Bali Pass trek

The Bali pass trek begins from the base village of Sankari. It is a small village located in the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary in the Uttarkashi district. The drive to sankari village is an adventure in itself, it will take you through the scenic beauty of the queen of mountains Mussoorie, Kempty fall waterfall, Nainbagh will surely take your breath away. Upon reaching Sankari in the evening you can see the evening sky form amazing sceneries and it provides a wonderful kickstart to the bali pass trek.

Brief Overview of the Day:

• 220 km drive - approx 10 hours
• Pick up time 06.00 am from Dehradun
• Expected arrival time to Sankri – 5:00 pm
• Keep original and copy of ID proof handy, have to show at the forest check post of Sankri
• Available network BSNL (erratic).
• Breakfast and lunch on the way to Sankri (not included in the cost).
• After Pulora keep a warm jacket handy
• Local Market is available.
• Last ATM at Pulora.
• Dinner at guest house (included in the cost)
• Stay in Guest House (twin or triple sharing)

Early morning, after breakfast, we will get started with the trek and drive to Taluka. The actual Bali Pass trek starts from Taluka village. It is around a 12 km drive crossing the major streams, Bamboo & Deodar forests.

Upon reaching Taluka, we start walking, the first step would be to descend down to the Supin river and start walking along the stream. After you cross 2 -3 wooden & cemented bridges, the path will start ascending gradually. Waling for about one more hour, we will reach open grounds and you will find many local people busy working. Another 2 hours walk from here will take you to the beautiful wooden architecture of Ghandad village.

We will continue walking for another hour to reach a camping ground and you will also spot a wooden bridge that leads to Osla village. Osla has become a popular tourist destination in the past few years because of its beautiful wooden houses. We won’t be stopping on this camping site but continue walking under the forest cover along the banks of Supin river for about one more hour to reach Seema village. If you are lucky, you can spot Himalayan Monal in the forests. At Seema you will find many other trekkers and this will be our camping ground for the night.

Brief Overview of the Day:

• Altitude: 2,600m/8,500ft (Seema) and 2,100m/6,700ft (Taluka).
• Sankri to Taluka drive 12km, 1 hour.
• Taluka to Seema trek 12km, 7-8 hours.
• Most of the trail is gradual ascent.
• Walk though the Supin River.
• Trek is in the forest of Deodar trees, Bamboo, wild roses, irises and chestnut.
• Enough source of water on the way.
• Osla village is opposite to Seema.
• Packed lunch on the way.
• Stay in tent (Twin sharing).

On the third day of Bali Pass Trek, we will start fresh in the morning and leave for our first major spot - the Debshu Bugyal. Walking along the Supin river, the trail will get steeper as we get close to the Debshu Bugyal. Upon reaching the Ruinsara Valley, the trail becomes a bit difficult with boulders on the route. As we keep walking you can look behind to catch the glimpse of the famous Osla Village.

Walking for another 30 minutes on an even trail, the Debshu Bugyal will begin. The Bugyal is huge pastureland. You can rest here for a while. The Kala Nag and the Black Peak can be seen from the bugyal.

Form here, the drail suddenly descends until we reach the river bed again. The path is slippery and filled with stones. Once again we will cross the bridge & you will be able to view the beautiful sights all around you, the trail then enters a steep climb from here. We will soon reach the campsite for today at Rainbasera and spend the night.

Brief Overview of the Day

• Altitude: 3,100m/10,200ft.
• Trek: 10km, 6-7 hours.
• Moderate to difficult ascent and descent.
• Can see the confluence of Har Ki Dun and Ruinsara rivers.
• Magnificent view of Black Peak (Kala Nag) from Debshu Bugyal.
• Trek along with the Ruinsara river.
• Mixed scenery of forest, meadows and boulders.
• Enough source of water.
• Packed lunch for the day.
• Stay in tent.

This will be an exciting day as tonight we will be camping at the most awaited Ruinsara Lake. There will be no major changes in the trail and would be almost the same as the day before. We will walk for about 3-4 hours until we reach a point from where we will see glaciers at a distance and we will cross a stream to reach the lake.

