Kalindi Khal Trek
Here is a trek that takes you half way round Garhwal from the Bhagirathi Valley to the Alaknanda Valley.
Uttarakhand
Advanced
Difficulty Level
18 days
Duration
5,950 m
Highest Altitude
8
Group Size
220,000
Price (excl GST)
64.9
kgCO2e/person
A trek that gives a thrill to even the most seasoned of trekkers.
Here is a trek that takes you half way round Garhwal from the Bhagirathi Valley to the Alaknanda Valley. A trek that gives a thrill to even the most seasoned of trekkers. The trek starts from Gangotri and takes you through the Gangotri Glacier to Nandanvan, the base of the Bhagirathi peaks, a place that offers an unparallel view of the Shivling peak. The trail moves along the Chaturangi Glacier to Vasukital. With towering peaks all around the lake, its surface shimmers like a pearl and is the source of the Vasuki Ganga that drains into the Mandakini. As we proceed to cross the Kalindikhal pass we experience many majestic setting of snow peaks in Garhwal Himalayas Mt. Kamet, Mt. Satopant, Vasuki Parbat and many others. After crossing Kalindikhal, the trail then descends to Arwatal and to Mana the last village on the Chinese frontier. The trek fittingly ends at Badrinath with a visit to the holy temple.
Please Note: This trek is not for beginners
Itinerary
1 Arrival in Dehradun; drive to Uttarkashi (1150m/3773 ft.; 183 km; 6 hrs) Arrival at Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun around noon. Drive to Uttarkashi. Overnight stay at hotel in Uttarkashi.
2Uttarkashi – Gangotri (3050m/10,007 ft., 99 km; 3-4 hrs) Post breakfast we start for Gangotri.Enroute we visit beautiful village of Harsil, which is famous for old wooden houses, it is “Butia” village where people from Tibet have settled few centuries back. After having lunch in Harsil we would drive further to Gangotri to reach in the late afternoon. In the evening we would go for easy walk along the Bhagirathi river. Overnight stay at guesthouse in Gangotri.
3Trek Starts: Gangotri - Chidbasa (3550m/11,648 ft; 9 km; 4 hrs) After taking the blessings at Gangotri temple, we start our trek for Chidbasa. A leisurely walk of 9 km gets us to our first tented camp by the waters of Bhagirathi, amongst trees of birch, at Chidbasa. Dinner and overnight stay in camp at Chidbasa.
4Chidbasa – Bhojbhasa (3750m/12,304 ft; 5 km; 2½-3 hrs) We proceed to Bhojbhasa. As we walk we can see the group of Bhagirathi peaks and get a first glimpse of Shivling. We may also meet some pilgrims visiting Gaumukh or Tapovan – it could be interesting experience to interact with them. Lunch , Dinner and overnight stay in camp at Bhojbhasa.
5 Bhojbasa – Tapovan (4680m/15,355 ft; 5 hrs) We start our trek to Tapovan. After walking for 4 km we reach Gaumukh (4040m/13,255 ft) the glacier snout . The river Bhagirathi starts from this point. We climb to the Gangotri glacier and come to the alpine meadow of Tapovan. A short easy walk of 20 min will take us to the beautiful campsite of Tapovan. Dinner and overnight stay in camp at Tapovan.
6Tapovan – Rest Day Today we explore the meadows at Tapovan. We do an hours climb to the ridge top to get some excellent views of group of Meru peaks and its glacier. We will also see the wide vast Gangotri glacier with group of Bhagirathi peaks across the glacier. Dinner and overnight stay in camp at Tapovan.
7Tapovan - Nandavan (4400m/14,436 ft; 5-6 hrs) After breakfast we start our trek to Nandanvan. We will walk to the edge of Tapovan meadow and descend to the Gangotri glacier. We then cross the entire glacier from true left to right before climbing to the alpine meadow of Nandanvan at the base of the Bhagirathi peaks. Dinner and overnight stay in camp at Nandanvan.
8Nandanvan - Rest day We explore the meadow of Nandanvan. We go on the plateau further along the Gangotri glacier to get the views of peaks inside the Ga
9Nandanvan - Vasukital (4900m/16,077 ft; 7 km; 3-4 hrs) Today we trek along the Chaturangi Glacier. It is easy gentle trail along the edge of Chaturangi glacier. We can see various shades of colors in the glacier marked with few glacier pools with emerald water. At the end we get down to the side glacier coming from Bhagirathi peaks. We cross the glacier and climb around 70-80 meters through a narrow difficult section on the trail before coming to the beautiful lake of Vasukital below Vasuki Parbat. Dinner and overnight stay in camp at Vasukital.
