KALINDI KHAL TREK

KALINDI KHAL TREK

India, Uttarakhand


TBA          
Trip leader
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Dates in blue indicate departures guaranteed to go.

The Kalindi Khal trek in Uttarakhand is a challenging and awe-inspiring journey that takes trekkers through some of the most remote and breathtaking landscapes in the Indian Himalayas. This high-altitude trek, situated in the Garhwal region, offers a thrilling experience for those seeking to test their endurance and revel in the natural beauty of the mountains. The trail leads through pristine alpine meadows, dramatic glaciers, and towering peaks, offering glimpses of the stunning Gangotri and Badrinath ranges. The highlight of the trek is undoubtedly the Kalindi Khal pass itself, a formidable and often snow-covered mountain pass that stands at over 5,950 meters (19,520 feet) above sea level. This journey is not for the faint of heart, but the reward is an indelible connection with the rugged, untouched wilderness of the Himalayas, making it a must-do for seasoned trekkers and adventurers.

Itinerary

Show Detailed Itinerary
Arrive Dehradun airport latest by 2PM, transfer to the hotel in Kanatal (2 hrs)
A long day on the winding roads in the lower Himalayas. We drive alongside the Bhagirathi river - crossing the major town of Uttarkashi - all the way till Harsil, a small village by the Bhagirathi river where we stop for the night. Overnight at Guest House
We drive to the town of Gangotri, the road head of our trek to start our trek. The walk begins with a gradual ascent through pine forests alongside the roaring Bhagirathi River with towering cliffs on the left. We pass a check post for the Gangotri Conservation Project. Chirbasa means home of pine trees! From here you get superb views of Manda peak (6511 m), Bhrigu Parbat (6000 m), Bhagirathi I, II and III ( 6856 m, 6512 m, & 6454 m respectively). Overnight Camp
It is a two hour trek to Bhojbasa (3784 m) which has an ashram, a tourist guest house and a police outpost. Bhojbasa is named after birch (Bhojpatra) forests in the area. It is presently totally denuded of the Bhojpatra trees. Today, the dead woods of Birch remind us of the past glory of the Birch forest. Since the area has been declared as a National Park & the no of people entering the park has been restricted one can notice early signs of re-forestation. After lunch we walk up to Gaumukh, the snout of the river. Overnight Camp
The trail from Bhojbasa to Gaumukh is a fairly gradual ascent. Today's walk will feel strenuous with the combined effects of the altitude, the glacier crossing and the steep and rocky terrain on the final climb to Tapovan. Here the soaring peak of Shivling (6543 metres) comes into view. The trek begins over rocky boulders and becomes noticeably steep gradually over the rocky terrain. The glacier is covered by moraine so you do not need any technical equipment, although a steadying trekking pole is definitely handy. Take the last step up the steep rocky path to enter the Tapovan meadow and view the spectacular sight all around you. You are surrounded by the giants - Shivling, Meru, Manda, the Bhagirathi group, Kedardome, Kharchakund and many more. Overnight Camp
To aid acclimatisation, we spend a day in the serene surroundings of Tapovan. After a relaxed morning, we go for a short walk to gain some height and then return for a hot lunch at our camp.
We descend to Gangotri glacier and walk up on glacial moraine as we make our way to the meadows of Nandanvan, at the base of the Bhagirathi peaks. Nandanvan is also a magnificent viewpoint of the majestic Shivling peak -the Matterhorn of the Himalayas, Meru, & Kedardome peaks.
We start the day by walking along a gentle stream with views of the Meru and Bhrigupanth. After about an hour and half, we reach a deep gorge eroded by the Vasuki glacier. We descend diagonally into the glacier and then after a short climb we can see the Vasuki tal. A short descent of 10 mins brings us to our base camp, at the foot of the north-west ridge of the Vasuki Parbat, which feeds the lake.
This marks the start of the 'challenging' part of the trek - a first of two, possibly three full days full of walking on boulder fields! From Vasuki Tal, we walk a bit on the side of the glacial moraine before descending down to the confluence of Satopanth glacier and the Chaturangi glacier. With soak in the views of Mt.Satopanth (7075m) on our right and continue in the direction of Chaturangi glacier, walking amidst a large moraine filled with rocks and boulders of various sizes with a lot of ups and downs based on the terrain of the glacier. The progress is slow considering the terrain and we only gain 350m in elevation this day to arrive at a campsite below a massive boulder that stands out, hence the name Khara Pathar.
This is among the hardest, due to the sheer complexity of terrain - big boulders, glacial ice and unstable rocks over the glacier. As we make progress from Kharapathar, we reach a point where three massive glaciers are merging - a complicated terrain to gauge the route as the colours and contours of all glaciers look alike while you are in the middle of it, with only views of Chandra Parbat acting as a beacon. We have to arrive in the centre of the confluence and then go in the middle - on to the Sweta glacier - where we camp amongst rocks and boulders on a windy spot.
Today is another demanding traverse across moraine ridges, hard snowfields, and crevassed glacier sections beneath the towering icefalls of Avalanche Peak. We get first close views of Kalindi Khal pass by evening as camp is established directly below the pass in a dramatic high-altitude amphitheatre.
The expedition’s defining day involves a steep roped ascent to Kalindi Khal followed by a long glacier descent through crevasse fields. The immense glaciated expanse around the pass before descent toward the remote Arwa Valley is a sight to behold and is one of the highlights of the trek. You have expansive views of Himalayan giants like Saraswati, Arwa Tower, Kamet, Abi Gamin, Mana from the top of the pass. We soak in the views to our heart's content and then start the descent - long and hard one (nearly 1000m) that culminates in a picturesque campsite of Raj Parav.
We continue our descent through vast glacial valleys and braided river plains where the barren ice world slowly gives way to alpine grasslands and the upper Saraswati basin.
After all the hard yards are completed over the last 10-days, we enjoy the gentle final descent beside the vivid blue Saraswati River which leads to the military outpost of Ghastoli, marking the end of the wild traverse. We board our vehicles there and drive to Badrinath for the night. Overnight hotel
After an easy morning washing up and enjoying the comforts of civilisation, we drive along the Alakananda river to our Hotel Rudraprayag.
We start from our Hotels and drive to Dehradun Airport, in time to catch your flight back home. Trip ends!

