows, has a Forest Log Hut and Snow huts. At Bagubasa too, there are snow huts and a cave where one can take shelter. Beyond that, tents are required for camping. Ghat is a roadhead, with a PWD Inspection House. Buses are available from here to Nandprayag.

Base : JOSHIMATH

A popular pilgrimage centre, Joshimath has Tourist Rest House, Hotels and dharamshalas. It is the base for trekking to the famous Valley of Flowers. The season here is short lived : it starts from mid-July and lasts till end of August.

Route1 – Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Trek

Joshimath (1,875 m) – Govindghat (1,849 m, 19 km) – Ghangharia (3,048 m, 13 km). The trek begins at Govindghat, which has a Forest Rest House and a Gurudwara. There is a small market at Ghangharia during season, and overnight accommodation is available in a Tourist Rest House, a Forest Rest House and a Gurudwara. Please note that camping within the Valley of Flowers is not permitted.

Optional route:

Hemkund, a centre of Sikh pilgrimage can be reached from Ghangharia and is 5.5 km from there. The climb is steep and there is a lake at the top with a Gurudwara by its banks. A Laxman temple is situated close to the Gurudwara.

BASE: MUNI_KI RETI

A short walk North East along the Chandrabhaga river from Lakshman Jhoola are the secluded beaches of Muni-ki-Reti which also have some temples to visit.

Route 1 – Panch Kedar Trek

The Panch Kedars are the five forms of the Hindu God Shiva known as Kedarnath (3584 m), Madmaheshwar (3289 m), Tungnath (3886 m), Rudranath (2286 m) and Kalpnath (2134 m). The route takes you to various fascinating places where a splendid mountain view awaits the trekker. Various modes of transport are available to reach Helong, 241 km from Muni-ki-Reti. Close by is Urgam Valley from where a 12 km trek takes you to Kalpnath. 53 km from here is Gopeshwar which has trek to Helong. From here a 13 km drive takes you to Mandal from where you trek to Anusuya. From here, trek to Rudranath, then come back to Mandal and drive by road to Chopta. Here there is a 3 km trek to Tungnath and back. Another 6 km trek to Makku. A 19 km trek takes you leads to Gaundhar from Kalimath from where you can reach Madmaheswar. A 43 km drive gets you to Gaurikund from where you trek 14 km to Kedarnath or you drive to Rudraprayag and then back to Muni-ki-Reti. En route night halts are available at Government Rest House, Tourist Rest House and prominent hotels and Dharamshalas.

Route2 – Vasuki - Tal Trek

This trek starts from Gaurikund where a bath in hot sulphur springs is not only refreshing but has skin healing properties. The trek winds along the river Mandakini towards Kedarnath via Rambara through picturesque forests with waterfalls at every crevice. The trek from Kedarnath to Vasuki Tal is continuous ascent along a goat trek and it offers a panoramic view of the kearnath peaks. The final trek to Vasuki Tal is downhill for 1 km. At the bottom of this, one can see rectangular slabs of rocks.

KUMAON

Kumaon, encompassing the districts of Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar and Pithoragarh abounds in pilgrimage centres and the mountains of this region.

Apart from the scenery filled hill stations of Nainital, Ranikhet and Kausani, Kumaon offers splendid opportunities to mountaineers too.

At the head of the Pindari Glacier is the Pindari Kanda or Trail’s Pass (6,100 m). Before the opening of the motor road mountaineers bound for central Garhwal crossed the Kuari Pass (4,249 m). the Garhwal-Kumaon Axis can also be negotiated by the horseshoe trail beginning at malaria near Kamet, running, North and East along the fringes of the Nanda Devi sanctuary and rising at the 5377 m high Unta Dhura Pass near the Milam glacier. For the thrills of mountaineering the KalaBand Glacier chunk with the Chirringwe group of peaks is ideal. Westwards from the Kalaband Glacier are the 6000-7000 m high mountain passes. In the deep West are the valleys of the Lassar Yankti, the Dharmaganga and the Kuthi Yakti rivers, bordering Tibet.

