Pangarchulla Peak Trek
Uttarakhand • 6 Days
₹11385 + 5% GST
Joshimath to Joshimath
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Brief Description
The Pangarchulla peak is a beautiful introductory peak. The trek poses just the right amount of challenge and is ideal for hikers who want to get a taste of climbing. Pangarchulla peak is at 14700 ft height above the sea level and can have a lot of snow till as late as May. The trail to Pangarchulla Peak has a variety of terrains. From Lush green farms to dense jungle and then a pristine white snow-covered landscape. The views of peaks like Mana, Mandir, Ghodi, Hathi, Barmal, Lampak Massif, Dronagiri, Nanda-Devi, and Bertholi can leave you feeling modest. Pangarchulla peak may require the use of technical climbing gears such as ropes, crampons, ice ax, harnesses etc. An orientation and skill training on the use of the technical gear would be provided during the trek itself as and when required. With a 12+ hours of summit push and steep terrain, prior trekking experience and good fitness is an absolute must. The Pangarchulla Peak Trek is perfect for anyone looking to train for tougher peak expeditions. With the right amount of challenge and abundant beauty, the Pangarchulla Peak Trek is adventure packed perfectly suited for avid trekkers looking to take it up a notch. Stay on this page for more details like - Pangarchulla peak trek itinerary, temperature chart, photos, videos, and reviews. Scroll to the end for Pangarchulla peak trek blogs.
Gallery
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Khullara to Gelgad
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Snow On the Trail
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Snow Covered Trail
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Gelgad
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Dhak Village
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Morning Yoga
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Snow on the trail
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Camping on the trail
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Camping on the trail
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Summit
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Beautiful View From The Trail
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Peaks Visible from the trail
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Summit to the Pangarchulla Top
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Summit to the Pangarchulla Top
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Peaks Visible From the Trail
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Peaks Visible From the Trail
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Itinerary
Itinerary
Show complete Itinerary
Dehradun to Joshimath - 295 km Drive
We will assemble early morning in Dehradun by 7 AM and drive towards Joshimath. Overnight in guest house/hotel in Joshimath.
Dhak to Guling (3-4 hours)
Today we start early, around 8 am, from our Hotel in Joshimath and reach the last point on road for the trek, Dhak Village. You arrive at the village after a short (30 mins) but very picturesque ride for around 10 Kms from Joshimath where you get a beautiful view of peaks like Dronagiri on your left. We gear up to start the trek at around 9 am from Dhak. With Himalayan villages and their beautiful step farms on our left, we move up the dusty trail that offers a consistent and moderate incline. After 1.5 Kms, we will pass Karachi village on our left. As we keep moving up, one can see water streams which are used by the villagers for irrigation purposes. For a person who sees such idyllic settings, the lush green step farms (mostly paddy) along with the small canals with pure mineral water gushing through, for the first time, the scene can be mesmerizing. After hiking up further for around 500 meters, we pass through Tugashi village. One can witness the typical mountain village lifestyle here from the way they store their agricultural produce, their cattle & cattle houses, the unique structures of wooden Himalayan houses and much more that is difficult to put in words. As we move up from Tugashi, the dusty & rocky terrain makes way for much greener terrains. The forest area kicks in and civilization reduces its presence gradually from here. The hike from here till the campsite at Gulling is a steady incline up through the jungle and moves along with a small water stream on the left. After a total walk of 4 Kms (from Dhak) we reach our lunch spot, at Gulling. Gulling is a nice campsite with Oak, Rhododendrons, and some pine trees around. We camp for the night.
