Black Peak (Kalanag) Expedition
Uttarakhand • 16 Days
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Brief Description
At an altitude of 6387 M/ 20960 FT, Black Peak is the highest peak in the Saraswati mountain range near Ruinsara Valley of the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand. In the local dialect, Black Peak means “Kalanag” since the top part of the peak resembles a Black Cobra. It is the most dominating peak of the entire Bandarpunch massif. Providing a gradual climb from the Southern side eventually leading to a very steep summit climb with a near 70-degree incline and a 75 feet ice wall, the climb to the summit of Black Peak is challenging and technical. It is only chosen by professional climbers for an adventure of a lifetime. Black peak is located in the Govind National Park area known for its diverse flora and fauna. The trail leading to the mountain is blessed with magnificent alpine meadows, pine forests, moraine ridges, boulders, and glacier basins. Being the highest peak in the range amongst Saraswati Devi Parvat (Bandarpunch I, 6316 m) and Hanuman Parvat (White Peak or Bandarpunch II, 6102 m), to reach the zenith of the Black Peak will take a lot of effort and experience testing your limits but rewarding you with unparalleled views of the full Bandarpunch family, a milestone for any aspiring trekker and mountaineer.
Itinerary
Itinerary
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Arrive in Dehradun and transfer to Sankri
Arrive at Dehradun railway station or bus stand (ISBT) and leave for Sankri. The total journey will take about 8 hours. The journey takes you through some of the most picturesque villages. Sankri is a beautiful hamlet serving as a base camp for many treks. Sankri is the last village before the Govind Balabh Pant Wildlife Sanctuary. Sankri presents you with stunning views of the Himalayan horizon and an abundance of mountain peaks. Today is a rest day as you prepare yourself for the expedition which starts tomorrow. You will get all the necessary details and information regarding the expedition. Have dinner and rest for the night.
Drive from Sankri to Taluka and trek to Seema (2700M)
Today is the start of your expedition. Begin early and drive to Taluka, a small hamlet located 11km from Sankri. It has a few shops and houses. It is located near Govind National Park. From Taluka you begin your trek towards Seema. The trek is an easy one through picturesque villages and pine trees. A gradual ascent through an abundantly present walnut and chestnut trees will take you to a trail over a stream towards a vast green meadow past the village of Datmir leading to a thick forest section. The trail becomes steep and leads to a couple of bridges which when crossed will take you to the beautiful village of Seema. Have dinner and stay overnight in tents.
Seema to Ruinsara Tal (3350M)
Today we trek to the hallowed lake of Ruinsara through trails with a vast array of alpine flowers. Ruinsara Tal has enthralling views of the glittering Swargarohini peaks. This is your campsite for the night with beautiful landscapes and views of mountain farming. Ruinsara Tal is associated with the Indian mythological epic Mahabharata, where the Pandavas were exiled for fourteen years. Overnight camp at Ruinsara Tal.
Ruinsara Tal to Kyarkoti (Base Camp) (3500M)
Today’s journey from Ruinsara Tal to the Kyarkoti Base Camp will be undertaken in 5-6 hours. The kyarkoti base camp is a patch of grassland with a spring adjacent to it and surrounded by boulders and snow peaked mountains. The view of the Black Peak summit from this base camp instills excitement and an adrenaline rush. This campsite is a perfect base camp to exercise your mountaineering proficiency and plan to overcome challenges involved in peaking the Black Peak. Overnight camp at Kyarkoti.
Rest day at Kyarkoti Base Camp
Today will be a rest day at our base camp. It will help you to get acclimatized and prepare all the necessary equipment needed for the upcoming summit day.
Base Camp to Advanced Base Camp (4600M)
Today a 4-5 hours trek will take us from the Kyarkoti base camp to our advanced base camp where we will load ferry, shift all the essential equipment and luggage. Our technical guides will discern the further gradient and evaluate the route and environment. With the team we setup our advanced base camp and retire for the night.
ABC to Camp 1 (5100M) and back to ABC (Load Ferry at Camp 1)
The trail from to the ABC will take you through grassy land, boulders followed by a steep climb through a landslide region which will descend to moraine patches followed by a glacier. The clear view of the Black Peak from this point will be enthralling as you will be heading to summit this majestic mountain. We establish our Camp 1 here and load the ferry and carry all essential things. Return back to the ABC and retire for the night.
ABC to Camp 1 (5100M)
We repeat the same route we took to establish our Camp 1 yesterday. Retire for the night.
Camp 1 to Summit Camp (5500M)
Today we make a move to our Summit camp. After bypassing a number of crevasses we set-up our camp on a snow field with the majestic view of Swargarohini in the North, Bandarpunch in the south and the Black Peak visible towards the South-east. The thought of summiting Kalanag has been in your mind since day one and tomorrow it will finally come true. Excitement levels are over the peak. We set up our camp for the night and prepare for the summit attempt of Black Peak the next day. Retire early as the summit attempt will start a little after midnight.
