Available Batches
Brief Description
The trek starts from Ghuttu and moves parallel to River Bhillangna. You cross the Mayali pass at approximately 5300 meters above MSL. The trek offers an extraordinary experience of Indian Himalayas. The remote Indian villages of Gangi, bear-infested forests, Sahastra Taal, Kush kalian plateau, Masar Taal, views of the peaks on the southern side of the Gangotri glacier, Bhilangna river Catchment, Thalay Sagar peak, Khatling glacier are the highlights of Mayali Pass trek. Taking you through ascents and descents, rocky moraines, narrow trails, crevassed glaciers and demanding landscapes, the imposing Mayali Pass Trek is meant for experienced trekkers only with high physical and mental endurance. The best time to do this trek is in the months of June and September. Stay on this page for more information on the Mayali Pass Trek with detailed itinerary and FAQs.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Show complete Itinerary
Dehradun to Guttu - 140 km Drive
Report at the Dehradun ISBT in the morning and board your vehicles for the drive to Guttu village. You will reach Guttu in the evening. Overnight in Guttu.
Guttu to Reeh - 10 km
Start trek from Ghuttu. Initially you walk on the dirt road . If the sun is up it could become very hot. Try to cover this part in the early morning hours . Afterwards you walk in the forest upto Reeh. Initially the trail is mostly parallel along the river and later it’s a climb through the pine forest. Enroute you will see Rhododendron and bamboo trees . Pitch camps in Reeh . Ovenight stay in camps.
Reeh to Gangi - 12 km
Start from Reeh after breakfast .Today's target is to reach Gangi. Gangi is a remote village of strong cultural heritage. Today's trek is mostly a gentle climb with a steep section towards the end of the trek.
Gangi to Kharsoli - 15 km
Intially there is some stretch where landslides are common. Be careful while crossing this section. A short climb from here & you reach Kalyani. Kalyani is a plane ground . Reach Kharsoli by late after noon .Kharsoli can be identified by a Nallah confluencing with Bhilanganga river. Camp in Kharsoli.
Kharsoli to Chowki - 12 km
Today, we will start from Kharsoli and reach Chowki Campsite. It is a lovely green meadow surrounded by snow clad crest. Today' camps are by the side of Doodh Ganga River with the Khatling glacier in the distance.
Rest and Acclimatization
We are already at 4000 M . Today is an acclimatisation day as the altitude gain will be significant on the coming days . During the day we can go to the Khatling glacier and return to camp.
Chowki to Masar Tal (14960 ft) - 8 km
Initially we will ascend a steep section with views of Thalay Sagar and cross a ridge above the valley. The route is well defined as we approach the beautiful Masar Tal. After reaching the site, we will pitch our tents near the scenic lake.
Masar Tal to Vasuki Tal (14435 ft) via Mayali Pass (16900 ft) - 12 km
Today’s trail begins with a steep ascent over boulders on a steep ridge to Masar top. Then the path descends slightly before climbing up the glacier to the top of Mayali Pass. The descent from Mayali Pass is fairly steep, similar to Auden’s Col on Khatling side, and may require fixing rope and rappelling. Continue the descent all the way to Vasuki Tal.
Vasuki Tal to Kedarnath (11800 ft) - 7 km
Today, we will start our trek towards the Kedarnath, the famous pilgrimage site. Kedarnath is 7 km from Vasuki Tal and it takes around 3-4 hrs to reach there. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve jyotirlingas located in India. After reaching there, we will visit the temple in the evening. Overnight stay in the hotel at Kedarnath.
Kedarnath to Gaurikund (6530 ft) - 14 km
We will descend through the well laid path of 14 kms, which takes us to the Gaurikund. Overnight stay in Guest house in Gaurikund.
Depart from Gaurikund
Frequently Asked Questions
Pick your question
Eligibility: Is this trek good for me?
Mayali Pass Trek in Uttarakhand is a moderate plus level trek i.e. it requires more strength and endurance than easy and moderate level treks. It is a high altitude trek climbing to the height of 5,029 metres. Therefore, it is recommended that you first gain experience of trekking to altitudes of 4000 metres, and then move up a notch with Mayali PassTrek. For details on trek difficulty level, please read on Bikat Rating Scale
Eligibility: Experience required
- Should have at least 7-10 trek days in the Himalayas in their kitty.
- For the trek’s achieving more than 5000 meters, a person must have a prior experience of trekking at altitudes of 3700 meters.
Eligibility: Fitness benchmark
- Jog/Run for 5 Kms in 25-30 mins or Walk continuously for 10 km (with 3-4 small breaks) on plain terrain (slight incline is better) - You would be required to produce a screenshot from a fitness app testifying the same
- Hold your breath for 40 seconds
- 3 sets of Climbing 30 – 40 steps in one stretch
- Push Ups – 10
- 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
- Know campsite basics like how to use a sleeping bag, sleeping tent, toilet tent.
- Ascending & descending technique for mountain trails
- Basic mountain mannerisms
- Ascending & descending on snow
- Basics of Mountain Sickness
- Basics of Mountain Hazards
- How to cross small water streams
About the activity: Why should I go for this trek?
Mayali Pass Trek
The Mayali Pass trek takes you to some of the most densely forested and rarely traversed regions in the Uttarakhand Himalayas. You will walk up the remote Bhilangana valley, with chances of spotting brown bears and Bharal. From there, you will reach the confluence with the Khatling valley with views of the Gangotri and Jogin peaks, before climbing another remote valley to the holy Masartal and Vasukital lakes and the 17000 ft Mayali Pass, before finally descending to the pilgrimage site of Kedarnath.Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?
May, June, September and October
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 base of the trek is Dehradun. You can easily reach Dehradun from Delhi by road, rail or air.
Connectivity: What is the cellular network connectivity for this trek?
This trek is in a very remote region of the Uttarakhand Himalayas. You will have Airtel and BSNL connectivity at the start and end points of this trek.
Nearby attraction: What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?
The trek ends in Kedarnath, which is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India.
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?
On trekking days, all the trekkers will be accommodated in twin or triple sharing tents. Along with this, there will be 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,and bread butter served in 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?
During the day, the temperature will range from 13-18 degrees Celsius. The nights will get cold dropping the temperature to 0-7 degrees Celsius. The higher the altitude you gain during Mayali Pass trek, the colder it gets.
Weather conditions: When will there be snow on this trek?
You can expect snows in the first season i.e. May-June. It is difficult to expect snow post monsoons in September when the Roopkund trek opens again for its second season. October is likely to receive fresh snowfall at higher altitudes if the climate is favorable.
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?
Guttu is a small town with a very small market. 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 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?
Pick up and drop point 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 ISBT by late afternoon. Plan your further travel accordingly, preferably post-1800 hours.
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
- Meals During the Expedition (Starting lunch on Day 2 till Lunch on Day 10)
- Services of a English Speaking 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
- Services of Mules/Porters for carrying common camping equipment like tents (twin sharing basis), sleeping bags & Services of kitchen stuff
- Exhaustive first aid kit with a portable oxygen cylinder of 300 ltrs capacity
Whats Not Included?
- Forest Charges for carrying still/video cameras etc.
- 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.
Blog Posts
Trailcraft Basics : Ascending and Descending on Trail and Snow
Sarthak Madan 22 November 2018
Ascending and Descending on Trails
It is critical to understand the concepts of ascending and descending on varied terrain. This lowers the risks of falls, stumbles, strain, and sprains along with conservi
Read More
