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Pindari Glacier Trek Overview
Brief Overview Of The Pindari trek
Maximum Altitude: 12,370 feet
Grade: Moderate
Duration: 8 nights / 9 days
Trekking Distance: 82 Km
Trail Type: Adventurous Trail
Rail Head: Kathgodam Railway Station that connects the city to other parts of the country
Airport: Pantnagar Airport located at a distance of 32km and accessible by taxis
Snow Season: Between October and March
Service From: Kathgodam
Base Camp: Dhakuri
Best Season: April, May, June, mid-August to November
Region: Uttaranchal
Who Can Participate: Anyone who loves adventure and nature and is above 10 years old
Pindari Glacier Trek Detailed Itinerary
Transfer from Kathgodam to Loharkhet (210 km / 6 Hours drive)- At the start of your Pindari Glacier Trek, our representative will meet you at Kathgodam Airport or Railway Station and transfer you to your hotel in Loharkhet in a comfortable vehicle. - After six hours of winding through scenic routes and narrow passes, you reach the village and settle in. - Check into your room, take a short nap, and then enjoy the rest of the day as you please. - Discover the beauty and the charm of this peaceful hamlet. - Have your dinner and retire to your cosy room for the night.
Trek from Loharkhet to Dhakuri (11 km, 5 to 6 hours)- Get up early in the morning, have your delicious breakfast and get ready to start your Pindari Kafni Glacier Trek.- You will trek for 11 km from Loharkhet village, passing through lush oak and rhododendron forests and scenic trails and enjoying views of great Himalayan peaks like Maiktoli, Devtoli, and Nandakhat to reach Dhakuri.- With its high, cloud-covered mountains as a backdrop, this picturesque village looks like something out of a fairytale.- Dhakuri serves as the gateway to Pindari; spend the night in a camp amid meadows bordered by forests.
Trek from Dhakuri to Khati (8 km, 4 to 5 hours)- After breakfast in the camp, hike through thick rhododendron forests and witness some of the rarest plants and animals.- Arrive at Khati, a tranquil village situated along the Pindar Ganga River. - Khati is the biggest village in the region with hospitable and friendly residents and carries mythological significance as it is thought that the Pandavas lived here during their exile.- Check-in your hut/tent and spend the rest of the day at leisure.- Retire in your bed for a comfortable night in the village.
Trek from Khati to Dwali (11 km, 5 to 6 hours)- Have your scrumptious breakfast before beginning the 11 km easy and beautiful trek from Khati to Dwali.- Enjoy the trail through an expansive landscape of forests, streams, and lush green meadows.- Experience walking across lovely log bridges and take in the beauty of magnificent waterfalls as you travel towards your next stop Dwali.- Arrive at Dwali campsite and take some time to relax and admire the beautiful views of the Kafni and Pindari valleys.- Enjoy camping and a night stay at Dwali amidst the surrounding sweeping views.
Trek from Dwali to Phurkia (5 km, 3 hours)- After a leisurely breakfast on the fifth day of your Pindari Glacier Trek itinerary, set out for the 5 km trek.- This trail, adorned with snow and ice, will take you past majestic frozen lakes and snow-capped peaks.- It's one of the simplest sections of the trek with a beautiful waterfall just before Phurkia.- Before settling into your camp at Phurkia, located at an altitude of 10,660 feet, take in the scenic landscape and a breathtaking view of Nanda Khat Peak.
Trek from Phurkia – Pindari Glacier – Dwali (17 km, 9 to 11 hours)- Begin early in the morning to reach Zero Point, the home to the Pindari Glacier as early as possible while appreciating stunning views of the Himalayan ranges.- You will be awe-struck to see the beauty at the elevation of 12,370 ft above sea level on the day 6 of your Pindari Glacier Trek package and cherish it for the rest of your life!- A picture-perfect scene with some greenery amidst a white carpet is one to admire and record with your camera.- Start your descent and spend the night in a Dwali camp after spending some time taking in the atmosphere and surroundings.
Trek from Dwali to Dhakuri (19 km Trek, 5 to 6 hours)- Your return trip begins on day 7 of your Pindari Glacier Trek itinerary.- Take the trail back to Dhakuri, which can be completed in 5 to 6 hours and is the same one that you followed to ascend.- As you make your way back to your Dhakuri campsite, stroll past forest lands, meadows, and lakes, cross rivers, and take in the varied landscapes.- Enjoy the memories of your trekking adventures and a resting overnight sleep in your cosy camp.
Trek from Dhakuri to Loharkhet (11 km, 4 to 5 hours)- Get ready to leave Dhakuri campsite after breakfast to get to Loharkhet before lunch on the Day 8 of your Pindari Kafni Glacier Trek.- Check-in your room or tent, have lunch, and then spend the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the community and getting to know the residents.- After returning, enjoy your delectable dinner before retiring to your comfortable bed for the night in Loharkhet.
Return Transfer from Loharkhet to Kathgodam (210 km / 6 Hours drive)- Your Pindari Glacier Trek package ends today with you being dropped off in Kathgodam.- Get up early in the morning, have your hearty breakfast, and leave with wonderful memories of incredible trekking adventures.- Enjoy your scenic return trip to Kathgodam before bidding farewell to the idyllic surroundings and views.- Enjoy your return journey home with blissful remembrances after being dropped off in Kathgodam.
What To Pack For Your Pindari Glacier Trek?
- Trekking Footwear: To give good ankle support and grip at long and incline stretches
- Backpack (40–60 litres): A sturdy backpack with a rain cover, strong straps, and a sturdy frame
- Daypack (20 litres): To offload your backpack
- Trekking Pants: Three trek pants (including one pair of tights to wear under trek pants in case of chilly weather)
- T-shirts: Three lightweight, long-sleeved collared t-shirts to shield your arms and neck from the sun. You can wear 2 t-shirts if it's cold.
