Roopkund - Kuari Pass - Pangarchula Trek

Early morning, board your vehicle to get you to Lohajung Its a long journey and reaching Lohajung early will help

Today after breakfast, we have a small briefing on the trek and most importantly the team introduction. After we wrap up formalities quicly, we get ready for the trek. Our loads are packed and there we are, ready to hit the trail.

Our trail for the day is easier as compared to the entire trek and soon we get lost in the beauty of it. We trek through the forest following the Neel Ganga. The trail is initially easy which then starts to climb up steadily.  As the trek continues, we get set into it and start negotiating the climb to Ali Bugiyal. After a good climb, we reach our destination for the day.

Didina is a beautiful campsite and we spend rest of the time exploring the place. 

As we start the day, to leave our campsite at Didina behind and begin with an easy trek up to Tolapani. Tolapani is a cluster of some 6/7 huts of shepherds. It makes the place very picturesque and we spend some time here.

After Tolapani, we now start to negotiate switch-backs through the forest for about 2 hour which brings us to one of the best Himalayan meadows - Ali Bugyal. Its a lovely meadow amidst the forest and takes our heart instantly.

Our morning is delightful today with views of great number of Himalayan peaks like Trishul, Nandaghungti. Chaukhamba and Nilkantha. The sight definitely energizes us all as we prepare to start the trek for the day. We can see our route through the mountains as we are above tree line now. The trail is a easy walk and soon reach Ghora Lotani.

From Ghora Lotani, Patharnachauni is a gradual ascend. It is marked by the green trekker's hut built by the Forest Department for trekkers to rest for the night.

From Patharnachauni, our climb becomes tougher as we now start negotiating the switch backs to ascend Kullu Vinayak. Its a 2 hour steep climb. This stretch tests our mental stamina and physical health too. The Kalu Vinayaka top is marked by a small temple of lord Ganesha.

Baghua Basa is an easy walk from Kalu Vinayak top. The trail gently climbs down and take a slow left turn to reach the campsite of Baghua Basa, which too has green Trekker's hut.

Enjoy the beauty around !!

Today is a special day for us. We begin our climb to Roopkund which takes us around 3 hours. The trail climbs up steadily and the last stretch is a good steep climb for an hour. We will find many trekkers walking on this trail and once we reach, we spend some time resting and enjoying the place

We are to cross the Junargali and hence do not have much time to kill. Much difficult task is still to be completed and we get ready for it and that's climbing the Junairagali Pass. We are up against a very steep wall of hard snow and is difficult to climb without support of ice axe. The fall is exposed and a slip can be fatal. Hence rope is necessary. Anti slip traction crampons can help if there is too much hard snow. Its takes about an hour to climb to the top.

From the top, the view is phenomenal. The vast stretch of Sheela Samudra - the glacier coming down from Trishul is visible. The Peaks of Trishul and Nanda Ghungti stands right in front. Also seen is Ronti Saddle in between Nandaghungti and Trishul.

Its been a tiring but rewarding day. We now safely bring ourselves down, to the safety of our campsite at Baghuabasa. 

Today we retrace our track and bring ourselves to one of the most beautiful campsite in the Himalayas - Bedni Bugyal. Relax for the rest of the day enjoying great views

To we end our trek by descending down to Wan, a small village near to Lohajung. From Wan, we drive back to Lohajung.

Cross Kukina Khal to reach the village of Kanol. After lunch, proceed further to Sitel

Trek to Ghunni from Sitel

The day is long but the super Himalayan views for which we have come here, makes our day. We have steep climbs to negotiate today to climb to the top of Chechni Vinayak Khal ( 2700m). Gorgeous views of the peaks, namely Banderpoonch, Neelkanth, Chaukhamba, Nandaghungti, etc open up for you. You can also get a first glimpse of Kuari pass.

Spending some good time on top of the pass helps. We then start with our descend which winds down to the opening of Sem Kharak, crossing which we reach the village of Jhinjhi, our destination for the day. 

We start with a descend to the river Birahi Ganga, and come across a lovely the suspension bridge amidst the forest. After taking few pictures, we cross it to go to the other side of the river. From here, we climb gradually to the village of Pana. We camp after crossing the settlement of Pana. The day was beautiful, so is the campsite !!

Today is comparably a little difficult day and gives us the feel of a good trek. As we start the day, we descend gradually to Sartoli, a summer grazing ground. From here, we descend down to Domabhitti, cross the bridge and then start climbing the switch backs to Dhakwani.

About 3 hours of climb brings us above tree line to the beautiful campsite of Dhakwani.

Moderately steeper climb awaits us to gift us the grand views of the mighty and coveted Himalayan peaks. Kuari pass top offers beautiful views of peaks ranging from Chaukhamba in the left belonging to the Gangotri area to Nandaghungti of Kumaun. We spend some good time here soaking in the view.

From here we move on to camp at Pangarchula Summit Camp

We have climbed higher on this trek before while climbing to Roopkund an Junargali. However, climbing a peak has its own charm. This region is has a unique gift i.e. a grand panorama of peaks of Garhwal right from Chaukhamba, Kamet, Neelkanth, to Trishul.

We start before dawn to reach the summit just at the right time to witness the most beautiful views of the Himalayas. Your headlamps come to great use here. 

From Khullara, we take left to reach a beautiful lake of Tali. Take some break here as this site offers the view of the magnificent Nanda Devi and Dunagiri together. You might catch their reflection on the beautiful lake amidst the forest.

A gentle climb from here takes us to one of the best meadows of the Himalayas - The Gorsons. Enjoy an all round view from this campsite throughout the day. Don't forget to capture the golden peaks, specially Nandadevi from here.

Half a day with tired body was injustice to the Gorsons. So we have a half more day now to explore and enjoy the beautiful meadow. Its unending humps with a fusion of trees and rocks below,and all round views of mighty coveted peaks make it very desirous campsite. 

We leave post lunch to reach Auli and then to Joshimath by evening. That's how we bring an end of this beautiful trek.

We start early to reach Rishikesh by evening, in order to leave for Delhi by time.