Guling to Lower Khullara (3-4 hours)
Today we start early After a steady ascent of about 2 Kms, we will reach the campsite of Lower Khullara. The campsite of Lower Khullara is surrounded by dense forest with stunning mountain views and is any trekkers delight. Due to snow on the trail, it will take at least 3-4 hours to cover the distance. During winters, most of the campsite is covered in snow and one might have to camp on snow as well. We can see the Pangarchulla peak on our left throughout the day. Beware of ice formations on the trail during winter. Some of the prominent peaks which are visible today are Chaukhamba, Mt. Kamet, Neelkantha and Bhagirathi 1,2,3. Keep yourself hydrated which will help you in acclimatizing and retire early at night. Rest is needed for the next day as we start very early by 0100 - 0200 hours for the summit push.
Lower Khullara to Pangarchulla (14700 ft) & back to Lower Khullara (12-16 hours)
Being a summit day, today will be the longest & toughest day of the entire trek. Participants are equipped with necessary gears for the trek ahead. We will start by 12:00 - 1:00 in the morning from Lower Khulara campsite. The aim is to reach Pangarchulla summit till noon time. Please note that the time taken to reach the summit from lower Khullara depends mainly on the weather conditions and season along with individual fitness levels. In peak winter months there is an ample amount of snow which makes it comparatively easier to trek on as opposed to the months when there is less snow as a result huge boulders are exposed thus increasing the trek time. We would advise you to talk to the trek leader about the conditions of the trail and snow so as to prepare yourself accordingly. View from any summit is a breathtaking sight. Just imagine witnessing the peaks of Higher Himalayas and those snow-capped peaks changing color and a clear 360-degree view of mountains. The name Pangarchulla comes from Pangar, a fruit that widely grows in the valley, and chullah which is a U-shaped Indian cooking stove. The view of the valley from the summit looks like a chullah, hence the name Pangarchulla. After spending some time on the summit we will start our downward journey back to Lower Khullara campsite. We should be able to reach Lower Khullara by evening. There will be a cutoff time for summit attempt & turn around time would be 12:00-01:00 PM.
Lower Khullara to Joshimath (5-6 hours)
Today's trek is an easy one as we descend from Lower Khullara to Joshimath following the same trail as day 1. We will reach Dhak by afternoon and from here we will board a taxi and reach Joshimath. Overnight stay at a Hotel in Joshimath.
Joshimath to Dehradun - 295 km Drive
The trip ends today. Checkout of the guest house and board your vehicles back to Dehradun. We will reach Dehradun by late evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pick your question
Eligibility: Is this trek good for me?
Pangarchulla Peak is a difficult trek. It requires more strength and endurance than moderate level treks. It is recommended that you first gain experience of trekking to altitudes higher than 3000 meters, and then move one level up with this trek. The summit day is the longest and the hardest day for which you will have to trek for 12 plus hours, uphill to summit the peak which requires significant fitness and endurance. The Pnagarchulla trek is appropriate for the seasoned trekkers and for those who have done moderate level treks before. However, if you are a beginner but committed to preparing, then you need at least 2-3 months to prepare physically & mentally for Pangarchulla. On Bikat scale Pangarchulla peak trek difficulty level is 5. For details on trek difficulty level, please read on Bikat Rating Scale.
Eligibility: Experience required
You must have done a few moderate level treks and hiked to an altitude of more than 3500 meters before summiting Pangarchulla peak.
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) - You would be required to produce a screenshot from a fitness app testifying the same
- Hold your breath for 30-35 seconds
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
- Basics mountain mannerisms
- Ascending & descending technique on snow
- Basics of Mountain Sickness
- Basics of Mountain Hazards
- How to cross small water streams
Packing List: What to pack
Click here for packing list.
Connectivity: How to Reach the base of the trek & how to go back from the end point?
Dhak Village is the last point on road for trek which is about 10 kilometre away from Joshimath. Joshimath is a small town, 290 km away from Haridwar, Uttrakhand. There are direct buses to Joshimath from Dehradun & Haridwar/Rishikesh. They leave early in the morning. One can also hire a private taxi from Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Dehradun to get to Joshimath.
Haridwar is easily accessible through road, rail, and air transport.
