5000 meters trek

Himalayan Treks Above 5000 Meters

Getting into more serious treks, these are the list of treks which takes you above 5000 meters and presents good challenge in form of terrain to negotiate or treacherous or strenuous routes. Often the best time to do such treks id pre-monsoon and post monsoon. The window is very small of about 4 months in a year, though we can push our limits to try it in off-season at the risk of Mother Nature.

Auden's Col to Ghuttu Trekking Expedition  

• 📅 Duration: 12 days 11 nights
• 🔼 Highest Altitude: 5490m
• 🛑 Grade: Challenging + ( know trek grades )
• 👍 Best Time: June, July, Sep, Oct
• 🚩 Starts From: Gangotri
• 🚩 Ends In: Ghuttu
• 🌏 Region: India - Uttrakhand
• 🎌 Country: India
• 🛪  Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant, Dehradoon
• 🚉 Nearest Rail Head: Rishikesh, Uttrakhand

Kangla & Miyar Glacier Trek - Explore Lahaul & Zanskar  

• 📅 Duration: 13 Da
• 🔼 Highest Altitude: 5415m
• 🛑 Grade: Strenuous ( know trek grades )
• 👍 Best Time: May, Jun, July, Aug, Sep, Oct
• 🚩 Starts From: Leh
• 🚩 Ends In: Manali
• 🌏 Region: India - Ladakh
• 🛪  Nearest Airport: Leh, Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport ( IXL)
• 🚉 Nearest Rail Head: Katra, (KEA), Jammu Tawi ( JAT)

Phyang to Nubra Trek via Lasermo La  

• 🔼 Highest Altitude: 5420m
• 🛑 Grade: Moderate + ( know trek grades )
• 👍 Best Time: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
• 🚩 Ends In: Leh

Lamayuru Darcha Trek - Trekking In Zanskar Valley  

• 📅 Duration: 22 Da
• 🔼 Highest Altitude: 5090m
• 👍 Best Time: June, July, Aug, Sep, Oct

Kalindi Khal Trekking Expedition  

• 📅 Duration: 16 Da
• 🔼 Highest Altitude: 5950m
• 👍 Best Time: May, June, September
• 🚩 Ends In: Mana

Annapurna Circuit Trek via Thorang La and Muktinath  

• 📅 Duration: 17 Da
• 🔼 Highest Altitude: 5419m
• 👍 Best Time: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
• 🚩 Starts From: Pokhara
• 🚩 Ends In: Pokhara
• 🌏 Region: Nepal - Annapurna
• 🎌 Country: Nepal
• 🛪  Nearest Airport: Pokhara Airport, Nepal
• 🚉 Nearest Rail Head: Jainagar or Gorakhpur or New Jalpaiguri, India

Ladakh Zanskar Traverse Trek - Via Zalung Karpo & Chachar La  

• 📅 Duration: 13 Days. 12 Nights
• 🔼 Highest Altitude: 5200m

Rumtse Tsomoriri Trek | Customized Private Trek In Ladakh  

• 📅 Duration: 12 Days, 11 Nights
• 🔼 Highest Altitude: 5450m
• 👍 Best Time: Jul, Aug, Sep

Sinla Pass Trek - Kuthi Yankti to Darma Valley  

• 📅 Duration: 14 Da
• 🔼 Highest Altitude: 5323m
• 🛑 Grade: Challenging ( know trek grades )
• 👍 Best Time: May, Jun, Sep, Oct
• 🚩 Starts From: Dharchula
• 🚩 Ends In: Dharchula
• 🛪  Nearest Airport: Pantnagar, Uttrakhand, Pithoragarh Raini Saini
• 🚉 Nearest Rail Head: Kathgodam, Uttrakhand

Parang La Trek | Manali to Leh  

• 📅 Duration: 14 Days, 13 Nights
• 🔼 Highest Altitude: 5572m
• 👍 Best Time: Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
• 🚩 Starts From: Manali
• 🌏 Region: India - Himachal
• 🛪  Nearest Airport: Bhuntar Airport (KUU), Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
• 🚉 Nearest Rail Head: Chandigarh

Dhumdhar Kandi Pass Trekking Expedition  

• 🔼 Highest Altitude:
• 👍 Best Time: May - Jun, Sep - Oct
• 🚩 Starts From: Sankri
• 🚩 Ends In: Uttarkashi
• 🛪  Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, Uttrakhand
• 🚉 Nearest Rail Head: Dehradun, Uttrakhand

Borasu Pass Trek | Sankri to Chitkul  

• 📅 Duration: 10 Days, 9 Nights
• 👍 Best Time: Mid May, June, Sep, Mid Oct
• 🚩 Ends In: Chitkul

Nandi Kund Trek | Ghiya Vinayak Pass | Customized Private Trek  

• 🔼 Highest Altitude: 5250m
• 👍 Best Time: May End - June, Sep - Early October
• 🚩 Starts From: Ransi
• 🚩 Ends In: Urgum

Bhyundar Khal Trek | Customized Private Trek  

• 📅 Duration: 11 Da
• 🔼 Highest Altitude: 5100m
• 🚩 Starts From: Joshimath
• 🚩 Ends In: Joshimath
• 🛪  Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehraoon, Uttrakhand

Pin Parvati Pass Trek | Customized Private Trek  

• 📅 Duration: 10 days 10 nights
• 🔼 Highest Altitude: 5300m
• 👍 Best Time: mid Jun, Sep

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek Nepal  

• 📅 Duration: 19 days 19 nights
• 👍 Best Time: Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
• 🚩 Starts From: Suketar
• 🚩 Ends In: Suketar
• 🌏 Region: Nepal - Kanchenjunga
• 🛪  Nearest Airport: Suketar Airport
• 🚉 Nearest Rail Head: New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal

Markha Valley Trek | Customized Private Trek In Ladakh  

• 📅 Duration: 9 days 8 nights
• 🔼 Highest Altitude: 5130m

Tapovan - Nandanvan - Vasuki Taal Trek | Customized Private Trek  

• 🔼 Highest Altitude: 4810m
• 🚩 Ends In: Gangotri

Everest Three Passes Trek With Gokyo Lakes, Cho La, Renjo La, Kongma La  

• 📅 Duration: 18 days 18 nights
• 🔼 Highest Altitude: 5554m
• 👍 Best Time: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
• 🚩 Starts From: Lukla
• 🚩 Ends In: Lukla
• 🌏 Region: Nepal - Everest
• 🛪  Nearest Airport: Tenzing–Hillary Airport, Lukla, Solukhumbhu
• 🚉 Nearest Rail Head: Jayanagar or Gorakhpur, Bihar

Climb Island Peak In Nepal With Everest Base Camp  

• 🔼 Highest Altitude: 6189m

Panpatia Col Trekking Expedition  

• 📅 Duration: 14 days 14 nights
• 🔼 Highest Altitude: 5260m
• 👍 Best Time: Mid May, Early Jun, Mid Sep
• 🚩 Ends In: Ransi

Patangani Dhar | Auden's Col | Mayali Pass Trek  

• 📅 Duration: 18 days 17 nights
• 👍 Best Time: Jun, early Jul, mid Sep
• 🚩 Ends In: Gaurikund

Mayali Pass Trek From Ghuttu to Kedarnath | Customized Private Trek  

• 🚩 Starts From: Ghuttu

Ronti Saddle Trek With Roopkund And Homkund  

• 📅 Duration: 12 days 12 nights
• 👍 Best Time: May June, Sep Oct
• 🚩 Starts From: Lohajung
• 🚩 Ends In: Ghat

Everest Base Camp Trek 14 Days | Best Of Nepal  

EBC Trek With Gokyo Lakes over Cho La Pass  

Kang Yatse 2 - 6223m Trekking Peak In Ladakh | Customized Private Trek  

• 🔼 Highest Altitude: 6223m

Roopkund - The Skeletal Lake Trek  

• 📅 Duration: 7 days 7 nights
• 🔼 Highest Altitude: 5150m
• 👍 Best Time: May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
• 🚩 Ends In: Lohajung

Green Lake Trek Sikkim  

• 📅 Duration: 14 days 13 nights
• 👍 Best Time: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
• 🚩 Starts From: Lachen
• 🚩 Ends In: Lachen
• 🌏 Region: India - Darjeeling Sikkim
• 🛪  Nearest Airport: Bagdogra, West Bengal

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Famous High Altitude Treks in India

India is a land of diverse cultures and landscapes. It boasts of majestic mountain ranges that offer some of the most challenging treks in the world. These treks are not for the faint-hearted and require a great deal of physical and mental endurance. High altitude treks in India, especially in the Himalayas, are a thrilling experience that every adventure enthusiast must try at least once in their lifetime. In this article, we will explore some of the most difficult treks in India that will take you to the Himalayan treks above 5000 meters. Here is list of some popular High Altitude Treks in India.

Chadar Trek

Chadar Trek, located in Ladakh, is not just a prime high-altitude journey, but a distinguished winter expedition as well. But why the name Chadar? Is it a destination? The rationale for this appellation is that during the winter months, the river metamorphoses into a blanket (known as Chadar in Hindi) on which you must trek. The experience is amplified by the fact that the temperature here plummets to approximately -20 degree Celsius. Quite exhilarating, is it not? The excursion commences from the Chilling hamlet, and progresses to Zaribago, Deepyokma, Nyarak Village, Nyarakpulu, and then culminates at a small village named Lingshed. From Lingshed, the journey continues to Tso Mopoaldar via Nyarakpulu, and then to Chilling by way of Tilatdo.

How to Reach

To reach Chadar Trek, one must first travel to the village of Chilling and then proceed on foot through several other villages and frozen rivers.

Kinnaur Kailash Circuit Trek

Nestled in the snowy depths of Himachal Pradesh lies the Kinnaur Kailash Circuit Trek, a journey that leads you to the winter sanctuary of Lord Shiva. Embarking on this 11-day spiritual odyssey is ideal for those seeking enlightenment amidst breathtaking scenery. According to ancient legends, this very land was where Lord Shiva presided over the grandiose congregation of gods and goddesses every January. Commencing from the quaint village of Thangi near Chail, the trek winds its way through the picturesque Charang Village and culminates at Manali via Chitkul, Tabo and Losar. En route, trekkers will be captivated by the awe-inspiring Charang La pass that stands tall at a dizzying altitude of 17,200 ft above sea level. However, the pièce de résistance of this trek is undoubtedly the towering Kinner Kailash Shivling, an imposing monolith that soars to an astounding height of 79 feet and spans a length of 30-40 feet.

From this vantage point, one can bask in the magnificent panorama of the Great Himalayan Mountain Range, with majestic peaks such as Mt. Jorkandan and Mt. Rangrik looming in the distance. For those with limited time, the trek can be truncated by disembarking at Tangling and embarking on a shorter journey to Kinner Kailash.

How to Reach The Kinnaur Kailash Circuit Trek can be reached by taking a flight to Shimla or Bhuntar airport, followed by a drive to the trek starting point at Thangi village near Chail. Alternatively, one can also take a train to Kalka Railway Station and then drive to Thangi village.

Stok Kangri Trek

As a challenging trek, the Stok Kangri Trek in Ladakh not only requires trekking, but also demands climbing, steep trekking through rough snow patches, mountain trekking, and everything that can be nerve-wracking. It promises to test your endurance and take you to high altitudes at every turn, quite literally. Beginning at Sumdo, the trail heads towards Shang La via Shang Phu, where you might spot wolves. Afterward, you will descend to Tokpo Rivera and traverse through Gangpoche to reach Matho La. Following this, you’ll walk along a ridge with a stunning view of Saltoro Kangri before trekking through the grasslands situated behind the stream. Finally, the trail leads to the Stok Kangri Peak.

How to Reach To reach the Stok Kangri Trek in Ladakh, you can travel by air to Leh Airport and then hire a taxi to reach the starting point of the trek.

Darcha – Padum Trek

The Darcha Padum Trek in Ladakh possesses an inexplicable allure that even after enduring cuts and slits, adventurers persist due to the promise of stunning vistas. This trek encompasses the Lahaul region and all three primary areas of Ladakh, which is why it is so arduous. The journey entails not only traversing hills but also trekking through towering mountains, picturesque valleys, vast glaciers, and crossing river streams. Beginning from Darcha in the Lahaul valley, the trek will lead you to Palamo, Zanskar Sumdo, Chuminakpo, Lakong, Purne, and Ichar before reaching Padum.

How to Reach The Darcha Padum Trek in Ladakh can be reached by road from Manali or by air from Leh to Padum.

Goecha La Trek

Goecha La Trek, located in Sikkim, exudes an enigmatic aura that is alluring, stunning, and otherworldly. The trek is widely recognized as one of the most enchanting hikes in India. The question remains, however, what distinguishes this trek from others? The answer lies in its journey through the blooming rhododendron forests, along with the sparkling blue water of Samiti Lake and the vast meadows. The trek commences from Yuksom and covers various breathtaking locations like Tshoka, Phedang, Dzongri, Kokchurang, Thangsing, and Lamuney. Prior to embarking on this unforgettable journey, obtaining a special trekking permit from Gangtok is mandatory.

How to Reach Reaching Goecha La Trek in Sikkim involves obtaining a permit from Gangtok and commencing the trek from Yuksom.

Auden’s Col Trek

Auden’s Col Trek is a challenging trek located in the Garhwal mountains of Uttarakhand, India. Discovered in 1935 by British Geographical Survey officer John Bicknell Auden, the trek derives its name from him. The trek is notable for forming a bridge between the north-west ridge of Gangotri III and the ridge coming from Jogin I. Beginning at Gangotri, the trek passes through several camps including Nala Camp, Rudugaira Base Camp, Basecamp Gangotri Group, and finally Auden Col base camp. Along the way, trekkers will encounter breathtaking natural attractions such as Khatling Glacier, Waterfall Camp, Chowki, Masar Tal, Vasuki Tal, Kedarnath, Gaurikund, Rudraprayag, and Rishikesh.

How to Reach To reach Auden’s Col Trek, one must first reach the town of Gangotri, which is accessible by road from major cities in Uttarakhand like Dehradun and Rishikesh. From there, one can start the trek towards the Auden’s Col base camp.

Kalindi Khal Trek

Kalindi Khal Trek, located in Uttarakhand, is considered one of the toughest treks in the Garhwal mountains. Starting from Gangotri, this trek takes you through some of the most iconic attractions such as Tapovan (4250 m), Nandanvan (4500 m), Vasuki Tal (5300 m), Kalindi Base (5590 m), Kalindikhal (5948 m), Arwa Tal (3980 m), and Gash told (3600 m). The trek is full of adventure, including trudging through snow glaciers, climbing over boulders, and river crossings. Moreover, the trail lets you explore half of Garhwal, from the Bhagirathi River valley to the Alaknanda river valley.

How to Reach To reach Kalindikhal Trek, you need to first reach Gangotri, which can be accessed by road from major cities in Uttarakhand. From there, you need to trek to the base camp at Gangotri.

Snow Leopard Trek

The Snow Leopard Trek is a highly coveted expedition in Ladakh, located in the eastern region of the territory at an altitude of 4,100 meters. This trek is a distinguished feature of the infamous Hemis National Park and spans 600 sq. kilometers within the valleys of Markha and Rumbak. The region being protected, presents an exciting opportunity to catch a glimpse of rare animals that only inhabit the cold desert, including but not limited to, the Ibex, Shapo, Marmot, Tibetan Hare, and Antelope, among others. The region also boasts the presence of Snow Patridge, Himalayan Snow Cock, Horned Lark(snowbird), Red Billed Chuff, among other species of birds that augment the beauty of the surroundings. Adventurers and animal lovers alike are drawn to the area’s major attractions, the rare and endangered species, and rare birds.

The Snow Leopard Trek is best undertaken between November and March, where one can experience the rugged mountains, verdant trails, and catch sightings of exotic birds and animals, making for an entirely fascinating adventure. The trek becomes increasingly challenging as you scale higher elevations, as the cold, rarefied air can become significantly thinner, with temperatures ranging between -10°C and -20°C. Every turn on this trek can present a surprise that can be cherished for eternity, while also enabling you to uncover fascinating tales of the Rumbak valley, making the trek all the more enjoyable. The Snow Leopard Trek lasts for a duration of 8 days.

How to Reach To reach the Snow Leopard Trek, one must travel to the eastern part of Ladakh, which is located at an altitude of 4,100 meters.

Markha Valley Trek

The Markha Valley Trek is a highly sought-after adventure in Ladakh, offering a journey through stunning villages nestled deep in valleys flanked by towering peaks. Trekking over the Kongmaru La pass provides breathtaking views of the Kang Yatse peaks, while homestays along the way offer an opportunity to immerse oneself in the local way of life. The Markha Valley is also part of Hemis National Park, the elusive snow leopard’s natural habitat. To undertake this challenging trek, experienced trekkers are recommended to take on the journey between June and September. It involves crossing numerous streams, steep ascents and descents, as well as long day walks.

Temperatures during the trek range from 22°C to 30°C in the summer, plummeting to -5°C or below in the winter. Starting at Chilling’s altitude of 10,490 feet, the trek takes you to the highest point of 17,060 feet at Kongmaru La, where the picturesque view of the Kongmaru La and Ganda La peaks is awe-inspiring. The trek is further enhanced by the natural beauty of the landscape, featuring sparkling streams, snow-capped mountains, and meadows that leave an indelible impression on the soul. After two days of acclimatization in Leh, the journey continues through the Zingchen and Yurutse plateaus, culminating in the ultimate destination of Skiu.

How to Reach The Markha Valley trek can be reached by road from Leh, which is well-connected by air to major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Srinagar. From Leh, one can hire a taxi or take a bus to Chilling, which is the starting point of the trek.

Green Lake Trek

The Green Lake Trek in Sikkim is a renowned journey that will take you to the iconic green lake by crossing breathtaking sights consisting of emerald meadows strewn, and layers of white snow. This trek commences from Green Lake and leads you through Tallem, Zema, Jakthang, Yabuk before culminating your journey at the Green Lake basecamp. The trek is renowned for its awe-inspiring landscapes with unique rock formations and rhododendron-lined trails, which make it an extremely sought-after destination for trekkers. Additionally, it presents an opportunity to observe and contemplate the culture of Sikkim. The trek is particularly noted for its biodiversity and dynamic landscapes that are etched into your memories forever.

How to Reach To reach the Green Lake Trek, one must commence their journey from Green Lake and cross through Tallem, Zema, Jakthang, Yabuk, and finally reach the Green Lake basecamp.

Nanda Devi Base Camp Trek

The Nanda Devi Base Camp Trek is a challenging route that takes trekkers to the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, which is a group of peaks that surround the second highest peak in India and the highest peak in Uttrakhand. Accessing the mountain is difficult, as it stands at an impressive 25,643 ft. The Nanda Devi East Base Camp Trek is the only route available to trekkers after the Nanda Devi Inner Sanctuary region was closed, which offers a breathtaking view of the Nanda Devi twin peaks. The trek lasts for about 9 to 12 days. Starting with an easy climb from Munsiyari, the trek gradually becomes tougher as you reach Bugdiyar, where the path becomes circular and slippery. Munsiyari is a crucial point for trekkers heading to the Milam, Namik, Ralam glaciers & the Nanda Devi Peak. This region, which is adjacent to Nanda Devi National Park, is designated as a UNESCO world heritage site and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna.

The trek passes through vast meadows, deep valleys, ancient villages, gorges, and high altitude glaciers. You’ll also cross an old trade route that cuts through moraine fields and dense forests. Due to its challenging nature, the trek requires several camping bases. The best time to embark on this trek is between May and June or September and October. This trek is not for the faint of heart as it involves challenging terrain that is both circular and slippery. The journey requires trekkers to have a good level of fitness and endurance. However, for those who are up for the challenge, the Nanda Devi Base Camp Trek offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of the Himalayas and its diverse flora and fauna.

How to Reach To reach the Nanda Devi Base Camp Trek, you need to reach the town of Munsiyari and then trek to the base camp.

Lamkhaga Pass Trek

Lamkhaga Pass is considered to be one of the most challenging treks in the Garhwal region, situated at an altitude of 5381 meters. This pass connects Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh to Harsil in Garhwal, near the Indo-Tibetan border. During the trek, one can traverse through some of the remote areas of Himachal and Garhwal, passing through lush forests of Pine, Deodar, and Bhojpatra. The route follows the Jalindragad River until reaching the Kyarkoti meadows and then onwards to the picturesque Baspa valley. The starting point for the Lamkhaga Pass trek is Harsil, a small town that is also a popular tourist destination. The trail is steep from the beginning, and hence it is not recommended for beginners. However, experienced trekkers and mountaineers can find the diverse landscapes along the trek to be quite rewarding.

How to Reach To reach the Lamkhaga Pass trek, one can start from Harsil, which is well-connected by road to major cities in Uttarakhand. The nearest airport is in Dehradun, and the nearest railway station is in Rishikesh.

High altitude treks in India offer a unique and thrilling experience that every adventure enthusiast must try at least once in their lifetime. These treks are not for the faint-hearted and require a great deal of physical and mental endurance. In this article, we have explored some of the most difficult treks in India that will take you to the Himalayan treks above 5000 meters. We hope that this article has inspired you to take on this exciting challenge and explore the beauty of the Himalayas.

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Three Passes Trek Complete Overview | Kongma La, Cho La, Renjo La

By: Author Charles

Posted on February 3, 2023

The Three Passes Trek of the Himalayas has to be one of the ultimate multi day hikes in the world. For nearly three weeks you will get to experience stunning landscapes, summit several high-altitude peaks, head over the majestic Three Passes, and even get to visit Mount Everest Base Camp.

There is just so much variety during the Three Passes Trek and once you finish your time in the Himalayas, you will be left with some truly one of a kind memories.

For any outdoor enthusiast who wants a little bit of everything and is willing to work for those views and experiences, then the Three Passes is for you.

The purpose of this guide will be to give you an absolute and complete detailed overview of what the trek entails. Everything from a day by day itinerary, costs & logistics, and helpful maps & trekking details, this guide will have it all.

As I am sure you may have some questions along the way, feel free to write them in at the end of this guide. Hope you enjoy the read!

*  Affiliate Disclosure : This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through the links provided, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the work I put into TripTins!

1) Trek Overview & Background

While most people who visit this region of the Himalayas just head on the classic 11-day Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek , there is also an option to extend the journey into a more holistic view of the region.

That is where the Three Passes Trek comes into play. You not only get to visit Everest Base Camp, but you also get to head over three stunning mountain passes (Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La), head to the Gokyo region, and take part of additional trekking peaks not on the classic EBC route.

This trek is not meant for everyone out there as it is a quite demanding journey to take part of. But if you have the time, the fitness, and the mindset, then I highly recommend you consider the Three Passes trek for your trip.

Below is a high-level breakdown of some of the main metrics of the trek. In the next couple of sections I will break this down into a day by day detail.

Trek Name : Three Passes Trek

What Are the Three Passes : Kongma La, Cho La, Renjo La

Location : Sagarmatha National Park | The Himalayas

# of Days : ~18 days

How Many Miles is the 3 Passes Trek : 112 miles / 181 km (including day hikes)

Elevation Gain of the 3 Passes Trek : 35,771 feet / 10,900 meters (including day hikes)

Duration : 4 – 10 hours per day (depending on fitness level)

You can see I mentioned “including day hikes”. That is because there are several “add on” acclimatization hikes / day hikes that can (and should) be added to your itinerary. You will see those listed out in the next section below as I dive into the day by day itinerary.

2) Three Passes Trek Itinerary

Below is the day by day Three Passes Trek itinerary that takes you from village to village around the region & on those additional day hikes. Note that there is not one size fits all itinerary.

The trip can be broken down in many different ways but I believe this is a fantastic option to start with.

Day 1 : Fly to Lukla & Lukla – Phakding

Day 2 : Phakding – Namche Bazaar

Day 3 : Acclimatization Hike to Hotel Everest View

Day 4 : Namche Bazaar – Tengboche*

Day 5 : Tengboche – Dingboche*

Day 6 : Acclimatization Hike to Nangkartshang peak

Day 7 : Dingboche – Chukhung**

Day 8 : Acclimatization Hike to Chukhung Ri

Day 9 : Chukhung – Kongma La Pass – Lobuche

Day 10 : Lobuche – Gorak Shep & Trek to Everest Base Camp

Day 11 : Kala Patthar & Gorak Shep – Dzongla

Day 12 : Dzongla – Cho La Pass – Gokyo

Day 13 : Hike up Gokyo Ri

Day 14 : Hike to the 4 th & 5 th Gokyo Lakes

Day 15 : Gokyo – Renjo La Pass – Lungde

Day 16 : Lungde – Namche Bazaar

Day 17 : Namche Bazaar – Lukla

Day 18 : Depart Lukla

* There is also the option to add a visit to Ama Dablam Base Camp to your trek as well . This would not add any additional days to the trek. On Day 4 you can trek from Namche to Pangboche (Pangboche is right between Tengnoche & Dingboche), and then on Day 5 you can visit Ama Dablam BC in the morning before heading to Dingboche in the afternoon.

» Read more about that experience in the Ama Dablam Base Camp trekking guide

**After arriving in the village of Chukhung, you could also opt for an afternoon day hike to Island Peak Base Camp.

Later on in the guide I will give a bit more overview of each day and include links to each day’s hiking guide if you would like even more detail.

3) Three Passes Trek Map

Now that you have an idea of what the day by day itinerary will look like, let me show you what that looks like on a map. I have included the Three Passes trek on a Google Maps view so you can zoom in and out of the map and explore each day’s route.

» The blue routes are the trekking routes from village to village along the trek. You can see each village pinpointed with a blue pin as well.

» In red, yellow and purple you can see the routes for the days that the trek crosses over each of the three passes (Kongma La – red; Cho La – yellow; Renjo La – purple).

» You can also see pinpointed in black are several hiking markers. These represent all of those acclimatization and side hikes you can add onto your overall trekking journey.

Note: some of the routes I had to hand draw in there since the map wasn’t picking up the walking routes. Please consider what you see below to be estimates of the exact trail location. I would recommend an app like Maps.me for a GPS guided route on the trail.