The camping ground for today, the Ruinsara lake is like a dream come true. The camping ground for today will be between the Supin river & the Ruinsara lake, surrounded by meadows and you will be able to see the snow-capped mountains at a distance. The majestic snow capped Bandarpooch, Kala Nag & Dhumdhar Khai will dominate the sky. You can walk around and explore the beautiful area.

Brief Overview of the Day:

• Altitude: 3,600m/11,800ft (Ruinsara Tal).
• Trek: 7 km, 4-5 hours.
• Moderate accent.
• Ruinsara lake is surrounded by meadows snow clad peaks.
• Mixed trail of boulders and meadows.
• Can see waterfall on the way.
• Enough sources of water.
• View from camp site: Yamuna Kanta (the pass which takes you to Yamunotri), Banderpooch Peak, Dhumdhar Kandi Black Peak (Kala Nag) and White Peak.
• Packed lunch on the way and light lunch at camp site.
• Camping near by the lake.
• Stay in tent.

Today is a happy day as we only have to trek for 4km. As we descend down the Supin river, the trail will take us through dense forests and river crossings. The path will get steep again as we inch closer to the next meadow. From there, you can see high peaks and the trek serve as a trailer for what you witnessed in the last few days.

The vegetation will now start getting sparse, after walking for a kilometer, you will reach Odari. There is a rock cave at this location and it is believed that Bali (brother of sugriva) followed a demon in the cave to kill him but was trapped because the entry collapsed in the ensuing struggle. From here you can catch clear sights of swargarohini peaks.

Brief Overview of the Day:

• Altitude: 4,000m/13,100ft.
• Trek: 4km, 3-4 hours.
• Steep and gradual mixed ascent.
• Limited source of water.
• River crossing
• Odari means a naturally made rock cave.
• Hot lunch at the camp site.
• Stay in tent.

This day will be a bit difficult as we climb on a trail which is 60 degrees inclined.The trail is like a ridge walk with loose rock which makes it a bit difficult to walk on. The height gain is significant, make sure to drink water and have enough rest to also take proper precautions to avoid acute motion sickness.

Be prepared to face the cold temperatures as the night tends to drop below freezing.

Brief Overview of the Day:

• Altitude: 4,600m/15,100ft.
• Trek: 5 km, 6-7 hours.
• Steep and technical ascent .
• Walk on a mountain ridge.
• Stay in tent.

Today we cross Bali Pass to reach lower Dhamani, it's going to be a long day so eat enough for the energy. The trail is going to be steep with a lot of snow. After hiking for 2 to 3 hours on a steep trail we will reach the top of the pass. At this high point of the pass, which is only 10 by 30 feet wide, you will feel like standing on the top of a mountain. From here you will be able to view 360 degree view of the Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch and Garwal peaks and also the Yamunotri valley.

As we start descending, you need to be careful as it's a very steep & tricky descent and can be difficult to walk on because of the snow. Follow the proper techniques as instructed by the Bali pass trek leader as the path to lower Dhamani is a bit confusing.

Brief Overview of the Day

• Altitude: Bali Pass 4,950m/16,200ft, Lowar Dhamni 3,400m/11,100ft.
• Trek: 14km, 10-11 hours.
• Steep and technical ascent of 1-1.5 hours till the Bali Pass.
• Summit View: Bandarpoonch, Kalanag (Black Peak), Ruinsara and Yamuntori side, logical route to Saptarishikund.
• Stay in tent.

The last and the easiest day of the bali pass trek has arrived, today is gonna be filled with a lot of descents and mild ascents. The path is well paved and there is a slight ascent up to yamunotri which will take about 1 to 2 hours more.

