Khatling Glacier Trek- tough or moderate?

Hi IMers,

I appreciate some first hand info about this Khatling Glacier trek. Per Uttarakhand Visitor guide and websites this is a route with moderate difficulty. Few bloggers mention it as a toughest hike at high altitude. I am not able to judge the difficulty by reading books and articles because I do not have trekking experience in Himalayas. Some of you who have first hand info could guide me. Your response would be highly appreciated.

Would it be a very tough trek for a person who has done some high altitude treks earlier, like around 10,000' though not in Himalayas? I can trek up to 8-10KM per day. I do not have any medical problems. I do not have restrictions on time so will do some acclimatization doing other treks before starting to Khatling. I plan to do this trek in early October this year taking the route Ghuttu-Khatling-back to Guttu.

Also, how tough is uttarkashi-sahasratal-Khatling route? Tougher than Ghuttu-KG-back route?

Thanks in advance

In one of the age-old thread some indo-china dispute is mentioned. Is it confirmed the news was untrue?

Is Khatling Glacier dispute with China ?

If you see below, it may get clearer. Khatling Glacier is a moderate trek if you don't cross it. But if you go ahead to Mayali Pass and vasuki Tal it will be a hard one.

Khatling Glacier-Vasukital
Ghuttu – Reeh (2130m), 10 km, 4-5 Hrs
Reeh – Gangi (2580m), 10 km, 4-5 Hrs
Gangi – Kharsoli (2900m), 12 km Trek 5-6 Hrs
Kharsoli - Khatling Cave , 10 km (Trek 4-5 Hrs)
Khatling Cave - Khatling Glacier (3700m) - Khatling Cave, 12 km, 5-6 Hrs
Khatling Cave- Masartal (4590m), 10 km (4-5 Hrs)
Masartal - Mayali Pass (5400m) - Vasuki Tal, 12 km, 5-6 Hrs
Vasuki Tal - Kedarnath Trek (3581m), 10 km, 4-5 Hrs
Kedarnath – Gaurikund (1981m), 14 km

Thank you Rajat for the response. It was helpful. Also, do you have similar info on Sahasra tal route?

Hi, Summi
Sahasratal route is relatively tougher that ghuttu-Khatling-ghuttu.
It is a moderate trek Gh-kh-gh.Early October you will face occasional drizzle.

I don't have detailed info but it seems, Sahasratal is on the West of Khatling while Masar Tal (& Mayali Pass) are on the East. At 5500m the trek has to be a hard one.

Well, thank you guys. First attempt I will do the easy one! I am not going to cross the glacier, seems like it has wide and deep crevasses. I am petite and by experience I know, crevasse jumping with no proper equipment is difficult for me. Thanks again.

Some info on Sahastra Tal here:

kush kalyani * and sahastra/shastru tal **



Yes, untrue.

Thank you Dilliwala for the link and info. For no reason I have decided to take the route ghuttu-khatling-ghuttu. If things go well I will try Sahasra Tal next year!

Could anybody please recommend a guide for Khatling Glacier hike? Thank you!

There is a thread on Guide/Porters of Ghuttu.

Thank you!