4) Clockwise vs Counter Clockwise

While we are on the subject of the itinerary and map, let’s talk about which direction the route should be completed in. As you can tell by now, I went about it in the counter clockwise direction (starting with Kongma La and ending with Renjo La).

However, there is also the option to complete the trek in the clockwise direction – starting with Renjo La and ending with Kongma La.

During my time on the trail, I would estimate that around 75% of people on the Three Passes were doing so in the counter clockwise direction. Looking back at my trek, I see pros and cons for both directions.

Counter Clockwise Pros / Clockwise Cons

» There is one main reason why most prefer to do the trek counter clockwise, and that is due to the overall acclimatization of the hike.

If you go clockwise, on day 6 you will already need to climb up to 5,360 meters / 17,585 feet on the Renjo La Pass and then sleep at 4,750 meters / 15,584 feet in Gokyo.

This is compared to getting Dingboche on day 5 at 4,410 meters / 14,469 feet, spending a couple nights there with an acclimatization hike to 5,083 meters / 16,676 feet on Nangkartshang Peak.

Overall, it is just a better acclimatization schedule going counter clockwise vs. clockwise.

» Another reason why going counter clockwise is said to be better is due to the Kongma La Pass. If going uphill over the Kongma La Pass in the clockwise direction (Lobuche to Chukhung), it will probably be the hardest single push of trekking on the entire trek . It is a very long and tedious section of trail, and I can see why more people would rather go down it than up it.

» And lastly, a third reason why counter is preferred is because the views between Namche Bazaar and Chukhung are much better in the counter direction than the clockwise . Going counter clockwise, you will have the Everest mountain range and Ama Dablam out in front of you – something you would miss if going clockwise.

Clockwise Pros / Counter Clockwise Cons

In my opinion the biggest reason to hike clockwise is that the best views will always be out in front of you on the passes themselves .

As you head clockwise over Renjo La, Mount Everest and Gokyo will be awaiting, over Cho La the glacier will be right in view, and over Kongma La you will be walking towards the turquoise lakes.

While you will still have all of these views to enjoy in the counter clockwise direction, you will need to turn around to see them. Since you will probably have several breaks along the way, this may not be too big of an issue. You will also be able to sit back and enjoy the views from a top the passes too.

But if you want the best views out in front of you as you descend the passes, then clockwise is the better option.

5) Elevation Gain Profile & Distance Breakdown by Day

I believe the chart below is one of the most helpful pieces of information you should study for your trip. It is a complete breakdown of the daily distance, elevation gain, and trekking times for each day of the journey.

This will give you a much more accurate representation of what to expect out on the trek compared to more high-level numbers you may come across.

I put together a similar chart for the Everest Base Camp trek distance & elevation gain if you are interested in checking that out as well.

6) Three Passes Trek Cost Breakdown

There are a few different ways to go about the Three Passes Trek and depending on your choice, that can have a significant impact on the cost of your trip. The main options here include:

1) Fully Independent

This option really speaks for itself. You take care of all logistics, carry all your own gear, and head out into the Himalayas on your own.

2) Hire a Porter / Porter Guide / Guide (or multiple)

If you would like to support the local community a bit more, hiring a porter, porter guide or guide is a great way to go about the trek.

» A porter is someone who simply will carry your belongings from one village to the next while you may just carry a daypack. Porters usually do not speak any English at all.

» A porter guide is someone who will carry your belongings and speaks broken English.

» A guide is someone who speaks good English but will not carry any of your gear.

As you may imagine a porter is the cheapest option (+$15 per day), porter guide is in the middle ($20 per day), and a guide is in the most expensive ($30 per day). During my time on the trail I also saw small groups (2-4 people) who would hire a couple porters and a main guide, so you can opt for something like that too.

3) Join a Fully Guided Trek

The most expensive option here is to join a fully guided trek that will take care of all logistics for you from beginning to end. These costs usually include teahouses, food, porters, guides, logistics pre and post trek, flights, etc. For the most part, you can simply show up and be on your way.

These can really range in price. You can join a trek put together by a local trekking company which can cost around $1,500 or you can join a western based operator whose prices can reach well over $2,000.

If you don’t opt for the third option here, the below cost breakdown for an independent 17 day trek will get you going in the right direction. If you decide to hire a porter, porter guide, or guide then you simply can look at the bottom of the chart below (don’t forget about tipping your porter/guide too!).

7) Himalayas Packing List

To have a successful Three Passes trek, you will need to come prepared with the right gear. Remember, this is an 18 day trek and it will very likely include some cold conditions along the way. By utilizing the packing list below, you should be in great shape with all necessary gear and other essentials.

The Everest Base Camp Trek Packing List I put together goes into detail about everything to bring along and will explain more thoroughly why certain items are recommended.

While the list is geared more towards the EBC trek, the only change I would make is to maybe bring a a couple additional pairs of base layer clothing.

Here are a few additional tips when it comes to the packing list:

» All of your clothing should be made of moisture wicking materials such as Dri FIT, polyester, or wool. These types of materials do not trap moisture and instead keep you dry and comfortable as you are hiking the trails.

» Be sure to keep your electronics in your sleeping bag at night . If you did not know, leaving electronics out in the cold kills their batteries much faster than normal.

If you keep all your electronics / batteries in your sleeping bag at night, you have a better chance to preserve those much needed charges during the duration of the hike.

» You can rent a down jacket and sleeping bag in Kathmandu if you do not want to bring those two larger items with you from abroad. If you are missing any other items, you should also be able to find most of them in Kathmandu before you head off to Lukla.

» Bring along more cash than you will need . Cash is king on the trek and you will need to pay for all your food, accommodations, tips, and other purchases with local Nepalese Rupees (you may be able to pay with USD for permits but rupees will be needed otherwise).

Be sure to bring enough cash (and then some) from Kathmandu.

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8) A Day by Day Breakdown

Below you will find a day by day breakdown of the Three Passes trek with a short overview of what to expect out on the trail on each day.

If you would like to learn more about certain days, check out the linked guides that will take you to articles I put together for each day of the trip.

» I took part of the trek in November, which is a month that offers plenty of sunshine and little rain. Feel free to check out this Everest Base Camp weather guide to learn more about why I choose this time of year to hike.

Day 1: Fly to Lukla & Lukla – Phakding

Starting Elevation : 9,318 feet / 2,840 meters

Ending Elevation : 8,563 feet / 2,610 meters

Distance : 5.1 miles / 8.2 km

Duration : 3 hours

Elevation Gain : 909 feet / 277 meters

Net Elevation Gain : (755 feet) / (230 meters)

After taking an early flight from Kathmandu to Lukla , it is time to begin the journey on the Three Passes Trek. Once you land, you can collect your bags and head off into Lukla to have some breakfast before taking off for the day.

Important Note : Flights sometimes only depart from Ramechhap, a 5-6 hour drive from Kathmandu. Be sure to check the latest flight schedules to better understand if Kathmandu offers departures during your trip.

Today will be an easy hike towards Phakding, and it is actually a net elevation loss. It is a perfect way to just get used to the altitude and get your body warmed up for what is yet to come.

» Learn more in the Lukla to Phakding guide up on the site

Day 2: Phakding – Namche Bazaar

Starting Elevation : 8,563 feet / 2,610 meters

Ending Elevation : 11,286 feet / 3,440 meters

Distance : 6.8 miles / 10.9 km

Duration : 7 hours

Elevation Gain : 3,986 feet / 1,215 meters

Net Elevation Gain : 2,723 feet / 830 meters

While the first day was nice and easy, day 2 will be one of the more difficult trekking days as you head all the way up to Namche Bazaar.

There will be quite a bit of elevation gain throughout the way as you head across suspension bridges, take in those first real mountain views, and even get a sneak peek at Mount Everest itself.

» Learn more in the Phakding to Namche Bazaar guide up on the site

Day 3: Acclimatization Hike to Hotel Everest View

Starting Elevation : 11,286 feet / 3,440 meters

Hotel Elevation : 12,730 feet / 3,880 meters

Distance : 3.4 miles / 5,4 km

Elevation Gain : 1,444 feet / 440 meters

Net Elevation Gain : –

It is time to acclimatize as you spend your third day of the trek above the village of Namche Bazaar. You can leave most of your gear behind as you take a light day pack up to Hotel Everest View.

Along the way and at the hotel itself, you will get some nice views of the Everest mountain range way out in the distance.

Once all finished up and you have had some time to relax up top, follow the path back down to the village, where you will spend a second night in Namche.

» Learn more in the Hotel Everest View hiking guide up on the site

Day 4: Namche Bazaar – Tengboche

Ending Elevation : 12,664 feet / 3,860 meters

Distance : 6 miles / 9.6 km

Duration : 5 hours

Elevation Gain : 2,881 feet / 878 meters

Net Elevation Gain : 1,378 feet / 420 meters

Although you are netting 1,378 feet of elevation gain today, the total gain is closer to 2,900 feet due to the ups and downs of the trail between Namche and Tengboche.

During a good portion of today’s trail you should be able to see the top of Mount Everest as well as some one of a kind views of Ama Dablam.

Once you reach Tengboche, feel free to head to the village’s monastery, one of the most famous in the Himalayas.

» Learn more in the Namche Bazaar to Tengboche guide up on the site

Day 5: Tengboche – Dingboche

Starting Elevation : 12,664 feet / 3,860 meters

Ending Elevation : 14,469 feet / 4,410 meters

Distance : 6.5 miles / 10.5 km

Duration : 6 hours

Elevation Gain : 2,287 feet / 697 meters

Net Elevation Gain : 1,805 feet / 550 meters

It is now further down the valley onwards to the village of Dingboche. Along the way you will pass Pangboche and the turn off for Ama Dablam Base Camp, if you decide to change up the itinerary a bit.

Today is a relatively easy day all things considered, as you gain a some more elevation on a slight incline all the way through and finish up in Dingboche, where you will stay a couple nights to better acclimatize.

» Learn more in the Tengboche to Dingboche guide up on the site

Day 6: Acclimatization Hike to Nangkartshang Peak

Starting Elevation : 14,469 feet / 4,410 meters

Peak Elevation : 16,677 feet / 5,083 meters

Distance : 3.2 miles / 5.1 km

Elevation Gain : 2,208 feet / 673 meters

Directly behind the village, you will see a winding trail up to Nangkartshang Peak. While a tough peak to conquer, you will get some of the best views you can ask for.

Off to your right will be Ama Dablam and to either side, the stunning valley with the mountains hovering up above.

» Learn more in the Nangkartshang Peak guide up on the site

Day 7: Dingboche – Chukhung & Optional Hike to Island Peak Base Camp

Ending Elevation : 15,518 feet / 4,730 meters

Distance : 2.8 miles / 4.5 km

Duration : 2 hours

Elevation Gain : 1,312 feet / 400 meters

Net Elevation Gain : 1,049 feet / 320 meters

Here is where things veer off from the main Everest Base Camp route. Instead of heading to the western valley towards Lobuche, the Three Passes route heads to the eastern valley towards Chukhung.

This is going to be an easier day on the trail that should only take a few hours. If you want to take in more, you can opt for the 4 hour round trip hike to Island Peak Base Camp from Chukhung.

» Learn more in the Dingboche to Chukhung guide up on the site

Day 8: Acclimatization Hike to Chukhung Ri

Starting Elevation : 15,518 feet / 4,730 meters

Peak Elevation : 18,209 feet / 5,550 meters

Distance : 3.5 miles / 5.7 km

Duration : 4 hours

Elevation Gain : 2,690 feet / 820 meters

While you don’t necessarily need to consider the trek up Chukhung Ri an acclimatization hike, it is an add on I would highly recommend. Behind the village of Chukhung you will find this peak at 18,209 feet in elevation (tied for highest point of the trek).

While a tough climb up to the top, it sure is a rewarding one. Staring down right in front of you from the top is the south face of Nupste, and behind you will be one of the coolest ridge views you can ask for.

Once back down in the village, be sure to rest those legs and get ready for one of the toughest days of the trek over the Kongma La Pass.

» Learn more in the Chukhung Ri guide up on the site

Day 9: Chukhung – Kongma La Pass – Lobuche

Ending Elevation : 16,109 feet / 4,910 meters

Duration : 8 hours

Elevation Gain : 2,691 feet / 820 meters

Net Elevation Gain : 591 feet / 180 meters

In my opinion, the hike over the Kongma La Pass is the most difficult out of any day of the Three Passes trek.

You not only gain 2,700 feet of elevation but you also lose 2,100 feet of elevation down to Lobuche. And the trek down is not an easy one either.

Over the course of this 8+ hour day, you will however get some very special views of the Himalayas. Most memorable is the one atop Kongma La, as you get to take in the absolutely breathtaking views of the turquoise lakes down below.

Once down in the village of Lobcuhe, you will officially be back on the standard Everest Base Camp route.

» Learn more in the Kongma La Pass guide up on the site

Day 10: Lobuche – Gorak Shep & Trek to Everest Base Camp

Starting Elevation : 16,109 feet / 4,910 meters

Ending Elevation : 16,814 feet / 5,125 meters

Distance : 7.3 miles / 11.7 km

Elevation Gain : 1,647 feet / 502 meters

Net Elevation Gain : 705 feet / 215 meters

Today is a big day as you will make it to Everest Base Camp itself. First it the 3 hour hike to Gorak Shep, where you can check into your teahouse and drop off your stuff.

It is then further down along the Khumbu Glacier until you reach Everest Base Camp! Spend some time exploring the area, taking some photos, and enjoying the views of the Khumbu Icefall.

Once all finished up there, head back towards Gorak Shep, where you will spend a night above 5,000 meters.

Trekking Tip: IF the forecast is looking clear in the late afternoon, you may want to swap Everest Base Camp to day 11 and head up to Kala Patthar for sunset on day 10. Getting to see the alpenglow hit Everest for sunset is quite the view to take in, however it is only worth it if the weather is clear.

» Learn more in the Lobuche to Gorak Shep & Everest Base Camp guides up on the site

Day 11: Kala Patthar & Gorak Shep – Dzongla

Starting Elevation : 16,814 feet / 5,125 meters

Ending Elevation : 15,850 feet / 4,830 meters

Distance : 9 miles / 14.5 km

Elevation Gain : 1,952 feet / 595 meters

Net Elevation Gain : (964 feet) / (295 meters)

Sitting behind Gorak Shep lays Kala Patthar, home of one of the best views of the Everest region. Along the hike up and from up top you will get to see Mount Everest right out in front of you. This is essentially tied with Kongma La as the highest point of your trek.

Many people decide to head up for sunrise as the weather it clearer in the mornings and sunrise is also a pretty special experience.

Once back in Gorak Shep, pack up your bags and begin the walk back towards Lobuche. You can stop there for some lunch before continuing on to Dzongla. Be careful not to miss the turn here as you will be getting back off of the main Everest Base Camp route.

The trekkers on the main EBC route will be heading straight back towards the Dingboche/Pheriche area, while you will be heading right towards Dzongla to prepare for the Cho La Pass.

» Learn more in the Kala Patthar and Gorak Shep to Dzongla guides up on the site

Day 12: Dzongla – Cho La Pass – Gokyo

Starting Elevation : 15,850 feet / 4,830 meters

Ending Elevation : 15,584 feet / 4,790 meters

Distance : 7.5 miles / 12 km

Elevation Gain : 2,362 feet / 720 meters

Net Elevation Gain : (266 feet) / (40 meters)

Out of the three passes, Cho La has to be the most unique in nature. That is because this is not just a simple hike. Once you reach the bottom portion of the pass, you will need to put on your micro spikes (beginner level crampons) to head across the glacier.

It is an experience like no other here as you get to enjoy this glacier walk up to the top of the Cho La Pass. The fun isn’t over yet though! Once down from the pass you will continue towards the small village of Thagnak, where you can enjoy some lunch.

From there the trek across the Ngozumpa Glacier begins as you make your way to the lakeside village of Gokyo. Note that you will not need the micro spikes for this glacier as it is mostly on the loose dirt/rock that sits on top of the glacier itself.

Gokyo will be home for the next three nights as you get to now enjoy some day hikes (or a rest day if needed) from the village.

» Learn more in the Cho La Pass guide up on the site

Day 13: Hike up Gokyo Ri

Starting Elevation : 15,584 feet / 4,790 meters

Peak Elevation : 17,575 feet / 5,357 meters

Distance : 2.5 miles / 4 km

Elevation Gain : 1,965 feet / 599 meters

Gokyo Ri towers above the village of Gokyo and its lakes. From the summit of this 17,575 foot mountain, you will get views of the Ngozumpa Glacier in both directions, a few of the Gokyo Lakes, mountains such as Cho Oyu and Makalu, and of course Mount Everest itself.

This is a definite must do hike for those that are spending some time in Gokyo.

» Learn more in the Gokyo Ri guide up on the site

Day 14: Hike to the 4 th & 5 th Gokyo Lakes

Lake Elevation : 16,322 feet / 4,975 meters

Distance : 8 miles / 13 km

Elevation Gain : 950 feet / 290 meters

Understandingly so, you may want to have a rest day at some point, and I don’t think there is a better place to enjoy one than Gokyo. You can spend some time by the main lake, head up the short trail behind the village to take in some views, and just walk around the village.

But if you are up for it, then a trek towards the 4 th and 5 th Gokyo Lakes is also worth the extra day of hiking.

There is limited elevation gain here as you head alongside the Ngozumpa Glacier and towards the two lakes. Along the way too you will get the most unobstructed view of Mount Everest straight down the valley.

So, if you have it in you, it is certainly worth the effort.

» Learn more in the Gokyo Lakes guide up on the site

Day 15: Gokyo – Renjo La Pass – Lungde

Ending Elevation : 14,370 feet / 4,380 meters

Distance : 11.7 miles / 18.8 km

Elevation Gain : 2,572 feet / 784 meters

Net Elevation Gain : (1,214 feet) / (410 meters)

It is now time to leave Gokyo and head over the Renjo La Pass towards the other side of the valley to the village of Lungde. The trek over Renjo La will give you more spectacular views of the lakes, glacier and Mount Everest itself.

Once over the pass, it is a nice downhill trek through the valley towards Lungde, where you will spend the night.

» Learn more in the Renjo La Pass guide up on the site

Day 16: Lungde – Namche Bazaar

Starting Elevation : 14,370 feet / 4,380 meters

Distance : 11.4 miles / 18.3 km

Elevation Gain : 1,012 feet / 305 meters

Net Elevation Gain : (3,084 feet) / (940 meters)

While a longer distance of a day, the trekking won’t be as strenuous. You will continuously lose elevation as you circle around towards Namche Bazaar.

Along the way you will cross some bridges, make your way past the village of Thame, and enjoy some of the last views of this side of the valley.

You will soon be welcomed to views of Namche Bazaar from above, and can then make your way down into the familiar village to spend the night.

» Learn more in the Lungde to Namche Bazaar guide up on the site

Day 17: Namche Bazaar – Lukla

Ending Elevation : 9,318 feet / 2,840 meters

Distance : 11.9 miles / 19.1 km

Elevation Gain : 2,904 feet / 885 meters

Net Elevation Gain : (1,968 feet) / (600 meters)

This is going to be the last day of trekking on the journey! It is now time to backtrack days 1 and 2 of the trek as you make your way from Namche all the way to Lukla as you pass Phakding along the way.

While you will be losing quite a bit of elevation throughout the day, remember that the portion of trail between Phakding and Lukla will actually be an elevation gain. Nothing like ending the trek with some uphill battles after 17 days of hiking.

Once you make it back to Lukla, head to your teahouse for the night, take a nice hot shower (hopefully), and get ready for your flight back in the morning.

» Learn more in the Namche Bazaar to Lukla guide up on the site

Day 18: Depart Lukla

It is now time to depart Lukla and head back to Kathmandu. Be sure to sit on the right side of the plane here so you can get those last views of the Himalayas outside your window.

Back in Kathmandu, go do some laundry, take some showers, and get some massages after a once in a lifetime trekking experience.

9) How Hard is the Three Passes Trek

The Three Passes Trek is quite demanding both physically and mentally. For about 2.5 weeks you will need to hike on average of 5-6 hours per day, covering 112 miles and nearly 36,000 feet of elevation gain.

And at the end of each day, you won’t have a nice hot shower and heated room to come back to (although you can pay for some warm showers in certain villages).

While the teahouses are some of the most hospitable places I have been to, they do not have hotel like amenities. So, while the physical toll is demanding, the mental toll is too.

But at the end of the day, we are talking about seeing and experiencing some of the most beautiful landscapes on this planet. And every day really does bring something new – whether that is a village, mountain peak, lake, or the uniqueness of Everest Base Camp.

If you think you are up for the challenge, I highly recommend the Three Passes Trek for your trip.

10) Three Passes Trek vs Everest Base Camp

A big question that is asked when going about a hike in the region is the difference between the Three Passes Trek vs Everest Base Camp.

From a pure statistics point of view, below is a chart that shows the main differences between the two treks – days, distance, elevation gain, and time on the trail.

The nice thing at the end of the day is that Three Passes Trek essentially covers 95%+ of the the standard Everest Base Camp trek.

The only portion of trail you would be missing out on is the walk between Dingboche and Lobuche (that is where you would be heading to Chukhung and then Kongma La Pass to Lobuche). Beyond that you get everything that the EBC trek offers.

If you think you have those extra days in you and you want to see more of this beautiful region, then opt for the Three Passes. On the other hand, if you are shorter on time and don’t want to hike for another week, then go for the EBC trek.

End of the day, it is hard to go wrong in this region and you certainly will enjoy it out there in the Himalayas.

» Learn more about the hike in the Everest Base Camp Trek guide on the site

I really hope that this guide has given you all the information you need to fully prepare and enjoy the Three Passes Trek of the Himalayas. If you do have additional questions, feel free to add them in below.

Also, be sure to take a look at the other Nepal trekking guides up on the site.

Have fun out there and safe travels!

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Thursday 26th of January 2023

Just one quick question, can I do Three passes solo or I have to hire a guide, porter or both? There are some blogs which stated that for Everest Region, no solo trekking allowed anymore.

Lynton Smith

Sunday 28th of August 2022

Thanks for sharing. I am interested to know how you booked your internal flight ticks return to Lukla? Did you hire any porters on your trip and if so where from? Cheers Lynton

Monday 29th of August 2022

Hi Lynton - I booked my internal flights through the Yeti Airlines website a few months prior to my departure. I did up end having a porter guide with me for a portion of the hike that was set up for me when I was in Kathmandu.

Enjoy your time out in the Himalayas!

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• 25 Best High Altitude Treks in India

High Altitude Treks in India

Here are some of the best high altitude treks of india:, quick navigation.

Chadar Trek

The beautiful Ladakh district is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. With snowy mountain peaks and picturesque landscape, Ladakh attracts innumerable tourists from all over the country and world. It is also a popular trekking destination. During the winter season, from November to March, the mountain passes get blocked due to snowfall. This cuts off access to several villages in the region.

One of the few ways to reach these snowbound villages is by trekking over frozen rivers. The Chadar trek, Leh is one such experience.  Trekking along the Zanskar River , which offers a frozen path, takes you through such villages. This route has served as a trade and transportation route for several years now. Today, it is a popular trekking destination and attracts trekking enthusiasts from all over the world.

The Zanskar River is big and fast-flowing during the summers and lies frozen, all its energies harnessed, during the winters. The Chadar trek is definitely exciting but perilous too, the temperatures remain 15 to 20 degrees during the daytime and between 25 to 30 degrees at night. The trek will require you to walk on a sheet of ice, hence the name ‘Chadar’. On your way, you will be able to enjoy breathtaking views of glistening ice peaks and sparkling icicles.

During the trek, you will have to be very careful. You may have to walk on very thin strips of ice, bounded by canyon walls on one side and swift-flowing icy water on the other side. One mistake and you may be washed below the ice. So it is very important that you take care of yourself.

The trek usually lasts for a week and you will have to sleep in nearby caves during the night hours. The Chadar trek is unique and adventurous. It is perfect for those who love a little peril with their adventure. The beautiful snow-covered landscape of Ladakh and the chilly and slippery chadar of snow beneath your feet as your trek over the frozen Zanskar River will be an experience that you will never forget in your life.

Best Season:  January - February Difficulty Level:  Difficult Max. Elevation:  3390 m Know More:   A Complete Guide to Chadar Trek

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, Sikkim

About the Kanchenjunga Base Camp:

Nestled in the beautiful state of Sikkim, India, Kanchenjunga is a mighty peak in the Himalayas that stands at an impressive elevation of about 8586 meters. Spanning across the boundaries of Nepal, Tibet, and India, Kanchenjunga is divided into three major sections - Main, Central, and South. Covering an area of around 7,000 meters, Kanchenjunga is known for its vastness and unique landscape. The trek to Kanchenjunga Base Camp takes you through pristine landscapes, dense forests, charming tribal villages, and glistening lakes. Escape from hustle and bustle of city life and immerse yourself in the mesmerizing beauty of snow-capped mountains & scenic landscapes.

Kedarkantha Trek 2022, Uttarakhand | Book @ ₹6,000 Only

Temperature: Day: 8°C to 15°C and Night: -5°C to 3°C

Kedarkantha Trek Distance:  20 km

Maximum Altitude: 12,500 ft

Kedarkantha Trek Difficulty Level: Easy To Moderate 

Railway Station: Dehradun is the nearest railway station 

Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun

Base Camp: Sankri (10 hrs drive from Dehradun)

ATM: Purola has the last ATM point before your trek begins.  Meals during Kedar Kantha Trek: Everyday Snacks, breakfast, lunch and dinner (vegetarian) are included in the package Stay during  Kedar Kantha Trek: Tent or Guesthouse stay on triple/quad sharing basis Standard tents/Hotels/Guest House with attached washroom in Sankri Alpine tents in Juda – ka - Talab Alpine tents in Base of Kedarkantha

There are two different variants available with this package as given below: Variant 1: Kedarkantha Trek Ex Sankri- Rs. 6000/- per person Variant 2: K edarkantha Trek Ex Dehradun - Rs. 8000/- per person

How to reach? Haridwar has a railway station which is well-connected from all metropolitan cities and nearest airport is Dehradun - Jolly Grant.

