Located in Uttarakhand, Kalindi Khal Trek is the most famous trekking
pass of the Garhwal Himalayas. Kalindi Pass or Kalindi Khal is a high-altitude
mountain pass that connects Gangotri and Gastoli. The expedition is filled with
thrilling adventures and passes through several historic spots and peaks from
Indian mythology, including Gaumukh (origin point of Ganga), Vasuki Parvat, and
many more.
The expedition starts from Delhi and reaches the Khalindi Pass height of
19521 ft. The Kalindi Khal itinerary crosses some of the scenic destinations of
Uttrakhand. Including Dehradun, Mussoorie, Harsil, Gangotri, and plenty more.
It is one of the most scenic road trips accompanied by the great Himalayan
views alongside lush natural settings.
Notice how the terrain changes since the starting of the trek. As the nature of the road changes from plains to a little curvy mountain view roads. Cross through Harshil, the hidden gem of Uttarakhand. The village name, Harsil has a beautiful mythological tale. According to the local legend, once the river Bhagirathi and the Jalandhari argued over their significance. Vishnu, also known as Hari, was summoned and transformed into a massive stone (shila), absorbing their rage. Even now, the waters of the two rivers have become less tumultuous since Hari-Shila (or Harsil).
Throughout the trek, you will hike through glaciers, mountains, and moraines. Hence, adventure is guaranteed. And don't worry about your safety. You will be roped, carefully while you cross the crevasses and tricky patches. Not to mention, guided under the supervision of highly trained professionals. Besides, you will be journeying alongside a spellbinding network of mountains, circled by moraine and setting camps at some of the most serene & stunning mountain backdrops.
Another mythological spot in the trek is Gangotri. It is one of the most popular Hindu pilgrim sites, which is also one of the four sites in the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. According to Hindu folklore, it is at this spot where Goddess Ganga descended on the earthly plain when the almighty Shiva released the mighty river from his dreadlocks. Take a small tour of beautiful temples around the town, inhabited by sadhus and pilgrims. Later, start your trek to Chirbasa.
Hike through various river streams, gradually ascending on the way forward. En route, you will also make a short trek to Gaumukh, the holiest place of Hindus worldwide. In 1972, Mauritius' then-Prime Minister, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, transported holy Ganga water from Gomukh and combined it with water from Grand Bassin in Mauritius, renaming it Ganga Talao for Mauritian Hindus. You can now appreciate the significance and effect of this location.
The Kalindi Pass is located at an astonishing height and is majorly
covered in snow. This is why you will be hiking with proper acclimatization
breaks throughout the route. Apart from this, capture the glimpse of
Bhagirathi, Bhrigu Parbat, Kedar Dome peak, and other magnificent peaks. In
addition to that, you will spend a day camping and acclimatizing beside the
charming Vasuki Tal.
Also See: Brahmatal Trek
Lastly, enjoy the jaw-dropping views from the Kalindi Khal peak and head
back to Mana Village via Arwatal and Ghastoli. Mana is the last settlement
before the Mana Pass and is situated just 26 kilometers from India and Tibet
border. Later take a driveway to the Hindu Pilgrimage Badrinath, followed by
visiting a popular skiing point- Auli. Retire in a comfortable lodge, since the
next day marks the end of the Kalindi Khal expedition.
Also See: Popular Treks in Uttarakhand
Wake up on the last day of the trek, have your breakfast and start your
forward journey to Delhi. The kalindi khal trek ends at reaching Delhi.
KALINDI KHAL 16D/15N
Day 1: Delhi to Dehradun
Drive: 280 km (6
Hours)
Meal: Light snacks + Dinner
Stay: Hotel on sharing basis
- Reach Delhi, meet our team and enjoy some snacks and tea/coffee
during the meet and greet.
- Post the snacks on board your cab and get transferred to Dehradun.
- During the journey you will gain some of the elevation, the nature
of the road changes from plains to a little curvy Mountain View roads.
- Reach Dehradun, check in to your hotel, have your hot dinner and
retire for the day.
