Pindari Glacier trek and other suggestions...

schroel

I'm thinking about going on the Pindari glacier trek in mid-october with 4 other people. we don't want to camp and carry food, and we don't want to hire porters or guides either, so that is why this trek is appealing, however...

I've heard that this trek is only 7 days. are there any additional day hikes from any of the hut towns that can be taken to stretch the trek out to 10 days? I heard about the sunderdhunga glacier option but camping equipment etc are needed (is this true?)

we are trying to take 2 weeks total, but since it takes 4 days from/to New York or San Francisco to Delhi/Almora/Song, want to try to get as much out of the mountains with out having to deal with camping/cooking our own food etc... as much as possible.

OR if anyone has any other suggestions about treks where you don't need camping/bring your own food, that are around 10 days long, please let me know

thanks!

dumb_bacchus

hey

Pindari is a great trek. Why - it does not ask you to carry trekking gear and still gives u enough kicks. Well even i am planning for a trek this october. You can also try Kasol/Toash [ HP ] .. these are awasome places i have been to. Toash in perticular gives you enough of options to trek around. You stay in wooden huts n stuff. Its amazing..

adios

Jeroen

Hey Schroel
I wrote a detailed description of the Pindari trek in the Trekking & Mountaineering forum - have a look there. Have a good trek, Jeroen.

The URL: www.indiamike.com/india/showthread.php?t=5894

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lucky

hey

Pindari trek exactly fits the bill. day one trek from song to Dhakuri. A steady uphill climb through forest. About 12 km's. Then downhill for 1 Km and you reach a beautiful place. Dhakuri is it. Two guest houses. Two privately owned canteens. The entire row of great peaks for your eyes only. Stay the night. Move on to Khati. Another beautiful village. Children running down the slopes like gamboling calves. The guest house is located about half a Km away from village. It's a clean place situated amidst the woods. Clean matresses are available along with blankets. You will reach this place after 5-6 hr walk from Dhakuri. Day three move on to Dwali. Reach in about 7-8 hour walk. Cross small gurgling streams enroute. Trek through thick jungle. Dwali has a guest house. Located at the confluence of Pindar and kafni rivers. A trek leads to Kafni glacier from Dwali. There is no place to stay at kafni. So you can make dwali as your stay and make a return trip from Dwali. Move on to Phurkia. Steady uphill. Phurkia is relatively uneventful place with a beaten down rest house. No food is available. You can press on to Point zero and stay in Swami Dharmanand's cottage. Food shall be provided there. Drop some money in the donation box in the temple. That'll keep the ascetic, you and God happy. early morning move towards Glacier. Stay for a day if you feel like it. Otherwise come back to Phurkia and ....

P.S. ask for a porter by the name of Parvin. One of the best guys around. Takes care of everything.

himadventures

Everyone is right about this trail-although in October it will be slightly colder but very very green and charming !

Jeroen

Lucky: >There is no place to stay at kafni.
There was a new resthouse under construction halfway Dwali and the Kafni glacier when I did this trek last summer, it should be working now.

>Phurkia is relatively uneventful place with a beaten down rest house. No food is available.
It's still a depressing place but there is a dhaba serving the usual dal/chapati meals.

Jeroen.

himadventures

Jeroen

Just to update !
No more dhaba or eating place at FURKIA. Last eating place or shelter you can have is at DWALI where a old caretaker ( I forget his name right now ) is only good company you have while he will provide you food and shelter. You can stay with him if you are on very very tight budget-this is unofficial as he is govt. employee and can not do this but this serve both people.
You as being on tight budget and him - a extra buck !
But Jeroen is right about FURKIA being a boring and depressing but walking from DWALI takes it's toll -otherwise one can pitch tent further in small streams enroute Pindari Glacier.
This region experience high velocity wind and rain..so your equipment had to be good. If trekking alone-first be sure that you can have accommodation in FURKIA from Dwali caretaker.
IN EMERGENCY-DO NOT HESITATE TO TAKE SHELTER WITH SHEPHERDS. YOU HAVE TO USE SIGNS FOR COMMUNICATION AS THEY ARE POOR PEOPLE-DO NOT UNDERSTAND ENGLISH

Jeroen

>No more dhaba or eating place at FURKIA
That's a pity, that makes it a little more difficult to do the trek without hauling up food. Still, it's a beautiful walk.