Best of Rajasthan

Sandakphu Trek

About the Sandakphu Trek :

Ranged at an altitude of 11,930 ft, the Sandakphu Trek is popularly known as a ‘Trekkers Wonderland’. The four massive peaks bound this trek: Mount Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu. This trek follows the famous Singalila Ridge, a high ground that lies at the southern end of a long crest that runs down from the Kanchendzongha range and forms the border between Sikkim and Nepal.

This ridge, passing through small settlements, is perhaps one of the most scenically rewarding in the Himalayas. The entire trail is inside Singalila National Park, a biodiversity hotspot that boasts numerous species of birds, and the red panda is rare but not impossible to sight.

Departure Dates (2024)

March-6,8,9,10,16,17,23,24,26,30,31

April-6,7,8,12,13,14,20,21,27,28,29,30

May-4,5,11,12,18,19,21,25,26.

June-1,2,8,9,15,16,22,23,29,30

Quick Facts :

• Duration: 6D/5N
• Altitude: 11,930 ft
• Sandakphu Trek Difficulty Level:  Moderate
• Sandakphu Trek Distance:  52 km
• Temperature:  Day: 8°C to 15°C and Night: -5°C to 5°C
• Best Time to do Sandakphu Trek: March to May, October to January
• Nearest Railway Station:  NJP 
• Nearest Airport:  Bagdogra
• ATM:  You can withdraw money at New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP).
• Starting Point: Manebhanjan/Chitrey
• Ending Point: Srikhola

Hampta Pass Trek, Manali

About Hampta Pass Trekking

Trekking through breathtaking Hampta Pass is a one-of-a-kind experience journey through the unparalleled beauty of Himachal Pradesh. Begin from the lush green valleys of Manali, and ascend through towering forests, crossing gurgling streams and picturesque meadows. 

The highlight of the trek is reaching the stunning Chandratal Lake, a tranquil oasis located amidst towering mountains. By availing of the thoughtfully crafted Hampta Pass trek package, you can pass by quaint villages, pristine waterfalls, and diverse flora and fauna which make the experience a truly remarkable one. 

Quick facts about Hampta Pass Trekking:

Start Point/End Point: Manali Base Camp

Duration: 4 Nights & 5 Days

Hampta Pass Trek Height: 14,100ft

Hampta Pass Trek Difficulty Level: Moderate 

Trekking Distance:  35kms

Best time to do Hampta Pass Trek: Mid June - September

Valley of Flowers Trek

Just as the name suggests, the place is heaven on earth. It may be difficult to believe, but the Valley of Flowers seems too surreal to believe. The Valley of Flowers is in full bloom in the months from June to October and appears as a carpet of myriad colours.

The Valley of Flowers is the second core zone of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and has been now declared as a World Heritage Site. The entire landscape springs into full bloom right after the monsoon rains. The Valley of Flowers attracts a number of tourists, botanists, florists, and trekkers all throughout the year.

The Valley of Flowers  is open to the public only during the summers. It is an excellent place for trekking and can be reached on foot by trekking 17 km from the nearest town of Joshimath in Garhwal. You will have to trek about 14 km from Govindghat, which is situated near Rishikesh, to reach Ghangaria. Ghangaria is the last settlement on your way to the Valley of Flowers. You reach the gorge over the River Pushpavati where the valley starts. There are fixed timings for entry into the valley and camping is prohibited there. You will have to return to Ghangaria the same day.

The beautiful valley is situated at an elevation of 3650 m and is delightful to look at. The best time to visit the Valley of Flowers is mid-July to mid-August. The trek to the Valley of Flowers is very easy and can be undertaken by people who have limited or no experience of trekking.

The Valley of Flowers has a very pleasant climate during the daytime with the temperatures hovering between 15 to 20 degrees. However, it gets pretty cold during the night time and you may want to dress in layers to protect yourself from the cold. The treks are always led by professional guide trekkers who have completed the basic and advanced mountaineering course and are certified in first-aid. Best Season:  May - October Difficulty Level:  Medium Max. Elevation:  4329 m Also Check:  Guide to Valley of Flowers Trek

Best of Kerala

Trek to Beas Kund, Manali

About the trek:

Beas Kund is a thousand-year-old alpine lake that sits royally amidst the mountains of Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 3,810 meters. This taintless beauty is the origin of the Beas River, which is believed to be the water body where Sage Vyas used to take baths while he meditated and wrote the Hindu epic, Mahabharata. Beas Kund is the famous trek of Manali with lush green grasslands below the summits of the three biggest mountains around Manali and hidden in these grasslands is the emerald lake. The contrasting sight of this serene water body nestled in between jagged mountain peaks of the Pir Panjal range adds to the beauty of the lake. Your camping experience will be worth remembering with the picturesque view of the sparkling rivers and verdant mountains.

Start Time/End Time of Trek: The trek starts at 10:00 AM (Day 1) and ends around 2:00 PM on (Day 3)

Start Point/End Point of Trek: Solang Valley

Inclusions:

• Stay: Dome tents on a shared basis
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Highly experienced guide
• Activities: Trekking & Camping

Nag Tibba Trek, Uttarakhand

About the Nagtibba Trek:

Nag Tibba is located at an altitude of 3,022 meters that makes it the highest peak in the lower Himalayan region of Uttarakhand. The trek has got its name from 'Nag Devta' and offers an ideal weekend getaway destination for adventure lovers. NagTibba trek is a wonderful delight for adventure lovers from all over the world since it showcases the best serenity and exciting trekking routes through thick jungles and meadows. During the Nag Tibba trekking, you'll witness beautiful flora and fauna, lush green mountains, and dense forests that will make you fall in love with its beauty.

Nag Tibba Trek Package Inclusions:

• Stay : Dome tents on sharing basis
• Meals : Breakfast,Lunch and Dinner
• Transportation : As per the variant selected
• Activities : Trekking & Camping

Goechala Trek, Sikkim

About GoechaLa Pass Trek:

GoechaLa trek is nestled at a height of 16,207 ft, with a closer look at the third-highest peak-Mt. Kanchenjunga. It is a dream and desire for hundreds of adventure lovers. Bounded by the mesmerizing flora and fauna, which are so vibrant and colourful to cheer up one's mood.

The GoechaLa pass trek is a bundle of big summits, making it an absolute adventure to embark on. The trail link with the famous Kanchenjunga National Park, where one can witness the true nature, enough to revitalize your senses. To watch the mountains clearly, April and May are the ideal months. Since the sky is completely clear during this time and the sunset-sunrise views can be captured.

March-23,24,30,31

April-1,6,7,13,14,20,21,27,28

May-4,5,6,11,12,18,19,24,25,26.

GoechaLa Pass Trek Quick Facts:

GoechaLa Trek duration : 10D/9N

Maximum Altitude : 16207 ft

Difficulty Level:  Difficult

GoechaLa Trek Distance: 90 Km

Temperature Range : April - June: 15 to 22 Degrees (Days); -1 to 7 Degrees (Nights), September – Nov: 10 to 15 Degrees (Days); -5 to 5 Degrees (Nights)

GoechaLa Trek Best Time: April end - May And September - November

Railway Station : New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is the nearest railway station, which is 150 km away from Yuksom

Airport : Bagdogra Airport which is 155 km from Yuksom

ATM : Yuksom is the last point where you can find the ATM.

Starting and Ending point : Yuksom

Best of Ladakh

The Kuari Pass Trek

It was Lord Curzon’s initiative which led to the discovery of the trekking trail to Kuari Pass . The Kuari peak stands at an altitude of 4,264 metres and can be reached through a trekking trail that starts from Joshimath. The region has some of the grandest mountains of the Himalayan range namely, the Kamet (7756 m), the Chaukhamba (7128 m), the Trishul (7120 m), the Nanda Devi (7817 m) and the Nanda Devi East (7434 m).

The Kuari Pass trek gives you the wonderful opportunity to enjoy breath-taking views of these mountains. This trekking trail is comparatively quite easy as compared to other trails for high altitude trekking in India.

The trek begins at Joshimath in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The Chamoli district is of great religious importance for Hindus in the country due to the Panch Prayag which is formed by the confluences of the Rivers Nandakini, Pinder, Kaliganga, Dhauli Ganga and Birehiganga.

The trail will take you through quaint little Himalayan villages which offer magnificent views of the Himalayas and a sneak peek into the life of the locals. During these walks, you can get to know more about the culture and traditions of the people here. The path is lined with trees in a beautiful hue of yellow and orange under a clear blue sky with cotton candy clouds forming interesting shapes.

The snow-capped mountain peaks stay by your side all along amazing you with their majestic and intimidating sizes. You will also pass through oak and deodar forests during this trek, which is pure delight to the senses. These jungles are rich in flora and fauna and you can spot fiery red flowers on rhododendrons.

You also get to walk through Himalayan meadows called Bugyals which offer the best view of the Himalayan beauty. The best of the Bugyals is the Gorson Bugyal. You will visit Auli, which is best known for its winter skiing slopes. Your trekking trail will take you to the Vinayak Pass and the Tali peak, from where you can get a panoramic view of the valley below. On reaching the highest point of the trek i.e. the Kuari peak which stands at an elevation of 13, 990 feet, you are rewarded with a mesmerising view of the majestic peaks of the Himalayas. Best Season:  December - January Difficulty Level:  Moderate Max. Elevation:  4,264 m

Kasol Kheerganga Trek, Book Online & Get 800 Cashback!

Laka Glacier Trek with Triund, Mcleodganj | Book @ 20% off

Start Point/End Point:  Mcleodganj - Bhagsu Nag Taxi Stand

Start Time/End Time:  The trek starts at 10:00 AM on day 1 and ends around 02:00 PM on day 3.

About Triund and Laka Glacier: Triund is the easiest Himalayan trek. With breathtaking views of the Kangra valley and the snow-covered Dhauladhar ranges, it is also very picturesque. The  Triund and Laka Glacier trek exhibits stunning nature and offers a spectacular view of the entire Kangra valley.

About the Laka Glacier Trek With Triund:

Triund trek near Mcleodganj has gained vast amounts of popularity in the recent years for the scenic beauty and adventurous nature of the trek. Situated at a height of 9500ft above sea level, the views from the top of the Triund hill will never fail to mesmerize you with the sheer beauty of the entire valley in front of you. With a large number of travelers and adventure lovers trying on the trek, every year, this activity goes the extra mile and takes you to the famous Laka Got glacier, to have some fun and frolic before availing the chance of camping there. You will have a chance to stay in Alpine style tents on triple sharing basis.

Embark on this exciting Laka Glacier Trek expedition and get amazed with the breathtaking view of this region. Start your trek from Mcleodanj early in the morning while exploring the true and unspoiled beauty of nature hidden in the Himalayas till you reach Triund for the camping overnight. Explore the most popular and the perfect route on your trek to Laka Got Glacier, and upon arrival, play with the snow and make a snowman. Don't forget to take pictures. Enjoy the sights of vast green snow-capped capped mountains, while you set up camp here. End your tour by heading back to Mcleod Ganj with lots of memories.

Quick Facts:

Trekking distance: 13 km

Maximum Altitude:3,200 meters

Difficulty Level:   Easy To Moderate 

ATM: Mcleodganji is the last point where you will get ATM.

Group Size-  Min 4 people

Best of Andaman and Nicobar

Kareri Lake Trek 2022, Mcleodganj | Flat 19% off

For those of you who are planning to conquer the Himalayan Mountains, then trek to Kareri lake is a great option for you. located at an elevation of about 2,950 meters in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.  This glacial Kareri lake trek will take you through a journey of the most scenic views. Trek through the lush green forest filled with chir and chilgoza pines as you continue your trek.  The endpoint is feasible to take the private cabs to reach Mcleodganj. This trek is also a favorite among the shutterbugs and the nature lovers who can spend some time close to nature while clicking their best shots.

Quick Facts About Kareri Lake Trek :

Maximum Altitude: 9,650 Ft.

Temperature: 8°C to 20°C

Start Time: 09:00 AM

Kareri Lake Trek Difficulty Level:- Easy To Moderate

Approx Trekking Km:- 26 Kms (To & FRO)

Stay during Kareri Lake Trek Himachal:

Stay in Alpine/ Dome tents on double/triple/quad sharing basis.

Meals during Kareri Lake Trek Himachal:

Lunch from day 1 till the breakfast of day 3 (All the meals are included, veg meals will be provided)

How to Reach:

The nearest airport is Gaggal Airport at Dharamshala about 20 km away. The Main Square is the epicenter of McLeodganj Town which is surrounded by most of the Hotels, the start point can easily be reached through convenient public and private transportation from here.

Note: This Kareri Lake trek can be availed on every Weekend. Open even for Solo travelers as well. Send the inquiry for more available dates.

Chopta Tungnath Trek 2022, Uttarakhand | Book @ 22% off

For inquiry please call @ 7412020072 About the Chopta Tungnath Trek:

Tungnath trek is short and easy in the Chopta Tungnath trek which runs parallel to the sky-scraping Himalayan Treks. Tunganath is the highest temple of Garwal. During this hiking, one can enjoy a clear view of majestic peaks of Panchchuli, Nanda Devi, Nilkanth and Kedarnath. Chopta gives a picturesque view of the Himalayas. In the early spring, the Rhododendron forest glows red as the flowers bloom.

Your journey for the Chopta Tungnath trekking will start from Haridwar, in Haridwar will visit the famous Mandakini Valley, the river and lake. Then we will visit Chopta, which is surrounded by dense forests. From Chopta, we will start for Tungnath and Chandrashilla Top (Our last destination). About the Destination: Tungnath is always the starting point of the Chanadrashila summit trek which possesses a captivating beauty with the help of many deodar and rhododendron forests. Chopta has a myriad collection of pictorial sights to bewitch the visitors which is marvelously engulfed by huge vegetation in spring and summer. During winter it would be appealing to all eyes since the thick cover of snow will be an amusing part of the region. The summit of the Chandrashilla peak provides a breathtaking 360-degree view. Views, which go far beyond the simple view of mountains. Quick Facts About Chopta Tungnath Trek :

Temperature:  Day: 8°C to 15°C and Night: -5°C to 3°C Maximum Altitude:  11,154 ft Chopta to Tungnath Trek Distance: 5 Km Chopta Tungnath Trek Difficulty Level:  Easy To Moderate  Railway Station:  Haridwar is the nearest railway station  Airport:  Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun Base Camp:   Sari Village (6 hrs drive from Haridwar) ATM:  Last ATM is in Ukhimath, around 13 km before Sari.

Patalsu Peak Trekking Adventure

Activity location: Solang Valley, Manali

Activity timings:  06:00 AM to 05:00 PM

Activity duration: 11 hours

About Patalsu Peak Trekking Adventure:

The Patalsu peak trek, at an altitude of 4,220 m which boasts of snow and some of the most beautiful scenes of the Dhauladhar ranges around. The Patalsu Peak provides the trekker with many different experiences before taking them to the top to witness marvelous scenes of the Himalayas and snowcapped peaks of the Dhauladhar range.

Best of Nepal

Stok Kangri Trek

Stok Kangri, Ladakh is one of the most popular places for high altitude trekking in India. Although the beauty of Ladakh draws in innumerable tourists and trekkers from all over the country and the world, the Stok Kangri trek isn’t really suited for anyone and everyone.

It is advisable that only experienced trekkers set out on this expedition as the climatic and geographical conditions of the place may not suit novice or amateur trekkers. Nonetheless, Stok Kangri is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the country. It is for this reason that the Stok Kangri trek forms an inevitable experience while trekking in India.

The trek usually lasts for a maximum of ten days. The trek begins from Leh, which is noted for its natural beauty and warm and hospitable people. During the first couple of days of the trek, you can move around Leh, go sightseeing and get acclimatized to the weather of the region. These couple of days will prepare you for the trek ahead. You will next be taken to Chang Ma via Stok Village by road.

The journey from Leh to Stok Village takes you through a route of immense natural beauty. You can see the lush greenery, glistening snow peaks and scenic splendour of the region in this stretch. On reaching Chang Ma, you reach a snow-covered region and begin trekking. You will need to climb on for about three hours. From here you will head on to Manokorma, which is at an elevation of 14200 feet.

During the trek, you will be able to view some very beautiful peaks such as the Gulap Kangri, Parcha Kangri, etc. The base camp of the trek is at an elevation of 16, 300 feet. From here, the journey continues till you reach the Stok Kangri. The view from the Stok Kangri is simply amazing . This rewarding feeling is what draws trekkers from all over the world to high altitude trekking in India. The trek back to Leh is a bit arduous and you may need to be careful while climbing down the mountainous terrain.

Best Season:  June - October Difficulty Level:  Medium Max. Elevation:  5000 m

Pin Parvati Valley Trek

The Pin Parvati Pass is situated in the beautiful state of Himachal Pradesh. It connects the Parvati Valley in Kullu to the Pin Valley in Spiti. Remarkably, the landscapes on either side of the pass are in stark contrast to each other. While the Kullu side showcases a lush green and verdant landscape, the Pin side is mostly barren and devoid of vegetation. The two sides are quite different from each other even in terms of culture. While the Kullu side is predominantly Hindu, the Pin side has followers of Buddhism.

The  Pin Parvati valley is a popular trekking destination. However, the place is still untouched by the evils of mass tourism and presents a clean and pristine picture to its visitors.  It is believed to be one of the most beautiful places that trekkers can visit while trekking in India.

The trek to the Pin Parvati valley begins at Manikaran, moves along the Parvati River and ends at the Pin Parvati Valley, which has an altitude of 4900 m. The Pin Parvati Valley is also known as the ‘Valley of Gods’ and is located between the Dhauladhar range and the Pir Panjal range.

The journey to this beautiful valley commences at Manali from where the route will take you through lush green alpine forests, lakes, clumps of wildflowers, majestic mountain peaks, etc. On your way to the valley, you will cross the Mantalai Lake, which is a very important Hindu pilgrimage centre. The Pin Parvati peak has an elevation of 5319 metres, which offers a fantastic view of the nearby peaks namely, the Parvati South, the Parvati North, the Pinnacle and Kullu Eiger.

This wonderful journey will end at the sleepy little hamlet of Sagnum. From here you can take a jeep safari into the Spiti valley , where you can explore places of Buddhist importance and also visit some interesting villages before heading back.

This trekking expedition is one of the most interesting experiences of high altitude trekking in India. This trekking trail is often mentioned as one of the toughest trekking trails in India, but it is definitely worth the effort.

Best Season:  May- September  Difficulty Level:  Difficult Max. Elevation:  4900 m

Rupin Pass Trek, Uttarakhand

About Rupin Pass Trek:

The Pass is perched at 15250 ft in the surreal Himalayan mountain range of Himachal Pradesh. The trek is surrounded by the small hamlets from Dehradun of Uttrakhand to Shimla of Himachal Pradesh, which gives the reason to explore its local culture beauty. You will be greeted with stunning scenery such as cascades, verdant glacial meadows, the snow bridges are something incredible to cross, snow-kissed mountains, charming hamlets, big rivers, hanging villages, terrific forests, hundreds of waterfalls, and an exhilarating pass crossing as a whole, Rupin Pass Trek is a complete experiential trek to do.

Quick Facts About Rupin Pass Trek:

• Rupin Pass Trekking Duration:  7N/8D

• Maximum altitude: 15,250 ft.

• Rupin Pass Trek Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

• Rupin Pass Trek Distance:  52 Kms

• Temperature:  Day : 13°C to 18°C and Night: 0°C to 7°C

• Best Time for Rupin Pass Trekking:  May-June (Pre Monsoon), Sep-Oct (Post Monsoon)

• ATM:  Purola which is on the way to Dhaula has the last ATM point before your trek begins.

• Start Point: Dhaula, Uttarakhand

• End Point: Sangla, Himachal Pradesh

Best of Bhutan

Roopkund Lake Trek

The Roopkund Lake is situated high up in the Garhwal Mountains in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. This lake is of much historical and religious importance. It was also called the Mystery or Skeletal Lake after a large number of human skeletons were found in it in 1942 by a Forest Officer.

Following this discovery, a number of scientists visited the lake to find out the reason for the skeletons being there and it was eventually concluded that the skeletons belonged to some pilgrims who were caught unawares in a flash hailstorm.

Due to the huge chunks of ice that came with the hailstorm, the pilgrims died due to injuries to their skulls. This story was aired in national and international media and since then, the Roopkund Lake has become a popular tourist destination.

The trek to Roopkund Lake showcases the best of Himalayan beauty. The trek begins at Lohajung, which is situated at an elevation of 3200 metres and goes on for five days till you reach the lake, which is at an altitude of 5000 metres. The first couple of days will take you through beautiful villages, forests, rivers and Bugyals.

The air will get thinner and thinner as you ascend and gain altitude. So it is very important that you are in the best of health and fitness when you set out for this trek. Higher energy levels will allow you to adjust better to the changing environment and enjoy the views offered by the region. Your team leader will also offer you tips on how to cope with the changing levels of the atmosphere.

The trekking trail followed during the Roopkund trek coincides with that of the Raj Jay Yatra pilgrimage route. This is conducted during a festival dedicated to goddess Nanda Devi and the residents of nearby village participate in this festival dressed in their traditional attire. Best Season:  August - October Difficulty Level:   Difficult Max. Elevation:  5020 m Suggested Read:   Guide to Roopkund Trek

Sar Pass Trek, Kasol

About Sar Pass Trek:

Perched at 13,800 ft. above sea level, Sar Pass offers the magnificence of a beautiful verdant landscape and is a heaven for photographers, artists, and nature lovers. Set against a curtain of majestic Himalayan peaks wrapped in snow, the Sar Pass trek passes through some of the most scenic views ranging from forests to the meadows to the ice blankets.

While trekking across the path from Tila Lotni to Biskeri Ridge, one has to pass by a small, usually frozen lake which means "Sar" in the local language of Himachal. Hence the name, Sar Pass! The trail passes through the thick forest and takes you to a winter wonderland that makes it fascinating.

Sar Pass Trek Quick Facts:

Start Point/End Point: Kasol Base Camp. (It is 2 km away from the Kasol Bus Stand)

Duration: 4N/5D

Maximum altitude: 13,800 ft.

Sar Pass Trek Distance:  48 Kms

Temperature: 22 ° C (Max. During Day Time) to -5 ° C ( Min. During Night Time)

Best Time for Sar Pass Trek: April to Mid July

Pindari Glacier Trek

The Pindari Glacier trek  is a relatively easy trekking trail. The Pindari glacier is situated between the Nanda Kot and Nanda Devi peaks and is a major destination for tourists and high altitude trekking in India. The pristine white glacier measures 3.2 km in length and 1.5 km in width and has gigantic mountains in its background.

The Pindari glacier trek is a must-do activity for all those who wish to experience nature very closely without compromising on peace and tranquility. The journey to the Pindari glacier begins at Nainital and goes on to Lahorekhet. Usually, night camps are set up and the evening is spent in these camps. On your way to the Pindari glacier, you will also come across Dhakuri, which is a place of great scenic splendour.

On moving ahead from Dhakuri, you come to the Khati village, which is the largest village in the region. Situated on the banks of the River Pinder, the village serves as a perfect spot for a night halt. From Khati you will need to trek another 11 kms to reach Dwali. Dwali has beautiful surroundings to offer and you can relish the beauty of the place as you trek on ahead to Phurkia, situated about 6 kms away.

Pindari glacier is situated at a distance of about 17 kms from Dwali. The vista opens into a beautiful view as you reach the Pindari glacier. Your efforts are paid off with the panoramic view of the surroundings that the Pindari Glacier offers you. Best Season:  March - October Difficulty Level:  Moderate Max. Elevation:  3627 m

Best of Spiti Valley

Kinner Kailash Circuit Trek

Situated in the  beautiful state of Himachal Pradesh , Kinnaur is a picturesque district which is still untouched by the evils of mass tourism. Pristine and serene, Kinnaur is surrounded by the Spiti Valley in the north, the Garhwal Himalayas in the south, Tibet on the east and Kullu on the west.

Besides nature loves, Kinnaur Kailash circuit also attracts a large number of trekkers from all over the country and the world due to the excellent terrain it offers for trekking expeditions. Kinnaur also shows a great deal of Buddhist influence due to its proximity to Tibet and is often frequented by those who are interested in studying the Buddhist culture and heritage.

Kinnaur can be reached through the Indo-Tibet road which passes through the Kinnaur Valley. The trek offers one of the most interesting and memorable experiences that one can have while trekking in India. During the first half of the journey you will find a standard trekking path, while the remaining half will require you to manoeuvre boulders.

The trek begins from Thangi and moves to Lambar and then to Charang.  You can explore the Charang temple and move on to Surting. The journey moves on ahead and you will need to cross icy streams and do some rock climbing to reach your destination.

The overall experience will leave you wanting for more. The Kinner Kailash Circuit trek is truly amazing as it not only tests your trekking skills but also opens up a vista of unimaginable natural beauty. Kinnaur is home to three of the world’s most majestic mountain ranges i.e. the Zanskar, the Greater Himalaya and the Dhauladhar ranges.

In addition, the Kinnaur Kailash Parbat, is considered to be of much religious importance to Hindu as it resembles a Shiva Lingam. It is believed to be one of the mythological abodes of Lord Shiva. Due to its religious significance, this circuit attracts pilgrims and devotees from all over the country and the world. The circumambulation of this sacred mountain is considered to be very auspicious and the trek begins at Kalpa via Triung valley and back to Kalpa via Sangla valley.

Best Season:  May- September  Difficulty Level:  Difficult Max. Elevation:  5242 m

Khatling Glacier Trek

The Khatling Glacier is the source of the rivers Bhilangana, Sahasratal and Masartal. The Garhwal region of Uttarakhand has a number of trekking trails which attract trekkers from all over the country and world. The best part about these trekking trails is that they are still untouched by the evils of mass tourism and are ideal to visit if you wish for a quiet and peaceful trekking experience.

The trek to the Khatling Glacier begins at the Ghutu village and takes you through a beautiful route laced with alpine trees, lush green meadows, beautiful forests etc. You will also come across some interesting Hindu temples before you reach the Khatling cave.

From the Khatling cave, you will have to walk to the Khatling Glacier which allows you to have a spectacular view of the surroundings. This place is perfect for camping and will make you want to stay a few days here. Moving on ahead, you will reach Chowki, which also offers some splendid scenic beauty. On ascending a few feet more, you will reach the Masartal which allows you a breathtaking view of mountains such as the Jaonli, Thalay Sagar, Bharte Khunta and Kirti Stambh.

