Panchchull Glacier Trek
Maximum Altitude : 3450 Mtrs
Best Time to visit : May- June and Sept – End Oct
Grade : Moderate to Hard Trek
Duration : (13 days/12 nights)
Nestling
in the lap of the snow capped peaks of Panchachuli, the Darma
valley in Pithoragarh district is endowed with abundant scenic
grandeur. One hundred and thirty four kilometers from
Pithoragarh and 35 kilometers from Dharchula is the last bus
terminal- Sobla. From Sobla to Panchachuli Glacier is a
40-kilometer trek. The route to the glacier abounds in exotic
scenery, snowcapped mountains, gushing streams, Alpine meadows
and a rich variety of flora & fauna. And from the glacier
one can see the Panchachuli peaks in their towering glory.
Ensconced by the river Dhauli Ganga, Sobla is the entry points
of the Darma valley. In Sobla the trekkers put on their
rucksacks and get ready for the vigorous journey ahead. Here
onwords, it's a 35-40 km trek that passes through Dar, Bungling,
Sela, Nagling, Baaling, and Duktu/Dantu village in the darma
valley before reaching Panchachuli Glacier. On the final lap at
village Duktu/Dantu one gets the majestic spectacle of
Panchachuli that derives its name from the five peaks, named
after the legendary Pandavas. The 5 kms length and width of
glaciers project out from this range of hill. A trek of about 4
kms from village Duktu/Dantu leads to the base of the glacier.
The glacier can be seen from Duktu/Dantu villages as well as
from the starting point of Yuli river situated 4 kms away in the
base of Panchachuli. The five peaks of Panchachuli create the
unforgettable specter of Him Khand, Yuli river skirted by the
jungle of Devdaar and Bhoj Patra trees and vast meadows.
Day 01- Delhi – Nainital
Morning
depart by surface for Nainital (260 km/6 hrs drive) and check in
at the resort.In the evening, you can walk into the surrounding
forest to observe the flora and fauna of the area accompanied by
a naturalist. You get back to camp by sundown for campfire and
barbecue. Dinner and overnight at the beautiful heritage mansion
– The Naini Retreat, a Heritage Hotel.
Day 02- Nainital – Kausani – 110 Kms – 4
Hours Drive
Morning post breakfast depart to Kausani .
Overnight at Sun N Snow Inn, Kausani.
Day 03- Kausani- Munsiyari (2290 Mtrs)- Drive for 170 Kms –
5 Hrs.
Drive to the beautiful town of Munsiyari. Overnight
in Tents / Guesthouse.
Day-04 -Munsyari to Sobla( 1670 Mtrs) to Dar(2134 Mtrs)
Drive for 130 kms./5 hrs- Trek 5 Kms
The Jeep track from
Munsyari, initially, descends to Madkot Village which is on the
banks of the rapidly flowing Gori Ganga river. From this point,
the two hour drive to Jauljibi is particularly scenic. On the
way are small villages called Chori Bagar, and Banga Pani. At
Jauljibi there is the confluence of river Gori with Kali that
crosses into India from Nepal at Dharchula. The route now
travels northwards past Dharchula and Tawa Ghat and divests
westward into a gorge following the Dhauli Ganga river up to
Sobla. Sobla (1670m) is the entry point to the Darma Valley and
is the starting point of our trek. Our destination is Dar
Village (2134m) which is 5 kms. from Sobla. Overnight in Tents.
Day 05- Dar to Sela (2438 Mtrs./12 kms.. 5 to 6 hrs.)
Today's walk is long but easy. The mule track from Dar to Sela
goes through hill sides of green pastoral land. The campsite is
on the outskirts of Sela.
Day 06: Sela to Baaling (2743 Mtrs./11 kms.. 5 to 6 hrs.)
It
is another relatively trouble free day. The trail to Baaling
goes up and down hill sides but the altitude gained is moderate.
The views of the distant glaciers is exciting and the temptation
to push ahead is high. Nevertheless we camp here for the night,
because we have a long march ahead of us the next day.
Day 07: Baaling to Duktu (3048 Mtrs./6 kms.. 3 hrs.)
Duktu
and Dantu are two adjacent villages which are the last centres
of human habitation in this part of Darma valley. The view of
the Panch Chulli peaks from here is just magnificent. On the
outskirts of Duktu is a huge meadow that provides a perfect
setting for viewing the Panch Chulli glacier with the backdrop
of the Panch Chulli peaks. This particular spot is almost
picture perfect. We pitch up here for the night.
Day 08: Duktu to Panch Chulli (4 kms. each way; 5 hrs.)
Today is a momentous day when we set out to explore the Panch
Chulli glacier from our base camp at Duktu. The glacier projects
outwards from the East face of Panch Chulli and a 4 kms trek
from the campsite along the Yuli river leads to the massive
glacier itself. The place itself provides an incredible scenery
of a sprawling meadow bordered by tall oak and birch trees with
the Panch Chulli (6904 Mtrs) looming in the background.
Day 09- Duktu to Nagling (2743 Mtrs/11 kms.)
We start
on return trek today. The trail from Duktu to Nagling is a
gradual descent and the days' walk takes around 5 hours.
Day 10: Nagling to Bungling (12 kms.)
This
is the last day of our walking. We arrive at Bungling by noon.
From here after a brief rest we get on to a waiting jeep that
drives us back to Munsyari.
Day 11- Munsiyari – Kausani
Depart from Munsiyari
after an early breakfast. By the evening arrive Kausani.
Overnight at Sun N Snow Inn, Kausani.
Day 12: Kausani - Corbett – 130 Kms – 5 Hrs
Drive
to the world famous Corbett National Park via Ranikhet. Arrive
Corbett National Park late evening. Evening folk dance. Indulge
in the swimming pool or Grill House. Overnight at the Corbett
Hideaway or the River View Retreat.
Day 13- Corbett - Delhi
Early morning game view drive
by Elephant or 4WD Jeep. Post Breakfast leave for onward
journey.
