need info about pachachuli trek

babuchand

hi all,

I am planning for panchachulli trek next year....can anyone give me detailed info..???

pls mention...
1. whether its a tea house trek or campng is must???
2. Itinerary....night halts...distances
3. best time...pre-monsoon or post-monsoon
4. guide... is it must??? how much they charge???

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babu
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AvidTrekker

Its not a standard trek. Obviously guides and camping gear reqd.

My friends from the Himalayan Club have done the Panchachuli Peak [ IV ??] first time. They had to go thru difficult terrain. They also said that Kumaon porters are very lazy... but that's happening everywhere nowadays...

Which route do you propose to go? Then maybe I could ask someone.

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dooms

KMVN site @ http://www.kmvn.org/trekking-routes-...cier-trek.html says 3445 Rs/Head. Not sure if its for the entire trek or per day

rajkumar

hi
The price quoted by KMVN is for the duration of the trek ex Dharchula.
There are two routes to Panchachuli base. One is from Munsyari to Pyunshani valley Uttar and dakshin Balati glaciars. this route is less frequented and a bit wild country. Guides are a must. And ropes and other things to cross streams and small rivers. Like a mini expedition.
The other one is a moderate trek. It is from Darma valley. From Dharchula, Tawaghat, Along Dhauli ganga ( E) river. The trek distance is 35 km. can be covered in 2 days one way. It's better to carry your provisions and tents. But resting places available on the way. But if you want to camp at the base, you must be on your own.
I visited this area three times in the last 2 years. I stayed with the local families. I grew attached, you know...and that resulted in visiting them another two times.
For the first time I went at the peak of Mansoon season. Land slides, Rains...Last year and this year I went in pre monsoon season. Nice weather and nice views. Post monsoon should be even better with clear skies.

The trek guides and porters are a problem as all the people are after Yartsa Gambu, caterpiller fungus which is sold in Tibet for hefty prices. So you have to arrange porters from Dharchula itself.
From Sobla( the trek head) all that you have to do is to follow Dhauliganga Upstream till you reach Duktu. There you go to a side valley along a glacial stream thru birch forests and the Panchachuli views are magnificient.
Do see my photos in IM Photography section : Niti, Mana, Darma valley photos. You will find some information about the trek as well.
Niti, Mana and Darma Valley - photos and info
Hope that helps

Attached Images

  

babuchand

yes I am interested in the conventional trek....

1st Day : 35 kms by bus, 5 kms by Trek, Sobla - Dar (N/H)

2nd Day : 12 kms by trek - Dar-Sela (N/H)

3rd Day : 11 kms by trek - Sela-Baaling (N/H)

4th Day : 6 kms by trek Baaling - Duktu/Dantu (N/H)

5th Day : 8 kms by trek Duktu/Dantu - Panchachuli - Duktu/Dantu (N/H)

6th Day : 17 kms by trek Duktu/Dantu - Nagling - Bungling (N/H)

7th Day : 5 kms by trek, 35 kms by bus Bungling to dharachula

are accomodation available at every palce??? at locals' houses....
how much the charge for fooding and lodging???

Is the itinerary correct or we shud increase it by a day???
how much is the gradient??? can we reach dantu / duktu from sala in one day???

temp in may / june (1st week)???? are locals available at that time???

as we are not camping at the glacier mouth...shud we carry camping equiments???

rajkumar

Dear Babu,

Considering the fact that you are a seasoned trekker,
I suggest you this:
1st day- dharchula - Sobla/Dhar( by jeep)35km ( 2 hours) and start the trek for Sela ( 4 hours) (N/H) accomadation and food in a friendly hotel.

2nd day- Sela - Baling ( 5 hours) trek Night stay in a rest house.

3rd day- Baling - Duktu- Panchachuli base ( 5 hours) - Night camp at the base.
The view of the peks is glorious at the time of sunrise. Later on clouds will engulf the peaks. You can also visit Dantu village and Gabladev mandir.

4 day morning you can explore area and start in the afternoon to reach Baling by evening.

5 th day- Baling- Sela

6th day - Sela- Dhar/Sobla.start early and catch a jeep to Dharchula.

If you have few more days go and explore upper Dhauli ganga beyond Dantu, Tedang, Marcha, Sipu, Bidang and Dawe( last border post). And from Bidang you can cross Sinla pass into Kuti valley. But in May, June it's not possible.

I suggest you carry the provisions for cooking and camping. Esp if you want to camp at the base of Panchachuli.

You can manage without tents and carrying food, if you want to stay in the village hotels. For early morning Panchachuli views, you have to stay in Duktu village and start at 4-30 AM towars the base. The bed should not cost you more than 50 rupees. And food Dal- Roti- Chaval : 30/- Maggie- 20/-

The natives will start migrating from mid May. Lat year there was snowfall even in MAy. So they were bit late. But in June 1st week the people should be available.

I would rate the trek moderate and after Baling where the valley broadens it's easy level walk. Between Dhar and Bungling you have to negotiate a trek path that clings to the rock face. The path is carved in the rock for 2 km max. After that it's fine. But ther is danger of falling rocks at some palces. And this year in May , I had to cross lot of snow bridges due to heavy snow fall. Don't ever venture in late june, July and August. Wased away bridges, landslides, road blocks, rock falls...You will know what the fury of monsoon is.
And there is always a danger of bears in the forest.

Take an experienced local person with you along, he will guide and arrange food and accomodation as well. Probably you willl find one in Dharchula itself. In darma valley, in early june the people will be preoccupied with cultivation. So it may be difficult to get porters/guides. And I should say the people take pride in their culture and may not be too willing to work as porters.

As for me this year I trekked alone, as know the paths and the people on the way. I have been in touch with them ever since I visited the area in 2003.

babuchand

thanks pal....will contact u later for specific info.