Marvel Adventure–feel the excitation

PANGARCHULLA PEAK TREK ---
THE CHALLENGING CHIMNEY PEAK

Trek Cost :

₹ 12,000 + 5% GST (Rishikesh to Rishikesh)

ABOUT THIS TREK

Grade : Moderate

Region : Uttarakhand

Altitude : 4600 m

Trek Distance : 61 Km

Trek Days : 10 Days

Best Season : May to October

Nearest Railway : Haridwar

Nearest Airport : Jolly Grant

The Pangarchulla summit is a amphitheater for a satisfactory view of the Garhwal Himalayas. The steep ridge climb is perfect for the new adventure enthusiast, provides the real taste of high mountain summit with a fair amount of challenge with awe-inspiring views. This peak is for pro and experienced trekkers in our opinion, so please don’t choose this trek as your first in the Himalayas. The difficulty is graded as Moderate/Moderate+ after considering the trail, steepness and altitude. This beauty of this peak climb is it introduces the difficulties as of other high altitude mountains in comparably lower altitude. The trail goes through Kuari pass, and the real mountaineering challenges starts after that. This moderate grade difficulty trek will place midst of vast boulder land, long trails. The Panngarchulla Trek is quite demanding, it will going to test your physicality level and mental strength, but the successful summit will be worth full of every drop of your sweat you shaded on the way. The view from the trek & hilltop next level majestic stuffed with serene Himalayan beauty and tranquility. The every uphill climb will show you unrelated changing views. The pangarchulla exhibits a view of Mt. Nanda devi (25,673 ft), Mt. Dronagiri (23,182 ft). Touching the sky at the altitude of 4567 meters is theater of so many stalwart peaks of Garhwal Himalayas like Kamet (7756 meters), Trishul (7120 meters), Chaukhamba(7128 meters), Nanda devi(7817 meters). And there are lots more lower than 7000 meters named HATI GHODA PARBAT, NANDAGHUNTI, NEELKANTH, DRONAGIRI etc. The trek begins from well known Joshimath, starting point of many treks. Treks route proceeds through picturesque small Himalayan village. Full diversity of flora and fauna. In Autumn the forest changes its color to yellow-orange-brown, with the background of contrast white mountains and blue sky. From breathtaking Deodar and oak trees throught the trail to green bugiyals Pangarchulla trek has it all. Rhododendron turns fiery-red on its blossom season i.e Spring and summer makes this trek more attractive. Being on the way of attractive NANDA DEVI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY the forests here are the home of Leopard, Himalayan black bear and musk deers. So chances of spoting a wildlife or their footsteps are not a rare case here. Frankly speaking the most refreshing part of this trek is the velvet meadows of uttarakhand. The unavoidable famous GORSON BUGIYAL oscillating grassy land. This Trek takes you to Uttrakhand’s ski destination Auli. The route is full variety of Flora and Fauna until the snow-line starts. The enormous snowfield adds a unsupressable feeling of exploring nature. The snow facilitates this trek as worked as cushion on the last risky part and boulder zone which deny any deadly fall or injury. But in the peak winter season December to february the amount of snow is so much that its block the trail and makes summit very difficult to achieve but not impossible. So in our opinion it is better to avoid peak winter season. If you want to take challenge of snow you can definately come in the winter season. Or if love green bugiyals, safforned Rhododendrons you can book for Spring, Summer and Autumn is best for you with tolerable temperatures and blissful weather.

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WHY YOU SHOULD DO THIS TREK

The View Of Famous 7000 above mountains

From lots of top view point the panoramic view of Greater Himalayas are jaw dropping. To experience this kind of views you have to do the Kuari Pass. You climb a high pass i.e. Kuari Pass is a very satisfying for your confidence level, taking the challenges and overcoming it with lots of memories is a lifetime achievement.

History Of Kuari Pass

On the trek listen the story of Lord Curzon, Eric Shipton and Bill Tilman, how these three friends from British officials discoverd this trek in the british period of India. As per a story they used this trail for their expedition in 1905, after that this trail got famous as a trek route. That is why even in today this trekking trail is called Lord Curzon’s trail.

Campsites of the Kuari Pass

The campsites of the Kuari pass are going to give you a feel, sheer joy of adventure with fun and excitement. The forest camp in Tali leaves you a forest camp experience, that moments of adventure is the reason you are living for. We do not live to just make money and die. The view from Gulling top is undescribable unti you are there.

