The Trans-garhwal Hike

VAIBHAV KAUL · Apr 9th, 2008, 18:54

It is not difficult to hike/trek across the Middle Garhwal Himalaya.

In Sep-Oct, 2007, I did the following 20-day hike.
(Carried my own tent, hired local guides in some areas.)

From HANUMANCHATTI (on the Yamunotri Route) eastward to DARWA TOP (Altitude: over 4000 m) – BAKARIA (over 3500 m) – DAYARA BUGYAL (over 3000 m) – RAITHAL – BHATWARI (Altitude: about 1200 m, located on the Uttarkashi-Gangotri Road) – MALLA – SILLA – KUSHKALYANI (over 3000 m) – KYARKI – SAHASTRA TAL (over 4500 m) – KALYANI (the one on the Khatling Trail) – GANGI – PANWALIKANTHA (over 3500 m) – KINKHOLA KHAL – MAGGU CHATTI (over 3000 m) – TRIYUGINARAYAN (about 2000 m) – UKHIMATH – CHOPTA (over 2700 m) – CHAMOLI – PIPALKOTI (on the Chamoli-Badrinath Road) – TAPOVAN (the one near Joshimath, and not the one beyond Gaumukh) – KHULARI – KUARI PASS – JHENJIPANI – RAMNI – GHAT.

You may like to do only one section of the whole route in one holiday. But if I were you, I would definitely find the time to do the whole thing at a stretch.

In September (post-Monsoon), there will be thousands of wild flowers in the Bugyals of the Bakariya, Kushklalyani and Panwali-Maggu Ridges, with the majestic snow-clad 6000- metre-plus peaks in the backdrop. In spring / early summer, one may see musk deer, bears and snow leopards on this route.

Warning:
Don’t do this trek/hike in the SW Monsoon Season (June-August) or in Winter (November-March).

Please feel free to ask me anything about the hike.

VSK Sharma · Apr 12th, 2008, 15:44

Hi,
You did a good trek and it must have been great. How about posting the photos and some more detail of the SAHASTRA TAL – KALYANI section and who was the guide on this section and how much time it took.
VSK

praveen_yadlapalli · Apr 12th, 2008, 17:26

Great trek

Congrats!

VAIBHAV KAUL · Apr 14th, 2008, 12:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by VSK Sharma

Hi,
You did a good trek and it must have been great. How about posting the photos and some more detail of the SAHASTRA TAL – KALYANI section and who was the guide on this section and how much time it took.
VSK

I will definitely scan and post all the photos. Unfortunately, I have only 6 photos of the Sahastra Tal - Kalyani segment.

I had a guide till Gaumukhi Tal (a deadly 3 hour climb from Sahastra Tal). He was a 30 year old farmer from Silla, who had been there earlier. I don't remember his name. We paid him Rs. 600 and all meals (Haldiram snacks and chocolates) + Rs. 100 for the 3 days + 3 hours on the Silla - Gaumukhi Tal stretch.

Beyond Gaumukhi Tal was a terrible westward descent (Thank God there was no rain!) to a point on the Kalyani-Kharsali trail, which was 1.5 hours beyond Kalyani. We were able to do the entire Gaumukhi Tal - Kalyani stretch in 8.5 hours without a guide only because we knew that (insha allah) by carefully climbing down, we would reach the Bhilangana River, which was at the base of the valley in the west.

VSK Sharma · Apr 14th, 2008, 21:15

Great, Thanks for the details. Waiting to see the pics. The area you visited is scenic and you would have enjoyed it.
VSK

VAIBHAV KAUL · Apr 21st, 2008, 17:45

I have been travelling a lot. Will send the pictures later. End of April, I'll be on the Panwali - Maggu Ridge. In May, I'll go to the north Mandakini / Pindar Basin area. Will send more info in June.

spicetrekker · May 5th, 2008, 12:27

Vaibhav: Great trek. Unfortunately I will not have 3 weeks this year for a trek. Tell me If I have 15 days from Haridwar to Haridwar, what would you suggest - which legs can I drop. How do we get a guide for this trek and from where. Furthermore I am sure we will need a tent on this trek, so what is the best place to hire the tents and how much will they cost - my concern is we are starting this trek at point A and finishing at Point B, so it may not be possible to Hire tent from Point A and return it back

Madhavi · May 5th, 2008, 12:49

is there any restriction in carrying and using :-) Digital camera in Garhwal region...I am planning a trip to Valley of Flowers in July.

Thanks,
Madhavi

spicetrekker · May 7th, 2008, 15:44

Vaibhav - do let me know if I have only 2 weeks how do I break the entire trek.

daju · May 8th, 2008, 14:05

great dear.

VAIBHAV KAUL · May 8th, 2008, 17:24

doing 4 more garhwal treks this season. got just 2 mins now. will reply, tell u abt all good treks, but later.