Day 2: Dehradun to Harsil
Drive: 220 km (8 Hours)
Altitude: 8530 ft
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening snacks + Dinner
Stay: Lodge on a sharing basis.
- Wake up to a fresh morning, enjoy your morning tea with early
mountain views from the property.
- Have your breakfast and get ready for a journey to Harshil.
- During the drive you will pass through Mussoorie (known as Queen
of hills) and Uttarkashi.
- Being a charming small village, Harsil is the hidden gem of
Uttrakhand with striking views of the Himalayas.
- Reach Harshil, check into your Lodge and with a hot meal retire
for the day,
Day 3: Harhil to Gangotri, Trek to Chirbasa.
Drive: 26 km (45 min)
Trek: 9 km (6 hours)
Altitude: 10006 ft, 11646 ft
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening snacks + Dinner
Stay: Stay in tents on sharing basis
- Wake up to striking Himalayan views, have your breakfast and get
ready for a drive to Gangotri (trek start point).
- Reach holy town of Gangotri, inhabitat by many sadhus and
pilgrims. Take a small tour of beautiful temples around.
- Start your trek to Chirbasa, enjoy a decent gradual incline with
many streams crossing your way.
- Upon reaching Chirbasa, set up your tents and prepare for the
acclimatization night.
Day 4: Chirbasa to Bhojwasa
Trek: 5 km (3 hours)
Altitude: 12400 ft
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening snacks + Dinner
Stay: Stay in tents
on sharing basis
- Wake up to a chilly morning, have your breakfast and get ready for
a trek to Bhojwasa.
- During the trek you will pass through Bhagirathi, Shivling, and
Bhrigu Parbat peak views.
- Reach Bhojwasa, settle down in your camps and get acclimatized to
the place.
- Post lunch, trek to Gaumukh and enjoy the views around. It is the
origin of river Ganga.
- Head back to the campsite and post Dinner retire in the cozy
tents.
Day 5: Bhojwasa to Tapovan
Trek: 9 km (6 hours)
Altitude: 14202 ft
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening snacks + Dinner
Stay: Stay in tents
on sharing basis
- Wake up early in the morning, have breakfast and get ready for a
trek to Tapovan.
- During the trek you will pass through various moraine sections
with stunning mountains serving as huge backdrops.
- Reach Tapovan, set up your camps with stunning views of Meru and
Bhagirathi I, II, and III peaks.
- In the evening, retire in your tents and post a healthy lunch.
Day 6: Relaxation and acclimatization day at Tapovan
Altitude: 14202 ft.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening snacks + Dinner
Stay: Stay in tents on sharing basis
- Wake up to a lazy morning and have your breakfast. This will be
your acclimatization day.
- Take a nature walk around the campsite or climb the Shivling base
camp.
- You can even ascend right up to the Kirti glacier or just spend
the entire day at the base camp.
- Head back to the campsite and with a hot meal retire for the day.
Day 7: Tapovan to Nandanvan
Trek: 5 km (3 -4 hours)
Altitude: 14229 ft
Meal: Breakfast +
Lunch + Evening snacks + Dinner
Stay: Stay in tents on sharing basis
- Wake up to a refreshing morning, have your breakfast and prepare
for Nandanvan.
- The trail ascends and descends, and is adorned with glaciers,
streams, and moraines.
- Reach Nandanvan and relish the vision that is the peaks of
Shivling, Bhagirathi, Sudarshan, Thelu, and Kedar Dome.
- Set up your tents and rest with magical views.
Day 8: Nandanvan to Vasuki Tal
Trek: 5 km (3 -4 hours)
Altitude: 16010 ft.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening snacks + Dinner
Stay: Stay in tents
on sharing basis
- Wake up to a chilly morning, have your breakfast and prepare for
Vasuki tal.
- The trail mostly climbs upon the Chaturangi Glacier.
- You will cross the lake and the trek team will use ropes for
proper safety.
- Upon arriving at the lake, take in the scenic sights of the place
and come across other trekking teams scaling the nearby peaks.
- Pitch your tents and have a hot meal for the day.
