Garhwal
Trekking
The Garhwal is one of the frequently visited
areas in the Himalayas. It lies between the Punjab to the West
and the Nepal Himalayas to the East. This is one area in the Himalayas,
which has something to offer to all the mountaineers, the trekkers,
the naturalist and the photographer. As Garhwal houses some of
the holiest of Hindu shrines, it attracts millions of pilgrims
every year from all over the Indian sub-continent. The Garhwal
Himalayas have attracted mountaineers from all over the world,
to attempt and scale the mighty peaks in this region. A Garhwal
trekking tour in this area, combined with visits to the holy temples
of Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath and Yamunotri, will add spiritual
experience of the Himalayas as you watch the stream of people
bathing and lining up in front of the temples to have a view of
holy shrine, and to wash away, the sins of a lifetime
It has divided its treks in two parts viz. Summers
(April to Oct. - trekking upto 4.628 M) and Winters (Nov. to March
- trekking upto 2.500). From time immemorial, the hill folk and
pilgrims trekked across the hills, due to lack of roads and transport,
on this difficult terrain.
Garhwal Himalayas (30029 Sq. Km.), comprising
six districts, it is mostly famous for Adventures sports / holidays
and pilgrimage center , the past of Garhwal Himalayas is exciting
with its on glorious history. The Alaknanda river marks the great
central line of lowest elevation, receiving rivers on either side.
Trekking options in Garhwal Himalayas are unlimited, they are
not bound by any season.
Kedarnath - Vasuki Tal Trek:
The terk stsrts from Gaurikumd,Where one can have a refreshing
bath in the hot water sulphur springs. The trek from Gaurikund
to Rambara winds along the river Mandakini forest and across beautiful
waterfalls. The trek from Kedarnath to Vasuki Tal is a continous
Ascent along a goat track and it offers a panoramic view Of Chaukhamba
peaks. The final trek to Vasuki Tal is Downhill for 1 km. At the
bottom of this, one can see Rectangular slabs of rocks.
Best Season- May - Sept.
Dodi Tal :
Situated at an elevation of 3024 mts., north of Uttarkashi and
surrounded by dense woods of oak, pine, Deodar and rhododendrons.
The crystal clear lake is full of Rare fishes and the Himalayan
Golden Trouts. The trek to Dodi Tal connemnce from Utarkashi to
Kalyani and is Approachable by motor. Kalyani to Agoda is gradual
climb through woods, fields and villages on a mule track the trek
from Agoda to Dodi Tal is steep and thgrough thick forests.
Best Season: The route is open thuorghout the year, though in
winters it is quite cold.
Gangotri Kedarnath
Trek:
This trek is along the old pilgrim route from gangotri to kedarnath.
From Gangotri one has to come down to Mala by motor . The actual
ltrek starts from Mala, after crossing the river Bhagirathi. The
trek is on level upto Sauri-ki-gad and from this point the climb
to Belak is gradual. From Belak to Budha Kedar, to is downhill
through dense forests full of birks and willlife. From Budha Kedar
to Panwali, it is an uphill climb through trreaced fields and
picturesque villages. The enchanting view of the Garhwal Himalaya
is very refreshing and compensates the efforts of rgular ascend
and descend. The 'Bugyals' (alpine meadows ) on this trek are
most beautiful, specially the Kush-Kalyani and the. Panwali bugyals.
Gangotri-Gaumukh-Nandavan-Tapovan
Trek :
This trek combines the experience of mountain climbing, rock climbing,
boulder-hopping and glacier traversing. The trek is not a very
rigoroous one and is easily negotiable by non mountaineers too.
It passes through orchards of coniferous pine trees at chir-basa
and birch at Bhojasa. From Gaumukh to Nandanvan, one traverses
along the Gangotri and Chatturangini glaciers. Pitch a camp at
the junction of chatturangini and Bhagirathi gangotri glaciers.
From Nandanvan, view the Shivling, Bhagirathi, Sudarshana, thelu
peaks and Kedar Dome. Cross the Gangotri glacier and rocky face
before arriving at the lush green meadows of tapovan, surrounded
by many named and unnamed peaks of the Garhwal Himalayas.
Kalindikhal Trek :
for the most adventurous trekkers, with fundamental knowledge
of the mountains, this trek provides a rare experience . The trek
takes on from Nandanvan to Vasuki tal after due acclimatization.
There is a gradual ascent of kms, thereafter, the trek negotiates
Kharapathar at a height of m before camping at Kalindi base (5590m.).
Crossing the Kalindi Pass, one treks down to Arwa glacier and
Arwatal (3980m) to Badrinath via ghastoli with two main rivers
crossing on the way.