Price Per Person

210000 / 2850  

DEHRADUN TO DEHRADUUN , TWIN SHARING

Payment Schedule

50000 / $1000 - Booking Amount

Balance 60 days prior to the departure

PRICE 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). 
PRICE EXCLUDES
  • - Sleeping Bag & Items of personal clothing
  • - Any personal technical gear (crampons, gaiters etc - which are also available on rent)
  • - Air Fares, Visas, Insurance, Airport taxes, laundry, 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.
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 - 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.

Gangotri Temple, the start point of the Trek. Photo Credits - Jasmine Star Surya Kund Waterfall, where Bhagirathi rivers flows down from Gangotri town. Photo Credits - Jasmine Star Initial bit of the trail towards Gaumukh, the source of the Ganga. Photo Credits - Jasmine Star Gaumukh, the point where Ganga originates, with Bhagirathi Peak in the background. Photo - Jasmine Star Bhagirathi Peaks and the valley. Photo Credits - Jasmine Star The stunning Shivling peak as seen from Nandanvan Campsite. Photo Credits - Jasmine Star Vasuki Parbat, reflecting on Vasuki Tal. Photo Credits - Jasmine Star Glacial pools on the Chaturangi (four coloured) glacial moraine. Photo Credits - Jasmine Star More boulders and rocks on what seems like never ending moraine. Photo Credits - Jasmine Star Photo Credits - Jasmine Star Photo Credits - Jasmine Star High camp before the pass. Photo Credits - Jasmine Star Moonlit night at camp. Photo Credits - Jasmine Star Stunning views from the Top of Kalindi Khal. Photo Credits - Jasmine Star A sense of scale of the peaks that surround us from the top of Kalindi Khal. Photo Credits - Jasmine Star Photo Credits - Jasmine Star Getting back into lower altitudes. Photo Credits - Jasmine Star Back amidst the greenery. Photo Credits - Jasmine Star We finish the trek at Badrinath, one of the holiest shrines in India. Photo Credits - Jasmine Star

Dates in blue indicate departures guaranteed to go.

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