trek to adi kailash in Kumaon

rajkumar

hello,

I would like to know about Adi Kailash( chota kailash ) trek in Pithoragarh dist Uttaranchal.
Which is the best season to undertake this trek?
Are permits necessary? If so, from where and what documents are required for applying?
How easy/difficult is the trek interms of the terrain and weather?
Please provide any websites where I can find the require info. ( other than KMVN site ) .
Anybody crossed Sin La and exited via Darma valley?

Last two years I have been to Darma valley. Went upto Tedang ( beyond Duktu-Dantu ). From there one has to go to Bedang and cross Sinla pass. Anybody trekked in that area?

happy trekking

kolobar

I was there in the beggining of June - just before the monsoon (if you have been in Dharma valley - the same season applies to Chota Kailash) - I guess May, June is fine. The important thing is that villages on the way are populated so you dont have to worry about food&accomodation.
Permits are necessary for foreigners - dont know about Indian citizens but you will find out in Darchula. Dont try without it if needed - lots of ITBP control on the way.
It is not a difficult trek. The route is fine&clear. It seems the area gets lots of snow in winter - there were snow bridges accross the river still in June. You can drive as far as Mangti (or even further on - the road is being built along Kali gorge and should reach all the way to Lipu Lekh pass). There are quite some villages on the way so the routes are frequented by locals and Kailash Yatra pilgrims.
Sorry dont know about websites.
Could not cross Shin la - in our permit it was pointed out it is not valid for crossing the pass so it was kept by ITBP just before Chota Kailash.

himadventures

This year snowfall is heavy-I think post-monsoon season is safe and enjoyble.

landoormama

i did the adikailash sometime in august'99 ..permits are required from the sub divisional magistrate in Dharchula .. foreginers are not allowed beyond a ceratin point , its best done with K.M.V.N .. its an extension of the Darma valley ..you surely can do it on your own with a liiltle bit of local help ..I loved this trek .if u want more info feel free to drop aline-- cheers

rajkumar

Hi,
Thanks Landoormama! Can you tell me the documents Indians have to carry to get a trek permit to Adi- Kailash? And also how much time it takes and how easy it is to get the permits? What will be the guide/porter costs in that area? and the ideal time for the trek?
Can I also expect some description of the trek anywhere on the web/travel literature?
-raj

landoormama

hello raj , I have exactly no clue on the documents you require for the permit ..but you shld need 4 photogarphs , school leaving certficate and some documents to prove you are an indian citizen....to find a guide at dharchula is nota problem at all ..... try gettting a permit from a travel agent that would be easier (contact alocal trekking agency iin uttranchal and they can arrange for a permit) .. or else you can contact K.M.V.N -- hope this helps -- cheers and have fun

himadventures

Friends !

Every regional Distrcit Megistrate has it's own rules. Due to senstivity of the area he governs. Most common is that you have to be present physically-with a wrriten request to issue of inner line permit.
In this application,you are required to mentioned your name ( as per proof you are providing ) father's / husbands's name,residence and citizenship.
Then you describe where exactly you wanna go ( In your case write Adi Kailash trek upto pass) and when aprox you will return back.

Some DM's are also interested to know who is with you. These all things are a legal document and in case of any trouble...any type of..this will be legal proof of your presence INFRONT OF a Indian Civil Authority and they will know who you are !

There is no official fee for permit but as tourism is booing in himalayas-money is expected to be donated in various schemes of govt. This usually happens when you are standing with your tour operator or guide.

If you are alone-they may not ask.
IMP: Get ready passport size snaps of everyone.
PROOF REQUIRED FROM INDIANS: Driving License,ID CARD of college/school or institution you work in. If these above are not available-get RATION CARD /PASSPORT/VOTER ICARD ( get is attested )

Amitava343

Rajkumar,
The trek for Adi Kailash and Kailash Mansarovar is same till Gunji. Regardingpermits many have said and said correctly. Permits are required. Guide porters are availavle from Darchulla.
I have been to Kailash Mansarovar in 2005. The metalic road goestill Mangti, there are small shops etc at Mangti. The stops are for Kailash Mansarovar:
1.Mangti to Galla (KMVN Bunglow better to book ahead FIRST preference to KM Yatris the trip arranged by KMVN)