The peaceful atmosphere and serenity of the region make the trekking experience simply wonderful. A trekking experience in the Garhwal region is something you can never forget. The Garhwal region has some of the best trekking trails in India which make it a favourite haunt of trekkers from all over the world. Besides the natural beauty, you also get to learn more about the lives, cultures and traditions of this region which is held in high regard due to its religious significance. Best Season:  May - October Difficulty Level:  Medium Max. Elevation:  4200 m

Kafni Glacier Trek

The Kafni glacier is located in the upper reaches of the Kumaon Himalayas and is the source of the River Kafni. It is situated on the southeast of the Nanda Devi and in the Bageshwar district of the Uttarakhand state . The trekking trail passes through places such as Bharadi, Loharkhet, Dhakuri Pass, Dwali and Khatiya. The beauty and tranquillity of the glacier are incomparable and hordes of tourists flock to this destination in search of peaceful trekking experience.

The Kafni trek is more or less similar to the Pindari trek and is quite easy. The peak of the Nanda Kot Mountain towers over the Kafni glacier making it look even more beautiful. The trekking experience is enthralling.

Due to the ease of access, the trekking experience can be enjoyed by anyone, even those who have limited or no experience of trekking. However, it is important that you maintain good health while undertaking this expedition. Do take care of safety aspects and follow the instructions shared carefully. Best Season:  June - September Difficulty Level:  Moderate Max. Elevation:  3853 m

Padum-Darchha Trek

The Padam Darchcha Valley trek is an exhilarating experience. The trek involves a long trek from Darcha which is situated in the beautiful state of  Himachal Pradesh  to Padam, located in the mystical land of Zansak. Besides the thrill and excitement of trekking in the snowy slopes of the Himalayas, the trekking trail allows you to enjoy the beauty of the initial trail from Manali to Leh .

You can visit interesting Hindu temples in Manali which speak volumes about the history, culture and traditions of the region. This trek is a beautiful combination of adventure and sight-seeing and hence can be called one of the most exciting experiences of trekking in India.

The trek begins at Chalang Tokpa, from where you will move on to Ramjak and Chumikanakpo. The trek from Ramjak to Chumikanakpo will give you a fabulous trekking experience by testing your strength and skills. From here you will move on to Lakong and pass through Kurgiak and Purne before reaching Padam, Leh. The most interesting change that you will notice on reaching the destination is the transformation of the landscape. Best Season:  June - September Difficulty Level:  Moderate Max. Elevation:  5080 m

People Also Ask About India

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India Top Attractions

Discover the enchanting allure of Khecheopalri Lake, a hidden gem nestled amidst the breathtaking landscape of Sikkim, India. Revered as a sacred site, this 'wishing lake' holds deep spiritual significance for both Buddhists and Hindus. Its pristine waters and surrounding lush forests create a serene sanctuary for visitors seeking tranquility and connection with nature.Legend has it that the lake fulfills the sincere wishes of those who visit with pure intentions. The rich biodiversity surrounding the lake adds to its charm, attracting nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers.Embark on a spiritual and natural journey as you explore the cultural beliefs and ecological wonders of Khecheopalri Lake. Whether you seek introspection, photography opportunities, or simply a moment of peace, this mystical destination promises an unforgettable and rejuvenating experience amidst the splendor of the Himalayan foothills.

Nestled in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, Bhangarh Fort stands as a captivating relic of the 17th century. It is an attraction covered in mystery and allure. Surrounded by the scenic Aravalli Range and close to the Sariska Tiger Reserve, its location is as intriguing as its history. This architectural marvel was built by Madho Singh, named after his grandfather Bhan Singh. Today, it draws visitors not just for its historical significance but for the legends that echo among its ruins.The fort is famed for its majestic gates, temples, palaces, and a unique blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture. Its strategic design showcases the genius of ancient craftsmanship. The royal palace here is located at the fort's highest point and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Bhangarh Fort is infamous as India's "most haunted" location. This name comes from tales of curses and paranormal activity, yet these stories only add to its mystique. Despite its eerie reputation, the fort remains a symbol of Rajasthan's rich history, captivating all who walk its ancient pathways. The fort's ambience is set against the backdrop of natural beauty and architectural splendour. This makes it a must-visit for anyone fascinated by history, architecture, and the supernatural.

Laitlum Canyon, located near Shillong, Meghalaya, is a hidden gem and a nature lover's paradise. The name "Laitlum" translates to "end of hills," and the canyon lives up to its name with its breathtaking landscapes and mesmerizing views. This scenic destination offers a stunning panorama of deep gorges, lush green valleys, and mist-covered hills that stretch as far as the eye can see.Laitlum Canyon is a relatively lesser-known tourist spot, which adds to its charm as it remains unspoiled and serene. Trekking enthusiasts can indulge in exciting trails that lead to the canyon, allowing them to witness the natural beauty up close. The experience of standing atop the cliffs, surrounded by the serene ambiance and awe-inspiring vistas, is truly unforgettable.Visitors can also soak in the local Khasi culture as they interact with the friendly villagers who reside in the nearby villages. Laitlum Canyon is a perfect escape from the bustling city life, offering a chance to reconnect with nature and experience tranquility in the lap of Meghalaya's pristine landscapes.

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A Complete Guide to Trekking Tours in India

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The Indian Himalayas aren’t only home to incredible trekking trails but also to impressive trekking peaks, a summit on which is once in a lifetime experience. Ranging between 5000 and 6500 m, the trekking peaks in India offer an unsurpassed adventure in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim.

Popular Trekking Peaks in India Himalayas Region

The highest trekking peaks ranging between 6000 and 6500 m can be found in Ladakh, which is also the most popular destination for peak trekking expedition in India. Stok Kangri, touching the skies at a height of almost 6,153 meters, is one of the most famous Himalayan peaks for the trekking adventure. Kang Yatse 2 (6,200 m) in the Markha Valley; Mentok II (6,250 m), the most climbed mountain; and  Matho Kangri (6,000 m) are top trekking peaks to choose from in Ladakh.

Trekking expeditions in the Himalayan peaks in Himachal Pradesh gives you an adrenaline rush like no other, both because of the constant challenges, adventure and the incredible nature’s beauty. The Himalayan state offers a plethora of peaks ranging between 4500 m and 6500 m that can be trekked including Frey Peak at 5,889 m, Friendship Peak at 5,289 m, Mt. Hanuman Tibba at 5,860 m, Mt. Shitidhar at 5,290 m, Black Peak at 6,387 m, Mt. Deo Tibba at 6,001 m, Seven Sisters Peak at 4,572 m, Kedar Dome Peak at 4,876 m being the best. 

In Uttarakhand, trekking expeditions treat you to views that leaves you spellbound and offers an experience to remember forever. The peaks for trekking range here between 4000 and 6000 m ensuring some unforgettable adventure. Amongst the top trekking peaks in Uttarakhand are Pangarchulla Peak at 4,593 m, Chandrashila Peak at 4,000 m, and Garuda Peak at 6,000 m.  Sikkim, on the other side, also brims with many opportunities of peak trekking with Frey’s Peak at 5,830 m, Lama Wangden at 5,868 m, and Brumkhangse at 5,635 m offering the much-needed adventure.

Tour My India with its expert team crafts some of the best peak summits and treks in India that ensure your safety and guarantees an adventure-filled experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  is acclimatization necessary before going peak trekking in india.

It is absolutely necessary to acclimatize and prepare oneself both mentally and physically before going on a peak trekking expedition in India. 

Q. Will you provide the trekking equipment for peak trekking in India?

Yes, we will provide the required trekking equipment for peak trekking in Sikkim.

Q. Which is the easiest peak to trek in the Indian Himalayas?

Chandrashila Peak (4000 m) in Uttarakhand is the easiest peak to trek in the Indian Himalayas. It takes around 4 hours to climb and thus, can be done in a single day.

Q. Which is the most difficult peak to trek in the Indian Himalayas?

Stok Kangri (6153 m) in Ladakh is considered the most difficult trekking summit in the Indian Himalayas.

Best Peaks for Trekking

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The 9 Easiest Mountains Above 5000 Meters

I love being at high altitudes.  Currently, I have just moved into my new apartment in Huancayo, Peru at 3260 meters (10700 feet) above sea level.  After spending a month in Lima right next to the ocean, the new altitude will take a couple days to get used to.

My current plan is to spend the next few months (or longer) in the Peruvian Andes and get in awesome shape for mountain climbing.  While I don’t plan on leaving South America in the near future, I decided to include mountains from every part of the world just to make sure that this article is complete.

1. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

At 5895 meters (19341 feet) Kili is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest mountain on this list.  Why didn’t I pick Mt. Kenya, the second highest mountain in Africa at 5199 meters (17057 feet)?

Despite its very high altitude Kilimanjaro is actually considered to be a non-technical climb and it is considered to be easier than Mt. Kenya.  By far the most difficult part is acclimatizing to the altitude.  While some people have more difficulty adapting to altitude than others, most reasonably fit people who attempt Kilimanjaro on a slow conservative ascent will be able to make it to the top.

In climbing Kilimanjaro you are required to go with a guide.  There are a number of different tour companies which offer excellent services.  Also, there are a couple of different routes to the peak.  I recommend either taking the most popular Machame Route or the most difficult and most beautiful Umbwe route.

2. Pico de Orizaba, Mexico

At 5636 meters (18491 feet) Pico de Orizaba in Mexico is the third highest mountain in North America after Denali and Mt. Logan.  One huge advantage of Pico de Orizaba is that there is no red tape, i.e. you can climb it on your own without a guide.

The glacier begins at 5000 meters so you do need crampons and other cold weather gear.  That being said Pico de Orizaba is a great climb for beginner mountaineers looking to push themselves and develop some experience for bigger mountains.

3. Cerro El Plomo, Chile

At 5434 meters (17783 feet) Cerro El Plomo is often considered to be an acclimatization route for the much more difficult Aconcagua mountain in Argentina.  That being said, Cerro El Plomo is still an amazing mountain in its own right.  Cerro El Plomo is great for beginning mountaineers because of its relatively short 60-meter glacier crossing.

Climbing Cerro El Plomo and returning to Santiago generally takes about 3 days in total after arriving into the city. This includes acclimatization and spending a night at “Federación” base camp at 4100 meters elevation.  These 3 days will be very intense for beginning climbers.

Historically, the Incan people used Cerro El Plomo for religious ceremonies.  The mountain made international news when a 9-year-old mummified boy was found near the peak.  There is also a pile of rocks known as “Pirca del Inca” at about 5200 meters just before the glacier crossing.

4. Chacaltaya, Bolivia

Located about 2 hours out of La Paz, Chacaltaya used to be a ski resort until the glacier on the mountain receded.  This is by far the easiest mountain on the list, tour companies will drive you to 5300 meters and then you walk up the remaining 100 meters to the peak.

Chacaltaya is a totally non-technical climb, the only difficult part is the relatively high altitude which might challenge some people who have just arrived in La Paz.  Bring some coca leaves if you haven’t yet acclimatized to the altitude.

While this is technically a 5000-meter peak, in my opinion, it doesn’t really deserve any recognition like some of the other mountains in this article.  If you just want to cross 5000 meters and aren’t really interested in the challenge of hiking, Chacaltaya is a great option.

5. Cerro Austria, Bolivia

Located in Bolivia, not in Austria. Pico Austria is a fairly accessible peak in the Condoriri mountain range.  If you are in Bolivia and want to climb a 5000-meter peak which is a bit more substantial than Chacaltaya, Cerro Austria is a perfect option.

If you are an experienced climber you can certainly climb Pico Austria on your own without a guide.  Find some transportation to the village of Tuni and from there you can make the trek to the summit.

6. Misti, Peru

At 5822 meters (19101 feet) Misti Volcano in Peru is one of the higher mountains on this list.  Despite its extreme altitude, Misti is actually a fairly non-technical hike.  While it isn’t a very technical challenging, Misti is still very difficult.  A lot of people aren’t able to make it to the top. If you go with a group of people that you don’t know with only one guide their inability to keep up might prevent you from making it to the top.

You can actually see Misti from Arequipa, the second biggest city in Peru. The climb takes a total of 2 days and 1 night.  If you are an experienced climber and want to guarantee making it to the top of the mountain, go on your own with a guide or go with other climbers whose abilities you trust.

7. Carihuairazo, Ecuador

At 5020 meters (16469 feet) Carihuairazo is one of the easiest mountains on this list.  It is located right next Chimborazo, the highest mountain in Ecuador.  Although a guide is not required, it is certainly recommended for less experienced climbers.

Most of the climbing tour companies in Ecuador offer trips to Carihuairazo.  They will pick you up from Quito and the entire tour takes a total of two days.  It is a great place to practice glacier walking and/or acclimatize for a bigger mountain like Chimborazo.

8. Yala Peak, Nepal

At 5700 meters (18700 feet) Yala Peak is considered to be one of the easier climbs in the Himalayas.  There is some technical climbing, but it is certainly much more accessible than many of the other mountains in the region.  Most tour companies offer 14-day treks to the peak of Yala mountain, so this climb is a much bigger commitment than many of the other mountains in this article.

9. Illiniza Norte, Ecuador

At 5126 meters (16818 feet) above sea level, Illiniza Norte is considered to be a relatively easy climb.  However, Illiniza Sur, Illiniza Norte’s twin mountain is actually considered to be a technical climb.

The Illiniza mountains are located 55 kilometers south of Quito, so they are easily accessible.  If you are an experienced climber you can attempt Illiniza Norte on your own, however, I suggest getting a guide because conditions are occasionally bad turning Illiniza Norte into a more challenging climb.

Thoughts on High Altitude

You might have noticed that I didn’t include any mountains in Europe and included only 1 mountain in North America.  This is because going to very high altitudes is much much easier closer to the equator.

Crossing 5000 meters in Europe, in the United States, or in Canada means a very challenging, cold, and technical climb.  For example, Mt. Blanc in France, the highest point in the Alps is considered to be extremely difficult despite being only 4800 meters (15777 feet).

Denali, the highest point in North America, is only 6190 meters (20310 feet), but it is considered to be an incredibly challenging climb which has thwarted some of the strongest climbers in the world.  A total of 96 people have actually died attempting Denali.  Compare that to Huyana Potosi in Bolivia (6088 meters), which is considered to be accessible to beginner climbers.

While you can certainly do some awesome climbing far away from the equator, you just won’t be able to reach extremely high altitudes without a tremendous amount of climbing expertise.  If you want to climb mountains above 5000 meters and are relatively new to mountaineering you can certainly accomplish this in South America, Nepal, or in other regions close to the equator.

There are even some bus routes in Peru which take you above 5000 meters without even getting out of the vehicle.  I can remember going on the Salar de Uyuni tour in Bolivia, the guide told us that we crossed 5000 meters and I didn’t even notice any effect because I had already adapted to the elevation.

While I have been hiking and exercising for my entire life, I am still new to hardcore mountaineering overall.  I plan on writing about mountaineering as I gain more experience.  However, when it comes to traveling itself I actually do have a lot of experience and have written numerous travel article on this blog.  Feel free to check out some of the articles I have written.

If you are new to traveling I suggest reading my beginning traveler’s handbook .  It is completely free, also you don’t need to give me your email or download anything.  In writing this handbook, I spent 60 hours putting together all the information that someone needs to get started traveling anywhere in the world.

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Trek 3 High Passes in Everest Region (16 Days)

Trip duration, start point, max altitude, best season, diffic. level, accomodations & meals.

• 2N 3-Star Hotels in Kathmandu
• 15N Tea Houses (Trek)
• Daily Breakfast
• 15 Lunches and Dinners
• Water (Pay Extra on the trek)

Locations Covered

• Namche Bazaar
• Kongma La Pass
• Everest Base Camp

Trip Highlights

Stunning views of mount everest, mt. makalu, cho oyu, lhotse, mt. pumori, etc, explore the world’s highest national park – ‘sagarmatha national park’, most challenging but rewarding trek in the everest region, beautiful sherpa villages and experience local culture, cross three high passes; as cho la pass (5380m), kongma la pass (5535m), and renjo la pass (5388m), " everest three high passes trek is one of the most challenging but rewarding teahouse treks in nepal. the everest 3 high passes trek combines the ultimate experience of spectacular mountain views, high altitude trek, local sherpa culture, and the complete journey in the high mountains of the everest region. ", embark on an unforgettable adventure: the everest three high passes trek.

Prepare yourself for an extraordinary journey through the heart of the Everest region with the renowned Everest Three High Passes Trek . This epic route takes you on a thrilling exploration as you conquer three high passes: Kongma La (5535m), Cho La (5420m), and Renjo La (5345m). As you traverse the rugged terrain, you will be captivated by the breathtaking beauty of the Khumbu Valley, immersing yourself in the charm of iconic villages like Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Dingboche.

Throughout your expedition, you will be rewarded with awe-inspiring vistas of the world’s highest peaks, including the majestic Everest, towering Lhotse, and the enchanting Ama Dablam. These panoramic views will leave an indelible mark on your memory.

Undoubtedly, the Everest Three High Passes Trek is a challenging adventure that demands physical fitness and proper acclimatization. However, for those seeking a genuine Himalayan escapade, it is an absolute must. Brace yourself for an encounter with the extraordinary, as you embark on this remarkable journey through the Everest region.

The difficulty level of this Everest Three Passes Trek is more challenging than other treks in the Everest region, such as Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes , but less complicated than Island Peak and Mera Pea k climbing.

Optimal Seasons for Trekking the Three High Passes of Everest

For an unforgettable experience trekking the three high passes of Everest, the ideal months are March, April, May (Spring), and October to November (Autumn/Fall). During these seasons, you can expect the best mountain views and comfortable weather conditions, making your adventure even more remarkable.

In Spring (March, April, May), the trail comes alive with vibrant colors as rhododendrons and other flowers bloom along the route. The clear skies offer breathtaking vistas of the surrounding peaks, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Himalayas.

Autumn (October to November) is another exceptional time to undertake this adventure. The weather is generally stable, and the skies are crystal clear, providing unparalleled views of the majestic mountains. The pleasant temperatures and the absence of monsoon rains create optimal conditions for trekking through the high passes of Everest.

By choosing these months, you maximize your chances of encountering the best mountain panoramas and enjoying comfortable weather throughout your journey. Prepare yourself for an extraordinary experience as you traverse the t hree high passes , taking in the majestic beauty of Everest and its surrounding peaks in all their glory.

Itinerary Expand All

You will wake up early in the morning to catch a flight to Lukla from Kathmandu. It is about 30 minutes of flight to Lukla (2610m). We begin our trek from Namche to Phakding through DudhKoshiRiver. This route is smooth and we cross by the little village of Ghat (2550m before arriving at Phakding. Overnight at Phakding.

This day starts with a gentle walk to Monjo (beautiful Sherpa village); now we enter Sagarmatha National Park where you will need to show our TIMS and issue national park permit) at the Monjo office. Now, the trek to Namche Bazar starts with a steep ascend from where you will be able to see Mount Everest and Lhotse for the first time. Reach at Namche Bazar, overnight at tea house.

It is important to stay and walk a little bit around Namche Bazaar to get acclimatized. Hike around Namche, stroll around the bazaar. Overnight at the hotel.

This day starts with a gentle climb up and descends to Dudh Koshi at an altitude of 3550m before trekking up to Tengboche. Tengboche (Thyangboche) lies at an altitude of 3870m above the sea level, you can enjoy the views of Mount Everest, Thamserku, Amadablam. You will also spot the Tibetan Monastery where you can enter and listen to the monks chanting their mantras.

You will trek through wooded jungles and cross through the ImjaKhola Valley. You will have even more stunning mountain views as you are approaching close to the high Himalayas. Trek through the Pangboche Monastery and climb up to Dingboche at an altitude of 4360m. From Dingboche, you will see spectacular views of Mount Amadablam and Island Peak. Overnight at guest house

This day, you will have a short trek to Chhukhung, you will be heading another part of the Khumbu region, Chhukung offers stunning views of Mount Makalu, Island Peak, Peak 30 and other snow-capped mountains. Overnight at guesthouse

This day, we will cross one of the first 3 high passes, Kongma La Pass. We trek above the Pheriche and Dingboche valleys, near the ridge of Pokhalde Peak before crossing the Kongma La Pass. It is quite a long and exhausting day but you will the most amazing views of the several peaks including the entire Khumbu Valley.

This is another strenuous day as you will trek about 8 hours in a day. You will trek through Khumbu Glacier; visit Everest Base Camp (EBC) and back to Gorakshep. From EBC, you will have spectacular views of Mt, Pumori, Khumbutse, Changtse, Khumbu Icefall but not Mount Everest.

Early in the morning, before the sun rises, hike up to Kalapatthar that offers stunning views of Mount Everest. You can have 360-degree views of the highest peaks in the world. After observing several highest mountains, back to Gorakhseph and continue to descend to Lobuche. The same day, continue to Dzong La. Overnight at Guesthouse

This day, we begin with a little walk up toward Cho La pass. The route crosses the glacier that is marked by cairns. When we arrive at Cho La Pass, the route descends to Thangnak then we continue passing by the lakes at Gokyo. Overnight at Gokyo

Early in the morning, hike Gokyori which takes about 2 hours for a breathtaking sunrise view of Mt. Everest and other surrounding mountains. You will have the best views of mountains from here.

This day, we skip the main path and cross Renjo La Pass via DudhPokhari (lake), after trekking for about 3 hours, we reach Renjo La, from where you will have an again amazing panorama view of the mountains. The Everest, Lhotse, Cholatse and Taboche mountains can be seen glowing in the sun. Along the way, you will see RelamaTsho and Renjo Lakes, then we reach Lungden (4350m). Overnight at Guest house

You will trek down to Thamel today while going down you will cross the BhoteKoshiriver and descend to Taranga and trek to Thame village. Overnight at guesthouse

This day, you will trek beside the river and crossing the bridge you will walk up through the rhododendron forest and reach Namche Bazar. Overnight at guesthouse

Trek down to Lukla from Namche via the same route we trekked up.  Overnight at Lukla

Your adventure ends here. Fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. Allow few extra days for sightseeing the Kathmandu valley or drive to Chitwan for Jungle Safari and relax.

What's Included

• Airport Pick up and Drop Services
• 2 Nights standard accommodation in Kathmandu with Breakfast
• All necessary permits such and TIMS, National Park Fee
• All nights’ Lodge or tea house accommodation while trekking
• 3 times meals in a day such as Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
• Trekking Gears such as Duffle Bag, Walking sticks during trekking (needs to be returned)
• Medical Kit First-Aid Bag
• English Speaking Professional license holder Local Guide
• Kathmandu to Lukla to Kathmandu flight and domestic airport taxes including guides
• One porter for every 2 trekkers including his entire expenses
• Staff insurance, Salary, necessary equipment, Food, and accommodation
• Rescue Arrangements but Not the bills Please.
• Best Price Guaranteed

For cancellation more than 30 days before the Tour Start Date, No Cancellation fee is charged. For cancellation from 29 calendar days up to and including 4 calendar days before the Tour Start Date, a charge of 30% of the total invoice amount is charged. For a cancellation occurring within 3 days of the date of travel or No Show shall be charged 100% of the total invoice amount. Learn more about Terms and Conditions.

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Got questions? Reach out to us for expert assistance in tailoring your dream trip. Let's begin your journey!

What's Included ?

What's excluded .

• Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu
• Nepal Visa Fee
• Extra Night in Kathmandu because of  early arrival, late departure, or early arrival from the mountain than the scheduled itinerary
• Any drinks such as hard or soft
• Personal insurance
• Personal Expenses
• Rescue operation charges
• International Airfare To and From Kathmandu
• Tips for Supports staff and etc.

Customer Reviews

John uy . jul 24, 2019, 3 country tour - nepal, tibet and bhutan.

Hassle-free is the word. If you plan to visit these countries? Anup at Himalayan Windows is the guy you need to see. Almost a year of planning and he was on top of things every single time. Any questions? He answers. Any suggestions? He answers. Better yet? You don’t need to plan anything. Have him plan it for you! He even booked us a fine dining restaurant in which my…

Trip Information Expand All

Payment & cancellation .

Payment: A deposit of 30% of the total tour cost is required to book the tour with Himalayan Windows (HW). The remaining balance is to be paid three days prior to the departure date. Payment can be made via Wire Transfer or Credit Card. All credit card payments are securely processed and a bank fee applies.

Cancellation: For cancellations more than 30 days before the Tour Start Date, there will be no cancellation fee. If the cancellation happens within 29-4 days prior to the Tour Start Date, a charge of 30% of the total invoice amount will be applied. Cancellations occurring within 3 days or less of the start date or in the case of a no-show, 100% of the total invoice amount will be charged. Learn more about Terms and Conditions .

ACCOMMODATION & MEALS 

Accommodation: Accommodation is typically provided in twin rooms in cities, though a single supplement can be requested for an additional fee. During peak season, it can be difficult to find single or twin rooms in the mountains, so our lodges usually offer dormitory-style accommodation. Our priority is always to provide clean and safe rooms for our guests.

Meals: Our packages in Bhutan include full board meals, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. For treks, all meals are provided, but you will need to pay extra for drinking water and snacks.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

Nepal Visa: If you are planning a trip to Nepal, you must have a valid passport and Nepal Visa. Depending on your country of origin, you may need to obtain a Nepal Tourist Visa before your arrival. To be eligible, your passport should be valid for a minimum of six months from your Tour Start Date. If you are planning on traveling to multiple countries on your trip, make sure to get a multi-entries Nepal Visa.

Bhutan Visa Clearance: All visitors to Bhutan must have a valid Bhutan Visa Clearance before their trip. To obtain it, you must submit a color-scanned copy of your passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months from the start date of your tour. Your tour operator will send you a Visa Clearance prior to your departure, which you must present at the Druk Air/Bhutan Airlines counter during check-in. Once you arrive at Paro Airport, your passport will be stamped with the original visa.