The summit challenge

The pro mountain adventure enthusiasts who have done few easy and moderate treks want to taste a different one, which throws a demanding summit push. This trek is for them. The real taste of a high mountain climbing experience within easy reach is lies in this Pangarchulla Trek.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 | Arrive Joshimath

The nearest railway station is Haridwar and Airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradoon. From Haridwar to Joshimath Drive is 277kms, 8/9 hrs of drive. Arrive Joshimath, base village and overnight stay at Homestay.
Altitude : 1821 meters / 6724 ft.

DAY 2 | Drive to Dhak Village, and trek to Gulling Top

On the first day 12 kms drive to Dhak village, and 6kms trek to Gulling Top, 4/5 hrs. Overnight stay at campsite.
Altitude : 2900 meters / 9600 ft.

DAY 3 | Gulling Top to Khullara.

After breakfast start trek before 9 AM towards Kullara camp. 5 kms, 3/4 hrs. After luch we will go for a acclimatisation walk to Kuari Pass. Overnight stay at camps.
Altitude : 3390 meters / 11,187 ft.

DAY 4 | Khullara camp to Pangarchulla summit to Khullara camp

Today is the most challenging part of trekking. We will start trek at night around 3/4 AM at night, geared up with all technical gears. Today is the toughest and longest day. 15kms, 11/12 hrs. Then back to the same campsite. Overnight stay at Khullara camp. There are limited water source on todays long trek, carry enough water for today.
Altitude : 4567 meters / 15,069 ft.

DAY 5 | Khullara camp to Joshimath via Gorson Bugiyal and Auli

Last day of trek, we will descend down to Joshimath village again via Gorson Bugiyal and Auli route. 8kms trek, 6/7 hrs. Then drive from Auli to Joshimath, 13kms drive.
Altitude : 1821 meters / 6724 ft.

DAY 6 | Joshimath to Hartidwar

Last day of itinerary. After breakfast depart for Haridwar. You will reach Haridwar by afternoon. Book accomodation and tickets accordingly.

HOW TO REACH THE BASE VILLAGE JOSHIMATH

Joshimath also known jyotirmath, a township in the Chamoli District of Uttarakhand. Joshimath is well connected by roads to Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradoon. The nearest Railway station is Rishikesh and Haridwar, nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport. From Rishikesh to Joshimath is 252kms, 7/8 hrs of drive. The best way to reach there is to book a cab, it will be pleasant and less time consuming journey. Otherwise the economical best way is to take the Uttarakhand Roadways govt bus. A bus departs from Dehradoon Mussoorie bus stand at 5:30 AM, will cost you around 500. Another bus from rishikesh leaves 6:00 AM will cost you 400. Overall the best option is to make a group size of minimum 5-6 people, and we will arrange a cab for all, that will be helpful for all as it is economical, time saving and comfortable journey up and down.

FINEST TIME TO EXPERIENCE THIS TREK

Pangarchulla trek is a summer and autumn trek. In the winter season because of huge amount of snow deposition & all also unbearable cold Pangarchulla can’t be done. In the Rainy season mountains get risky and views get closed, and nobody wants a bad weather while on outdoor activities. So there is two season only for Pangarchulla. In summer season i.e April to June snow melts down and route get opened. Mostly with clear views, but a bit cloudy in the afternoon. Temperature ranges between 18-25° at day time & 10-15° at night. Greeneries start arriving. Snow remains on higher altitude. You may find half snow trails. In the autumn season, i.e Mid September to mid November, mountains are more green because of rainy season for September October. Weather gets more clear, almost no chance of rain. Mountain getting towards dry season and color change to saffron. Grasses and trees moving towards brown. But more clear sky and views. Very less amount of snow, can only be find nearby summit. Temperature ranges between 15-20° at day time & 0-5° at night.

HOW DIFFICULT IS THIS TREK

Pangarchulla is graded as moderate trek. Few parts are a bit steep and the ultimate stiff part is the summit push demands enough fitness and don’t giveup mentality. So those trekkers are maintaining a minimum fitness level and perfect BMI with sporting abilities, this trek is for them. And if you are avoiding the peak winter season this trek can be done your child above 16 years of age who has sporting fitness and has prior trek experiences. Yes, your child can do the summit, it’s our responsibility to make him/her summited and we will look after your child’s safety and illness on the trek. The highest altitude gain on this trek is 15,069 ft, where we spend a hour only, so if your child keeps himself/herself hydrated enough there is no chance of AMS at all & you also.