• Altitude: 2,600m/8,500ft. (Jaan ki Chatti)
• Trek: 8km, 4-5 hours.
• Easy and well-defined trail.
• 170km, 7hours drive to Dehradun

By Air :-

Jolly Grant Airport is the airport serving Dehradun, located about 25 km from the city. There is a daily flight from Delhi to Dehradun

By Train :-
Take the overnight train to Dehradun from Delhi
• Nandadevi Express - Train no: 12205 (Departure 11:50pm; Arrival - 5:40am)
• Dehradun Express - Train no: 12687 (Departure - 9:10pm; Arrival - 5:00am)

By Bus :-
There is regular bus service from Delhi to Dehradun, from Delhi’s ISBT Kashmere Gate.
We would suggest you to take only government buses from ISBT Kashmere Gate. Private buses ply from outside ISBT and they are not trust worthiness.
Usually buses drop you at Dehradun ISBT. From there you have to come to Dehradun Railway Station
• TCM’s Tata Sumo or similar vehicles will pick-up you from Dehradun Railway Station at 6:00am.
• Pick-up is included in the cost of the trek
• You will reach Sankri by 5:00 pm
• Food from dehradun to Sankri is not included in the trek cost

Trek route map of Bali Pass trek. Not to scale.

Inclusions :-

1. Accommodation. (Home stay, Camping)
2. Meals while on trek (Veg.+ Egg)
3. Trek equipments: Sleeping bag, mattress, tent (twin sharing), kitchen & dinning tent, toilet tent, utensils and crampon (if required)
4. All necessary permits and entry fees.
5. First aid medical kits, stretcher and oxygen cylinder.
6. Mountaineering qualified & professional trek Leader, guide and Support staff.
7. Transport from Dehradun to Sankri and retorn (According to itinerary)
8. Mules to carry the central luggage

Exclusions :-

1. Any kind of personal expenses.
2. Food during the transit.
3. Insurance.
4. Mules or porter to carry personal luggage.
5. Anything not specifically mentioned under the head.
6. Any kind of emergency evacuation charges.

Note : Normally THE CRAZY MOUNTAINEERS expect you to carry your personal luggage on your own, if you wish to offload your backpack, you can give it to Mule.

Charges of offloading backpack:-

INR 1200/- if you make an online payment, 10 days in advance

INR 1500/- if you inform us after reaching Sankri

The backpack cannot weigh more than 11 kgs. Backpack should have waterproof cover. Suitcases/strolleys/ bags will not be allowed.

In the event of cancellation of trek/adventure activity services due to any avoidable / unavoidable reasons we must be notified of the same in writing. Cancellation charges will be effective from the date we receive advice in writing, and cancellation charges would be as follows: -

Cancellations prior to 24 days from the start of the trek

Book any other trek till one year or get 95% refund (Note: If the trek charges are more, the balance needs to be paid by the trekker)

Cancellation between 24 days and 14 days to the start of the trek

Choose to go for the same trek, with any other batch, till year or get 70% refund

Cancellation between 14 days and 10 days to the start of the trek

Choose to go on the same trek, in the same season, with any other batch or get 50% refund.

Cancellation less than 10 days to the start of the trek

Transfer your trek (same trek, same batch) to your friend. No cash refund.

Note:-

1. Change of trek batch is dependent on the availability of seats in the batch.
2. In case of transferring a trek to a friend, he/she should satisfy all the mandatory requirements put forward by THE CRAZY MOUNTAINEERS.
3. THE CRAZY MOUNTAINEERS holds the right to change/cancel the policies, without prior notice.

Q1. What is the total distance of Bali Pass Trek?

A1. The total distance of the Bali Pass Trek is about 60 kms and you will be covering around 8 Km. average each day.

Q2. What is the maximum altitude of Bali Pass Trek?

A2. This is a high-altitude trek with a maximum height of 16,200 ft. above the sea level.

Q3. What are the starting and ending points of Bali Pass Trek?

A3. The trek begins from Sankri and ends at Jan Ki Chatti from where we drive back to Dehradun.

Q4. Can beginners do this trek?

A4. Generally, Bali pass trek is not recommended for beginners because of the rough terrain, steep ascents and a high altitude.

Q5. Which months are best for Bali pass?

A5. The best time to visit Bali pass is the pre and post monsoon period from May - July & September - October.