Kalindi Khal Expedition

Start the trek in the morning post breakfast towards Bhojwasa via Chirbasa. You cross the Gangotri National park entry point where you have a short stop where your permits are checked before you enter the Gangotri biosphere. The entire trek till you reach Bhojwasa has a tree line with forest patches, and is along the roaring river Bhagirathi. Have your packed lunch at Chirbasa enroute. The second part of the trek from Chirbasa to Bhojwasa has lesser tree line and feels more desolate. All along the way the river keeps you company. Enjoy the vista as you trek and don’t forget to observe the flora and fauna – you do sight a lot of birds endemic to the foothills of Himalayas. You camp for the day at Bhojwasa. A beautiful camping site with a wonderful view of Bhagirathi peaks which makes for a picturesque sunset.

Post breakfast trek towards Gomukh the birthplace of Bhagirathi (Ganges). This is where you get into the glacial moraine terrain which keeps you company till you complete the trek. Explore the Gomukh area and then continue trekking towards Tapovan. The trek from Gomukh to Tapovan is a steep climb through rocky patches along the glacial stream Akashganga. As you climb higher the view of the surrounding peaks emerge. You enter a different world of an alpine meadow dotted with wild flowers, bharals and streams. Just below the mighty Shivling peak in the picturesque meadow is the camp for the day.

The days trek entails crossing the massive Gomukh Glacier. The first part of the walk is along the meadows which gradually descends into the Glacier. You work your way put through the glacial terrains at times witnessing some ice blocks falling, gaping crevasses, and crossing icy patches up and down across the glacier. You will see some beautiful glacial lakes enroute. An arduous climb on the other side brings you to green pasture of Nandanvan dotted with multi-colored flora.

The days trek is along the Chaturangi glacier. A steep descent, cross-over followed by a steep ascent brings you to a mesperising view of Vasukital nestled amidst snow-clad peaks. View of Bhagirathi peaks on one side and flanked by Satopanth and Vasuki Parbat on the other makes for an enchanting view.

Rest and acclimatization day at Vasukital

Destination Altitude Trek distance Time Karapathar 5400 m 6 km 6 hrs You would be awestruck at the views of Satopath and Kedardome all along the 6 hour trek . It’s a gradual ascent to reach the campsite at Kharapathar. The terrain goes from a grass patch to start with to rocky sections and to the moraine regions. You will find the temperatures dipping.

Destination Altitude Trek distance Time Sweta Glacier 5500 m 8 km 6 hrs A fairly easy trek across moraine, flanked by glaciers on either side. Less altitude gain for the day. The campsite is on a moraine area, surrounded by rocks. You would witness some landslides and mini avalanches too.

An early start with a packed lunch, the days trek takes you along the Chaturangi glacier and across the Sweta Glacier. The whole of the trek is across the moraine of Sweta Glacier. A steep climb after you cross the glacier gets you to the days campsite at the base of Kalindi Khal. This is close to the Kalindi khal glacier and is flam]nked by the Avalanche peak and Kalindi peak.

It’s a pretty early start on the D Day. All geared and roped up for the final ascent towards the Kalindi Khal, its an arduous trek amidst crevasses. Being alert and a continuous pace is a must till you reach the pass. The spectacular view of the various peaks from atop the pass makes you feel the trek across all the terrains over the last few days are worth it. Once you cross the pass it’s all descent across the snowfield to start with and the moraine till you reach the campsite at Raja Parav.

Its all the way descent to Arwatal across the glacial moraine. You camp for the day beside the beautiful glacial lake.

Further descent to the campsite at Ghastoli. The ampsite in the beautiful meadow is quite welcoming after spending days in the glacial moraines amidst stark barren landscapes.

A trek for 5-6 hrs brings you to Mana , which is the last Indian village on the India-China border. A short drive from Mana gets you to Badrinath. You can spend the remaining part of the day exploring the surroundings at Badrinath.

Drive to Srinagar and quaint little village and stay overnight.

Reach Dehradun/Rishikesh/Uttarkashi and disperse.