- Thermals and Warm clothes: Thermals as it gets chilly at the summit at night as the temperature drops and two sweaters and a padded jacket to keep yourself warm during trekking.
- Sun Hat and Sunglasses: To protect yourself from the harsh UV sun rays
- Balaclavas/Woollen Scarves: To ward against the nighttime chill
- Socks: Two pairs of trekking socks and a pair of woollen socks for the evening
- Synthetic Hand Gloves: Avoid woollen gloves as they may get wet, carry fleece gloves to wear as the inner layer below the synthetic gloves
- Headlamp/LED torch: Mandatory for the trek
- Trekking pole: To navigate the steep sections
- Toiletries: Sunscreen, moisturiser, lip balm, light towel, toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrush, hand sanitiser
- Ziplocks: To take back trash and soiled sanitary napkins with you and discard them properly.
- Cutlery: A spoon, coffee mug, and a lunch box.
- Water bottles: Two 1 litre each
- Plastic covers: To compartmentalise items and store wet clothes
Mandatory Personal Medical Kit- 1-inch medical tape- 6 packs ORS- Analgesic spray (Moov)- Antiseptic Liquid- Antiseptic powder- Band-aids- Cotton roll & Bandage- Crepe Bandage- Knee Cap- Micropore tape- Scissor- Tablets for motion sickness (Avomine), acidity (Omez/Rantadine, Digene), mild pain relief (Combiflam), fever (Crocin), AMS (Diamox), allergies (Avil 25mg), diarrhoea (Norflox TZ & Lomofen), – 4 tablets (allergies)
Mandatory Documents- Original and photocopy of government photo identity card (Aadhar, Voter ID, etc.)- Medical Certificate and Disclaimer (filled by the trekker)- Medical certificate (filled by the doctor)
Know Before You Go To Pindari Glacier Trek
Even though the Pindari Glacier Trek is a moderate hiking route and can be completed by beginners, hikers must be in good physical condition to complete the trek. They must follow certain safety precautions and guidelines to have the most enjoyable Pindari Kafni Glacier Trek, including:
- You will hike up to an altitude of 12370 feet on this trek, so work on your leg and cardiovascular strength beforehand.
- Keep yourself hydrated throughout the trek.
- Wear comfortable trekking shoes as there are some sections that need extra ankle support and grip.
- When the snow melts or it rains, the trail becomes slick; use extra caution during these times.
- Bring extra plastic bags with you so you can take the trash back and dispose of it properly.
- Carry a warm jacket and extra layers to stay prepared for the trek's variable weather.
- Use caution even as you are going down because when descending, a person's entire weight moves forward, increasing the risk of tripping or falling.
- By Air
Pantnagar Airport, located 32 kilometres away, is the closest air connection to Kathgodam. From there, you can take taxis or private cabs to Loharkhet, the starting point of the Pindari Glacier Trek.
- By Train
Kathgodam Railway Station connects the city to other cities in India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, and Moradabad. Taxis can take you to Loharkhet in about 6 hours from here.
- By Road
Booking a Pindari Glacier Trek package, which includes return transportation from Kathgodam, is the best way to get to the trail. Otherwise, you can take a private taxi or cab to Loharkhet and enjoy the spectacular journey.
Loharkhet to Pindari Glacier and back- Loharkhet to Dhakuri, distance: 11 km- Dhakuri to Khati, distance: 8 km- Khati to Dwali, distance: 11 km- Dwali to Phurkia, distance: 5 km- Phurkia to Pindari Glacier and then back to Dwali, distance: 17 km- Dwali to Dhakuri, distance: 19 km Trek- Dhakuri to Loharkhet, distance: 11 km
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FAQs of Pindari Glacier Trek
What is the best time to do Pindari Glacier Trek?
The months of April through June and September through November are ideal for taking the Pindari Glacier Trek due to the most favourable weather conditions. The post-monsoon months of September to November, just before the arrival of winter, offer the best opportunities to experience the lush beauty.
What is the highest altitude of the Pindari glacier Trek?
The Pindari Glacier's breathtakingly beautiful Zero Point is located at a height of 12370 feet above sea level. The Zero point is surrounded by massive, snow-covered Himalayan ranges and is the location from where the Snout of the Pindari Glacier is visible.
How difficult is Pindari Glacier Trek?
The Pindari Kafni Glacier Trek is medium-gradient and challenging but not difficult. Children over the age of ten can complete the trek and it is appropriate for even beginners. The trail is clearly marked, but there are a few sections that call for some physical and cardiovascular stamina.
Is it possible to trek Pindari Glacier solo?
The Pindari Glacier trek is a simple hike that can be completed by anyone with a reasonable level of physical fitness. It's not advisable to do this 82 km trek alone because you will be trekking for around 7 days and need camping and other facilities. You must book a Pindari Glacier Trek package with a dependable tour operator and join them on the expedition.
Where is Pindari Glacier located?
The Pindari Glacier is located in Uttarakhand's Bageshwar district and is only accessible by trekking. It is the source of the Pindari River, which merges with the Alakananda River at Karnaprayag.
Can I do the Pindari Glacier Trek in May?
Yes, you can do the Pindari Glacier Trek in May because the weather will be nice, the sky will be clear, and the environment will be pleasant, making the trek comfortable and memorable. The temperature at night ranges between 7°C and 2°C and varies between 15°C and 20°C during the day.
Treks in Ladakh & Kashmir