Summit camp to Summit attempt (6387M)
Today is the day you all have been waiting for. We start by 0200 hours while the snow remains hard making it easier to walk with a decent pace, aiming to reach the summit in 7-8 hours. The summit climb involves fixing a rope to negotiate a 75-100 feet vertical wall of slope making it extremely technical and challenging. Utmost care needs to be taken at this point. The slope being very steep, it is important for the lead climber to open and fix the route leading to a ridgeline. Finally, you reach the summit. The summit of Black Peak (Kalanag) is flat. Take some photos of your spectacular endeavor to cherish this moment. Don’t spend a lot of time at this extreme altitude and start to descend down to your summit camp and Camp 1 and if possible to your base camp.
Reserve Day
Reserve a day for summit climb if the weather does not allow you to summit the day before.
Summit Camp to Base camp (3500M)
This day we shall wrap up our summit camp and camp1 and move to our base camp. Celebrate your success and cherish the moments. Retire for the night.
Kyarkoti Base camp to Ruinsara Tal (3350M)
From the base camp descend down to Ruinsara Tal. Spend the rest of the day exploring the mythological lake and indulge in stories about Ruinsara associated with Mahabharata from the locals. Retire for the night at the camps.
Ruinsara Tal to Seema (2700M)
Today we descend to the Semma village. Set-up tents here and spend the day exploring the beautiful village at your pace. You can also explore the nearby village of Osla located on the other side of the river. Visit the temple of Duryodhana, the main attraction Osla and spend time with the locals. Retire for the night.
Seema to Taluka and drive to Sankri
From Seema we trek back to Taluka where a vehicle will be waiting to drive you to Sankri. Spend the day reminiscing and celebrating your successful feat. Enjoy your stay in the hotel.
Drive from Sankri to Dehradun
Have your breakfast at Sankri and leave for Dehradun. You will reach Dehradun by 1800-1900 hours. Consider this time in order to plan your stay in Dehradun or your departure from Dehradun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pick your question
Eligibility: Is this trek good for me?
In accordance with the rules and regulation set forth by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) for mountaineering expeditions, out of 12 seats per batch:
- 6 seats are reserved for aspirants with a certificate in Advanced Mountaineering Course (AMC)
- 4 seats are reserved for aspirants with a certificate in Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC)
- The remaining 2 seats are reserved for aspirants with previous trekking experience of expeditions above 5500 meters
Foreign Nationals - Due to a specific set of guidelines for Foreign Nationals it is recommended to call our support team to gain information on the list of documents and procedure involved in booking a mountaineering expedition with us.
Black Peak (Kalanag) expedition is made only for experienced trekkers who want to test their limits. The challenges faced in the trek should not be underestimated. You should attempt this trek only if you have already done a trek that climbs to 5000 meters and above. It is recommended not to opt this trek if you cannot get acclimatized in the mountains. Besides you need to have a strong physical endurance to complete this expedition. For details on trek difficulty level, please read on Bikat Rating Scale
Eligibility: Experience required
A basic mountaineering course is recommended though not mandatory in case of highly experienced & skilled trekkers. At least 2-3 challenging treks along with 20 – 25 total trekking days in the Himalayas. Medical fitness certificate from CMO of a recognized hospital.
Eligibility: Fitness benchmark
Jog/Run for 5 Kms in 25-30 mins Or Walk continuously for 10 kms (with 3-4 small breaks) on plain terrain (slight incline is better) and
Hold your breath for 40 seconds and
3 sets of Climbing 30 – 40 steps in one stretch and
Push Ups – 10 and
Lunges & Squats – 15 X 2 sets
If you are not meeting these benchmarks, please use the preparation schedule to improve your fitness till you achieve the above benchmarks.
Eligibility: Requisite skills
How to use an Ice Axe
How to use Climbing boots & Crampons
How to rope up & follow queued climbing/descending
How to self-arrest using an ice axe
Knowledge of Basic First aid
About the Trek: Why should I go for this trek?
Black Peak (Kalanag) Expedition
Black Peak (Kalanag) is an accessible 6000m summit in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. The route to the base camp involves trekking through the beautiful Govind National Park with its diverse flora and fauna, with stunning alpine meadows, pine forests, moraines, and glaciers. Being the highest in the range amongst Bandarpunch 1 and Bandarpunch 2, conquering Black Peak summit and navigating its vertical ice walls is any experienced trekker’s/ mountaineer’s delight.Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?
May-June and September-October. However, the best season is from May to June.
Packing List: What to pack
Click here for text packing list.
Packing List: How should I pack my rucksack?
Packing List: How should I select my trekking shoe?