Kumaon has six distinct trekking regions: the foothills of the Himalayas of the Nainital district and the lake area; the hill areas of Almora, Ranikhet, Kausani, Chaukori and Pithoragarh, the Himalayan glacier area of the Kumaon hills.

BASE: NAINITAL

Encircling the lake named after Goddess Naini, Nainital is the main hill resort in Kumaon. It has equable weather with the maximum and minimum temperature being 27 degree centigrade and 19 degree centigrade in summer and 15 degree centigrade and 0 degree centigrade in winter. April to June, before the monsoon sets in is the season for flowers, while the second season from September to mid-November is ideal for post-monsoon freshness.

Route 1 – Naukuchiya Tal

Nainital (1938 m) – Snow View (2270 m ) Bhowali (1707 m) – Bhimtal-Naukuchiyatal (approximately 1706 m). The trail provides a grand view of the main peak of the Nanda Devi, its eastern view and further right on to the pillars of the Central Kumaon region. From the health resort at Bhowali, 11.2 km from Nainital, the trail continues to the cluster of seven lakes at Sat Tal and the nine cornered Naukuchiyatal. Tourist Rest House, Forest Rest House and PWD Inspection House are available at Bhowali.

Route2 – Khurpatal Trek

Nainital (1938 m) Khurpatal (1750 m, 5 km) is an angler’s staging point carrying on to Corbett Park in Kaladhungi.

BASE: ALMORA

Founded over 400 years ago, Almora, with its numerous temples, is spread along a ridge from where the high mountains are seen.

BASE: RANIKHET

Well known for its tremendous panoramic delights of the high Himalayas, Ranikhet is located in the very heart of Kumaon at an altitude of 1829 m.

Route1 – Kausani Trek

Ranikhet – Majkhali – Golchhina – Kausani (2 days). Probably the best known route in this section, the view of the Himalayas from Kausani (1890 m) are a lifetimes experience. Forest Rest House, Tourist Test House, PWD Bungalow and Hotels are available at Kausani for accommodation.

BASE: CHAUKORI

Chaukori is 82 km from Pithoragarh and is uniquely beautiful with balmy weather and fine views. The region includes Gangolihat, the confluence of the Gori and Kali rivers at Lohaghat. At Lohaghat there are places of interest such as Abbot Mount, Devidhura and Champawat.

Route1: Chaukori

Chaukori – Berinag – Patal Bhuwaneshwar – Gangolihat (3 days) Chaukoui – Kotmaniya – Dharmghar – Kotgari (2 days) – Chaukori – Thal – Pithoragarh (2 days).

The three trek routs keep to a mean altitude of about 1,900 m and are the take-off points for the high grounds of upper Kumaon with Pithoragarh being on this route to the Lipulekh Pass on the pilgrim trail.

BASE: SONG

At 1400 m Song is at the bus terminus of the two routes branching towards the Pindari, Katri, Namik and Sunderdhunga glaciers.

Route1 – Pindari Glacier Trek

Song-Loharkhet – Dhakuri-Khati-Dwali-Phurkia-Pindari Glacier (7 days).

The trail goes to Loharkhet, 1,753 m. which has a Tourist Rest House and PWD Inspection Houses. Onwards , this well-known route goes past the staging points at Dhakuri, 2,621 m, Khati, 2,210 m., Dwali 2,621 m, and Phurkia 3261 m, which has a Tourist Rest House and from where the ‘Zero point’ view for Pindari Glacier (3,353 m to 4652 m) is visible

Route2 – Sunderdhunga Glacier Trek

Song – Loharkhet – Dhakuri-Khati-Jaitoli-Dhungiyadhang-Sunderdhunga Glacier (8 days).