TREK INCLUSIONS

TREK EXCLUSIONS

WHAT TO CARRY ON PANGARCHULLA TREK

As a High altitude trek you need to carry multiple warm layers. We recommend at least four upper layer and two lower, i.e. thermal (upper & lower), thick t-shirt, fleece jacket and on the top a feather jacket. It would be better if you are carring wind proof jacket and lower for summit push. Quick dry trek pant is must. Don’t forget to take woolen & sun cap both along with neck warmer. Keep sunglass with you. Take multiple pair of socks and underwears. A good quality waterproof high ankle waterproof shoes can’t be denied. Warm & waterproof gloves need to keep your hands warm. Carry sufficient toiletries with sunscreen & moisturiser. Don’t take so many clothes only for 5 days. You can buy or rent few trekking gears like trek pole, headlamps, rucksack, shoes and jacket. Headlamp is very necessary for this trek as you need to walk at 3AM & you cannot hold torch in such cold weather, it is very difficult to keep balance with one hand busy in holding torch. Ponchoo is another essential equipment to counter rain/snowfall. At last if you have any query please feel free to contact us.

IS THIS TREK SAFE FOR CHILDERN

And if you are avoiding the peak winter season this trek can be done your child above 16 years of age who has sporting fitness and has prior trek experiences. Yes, your child can do the summit, it’s our responsibility to make him/her summited and we will look after your child’s safety and illness on the trek. The highest altitude gain on this trek is 15,069 ft, where we spend a hour only, so if your child keeps himself/herself hydrated enough there is no chance of AMS at all & you also.

Frequently Asked Questions

Acclimatisation is the most important part of high altitude trek. Acclimatisation is the process where your body start getting cope up with mountain weather & atmosphere that is different from your hometown. This change of environment may affect your normal performance in that environmental conditions. So you need to be well acclimatise to safely do the trek. Not every time depend on the high altitude medicines to avoid AMS, go for natural acclimatisation. Otherwise your body will depend permanently on the medicines whenever you go to the high altitude. The natural acclimatisation is more powerful than medicines. We need to accept the himalayas as it is challenging. It is not that himalayas are unbeatable, but requires to follow rules and systematic approch. How do human body actually acclimatise to the high altitude? In the high altitude the air pressure gets lower so the density. That is why the molecules spreads out in more space and get apart from each other. This affects lower oxygen consume per breath. Our body reacts with that change and starts to take more breath that is hypoxia. We often called it breathlessness in laymen term. Then body try to take more breath to reduce the level of carbon dioxide in our blood. This results increase pH of blood, making our blood more alkaline and body starts urinate more for exerting of bicarbonates. On the other side the body starts to produce more hemoglobin count which are the oxygen carriers in our blood. This thickens our bloods and now our heart need to pump more to throw the blood in the distant organs hence the blood pressure gets higher. This indicates slight high pressure and pulse rate is normal in high altitude areas. There are three golden rules to acclimatisation in the field of mountaineering is –
1. Climb high sleep low
2. Ascend slowly, take your time. And do not over exert.
3. Hydrate & hydrate yourself more & more.