Connectivity: How to Reach the base of the trek & how to go back from the end point?
The starting point to the basecamp of Black Peak is from Sankri. Sankri is a small village in Uttarakhand which serves as a base camp for many Uttarakhand treks in the Garhwal region. It is 180 km from Dehradun. There are public buses and shared jeeps running between Dehradun and Sankri. You can also take a shared taxi that will cost you around INR 600. Dehradun is easily accessible through road, rail and air transport.
By Road: There are no direct buses to Sankri from Delhi. You can take overnight UKRTC buses and Volvos available from IBT Kashmere Gate, Delhi to Dehradun. The distance from Delhi to Dehradun is about 247 km. You can also hire a taxi or an outstation cab from Delhi to Dehradun.
By Rail: The nearest railway station to Sankri is 187km in Dehradun. There are a number of trains running between Delhi and Dehradun like Dehradun Express, Mussoorie Express, Nanda Devi Express. It is advisable to make your train bookings a month in advance.
By Air: The nearest airport from Sankri is Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun which is 213 km away from Sankri. You can reach Dehradun from New Delhi by flight.
Connectivity: What is the cellular network connectivity for this trek?
There is no mobile reception after Sankri.
Nearby attraction: What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?
There are a number of places to visit in Dehradun and Mussoorie. Sahastradhara, a ‘thousand-fold water spring’ is a famous tourist spot in Dehradun. The waters of the spring are believed to have medicinal properties. Robber’s Cave or Guchhi Pani is a famous picnic spot for fun-loving enthusiasts. Visit the holy Tapkeshwar Temple on the bank of Asan River which is believed to have one of the oldest Shivling. Enjoy the splash at much touted Kempty Falls in Mussoorie. The highest place in Mussoorie, Lal Tibba is where you can enjoy the panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains. Admire the Kumaon and Garhwal Art & Culture at SOHAM Heritage and Art Centre.
Age limit: What is the minimum & maximum age limit?
The minimum age limit is 13 years. However, minors aged between 13 to 17 years should be accompanied by their parents or guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking and mountaineering.
Accommodation type: What will be the accommodation type in this trek?
When you arrive in Sankri, your stay will be made at a local guest house/hotel. The rooms will be provided on twin or triple sharing basis. You will receive the details of your accommodation through email a few days prior to the trek. On trekking days, all the trekkers will be accommodated in twin or triple sharing tents. Along with this, there will also be a toilet tent and a dining tent installed at every campsite as we roll.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of tents and sleeping bags will be provided to us?
We provide 4 seasons tents by Gipfel for higher altitudes which can easily withstand heavy snowfall and storms. They are spacious enough to accommodate 3 people at once with a vestibule to place the backpacks. Our sleeping bags are made up of Heatseeker Pro synthetic insulation that can provide you comfort in -10 degrees Celsius. We also use additional fleece liners to have thermal efficiency even in the extreme temperatures of -17 degrees Celsius.
Equipment and facilities: Are there any washroom/toilet facilities on the trek?
Toilet tents will be provided to you on the trek. These are portable toilets tents where a deep pit will be dug. A shovel will be provided inside the tent to cover the waste after you have made your business. You can take a toilet roll inside. Make sure you dig used toilet paper along with the waste. Though water is recommended in place of toilet paper. Please refrain from using wet wipes as they are non-biodegradable. There will be no facility for bathing on the trek. Go through our blog section for tips on how to maintain personal hygiene on treks.
Equipment and facilities: If we trek in snow, what equipment will you provide?
You will be provided with good quality of gaiters, crampons, and microspikes from us depending upon the situation of the snow. Our trek leaders will also be carrying ropes and ice axes.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of food will be provided for the trek?
Vegetarian food will be served throughout the trek. The only non-vegetarian item served on our treks are eggs. Our kitchen staff follows a proper menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner which has been designed in order to fulfill the nutritional requirements of the participants. There will be milk, poha, eggs, muesli/corn flakes, bread, and butter served for breakfast. Rice or simple roti sabzi will be packed for lunch. In dinner, you will have dal, egg curry or any other vegetarian dish along with rice, roti, and a dessert item. Packed lunch will be provided to you on the days you are trekking. You are requested to carry your own tiffin box and a mug to consume food. The meals consumed on the journey are not included in our cost.
Equipment and facilities: What equipment can I rent from you?
You can rent the following items from us- Trekking Pole, Trekking Shoes, Fleece Jacket, Rucksack.
Weather conditions: What will the temperatures be like during this trek?
During Summers, the day temperature at the Black Peak Base will be in the range of 0 to +2 degree Celsius whereas, the night temperature will be in the range of -2 to -15 degree Celsius. Higher the altitude you gain, colder it gets.
Weather conditions: When will there be snow on this trek?
