Pangarchulla Peak Trek

Details

A lot of fun at the altitude: Your day of the Pangarchulla Peak expedition kicks off early at 6:00am with us picking you up at Rishikesh ISBT. One can reach Rishikesh easily by regular trains, buses and even taxis through Delhi.

It is one of the most spectacular drives covering a long distance and it winds around the Alankanda River following its course through the rocky core of the Garhwal Himalayas. Another of the best moments of the day is the visit of the Devprayag area which is a holy confluence of the river Bhagirathi and Alaknanda to become the holy Ganga.

Curvy roads, rivers, valleys, mountains and scenery will ensure that your eyes are fixed on the window during the trip. In the evening we arrived in Joshimath, the base camp of the Pangarchulla Trek.

Get in the hotel/guesthouse and enjoy a warm dinner and an overnight stay prepared to start your trek the next day.

Details

We start the journey or the first part of our trek after an early breakfast with a short drive to Joshimath and then proceed to Tugasi village, which was the point of origin of our trekking trail. This is where the hiking trail begins by a hike of 20 minutes, steeply up hill and 45 minutes steep climb uphill. Then, expect another 1-hour of steep hiking until the ground levels at a point where it becomes steep then gentle for the next 1. 5 -2 hours of hiking.

The first thing you come across is a dirt trail that cuts off the road into Tugasi village passing through farmlands with beautiful sights of the Dhauli Ganga River that appears far below. Village trail triggers level tracks followed by ascends and finally there is a rain shelter, which is the first important destination of the day.

The trail turns sharply to the right at the shelter, and goes in the general direction of Lower Tugasi in easy switchbacks. As you pass two water-mills make the sharp turn to the left and continue your ascent up to Upper Tugasi, through the fields of poppies, wheat and a wild-flower.

North of Upper Tugasi the path makes another steep climb with occasional village sections. You will start seeing the Dronagiri Peak that stands majestically in the distance. There is the safe water source after the last settlement to refill bottles.

The last leg to Guling campsite sets at 1.5 to 2 hrs and this will transport you to the shade of oaks and mixed forests. You will have your first glimpses of Hathi and Ghora peaks as you approach the campsite located in the middle of the forest on turning back.

Reach Guling in the late afternoon, take rest in the solitude of the forest and spend a night at the beautiful campsite along the forest.

Details

We will have an early morning breakfast in Guling after which we will start climbing to Khullara slowly traversing alpine sceneries along a steeply inclined path. The altitude gain is very little but the path is very scenic and the atmosphere is so calm in the middle of the jungle as we move further into the Garwhal Himalaya.

On the way, we will stop to have our packed lunch with the beauty of large trees and wide ridgeline. During the forest clearings, watch out to get a glimpse of the Mount Dronagiri and Hathi-Ghora peaks.

In the late afternoon we will arrive at the Khullara base camp, where we will then be able to rest in the magnificent high-mountain environment. The rest of the day is free to rest and to sleep and profound thoughts. Once the night comes be ready to be amazed by the sky in the night with stars and not spoiled with city lights.

Follow a hearty dinner and sleep well at Khullara base camp to prepare yourself to the most thrilling segment of the trip awaiting you on the first day of the trek.

Details

Today is the day we have the most difficult as well as most rewarding part of the trek. Our start is early in the morning at 4:00am because we want to summit the Pangarchulla before weather conditions deteriorate after 11:00am.

The route starts by slowly going up on a snowy forest ridge before a 100-meter sharp upward gradient. Anon a broad field of snow greets us, and we are on the way to the upper ridge. Use sunglasses to prevent snow blindness.

We come up on a vantage point with views of the main and subsidiary peaks of Pangarchulla before a 3045-minute climb. Still on the true right of the snow ridge we head down to level snowfields which are frequent advanced base camps. Sceneries of this location are breathtaking-don the sight of the Chaukhamba, Dronagiri, Kamet, Trishul and Nanda Ghunti etc.

The last summit attempt consists of six steep ridges that have to be climbed and descended several times. Appropriate snow equipment, such as crampons, gaiters and ice axes, might be necessary. The final 300-350 m steep climb contains a steep and exposed ridge up, which is technical, particularly in the snow.

The summit is at 15,069 ft, and 360 Himalayan views will definitely make your effort worth it.

Carefully make your way down to the Khullara campsite and this should take about 3-4 hours. Sleep and rest during the summit day at the base camp.

Details

We will have breakfast in Khullara base camp in the early morning after which a briefing session will be held on the last leg of our trek. Once ready, we begin our descent toward Tugasi village.

This walk is forest and open clearings transporting you to a relaxed walk after the challenging uphill climb to the summit. Expect to stop for packed lunch en route.

Having arrived at Tugasi, we get in our vehicle and drive back to Joshimath, thus terminating the trekking process. Let yourself arrive at your allocated homestay, relax, and have a good dinner with the team.

Stay overnight at Joshimath and enjoy the memories about the successful Pangarchulla summit.

Details

We leave the hotel after breakfast and go by car to Rishikesh. The track passes through the picturesque historical confluences at Karnaprayag of Alaknanda River, Rudraprayag and Devprayag where the sacred river of Bhagirathi and the alaknanda join together to become the sacred Ganga.

It is during this desire that the adventure takes the last trail and it is accompanied by charming views and thoughts about the journey.

Once they have reached Rishikesh, the group will part ways leaving behind millions of memories, magical experiences and friendship made in the embrace of the Himalayas.