10Vasukital - Khada Pathar (5200m/17,061 ft; 6 km; 4-5 hrs) After breakfast we continue to trek along the Chaturangi glacier, after crossing two more side glaciers we reach the campsite of Khada Pathar. While crossing the side glacier we get a fabulous view of Satopant. The Khada Pathar camp get its name as a big rock (pathar) can be identified from a distance which stands near the campsite. Dinner and overnight stay in camp at Khada Pathar.
11Khada Pathar - Sweta Glacier (5400m/17,717 ft; 4 km; 5-6 hrs) From Khada Pathar camp we start the day by getting down into the glacier. After walking for 5-6 hours on the glacier we camp on the glacier, the glacier further get divided in a two parts like a “Y”, we would camp at this junction. Dinner and overnight stay in camp at Sweta Glacier.
12Sweta Glacier - Base of Kalindi Khal (5700m/18,702 ft.) This day we continue to walk on the left arm of the glacier to reach the Kalindi Base camp. On a clear weather we can see our goal for the next day the “Kalindi Khal”. The next day will be a big day. We start early morning, so we organize prepare ourselves for next day. With a early dinner and fingers crossed we go to the tents praying for great weather for the next day. Dinner and overnight stay in camp at Base of Kalindi Khal.
13Base of Kalindi Khal – Kalindi Khal (5950m/19,522 ft.) - Rajparav (4910m/16,104 ft; 12 km; 9-10 hrs) After an early breakfast around 5:30 am, we start our trek a slow and steady climb would get us to Kalindi Khal, we can get a vista of mountains from the pass, the prominent would be Kamet, Abi Gamin, Mukut and Mana. We start our long descend to arrive at Rajparav camp. Dinner and overnight stay in camp at Rajparav.
14Rajparav - Arwatal (4700m/15,421 ft; 13 km; 6-7 hrs) Today after a successful crossing of the Kalindi Khal, we are at relatively lower altitude. The trail continues to descend gradually along the river. We cross a side river and a small glacier before coming to the Arwatal. Dinner and overnight stay in camp at Arwatal.
15Arwatal - Ghastoli (4000m/13,124 ft; 16 km; 6-7 hrs) From Arwatal the trail is much better and the moraine and glacier are behind us. As we approach the campsite of Ghastoli the landscape is greener and the walks are easier. Dinner and overnight stay in camp at Ghastoli.
16Ghastoli – Mana (3300m/10,827 ft; 15 km; 6-7 hrs); Drive to Badrinath (4.5 km; ½ hr) If we are lucky we would get a army truck to take us down to Badrinath else we have walk down to Mana. Overnight stay in a hotel.
17Badrinath – Rudraprayag (157 km; 5-6 hrs) After taking a Darshan at Badrinath temple we drive to Rudraprayag via Joshimath. Overnight stay hotel.
18Rudraprayag – Dehradun/Haridwar(153 km; 5-6 hrs); Final Departure After breakfast drive to Dehradun airport to take a flight back home.
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What’s Included
Uttarkashi, Badrinath and Rudraprayag: In a hotel on twin sharing basis.
Gangotri: In a guesthouse on twin sharing basis.
All meals included. Breakfast and Dinner will be in hotels and lunch local restaurants.
Travel arrangements in SUV/ MUV
Fully organized camping trek, small camping tents, dinning tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent, kitchen staff, 1 main guide, 2 assistant guide, required porters, medical kit. Sleeping bags on request.
One experienced tour leader from Banjara Experiences with Comprehensive medical kit.
Oxygen cylinder.
What’s Not Included
Goods & Service Tax as applicable.
Travel to & from Dehradun.
Any expenses of personal nature such as mineral water, laundry, etc.
Any kind of insurance, such as accident, theft, medical, evacuation, etc.
Tips to porters, camping team, driver, guide, etc.
Any extra costs incurred due to extension / change of the itinerary because of natural calamities, flight delays, road blocks, vehicle breakdown etc. factors beyond the control of “Countryside Adventure Holidays Pvt. Ltd.” and its associates.
Items not specified in the Inclusions
Is this for me?
The Kalindi Khal trek offers an exhilarating adventure for seasoned trekkers and mountaineers seeking a thrilling challenge in the breathtaking landscapes of the Indian Himalayas. With its high-altitude passes, majestic glaciers, and awe-inspiring vistas, this trek provides a truly unforgettable experience for those with a passion for exploration and a thirst for adventure. For experienced adventurers who are physically fit and well-prepared, conquering the Kalindi Khal trek promises to be a rewarding journey filled with unforgettable memories and a sense of accomplishment.