Almoraboy · May 8th, 2008, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madhavi

is there any restriction in carrying and using :-) Digital camera in Garhwal region...I am planning a trip to Valley of Flowers in July.

Thanks,
Madhavi

no restrictions.
check this : http://almoraboy.blogspot.com/2006/0...himalayas.html

50% of them werew taken in garhwal. the only restriction "might" coem if you head very close to the international borders.

Apr 9th, 2008, 18:54	#1
VAIBHAV KAUL Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 15	The Trans-garhwal Hike It is not difficult to hike/trek across the Middle Garhwal Himalaya. In Sep-Oct, 2007, I did the following 20-day hike. (Carried my own tent, hired local guides in some areas.) From HANUMANCHATTI (on the Yamunotri Route) eastward to DARWA TOP (Altitude: over 4000 m) – BAKARIA (over 3500 m) – DAYARA BUGYAL (over 3000 m) – RAITHAL – BHATWARI (Altitude: about 1200 m, located on the Uttarkashi-Gangotri Road) – MALLA – SILLA – KUSHKALYANI (over 3000 m) – KYARKI – SAHASTRA TAL (over 4500 m) – KALYANI (the one on the Khatling Trail) – GANGI – PANWALIKANTHA (over 3500 m) – KINKHOLA KHAL – MAGGU CHATTI (over 3000 m) – TRIYUGINARAYAN (about 2000 m) – UKHIMATH – CHOPTA (over 2700 m) – CHAMOLI – PIPALKOTI (on the Chamoli-Badrinath Road) – TAPOVAN (the one near Joshimath, and not the one beyond Gaumukh) – KHULARI – KUARI PASS – JHENJIPANI – RAMNI – GHAT. You may like to do only one section of the whole route in one holiday. But if I were you, I would definitely find the time to do the whole thing at a stretch. In September (post-Monsoon), there will be thousands of wild flowers in the Bugyals of the Bakariya, Kushklalyani and Panwali-Maggu Ridges, with the majestic snow-clad 6000- metre-plus peaks in the backdrop. In spring / early summer, one may see musk deer, bears and snow leopards on this route. Warning: Don’t do this trek/hike in the SW Monsoon Season (June-August) or in Winter (November-March). Please feel free to ask me anything about the hike. Last edited by VAIBHAV KAUL : Apr 10th, 2008 at 10:23.

Apr 12th, 2008, 15:44	#2
VSK Sharma Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pune,India Posts: 322	Hi, You did a good trek and it must have been great. How about posting the photos and some more detail of the SAHASTRA TAL – KALYANI section and who was the guide on this section and how much time it took. VSK __________________ http://himalayancamping.com/index.php

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Hike to Matheran	Prodigy	Maharashtra	5	Sep 28th, 2007 18:36
how to hike from ddun to mussorie?	nauti	Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand	2	Mar 12th, 2007 18:06
Does anyone still Hitch Hike,,,,,,,,,,,	seventies'hippy	Chai and Chat	5	May 13th, 2004 18:12
Trans-Himalayan Caravans	IainC	Ladakh & Zanskar	0	Aug 26th, 2002 20:55

Apr 12th, 2008, 17:26	#3
praveen_yadlapalli Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gangetic Plains Posts: 97	Great trek Congrats!

Apr 14th, 2008, 21:15	#5
VSK Sharma Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pune,India Posts: 322	Great, Thanks for the details. Waiting to see the pics. The area you visited is scenic and you would have enjoyed it. VSK

Apr 21st, 2008, 17:45	#6
VAIBHAV KAUL Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 15	I have been travelling a lot. Will send the pictures later. End of April, I'll be on the Panwali - Maggu Ridge. In May, I'll go to the north Mandakini / Pindar Basin area. Will send more info in June.

May 5th, 2008, 12:27	#7
spicetrekker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 141	Vaibhav: Great trek. Unfortunately I will not have 3 weeks this year for a trek. Tell me If I have 15 days from Haridwar to Haridwar, what would you suggest - which legs can I drop. How do we get a guide for this trek and from where. Furthermore I am sure we will need a tent on this trek, so what is the best place to hire the tents and how much will they cost - my concern is we are starting this trek at point A and finishing at Point B, so it may not be possible to Hire tent from Point A and return it back

May 5th, 2008, 12:49	#8
Madhavi Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Pune Maharashtra Posts: 5	is there any restriction in carrying and using :-) Digital camera in Garhwal region...I am planning a trip to Valley of Flowers in July. Thanks, Madhavi

May 7th, 2008, 15:44	#9
spicetrekker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 141	Vaibhav - do let me know if I have only 2 weeks how do I break the entire trek.

May 8th, 2008, 14:05	#10
daju daju Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Uttranchal Posts: 38	great dear.

May 8th, 2008, 17:24	#11
VAIBHAV KAUL Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 15	doing 4 more garhwal treks this season. got just 2 mins now. will reply, tell u abt all good treks, but later.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password