10

Difficult Treks in Uttarakhand

Temperature: Day: 8°C to 15°C and Night: -5°C to 3°C

Kedarkantha Trek Distance:  20 km

Maximum Altitude: 12,500 ft

Kedarkantha Trek Difficulty Level: Easy To Moderate 

Railway Station: Dehradun is the nearest railway station 

Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun

Base Camp: Sankri (10 hrs drive from Dehradun)

ATM: Purola has the last ATM point before your trek begins. 

Meals during Kedar Kantha Trek:

Everyday Snacks, breakfast, lunch and dinner (vegetarian) are included in the package

Stay during Kedar Kantha Trek:

Tent or Guesthouse stay on triple/quad sharing basis
Standard tents/Hotels/Guest House with attached washroom in Sankri
Alpine tents in Juda – ka - Talab
Alpine tents in Base of Kedarkantha

There are two different variants available with this package as given below:
Variant 1: Kedarkantha Trek Ex Sankri- Rs. 6000/- per person
Variant 2: Kedarkantha Trek Ex Dehradun- Rs. 8000/- per person

How to reach?

Haridwar has a railway station which is well-connected from all metropolitan cities and nearest airport is Dehradun - Jolly Grant.

Known as the most beautiful trek in the world with the blue Primula, Valley of Flowers Uttarakhand is a must do trek for you. Tucked up at a high altitude this trek is renewed with the Mountaineers and adventure seekers.  Blessed with exotic flowers, faunas and magnificent views this Valley of Flowers trek will take you to the world of snow clad mountains and high cliffs. High in the grand Himalayas of the Garhwal district sprawls this captivating valley. The best time to do the Valley of Flowers trek is during the month of mid-July to mid-August.  

For this Valley Of Flowers trek, you will have to trek from Govindghat, on the route to Hemkund Sahib, up to  Ghangaria which is quite an exhilarating climb. Catch the glimpse of the Himalayan beauty while you head out on this trek. At an altitude of 14,400 ft, you will come across the large clear water lake which will make you stare at it for long. This hidden jewel is a unique habitat and home to millions of species of wildflowers such as saxifrages, sediams, lilies, poppy, calendular, daisies, geranium, zinnia and petunia.  Not just this you will come across varieties of colourful butterflies as you continue your Valley of Flowers trek. 

This valley is at an altitude of 3250 m and above. This valley is also a core zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve with an expanse of 87.5 sq km which is just a colourful paradise with alpine flowers. According to the legends, it is believed that this is the place where Pawan Putra Hanuman had collected Sanjeevani Buti to cure Laxman.  Listen to the sound of birds chirping and the musical sound of the stream during the Valley of Flowers trek. The soothing breeze and the enchanting beauty lure away the nature lovers and the photography lovers. 

This valley was also declared as a National Park in 1982 and is a world heritage site. One can also find a variety of rare and endangered species of animals like Asiatic black bear, brown bear, snow leopard, blue sheep and more. With the backdrop of the mountains and the scenic trail, you will feel as you have definitely landed in the land of fairies.

Valley of Flowers Trek Highlights:

- Blessed with the verdant beauty, valley is filled with 300 different types of flowers.

- Get a chance to witness the vivid flora and fauna of the region like brahamkamal, saxifrages, sediams, lilies, blue poppy, calendula, daisies, dog flower and brown bear, blue sheep etc.

- Catch the glimpse of the famous Hathi Parvat and Saptrishi peaks while you head out on this trek.

-  Meet the local people and learn about the culture of this region. Also, do share a cup of tea with them.

- While at Hemkund Sahib take a dip in the holy water and purify your soul.

Quick Facts About Valley of Flowers Trek:

Maximum Altitude: 14,400 ft

Temperature: Day: 12°C-20°C and Night: 4°C-10°C

Valley of Flowers Trek Distance:  47km

Difficulty Level: Easy To Moderate 

Valley of Flowers Trek Starting and Ending Point: The trek starts and ends at Joshimath

Railway Station: Haridwar is the nearest railway station 

Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun

Base Camp: Govindghat

ATM: Joshimath is the last place where ATM is there.

There are two different variants available with this package as given below:

Variant 1: Valley of Flowers Trek Ex Joshimath- Rs. 6500/- per person

Variant 2: Valley of Flowers Trek Ex Haridwar- Rs. 9200/- per person

How to reach?

Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun serves as the nearest airport to Haridwar. Local vehicles can be availed from outside the airport to reach Haridwar by road from Dehradun.

About the Dayara Bugyal Trek:

Amongst all the treks in Uttarakhand, Dayara Bugyal is considered to be the most breathtaking trek. The trek brings us to a highland meadow situated in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand which stands tall at an elevation of 10,000-12,500ft.

This lush green expanse of meadows serves as an excellent destination for skiing during winter and is spread over 28 sq km. This breathtaking location is nestled amidst towering snow-peaked mountains. While on this memorable Himalayan Dayara Bugyal trekking tour in India at Uttarakhand, catch sight of the lake of Barnala Tal strewn across the green alpine prairies– in whose reflection the peaks look even more beautiful. 

