Mandani Valley Trek

Mandani Valley Trek

Uttarakhand 12 Days

Difficult

85 KM

MAX 12

MAX ALTITUDE

4750 mts.


On Request + 5% GST

Ransi to Gaurikund

Add Ons

Available Batches

Brief Description

Mandani Valley Trek is one of the most isolated, pristine and offbeat locations in the western Garhwal regions of Uttarakhand that is a part of the picturesque Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. Taking you to a glorious valley to led between high cols and passes, the Mandani Valley trek is out-of-the-world beautiful that takes you to the trail connecting Madmaheswar trail to Kedarnath at Chorabari Glacier, the origin of river Mandakini. The trek takes you across the beautiful flower-laden meadows, grasslands with diverse flora and fauna, high passes, steep boulder sections at three taxing cols with Bishali Col being the highest point of the trek at 4750 meters in altitude. It gives you breathtaking views of Chaukhamba(7272 m), Kedarnath Peak(6940 m), Kedar Dome (6,831 m) among many more. This trek, steeped in mythology, must be attempted by experienced trekkers who are looking for a challenge. The best time to go for the Mandani Valley Trek is in the pre-monsoon months of May and June and in the post-monsoon months of September and October. Stay on this page for more information on the Mandani Valley Trek.



Itinerary

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Day 1

Arrive in Ransi

Ransi is a village in the Uttarkashi region of Garhwal in Uttarakhand that is located about 200 km from Dehradun and it takes about 8 hours to reach. If you opt for transportation from us then our vehicles will receive you from Dehradun ISBT by 7am and drive to Ransi via Devprayag, Rudraprayag, and Ukhimath. Overnight in guesthouse/hotel.


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Day 2

Ransi (2050 m) to Saniyara (2850 m) - 5 hrs

Today we will start our trek from Ransi and cross beautiful meadows to reach the campsite of Saniyara. Overnight in tents.


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Day 3

Saniyara to Paturi (3300 m) - 7 hrs

Today we proceed to trek towards the campsite of Paturi through a steep trail. It is going to be a long and taxing trek through forests, grasslands and meandering streams.


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Day 4

Paturi (3300 m) to Thouli camp (3865 m) via Thouli top (3920 m) - 8 hrs

Yet another long day of trekking to the campsite of Thouli via Thouli top through a steep trail which gives you stunning views of the mighty Himalayan peaks at the distance. Overnight in tents.


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Day 5

Paturi (3300 m) to Thouli camp (3865 m) via Thouli top (3920 m) - 8 hrs

Yet another long day of trekking to the campsite of Thouli via Thouli top through a steep trail which gives you stunning views of the mighty Himalayan peaks at the distance. Overnight in tents.


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Day 6

Thouli camp (3865 m) to Dagla Bugyal (3505 m) via Dwara Pass (4150 m) - 7 hrs

Today we will cross the Dwara pass at 4150 m and reach Dagla Bugyal. Overnight in tents.


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Day 7

Dagla Bugyal (3505 m) to Mandani Valley (3550 m) via Dubra Top (3750 m) - 5 hrs

Today we will trek to the magnificent Mandani Valley, one of the most offbeat and untouched places in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand that is a part of the wonderful Kedarnath Wildlife sanctuary. The valley hosts some unique and diverse flora, fauna and bird species making it an outright delight for nature lovers. We will reach the campsite by afternoon, so spend the rest of the day exploring the beautiful valley. Overnight in tents.


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Day 8

Mandani Valley to Yembuk Col Base Camp (4130 m) - 7 hrs

Today we will trek to Yembuk Col Base Camp across moraines and steep trail through boulder sections. Overnight in tents.


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Day 9

Yembuk Col Base Camp to Mahapanth Col Base Camp (4450 m) via Yembuk Col (4635 m) and Bishali Col (4750 m) - 8 hrs

Today is the longest and the toughest part of the trek as we trek to Mahapanth Col Base Camp via the taxing Yembuk col and Bishali Col which is the highest point of the trek. You will cross glacier, boulders, snowfields and near-vertical climbs in the midst of mighty peaks and awe-inspiring visuals. Overnight in tents.


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Day 10

Mahapanth Col Base Camp to Kedranath (3380 m) via Mahapanth Col (4602 m) - 7 hrs

Today we will cross the steep Mahapanth Col studded with boulders and icy sections to reach the holy pilgrimage site of Kedarnath. Night stay in Kedarnath.


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Day 11

Kedarnath to Gaurikund - 5 hrs

We will descend through the well laid path of 14 kms, which takes us to the Gaurikund. Overnight stay in Guest house in Gaurikund.


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Day 12

Depart from Gaurikund

We will board a vehicle for Dehradun. The drive to Dehradun is along the River Ganges. Board overnight Bus for Delhi from Dehradun.



