Panchachuli Base Camp Trek is a 60 Km long trek that starts from Dar and ends at Panchachuli Glacier. The trek is a rich mix of snow capped mountains, vast meadows, beautiful sceneries including a wide variety of flora & fauna. The Panchachuli Glacier is located in the Kumaon himalayan range of the Darma Valley near the tibetian and nepaleese borders.
The trail will take you through thick forests of Deodar and Coniferous trees, across meadows, crossing narrow streams and through the tribal villages of Bongling ,Sela ,Nagling, Baaling and Duktu. The Panchachuli Base Camp trek is graded from easy to moderate level difficulty and takes 10 Days to complete.
The first day of the Panchachuli Base Camp trek is a picturesque 290 Km ride through the Pithoragarh district Uttarakhand crossing the towns of Bhimtal, Almora, Sera-Gat and others on the way. Dharchula is an isolated remote village located in a valley surrounded by snow capped mountains. We are expected to arrive at Dharchula by evening and overnight stay will be at a guest house.
Brief Overview of the Day
We will start from Dharchula and take a 3 hour drive to Dar, crossing small tribal settlements of Tawaghat and New Sobla. From Dar, we will start trekking along narrow cliffs with river Dhauliganga flowing by your side. It will take a 3 - 4 hours walk to reach our campsite for today at Urthing. After crossing the Bongling village the trail will level out and take us to the campsite. Overnight stay will be at camps
Brief Overview of the Day
Today is going to be an easy day with mostly slightly ascending and descending trails. We will be crossing green pasture lands that are used by local animals for grazing and you will be able to view river Dhauligangna flowing below through the gorges. The trail will open up into a vast green meadow and will use a bridge to cross the river which will take us to the outskirts of Naagling. Overnight stay will be at camps along the river.
Brief Overview of the Day
In the morning, we will start walking towards our next destination - Son. Son is a picturesque, sparsely populated area in the Darma Valley. The trail in the beginning of today's trek is a bit tricky as we will have to walk on rocky terrain for the first 3 kilometers. After that you will enter a dense forest of Oak & Birch trees, as we keep walking through the forest, we will enter a small clearing and you will be able to spot many exciting sights of the Himalayan ranges and distant glaciers.
Walking for another three kilometers across tribal settlements and vegetation lands will take us to Son & we will be camping here for tonight.
Brief Overview of the Day
The most awaited day of the trek has finally arrived and today we will be trekking towards Panchachuli Base Camp. The trail to the base camp is a steep descent on a narrow trail that will take you through forest cover along the Meola river.
This is the most picturesque part of the trek as you will find yourself walking along the dense forest of Birch on one side and stretches of beautiful bugyals on the other. On the final part of the trail you will spot wild flowers and strawberries growing on either side of the trail.
The view at the Panchachuli Base Camp is absolutely breathtaking, looking at the forests and meadows with the mighty Panchahchuli (6,905 m. / 22,650 ft.) rising high in the background leaves the onlookers spell bound.
Brief Overview of the Day
We will wake up early in the morning to have breakfast and start walking as It is going to be a long day today. We will be trekking 16 Km. back to Nagling. The trail is an easy downward descent so it should not be a problem. Dinner & night stay will be at camps in Nagling.
Brief Overview of the Day
Today we will be walking for 10 Km back to Urthing from Nagling. It will take about 4 hours and we will spend the night in tents.
Brief Overview of the Day
On the eighth day of the Panchachuli Base Camp Trek we will trek down to Sobla from Urthing and then drive to Dharchula for the night stay.
Brief Overview of the Day
Today is the final day of the Panchachuli Base Camp Trek. The 295 Km long ride will take you back to Kathgodam. You are expected to arrive at Kathgodam railway station by evening so make your plans accordingly.
Brief Overview of the Day
By Train:-
From Delhi take the Ranikhet Express (5014) Dep. Delhi at 10:40pm arrival Kathgodam at 5:30am (Overnight Journey) or the Uttar sampark kranti (5035) Dep. Delhi at 4:00pm arrival Kathgodam at 10:40pm (6 hrs.40min.Journey).
From Dehardun take the Doon Express (4120) Dep. Dehardun at 10:30 pm arrival at Kathgodam at 7:10 pm (8hrs.journey).
By Bus:-
Regular buses ply from ISBT Delhi Anand Vihar station to Kathgodam. Buses that go to Nainital stop at Haldwani which is a twin town of Kathgodam (8 hrs. Journey).
Usually buses drop you at Haldwani bus station. From there you have to come to Kathgodam Railway Station which is 4km away.
THE CRAZY MOUNTAINEERS Tata Sumo or similar vehicles will pick-up you from Kathgodam Railway Station
| Basics Gear | |
| Back pack & rain cover | (50 - 60 ltr) with comfortable shoulder straps |
| Day pack + rain cover | 20 - 30 ltr (If hire a mule or porter) |
| Walking stick | Advisable (At least one) |
| Head torch | 1 Nos. |
| Water bottle/Hydration pack | 2 bottles of one litre each |
| People who use hydration pack | |
| 1 hydration pack and 1 bottle of one liter | |
| Carry at least one thermos flask | |
| Snacks | Energy bars, dry fruits, electral/ors |
| Personal Medical Kit | Consult your doctor |
| Be comfy at Panchachuli Base Camp | |
| T-shirts | 2 Full sleeves (Non-cotton) |
| Fleece T-shirts | 1 Nos. |
| Fleece jacket | 1 Nos. (Alternative: a woollen sweater) |
| Down feather / Hollofil jacket | 1 Nos. |
| Wind & waterproof (jacket & pant) | 1 Pair |
| Thermal inners (upper and lower) | 1 Pair |
| Trek pants | 2 Synthetic (avoid shorts, fitting denims, capris) |
| Poncho | 1 Nos. |
| Think about your head | |
| Sun cap | 1 Nos. (One that covers the neck as well) |
| Woolen cap | 1 Nos. |
| Balaclava | 1 Nos. |
| Neck-gaiters | 1 Nos. |
| Sunglasses | Dark with side cover, it should be U/V protected. |
| People who wear spectacles- | |
| (A)- Use contact lenses. (Not for Chadar trek) | |
| (B)- Photo chromatic glasses. | |
| Mind your step | |
| Trekking shoes | 1 Pair (Waterproof, high ankle with good grip) |
| Floaters/flip-flops | 1 Pair (Optional) |
| Cotton socks | 5 pairs |
| Woollen socks | 3 pairs |
| Gaiters | 1 Pair (The Crazy Mountaineers team will notify you if required) |
| Keep these handy | |
| Waterproof gloves | 1 Pair |
| Fleece/woollen gloves | 1 Pair |
| Personal Utilities | |
| Sunscreen cream | Hand sanitizer |
| Moisturiser | Antibacterial powder |
| Toilet Paper & wipes | Toothbrush and toothpaste |
| Lip balm | Quick dry towe |
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.
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