Tibet Group Visa (TGV): All travelers from any nation intending to go to Tibet from Nepal must obtain a Tibet Group Visa (TGV) in Kathmandu with the help of a tour operator. To ensure the successful application of the TGV, you should plan to arrive in Kathmandu 3-4 working days before your travel date. If you are coming from China, you will not require a TGV; instead, you will need a Chinese Visa and Permit. To find out more about the process of entering Tibet, please look into the Tibet entry procedure.

BEST TIME TO VISIT 

Nepal & Bhutan: Visiting Nepal and Bhutan at the same time is ideal as they share a similar climate. From high mountains to low land sub-tropical plains and jungles, the two countries have similar weather. The best time to visit is from March to April (spring) and October to December (autumn and early winter). During these months, the air is clean and fresh with sunny skies. January and February are colder months, while June, July, and August (summer) are typically monsoon seasons.

Tibet: It is best to visit Tibet between April and October when the weather is warm and the skies are clear. However, from November to March, it is still possible to explore certain areas like Namtso, Everest Base Camp, and Mount Kailash, as long as the roads are not blocked by snow. Temperatures during this time may be quite cold.

TRAVEL INSURANCE 

HimalayanWindows strongly recommends that anyone planning to travel in the Himalayas purchase Travel Insurance. This policy will provide coverage in the case of medical emergencies, evacuation, theft, loss of belongings, and last-minute tour/ticket cancellations. Having this protection in place will help ensure that your trip is safe and enjoyable.

Top 10 FAQs on Everest Base Camp Trek

Everest Base Camp is one of the world's famous trekking destinations. Every mountain lover dreams of scaling the base camp of mighty Everest. There are several trekking routes in the Everest Region, and the EBC trek is the most popular one. We have prepared the Top 10 FAQs on Everest Base Camp Trek (EBC) in Nepal based on our previous trekkers' experiences. If the given FAQs are not helpful enough,… Read More »

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Stories from 5,000 Meters: To Everest Base Camp and Back

Home » Blog » Nepal » Stories from 5,000 Meters: To Everest Base Camp and Back

The Everest Base Camp trek left it’s mark on us.

It’s a time in our lives that we still can’t believe actually happened. During the trek, we keep a journal of sorts, writing down our thoughts and feelings along the way.

This is that journal. 

Organized through different key altitudes as we ascended and descended the mountain throughout the journey. 

If you want more information on how to plan your own EBC trek, check out our Ultimate Guide to Everest Base Camp , where we share our full itinerary, packing list and how we were able to hike the trek cheaply. 

And now, let’s start the journey…

2,800 meters: What was I worried about?

Rhododendrons and cherry blossoms line the path. The sun shines on the back of my neck and my bare arms, and the warmth makes me wonder if I’ll really need that down jacket I packed. I smile with each step, saying hello to every person I pass. I feel good –  no, make that great.

A river gurgles happily through a path of boulders, and the color –  a milky turquoise – boasts that it comes not from a regular water source, but from a glacier.

A suspension bridge hangs high above the river and swings from side to side in the wind, daring me to cross. I take a deep breath, and confidently step forward. Why was I ever nervous about this trek, I wonder. It’s just a lot of walking.

I notice the expressions of trekkers heading in the opposite direction as they take me in, all smiles and naive optimism. I can’t help but feel like they are laughing to themselves, This girl has no idea what she’s in for.

EVERYTHING you need to plan your EBC trek!

3,400 meters: Up, up, up

Namche Bazaar – the biggest, most bustling town in this region – is at the top of this hill. At least that’s what they tell me. They also told me it would take 2 hours. It’s definitely been longer than that.

This trail winds back and forth in a seemingly never ending series of switchbacks. Steep, dusty, slippery switchbacks. My mouth aches for water, but I don’t want to stop. I’m getting passed left and right.

I notice that most of the people ahead of me have no backpacks. I silently curse myself for not hiring a porter. How stupid was I to think I can carry my own equipment the entire way? I could be just like them, gliding up this damned hill.

But just as I’m feeling really sorry for myself, a porter passes me by. And another one. They balance cases of beer, bushels of produce, wooden boards, sheets of metal. They carry duffle bags whose zippers appear as if they may burst and bear the names of trekkers on this path: Florent Michel, France. Raúl Torres, Chile .

And the porters secure these gigantic, precarious loads by a single strip of fabric that fits over their forehead. Some are young – not even old enough to be enrolled in high school. And others look well past the age of retirement. Many of the porters are slighter in build than me, and yet here I am feeling bad for myself that I have to carry my silly little backpack. And so I press on.

4,400 meters: We’ve crossed into another world

All the green has vanished and in its place is yellowed grass spotted with brown plants that hug the mountainside and smell of cinnamon. Gray boulders are strewn about, and ominous peaks capped in white snow loom overhead.

At 4,400 meters, it’s as if we’ve been plucked off earth and placed on some strange planet without feeling a thing. Maybe that’s why breathing is so difficult here, I think to myself.

Seeing other trekkers on the trails is becoming less frequent, and the time between each passing “hello” is growing longer. Helicopters whiz by overhead instead of birds. Their presence a reminder of just how serious the effects of high altitude can be.

In two hours we’ve counted 7 of these flying metal noisemakers, on their way to fly someone back to the more reasonable altitude of Kathmandu where the air is pregnant with oxygen.

It seems that altitude sickness is a topic on everyone’s mind. Some of the larger groups have started to dwindle as their members have been evacuated. This potentially deadly illness lurks quietly as it claims its victims – often very fit and healthy people. At 4,400 meters, everyone is wondering: Will the next victim be me?

I have a constant, dull headache and sound like a middle aged smoker when I breathe. Deep breaths became impossible days ago, and although I’m getting more than enough sleep each night, I can’t shake the feeling of fatigue.

I’ve noticed that any cuts I get – no matter how small – can’t heal because of the lack of oxygen in the air. The altitude has already taken ahold of me, and I can only hope this is the worst it gets.

4,900 meters: Teahouse, yak poo & carbs

Above the tree line, the tea houses no longer use wood burning stoves, but instead feed the gaping hole with disks of dried yak dung. This fills the air with a low-hanging black smoke that, as I’m sure you can imagine, doesn’t have the most pleasant odor.

In fact, it’s probably just what you’d expect from burning yak poo. I suppose the one redeeming quality of my ever-worsening cold is that it dulls the wretched stench.

Despite the smell, the dining area is packed tonight. There is no wifi or cell service up here, and with all distractions gone, people are conversing instead of keeping their eyes glued to a screen.

Different languages float through the room. Some I recognize – Hebrew, Spanish, French, English – and others I do not. Lively card games and animated stories are offset by silent people, glazed over with the sickness only high altitude can bring.

We sit with new friends we met on our first day. It seems like most people are in the same path, at least for some amount of time, so we pick up the conversation we started the previous night.

Plates heaping with hearty food pass by me – pasta, dumplings, potatoes, fried rice, noodle soups. Considering the ridiculous altitude we are at, where no vegetation grows, it astounds me how massive the menu options are in the tea houses.

The menu at this lodge has 3 pages, front and back, with options. I am already tired of the carbs, and have been having vivid daydreams of salads lately, but nevertheless, I am grateful for the porters who have carried this food upon their back for hours on end so I can be fed at nearly 5,000 meters.

5,200 meters: This is a cold I’ve never experienced

Thick flakes of snow flutter down from the plump, low hanging clouds, forming a white blanket on the ground. The Australians staying in our teahouse are excitedly snapping pictures. Snow isn’t something we see often, they say.

One woman, about my mother’s age, gushes that it’s her very first time seeing it fall from the sky. It’s fun seeing everyday things through the lens of someone who’s experiencing it for the first time.

But even all those Minnesota winters didn’t prepare me for this cold . Bitter, dry, biting cold. Each morning, when I peek my head outside of my toasty sleeping bag, I am assaulted by it. My mouth dry. My throat burning. My lips cracked.

This is no Minnesota cold.

5,300 meters: Footprints

Each step I take leaves a neat print in the fresh snow covering the ground. As beautiful as my surroundings are, I can barely muster the energy to lift my camera, remove the lens cap, focus, and click. One foot in front of the other, I tell myself.

It’s not that this portion of the trek is particularly hard. We’ve already ascended much steeper slopes. But the altitude is no joke.

Each breath I sip in bites the back of my throat. My lungs pinch, unable to take in enough air. Breathing deeply is impossible. Especially with this killer cold I’ve developed over the last few days.

One foot in front of the other. I look like a zombie, I’m sure. But it’s okay. In just an hour’s time I’ll be at Everest Base Camp. One foot in front of the other.

5,400 meters: Base Camp’s beehive

Prayer flags have taken on a new meaning while trekking. In each town and at the pinnacle of each summit is a string of colorful flags, marking your success. You’ve made it .

Being that Everest Base Camp is the ultimate destination for most people on this trek, there is a proportionally large tangle of red, green, white, blue and yellow welcoming us to base camp. Congratulations, they whisper as they flap merrily in the wind.

Vivid flashes of color dot the surround snow-covered expanse. Tents. My mind buzzes as I imagine what’s going on inside each nylon shelter. What are they doing? Drinking tea, playing cards, reading?

Fearing that they might be slightly delusional to have committed to summit the highest mountain in the world. One that claims the lives of many dreamers who attempt this endeavor.

Base camp has an eerie buzz, like a beehive. Every once in a while, you see a bee scuttle out and inside again, reminding you that there’s life inside that hive. And as you get closer, there is a tangible energy you can feel, even if you cannot see it. The same is true here.

We weave between tents and past camp cooks preparing the evening meal. A handful of climbers meander about, perhaps visiting friends in other camps, I imagine.

I see country flags flying high. USA to our left. Australia to our right. A burst of laughter here, and muffled voices over there. This little community, I think to myself, surely has all the drama, the leaders, the instigators, and the peacekeepers as any society does. It is a beehive, no doubt.

5,400 meters: Snickers on a glacier

Today’s the day. We rise before the sun and lace up our hiking boots. Muesli and hot milk fills my belly with a warm energy reserve that I know I’ll be needing very soon. We’ve joined with a group of new friends to cross this pass together which will hopefully minimize any potential danger.

After reading and rereading the guidebook, I learned that it is highly recommended that one has proper gear (crampons and such) which we clearly don’t have. And it goes on to strongly discourage making this pass without a guide. Well, shit. I guess we’re all in this together at least.

As we all step outside into the bitter cold, our breaths collectively create a small cloud that disappears as quickly as it formed. We make a quick game plan and forge our own path on fresh snow.

Up, up, up. We scramble over boulders bigger than me.

Up, up, up, until there is no more up to go. I think for a minute that we’re done until someone in our group points ahead at the gigantic, mean looking glacier that we still need to cross.

After catching our breaths and inhaling granola bars for sustenance we’ll surely need for this endeavor, we move quickly across the ice. The cold, dry air stings my throat but I keep moving, being sure not to spend too much time in any one spot.

The fragile snow pack beneath my feet groans and crackles from my weight, threatening to give out at any moment.

When we finally reach the other side of the pass and scramble up yet more rocks, it’s time to celebrate. And by celebrate I mean eat a Snickers and bask in the sun. Over the next hour, we watch as other groups make it up the pass.

One team exchanges hugs as each member plants their feet at the top – one woman is in tears. We finally gather the strength to begin the descent, and although I tell myself that we’re almost there, I know it’s far from then truth. Sometimes a little deception is necessary when trying to convince oneself to trek on.

4,800 meters: Reality or mirage? 

I see the village through a thick veil of fog, and I wonder if it is in fact there or if it’s a mirage. I’ve been imagining this moment since I crawled out of my sleeping bag just after 5 this morning, but now that the town of Gokyo is finally in my sights, I’m not sure if it’s real or if my mind is playing tricks on me.

I continue on, crossing my gloved fingers. The teahouses come into focus as I approach, and the feeling of setting my backpack beside my bed is one of utter relief and gratitude.

But I soon discover there’s a better feeling to be had, just down the block. The aromas of cinnamon and freshly brewed coffee lure us in, and the warm banana bread, apple pie, and chocolate chip cake make me wonder (again) if this is reality or a mirage – too good to be true.

I take another bite of buttery pie and wash it down with strong black coffee (finally not instant!). It sure tastes real.

4,900 meters: Swimming in a blizzard

Hailing from Minnesota – the land of 10,000 lakes – I am not easily impressed by just any body of fresh water. But the glacial lakes up here are just so… Blue. Teal. Aquamarine. Whatever description you prefer, theres no denying their exotic beauty.

This chain of lakes is sacred to local Buddhist and Hindu people, and each year pilgrims flock to immerse themselves in this holy water. Beautiful, but cold water. Scratch that. Freezing water.

A friend we’re trekking with reveals his desire to take a dip in one of the lakes, and I don’t believe him, until he starts peeling off his layers. His reason for the dip has nothing to do with the water’s healing powers – but instead because he hasn’t bathed yet during the trek and he wants to get clean.

I think the lack of oxygen might have made him go a little crazy, because even though it’s been more than 2 weeks since my last shower, there’s not a single fiber of my being that desires a glacial bath.

But nevertheless, my fearless new friend submerges his body in the water, unable to gasp for breath at first because of the cold. Watching him makes my skin prickle into goosebumps, because I know that the shelter of our teahouse is still an hour and a half away.

As he emerges from the water and towels off, still shivering, a snowflake lands on my shoulder. I look up to the sky and see a dark cloud about to unleash itself on us. The flakes begin to fall quicker as we begin to walk briskly back in the direction of the village. Hot coffee and apple pie; a beacon of light in this blizzard.

3,400 meters: Déjà vu

A wave of déjà vu washes over me. Last night we slept at the same teahouse we did 14 nights ago, and now we are passing through villages I recognize. We are crossing the same suspension bridges and passing the same blooms of flowers.

But something’s different. My stomach no longer lurches at the sight of an incline. A hill that before would make me huff and puff is laughably easy now. I can take a deep breath without my lungs pinching, a sensation that has become familiar over the last 2 weeks.

I feel unstoppable. If I were dropped off at sea level I think I could run off into the horizon – Forrest Gump style. Yeah, something is definitely different. Small cuts that have dotted my legs and feet for the past 2 weeks are starting to heal – a sign of increased oxygen in the air.

My backpack is no longer a burden on my shoulders. In fact, its weight seems insubstantial now and makes me wonder if I’m forgetting something.

It’s not just the altitude that’s making a difference though. I feel stronger, more confident. I look at trekkers heading in the opposite direction as one looks at a young, naive child.

I feel like I’ve been let in on the secret nobody would tell me 2 weeks ago. A girl passes by me, grinning as she effortlessly navigates the trail. I can read her thoughts, “What was I worried for? This is just a lot of walking. ” I smile as she passes by and think, “Oh sweetie, you have no idea what you’re in for.”

Now that you’ve read our stories, come along for the ride as we share all of our pictures from our time in the Himalayas . 

Are you planning a trek to Everest Base Camp? We can help!

We have TONS more resources on trekking EBC. Check out our Nepal Homepage for more resources and some of our favorite articles on Everest Base Camp below.

Ultimate Guide to Trekking EBC Independently

How Much Does an Everest Base Camp Trek Cost?

Perfect Everest Base Camp Packing List

Perfect Everest Base Camp Itinerary

We want to hear from you!

Have to trekked to Everest Base Camp? Do you want to make the hike to EBC? We would love to hear your stories or dream travel plans in the comments below.

Comments (12) on “ Stories from 5,000 Meters: To Everest Base Camp and Back ”

What an engaging and well written story. I almost feel as though I am there with you. Loved every second of what you shared and can’t wait until I’m there experiencing my own thoughts and feelings on the grand adventure!

Aww, thank you Caitlyn for your kind comment. This made our day! We wish you happy travels on the trail.

Wow, what a great adventure! Really enjoyed the photos and reading about it. Looking forward to more. Take care, Jim

Hi Jim, I’m so glad you enjoyed the stories and photos! More to come soon 🙂

Really wonderful account of your adventure to base camp! I’d be curious to know how you went about planning this trip and if you wish you had gone with a guide/tour instead. I would really love to do this trek one day and am curious of your thoughts on the matter.

Hi Katherine, Thanks for the comment. We are currently putting together a guide of EVERYTHING anyone would need to know for planning a similar (independent) trip. We were very happy we did it without a guide or tour group, but know that route isn’t for everyone. We will be discussing the pros and cons of both in our guide, so keep an eye out for that!

What a wonderful adventure Katie & Ben! Thank you for sharing your captivating story and breathtaking photos. So happy for the two of you! Peace & Be Well, Patsy 🙂

Thanks so much for the encouragement, Patsy! It means a lot 🙂

Thank you for sharing your story. I was telling your Mother that I wanted so much to do this trip. I have read and read and I feel that your story brings me closer to what the trip would be like, than the other books I have read. Thanks Sue Lindberg

Thanks so much for the kind words, Sue! It’s so good to hear that the descriptions spoke to you 🙂 It is hard to do justice to such an other-worldly place, but I tried!

What a great read Katie. I had to finish reading this before lunch. I loved it. You’ll have to tell me more when your home.

Thanks so much, Rob 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed it! We will need to have a "slideshow party" again this fall! Miss you guys! xoxo

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Kedartaal: The 5000 metre trek

Hi, I'm Varun Guru from Delhi . I am a musician, engineer, athlete and a big travel fanatic ! This particular trip was one of those when you quit your job in frustration and go soul searching. And serendipity it was, as this turned out to be one of the most awesome experiences of my life so far. 

SO, me and three others decided to go for a much needed break away from civilization. We only desired isolation.

21st June 2015: Delhi– Gangotri

We went for trek shopping to Decathlon in Noida sector 18, where we bought shoes, tent, gloves, walking stick, jackets and pretty much everything needed for a good three days. We started by car from one of our friend's place in Meerut towards Rishikesh on the morning of 21st June 2015 to pick up another friend who travelled all the way from Dubai for this. By the night of 21st, we reached Gangotri (had to change a flat tyre on the way ;) ), where we booked a Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam hotel by the Gangotri Kund side. 

22nd June: Gangotri–Bhoj Kharak

Early morning at 6, we got up and went to The Himalayan adventure shop to inquire about the guide and porter(One of our dear friend said pretty confidently and I quote; "Guys, we can easily do this trek without any guide, we just need one porter..."). Little did we know how completely crazy that idea would've been. We found a guide who was actually ready to go there(out of the many who refused quite simply), Munna Rana. Following his advice, we hired three porters who carried our tents, butane cylinders and the ration. We carried our rucksack on our own (Come on! We could do that much ;P). We started, ofcourse after taking permissions from the authority, towards our first mark, BHOJ KHARAK. This camp site is 6 km from Gangotri and it took us 3 hours to reach. The altitude gain is a good 500 meters. We reached bhoj kharak by 12ish and we camped at 3600-3700m. On our way, we had to cross frozen ice portions on vertical water streams along the way. That was one among the several life threatening experiences in this trip. A simple slip could make you slide down a good two to three hundred meters to Kedar Ganga flowing along the side.

23rd June: Bhoj Kharak–Kedar Kharak

Today was the day! If I am given a chance to live one day out of my life again, I'd choose this one! This day, we saw what death would look like. From bhoj kharak we started at around 9 in the morning towards our next campsite, Kedar kharak. A good 900m altitude gain. Ofcourse, the same old frozen sheets of ice along waterfalls followed us here too. But we were somewhat adept at crossing these by now. We kept walking and after about an hour, we reached a seemingly ridge like area. We werent able to see what was beyond, and especially here me and my friend Pandey were the last to reach. By now, the others had stopped and looking for something. When we went closer, we saw their faces filled with fear. Our faces copied that emotion. THERE WAS NO WAY AHEAD !!! The path had broken due to the rains and land slides. We could see a good kilometer of loose gravel and stones ahead. The place where the path continues again wasnt even visible. With all the fear and doubt rising, we thought this was the end of our journey and we had to go back. But one man was determined - our guide, Munna Rana. He would find a way to cross this and take us to kedartaal. The only condition- if we were game for it! And yes we were!! With death staring at us directly, we felt just right! It was meant to be! Our guide told us, the gravel will slide but keep a firm foot and come down behind me. As he rightly said, the gravel did slide and none of has any experience in descending on loose gravel, yet we adapted to the situation and came down sliding on our feet and ended right near the banks of kedar ganga. One challenge completed. The next one - we had to remove our shoes and walk in the super cold water and along the bank by holding onto the rocks along the sides. The icing on the cake - Bharal(blue sheep) were grazing(creating havoc) at the top of this rock fall section, bloody buggers kept rolling the rocks down. A few big rocks almost hit us. Small rocks definitely hit us. And mind you, Small rocks falling from a height of 50-60 meters are nothing less than a speeding bullet. If one had hit the head portion, definite death. We had to walk against the flow of the cold water and fast! Our feet were freezing and numbed! We were all successful in crossing the cold water. And as we got onto the banks, more rock fall! Bigger thicker rocks. So we didnt have a second to breathe. Instead we had to walk barefoot on pointy hard rocks for at least a grueling 30 meters, until finally we were able to stop and wear our shoes. It was tiring and painful! if we stopped, rocks would kill us. If we walked, rocks would kill us :P. You get the picture. After a long walk on the sliding stones and no stopping, we crossed the rock fall area that Yamaraaj himself had put. This particular section actually makes it as difficult as the Kalindi Khal trek, which is deemed the toughest trek in Uttarakhand . After a 2 hour long walk, we reached our second campsite, kedar kharak! At around 4500m, this was an amazing campsite with complete isolation from humanity.

24th June: Kedar kharak-Kedartaal (Paradise day)

We set out for Kedartaal, the paradise we had seen only on the internet. From here on, glacial paths begin. There are huge boulders that are stacked and they gradually keep shifting. So one always needs an experienced guide to navigate through this. A good 300 m altitude gain was in stock for us. The low oxygen gave two of us some headache. We would stop after every few steps. There we created a rule of taking 20 paces and then stop. That helped us psychologically. After three whole hours, we reached an ascent. As soon as the guide called out to witness the beauty, two of our friends ran! Literally raced to reach there! By the edge of the ascent, stood the calm and serene and the most amazing site our group had ever seen in our lives - Kedar taal ! The magnificent lake reflecting the mighty Mt. Thalaysagar's summit, we were in awe ! It was surely paradise! There is just no other word for it... We had attained a altitude of 4750 m. But, we had to go higher! Remember, 5000m was our mark! Now, one way was to walk through the glaciers to reach Jogin ABC, but we took a different route along the side of the lake. This last part was super tough! Me and a friend who had the headache trailed far behind the others. But little by little, we reached our mark! Wait, a little more than our mark, 5125m above sea level. Don't ask about the obsession with the 5000 m altitude, I wont be able to tell. But ask me how it felt! I can write several blog pages about it! From there, ice began. We didnt have crampons and neither were we ready for a climb. Just played a sliding game on the ice section, which was awesome fun! Our dear friend, Pandey after descending to the lake clicked this majestic picture that the others very proudly place as our cover pics. Kudos Pandeyji!  The weather wasn't going to remain too kind. As it swiftly changed, we had our quota of fun and started for descent. We descended to Kedar kharak camp on time, because as soon as we reached and entered our tents, it started raining! The rain continued throughout the night. 

25th June: Kedar Kharak–Gangotri

Early morning, we were woken up by the continuous shower, only to realize the precipitation was of a different nature altogether. It wasn't water. It was snow! Two of us got up and went out in the snow, quite happily. Clicked pictures, made videos, etc. Our shoes were wet, pants too and the jacket. Totally drenched, we soon realized this precipitation wasn't planning to end anytime sooner. It continued for another two hours before we decided we should start the descent. And what good timing, if we hadnt left, we would've been trapped in that campsite and I wouldn't have been writing this today :P. So, the descent. Easy isnt it ? NO WAY JOSé! To avoid the route we took during our ascent(remember the one where we met Yamaraaj and said Hi to his buffalo?), our dear guide took us through an even more grueling route. Plus this time it was raining! Loose gravel became even more loose with rocks falling in higher numbers. This descent was more like an ascent. We had to climb up to reach the higher path on the other side. After every ridge seeming geometry, we realized there was more to go before the final rest. This time, we had to run faster and put in the strength you'd need to win a 100 m dash. Not just our physical, but our mental stamina was also tested here. I still to this day dont believe all of us had found the strength in us to reach back! Kudos to the team! In 4 hours, we descended to Gangotri! We put our stuff by a tea shop. Initially, he made us remove it off his carpet. Then he asked us where we were coming from. As soon as we said "kedartaal", he immediately took all our stuff in, made us sit, got us tea, parantha and what not. A hero's welcome! And indeed, anybody who could do this was definitely a hero in his own life! 

End note: 

Bhoj Kharak

Kedar kharak.

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Above 5000m Peak in Nepal Himalayas

Nepal is rich in mountains there are about 1500 peaks above 5000 meters . Some of the famous 5000m peak are Yala Peak (5,520m) which lies in the Langtang region ,   Kala Patthar (5,545m) which lies in Khumbu region which is popular hiking peak below Pumori, Gokyo Ri(5,357m) which is also one of the popular hiking peak , Tharpu Chuli (5,663m) which lies in the heart of Annapurna and it is also one of the trekking peak and Some are unclimbed also like Mount Khumbila (5,761m) , if you are planning professionaly mountaineering we suggest to start to climb from Above 5000m peak . Actual Adventure offer mountaineering and Expedition in Nepal , & Tibet.

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• Tarsar Marsar Trek
• Moderate + Easy Trek
• Max. Altitude 4000 m.

Inclusions of the trek

• Cost INR 15000 On Fixed Dates
• Tourist Taxi - Srinagar to Aru and Return.
• 3 time delicious meals, Tea/Coffee and Refreshments.
• Mules and Horses to carry rucksack.
• Pup Tents and Dome Tents.
• Guest House Stay during start of the trek.
• Dinning Tents.
• High Altitude Cook
• Hiking poles/rods.
• Sleeping bags (-8) and Sleeping Pads.
• Trekking and fishing permits.
• Experienced Trek Leader and guides.
• Dal Lake Sightseeing.

Quick Booking FOrm

Overview of tarsar marsar trek.

