Uttarakhand has two very different kinds of trekking, and we run both. On the Uttarkashi side, from our base at Sankri and the Gangotri valley, there are forest valleys, high lakes, and passes that cross into Yamunotri or Himachal. On the Joshimath side, from Auli, there are meadows with Nanda Devi in view, and beyond them some of the most serious glacier crossings in India. The seasons are spring and early summer (April to June) and autumn (the last week of September to the end of October). We don't trek through the monsoon.
Here is how to find your way around them.
The Uttarkashi side: Sankri and the Tons valley
Sankri is one of our bases. From here, trails follow the Supin river into one of the loveliest valley systems in Garhwal.
Har Ki Dun (7 days from Sankri and back, Moderate; the valley is around 3,600 m, with a higher excursion in the standard plan). It walks through Taluka and the old villages to Har Ki Dun, with a day for Maninda Tal and the Jaundhar Glacier, and returns past the Someshwar temple at Osla. It's a beautiful first Himalayan trek.
Har Ki Dun and Ruinsara Tal (9 days, Moderate). It adds the lake at Ruinsara Tal (3,350 m) and the meadows of Devsu Bugyal. If you have the days, it's the better version.
Bali Pass (up to 4,850 m, Strenuous). It goes from the Supin valley past Ruinsara Tal and Odari to a high camp, then over Bali Pass and down to Lower Dhamni, walking out to the roadhead at Janki Chatti on the Yamunotri side. It is a real pass crossing, with a practice session on snow on the way and a reserve day.
Borasu Pass (10 days, up to 5,450 m, Strenuous). It goes beyond Har Ki Dun and Maninda Tal, over Borasu Pass into Himachal, reaching Chitkul in the Baspa valley on foot, then continuing by road to Shimla.
Kalanag Base Camp (11 days, up to 4,800 m, Moderate+). It goes past Ruinsara to the base of Kalanag, the Black Peak, and the Bandarpoonch Glacier. For climbers, the Kalanag expedition goes to 6,387 m.
Dayara Bugyal (7 days, Easy). It's a gentle walk to one of Garhwal's great high meadows, facing Bandarpoonch and Kalanag. It's good for families and first-timers.
From Gangotri: Gangotri, Tapovan and Vasuki Tal (11 days, up to 4,810 m) walks up to Gaumukh, the source of the Ganga, then on to Tapovan, across the glacier to Nandanvan, and up to Vasuki Tal. Kedar Tal (8 days, up to 4,920 m) climbs to a glacial lake beneath Thalay Sagar.
The Joshimath side: Auli and the Kuari Pass
Our regular Kuari Pass and Pangarchula plans use Auli as their base, not Joshimath: it is quieter, higher and away from the pilgrimage traffic, and the first night there helps with acclimatisation. Lord Curzon's longer trail approaches from Ghunni and walks out to Auli.
Kuari Pass (from Auli and back, up to 3,900 m, Moderate). It goes through oak and rhododendron forest and the meadows of Gorson Bugyal and Tali to Kuari Pass, facing Nanda Devi and a long line of Garhwal peaks. It makes a fine first high trek.
Lord Curzon's Trail (8 days, up to 3,900 m, Moderate). This is the longer, older approach from the Ghat side, through Ghunni, Jhinjhi, Pana and Dakhwani, over Kuari Pass and out to Auli.
Pangarchula (7 days from Auli, 4,575 m, Moderate+). This is Kuari Pass plus a summit. It is good from October to June outside the monsoon, and best in winter and spring, from January to April, when snow covers the boulders. Once the snow goes, the boulder route is harder, but it can still be climbed by a fit team with the right support. It's a fine first summit.
Dharansi Pass (8 days, up to 4,372 m, Moderate+). It goes from Lata to Lata Kharak, over Dharansi Pass and down to Dibrugheta, on the edge of the Nanda Devi sanctuary.
Around Mana and Badrinath: Satopanth Tal (8 days) climbs to a sacred glacial lake beneath Chaukhamba. Bhyundar Khal (11 days, Strenuous) follows Frank Smythe's old route beyond Hemkund over a high col.
The difficult crossings
These are among the most serious treks in the Indian Himalayas. They are long, high and glaciated, with crevasses and rope work, and they are for experienced trekkers only.
Kalindi Khal (18 days including a flexible reserve day, about 5,950 m, Challenging+). It goes from Gangotri to Tapovan, Nandanvan and Vasuki Tal, up the Sweta Glacier and over Kalindi Khal, then down to Arwa Tal, Mana and Badrinath. It links the source of the Ganga to Badrinath across the ice.
Auden's Col (about 5,500 m, Challenging+). It goes from Gangotri up the Rudugaira valley, over Auden's Col and down the crevassed Khatling Glacier to the Bhilangna valley.
Gangotri Three Passes (19 days, Challenging+). The 19-day itinerary crosses Patangani Dhar, Auden's Col and Mayali Pass, passes through Kedarnath and walks out to Gaurikund.
Mandani Valley 3-Col Traverse (15 days, Strenuous). It crosses three cols from the Mandani valley to Kedarnath, with rope work.
Who are they for? People who have done several high treks, ideally including a pass above 5,000 m, who are comfortable on moraine and snow for many days, and who accept that weather can stop a crossing. Our guide ratios are 1:2 on every Challenging and Challenging+ trek and every summit above 6,000 m, in every comfort setting; otherwise 1:6 Lean, 1:4 Standard, 1:3 Premium. The itinerary includes a flexible reserve day on the major glacier crossings such as Kalindi Khal and Auden's Col. A doctor-signed medical certificate is required before arrival for Challenging and Challenging+ treks and for everything above 5,000 m.
When to go
- April: sometimes, as a challenge, with plenty of snow up high.
- May and June: the main spring season. Snow lies on the passes early, then clears.
- July to mid-September: monsoon. We don't trek.
- Last week of September to the end of October: autumn. Open moraine, more stable weather and clearer skies.
- Pangarchula is the exception, running from October to June outside the monsoon and best from January to April.
Both seasons work. Spring and early summer bring snow cover, while autumn brings clearer views and drier ground.
Which suits you?
| If you want… | Choose |
|---|
| A first Himalayan trek | Har Ki Dun, Dayara Bugyal or Kuari Pass |
| A first summit | Pangarchula |
| A real pass crossing | Bali Pass or Borasu Pass |
| High lakes and glaciers | Ruinsara Tal, Kedar Tal or Vasuki Tal |
| The edge of Nanda Devi | Dharansi Pass |
| The most serious crossings | Kalindi Khal, Auden's Col or Gangotri Three Passes |
| A 6,000 m-plus climb | Kalanag |
Every trek runs as a private trip in Lean, Standard or Premium. We arrange the permits, and your quote confirms the pickup and onward drop for your itinerary.
In short
- Two sides: Sankri and Gangotri (Uttarkashi), and Auli (Joshimath).
- Seasons: April to June and late September to October; no monsoon treks.
- First treks: Har Ki Dun, Dayara Bugyal, Kuari Pass. First summit: Pangarchula.
- The hard crossings (Kalindi Khal, Auden's Col) are for experienced trekkers only.
- A reserve day on the major glacier crossings, and 1:2 guiding on Challenging and Challenging+ treks.
Tell us your dates and how much trekking you've done, and we'll suggest the right Uttarakhand trek for you.