Pindari Kafni Glacier Trek

Duration: 10 Days, Kathgodam to Kathgodam · Grade: Moderate · Highest point: 3895 m · Best time: May. Jun, Sep, Oct

Overview

Venturing out in the outer reaches of the Nanda Devi National park in the Kumaon region of the Himalayas. this trek probably offers you one of the easiest opportunity of viewing the beautiful and mighty peaks guarding the Nanda Devi.

Here the beautiful peaks of Changuch, Maiktoli, Mrigthuni, Nanda Khat,  Nanda Kot, Panwali Dwar, Sunanda Devi ( Nanda Devi East), Tharkot, Nanda Bhanar, Nanda Khani, Bauljuri, Lapsa Dhura present themselves in full glory. The village and local dwellers of Khati is a good opportunity the experience and understand the rural settings of Kumaon. Right from its start, this trek takes you through a dense forest of the outer Nanda Devi National Park consisting of fir, birch and rhododendrons. From Khati, the trail separates from the Sunderdhunga and follows the Pindar river until Dwali, where it further forks - one on your left goes to the Pindari Glacier and the other on your right goes to the Kafni Glacier following the Kafni river. 

This trek currently start at Kharkiya from where its just about 5 kilometers of gradual trek to Khati because of the newly built jeepable road. It helps you skip the 'good climb' to Dhakuri crossing the Dhakuri pass right in the first day. However, Dhakuri is a picturesque and a special campsite with a wide panorama on a beautiful meadow, so skipping it might not be a good idea unless you are on a time crunch.

Highlights

• Days of wonder in the lap of one of the very beautiful valley in the Kumaon
• The beautiful peaks of Changuch, Maiktoli, Mrigthuni, Nanda Khat,  Nanda Kot, Panwali Dwar, Sunanda Devi ( Nanda Devi East), Tharkot, Nanda Bhanar, Nanda Khani, Bauljuri, Lapsa Dhura
• Understand the Himalayan geography and river systems by taking yourself closer to its glaciers. Also witness the effect of Global Warming and the receding of a glacier which is highly affecting the ecology not just locally, but throughout our country
• An opportunity to experience some of the most remote villages of Kumaon - namely Khati which also offers a unique way to experience the Himalayas of Kumaon through the locals
• Walking through the dense forest of rhododendrons, birch and fir and the meadows

Itinerary

• Day 1: Drive from Kathgodam to Lokharkhet
• Day 2: Trek Lokharkhet to Dhakuri
• Day 3: Trek Dhakuri to Khati
• Day 4: Trek Khati to Dwali
• Day 5: Trek Dwali to Phurkiya
• Day 6: Trek Phurkiya to Pindari Zero Point to Dwali
• Day 7: Trek Dwali to Khatia
• Day 8: Trek Khatia to Kafni Glacier to Dwali
• Day 9: Trek Dwali to Kharkiya
• Day 10: Drive Kharkiya to Kathgodam

** There is a motorable road which goes till Kharkiya and can save a day. We have known Dhakuri as one of the very beautiful campsites in the Himalyas and hence suggest camping there.

** On the last day, if you finish the trek in good time, you may come down to Bagheshwar to save time for the next day travel to Kathgodam

You can have a look at other versions of trek in this same region

Pindari Glacier Trek

Kafni Glacier Trek

Sunderdhunga Valley Trek

Sunderdhunga Kanakata Pass Trek

Terrain