Tarsar and Marsar lakes are no doubt 2 wonders of nature located in the lap of the Pir Panchal mountain Range of Lesser Himalayas. The Lakes are surrounded by the number of Pinnacles lying around 4000 to 5000 meters above sea level. The Tarsar Marsar trek comes across the district Anantnag in the Union Territory of Kashmir. The total distance from Srinagar to Aru Village is 94 km. The altitude of trailhead Aru is 2433 m, the first campsite named Lidderwat is located at an altitude of 3000 m, and the Tarsar Lake is located at an altitude of 3795 meters above sea level. The first stretch of 10 kms from Aru to Lidderwat is the easiest part of the trek.

The Landscape of the trek.

During this journey of 7 days, you will witness the miracles of nature in the form of green lush meadows, inverted waterfalls, snow-fed rivers, snow-capped mountains, tall pine trees, gypsy life, wildflowers, valleys, and the open view of the lesser Himalayas including high mountain peak of Kashmir (Mt. Kolahoi 5425 m).The Tarsar Marsar Lakes trek is the only trek mentioned on the Lonely Planet guide for Indian Himalayas. The charming trek in the lap of majestic mountains peaks of Kashmir.  This pleasant trek is an adventure of a lifetime and a must-do trek of the Indian Himalayas.  

Experience during the trek.

The Tarsar Marsar trek provides the ultimate blend of adventure and fun while being close to nature. Starting the trek from Aru Village and entering treeline on the banks of river Lidder makes the trek melodious. The distance from Aru to the Tarsar Lake ridge is 24 km so the total distance of astounding Tarsar Marsar Lakes Trek is 48 km (29.82 miles).  The temperate remains cold even during peak summertime so proper winter clothing is recommended. When we are talking about the route of Tarsar Marsar Lakes, it is moderate just because a very small part of the trek has steep ascent and roughness. The difficulty level of the trek has been graded as moderate for the people who have some experience of high-altitude trekking.

How to Reach Srinagar

• Direct flights

Kashmir does have only one commercial Airport which we can reach by direct flights from Delhi (DEL) Airport, Bangalore, Jammu, And Hyderabad.  All the flights from other parts of India reach via Delhi to Srinagar (SXR), Kashmir.

Government and Private bus services to Jammu are available from from Delhi and from other parts of India. Jammu onwards you can again choose state government bus service or choose tourist taxi from Jammu to Srinagar. Tourist taxi, Public transport And UT Government Bus Service will be available easily from Jammu to Srinagar.

The train services can be used up to Jammu And Banihal only. Tourist taxi, Public transport And UT Government Bus Service will be available easily from Jammu to Srinagar. The distance of 270 Km from Jammu to Srinagar is usually been covered in 6 to 7 hours.

Map of Tarsar Marsar Trek

The Tarsar Marsar Trek has three main stretches. 1. Aru to Lidderwat – 10 Km. 2. Lidderwat to Shekwas – 6.Km.  3. Shekwas to Tarsar 6 Km. The first stretch of the trek is easiest part of the trek which can be identified easily on the map too.The Lidderwat is a triangular piece of land surrounded by pine trees and water streams. Lidderwat onwards it’s time to gain elevation through the route shown on the map. The coordinates of Tarsar Lake are 34°8′24″N 75°8′53″E and  34.144°N 75.110°E for the Marsar Lake. Reaching Homwas after the gradual ascent of 3 hours. As the map of Tarsar Marsar Lake shows the incline in the route. Crossing the river at Homwas and going through boulder walk for 20 min will take to Shekwas campsite.

The Tarsar Marsar Trek has three main stretches. 1. Aru to Lidderwat – 10 Km. 2. Lidderwat to Shekwas – 6.Km.  3. Shekwas to Tarsar 6 Km. The first stretch of the trek is easiest part of the trek. which can be identified easily on the map too.The Lidderwat is a triangular piece of land surrounded by pine trees and water streams. Lidderwat onwards it’s time to gain elevation through the route shown on the map. The coordinates of Tarsar Lake are 34°8′24″N 75°8′53″E and  34.144°N 75.110°E for the Marsar Lake. Reaching Homwas after the gradual ascent of 3 hours. As the map of Tarsar Marsar Lake shows the incline in the route. Crossing the river at Homwas and going through boulder walk for 20 min will take to Shekwas campsite.

Short ITinerary Tarsar MArsar Trek

Note: Trekkers are advised to reach Srinagar a day before the trek will commence. Our itinerary doesn’t include any buffer day but trekkers must add a buffer day in order to secure their departure. Bad weather conditions sometimes take an extra day to reach back on road safe and sound.

Day 1: Srinagar - Aru campsite

During the first day, we will send the tourist taxi at a programmed time and we will be heading towards the trailhead by covering a distance of  94 km.  This will be an acclimatization day with a few km walk around the  Aru valley.  Night stay will be at  Aru Campsite at an elevation 2433 m.

Day 2: Aru campsite - Lidderwat

Trek distance: 10 km 

Time Taken: 6 – 7 hours

Altitude gain: 400 meters

Trek type:   Easy + moderate trek through the rolling slopes of  Lidder Valley

Day 3: Lidderwat - Shekwas

Trek distance: 6 km 

Altitude gain : 582 meters

Trek type: The trek starts with a gradual ascent and the route turns flat at fewer places. After a boulder walk of 20 minutes followed by the river crossing, we will get to Shekwas.

Day 4: Shekwas to Tarsar Lake

Trek distance: 5 km 

Time Taken: 4 hours

Altitude gain: 430 meters

Trek type: Moderate ascent over the incline meadow of Tarsar Valley. Upon reaching altitude of 3500 m the route turns flat with little incline at the end. 

Day 5: Tarsar Lake - Sundersar

Time Taken: 5 hours

Altitude gain: 155 meters

Trek type: Ascent trek of 1 hours to cross the ridge which parrel to Tarsar Lake followed by descent and normal Walk. Ending with a gradual climb of 1 hour.

Day 6: Sundersar - Lidderwat

Trek distance: 15 km 

Time Taken: 7 hours

Elevation Loss: 800 meters

Trek type: Gradual descent trek through the valley of Tarsar and Homwas. 20 percent of the route is little rough.

Day 7: Lidderwat - Aru - Srinagar

Time Taken: 8 hours

Elevation Loss: 582 meters

Trek type: Descent through the rolling slopes of Lidder Valley and parallel to the Lidder river. 3 hours drive to Srinagar from Aru Village.

Day 8: Buffer Day

Trek distance: 0 km 

Time Taken: 0 hours

Height lose : 000 meters

Best Time To Do Tarsar Marsar trek

Being the most astonishing trek of the Indian Himalayas. The best time to do Tarsar Masar Trek is from 1 June to 15 September. Peak Sumer season is the best time to explore this part of the Himalayas. During starting June the temperate remains cold and the landscape above 3000 meters is partially covered with snow. During July the meadows get in their bloom and snow can be found in the gullies and mountain peaks. In the month of August, the weather gets dry and fewer chances of rain when compared to June and July. During September the weather remains fully dry and also there is no conjunction on the trail. So the best time to visit Tarsar Marsar Lakes is from Starting June to the end of September and also permissible by the department of Tourism Kashmir (UT) for the said season.

In the month of October the weather gets harsh and the meadows turn brown and cold winds from Dras make the region freezing. As per the protocols of the Tourism Department, the trek is permitted from June to September only. Mountain Expeditions can take place in the area by permission of IMF and UT Tourism Authorities during peak summer time only. The best time to explore the alpine lakes of Kashmir is peak summertime only. When comparing Tarsar Marsar Lake trek to Kashmir great lakes trek the Tarsar Marsar open a month earlier than KGL trek. 

Fixed Depature Dates for 2022

• 2 June to 8 June
• 10 June to 16 June
• 18 June to 24 June
• 26 June to 2 July
• 04 July to 10 July
• 11 July to 17 July
• 18 July to 25 July
• 27 July to 2 August
• 4 Aug to 10 Aug
• 11 Aug to 17 Aug
• 18 Aug to 24 Aug
• 26 Aug to 2 Sep
• 4 Sep to 10 Sep
• 12 Sep to 18 Sep
• 20 Sep to 26 Sep
• 28 Sep to 4 Oct

Detailed itinerary of the TRek

Day 1: Srinagar to Aru Campsite

We welcome you to an awesome adventure with Himalayan Bird Adventures. The driver will be sent to pick you up from any of the locations in Srinagar.  After meeting the trek coordinator, we will be heading to the Aru, which is 90 km away from Srinagar and takes 3 to 4 hours. The remaining time of the day will spent on acclimatization walk at the Aru Valley and end the day with the delicious meals.  Aru Valley is going to be the campsite for the first day. Enjoying the time in the beautiful valley and getting ready by acclimatizing till the next morning.

Day 2: Aru to Lidderwat

On leaving the  Aru Campsite 2400 m,  we will be walking in the treeline with the normal walk towards Lidderwat through the banks of river Lidder. The trekking route is 12  km from Aru to Lidderwat,  Most of the route is normal with very gradual gain in elevation . Lidderwat (2800 m) is the base camp for a number of multi-day and short treks like the Kolahoi Summit Trek and other alpine lakes trek. Camping at Lidderwat overnight and explore the surroundings.

Day 3: Lidderwat to Shekwas campsite

Right after breaakfast at 7 in the morning, we will start a gradual ascent of 7 km from Lidderwat to Shekwas. As you go higher through the ridges and meadows of Tarsar Lake, the wider view of surrounding mountains makes the trek joyful. During the trek, you will walk parallel but opposite to the water stream which is the outflow of Tarsar Lake. Later this stream joins the Lidder river which itself is a tributary and the Jehlum river. On every step there will be the elevation gain and at this point, a little push is needed. Finally with 20 minutes of boulder walk followed by a river crossing will take you to the Shekwas campsite. The spectacular view of surrounding mountains reminds the fact that Kashmir is fully photogenic. Enjoy the tea and coffee in the evening bonfire at Shekwas campsite.

Day 4: Shekwas to Tarsar LAke CampSite

Spending the night a Shekwas verily helps trekkers to acclimatize properly.  By the morning it remains a little cold but as you start walking through the route the body temperature gets warm. The total distance from Shekwas to Tarsar Lake is 3.5 km through a slope of 40 degrees angle. The surrounding meadows are been used by Gujjars and Bakerwalls to graze their herd during the peak winter season on such high altitudes. After the trek of 2 hours, a flat landscape covered with spiky peaks named locally at marg. At once a sparkling view from one of its corners takes away all your tiredness because this is the adventure experience you were looking for. Reaching Tarsar Lake is the major part of the trek, the camping will be just 200 m away from the lake.

Day 5: Tarsar to Sundersar

The next part of the trek is Sundersar Lake, it takes 1 to 2  hours to cross a nearby ridge that is parallel to Lake. After a steep ascent of an hour, it’s time to descent to a flat landscape, locally called at Zagi. Shepherds and Gypgy camps can be seen in the valley with herds of sheep and goats Going through one hour of ascent, we will be on the banks of Sundersar Lake. Wildflower beds can be seen during the end of July and starting August only. After having our lunch, we will head to the next milestone which is Marsar Lake. It takes just an hour to reach the ridge from where Marsar Lake can be seen. The Lake is 1 km in the length and 500 m in width. This almond-shaped lake remains under clouds which results in a cold temperate nearby the Lake.

Day 6: Sundersar to Lidderwat

Now onwards on every step, we will lose the altitude. Reaching Lidderwat campsite is a little bit challenging but not difficult. The total distance of 14 km will be covered in 8 to 9 hours. While the decent there will be more pressure on the knees and on the front portion of the feet, using the two hiking poles can help to avoid much pressure. Turing left near the ridge of Tarsar Lake will bypass the lake and we reach very close to the Shekwas. The temperature remains 20 to 30 degrees Celcius during peak summertime but due to the long walk, it feels too hot. Staying hydrated is important in order to remain fit on the trek. Ending the day on the awesome campsite of Lidderwat is a relaxing moment in the lap of mountains.

Day 7: Lidderwat to Aru to Srinagar

Ending an awesome adventure with its never lost beautiful memories. It will be a trek of 3 to 4 hours from Lidderwat to Aru. Walking down on the rolling slopes and parallel to the flow of River Lidder. Taking packed meals on banks on river shore gives a melodious experience. Upon reaching Aru, our cabs will be ready to drop you at Srinagar. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tarsar Marsar Safe?

The situation in the valley after 2016 has been improved dramatically and millions of tourists and trekkers visited the valley till now. Currently, a large number of educated youth are part of the tourism industry and are playing a good role to take this industry to a higher level. Department of  Tourism Kashmir has been awarded for handling the highest number of tourists throughout the country in  2021. Talking about the Safety of the Tarsar  Marsar Trek, Tarsar Marsar lakes lies in the forest block of Aru. Thousands of trekkers complete the Tarsar Marsar trek every month safe and Happily. The area is full of tourists during summers mostly and the route is busy with the trekkers, porters, mules with loads. Solo trekking could be dangerous on the trek because is a living place for a number of wild animals including Himalayan brown and black bears, leopards, and poisonous vipers.

Tarsar Marsar Trek Heigh?

The maximum elevation you will reach during the trek is 4000 m (13,123 foot). The trek starts from the elevation of 2433 m, the elevation of Lidderwat is 3000 m, and the Tarsar Lake is located at an altitude of 3795 m ASL. The scenic beauty of Sundersar always amazes the trekkers and is located at an elevation of 4000 m and last alpine lake is Marsar Lake located at an elevation 3870 m above sea level.

How do you get from Pahalgam to Tarsar Lake? How do you get to Tarsar Marsar Lake?

Pahalgam is an awesome tourism destination and gives birth to a number of multiday and short trekking trails. Aru Village is popular trailhead for many beautiful Treks which includes the Tarsar Marsar trek also. Getting to Tarsar Marsar from Pahalgam needs proper planning and logistics. It takes only 30 to 40 minutes to cover the distance of 12 km from Pahalgam to Aru. One must choose an adventure company if they want to do Tarsar Marsar Trek. You can join the fixed dates of different companies or can do it privately through a local operator. The trekking will start from Aru onwards. The first day of camping will be at Lidderwatt which gives another thrill to this adventure. After a gradual ascent of 6 hours, you will be at Shekwas. Next, you will see the miracle of Nature in form of Tarsar Lake. 

Where is Tarsar Marsar located?

Tarsar Marsar lakes are located in the lap of the Pir Panchal mountain Range of Lesser Himalayas. The area comes under District Anantnag of Kashmir (UT). It takes 4 to 5 hours from Srinagar to reach the trailhead of the trek which is Aru Village. The Aru is 94 km away from Srinagar and 12 km from Pahalgam. The trek is surrounded by dominating mountain peaks including Mt. Kolahoi Getting an awesome adventure experience in the wilderness of this green Himalayan region is an adventure of a lifetime.

How tough is Tarsar Marsar Trek? Is Tarsar Marsar difficult?

The Tarsar Marsar Lakes trek is graded as a moderate trek when compared to other treks of the Indian Himalayas. For the beginners, it could be a little difficult trek because of their inexperience. The route of the trek contains roughness of 30 percent only. During the trek, the altitude gain takes place very gradually even the first stretch is very moderate. The total distance of the trek is 48 Km in which more than 40 percent is walking on a flat meadow and rolling slopes. The trek is one the best trek for beginners because the route of the trek doesn't require too much push and because of the gradual ascent of the trek. 

Tarsar Marsar Trek In August

The season for the Tarsar Marsar trek starts from the second week of June and still depends on the scale of snow present on the route. During the starting season, the meadows and valleys remain partially covered by snow and the temperature remains very low. During this season the traffic of trekkers remains low. Doing Tarsar Marsar in August is one of the best decisions you can make to explore the trek in an awesome way. During August the wildflowers are already covering the meadows. The landscape is fully green and very few chances of rain are in August when compared to June and July. When it comes to the best time to do Tarsar Marsar Trek it is from Starting July to the end of August. In August the scenic beauty of the trek is at its fullest with a google flow of trekkers on the trek.

Which two lakes are known as twin sisters?

Tarsar And Marsar Lakes are called twin Lakes because they look very much similar. The Marsar Lake is just a 2-hour trek away from Tarsar Lake. They are just separated by a mountain ridge at an elevation of 4000 m. The alpine lakes have been also included in the poetry of Yusuf Shah Chak. " When I remember the two tresses of the comely beloved, Tears begin to flow from my eyes like streams from Tarsar and Marsar." The outlet of Tarsar Lake is a major tributary of Lidderiver which itself is tributary of Jhelum river.  There is a myth too that there were twin ghost sisters named Tarsar and Marsar and they died in 2 different nearby places where lakes are formed.

How long is Tarsar Marsar Trek?

The Tarsar Marsar is trek is a total 48 km long trek. Starting the trek from Aru village of the Kashmir Valley. It takes up to 4 to 5 hours to cover the distance of 94 km from Srinagar to Aru. The first part of the adventure is through the rolling slopes and meadows of Lidder Valley. The stretch is 10 km and ends at Lidderwat, an awesome campsite covered with water, streams, and pine trees on all sides. The second stretch is to reach Shekwas which needs a little bit of push but the experience is amazing during these 7 kms. Reaching.The next part is Marar Lake which is just 1 hour away from the campsite.

Tarsar Marsar Lake Trek Price/Cost?

The average cost of the 7 Days Tarsar Marsar Trek is 150000 INR but still depends on the trek inclusions. Its recommended by the department of Tourism Jammu and Kashmir, a trekker must do his/her trek with a registered Adventure tour operator only. The price which we have mentioned doesn't include transportation and load ferrying (Offloading) but includes the 3 meals a day, professional guide, All camping equipment, permits with trek 360 trek insurance, First Aid and helper. The operator will include staff like Cooks, guides, porters, and mules to carry loads. Trekkers must check the things to carry before arriving for the trek.

Terms And Conditions

Cancellation policy.

• The cancellation of any trek or tour must be notified by sending an email to  [email protected] .  Ca ncellation will be accepted only by receiving an email from our official email address.
• If the cancellation is requested 40 days before the first day of the trek, 90 percent of that amount will be refunded.
• Cancellation requested between 40 to 30 days prior to the trek only partial refund will be provided. 
• If cancellation is requested 30 days before the first day of the trek, in such a situation there will be only 30 percent amount refunded.
• The decided trek fee can be changed if group size is decreased from the client end.
• In case of any untoward situation like a natural disaster, national emergency, terrorist activity, bad weather conditions take place, we will be fully responsible to take decisions. 

Physical Fitness

• Getting a medical certificate from a registered medical officer is must before starting your trek. If you suffer from severe lung/heart/muscle disorders or any disease that can turn fatal, You cant take part in any trek with us.
• In case you lack the required fitness or are suffering from any disease that can turn fatal in the mountains, Himalayan Bird reserves the right to bar your participation from doing the trek without any refund/compensation.
• Trekkers are advised to focus on physical fitness inorder to remain fit during the trek and explore better. Following endurances can help beginners and experienced trekkers to remain fit and explore better during the trek.

        Endurance Exercises:

• Brisk walking or jogging.
• Yard work (mowing, raking)
• Climbing stairs or hills.
• Playing tennis or basketbal

Travel Insurance

Having travel insurance is an important protocol all trekkers should follow. The cost of the trek doesn’t include any sort of insurance. Trekkers/Travelers travel insurance must cover accidents, injury, illness, and death medical expenses including any related to pre-existing medical conditions, emergency repatriation including helicopter rescue and air ambulance where applicable, and personal liability.

Promotional Material

• Himalayanbird.com reserves the right to take photographs/videos of participants and use them for any marketing/promotional activity. 
• Indian Tourists must provide valid identity proof in order to get enrolled for the trek permissions. A valid passport and visa for all the tourists who are from outside India.
• Objects should be some on our email address before starting the trek.

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5 Himalayan Peaks to break the 6000m barrier

• posted on August 3, 2020 August 5, 2020

Making the transition to mountain climbing may seem like a daunting task. If you’re like me, still having climbed only a handful of mountains and never breaking the elusive 6000m barrier; this blog is for you; The 5 Best Himalayan 6000m peaks, perfect for transitioning from trekking to Mountain climbing.

There are many treks/climbs that can get you close to 6000m, such as the Everest Base Camp Trek, Kilimanjaro, and the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Though they have snow and mountain passes, I am going to categorize them under High Altitude Treks. After being stuck under the 6000m altitude ceiling for a while, I decided to start looking for my first trek/peak to break that barrier. I was looking for something relatively easy, sans any major mountaineering skills, and lastly, easily accessible. The thought of wandering the mountains to access a remote unclimbed mountain did tempt me, but asking for a month of leave to get lost in the mountains and find yourself, is quite the sell to give to my boss. (Unless you, the reader, can convince him).

I began to realize the merits of exploring established 6000m peaks, especially as I had no idea how my body would react to this elevated altitude. In addition, this would also allow me to hone my mountaineering skills especially as it’s been almost five years since I had qualified from my mountaineering school, HMI Darjeeling. A refresher would definitely help. So after some research, here’s a list of a couple of mountains that fared well in the criteria I had set.

Stok Kangri

My sights were first set on Ladakh, having spent several holidays in this incredible high altitude desert. I fell in love with this unique terrain during my visits and so my research led me straight to the highest peak of the Stok range, visible from the moment you land into the city of Leh, Stok Kangri standing at 6153m above sea level. 

View this post on Instagram What’s the only thing you want when you have been walking through out the night and the water in your hydration pack is frozen. The first rays of the sun over the snow clad mountains, always a blessing. #sunrise #photooftheday #adventurenation #mountains #mountainlife #himalayas #himalayasin #leh #lehladakhdiaries #mountaineering #mountaineers #climbing #snowclimbing #iceclimbing #stokkangri #stokkangritrek #alpinism #alpinismo #choosemountains #mountainstotravel #storiesofindia #natgeotravel #hippieinhills #trekthehimalayas #indiahikes #tripotocommunity #highaltitudeexperience #mountainstories A post shared by Vivek Saini (@viveksaini36) on Aug 13, 2019 at 1:55am PDT

Stok Kangri is a majestic peak, with an easy approach from the Stok Village. The Base Camp can be reached in 4 days and you can be back to Leh in 9, provided you are blessed with good weather. The route is relatively easier with a comfortable approach and a direct route to the summit along the eastern shoulder. With one glacier crossing, the summit push is sure to get your adrenaline pumping. After traversing through the glacier, you follow the ridge up to the summit. Depending on how hot the summer was, you can find large or no snow on the route. Like any other mountain, the summit push requires a midnight start to reach the summit early in the morning, by the time the sun rises. This forced march will be a true test of your endurance.

A popular mountain climb for beginners, Stok Kangri had to be closed due to excessive littering and pollution by trekkers. With companies disregarding the environment, the local district authorities of Stok were forced to close the mountain to allow for the ecosystem to recover. Officially, the mountain will be remained ‘closed’ till 2022.

Kang Yatse -II

With access to Stok Kangri being restricted for the next few years, my focus shifted to other possibilities in the district of Ladakh. 

View this post on Instagram Planning on doing an epic adventure in 2020? We have the perfect one for you… Kang Yatse II is said to be Ladakh’s hidden gem. Join us in August this year for a trip of a lifetime, limited spaces available. • • • #kangyatse2 #earthsedge #india #visitindia #ladakh #mountain #altitude #trek #travel #adventuretravel #experience #adventure #wanderlust #nature #summit #peak #instagood A post shared by Earth's Edge (@earths_edge) on Jan 2, 2020 at 12:08am PST

Kang Yatse  (or Kang Yatze)  is a peak located in the Markha Valley, in the Hemis National Park. It has two summits, namely Kang Yaste 1 and 2. Kang Yaste 2 is the shorter one at 6,270 m and is a more popular summit due to a relatively more accessible approach route. Ever since Stok Kangri was closed, Kang Yaste -2 has increased in popularity as ‘the peak to climb’ in Ladakh. You can reach its base camp using two routes; either from Skui or from Chang.

I have intentionally excluded Kang Yatse-1, due to the relatively technical nature of the climb. With a higher elevation and a narrow approach route, this peak requires much more technical mountaineering experience. To reach the summit, one has to traverse a knife-edge ridge and is a little dicey.

Kang Yaste 2 itself, is not a technical peak, with the route following the western ridge most of the way to the summit. The best time to climb the peak is from July to September. This also has a lower cost to climb and is perfect for your first 6000m peak. With a short itinerary of 13 days, it is perfect for a tight schedule. It also gives you a chance to explore Markha Valley, with its lush green terrain, it’s a good change from the rest of Ladakh.

During my research, I was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon Kang Yatze’s undiscovered brother, Dzo Jongo, a peak standing at 6240m located near Kang Yaste. The mountain has two summits namely, East Summit and West summit.

View this post on Instagram Blick vom Dzo Jongo in den Himalaya⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ,⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Die Aussicht und das Gefühl, auf all die Gipfel zu schauen, ist unbeschreiblich ⛰️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ,⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ,⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tag sieben des Markha Valley Trekkings -> Gipfelsturm auf den Dzo Jongo, 6280m⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ,⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Strecke: 11.2 km, 1380hm Auf- und Abstieg – insgesamt waren wir 12 Stunden unterwegs⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ,⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ,⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ,⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #ladakh #leh #india #trekking #trekkingadventure #trekkingleh #markhavalley #markhavalleytrek #wandernmitmartina #wandern #hiking #wonderfulladakh #outdoors #outdoorgirl #trekkinggirl #trekkingtime #dzojongo #mountains #berge #julleyladakh #welcometonature #himalaya #tenttrekking #hoheberge #trekkingladakh #himalayas #wonderfulnature #bergsteigen #6000er #gipfelglück A post shared by Martina (@martinasuter) on Oct 22, 2019 at 10:17pm PDT

From my research, I could not find too much about the mountain. Dzo Jongo does share the same route as Kang Yaste and both base camps are located close to each other. Dzo Jongo is considered by many as an easy peak to climb but is most definitely not. As it is less commercial than Kang Yaste, information on the conditions and routes can be hard to find, especially for the season you are climbing in. Our team at Adventure-Pulse had climbed the mountain back in 2017. High Camp was set off the glacier and below the snow line. The route to the summit started from the left of the glacier, then a steep, knee-deep snow climb to the right shoulder followed by a scramble up an exposed ridge to the top.