The route is the same upto Khati, after which the trail continues to the fork at Kathalia. The westward track leads to Nagkund and the eastward one to Maiktoli, both approximately 7 km from Sunderdhunga glacier (3880 m)

BASE: MUNSIYARI

At 2135 m. Munsiyari is on the arterial water body of the Gori Ganga which emerges from the Milam Glacier system of the eastern flanks of the Nanda Devi sanctuary, fed also by the Kalabandar Glacier and the Panchchuli from further east. The Milam glacier snout at 3872 m is not only the objective of the trek route indicated but also the nodal point for a variety of high grade routes and peaks.

Munsiyari-Lilam-Bogdyar-Milam Village Millam Glacier (7 days)

Munsiyari is also the base for Ralam and Namik glaciers.

HELPFUL TIPS

Season

Because of the vastness of the terrain and altitude differences, trekking trips can be undertaken the whole year round. Treks range from low altitude treks in winter to the crossing of high passes in summer when the snowline recedes. It is also possible to combine all three-river running, trekking and mountaineering. The conventional trekking periods preferred are mid-April to May-June before the monsoon and after the rains in the month of September-October-November.

Team Size & Precautions

Trekking is best enjoyed in small groups not exceeding eight or ten. This also allows the hillside to tegenerate. Larger parties create administrative problems and pollute the hillside.

It is advisable to be medically examined before starting, hence narrowing down the possibility of altitude sickness. The first-aid kit should include basic medicines and bandages for cuts and burns, headache, nauseam constipation, diarrhoes, sore throat, eye lotion and diuretics. Cold Cream should be applied liberally before the day’s walk. Running water from a stream should be used and washing done well downstream of camp-sites. Above all it is essential to acclimatize and keep one’s own comfortable pace; allow for time to ‘stand and stare’ and heighten one’s perception by some prior reading on the area.

Essential Personal Gear

A firm rucksack with broad straps sleeping bag, foam mattress, comfortable walking shoes, rainproof (anorak), torch, matchboxes, umbrella and water bottle are essential.

Other Equipment

Personal clothing, including woolen shirts, pullovers, T-shirts, shorts, feather jacket, long-johns, socks, personal toilet items, camera and film, should be included to suit the duration and altitude of the trek while keeping overall weight to the minimum.

Community gear

Lightweight 2-man tents with ground and inner sheets, a couple of lengths of climbing rope (required for rescue), kitchen tent and utensils, kerosene in jerry cans, stoves, large plastic ground sheets for dining without litter, plastic bags to collect and carry away garbage. Insurance, rescue and Evacuation This is possible through the standard insurance companies. The IMF, AirForce and the local, authorities should, as far as possible, be kept informed of the route to facilitate rescue.

Food and Fuel

As a rule, firewood, including driftwood, should be strictly avoided in the interest of preserving the thin mountain topsoil. Kerosene should be brought from the point of origin. Purchase of food should likewise be done as close as possible to the mountain districts where goods have to be hauled by road over long difficult terrain.

Permission

For routes inside the Inner Line the local District Magistrate’s permission or that of the Central Home Ministry is necessary in advance. For foreigners, crossing the Inner Line is not permitted. Treks upto 4,900 m, can also be undertaken with prior permission from the IMF provided no peak is attempted. Camera permits are also necessary.

TRIP GRADING

Grade Description

1.   Low altitude excursion, with or without trekking is appropriate for anyone in good health.

2.   Trekking below 5,250 m upto six hours a day requires some trekking experience, though not essential. It would facilitate orientation.

3.   Trekking routes going above 5,250 m thereby require greater physical activity, including sustained periods above the tree line. So, previous trekking experience is preferable.

4.   Good physical condition and basic mountaineering skills essential.

In addition to the trip grading which is primarily an indication of the required level of physical fitness and activity, each trip can be further categorized by degree of difficulty as follows:

A. Simple

B.  Medium

C.  Strenuous

On this combined categorization would further depend the need for special equipment.

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