2. Galla to Budi 22 Kilometres very long if need be one can stop at Malpa but since the land slide accident of 1998 in which prominent figure Protima Bedi (w/o of actor Kabir Bedi)died the Kailashis do not stop there but goes to Budi. It takes 11 long hours with an hour for lunch. From Gala to Pridakoti then steep down by 40 bends to Lakhanpur, then moderate climb to Budi.
3.Budi to Gunji about 8 to 10 kilometres. On the way is Lamari with ITBP camp. There is a steep climb to Chialake after Budi.
At Guji the Kailashis have to cross the river to go to the ITBP camp. There is village on this side ofthe river also its name is Nabang (may not be correct). The Adi Kailash trip on this side ofthe river. My Knowledge ends here as I have not been to Adi Kailash.
Be careful at Darchula every year the yatris of Kailash gets robbed at the GMVN Bunglow, not all but some.
KMVN arranges trip to Adi Kailash, you have to register with them, thetreatment is very good.

landoormama

Permits for Adi-Kailash is a MUST .since its a highly restricted & sensitive area .
You can get guides @ Dharchulla ..but GENUINE porters I dunno .Most of the '' PORTERS'' who walk with the pilgrims on the trek are not actually '' porters'' but attendants (who carry hardly 5 to 10kg of Load) may be less . I have personally noticed this , since I did the adikailsah Trek with K.M.V.N .doing this trek with K.M.V.N is quite a luxury and you need not bother /worry about anything .. you are well taken care off .
There is a old lady who is supposedly a social worker also and is quite respected in the region . '' M/s Shanti Devi Kutiyal '' who also helps travellers undertake the pilgrimage for a fee & arranges for accomodation along the trail .But this was in 1999 ..I believe she stays in the village of Gunji or Kutti not sure though.

day1--started from delhi to alomora by bus from Janpath @0400hrs reached almora in the evening..night halt in almora.

day2--Almora to dharchula--had lunch @ chakori and reached dharchula in the evening..halt

day3-- moved to tawaghat..after about 2km there was a landslide there ..so had to trek to tawaghat ...from tawaghat moved to ghatiyabhaoo and from here trekked to Gala through the village of Rakshasthal ..halt @ gala

day4--rest at gala due to land slide ...took a walk to Jipti village,visited the Jat Regiment..phone boooth in gala..primary school in gala ..

day5--gala to Buddhi--passed thro lakhampur and lamari village,food is available in these villages

day6--budhi to gunji-- steep climb for nearly three hours ..top of the pass is 3250mts ..top is sheya lake...trekked to garbayang , from here trekked to gunji.

day7--gunji to kalapani--to nabhidhang--plain walk ..reached kalapani which is the source of the river kali..(2.5hrs of walking)...had lunch @ kalapani and then proceeded walking to nabhidhang...From nabhidhang we can see Om parvat ...lipulekh pass is about 6kms from here .

day8---- from nabhidhang trekked to kalapani and had bath inthe Sulphur Springs @ kalapani..and then trekked to Gunji(6hrs).

day9-- gunji to kutti--left @ 6.15a/m via via Nabi village to the right and RongKong village on the left ..came down to Kutti @ 13.00hrs ..kutti has a good camp site , and also has place to stay and eat..

day10--kutti to jollingkong(base of adi-kailsah)--left kutti at 6.45a/m and reached jolling kong at 12.30.....hadlunch and visited Parvati-Tal ..came back to the base camp @ 4.15p/m .

day11--started from kutti to gunji-- on the way visited RongKong village

day12---- gunji to bundhi--started from gunji at 6.30 a.m and reached sheya lake(sheyalekh) @12.30

day13-- bundhi to gala---left bundhi @5.30hrs and reached gala at 13.30hrs..


day14--gala to sirkha--left gala @8.00hrs for sirkha ..very steep walk for about three hours ..later u pass thro thevillage of samri,(had tea here)..left samri for sirkha via patharma village..

tapovan

hi,
After Mid june you can trek in that area.Permission is necessary for every person even locals.You want yours ideninty cards.police verification from yours residence area.permission will get from SDM Dharchula.If you had no permission paper ten you will back from Chialalake pass.
For Sinlapass you need tent & good guide.