Frequently Asked Questions

Pick your question

Eligibility: Experience required

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 activity: Why should I go for this trek?

Mandani Valley Trek - Uttarakhand

Mandani Valley Trek takes you on a part of the lost trail in the beautiful Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary to one of the most isolated and pristine locations in the Garhwal Himalayas, the Mandani Valley. The trek is meant for experienced trekkers only since you cross 3 high altitude taxing Cols in this trek, the highest being the Bishali Col at 4850 meters.

Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?

Pre-monsoon months of mid-May and June and Post-monsoon months of September and October are the best months to do the Mandani Valley Trek.

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?

Start point of Mandani Valley Trek is Ransi which is around 220 km from Dehradun. There are indirect public buses and shared jeeps running between Dehradun and Ransi.
Dehradun is easily accessible through road, rail, and air transport.
By Road: There are no direct buses to Ransi from Delhi. There You can take overnight UKRTC buses and Volvos available from ISBT Kashmere Gate, Delhi to Dehradun. The distance from Delhi to Dehradun is about 247 km. You can also hire a taxi or outstation cab from Delhi to Dehradun.
By Rail: The nearest railway station to Ransi is 240 km away 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 Ransi 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?

No network beyond Ransi.

Nearby attraction: What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?

Dehradun is the beautiful capital city of Uttrakhand with a number of attractions to visit. 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 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 should be accompanied with 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.

Accommodation: What will be the accommodation type in this trek?

The stay will be in a guesthouse at Ransi. The rooms will be provided on twin/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 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 accomodate 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. If you carry your own sleeping bag, you will get a cashback reward provided that you inform us as soon as you have booked your trek.

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 and microspikes from us depending upon the situation of the snow. Our trek leaders will also be carrying ropes and ice axe.

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 fulfil 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 journey and arrival day are not included in our cost.

Equipment and facilities: What equipment can I rent from you?

You can rent following items from us- Trekking Pole, Trekking Shoes, Fleece Jacket, Rucksack.

Weather conditions: What will the temperatures be like during this trek?

The temperatures vary from 20 degree celcius to 8 degree celcius during the months of June and September.

Weather conditions: When will there be snow on this trek?

Yes, there will be snow on the trek.

Miscellaneous : Is there an option to offload my backpack?

If you want to offload your rucksack, you will have to make a request for offloading a few days prior the trek through an email so that arrangement can be made in advance. You will be charged per day for offloading your rucksack. In case you decide to offload on the spot, you may have to pay a higher price than usual. However offloading your rucksack is not recommended since it is not a safe practice.

Miscellaneous : Who will lead us on the trek?

A team of 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 1:8 ratio of trek leader and participants. All our trek leaders and staff have a certified training in first-aid and rescue operation.

Miscellaneous : Is the trekking pole necessary?

Yes, 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?

There are hardly any shops in Ransi from where you can buy. Please do not leave anything for last minute buying.

Miscellaneous : Is it safe for a solo woman traveller to trek in Fixed departures?

Yes, it is absolutely safe for solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing 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?

We will pick you up from Dehradun ISBT by 7am and drive to Ransi. Drop off location is the same, Dehradun ISBT.

Transport: What time will you drop us at the end point on last day of the trek?

Expect to reach Dehradun by evening.

Mandatory documents: What are the mandatory documents required for the trek?

ID Proof (Soft Copy to be sent to us in Advance & original to be carried) and Medical Certificate (Soft Copy to be sent to us & original to be carried) are the mandatory documents required for the expedition.


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

  • Veg food as per menu on all trekking days
  • Hotel Stay in Ransi, Kedarnath & Gauri Kund on twin/triple sharing basis
  • Services of a Trek Leader certified in AMC (Advance Mountaineering), special rescue course from NIM, Emergency wilderness Responder course
  • Forest fee, permits & Camping Charges (Upto the amount specified for Indian Nationals)
  • 4 season camping tent , Thermal rated sleeping bags & mattress
  • Micro spikes, Ice Axe, Gaiters, Carabiners, Harness, and Helmet, as required
  • UIAA Safety Equipment like Static Rescue Rope, Harnesses, Carabiners & pulleys with the Leader
  • First Aid Certified Local Trek guide with extensive trek experience of the route, Cook, Helper
  • Exhaustive first aid kit with a portable oxygen cylinder of 300 ltrs capacity

Whats Not Included?

  • Portage of personal backpack
  • Meals during hotel stay & any kind of road journey
  • Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc
  • Travel Insurance, if any
  • Anything which is not mentioned in Inclusions list

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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Certifications

Ministry of Tourism
Indian Mountaineering Foundation