Having done the Everest Base Camp trek last year, I was extremely keen to explore the possibility of climbing a mountain in the same valley. That way, it allows you to make the most of your experience while trekking insight of the highest mountain in the world. My research immediately led me to Lobuche Peak, standing at 6,119m above sea level, considered the most popular trekking peaks in Nepal. On the trail to Everest Base Camp, the route starts from the Lobuche village and makes its way to the summit via two camps; base and high camp. With unparalleled exposure and a breathtaking summit climb, Lobuche gives your mountaineering career a dramatic start.

View this post on Instagram walking on a string. A post shared by j e s s w e d e l 🏔 (@jess.wedel) on Apr 16, 2020 at 8:53am PDT

Climbing Lobuche gives you visibility of the Everest Valley, especially the famous Khumbu Icefall at the foot of Everest. The spring-summer climbing season will attract climbers from around the world who come to climb this mountain, often referring to it as the Chamonix of the East. You can comfortably combine the climb with a trek up to the Everest Base Camp as well. The route involves a 7-day trek to Lobuche Village followed by a short hike to reach Lobuche Base Camp. From this camp, it’s a 4-hour climb up to the Lobuche High Camp, usually set up just short of the snowline. Lobuche High Camp is my favourite camp, with spectacular views of the lower Everest valley and several glacial lakes. From high camp, we set out early in the morning, reaching the summit by sunrise. The climb itself involves a steep ice climb at 5800m. The fixed ropes will assist you to get the top. Understanding basic mountain ascending techniques like jumaring will be useful. However, the Adventure Pulse team usually ensures that an entire day is dedicated as a refresher course, to practice ascending and descending techniques before undertaking the summit.

Island Peak

As expected, I have saved the best for the last, a habit that has held me in good stead since childhood. Island Peak or Imja Tse (6,189m) is Lobuche’s cousin. Also located in the Everest Valley, Island peak has gained popularity over the last couple of years as a training peak or acclimatization peak for Everest climbers. Island Peak gets its name from its appearance when viewed on the approach march from the village of Dingboche. It was first climbed in 1953 by the British Everest Team as a training peak.

The route breaks from the Everest Base Camp trail at Dingboche. A short hike later, you reach the village of Chukkung. As you pass the village of Dingboche, heading towards Chukung, Island Peak dominates the head of the valley, appearing like a huge island of ice and snow, completely detached from the surrounding peaks. After a night in Chukung, you make your way across the glacial moraine of the Imja glacier to Island Peak Base Camp located at the south of the mountain. The route follows the 1953 expedition and follows the southeast ridge to reach the summit. Unlike Lobuche, Island Peak has some big crevasses and a near-vertical ice climb at 5,900m. This is where most climbers fail. Since you head for the summit early in the morning and by the time you reach the climb, you’re already gassed. The climb progresses from difficult to almost impossible. With the assistance of fixed ropes, brilliant Sherpas, and willpower, the climb is doable and makes reaching the summit more fruitful. From the summit, Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam give you their blessings and the view is more than worth the climb.

View this post on Instagram Journey to the Himalayas: Climbing Island Peak ,Nepal. The country of peaks, panoramas, routes and ubiquitous yaks. ⠀ The country of the people, poor wallet and rich soul. ⠀ It smells like burning wood and damp dust. Eight-thousand meters froze here, like models for photographs of thousands of travelers, climbers, dreamers from all over the world. But they are alive and with their own character, you will feel it when you go along with @mountain.trekking, see the peaks of Nepal and walk to Island Peak through Everest Base Camp. ⠀ Before your eyes spread the white Himalayas and the endless peaks of the mountains. You will call them by their names, like swift horses: Kantengu, Tamserku, Cholatze, Ama Dablam, Taboche, Pumori. Lhotse and Nuptse, and, most importantly, Jomolungma, Sagarmatha, or, as we are more familiar, Everest. ⠀ You touch the palms 👐🏽 with the prayer drums in the ancient temples and your time will begin its new round. ⠀ Try mo-mo, apple pies 🥮 at an altitude of 5000 meters. And it will certainly be a coup. When truly important values ​​come to the fore, problems and worries become shorter with a climb, staying far behind. This is a real meditation, when step by step you are concentrating on moving forward ⏩. ⠀ You are attracted by the height 🔝, you want to touch the monumental masterpieces of nature and look at the roof of the world, #Nepal #Nepaltheplanet #Kathmandu #discovernepal #everest #islandpeak A post shared by Everest Base Camp Trek (@mountain.trekking) on Apr 12, 2019 at 3:43am PDT

This list is a starting point for your research. Climbing a mountain especially one higher than 6000m requires proper planning and preparation. No mountain must be underestimated. A trek to the Kashmir Great lakes is not the same as a climb to Dzo Jongo. On a climbing expedition, a mistake can have dire consequences. If you plan to go with an agency or operator, make sure you do your research and know what you’re signing up for. 

If you have any more peaks that should be added to the list or have climbed them yourself, please feel free to mention it in the comments below.

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« adventure tales – beating the covid-19 blues, dzo jongo – the hidden 6000m peak of ladakh ».

Suchit Bawa

A keen Mountaineer and Rock Climber. Graduate from Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies, Pune and have completed both Advance and basic Mountaineering courses from HMI, Darjeeling.

6 thoughts on “ 5 Himalayan Peaks to break the 6000m barrier ”

Dzo jongo - the hidden 6000m climbing peak of ladakh.

August 4, 2020 at 3:48 pm

[…] 5 Best Himalayan 6000m Peaks: Trekking to Mountain Climbing […]

DZO JONGO - The Hidden 6000m peak of Ladakh

August 16, 2020 at 9:05 pm

[…] 5 Himalayan Peaks to break the 6000m barrier […]

rustom dalal

August 23, 2020 at 7:38 am

Always great fun reading your blog, am so looking forward to 2021😀. Thanks for all the information

How to prepare for a trek (Mentally and Physically)

May 18, 2021 at 11:54 am

[…] HATs will require 3-4 months of preparation and difficult HATs will require 6 months of training. Mountains above 6000 metres will require 6 months of training and a moderate […]

Matthew Fernandez

October 16, 2021 at 4:09 am

And also Mera Peak 🙂

THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING... - Adventure Pulse

September 14, 2022 at 3:28 pm

[…] Having successfully completed the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, I then found a really good rehab program using exercise therapy. Entered 2022 in good shape and it was time for the next challenge. I had in the meantime found my 2 hiking buddies during KGL and one of them proposed Island Peak. He had attempted Stok Kangri a few years back and wanted to do another peak. Once again, without any idea of what I was signing up for, I said ‘ HELL YEAH’ let’s go for it. I had no idea what it meant to climb a peak, and as I was soon to find out, it was ridiculously challenging and ultimately a ‘bridge too far’. The plan was to do Everest Base Camp and then attempt Island Peak, a 6000+ meters. […]

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Treks in Ladakh

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Here is the list of 14 Treks in Ladakh

1. jhunglam hemis to padum trek.

Duration: 12 days This trek runs through beautiful monastery of Hemis and Latza Kongmaru and then passes through Zalung Karpo La, Tilat Sumdo, Zangla Sumdo, and ends at Padum.

2. Lamayuru To Alchi Trek

Duration: 5 Days The trek offers a chance to interact with people from remote villages. A number of monasteries are also spotted across the route.

3. Lamayuru To Darcha Trek

Duration: 5-7 days Regarded as one of the world’s most thrilling trekking trail with a peak altitude of 5000 meters, Lamayuru To Darcha Trek is well connected to the Zanskar valley. The monasteries, such as Lamayuru, Phuktal, and Lingshed are sure to lift up the spirit of the trekkers on this route.

4. Kang Yatse and Dzo Jongo Trek

Duration: 13 days Undertaken mostly by professional trekkers, this route offers spectacular views of Zanskar, Karakorum, and Stok ranges from the Ganda La pass. It is a wonderful experience including the dopamine-enhancing camping en route, the view of the wildlife at Hemis National Park, hike through valleys, and the visit to monasteries.

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Ladakh tour with overnight camping in nubra & pangong, 5. padum to darcha trek.

Duration: 12 days The Darcha-Padum trek passes through a number of regions with varied topographies and landscape. It extends from the Padum region of Zanskar valley, passes through Tokpa, Chalang, Ramjak, and Lakong, and goes up to Darcha region of Himachal Pradesh. The trek also leads to one of the most famous parts of Ladakh - Kargil.

6. Ripchar Valley Trek

Duration: 9 days This trek begins at the Lamayuru monastery, Ladakh and is one of the most intriguing treks in Ladakh region. With a number of small villages and pasture lands, the irrigated crop fields of the Zanskar and Karakoram Range, and the valleys blooming with flowers in July and August are a treat for the eyes of the trekkers.

7. Lamayuru to Alchi Trek

Duration: 9 Days This trek takes you to two of the most ancient monasteries from the 11th century. The route covers the beautiful valley of Wanla and Sumdochoon and many high mountain passes like Penji La and Prinkiti La. The starting point is Lamayuru and the route passes through Prinkti La (3750m), Shilla, Wanla, Base of Tar La, Tar, Man Gyu and then to Alchi. There's ample scope to witness and contemplate the culture and scenic beauty of Ladakh.

8. Nubra Valley Trek

Duration: 10 to 12 Days This exhilarating trek to the most remote regions of the Himalayan belt is nothing short of an adventure. Following the Indus Valley and the trail moves towards Zanskar Valley. The cold desert of Hunder and the splendid Diskit village and monastery are the major attractions. The trek begins from Sabu Village and covers the high altitude Digar La pass at an altitude of 6000 meters to reach Digar Village. The trail moves along the Shyok river and continues towards Agyam Village and Khalsar Village and comes to an end with a descent to Diskit village via Sumur.

9. Indus Valley Trek

Duration: 8-10 Days One of the easiest but most mesmerizing treks in Ladakh, the Indus Valley Trek is ideal for beginners. Trekking along the Indus Valley trail, the oldest civilization known in history is a walk through the beautiful Sham Valley and its villages, high mountain passes like Phobe-La and a number of Tibetan Gompas like Likir, Thiksey, and Alchi. There are dramatic changes to the landscapes with snow-clad mountains and ground on one side and lush green valley on the other. The trek covers areas of Leh, Skardu and a barren desert.

10. Kang Yatse Trek

Duration: 12-13 days Kang Yatse is one of the most stunning peaks in Ladakh. At an extreme altitude of 20,000 feet, it’s a demanding trek and may also be considered as an extension of the Markha Valley trek up to Niamling, from where you will proceed to the base camp on Kang Yatse. Though the distance between the two campsites is less, it’s mostly an uphill route that is quite difficult. The ascent to the summit of Kang Yatse gives a bird’s eye view of Tibet and the Zanskar River. The return trek through Kongmaru La pass with its jutting peaks and deep gorges is a mesmerizing experience.

11.  Chadar Trek

Duration: 6-20 days Most fascinating of all treks, the Chadar trek on the frozen Zanskar River is the most fascinating of all the treks in Leh. Every year when the river freezes, the route is open to adventurous trekkers for a couple of months. It is a challenging trek demanding physical and mental fitness. The name ‘chadar’ trek is given since the river resembles a blanket of snow. The starting point of the trek is Chilling, 64 kilometres away from Leh. There's everything on the route from frozen waterfalls, monasteries such as Lingshed Gompa and Karsha Gompa (the largest in Zanskar), and even a fort at Zangla village. The daytime temperature usually ranges between -5 and -10 C and at nights it can plunge down to -25 C. Hence it’s necessary to carry enough warm jackets (wind and rainproof) and clothes.

12. Tsomoriri Lake Trek

Duration: 18 to 20 Days The Tsomoriri Trek is one of the most beautiful and serene treks in the region. The starting point is Rumptse and the trek heads to the green Kyamar Valley, traversing through the gorgeous Rupshu Valley. You'll ascend to Kumur La (4770m), where a stunning view of Kang Yatse and Indus Valley are bound to take your breath away. A steep ascend to Shibuk La (4875m) offers a panoramic view of Tso Kar. The trail further continues to Pangunagu, Nuruchan and passes through Horlam Kongka La (4900 m) and Kyamayuri La, also the northwestern shore of Tsomoriri. The final climb leads to Parang La and then the trek descends to Jugstok and further to Kibber, one of the highest villages in the world.

13. Spituk to Stok Trek

Duration: 4 days A famous trekking route among enthusiasts, the trek to the Stok Kangri summit is popular for the view of the Stok summit and the sunlit Zanskar and Karakoram peaks. If you’re new to the world of trekking, this relatively easy and short trek covers some scenic areas of Leh. The trek starts Spituk village, which is about 7 kilometres drive from Leh. The hike from Spituk to Zinchen takes around 4-5 hours and is usually the first halt on the route. It runs through dry, barren land to greener areas of Zingchen valley. The Rumbak River flows into the Indus and the summit is a perfect place to set up camp, enjoy the landscape, and taking a dip in the oldest of rivers in history. Next, comes a 3-4 hour trek through the Hemis National Park, largely uphill and the most difficult part of the trek. It will bring you to the pretty village of Rumbak. Day 3 will be a bit more arduous with a steep trail near Stok La and then descend down towards Mankarmo, a long trek of five or six hours. On the last day, a 3-4 hour descent through narrow valleys with lovely rock patterns will bring you to the village of Stok. You may also check a nineteenth-century museum at Stok.

14. Markha Valley Trek

Duration: 8 days One of the popular trails for trekking in Leh, Markha Valley trek, takes about 8 days and will take you through varying landscapes. The scenic landscapes and the Kongmaru La pass at 5000 m above sea level and the sight of Hemis National Park make this trek are stunning. This trek also begins from Spituk to Zinchen and then onwards to Yurutse. The trail moves up to the Ganda La pass and then descends down to Skyu. Proceeding further to Markha Valley along the course of Markha River, you'll cross the river several times before reaching Thachungtse. Next, comes the highest camp on this trek - Niamling with a spectacular view of the Zanskar range. Kongmaru La pass comes next, which is the highest pass on the Markha Valley trek. You may be tempted to spend a night at the village of Shang Sumdo from where an easy descent stream will bring one to the famed Hemis and Thiksay monastery, before a drive back to Leh. Alternate Route: Markha Valley Trek with Stok Kangri Climb, This trek could be a more thrilling and adrenaline-filled experience through the Stok Kangri. The ten-day trek route via the Stok Summit at 4900 meters makes this Leh trekking experience arguably one of the best but definitely not for the faint-hearted.

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Mountains have always been synonymous with adventures and India has an abundance of possibilities with the majestic Himalayas. With a wide variety of mountains with an elevation of above 5000 M, India welcomes all the adventure seekers to climb up these peaks and get a taste of high-altitude mountaineering. The mountains above 5000 M in India provide a great opportunity for travellers and mountaineers to venture into serious climbing. You get a rush of adrenaline as you embark on your journey to the top and have to learn survival in the great outdoors. Climbing on these mountains can serve as a great life lesson as well as a stepping stone for future endavours. While being in the lap of nature, you learn various life skills.

The Indian Himalayan ranges are spread across the northern head of the country and there are other ranges in the entire Indian subcontinent that excites many adventour enthusiasts. The eastern range, the western ghats, the Karakoram and Pirpanjal range, the Aravali range, or the Purvanchal range, and the Satpura and Vindhya range mountain ranges have adorned the entire country as spectacular gifts of nature. You also get a chance to indulge in other mountaineering related activities like camping, trekking, paragliding, skiing, etc. These activities allow you to test your physical capabilities and mental strength, and in the long run, become a crucial factor in character development.

Mt. Friendship Peak at 5,289 M, Mt. Shitidhar at 5,290 M, Mt. Brumkhangse at 5,635 M, Mt. Hanuman Tibba at 5,860, Mt. Lama Wangden at 5,868 M and Mt. Frey Peak at 5,889 M and are peaks that are just above 5000 M. All these mountain peaks will prepare you to upgrade to higher altitude climbing. Mountains have always been a delight for nature lovers and on your way to the top, you get stunning views of nearby mountain ranges, a closer perspective of nature and experience the best time of your life. All you need is a keen interest in mountaineering and a willingness to spend some time in nature. On your excursion, you get to meet people travelers and mountaineering from around the world and get to hear their experience with the mountains.

With a team of seasoned trek leaders and travellers, Khalur Adventures has honed its expertise over time in mountaineering. We are a team of young travel enthusiasts who believe that travel shouldn’t be an occasional event but a way of life. We provide travel packages, expedition packages and other adventure tourism services to our clients. Our priority is to keep your travels safe and full of excitement so that you have a memorable trip. The mountains of India are always buzzing with footsteps and unrelenting spirits of adventures mountaineers who dream to make a mark on this world. So come experience the 5000 M peaks with Kahlur Adventures one trip at a time.

09 DAYS EXPEDITION

Mt. Friendship 5289M

₹34,500 per person, $1,530 per person.

17 DAYS EXPEDITION

Mt. Hanuman Tibba 5982M

Rs. 78,500 per person, $2,300 per person.

Patalsu Peak Trek 4200 M

Rs. 11000 per person, $250 per person.

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EBC Chola Pass Gokyo Trek

Trekkers, travelers, and mountaineers from around the world, they know that Nepal is their dream destination. The EBC Gokyo Chola pass trek incorporates two amazing viewpoints: Everest Base Camp Kalapathar and Gokyo Ri . Along with these, you can see the stunning Himalayan ranges, phenomenal culture and traditions of Sherpas, fluctuating landscapes, etc during the trek.

Being a wondrous trekking destination, there are hundreds of trekkers who go trekking to EBC Gokyo valley every year. You will be trekking through Sagarmatha National Park . The park is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Nepal. The park conserves several ecosystems, flora, fauna, and also some of the endangered species.

The trek begins in Kathmandu and makes a round trip through Lukla, Namche Bazaar , Everest Base Camp, Gokyo valley, Namche Bazaar, Lukla , and back to Kathmandu. The entire journey is refreshing. The trek surrounds tranquil valleys, majestic Gokyo lakes, enthralling glaciers like Ngozumpa , the biggest.

The range of highest snow peaks like Mount Everest (8848m), Mt Lhotse (8516m), Mt Makalu (8485m), and Cho-Oyu (8201 m) collaborating with several others like Nuptse , Ama Dablam , Thamserku, Pumori and Khumbutse, they look stunning!

EBC Gokyo via Chola pass trek is once a lifetime trek. To those who seek more adventure than only the Everest Base Camp, you might find this interesting. Have a look at the Gokyo lakes and Everest base camp itinerary.

If you have any queries regarding trekking and touring in Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan, feel free to contact us. We will respond to you as soon as possible.

Table of Contents

Highlights of EBC Chola Pass Gokyo Trek

• Everest Base Camp
• Kalapathar, the best viewpoint of Mt. Everest
• Cho La pass
• Sunrise view from Gokyo Ri
• The turquoise blue Gokyo lakes
• The dramatic Himalayas and their jaw-dropping panoramas
• Unique Sherpa settlements
• Tradition, culture, and lifestyle in Everest

Best Time for Everest Base Camp Cho La Gokyo Trek

Autumn is famous for its weather stability and perfect visibility. This is the reason why Autumn is the best time for Everest Base Camp Chola Gokyo trek. After Autumn, Spring is the second-best season. During Spring also, the weather conditions at the highest altitudes on the trek remain fairly good.

Winter and Summer aren’t a good time to trek. Summer brings monsoon rain, insects, bugs, black clouds, slippery trails, and many other difficulties. Winter is the coldest time. During this time, the high pass, Cho La might be closed for trekking because of heavy snowfalls, blizzards, and other winter hazards.

Trek Difficulties During EBC Chola Pass Gokyo Trek

• Altitude is a major difficulty when you are trekking to 5555 meters. Be careful! Take safety precautions and tips that’ll help prevent Altitude sickness .
• Tough trails. Walking through steep uphills with iced rocks, it’s definitely tougher than you think. Walking along the glaciers and glacial moraines is difficult. Boost your endurance. Walk carefully.
• Basic accommodation and food. At the higher altitudes, the teahouses and lodges are very basic. You should expect a very basic service before you go there.
• Walking for long durations continuously can be difficult. Practice hiking and other exercise starting a few months before you go.
• You can never be sure about the weather . Weather can turn worse at any time. And  trekking in difficult weather is more than hard.

Detailed Itinerary of Everest Base Camp Cho La Pass Gokyo Lake Trek

Day 01: arrival in kathmandu.

Today is your first day in Nepal . The international flight lands at the Tribhuvan International airport in Kathmandu. Come out of the airport, you’ll see our representative holding a board on their hand.

S/he will drive you to your hotel in Kathmandu in a private vehicle. Take some rest in your room. You can walk around in the evening if you want to. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 02: Kathmandu City Tour

Do you know? Kathmandu is a beautiful city known cultural heritages. There are many heritage sites that have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. So, day two is a Kathmandu city tour day.

For the tour, you will have a private vehicle and a guide. You will be visiting some popular sites like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, Swoyambhunath Temple, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Changunarayan Temple.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 03: Flight to Lukla and trek to Phakding

Maximum Altitude: 2700 meters

Flight Duration: 45 minutes

Trek duration: 3 to 4 hours

Get ready to fly to Lukla. In an early morning flight from the domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport, we will get on a flight to Lukla. The flight is highly scenic. You will see incredible aerial views of the Kathmandu valley, green hills, rolling rivers, amazing terraces, and incredible Himalayan range ahead of us.

Landing in Lukla is a thrilling experience. You will feel your heart shaking as the plane lands. After landing in Lukla, we will begin to trek. Our destination for the first day is Phakding.

The trail from Lukla to Phakding is an easy trail. The altitude also decreases from Lukla to Phakding. The trail is a flat downhill trail that passes along the riverbank of Dudh Kosi.

Day 04: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440 meters)

Maximum Altitude: 3440 meters

Trek Duration: 7 to 8 hours

The trail is difficult than yesterday. From Phakding, you will be trekking to Namche Bazar via some beautiful villages like Monjo, Jorsale, and others. Walking through these villages, you can observe the way of life, traditions, and culture at the villages.

At the Sagarmatha National park entry point in Monjo village, we will obtain the Sagarmatha National Park entry permits. Trekking to Namche is exciting. You will cross the same Dudh Kosi river several times over thrilling suspension bridges. Crossing the famous Hilary suspension bridge is also a part of today’s trek.

Before Namche, there is a tough ascent. Be careful while walking. The trail is rugged and dust. Beware of the loaded donkeys and Yaks. Wait on a safe place until they pass. You must know this “they don’t mind pushing you off the cliffs”.

Overnight in Namche.

Day 05: Rest in Namche (3440 meters)

It’s a rest day . But you cannot keep resting all day in your hotel room. You will be doing short acclimatization hikes. For acclimatization, you have several options. You can visit the Everest View Hotel, Khumjung village, or the Khunde village.

Hiking to any of these places will take around 2 to 3 hours. The most popular acclimatization hike is Namche Everest View Hotel. The hotel is famous for the wonderful panorama of snow giants including Mt. Everest.

At Khumjung village, there is a beautiful monastery. The monastery preserves the skull of a Yeti. Khunde village is popular for the Khunde hospital. Sir Edmund Hillary established the hospital there in 1966.

Visit these places and return to Namche. Overnight in Namche.

Day 06: Trek to Tengboche Monastery

Trek Duration: 5 hours

Read : Namche to Tengboche

The trail from Namche to Sansa is flat. There are a few steps going up and down at some places. From Sansa, the trail to Gokyo Lake trek and Everest Base Camp trek separates. We will take the trail to the right. The trail now descends to the Dudh Kosi river in Pungi Thenga.

We will cross a suspension bridge over the river. There is a checkpoint where you have to verify your trekking permit. From there, we will begin to climb a steep ascent for three hours to Tengboche.

At Tengboche, there is a beautiful monastery. The Tengboche monastery is the biggest monastery in Khumbu. Tengboche lies in the footstep of Mt. Thamserku. From there, a wonderful 360-degrees panorama of the gigantic Himalayas is also visible.

Overnight in Tengboche.

Day 07: Tengboche to Dingboche

Maximum Altitude: 4350 meters

Trek Duration: 5.30 hours

On this day, we will trek from Tengboche Monastery to Dingboche village . The trekking trail is amazing. You will be walking through some beautiful small villages at Pangboche and Solmari. Trekking through the scenic trail, you will reach Dingboche.

Dingboche is a beautiful village where people farm inside the fields surrounded by the walls of stone. There are few teahouses and lodges in Dingboche where you can stay overnight.

Day 08: Rest at Dingboche

Today is your second acclimatization day . For acclimatization, we will hike to a hill near the village. From the hill, you will see the amazing scenic views of the surrounding. After the hike, we will return to the Dingboche village. We will walk around the Dingboche village observing the lifestyles, traditions, and culture of the Sherpas.

Day 09: Dingboche to Lobuche

Maximum Altitude: 4910 meters

Today, we will reach so close to 5000 meters at Lobuche. From Dingboche, we will head towards Lobuche through the terminal moraine of Khumbu Glacier. AHead, there are huge boulders that we will walkthrough.

The hikke is tough and gets even tougher as we trek up. However, the relishing mountain views will boost your energy and confidence to walk further.

There are lots of memorial stones of the trekkers and climbers who lost their lives while attempting to climb Everest. We will walk ahead to finally reach Lobuche.

At Lobuche, there are a few teahouses. Expect the accommodation to be basic there. Overnight there.

Day 10: Trek to Everest Base Camp. Back to Gorak Shep

Maximum Altitude: 5365 meters (Everest Base Camp)

Trek Duration: 8 hours

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After nine days of trekking through the incredible trekking trails of Everest, today, we will reach the Everest Base Camp. You should be very careful while trekking. You are above 5000 meters. At such an altitude. The risk of altitude sickness is high.

So, you must keep drinking plenty of water from time to time. Dehydrate your body. Walk slowly, you should not rush or hurry to reach there.

At a teahouse in Gorak Shep, we will leave our luggage. From there, we will hike to the base camp and explore around. Enjoy the blissful moment of standing at the base of Mt. Everest. You will see the incredible views of the Himalayas.

We will return from the base camp to Gorakshep. Overnight in Gorak Shep, 5180 meters .

