Traill's Pass Trek
Trip Details
Trip Type: Trekking
Region: Kumaon - Uttarakhand
Grade: Challenging
Duration: 18 days
Max Altitude: 5312m
Batch Dates: Custom Trips only
Traill's Pass Trek Overview
Traill's Pass, named after G.W. Traill, the first British Deputy Commissioner of Kumaon division, who reached the pass in 1830 but did not cross it is a high glaciated pass between Nanda Devi and Nanda Kot peaks. Locally it is called Pindari Kanda and is located at the head of Pindari glacier dividing the regions of Garhwal and Kumaon.
Traill's Pass, despite being of relatively moderate altitude by Himalayan standards, is rarely crossed. Along Pindari Glacier's left lateral moraine, is an big wall of jagged, broken ice criss¬crossed with numerous seracs and crevasses. The upper icefields of the glacier are invisible from here. What people call the Pindari glacier is actually a huge icefall passing over a steep slope, through which a direct ascent has yet to be made. Above this lie the icefields of the surrounding peaks. The lowest point on the ridge at 5312 m is the Traill's Pass. Beyond the pass to the north and east lies the Lawan valley whose catchment is the Gori Ganga valley.
Trip Cost
This is a custom departure tour and so please write to us for prices and more info on this trek.
Traill's Pass Trek Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Kathgodam - Loharkhet
Arrive at Kathgodam and drive 7 hours to reach Loharkhet. Overnight Stay at Loharkhet.
Day 02: Loharkhet – Khati (2200m)
Duration: 2 hours
Drive to our roadhead, village Kharkiya at the entrance of the Pindari Valley. Its a short trek to reach Khati village and camp.
Day 03: Khati - Dwali (2700m)
Duration: 5 hours
We follow a gradual trail today along the Pindari river to reach its confluence with Kafani river. We camp near the confluence.
Day 04: Dwali - Furkiya (3200m)
Duration: 4 hours
We continue along the Pindari river and through high Himalayan forests of Rhododendrons, oak and chestnut. Reach a clearing beyond the forest and camp.
Day 05: Furkiya - Base Camp (3700m)
Duration: 3 hours
Although this day's walk is shorter, we gain quite a bit of altitude and cross the main Pindari river to reach the Base Camp, surrounded by Mt Changuch, Pindari glacier and many other peaks of the valley. We take an acclimatisation walk around the camp.
Day 06: Base Camp - Takhta Kharak (4500m)
Duration: 6 hours
A big day for altitude gain today. We gain 800m as we climb steeply up from the base camp and cross a stream and another big ascent to reach ABC or the meadow of Takhta Kharak.
Day 07 - Day 11 : Takhta Kharak - Traill's Pass (5312m) - Lawan Glacier Camp
We take the next few days to acclimatise and set up camp at the base of a 300m rock wall. Camp 2 is set up at its top and we make our way to Traill's Pass through Pindari and Nanda Khat Glaciers from here. Traill’s Pass offers spectacular panoramic views of Nanda Devi and Nanda Devi East, Nanda Lapak, Changuch, Nanda Khat, Raj-Rambha, Sutela and many other peaks around. From the top of the pass, we have a near 500m descent on steep ice to reach the moraine of the Lawan glacier and camp.
Day 12: Lawan Glacier Camp - Rata Gangal
Duration: 5 hours
Walk through moraine near the base camp for Nanda Devi East and other peaks of the valley and following the Lawan river reach the shepherd's camp at Rata Gangal.
Day 13: Rata Gangal
Spend the day relaxing at camp or taking a few short walks.
Day 14: Rata Gangal - Martolli (3300m)
Duration: 4 hours
Descend into greener valleys as we reach Lawan village and cross Salang river to reach the abandoned Martolli village.
Day 15: Martolli
Rest day at Martolli village to explore its fascinating sights. This day can also be used as a buffer day in case of bad weather.
Day 16: Martoli - Nahar Devi
Duration: 6 hours
Walk on gradual terrain to reach Nahar Devi village.
Day 17: Nahar Devi - Rargari
Duration: 6 hours
Follow Gori Ganga river to reach Rargari.
Day 18: Rargari - Dhaba - Munsiyari
Duration: 5 hours
Keeping next to the river, cross Lilam village to reach Dhaba, the roadhead where our cars pick us up and drive 1 hour to reach Munsiyari. 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.
- Transpor Kathgodam to Road Head and back to Munsiyari.
- All expenses of personal nature like drinks, tips, telephone calls, mineral water etc.
- Accommodation in Kathgodam or Munsiyari
- 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.)