Kalindi Khal Trek

Trip Details

  • Trip Type: Trekking

  • Region: Garhwal - Uttarakhand

  • Grade: Challenging

  • Duration: 13 days

  • Max Altitude: 5947m

  • Batch Dates: Custom Trips only

Kalindi Khal Trek Overview

Kalindi Khal is one of the most challenging treks in the Himalayas. We trek over glacier fields and crevasses and get awe inspiring views of Meru (6,630m), Kedar Dome (6,808m), Bhagirathi group, Nilkantha (6,506 m) and many others like Chandra Parvat, Avalanche Peak, Kamet, Mana and Abi Gamin.

 

The trek takes you halfway around Garhwal starting from the Bhagirathi Valley and ending in the Alaknanda valley. The trek starts from Gangotri and takes you through Nandavan, the base of the Bhagirathi peaks; the place also offers good views of the peak Shivling (6543m). After gaining suitable acclimatization we ascend to Vasukital Lake, a stunning place to camp surrounded by towering snow-covered peaks. From here we climb on to Sweta Glacier and begin the challenging crossing of the Kalindikhal. It is as if you are a part of this majestic setting of snow peaks. The trail then descends to Arwatal and to Mana the last village on the Chinese frontier. The trek fittingly ends at Badrinath with a visit to the holy temple.

Trip Cost

This is a custom departure tour and so please write to us for prices and more info on this trek. 

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Kalindi Khal Trek Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Gangotri

Arrive in Gangotri (3048m) and spend the day wandering around the Gangotri town. The evening puja at the temple is beautiful and not to be missed.

 

Day 02: Acclimatization Day
Duration: 4 hours
The plan is to cross the Bhagirathi at Surajkund and hike for 4-5 hrs on the Kedar Tal route. Return to Gangotri by 4 PM.

 

Day 03: Gangotri - Bhojbasa (3700m)
Duration: 5 hours
Walk along the well laid out trail to Bhojbasa, the last camping point before Gaumukh and Tapovan. It's a pony trail for the pilgrims, dotted with occasional dhabas and water points. Enroute, you will get some fabulous views of the Bhagirathi peaks and Shivling.

 

Day 04: Bhojwas - Nandanvan (4370m)
Duration: 6 hours
Today's trek is through Gaumukh, the snout of the Gangotri glacier and the point of origin of the river Ganga. There are fabulous views of Shivling, Kedar Dome, Karchkund and Meru peaks. Nandanvan is also the base camp for climbers attempting the Bhagirathi peaks.

 

Day 05: Vasuki Taal (4890m)
Duration: 6 hours
It's a steady, steep climb through upper Nandanvan. Vasuki Taal camp also serves as a base camp for climbers attempting Mt Satopanth, one of the more technical peaks in the Garhwal Himalayas.

 

Day 06: Acclimatization day at Vasuki Taal
Spend the day exploring the area around the lake.

 

Day 07: Vasuki Taal - Khada Patthar (5000m)
Duration: 6 hours
It's a steady, gradual climb up to the Satopanth Glacier and from there a steep ridge climb takes us to our camp at Khada Patthar.

 

Day 08: Khada Patthar - Sweta Galcier Camp (5200m)
Duration: 6 hours

The trail climbs gradually climbs towards Sweta Glacier and we get good views of Mt. Satopanth and Chandra Parvat.

 

Day 09: Sweta Glacier - Base of Kalindikhal (5450m)
Duration: 5 hours

A gradual climb take us to the head of Sweta Glacier and you get views of Avalanche peak and Kalindi peak. The pass is between these two peaks. Our camp today is at the base of Avalanche peak.

 

Day 10: Base of Kalindikhal - Kalindikhal (5947m) - Raj Padav (4900m)
Duration: 8 hours

With an early start, we begin our climb to the pass over snow. We negotiate the small glacier between Kalindi and Avalanche peaks to get on top of the pass. The other side of the pass is heavily crevassed and we descend roped up.

 

Day 11: Raj Padav - Arwa Taal (4500m)
Duration: 6 hours

We start early, as we need to cross the Arwa nulla. After the crossing, the trail continues through more moraine until we reach our camp at Arwa Taal.

 

Day 12: Arwa Taal - Ghastoli (3800m)
Duration: 5 hours

We descend along side the Arwa nullah. Today's trail involves lots of stream crossing, most of them small and a few tricky ones.

 

Day 13: Ghastoli - Mana (3400m)
Duration: 3 hours

Today is the last day of our trek and the road to Mana village is gradual. We find a jeep at Mana that will take us to the town of Badrinath. Trip Ends!

  • Camping Tents, Kitchen tents, Sleeping bags (Holofill) and Carry mats.
  • Nutritious, high-calorie vegetarian food will be served for the whole trek.
  • Guide, cook and camp helpers.
  • Porters/ Horses to carry loads on the whole route.
  • Participants are not expected to carry any loads other than a small daypack with a camera, some trail layers and some trail food.
  • Two people will be accommodated in one tent.
  • Transport Mana to Badrinath.
  • Guest House accommodations in Gangotri for 1 day before the trek.
  • All expenses of personal nature like drinks, tips, telephone calls, mineral water etc.
  • Accommodation in Badrinath on return.
  • Medical and evacuation expenses, we strongly recommend purchasing a suitable insurance cover.

Pack:
- Backpack 40 - 50 Lts with rain cover.This you will need in case you choose to offload your larger pack onto a horse/porter
- Day Pack 15 - 20 lts - You will use this to carry your camera, water bottle, Trail layers, trail food etc.
Footwear:
-Trekking Shoes: Please do not wear sports shoes as on most treks as we go higher it gets harder to use the sports shoes. We recommend shoes with a good hard sole and also ankle support preferable water proof. While we do not subscribe to any particular brand you can try the Quechua forclaz 100, 500 or 600.
Socks:
- 2 -3 pairs of cotton socks.
- 2 pairs of woolen socks ( these are ideal to sleep in and best to use when in camp. We do not recommend them while trekking).
Clothing:
- Pants: 3 pairs (including the ones you wear) - Ideal are the quick dry light weight synthetic pants. Alternatively track pants are also comfortable to trek in. We do not recommend you get Denims or Jeans as they get hard to trek in.
- Tshirts 3 pairs (including the ones you are wearing) - Preferable cotton t-shirts that are full sleeves. You can also choose to get T-shirts with collars, they offer extra protection for the neck from sun burns.
- Synthetic Fleece Jacket - 1 pair.
- Wind proof/ Water proof Jacket - 1 pair.
- Down filled / Hollow fiber fill insulated Jacket - 1 -pair ( optional - get this if you want to stay extra warm at camps.)
- Thermal liners - 1 pair upper and lower (optional).
Accessories:
- Raincoat/ Poncho - what ever you get make sure it is something that will cover your daypack and camera too.
- Warm Beanie - make sure it is something that covers your ears. You can also use buffs, scarfs etc in addition to your beanie.
- Gloves - Lightweight synthetic gloves made of Fleece or you can also use woollen gloves.
- Sun Cap- 1 no
- Sun Glasses with good UV protection.
Other necessary things that we recommend you get:
- Toiletries - Sunscreen SPF 40+, Moisturizer, Lip balm, Soap, Toilet paper.
- Repair Kit (needle and thread).
- Headlamp/ Torch.
- Camera.
- Water Bottle- Ideally keep two bottle 1 litre each.
- Trekking Pole - Optional.
- Plastic Packing covers. (Please pack all your gear in waterproof plastic bags so that your clothes etc do not get wet while on horses or porters. Also carry extra plastic bags in case you need to pack wet clothes.)