trek to adi kailash in Kumaon

rajkumar

hello,

I would like to know about Adi Kailash( chota kailash ) trek in Pithoragarh dist Uttaranchal.
Which is the best season to undertake this trek?
Are permits necessary? If so, from where and what documents are required for applying?
How easy/difficult is the trek interms of the terrain and weather?
Please provide any websites where I can find the require info. ( other than KMVN site ) .
Anybody crossed Sin La and exited via Darma valley?

Last two years I have been to Darma valley. Went upto Tedang ( beyond Duktu-Dantu ). From there one has to go to Bedang and cross Sinla pass. Anybody trekked in that area?

happy trekking

kolobar

I was there in the beggining of June - just before the monsoon (if you have been in Dharma valley - the same season applies to Chota Kailash) - I guess May, June is fine. The important thing is that villages on the way are populated so you dont have to worry about food&accomodation.
Permits are necessary for foreigners - dont know about Indian citizens but you will find out in Darchula. Dont try without it if needed - lots of ITBP control on the way.
It is not a difficult trek. The route is fine&clear. It seems the area gets lots of snow in winter - there were snow bridges accross the river still in June. You can drive as far as Mangti (or even further on - the road is being built along Kali gorge and should reach all the way to Lipu Lekh pass). There are quite some villages on the way so the routes are frequented by locals and Kailash Yatra pilgrims.
Sorry dont know about websites.
Could not cross Shin la - in our permit it was pointed out it is not valid for crossing the pass so it was kept by ITBP just before Chota Kailash.

himadventures

This year snowfall is heavy-I think post-monsoon season is safe and enjoyble.

landoormama

i did the adikailash sometime in august'99 ..permits are required from the sub divisional magistrate in Dharchula .. foreginers are not allowed beyond a ceratin point , its best done with K.M.V.N .. its an extension of the Darma valley ..you surely can do it on your own with a liiltle bit of local help ..I loved this trek .if u want more info feel free to drop aline-- cheers

rajkumar

Hi,
Thanks Landoormama! Can you tell me the documents Indians have to carry to get a trek permit to Adi- Kailash? And also how much time it takes and how easy it is to get the permits? What will be the guide/porter costs in that area? and the ideal time for the trek?
Can I also expect some description of the trek anywhere on the web/travel literature?
-raj

landoormama

hello raj , I have exactly no clue on the documents you require for the permit ..but you shld need 4 photogarphs , school leaving certficate and some documents to prove you are an indian citizen....to find a guide at dharchula is nota problem at all ..... try gettting a permit from a travel agent that would be easier (contact alocal trekking agency iin uttranchal and they can arrange for a permit) .. or else you can contact K.M.V.N -- hope this helps -- cheers and have fun

himadventures

Friends !

Every regional Distrcit Megistrate has it's own rules. Due to senstivity of the area he governs. Most common is that you have to be present physically-with a wrriten request to issue of inner line permit.
In this application,you are required to mentioned your name ( as per proof you are providing ) father's / husbands's name,residence and citizenship.
Then you describe where exactly you wanna go ( In your case write Adi Kailash trek upto pass) and when aprox you will return back.

Some DM's are also interested to know who is with you. These all things are a legal document and in case of any trouble...any type of..this will be legal proof of your presence INFRONT OF a Indian Civil Authority and they will know who you are !

There is no official fee for permit but as tourism is booing in himalayas-money is expected to be donated in various schemes of govt. This usually happens when you are standing with your tour operator or guide.

If you are alone-they may not ask.
IMP: Get ready passport size snaps of everyone.
PROOF REQUIRED FROM INDIANS: Driving License,ID CARD of college/school or institution you work in. If these above are not available-get RATION CARD /PASSPORT/VOTER ICARD ( get is attested )

ThisIsIt

Would love to receive info/advice on anything at all on the following itenery:

Dharchula - Kuthi - Jolinkong - Sin la - Bidang - Duktu - Dhar Roadhead.

Planning to do early Sept '05 - Group approx 6

Especially looking for comments on Sin-la and the circular route. Thanks..

AvidTrekker

Shin La becomes a technical route if heavy snowfall occurs. Be prepared. It is certainly not a "walk thru" trek.... but I think you already know that.

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rajkumar

Hi,
If you go to Bidang, Don't miss Dawe plains...the last ITBP post on Indo Tibet border in Darma valley is there. It's about one day trek from Bidang. Stay there overnight in tents and can come back on the next day to Bedang.
From Bedang to Tedang is one day trek. If you have time go to Sipu village and ther is a small glacial lake nearby called Miltibai. From there you can go along lasser yagti upto Anchari Tal, a big lake.
I was there in Darma valley in June . Went upto Sipu, the last village and visited the lake. At that time Sin la ws not possible as theer was heavy snow. The route had so many snow bridges at that time. And as for the latest information, there are heavy rains thesedays. May be snow on the Sin la has n't melted yet.
Sometimes shepards cross this pass along with their flocks.
Permits are necessary for Adi-kailash and Sin-la. You can get them from DM Pithoragarh and SDM Dharchula. That office clerk asks for and verifies your pass port and a letter from Police official in your place or collector of your district and issues a permit.
If any trekking agency is taking care of your permits, it's fine.
Before you go, do contact KMVN Tourist rest house in Dharchula about Sinla pass crossing. One expedition started in the last moth for that area, but their plan was to cross Gangchal dhura from Lasser yangti river valley in to Dhauli Ganga(E) valley. No information yet as what has happened. It was definitely not possible at that time to cross Sinla.

Hope things will get better for you...
happy trekking!
raj

ThisIsIt

Hi guys
Thanks for the info.
Will certainly try to sidestep from Bidang as suggested.
Hope it doesn't snow much. We are getting help with the permits.
Will check with KMVN guest house at Dharchula..

naveen

hi everyone I am curious to know whether anybody had done panchachli base camp treck and through sinla pass went to adi kailash. Is it possible in next couple of days to do this treck. if there is less snow is it possible to pass without technical equipments. eight of us leaving delhi on 22 of this month for panchachli base camp 2 childerns of 12 to 14 years are with us.

naveen

rajkumar

hi
Panchachuli Base camp trek is doable via Tawaghat, Sobla, Sela, Baling and Dugtu. But to cross Sinla pass to reach adikailash in late May, I am not sure of the snow condition on the pass. You ask KMVN rest house people and other trekking operators in Dharchula. They will provide the necessary info. Even if you can't cross Sinla, You can reach adikailash via tawaghat, Budhi, Gunji and Jolingkong. Permits are necessary to reach adikailash. and they can be obtained from SDM's office in Dharchula with necessary documentation. take your passport along with you and a recommendation letter from your district police authorities. If you take KMVN's trekking package, they will manage the permits. Contact KMVN for further info.
and I might be in Dantu village near Panchachuli base after 1st May. Do visit us if you are passing through the village.
happy trekking!
Rajkumar

rajkumar

I am sorry, It's 1st June not 1st May. I am planning to visit Dantu village and stay for sometime exploring the region.

naveen

thanks rajkumar for an immediate response.I asked my friend in pithoragarh about permit he said with some identity documents one can get permit.do indians also need a verfication letter from their district police station?well we are leaving on 22nd evening,and some of us has to reach delhi on 1st of jnue.what is your opinion about taking 12 to 14 years childerns to base camp or adi kailash!

thanks again for respose

naveen