By Road:
There are no direct buses to Joshimath from Delhi. There You can take overnight UKRTC buses and Volvos available from ISBT Kashmere Gate, Delhi to Haridwar. The distance from Delhi to Haridwar is about 222 km. You can also hire a taxi or outstation cab from Delhi to Haridwar.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station to Joshimath is 187 km away in Haridwar. There are a number of trains running between Delhi and Haridwar like Dehradun Express, Nanda Devi Express. It is advisable to make your train bookings a month in advance.
By Air:
The nearest airport from Joshimath is Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun which is 272 km away from Joshimath. You can reach Dehradun from New Delhi by flight.
Nearby attraction: What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?
Once your trek is completed, there are many places in Joshimath that you can visit. Nanda Devi National Park, a UNESCO heritage site, is where you get to spot some of the endangered species. Narsingh Temple is a sacred place in Joshimath visited by pilgrims in huge number. The temple is a part of Sapt Badri. Visit Shri Shankaracharya Math which is one of the four monasteries founded by famous Adi Jagadguru Shankaracharya. Kalpvriksh in Joshimath is a 1200-year-old Mulberry is considered to be the oldest in India. The tree remains evergreen throughout the year and never sheds a leaf. For more details on Joshimath read this: Joshimath - The gateway to Heaven
Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?
Pangarchulla peak trek best time is March-April, and October- December.
Connectivity: What is the cellular network connectivity for this trek?
You will find the network at Joshimath, after which there is poor connectivity. You may find weak signals at Lata. Beyond this, you will only find the network at Auli.
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 type: What will be the accommodation type in this trek?
When you arrive in Joshimath on the first day and on the last day of the trek, your stay will be made at local guest house.The rooms will be provided on twin sharing basis. You will receive the details of your accommodation through email few days prior the 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 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?
During April-May, the day temperature will range from 14-18 degrees Celsius. The nights will get cold dropping the temperature to 0 to -6 degrees Celsius. There will be a further drop in the temperature by a degree or two in October and November. The higher the altitude you gain, the colder it gets. For more follow Pangarchulla Temperature Chart
Weather conditions: When will there be snow on this trek?
You can expect snows in the during the months of April and May. There is heavy snowfall in this region post November which makes this trek inaccessible.
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?
Joshimath is a small town with a very small market. 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 a 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 have one pick-up point: Dehradun ISBT. The dropping point remains the same. The pickup will be from Outside ISBT, Dehradun at 7:00 AM to Joshimath, and the drop on the last day will be at the same place in Dehradun by/before 8:00 PM.
Transport: What time will you drop us at the end point on last day of the trek?
Expect to reach Joshimath late in the evening where arrangements for overnight stay will be made at a local hotel. Make sure your bus bookings from here are on the next day.
Packing List: How should I pack my rucksack?
Packing List: How should I select my trekking shoe?
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) is the mandatory document required for the trek.
About the activity: Why should I go for this trek?
Pangarchulla Peak Trek
Pangarchulla is one of the best Himalayan treks. The Pangarchulla peak is at 14700 ft and can have a lot of snow till as late as May. From Lush green farms to dense jungle and then a pristine white snow-covered landscape. The views of peaks like Vasudhara falls, Mana, Mandir, Ghodi, Hathi, Barmal, Lampak Massif, Dronagiri, Nanda-Devi, and Bertholi will leave you mesmerized. It is a difficult level trek and we recommend having some moderate level trekking experience before undertaking this 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
- Food as per menu on the trek, starting from Pack lunch on Day 2 till lunch on Day 5
- Forest Permits/Camping Charges, if any
- Tents, Sleeping bags, mats,Technical equipment
- Safety Equipment
- Trek guide, cook, helpers, porters & mules for carrying common luggage
- Services of a Advanced Mountaineering Course Certified Trek Leader
- 2 Night Hotel Stay in Joshimath
Whats Not Included?
- Meals during road Journeys
- Meals during hotel stays
- Any expense of personal nature
- Any expense not specified in the inclusion list
- Transportation from Dehradun to Joshimath 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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