White Magic Adventure Travel

AUDEN’S COL

India, Uttarakhand

15 DAYS
12 MAX GROUP SIZE
5400m
MAX ALTITUDE
6 Technical Trek

TBA
Trip leader default

21 Sep - 5 Oct 2024

159,000 / 2250

Trip cost

159,000 / 2250

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Bordering Nepal and Tibet, the regions of Garhwal and Kumaon which together form Uttarakhand, are most famous for their holy sites including the source of India’s most sacred river Ganga, which receives millions of pilgrims each year. We begin by driving up the Bhagirathi valley right till the end of the road at Gangotri. We spend two days resting at different altitudes to acclimatise before we attempt to cross the col. The descent from the col down to the deeply crevassed Khatling Glacier is almost vertical and is done on fixed ropes. We spend two days and two nights on the Khatling glacier and walk out along the Bhilangana river flowing out of the glacier. The last three days' walk is through dense mixed Himalayan forests, grassy meadows, shepherd encampments, and some remote villages, and provides dramatic views of the high mountains including Thalaysagar.

Itinerary

Show Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Dehradun, transfer to Kanatal

Arrive Dehradun airport latest by 2PM, transfer to the hotel in Kanatal (2 hrs)

Day 02: Drive to Gangotri (3050m)

The drive to Gangotri takes around 7hrs. The aarti ceremony at the Gangotri is as impressive as the temple which sits on the banks of the rushing Ganges. Overnight guest house at Gangotri (3050m).

Day 03: Acclimatisation day in Gangotri (3050m)

Excursion/acclimatisation walk towards the lake of Kedartal. The trail goes through birch forests and is steep all the way to the small campsite at Bhoj Kharak (3780m) and then back to Gangotri. Overnight guest house at Gangotri (3050m).

Day 04: Gangotri – Nalla Camp (3760m)

We set off on the true left of the Bhagirathi river and walk for about half an hour before we turn south towards the Rudragaira Nalla. The climb is a gradual uphill through the forests of birch and maple. Overnight Nalla Camp (3760m).

Day 05: Nalla Camp – Gangotri 1 Base Camp (4500m)

The day starts off with a steep climb to a huge meadow followed by a river crossing and another steep climb right up to the Rudragaira Base Camp and then continue over the glacial moraine to the Gangotri 1 Base Camp. Overnight Gangotri 1 Base Camp (4500m).

Day 06: A day to acclimatise.

A day to relax and acclimatise, we can do some side walks around camps. Overnight Gangotri 1 Base Camp (4500m).

Day 07: Auden’s Col Base Camp (4800m)

We proceed towards the head of the valley with the Gangotri Range (G1, G2 & G3) to the north and the Jogin group (J1, J2) to the south. We camp at the foot of the col. Overnight Auden’s Col Base Camp (4800m).

Day 08: Cross Auden’s Col (5400m) & descend to Khatling Glacier Camp I (5110m)

The climb is quite steep through deep snow and could easily take 4-6 hrs depending on the snow conditions. Auden’s Col offers sweeping views of the Khatling Glacier, and the mountain peaks of Jaonli, Kedarnath, Jogin & Gangotri. From the col we descend against near-vertical walls of ice on fixed ropes to the heavily crevassed Khatling Glacier. Overnight Khatling Glacier Camp 1 (5110m).

Day 09: Glacier Walk, Khatling Glacier Camp II (4210m)

This is one of the best parts of the trek as we are in the mountainous heart of the Himalayas. Surrounded by high mountains jutting out one next to the other, small glaciers joining the mighty Khatling, glaciers hanging up on high mountains & complex ice formations we negotiate around deep crevasses to get close to the snout of the glacier. Overnight Khatling Glacier Camp II (4210m).

Day 10: Exit Khatling Glacier and reach Khatling Cave / Tambakund (3400m)

A short day - we descend through glacial moraine to get to the snout of the Khatling Glacier. Ice walls rise hundreds of feet and it is beautiful to watch the Bhilangana river gush out of the glacier we have been walking & sleeping on for the last two days. Overnight Camp Khatling Cave/Tambakund (3400m).

Day 11 & 12: Contingency day

We have two contingency days to allow for bad weather/ ill health/ road blocks etc and to have some much needed flexibility for a technical trek like this. Overnight Camp.

Day 13: Khatling Cave – Kharsoli (2880m)

We walk through the dense mixed Himalayan forests of oak, birch, deodar, fir & rhododendron. Kharsoli has a beautiful campsite in a clearing next to a gushing stream. Overnight Kharsoli Camp (2880m).

Day 14: Trek Kharsoli – Gangi (2650m) & drive to Ghuttu

The walk continues through the dense forest and the warmth of lower altitudes is really enjoyable after days of being up in colder climes. We go past a group of 3-4 houses by the Bhilangana river and then have a steep climb to a fairly large village of Gangi. A newly built road has come in near the village, we get to the roadhead and drive to the accommodation at Ghuttu

Day 15: Ghuttu – Delhi

Have a relaxed start, pack up, drive from Ghuttu to Dehradun airport and board the evening flight back home, leaving 5PM or later.

Trip Cost

159,000 / 2250

DEHRADUN TO DEHRADUN , TWIN SHARING

Payment Schedule

₹40,000 / $700 - Booking Amount

TRIP COST INCLUDES

- All travel from Dehradun airport and back by road (by non AC SUV car or a Tempo Traveller Minivan)
- All arrangements for overnight stay while on the trip
- Accommodation on twin share basis in tents / rest houses / hotels
- All group climbing gear like ropes, anchors, etc
- All meals, tea/coffee and snacks
- Professional guide fees, permit fees, camping fee and National Park/ Sanctuary fee.
- All trekking arrangements with a highly experienced guiding team, camp staff, cook etc.
- GST as applicable (Subject to change as per govt rules).

TRIP COST EXCLUDES

- Sleeping Bag & Items of personal clothing
- Any personal technical gear (crampons, gaiters etc - which are also available on rent)
- Any services in Delhi
- Air Fares, Visas, Insurance, Airport taxes, laundry, phone calls, beverages and bottled water, souvenirs and other expenses of a personal nature.
- Any tips for guides, cooks & porters
- Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, landslides, road conditions and any other circumstances beyond our control.
Note -
- Single Room in Hotels and Single Tent during camping can be booked at an additional cost.

Cancellation terms

If it becomes necessary to cancel your trip, you must notify the office immediately in writing. The following terms would be applicable.

- More than 60 days prior to departure - we will refund the entire amount received by us minus a processing fee.
- Less than 60 days prior to departure - 25% of the Trip Cost as the cancellation charges and we will refund the balance.
- Less than 45 days prior to departure - 50% of the Trip Cost as the cancellation charges and we will refund the balance.
- Less than 30 days prior to departure - 50% of the Trip Cost as cancellation charges and the balance amount would be held as a credit towards a future trip taken within 1 year from the date of cancellation.
- Less than 21 days - the entire amount would be forfeited.

What to expect

On a Technical Trek the average day could involve more than 7 hrs of walking. These trips might cover difficult and glaciated terrain where use of ropes and technical mountaineering equipment like crampons, harness, carabiners, descenders etc could come into play. On these trips one is required to stay at high altitudes for lengthy periods of time and hence acclimatization is always a big concern. These treks can also throw a bit of surprise largely because of unpredictable nature of the terrain and the snow/ ice conditions in the high mountains and hence we always have a contingency day of two built into the plan.

These trips would last more than two weeks and go to wild, remote places completely cut off from civilization. Trekking peaks also come under the same category as the level of technicality required to climb a trekking peak is similar.