Day 9: Relaxation and acclimatization day at Vasuki Tal
Altitude: 16010 ft.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening snacks + Dinner
Stay: Stay in tents
on sharing basis
- Wake up to a lazy morning and have your breakfast. This will be
your acclimatization day.
- Today you just have to relax and absorb the nature around you.
- Have your meals and retire for the day in tents.
Day 10: Vasuki Tal to Khara Pathar
Trek: 5 km (3 -4 hours)
Altitude: 17979 ft.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening
snacks + Dinner
Stay: Stay in tents on sharing basis
- Wake up to a healthy breakfast and begin the trek filled with
moraine paths.
- During the trek you can witness a spellbinding network of
mountains as you continue trekking until you arrive at Khara Pathar which is
also circled by moraine.
- Hike alongside the network of majestic mountains. Finally, you
will arrive at Khara Pathar which is encircled by moraines.
Day 11: Khara Pathar to Shweta Glacier
Trek: 6 km (4 -5 hours)
Altitude: 18044 ft.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening
snacks + Dinner
Stay: Stay in tents on sharing basis
- Wake up to a fresh morning, have your breakfast and get ready for
a Kalindi Pass trekking.
- You will trek through a landscape consisting of glaciers,
mountains, and moraine.
- Post the 4-5 hours of trekking, set your camps on the moraine and
spend the night in the cozy tents.
Day 12: Shweta Glacier to Kalindi Base
Camp
Trek: 5 km (4 -5 hours)
Altitude: 18372 ft
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening
snacks + Dinner
Stay: Stay in tents on sharing basis
- Wake up to an exciting morning, have a quick breakfast, and get
ready for breath-taking terrains, a network of mountains and glaciers.
- Reach Kalindi base camp, have a sight of the route lying till the
peak.
- Pitch your tents, in the evening you’ll have a safety briefing
about the remaining route.
- Have your sumptuous dinner and retire for the night.
Day 13: Kalindi Base to Kalindikhal and
to Arwatal
Trek: 9 km (8 -13 hours)
Altitude: 19521 ft and to 13057 ft
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening
snacks + Dinner
Stay: Stay in tents on sharing basis
- Wake up as early as 1:00 am, start your ascending trek through
challenging trails depending on snow and weather conditions.
- You will be roped for the entire climb due to crevasses and tricky
patches.
- Take in the breath-taking views once you arrive at the Kalindi
Khal Summit.
- Post enjoying your time at the top, descend down to Arwatal with a
few breaks along the way.
- Reach the campsite, have a hot cup of tea and celebrate the day’s
thrilling trek.
- Rest in tents with hot meals.
Day 14: Arwatal – Ghastoli (3796m, 5-6
hour trek)
Trek: 7 km (5 -6 hours)
Altitude: 12454 ft.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening
snacks + Dinner
Stay: Stay in tents on sharing basis
- Wake up to a fresh morning, have your breakfast and get ready to
trek down to Ghastoli.
- During the trail you will cross 3 - 4 river crossings and a
fetching walk.
- Reach Ghastoli and encounter army establishment on the Tibet and
China border.
- Consume hot tea, interact with soldiers and pitch your tents
beside the charming Arwa River.
Day 15: Ghastoli to Mana Village and drive to Badrinath - Auli
Drive: 50 km (2 hours)
Trek: 7 km (5-6 hours)
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening
snacks + Dinner
Stay: Stay in a lodge on sharing basis
- Have your breakfast and start your adventure from Ghastoli.
Continue descending to Mana on well-constructed trails.
- Take in the breath-taking grandeur of Mana, the final town on the
Indian side located few kilometres from the Indo-Tibet border.
- Ride from here to the holy township of Badrinath where you can
seek blessings from the god for the journey ahead.
- Take a driveway to Auli, a popular skiing destination where you
may relax in a pleasant lodge.
Day 16: Auli to Delhi
Drive: 550 km (10-12 hour drive)
Meal: Breakfast - Lunch - Evening
snacks
- Wake up on the last day of the trek, have your breakfast and start
your forward journey to Delhi.
- Post reaching Delhi your trek ends.
Air: Take a flight
to Delhi airport and meet our representative, who will guide you to the meetup
point.