May to June will have a good amount of snow at the base camp and ahead. During the winter months the snow accumulation is very high and therefore the trek is not feasible.
Miscellaneous : Who will lead us on the trek?
A team of the participant will be led by a course certified trek leader and a local guide. All participants are requested to abide by what their leader says. There will also be a team of kitchen staff and porters on the trek. We maintain a 1:8 ratio of trek leader and participants. All our trek leaders and staff have certified training in first-aid and rescue operation.
Miscellaneous : Is the trekking pole necessary?
Yes, the trekking pole is necessary. If you don’t want to buy one, you can rent it from us on minimal daily basis charges. You can request the renting link from us.
Miscellaneous : Are there any local stores/shops from where I can shop trekking necessities?
Yes, there are stores/shops in Sankri from where you can buy necessary stuff. Though it is recommended that you come prepared with all the stuff. Please do not leave anything for last minute buying.
Miscellaneous : Is it safe for solo woman traveller to trek in Fixed departures?
Yes, it is absolutely safe for a solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing a tent with each other. In case you are the only woman on the trek, you will be given a separate tent.
Miscellaneous : Will you give certificates on completion of trek?
Yes, e-certificates will be given at the end of each trek provided that you completed it. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek.
Transport: In case we opt for the transport with you, where will you pick us from and where will you drop?
The pickup point will be from Dehradun railway station or ISBT. The dropping point remains the same.
Transport: What time will you drop us at the end point on last day of the trek?
Expect to reach Dehradun late in the evening. Make sure your flight/bus bookings from this point to your respective destinations are in the morning the next day post 10:00 Hrs.
Mandatory documents: What are the mandatory documents required for the expedition?
ID Proof (Soft Copy to be sent to us in Advance & original to be carried), Medical Certificate (Soft Copy to be sent to us & original to be carried) and Photocopy of ID Proof and passport size photos are the mandatory documents required for the trek.
Why Bikat
Why Bikat
Learning Experience
- We are an Adventure Learning Organisation first.
- We want you to not just complete a trek safely but also pick up some basic trekking knowledge and skills along the way.
- To achieve this we have integrated learning modules into our itineraries.
- These modules will help you build the necessary skills to progress from trekking to mountaineering over time.
Loyality Programs
Our community is an integral part of us and we take pride in our trekkers and climbers. When you complete at least three days on any trek or expedition with us, you become eligible for our membership and referral programs.
- Currently we have three levels:
- Basic Membership
- Summiteer Membership
- Leader Membership
Personalized Attention
- Our group sizes on treks don’t exceed 15 members in order to maintain a healthy Participants : Leader Ratio of 8:1.
- Over time we have found this number to be optimum when it comes to ensuring personalised attention to every member of our group.
- On mountaineering expeditions this number is even smaller. Our group sizes are capped at 12 members ensuring a Participants : HAP Ratio of 2:1.
Best Expedition Leaders
- Our Expedition leaders are advanced mountaineering course qualified, specially trained in rescue procedures from NIM and certified first-aid responders.
- Even our local guides are certified first-aid responders.
Eco-friendly Practices
- Group sizes are capped at 15 people.
- Batch sizes are capped at 250 people per trail per season.
- We follow a rolling campsite model.
- We are constantly exploring and introducing new trails to reduce the burden on existing ones.
Safety
For us, a successful summit is not about reaching the highest point of a mountain but about making it safely back to base.
- To ensure this:
- Every region of ours is mapped with an emergency evacuation plan.
- The equipment we use is UIAA certified.
- Our trek leaders are AMC certified with specialisation in rescue procedures.
- Our support staffs are trained in first aid as well.
Reviews
What's Included
Whats Included
- Stay in Sankri on Day 1 and Day 15
- Veg Food (Day 1 Dinner till Day 16 Breakfast). Three Meals a day
- Forest Permits/Camping Charges/Permits, Trek Permit Fee/IMF Permission (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
- Camping tents, Temp rated sleeping bags, mattress
- Technical equipment - Ropes, Helmet, Ice Axe, Crampons, Mountaineering Boots
- First aid medical kits and oxygen cylinder
- Qualified & experienced trek Leader, Guide and Support staff
Whats Not Included?
- Meals during road journeys
- Any kind of Insurance
- Any expense of personal nature
- Mules or porters to carry personal luggage
- Any expense not specified in the inclusion list
- Transportation from Dehradun to Sankri and back to Dehradun.
Cancellation Policy
Cash Refund
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
5% Deduction
Between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure
50%
deduction
Less than 15 days of departure
No Cash Refund
Voucher Refund
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
No Deduction
Cancellations less than 5 days prior to departure
No Refund
Please note
- Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers.
- This is only a brief of cancellation terms. For finer details please refer Detailed Cancellation Policy.
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