Day 11: Hike up to Kalapattar. Trek back to Dzongla

Highest Altitude: 5545 meters (Kalapathar)

Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours

We will hike to Kalapathar in the morning for wonderful sunrise views. The hike is tough, however, the “out of the world” view of sunrise over Mt. Everest seen from there compensate for all your fatigue.

Enjoy the views of Nuptse, Pumori, Chagatse, Lhotse, and the other Himalayas from there. From Kalapathar, we will descend down to Gorak Shep. From Gorak Shep, we will trek to Dzongla, 4620 meters.

Day 12: Dzongla to Thangna Via Cho La Pass

Maximum Altitude: 5420 meters

Trek Duration: 6 hours

We will walk through the arid valley and will begin to climb the steep uphill to Cho La pass. Climbing uphill, we will walk through the iced rocks along the Cho La glacier.

From the top os the Cho La pass, you will see incredible Himalayan vistas. Enjoy the moment before you start descending down to Phedi. From Phedi, we will trek to Thangna.

Thangna, 4650 meters, is a tiny settlement with few lodges. From Thangna, you will see a beautiful view of Machhermo peak.

Day 13: Thangna to Gokyo

Maximum Altitude: 4750 meters

We will walk through a glacial trail to reach the Gokyo first lake. From there to Gokyo village, the trail is flat and easy. We will walk following the Dudhkosi river.

Gokyo village lies on the side of the Gokyo Third lake also called as Dudh Pokhari. Gokyo village is a small and beautiful one. We will explore around and stay overnight at a lodge in Gokyo village.

Day 14: Climb Gokyo Ri and trek to Machhermo

Maximum Altitude: 5483 meters

Trek Duration: 7 hours

Early in the morning, we will hike to Gokyo Ri. From Gokyo Ri, you will see a magnificent sunrise view. You will also see the majestic turquoise Gokyo lakes. You will see the summits of Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu so glorious!

From Gokyo Ri, we will descend to Gokyo village and will trek to Machhermo following the twirling Dudh Koshi. On the way, we will see some amazing pastoral landscapes.

Overnight in Macchermo, 4410 meters.

Day 15: Machhermo to Namche Bazaar

Highest Altitude: 4410 meters

We will start trekking after having breakfast in Macchermo. From there, we will reach Phortse Tenga. The trail now passes through amazing forests of Rhododendron, Pine, and other trees.

Walking through the trail, we will walk a steep uphill to Monglo. From Monglo, the trail descends down slowly to the biggest settlement in Khumbu region, the Khumjung village. From Khumjung, Namche is close. The trail is easy.

Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Day 16: Namche to Lukla

Highest Altitude: 3440 meters

Trek Duration: 9 hours

It’s your last day of trekking. You will have to walk spontaneously for nearly nine hours to reach from Namche to Lukla. The excitement of trekking back home is different. Enjoy walking over the amazing trekking trails.

Overnight in Lukla.

Day 17: Morning flight back to Kathmandu.

Via an early morning flight, we will fly from Lukla to Kathmandu airport. From the airport, we will drive you to your hotel. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 18: Departure.

Today is your last day in Nepal. Before two hours of your flight, we will drive you to the airport. From there, you will fly to your home. We wish to see you soon.

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Kalindi Khal Trek | One of the Hardest Trek in India

Region: Uttarakhand

Base Camp: Gangotri

Grade: Difficult

Distance: 86 Kms

Min Age: 18 Years+

Best Season: Summer and Autumn

Trek Description

Nestled in the heart of the majestic Garhwal Himalayas, the  Kalindi Khal Pass Trek  is a journey of adventure, spirituality, and nature’s grandeur. It is a challenging odyssey that beckons those with a thirst for the extraordinary, taking trekkers on an unforgettable quest through some of the most mesmerizing landscapes and glacial terrains in the Indian Himalayas.

Your expedition commences at  Gangotri , a revered site near the holy waters of the Ganges. Here, you can seek the blessings of the Gangotri goddess, and from there, your journey to  Gaumukh , the birthplace of the sacred Ganges River, begins.

This is where your adventure truly ignites. The trek envelopes you in the serene charm of Tapovan’s lush green grasslands and introduces you to the dance of brooks and the glorious peaks of Shivling, Bhagirathi, and Meru.

As you venture deeper into the heart of the Garhwal Himalayas, you’ll be greeted by close-up encounters with Himalayan giants, including  Mt. Shivling, Mt. Meru, Mt. Bhagirathi (I, II, and III), Kedar Dome, Mt. Satopanth, Mt. Vasuki, and Chandra Peak . The treacherous path of the Kalindi Khal trek allows you to witness the breathtaking grandeur of glaciers such as the  Gangotri Glacier, Chaturangi Glacier, Shweta Glacier, and Kalindi Glacier.

The trail is characterized by moraines, crevasses, and boulders, making the journey an exhilarating challenge. Crossing the ever-changing Gaumukh Glacier, you’ll find no visible trail, demanding your full commitment to the adventure.

Kalindi Khal is the pinnacle of this trek, a high-altitude mountain pass sitting at a lofty  5,942 meters (19,495 feet) . This geographical marvel connects Gangotri and Ghastoli, and its significance in the Garhwal Himalayas is undeniable. The pass is heavily glaciated, with the glacier west of the pass feeding into the Gangotri Glacier, the source of the sacred Ganges.

The roots of this iconic trek date back to 1936 when John Bicknell Auden mentioned the col in his survey of the Garhwal Himalaya. Auden’s account served as an inspiration, leading to the first Indian expedition to cross this pass in 1945, under the leadership of Swami Probodhananda and the guidance of Dileep Singh.

The Kalindi Khal trek is not for the faint-hearted. It is typically undertaken from mid-June to mid-September. An innerline permit is required to embark on this extraordinary adventure.

The Kalindi Khal Pass Trek weaves together history, mythology, and the allure of uncharted territories. This 86-kilometer trail connects two sacred shrines: Gangotri and Badrinath. It unfolds over glacial passes, moraines, and deep crevasses, offering glimpses of high-altitude wildlife and picturesque glacial lakes.

This is a journey that transcends the ordinary, where every step reveals the ancient soul of the Himalayas. It’s a challenge, an adventure, and a spiritual awakening that will etch unforgettable memories into the fabric of your being. The Kalindi Khal Pass Trek awaits those daring enough to tread its extraordinary path, offering an experience like no other.

Average Elevation : 00 m

Your adventure begins with an early morning drive from Dehradun to the sacred town of Gangotri. This picturesque route follows the Bhagirathi River, offering glimpses of charming villages, cascading waterfalls, and the evergreen valleys of Uttarakhand. This day is designed for you to acclimatize to the higher altitude and explore the serene town.

Trek Distance : N/A

Altitude Gain : N/A

Acclimatization is crucial at this stage of the trek, so you’ll spend a day leisurely exploring Gangotri. Visit the ancient Gangotri Temple, a place of devotion dedicated to the goddess Ganga. Take short walks around the town to become accustomed to the thin mountain air.

Altitude : N/A

The real trekking begins as you embark on the trail to Bhojbasa camp. Following the banks of the Bhagirathi River, you’ll pass through enchanting forests and scenic landscapes. After covering approximately 9 kilometers, you’ll reach Chirbasa at an altitude of around 3,600 meters, where a break for lunch awaits.

Continue the journey through the captivating terrain, and after about 5 kilometers, you’ll arrive at Bhojbasa, perched at an elevation of about 3,800 meters. The campsite here offers stunning views of the Bhagirathi peaks.

Drive Time : N/A

Today’s trail leads you to the iconic Gomukh, the sacred source of the Ganges River. The route winds through rugged terrain, providing awe-inspiring views of the massive Gangotri Glacier. After visiting Gomukh, your journey continues towards Nandanvan, a pristine high-altitude meadow.

This segment of the trek, spanning approximately 9 kilometers, concludes at an altitude of about 4,600 meters.

The trek continues as you make your way from Nandanvan to Vasuki Tal, a stunning high-altitude lake. This part of the journey is known for its challenging terrain, including steep ascents and rocky trails. The distance covered today is approximately 10 kilometers, and Vasuki Tal, situated at an altitude of about 4,800 meters, provides a breathtaking campsite.

A well-deserved rest day awaits at Vasuki Tal. This break is vital for acclimatization, considering the high altitude. Spend your day exploring the surroundings, capturing the mesmerizing views of the nearby peaks, indulging in photography, or simply enjoying the tranquility by the pristine lake.

The trail today leads to Khara Patthar, another picturesque high-altitude campsite. This part of the trek, spanning approximately 7 kilometers, treats you to sweeping panoramic views of the Bhagirathi peaks, including the majestic Shivling and Meru. Khara Patthar is perched at an altitude of about 5,000 meters, underscoring the need for complete acclimatization.

This day’s journey takes you to the awe-inspiring Shweta Glacier, a segment known for its demanding terrain, including glacier crossings and rocky landscapes. The Shweta Glacier presents a dramatic contrast to the lush meadows and serene lakes you’ve encountered earlier in the trek. We will set up a camp at the glacier amidst this untouched landscape.

• Your journey proceeds to the Kalindi base, the launch point for your ultimate challenge: the Kalindi Khal Pass. This base camp stands at an altitude of about 5,200 meters and serves as your final stop before tackling the formidable pass.

Dedicate an extra day at the Kalindi base for acclimatization. Rest, stay hydrated, and ensure you’re in prime physical condition for the demanding pass crossing awaiting you tomorrow.

Today marks the climax of your trek as you conquer the formidable Kalindi Khal Pass, standing at approximately 5,950 meters. This segment demands physical endurance and mental fortitude. The rewards, however, are indescribable.

The pass offers sweeping views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers, a sight few are privileged to witness. After crossing the pass, you’ll descend to Arwatal, your campsite for the night.

Trek from Arwatal to Ghastoli camp, continuing through rugged terrain and challenging landscapes, while reveling in awe-inspiring vistas of the surrounding mountains. Ghastoli camp is situated at an elevation of around 4,000 meters, providing a serene atmosphere.

Your expedition proceeds towards Mana, the last inhabited village on the Indo-Tibet border. This unique village offers insights into local culture and traditions. After exploring Mana, you’ll trek to  Badrinath , a significant Hindu pilgrimage site. Here, you will visit the revered Badrinath Temple to seek blessings.

Conclude your extraordinary Kalindi Khal Trek by driving back to Dehradun, reflecting on the incredible journey you’ve just completed. This journey not only tested your physical limits but also allowed you to connect with the untamed beauty of the Himalayas.

What’s Included?

Price inclusion.

• Transportation : Transportation from Dehradun to the basecamp and back to Dehradun is included in the package.
• Accommodation : Enjoy comfortable stays during your trek with accommodation in hotels, guesthouses, or dormitories, offered on a twin, triple, or dormitory sharing basis. When camping, rest in spacious tents on a double or triple sharing basis.
• Meals : We provide nourishing and delicious vegetarian meals. Our meals are designed to keep you energized throughout the trek.
• Camping Fees/Permits : All necessary trekking permits and woodland camping fees are included in the package, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
• Trek Equipment : We provide essential trekking equipment, including dining tents, kitchen tents, sleeping tents with mattresses, and sleeping bags. Utensils, ropes, micro-spikes, and gaiters (if required) are also part of our equipment offerings.
• Mules and Porters : Mules and porters are available to carry central equipment, easing your load and allowing you to focus on the trek.
• Qualified Team : Our team comprises experienced and qualified guides, cooks, helpers, and porters who are dedicated to making your trek safe and enjoyable.
• First Aid : First aid kit with an oxygen cylinder and a helmet (if required) is available to address any potential health concerns during the trek.
• Expert Assistance : You can always reach out to our experts for any queries or assistance during your trekking journey. Simply contact us at +91-8089693825.

Price Exclusion

• Emergency Costs : Any expenses arising from emergencies during the trek are not included in the package.
• Tips : Tips for the trekking team are optional and not included in the package.
• Items Not Mentioned : Any expenses or items not mentioned in the inclusion section are not covered.
• Stay at Dehradun : Accommodation and meals in Dehradun on the last day of the trek are not included.
• Meals During Transportation:  Meals during transportation are not included.
• GST : A 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) is applicable and not included in the package.

Things to Carry

• 45-60 Ltr Bag Pack With Rain Cover & Comfortable Straps
• Hot & Cold Water Bottle Like Borosil & Milton
• Energy Bar, Dry Fruits & ORS
• Personal Medical Kit
• 2/3 Full Sleeves (Non-Cotton)
• 1 Full Fleece T-Shirt
• 1 Fleece Jacket (Woollen Or Sweater)
• 1 Down Feather/Hollofil Jacket
• 1 Waterproof Jacket/Poncho
• 1 Pair Thermal Inners (Upper And Lower)
• 2 Trek Pants (Avoid Shorts & Denim Pants)
• 1 Pair of Waterproof Gloves
• 1 Pair of Woollen Gloves
• Woollen Cap
• 4 Pairs Of Cotton Socks
• 1 Pair Of Woollen Socks
• 1 Pairs Of Sunglasses (U/V Protected)
• 1 Neck Gaiters (Buff)
• 1 Waterproof & High Ankle Trekking Shoes
• 1 Pair Of Floaters
• Hand Sanitizer & Sunscreen Lotion
• Toothbrush And Toothpaste
• Toilet Paper And Wet Wipes
• Quick Dry Towel
• Lip Balm & Antibacterial Powder
• Moisturizer

How To Reach Gangotri

The nearest airport to Dehradun is the Jolly Grant Airport, located approximately 25 kilometres from the city centre. Several domestic airlines operate regular flights to and from Dehradun. Upon landing at the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a pre-booked shuttle to Dehradun.

Dehradun is well-connected to major Indian cities by train. The Dehradun Railway Station is the primary railway station serving the city or you can also come to Haridwar Railway Station. You can book tickets on various trains connecting Dehradun to places like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and more.

You can opt for a road trip to Dehradun also. National highways connect Dehradun to major cities like Delhi and Chandigarh. The road journey offers beautiful views of the Himalayan foothills.

Raithal is the point where we start our Dayara Bugyal Trek in Uttarakhand. It is approximately 183 kilometers away from Dehradun, which takes around 6 to 7 hours by public transportation. To reach Raithal you have to reach Uttarkashi first. 

The bus to Uttarkashi leaves early in the morning around 5:30 am from Dehradun Hill station. You can also book your ticket online via the UTC portal. The average cost of the ticket is around 350 to 400 INR. Shared taxi option is also available. 

If you are traveling via taxi, you will be charged around 400 to 500. You can hire a taxi from Rispana Pul and Parade Ground to Uttarkashi. Upon reaching Uttarkashi, you can rent another taxi to Raithal from Uttarkashi Taxi Stand. You must pay 100 to 150 INR to hire the taxi.

Difficulty Level of Kalindi Khal

The Kalindi Khal Pass trek, is undeniably a challenging and demanding expedition in the Garhwal Himalayas. The difficulty level of this trek is notably high and is best suited for experienced trekkers and mountaineers who are well-prepared both physically and mentally. Several factors contribute to its demanding nature.

First and foremost, the trek involves reaching altitudes of over 6,000 meters, which puts trekkers in the realm of high-altitude mountaineering. Altitude sickness and acclimatization become significant concerns, and those attempting this trek must be well-versed in acclimatization techniques.

Furthermore, the terrain is rugged and includes glacier crossings, steep ascents, and challenging crevasses. Technical knowledge of navigating such terrains is invaluable, highlighting the need for prior experience in high-altitude treks.

The unpredictability of weather in the Himalayas adds another layer of complexity. Trekkers must be adept at reading nature’s signals and making crucial decisions to ensure safety.

The best times to undertake the Kalindi Khal Pass trek are during the months of May, June, September, and October. These months offer the most favourable weather conditions and stunning landscapes for this challenging Himalayan adventure.

May and June mark the early summer season in the region. During these months, the weather is relatively stable and pleasant. The high-altitude areas are still covered in snow, which adds to the scenic beauty of the trek.

The blooming alpine flowers and the lush green meadows make this a picturesque time to visit. However, snow and ice conditions on the Kalindi Khal Pass may still pose challenges. September and October signify the post-monsoon and early autumn period.

These months are considered one of the best times for the Kalindi Khal trek. The monsoon rains have rejuvenated the landscape, and the skies are generally clear, offering stunning mountain views.

The snow on the higher reaches of the trail has usually melted, making it more accessible. This is a perfect time to witness the transition from the vibrant greenery of the meadows to the golden hues of autumn foliage.

The Kalindi Khal Pass, situated in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, India, is not only a marvel of nature but also carries immense historical and cultural importance. Over the centuries, the Kalindi Khal Pass has served as a vital trade route connecting the Indian subcontinent with Tibet.

This pass played a pivotal role in facilitating the exchange of goods such as salt, textiles, and other commodities between these two regions. Traders and merchants from diverse parts of India and Tibet have traversed this route, leaving behind a historical imprint.

The roots of this iconic trek date back to 1936 when  John Bicknell Auden  mentioned the col in his survey of the Garhwal Himalaya. Auden’s account served as an inspiration, leading to the first Indian expedition to cross this pass in 1945, under the leadership of Swami Probodhananda and the guidance of Dileep Singh.

The region surrounding the Kalindi Khal Pass is steeped in religious and spiritual significance. Pilgrims and trekkers embarking on the Kalindi Khal Trek often view it as an integral part of their spiritual journey. Many of them visit nearby temples and shrines in places like Gangotri and Badrinath, making it a part of their cultural and spiritual exploration.

The Himalayas, including the Kalindi Khal region, are deeply entwined with Indian mythology. It’s believed that the source of the Ganges River, Gaumukh, is a place where the sage Bhagirath meditated to bring the Ganges down to the Earth. The journey to Kalindi Khal is infused with the profound Hindu mythology that envelops these sacred mountains.

The region surrounding Gangotri and the Mana Valley in the Garhwal Himalayas is a haven for diverse flora and fauna.

Flora:  The lower altitudes, where the journey commences, are adorned with lush forests of deodar, pine, oak, and rhododendron trees. As you ascend on your trek towards higher elevations, the landscape undergoes a transformation.

Alpine meadows come into view, dotted with vibrant wildflowers, particularly in spring when rhododendrons bloom in various shades. You’ll encounter a variety of high-altitude plants, such as the hardy saxifrages and gentians, which thrive in the rocky terrains near glaciers.

Fauna:  The Garhwal Himalayas offer a diverse range of wildlife. In the lower regions, you may come across langurs, leopards, and Himalayan black bears, although they tend to remain elusive.

As you ascend, you might spot the Himalayan tahr, a sturdy mountain goat adapted to steep terrains. The region is also home to the elusive snow leopard, a rare and highly sought-after sighting for wildlife enthusiasts.

The colourful Himalayan monal, Himalayan griffon vulture, and various pheasants, such as the koklass and cheer pheasants, add to the region’s charm.

• Goddess Ganga Temple:  Begin your journey in Gangotri, where you can visit the revered Goddess Ganga Temple. This sacred shrine dedicated to the river Ganges is an embodiment of spirituality and offers a serene environment for reflection.
• Harsil:  A picturesque hamlet near Gangotri, Harsil is known for its stunning apple orchards and pristine landscapes. The serene beauty of Harsil is a tranquil escape from the bustle of city life.
• Gaumukh:  The origin of the Ganges River, Gaumukh, is a significant pilgrimage site and a must-visit during the trek. Witness the magnificent glacier that feeds the holy river. For those interested, we also offer a  Gaumukh Tapovan Trek  to explore this remarkable area.
• Kedar Tal:  For those looking to extend their Himalayan adventure, a trek to Kedar Tal is a rewarding choice. This glacial lake, surrounded by snow-capped peaks, is a sight to behold and a challenging trek for enthusiasts. You can also check out our  Kedartal Trek  for an unforgettable experience.
• Badrinath Temple:  A pilgrimage to the sacred town of Badrinath is a spiritual journey in itself. Visit the Badrinath Temple, one of the Char Dham temples, and seek blessings in this revered Hindu shrine.
• Tapovan:  Nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas, Tapovan is a hub for meditation and yoga enthusiasts. The serene surroundings and the Bhagirathi peaks in the backdrop create an ideal setting for spiritual pursuits.
• Vasudhara Falls:  A trek to Vasudhara Falls is a thrilling adventure. This pristine waterfall, surrounded by lush greenery, is a refreshing stop to witness the marvels of nature.

Map of Trail

The Kalindi Khal trek covers a total distance of approximately 97 kilometers from Gangotri to Badrinath.

The highest point on the Kalindi Khal trek is the Kalindi Khal Pass, which stands at an elevation of around 5,950 meters (19,550 feet) above sea level.

The best times for the Kalindi Khal trek are May, June, September, and October, when the weather is relatively stable, and the pass is accessible.

Yes, the Kalindi Khal trek is known for its high difficulty level. It involves trekking at high altitudes, crossing glaciers, and challenging terrains. This trek is recommended for experienced trekkers and adventurers.

The temperature during the trek varies with altitude and time of the year. During day it remains from 1°C to 8°C and in night it can fall as low as -10°C.

The Kalindi Khal Trek is not suitable for beginners. It requires prior high-altitude trekking experience, physical fitness, and familiarity with challenging terrains.

The nearest ATM to Gangotri is located in Uttarkashi, which is approximately 97 kilometers away from Gangotri. However, cash availability can be limited, so it’s wise to make cash withdrawals in Dehradun.

Mobile network reception is limited along the trek. After Gangotri you won’t find signal connectivity. Charging points are scarce; it’s recommended to carry power banks or Solar charger.

During the Kalindi Khal trek, you can witness stunning views of prominent peaks like Shivling, Meru, Bhagirathi, and other peaks of the Garhwal Himalayas.

Yes, there is a risk of high altitude sickness due to the high elevations reached during the trek. Trekkers should acclimatize properly and be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness.

The Kalindi Khal Pass trek involves crossing several glaciers, including the Gangotri Glacier, Chaturangi Glacier, and Sweta Glacier, among others.

/ Per Person

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Similar Treks

Kuari Pass Trek

Gidara Bugyal Trek

Dayara Bugyal Trek

Kedartal Trek

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(To the Himalayas and Beyond)

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek Brings Lifetime Himalayan Trekking Holidays Around the World’s Third-Highest Peak in Nepal

Kanchenjunga trekking has emerged as the ultimate trek adventure due to its natural profoundness, peace, and harmony, which it brings to us in various forms. And this is what they call it – there is magic in the air. 

Trekking to Kanchenjunga Base Camp Nepal. 

Trekking to the Kanchenjunga region of Nepal offers diverse trekking experiences for travelers in the eastern region of Nepal. The arduous trail of Kanchenjunga turns into a perfect relish with the sights of colorful Wildflowers, Himalayan Blue sheep, and many astounding falls. The remote trek provides the best encounters for travelers seeking adventure and spiritual enlightenment.

Along the trek, individuals get to cross the mini-wood bridges in small rivulets and pass through several high-altitude passes. The trek is not for the faint of heart as it involves alpine challenges, difficulties in trekking from rugged terrain, and exhaustion from steep uphill and downhill climbs. But trekkers are treated to the magic of sunsets, star-filled night skies, and warm local meals. 

Naturally and Culturally Profound 

Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek gives the best sights of snow-capped mountains such as Mt. Jannu (7,710 meters), Yalung-Khang (8,505 meters), and Kanchenjunga (8,586 meters). Trekkers encounter many glaciers, a turquoise lake called Yalung Lake (^5,000 meters) up to the South and North Base Camp of the third-highest peak in the world-Kanchenjunga. 

The feeling is superfluous when trekkers can witness traditional rituals and ceremonies of different ethnic communities. They will explore remote villages in the mountains and can observe the lifestyles of the natives. Rai, and Limbu people mainly inhabit the eastern part of Nepal. Sherpa communities are commonly found in the high-altitude regions where they will be witnessing their attire, ornaments, and their family life.   

Vantage points in Kanchenjunga Trek

The Kanchenjunga trekking trail is a must to explore if a traveler wants to experience remoteness and a challenging trek that offers the pristine beauty of the eastern Himalayas. No doubt the sense of accomplishment and the stunning views at the summit can be life-changing and unforgettable. The popular vantage viewpoints and local villages in the Kanchenjunga trekking trail include:

01: A traditional Loacal Village Phale and Ghunda Village. 

02: Khambachen Valley is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

03: Lhonak Valley Yak grazing Valley Close to Kanchenjunga.

04: Pang Peam is Known as Kanchenjunga North Base Camp.

05: Drohmo Ri viewpoint. From there, trekkers can explore magnificent Kanchenjunga views and the surrounding Himalayan peaks. 

06: The Three High Passes Selele La, Mirginla, and Sinelapcha Bhanjyang.

07: Probably the most beautiful and peaceful Campsite Tseram and Ramche, during the whole Kanchenjunga Trekking route.

08: Oktang viewpoint, from this viewpoint spectacular Kanchenjunga south views, can be visible. 

Getting to Kanchenjunga Base Camp

Kanchenjunga trek is not just a journey to the two base camps north and south of the world's third-highest mountain. Trails up to the base camp and back to Taplejung offer a diverse range of experiences. Trekkers would find beautiful fields in their welcoming position once they start hiking from Taplejung. A few phases of trekking involve passing through rhododendron forests and pasturelands, crossing suspension bridges, and climbing uphill and downhill. The trail also offers beautiful lakes, waterfalls, and scenic sights of mountains.

Local Cuisines and Native Lifestyle

Trekkers can taste the local cuisines and observe their native lifestyles as most of the teahouses in the region are operated by local families. The tea houses offer delicious Nepalese cuisines like dal bhat (Lentils and rice). Most teahouses also offer some other foods such as momos, thukpa, omelets, toast with jams, tea, and coffee. 

Native Lifestyles in the Himalayas are quite interesting. Yak farming is one of the major sources of livelihood in the Himalayan regions of Nepal, so trekkers can witness Yak grazing while roaming the entire trekking trail. Some knowledgeable locals would also tell interesting stories about past events in their village areas. They practice religious activities such as visiting Gompas and ancient Buddhist monasteries.

Best Season of Travel

Many trekkers have expressed their reliable seasons as Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) on the Himalayan trails . These are the blooming seasons when the weather is clear, dry, and pleasant. For more information, visit https://www.visithimalayastrek.com/kanchenjunga-base-camp-trek .