Valley of Flowers and
Hemkund Trek :
Surrounded by the river Pushpavati and small streams, at an elevation
ranging between 3000 to 4000 metres, the Valley is nearly l0 kms
in length and 2 kms in width . the trek starts from govindghat(19
kms.), on the way to Badrinath, having two major gradients, one
initially from alaknanda suspension bridge of Govindghat to Pulana
villages for 3 kms and the other from Bhundar to Ghangharia. After
trekking 3 kms from Ghangharia, a bifurcation point is reached.
The routes are well marked here.
Khatling Sahasratal
Masartal Trek :
The Khatlintg glacier is a lateral glacier , at the source of
river Bhilangana. Sahasratal and Masartal are on the west and
east of it. The valley of Bhilangana affords a panoramic view
of snow capped peaks and hanging glaciers, viz. Jogin group, Kirti
stambh and Meru are sublime and magnificent. The whole trek passes
through thick forests and beautiful lush green meadows. In the
rainy season, the meadows burst with splendid flowers. Trekkers
will have to cross scores of small streams on improvised log bridges
on this route.
Har- Ki- Doon Trek
:
At an elevation of 3566m. it is surrounded by glittering peaks
and dense forests. The forests are rich in wildlife and is veritable
paradise ofr birdwatchers and nature lovers. The trek from :Betwar
to Olsa is thgrough dense forests of chestnuts, walnuts, willows
and chinarts. The trek from Osla to Har- Ki- Doon is through terraced
miuntain fields , lush green grassy land and conifer forests.
Best Season : the rainy season is ideal for this ideal for this
trek. more...
Roopkund Trek :
Situated at a height of 5029 mts. in the lap of Trisul Massif.
This area is usually called the 'Mystery Lake' since human skeletons
and remains of horses from the paleolithic age were found here.
The lake is surrounded by rock-strewn glaciers and snow clad peaks.
The starting point of the trek is Tharali, easily approched by
motor from Rishikesh. Roopkund can also can also be reached from
Ghat, connected by a motorable; road with Nandpryag situated on
the main highway to Dadrinath. The route passes through lush green
grassy land and conifer forests clinging onto the slopes of hills.
The trel thereafter ;winds its way along the Pindar river. Then
to round off this trek, one can approach Homekund vea Shail Samudra
glacier and then m ove on to ghat or Nandprayag. For the round
trek, services of a guide are advisable.
Kuari Pass Trek :
The pass (khall) is apprached through a narrow goat track at an
elevation of 4265 mts. in the heart of Chamoli District on the
north eastern part of Garhwal. The glorious view of the imposing
eastern peaks of the Garhwal Himamayas is unforgettably enchanting.
They appear so close with their grand glittering snow caps that
on feels like almost touching them. Of the wether is clear then
the peaks visible from Kuari Pass are Nandan Devi, Duunagiri Bethartoli,
Devathan, etc. the trek- trails are scenic specially aroudn Ramni.
Since Lord Curzon Road.
Rishikesh-Pauri- Binsar
Trek :
The trek starts froms Thalisain via Pauri , an enchanting hill
station presenting a panormic view of the Garhwal Himalaya snowy
peaks, and on a clear day the sunset view is worth seeing from
Kandolia, 5 kms from Riishikesh, and Kotdwar (way to Pauri), from
Thalisain the trek trails t;hrough a very rich forest of deodar,
silver, fir, pice and oak & wildlife. Best Season : Winter
when it is not difficult with its ascents and descents., the trel
is full of life and the trekkers will enjoy the scenic beauty
;throughout.
Mussoorie- Nagtibba
Trek :
At the foot hill of the Garhwal Himalaya rages, north east of
Mussoorie, Nagtibba is at an altitude of 3048 mts. The trek starts
from Dhanaulti on a forest track upto Morina Dhar. This place
is situated on a saddle and at sunrise it is a beautiful sight
to watch the sun peeping from behind the mountains. From Morina
Dhar the trek is o n a ridge, most of the time parallel to the
Garhwal Himalaya ranges from Swaragaronini to Nandandevi. This
part of the trek is very rich is flora and fauna. Only a few villges
come enroute and even those are abandoned during winter months.
From Nagtibba to Nainbagh is a downhill trek to the picturesque
villge of Panthwari, (motorable too ) gay with life and presenting
the culture of Jaunpur.
Kalsi- Lakhamandal Trek
:
A cultural and historical trekl in the Jaunsar -Babar region at
the foothills of the Garhwal Himalaya, between the rivers Yamuna
and the Tons. This trek has great historical importance , for at
Kalsi there is a rock edict of the Ashokan period in Pali script.
At Birat Khoi is a fort, which according to the legendary epic,
Mahabharat, belonged to Maharaja Birat . at Lakhamandal also there
is an ancient palace of the Kauravas. It is now in ruins but is
believed to have been made of lac for the Pandavas.
