Pindari / Kafni Glacier in May Last week 2008

tarungoel

Dear all,
We are group of 7 people planning for Pindari/Kafni glacier trip during May last week '2008.

(1) Do you advice us to carry the tents/sleeping bag etc.. or can we be totally dependend on KMVN/PWD etc on the way?. I am particularly worried about 'Phurkia'. What is the accomodation facality there?

(2) Is it possible to stay at 'Baba Ashram'?.

(3) In case we like to camp one night near Baba-ashram/Zero-point, can we get camping gear from Khati/Dawli?.

(4) To cover Kafni, after doing Pindari, which is the route? Dawli-Kafni, or Khati-Kafni?. Why is Pindari more famous than Kafni, while as per several blogs, Kafni to be more scenic than Pindari.


Thanks
Tarun Goel

mountaingirl

Hi!

I haven't been there in the last 3 years but this is what I can tell you from my experience:

1. The accommodation all along the route ( I mean KMVN bunglows) are pretty much the same. They give you a blanket and bedsheet - so taking sleeping bags will be nicer.

2. Baba Ashram could accommodate only handful people.
3. You can not get gear from the huts.

4. You go from Dwali to Kafni. From Khati - you can go to Sunderdhunga. However there was no accommodation when I went there last.

Kafni is prettier however I think it is due to the availability of accommodation at Phurkia that makes Pindari popular.

good Luck!

__________________
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And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave,
Awaits alike th' inevitable hour:-
The paths of glory lead but to the grave.

tarungoel

@ mountaingirl
Thanks for this info. However some more specific questions.

1. In case of 'no vacancy' at KMVN Phurkiya, what are the alternatives?. Any private lodge there?

2. For Kafni Glacier, can Dawli-Kafni-Dawli back can be done in a single day?. In terms of difficulty, how is it as compared to Phurkiya-'Zero Point'.?

3. How do you rate between Sunderdhunga/Kafni?. As in the group we have 3 1st time trekkers, would you advice Sunderdhunga/Kafni for them?.

Amitava343

tarungoel
The route to Pindari is
The trek starts from Song-Lokherkhet-Dhakuri via Dhakuri pass-Khati-Dowali.(Kafni)-Phurkhia-Pindar Zero point.

The month that you are visiting in you will find snow on the river and most of the streams will be frozen which will be easy to cross. The river will be frozen after Dowali till Phurkia at points, the sight is beautiful.

As has been pointed out to you there are staying place till Phurkia and at Zero point, at Pilotbaba's Ashram also food.

Now you specific points.
From Pkurkia till Pindar zero point its only 3km from there you get to see Nanda Ghat. Why do you want to stay at Zero point?. Start early see the zero point and cme down to Dowali if possible which it should be as its down hill.

Pinar is more famous because there are villages on its bank, where as after Dowali you will not find any villages all the way till Kafhi zero point. Dowali to Kafni Glacier is 12 kilometres uphill, if you and your party can walk up and down 24 kilometers then try it in one day or else stay at Kafni glacier, I would suggest to stay. Kafni is a very small river as compared to Pindar (also known as the Karna Ganga), at its confluence with Alakananda at Karnaprayag is the bustling town of Karnaprayag. At Kani you get to see Nanda Kote. The more adventureous go over the Trills pass from Pindar onto Milam region.

Sunderdunga is treked from Kafi which is the biggest village on the Pindar. Full treking equipment would be required for Sunderdunga, like tent,stove, food provisions etc
Happy trkking.

lalaji

Hi Tarun,

1. I will advice you to carry sleeping bag/tents. Although accomodation at kmvn/pwd is available but just in case if there is no accomodation at phurkia. Phurkia has both Pwd/kmvn. Tents/sleeping bag are available in delhi, for full trek the rent will come around rs.1000.

2. Untill last year it was possible to stay at baba's ashram. But things have changed. Due to sudden inflow of money from "kida ghas" villagers from khati/wacham started building rest houses at dwali and zero point. When forest deptt. came to know abt this they demolished these under construction houses also some part of Baba's ashram was also demolished. Forest deptt. warned him don't use ashram as a hotel. Dhaba's in dhakuri have also been told by forest deptt not to extend beyond four pillars like the Raju's dhaba which is more or less a hotel.

3. You can get camping gear from Khati like tents and sleeping bags. But i will advise you to get from delhi.

4. Dwali to kafni is the route and there is no accomodation at kafni.

Things are changing:
1. kmvn is building new rest house in khati and along sunderdhuga.
2. almost whole village khati and wacham have gone to collect 'kida ghas'
due to above there is shortage of labour and porters, as a result there price has gone up.

I didn't mean to discourage you. But my suggestion:
Hire tent/sleeping bag so that you don't have to depend on anybody.
and go for it.
Let me know if any more info you need.

lalaji

Amitava343

Dwali to kafni is the route and there is no accomodation at kafni.
I had made the trip in 1998 and there was and is accommodation at Khati

tarungoel

@LalaJi :
What is "Kida Ghas"?. How does it has any economic value?

@LalaJi, & Amitava343
Thanks a lot for your replies. Based on your inputs, we have decided to carry the camping gear. When contacted to KMVN, even they suggest to come along with atleast sleeping bags, as they have accomodation KMVN booked for their trekking package for Sunderdhunga/Pindari

ananda2193

I to made the trip in 1998 and there was at least 3 places to stay in Khati at the time. you could also buy some provisions like tomatos there which were not available anywhere else on the trek.

lalaji

used in chinese medicine:

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dream_traveller

for pindari trek which is the best time may or october?

lalaji

May last week to June. October onward is also good time but be prepared for winters.

dream_traveller

so if i go end september or very early october will it be too cold? and will i be able to see flowers? will the rivers be frozen?

lalaji

you will be able to see flower after the monsoon, rivers won't be frozen nor you will find any glaciers after phurkia as they all wash away in monsoon. it won't be too cold but chances of rain are still there which might spoil the scene. make sure you avoid the 'puja' season as it normally rains at that time.
Try in november weather will be absolutely clear but it will be cold.

dream_traveller

no glacier...!!! does it sound good or bad?

lalaji

its obivious as monsoon rain washes away most of the small glaciers when you start from phurkia.