1. Shirts / T-shirts –5/6, Trekking Pants -5-6
2. Windproof jacket of decent quality preferably with a hood
3. Warm and thick Fleece / Full-sleeve Woollen sweater
4. Thermal inner wear (upper & lower), Scarf/muffler
5. Woollen cap, Woollen gloves, Woollen socks & regular socks
(5-6 pairs)
6. Comfortable Trekking (Waterproof shoes with a thick sole are
recommended)
7. Lightweight floaters/sandals/slippers
8. Raincoat / Poncho, Small quick dry towel
9. Water bottle (sturdy ones)
10. Cap / Hat to keep the strong sun away from your face
11. Sun glasses (polarized/UV Protected), Walking stick / Trekking
pole
12. Sunscreen Lotion, Lip Balm, Torch / Flashlight (with extra
batteries)
13. Medicines, if requiring any specific medication
14. Personal toiletries
15. Day pack/small bag in case if you are planning to offload your
regular backpack
16. Hand Sanitizer
17. Extra face masks
18. Valid government ID proof (Passport)
Inclusions:
1. All Stays during the trek
(i) Stay in Lodge / Hotel on Day 1, 2 & 15 on a sharing basis,
(ii) Stay in Tents during the trek from day 2 - 14 on a sharing
basis.
2. Transportation from Delhi to Guest House/ Hotel on day 1 and back
to Delhi on day 16.
3. All meals included from Day 1 Light snacks to Day 16 evening
snacks. Vegetarian meals will be served throughout the trek.
4. Skilled local staff who have ample knowledge of the route
5. Kitchen, dining and toilet tents will be used during the trek.
6. Mules/Porter for carrying common equipment like
rations/tents/utensils/groceries.
7. Experienced trek leader (English speaking) who has ample knowledge of the route.
8. Basic First aid Kit with a portable oxygen cylinders
9. Forest entry and permit fee
Exclusions:
1. The above trek
charges do not include the GST charges (5%).
2. In case if
your trek remains incomplete or uninitiated because of ""force
majeure"", medical emergency, or by personal choice after you arrive
at the starting point, you will not be able to get a refund, reschedule or
replace any services that remain unutilized by you.
3. Any additional
cost incurred due to changes in Government Guidelines related to
travel/trek/COVID-19 will be borne by the Guest.
4. Permit fee for foreign travelers.
4. Anything which
is not included in Inclusion.
1. If cancellations are made 26 days prior to the start date of your trek/tour/activity, no cancellation fee will be charged.
2. If cancellations are made between 8-25 days prior to the start date of your trek/tour/activity, 25% of the total package amount will be charged as cancellation fee.
3. If cancellations and rescheduling are made within 7 days from the start date of your trek/tour/activity, 100% of the total booking amount will be charged as a cancellation fee.
4. Guest can reschedule the tour/trek/activity between 8-25 days prior to the start date of your trek/tour/activity (Depending on the availability), after this period no rescheduling can be done and no amount can be refunded.
5. Rescheduling of the tour/trek/activity is applicable only once, after that if you want to cancel or reschedule the trek/tour/activity again, it will not be possible and no refund will be processed.
6. If you book the tour/trek/activity by making a partial payment of the total booking amount and fail to make the 100% payment before 26 days from the date of travel. In this case, your booking will get canceled automatically and can only be reconfirmed once you make the full payment, depending on the availability of slots.
7. In case if your tour/trek/activity remains incomplete or uninitiated because of "force majeure", medical emergency, government policy changes, local strikes, or by personal choice after you arrive at the starting point, you will not be able to get a refund, reschedule or replace any services that remain underutilized by you.
8. In case if your tour/trek/activity gets cancelled because of "force majeure", medical emergency, government policy changes, local strikes between 0-7 days from your date of travel, you will be eligible to reschedule the date of your trek/tour/activity or you can get a credit note of the amount paid, however no cash refund will be possible in this case.
9. Cancellations are strictly subjected to cancellation policies mentioned on the website & are irrespective of the date of booking.
10. The applicable refund amount will be processed within 10 business days.