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Title : Kalindi Pass - The Glacial Traverse
Category : Trek
Duration : 15 Days
Location : Uttaranchal
Season : Monsoon (july - sep)
Grade : Technical
Kalindi Pass is connecting the two holy shrines of Gangotri and Badrinath, this
trail traverses from one glacier to the other to cross the high
pass of Kalindi just under 6000m. The walk to Kalindi pass is mostly over the
moraines and the snow fields with deep crevasses and gives great
opportunities to view the high altitude wildlife and camp by
some small glacial lakes. Walking at an average altitude of
4500m for about 10 days and sleeping at freezing temperatures
this trip to Kalindi Pass is a lot more than a trek.
Only for experienced trekkers !
Day 01 : Delhi to Mussoorie (1920m)
Board the Morning Shatabdi Express to Dehradun and drive an hour
to reach Mussoorie for lunch. Overnight Hotel
Day 02 : Drive Mussoorie- Camp Kuflon(1550m) 4-5hrs
Overnight stay at Camp Kuflon
Day 03 : Camp Kuflon Basics to Chirbasa (3600m) 4 hr
drive and 4 hr walk
Drive 4 hrs to reach the holy shrine of Gangotri (3000m). Visit
the temple and the start the 4 hr walk up towards Gaumukh, the
source of the holy river Ganges. The trail keeps following the river
and and just short of Chirbasa one gets the first views of the
Bhagirathi Peaks. Chirbasa (3600m), literally meaning the home
of pine is now a cluster of shops and some pine trees. Walk down
from the main trail and setup camp close to the river.
Day 04 : Chirbasa to Bhojbasa (3800m) 3hrs
Today there is only about 3 hrs of walk. Reach the
campsite of Bhojbasa(3800m), home of birch (now only a few left
in the much denuded area) and setup camp. Evening walk to one of
the high points close by is recommended for better
acclimatisation. Don’t forget to carry your cameras along
with you, you
just might chance upon a group of ibexes or a beautiful sunset.
Day 05 : Trek Bhojbasa-Tapovan (4450m) 5hrs.
Walk to a high grassy plateau above Gaumukh, the source of the
Bhagirathi river. Camp overnight.
Day 06 : Trek Tapovan-Nandanvan (4505m) 5hrs.
Traverse the Gangotri glacier and cross the Raktaban stream
after an hour’s walk. Another 2hrs walk brings you to the head
of the Chaturangi valley. Traverse the icy glacier to reach the
top. Make camp at the junction of Gangotri and Chaturangi
glaciers on a green meadow.
Day 07 : Trek Nandanvan-Vasukital (4900m) 6-7hrs.
Walk along a stream with views of Meru and Bhrigupanth. After
5kms, we bypass the outlet of the valley leading towards
Bhagirathi and come to a deep gorge eroded by the glacier.
Descend diagonally towards the snout of the lateral glacier to
reach Vasukital. Camp near the lake at the foot of the
North-west ridge of Vasuki Parbat.
Day 08 : Trek Vasukital- Kharapathar (4450m) 4-5 hrs
Todays walk is over stony rubble and crossing moraines. Camp.
Day 09 : Trek Kharapathar – Kalindikhal Base (5500m) 4-5
hrs
Camp at a small campsite by the Sweta glacier
Day 10 : Trek Kalindi Khal Base camp to Rajparav(4910m)
4-5 hrs
Start early in the morning to climb the Kalindi Pass (5967m).
Descend over snow fields to camp.
Day 11 : Trek Rajparav – Arwatal (3900m) 4-5 hrs
Moving on the side of an icefall, the route descends to a small
lake, Arwatal. Kamet and its neighbours are visible. Camp
overnight.
Day 12 : Trek Arwatal-Ghastoli (3900m) 3hrs.
Walk down Arwa nalla with its profusion of wild flowers. A
leisurely day to camp at Ghastoli.
Day 13 : Trek Ghastoli-Mana (3135)-Badrinath (3100m) 5-6
hrs
and drive 2kms to the hotel in Badrinath..
Day 14 : Badrinath-Pipalkoti(1330m) 4-5 hrs
Visit the temple of Badrinath(3100m) and drive 4 hrs to
Pipalkoti. Overnight Hotel
Day 15 : Pipalkoti – Delhi
After an early morning breakfast set out for the long 8 hr drive
to reach Hardwar in the evening to board the evening Shatabdi
Express leaving at 6:10 pm to be back in Delhi by 10:30 pm. Trip
ends with happy memories !
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