Trekking involves walking uphill and
sometimes steeply downhill, 6-7 hours daily with 10kgs on your back. The
period of the trek can vary from 1 day to 30 days, depending on the
masochistic tendencies of the people involved.
Himalayas are spectacularly beautiful and can quickly stun the senses into
submission. So trekking amidst the Himalayas is completely mind blowing.
Uttaranchal Himalayas encompasses the major part of Indian Himalayas.
Uttaranchal (Garhwal & Kumaon ), harbouring many snow covered peaks
above 6,500 meters, is an excellent destination for trekkers. Remained
underdeveloped for a long time the area is still in its primitive form and
has vast areas of pure wilderness, holding different cultures offering a
chance to have a close encounter with outstanding views of greater Himalayan
range, alpine meadows, rare high altitude flora & fauna, etc. Trekking
in the different valleys of pure wilderness in Uttaranchal offers one to get
an insight into the lifestyle of the mountain people, their settlement
patterns, customs & costumes and much more.
Major Sites for Trekking
Trekking in Garhwal
Panch Kedar Trek
Panch Kedars are the five distinct forms of the Lord Shivas, and are known
as Kedarnath (3584 m); Madmaheshwar (3289 m); Tungnath (3810 m);
Rudranath
(2134 m). The treks from each temple is fascinating. The valley full of rich
flora & fauna and hospitable people is very exciting for the trekkers.
Kedarnath - Vasuki Tal Trek
The trek starts from Gaurikund, 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 continuous 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.
Dodi Tal
Situated at an altitude of 3024 m from sea level, north of Uttarkashi and
surrounded by dense woods of oak, pine, deodar and rhododendrons. The
amazing lake is full of rare fishes and the Himalayan Golden Trouts. The
trek to Dodi Tal commence from Utarkashi to Kalyani and is accessible 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 through dense
forests.
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 trek starts from
Mala, after crossing the river Bhagirathi. The trek is on equal 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
wildlife. From Budha Kedar to Panwali, it is an uphill climb through
terraced fields and scenic villages. The marvellous view of the Garhwal
Himalaya is very refreshing. 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 is a combination of mountain climbing, rock climbing,
boulder-hopping and glacier traversing. 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 Shivalinga, 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.
Trekking in Kumaon
Pithoragarh,
in the state of Uttaranchal, borders Nepal in the east and Tibet in the
north, and is often called 'miniature Kashmir'. Known for the abundant
natural beauty and many fine temple that are important pilgrimage points,
Pithoragarh is the base for many exciting treks eg. Pithorgarh-Parwati Lake
-Chota Kailash-Sinla Pass Trek.
There are many interesting trekking routes along the Gori valley in the
district of Pithoragarh. The trekking routes of Munsyari-Martoli-Milam-Ralam
glacier is just fascinating. During treks in the kali, Kuti and Dhauli
eastern valley regions, one not only walks along a large portion of the
Kailash-Mansarover route, but also gets an insight into the social and
cultural life of the local people living in the Chaudans, Byans and Darma
valleys.
Bageshwar - Sunderdhunga - Pindari - Kafni Glacier Trek
At the confluence of the rivers Gomti and Saryu 36 kms from Kausani, lies
this religious town of Bageshwar. A major pilgrimage centre of the Kumaon
Himalayas. Bageshwar is dotted by temples and places of worship and is often
equated, by pilgrims, with Varanasi for its divinity. From Bageshwar to Song
is a 40 kms motorable road and from Song and there is a trek of 14 kms to
Dhakuri, 8 km trek to Khati and 7 km trek to Jatoli from where the route
turns to Sunderdhunga Pindari and Kafni.