The trek starts from the tiny hamlet of Barsu nestled on the Haridwar-Gangotri road which is 32 km from Uttarkashi. One can settle in any one of the rest-houses or GMVN houses in Barsu that overlook the stunning valley on one side and the snowy mountains on the other.

The route of the Dayara Bugyal Trek trails through gorgeous Oak forests, clear water bodies and sprawling grasslands while offering views of specks of huts, grazing sheep all while overlooking the valley and high-rise mountains. Wildflowers also bloom around streams and brooks that run across the pastures.

About the Dayara Bugyal:

The breathtaking alpine meadow of Dayara Bugyal reigns atop a staggering 12,000 ft., against a stunning canvas of lofty Himalayan neighbours like Bandarpoonch, Kala Nag, Shrikhand Mahadev, Srikanth peak and Gangotri peaks. The Dayara Bugyal trek is marked by a rich carpet of wildflowers, and dense forests of maple and oak fenced by misty valleys. The highland meadows invite skiers from over the country during winters, when the place receives heavy snowfall. The trail unveils expansive grasslands, alpine lakes and trickling streams that lull the senses with a sylvan symphony. Besides the splendour of the landscape that Dayara Bugyal offers, trekkers also get a rare glimpse into the fascinating cultures of a Himalayan village. As another highlight, trekkers get to witness the dynamic beauty of the rhododendron flowers that grace the trails of the trek.

The Dayara Bugyal trek starts from the quaint little village of Barsu in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Given its easy to moderate level, it also serves as an ideal pick for beginners. It is also not uncommon to see herds of cattle grazing in the sprawling grasslands, accompanied by shepherds. The lush green expanse snuggled in the laps of Himalayan giants is the perfect respite from the humdrum of life. It is a whisper of untamed wilderness to the hearts of trekkers, who flock here every year in search of tranquillity and peace. The wondrous grasslands of Dayara Bugyal are locked in a Himalayan embrace and make for an ideal long weekend trek. Those who wander into this world of untouched beauty leave with far more than what they seek.

Quick Facts About Dayara Bugyal Trek:

Temperature: -4 degrees (Min), 25 degrees (Max), days are relatively warmer

Dayara Bugyal Trek distanceTrekking Distance:  29 km

Maximum Altitude: 12,000 ft

Difficulty Level: Easy To Moderate 

Railway Station: Haridwar is the nearest railway station 

Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun

Base Camp: Barsu

ATM: Uttarkashi and Bhatwari on the way Barsu have the last ATM point before your trek begins.

The season for this trek is over for this year you can look at other Himalayan treks. 

About the Roopkund Trek:

About the Roopkund:

A trek to Mystery Lake of Uttarakhand i.e. Roopkund Lake is a must-do for an avid trekker! Battling several adversities common to the Himalayas, this water body perched in the laps of the snow-clad Mt. Trishul is situated at an altitude of 16,499ft.

Most attractive for the human skeletons lying at the bottom of the lake, which are distinctly visible when the snow melts, the lake is swarmed by the plenitude of visitors.

The route along the Roopkund trek is a fascinating journey of discovering the most pristine of the Himalayan contribution of oak and blooming rhododendron forests. A moderate trek, the trek trails through mountainous rivers, enthralling ridges, lush forests and scenic meadows.

Quick Facts About Roopkund Trek:

Temperature: Day: 13 to 18°C and Night: -5 to 7°C

Roopkund Trek Distance:  53km

Maximum Altitude: 16,499 ft

Roopkund Trek Difficulty Level: Moderate To Difficult 

Railway Station:  Kathgodam Railway station is the nearest railway station 

Base Camp: Lohajung

About the Destination:

The Garhwal region of the Himalayas is enriched with dense forests, natural habitats, meadows, deep gorges and holy shrines. Kalpeshwar, Rudranath and Tunganath are amongst the 3 of the sacred and pious ‘Panch Kedars’ and are popular pilgrimage destinations among the Hindu devotees.

The route that leads to these simple yet extremely scenic places offers panoramic views of the Himalayan ranges. The route in fact is a trekker’s paradise who come from all over the world to seek adventure and spiritual awakening.

About the Kalpeshwar Rudranath Trek:

The journey into the Himalayan paradise begins from the holy city of Rishikesh and as you climb new heights and reach your destination at Kalpeshwar, Rudranath and Tungnath, you experience the untouched rhododendron, oak and pine forests, lush meadows, tiny villages and towering mountains.

The chill in the air is compensated by the warmth and local hospitality that you receive on the way. Your restless adventurous soul finds respite in the rough terrains and camping grounds under the open sky as you wake up to unobstructed sun rays caressing the mighty Himalayan peaks.

The 12-day Kalpeshwar, Kalpeshwar Rudranath Trek is not only a test of your physical strength but also your mental frame and whether you are ready for the surprises that the tour has to offer.

Quick Facts About Kalpeshwar Rudranath Trek:

Meal Types: Vegetarian

Kalpeshwar Rudranath Trek Duration: 11N/12D

Kalpeshwar Rudranath Trek Total Distance : 84 km

Temperature Range: March to May: 150 to 300C, November to December: 80 to -20C.

Kalpeshwar Rudranath Trek Difficulty Level: Moderate