Kalindi Khal Trek is one of the most demanding treks among all the other trails people walk on. Situated in Uttarakhand, this pass stands at a height of 5940 m above sea level. This pass connects Gangotri and Badrinath in the Garhwal Himalayas. One wonders why is this trek so difficult. The terrain is one of the main reasons. It is abode to many rocky screens, crevassed snowfields, and rough glaciers. Despite its difficulty level, beginners too can enjoy this trek as long as they prepare well in advance. This trek is so famous due to its mesmerising views from the start to the summit. The beautiful glaciers, the amazing sight of Mt Shivling, Bhagirathi peaks, the origin of River Ganga, Tapovan stream, and the mysterious and remote area of Vasuki Tal.
Brief Itinerary Of Kalindi Khal Trek
Here is a day to day itinerary for your Kalindi Khal Trek:
Image Credit: Dhwani Shree for Wikimedia Commons
Day 1—It includes a drive from Rishikesh to Uttarkashi, also famously known as Northern Kasi. Uttarkashi is located on the right bank of the River Bhagirathi and is popular for the temples there for Goddess Annapurna Devi, Goddess Kali, Bhairon, Datatryea, etc.
Day 2 – On the second day, you drive to Gangotri from Uttarkashi. Gangotri is one of the four major pilgrimages in Uttarakhand, attracting devotees and tourists from the country.
Day 3 – After breakfast, you embark on your trek to Cheerbasa, the first campsite in your journey.
Day 4- starts with a small ascent on the main trail to Gomukh. It is a 9 km walk, which takes about 4-5 hours. Bhojbabsa is the next stop in your trek. It has a small temple that is peaceful and calm.
Day 5—The next day, you leave Gomukh, but the trail requires strength and patience from the hikers. After a steep climb, you reach Tapovan, where Shivling Peak, Meru, and Kedar Dome rise.
Day 6 – Day 6 is just for the acclimatisation of the body.
Day 7 – After a day of acclimatisation, you descend to the Gangotri and Chaturangi glaciers. This trek includes various strenuous but fun and thrill-seeking activities like boulder hopping, mountain climbing, glacier traversing, etc
Day 8 – The next day is trekking to the Vasuki Tal glacial lake in the Chaturangi Bhamak, a neighbour to the Bhagirathi Bhamak. Here, you spend the night in tents.
Day 9 – Acclimatization
Day 10—The tenth day is a long day. You trek 6 hours to reach Khara Pathar, where you get to see the serene and only one of the two 7,000 m high mountains, Satapanth. You spend the night at this amazing location.
Day 11 – You trek for about 20 km to Sweta Glacier; however, you do not spend the night there as the terrain is unsuitable for camping.
Day 12—After acclimatizing for the first half of the day, you are ready to cross the Sweta Glacier. You reach Chatrungi glacier, which also means “four colors.”
Day 13 – You cannot possibly climb the peak of Kalindi Khal as it requires years of experience and prior permission from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation. However, once you reach the pass you are gifted with a spectacular view of Mt Kamet, Mana Parbat, Abi Gamin, and Mt Mana.
Day 14 – On this day you leave Raj Pravan and follow the Arwa stream to reach Ghastoli. During this entire trek, you see a change in the terrain. Slowly, the grey glaciers disappear, and in their place stands big grass grounds of Ghastoli.
Day 15 – You walk alongside the River Saraswati To Mana from where you can hitchhike in one of the army trucks who will drop you to Mana. After touring Badrinath, you finally take a ride to Joshimath to spend the night.
Day 16 – On your last day, you drive to Rishikesh. Day 15 can also be the last and final day of your trek if you wish to spend more time in Badrinath.
Must Read: Char Dham Yatra In Uttarakhand
Tips On Packing
Image Credit: Rajesh S Balouria for Pexels
Whether this is your first time trekking or not, every trekker has the question, “What to carry?”. You need not worry because we have curated a list to remember everything and anything you need to carry. This list goes everything you need from top to bottom!
- Head Lamps – These are required if you are camping at night or trekking at night. They are very helpful and very important.
- Hats – The hats protect you from the cold winds at night and the hot Sun in the mornings. A better option would be carrying jackets that also have a hood attached to it, just in case you need to double cover.
- Sunglasses – Trekking requires a specific type of sunglasses that protect you from UV rays and fit your face perfectly so that you can completely focus on the trek and enjoy the view rather than adjusting your sunglasses now and then.
- Balaclava – These protect your mouth and neck from really cold weather and keep you warm.
- Long sleeve T-shirts – The long sleeves are a must as they protect your skin from the UV rays of the hot Sun. Carry at least 4 to 5 so that you have more in case of an emergency.
- Trekking Jacket – A three-layer jacket is ideal for your trip.
- Thermals – They are lightweight and feel good when you wear them but at the same time they keep you warm.
- Gloves – One pair of gloves is sufficient to keep your hands warm.
- Comfortable lower – These include shorts, leggings, and pants. Shorts if the day is warm, leggings can be worn in the morning or evening, according to your comfort, and pants so that you can trek without feeling any discomfort.
- Footwear – You must carry two types of footwear, one being your trekking shoes that are waterproof and have ankle support, the other being comfortable slippers to wear in the evenings to give your feet some rest after walking the entire day.
- Backpack – backpacks and daypacks are extremely important anytime you go on a trek. A lightweight backpack has a good hip and shoulder grip and accessible pockets is a must.
Further Read: Places To Visit In Gangotri
After learning all the important details about this exhilarating trek to the Himalayan Mountains in Uttarakhand. Enjoy your time trekking through dense forests, glaciers, and snow-covered mountains. Now that you have all the details about the trek, it is time for you to book a trek on your trip to Uttarakhand. Embark on this adventure and experience sweet victory as you finish this difficult trek in the Great Himalayas.
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Cover Image Credit: DipankarSen68 for Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Kalindi Khal Trek
Where is the nearest airport to Kalindi Khal Trek?
The Jolly Grant Airport is in Dehradun, about 25 km away and it is the nearest airport to this place. If you plan to come by flight then arriving a day before your trek is advised.
Are there any compulsory documents that you should carry?
Yes, you must carry your identification cards/documents.
Are there any criteria to fulfill before you go on this trek?
Can you reach by train?
Yes, you can. There are two trains from Delhi to Dehradun - Nandadevi Express and Dehradun Express.
How many days does it take to finish the trek?
The trek to Kalindi Khal Trek usually takes up to 12 to 15 days to finish
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