Our expert justified few ways to acclimatise naturally are discussed below-
At first check your itinerary. Trekking is not a game in hurry. You need time to complete. It is not anything you achieve but enjoyed. This is a sport that is away from any competition. Any trek should not be judge by time & distance. Do not over exert yourself, don’t go beyond your limits. Fix your itinerary comfortably. Do not try to cover more distance and altitude gain in one day to minimize the trekking days and cost. On the very initial days approach slowly even you are fit enough to trek faster. Take more time to gain altitude. This allows your body enough time to adjust with the atmosphere. Always bring a well hydrated body in the Himalayas and keep hydrated yourself on the trek days. Drink 3-4 liters of water every day on trek, and consume enough tea, soup, dal and other liquid includes in your meals. Do not consume any type of alcohol drinks 2/3 days before you start the trek, and also don’t on the trek. We do not allow any trekker to consume alcohol on the trek, if found he/she will be sent back then and there. We do not also advise to consume any hard drinks, too much coffee is also not good. ORS and other energy/glucose tablets are best on the trek. After arriving on trek base, trekkers may feel cold weather. But do not cover yourself fully with all of the woolen cap, muffler, neck warmer and all. Let your body to sense the atmosphere change with the sense organs. It will help in natural acclimatisation. Allow your skin to feel the cold. your ears to sense the pressure change. Keep that open while gaining altitude, unless there is a blizzard or bad weather condition. Don’t be a show off man, don’t show unnecessary bravery. Keep your body protect from cold weather. Protect your body from cold wind, cover your head at night & bad weather, cover your neck, tonsils and body tip like fingers, toes etc. Get proper sleep at night. It doesn’t mean that you should sleep at day time or in the afternoon as soon as you reach the campsite. Sleeping is important on every trek to get refresh and rest for next day trek. If you find difficulty in sleep bring immediate notice to the trek leader or guide. As you reach the trek base try to keep yourself dry, do not loose the body heat. Do not skip your soup in the evening. The garlic soup & other helps in blood circulation, keeps your body warm. You remain active on the high altitude. After reaching campsite everybody gets tired, this is normal. But do not get into your sleeping bag & take a nap. This will not help you to get acclimatise. Have some rest for a while, then explore the nearby places, go for the acclimatisation walk. You need to follow the golden rule ‘climb high sleep low’. Climb a bit higher in acclimatisation walk and get back to the campsite. You can indulge yourself in games, or can go for photography. Eat proper meals throughout the day, but lite. Not so much spicy foods, consume easy to digest foods more.
Trekking is a adventure sports, you need to bring a sportsman sprit and fitness on any trek. There is a big worry in many trekkers that how much they need to be fit for a trek. The himalayas are full of steep uphill, rough terrain, walking in the snow all these can be very challenging for trekkers specially for beginners. We will discuss here how to get fit for any trek with a complete training guide. Trek to uphill mountain is not in our daily routine so it is simple that we will find it tough to climb uphill. And with a backpack it seems very challenging. But only a month of regular exercise can make you fit for the trek. Cardio exercise is the best for pre trek exercise. Do some cardio exercise like jogging, swimming, cycling, jumping jacks etc will help you to build your endurance. Don’t forget to do some leg exercise like squats, lunges, stair climbing etc to build stamina of your legs. Now we made a routine exercise for you –
1. Cardiovascular endurance : On your trek you will constantly gaining altitude with your backpack in low oxygen atmosphere. Your heart will do more effort in this condition. So you need to go through cardio exercise at least for one month regularly to counter this constant uphill climb comfortably, infact you will find it bit easier. Jogging for 4 kms in 30 minutes is your first target for this. Start with slower jog and continue to fill the target.
2. Leg exercise : After one week of jogging add some leg exercise like squats and lunges to your routine. This exercises will build stamina of your leg that will help you on steep uphill climb. Start with 10 squats and 10 lunges of 2 set in first week. Then increase to 3 sets. Try to fulfil your target to do 3 sets of 15 each before the trek.
3. Strengthening the core : For strengthening your core body plank and hip raise are best. Do plank for 20 seconds for first three days and then start increasing by 10 seconds till 60.
Along with that do 10 hip raises 2 sets, and increase for 3 sets of 15 each. That should be the goal. So, get ready for your next adventure, make yourself fit enough to do the adventure activities.

There are three level of fitness we categorise :
Level 1 : It is the minimal fitness with that you just able to finish the trek. You struggle a bit, but not too much to do the challenging section. We find most of the trekkers with this much of fitness.
Level 2 : This is one level up fitness you bring on the trek, that you find the trek not very difficult or moderate but easy. And you can carry your own backpack easily throughout the trek. You don’t feel exhausted at the end of every day trek. You are find yourself still not tired and active after reaching the destination. You enjoy the other activity and enjoy exploring the nearby or involving yourself in some game.
Level 3 : This is the fitness we admire most & the ultimate mountaineer like fitness. The trekkers with this fitness finds trek easy for them and they are still very active after the whole day trek even with their rucksack. Not only that these people are fit enough to tolerate bad weather conditions, contribute in some work like tent pitching & kitchen activity, bringing water from nearby water source. Give a hand if other trekkers are in trouble or in some rescue operation.
Rucksack is a most important equipment on every trek & packing your rucksack is a important task for your trek. On a typical trek you need to carry your own rucksack, and if your rucksack is not comfortable to carry you will eventually start hating your backpack and also the trek. A rucksack need to be perfectly pack that it should be comfortable to carry on your back. It should not hurt you anyhow. The mordern day designed rucksacks are very light weight and have many chambers to pack seprately. A good quality rucksack have well paded for comfortable carrying in waist and shoulder. If you are planning to buy a rucksack, please keep the things in your mind and don’t forget to check the strength of rucksack and other straps.
Before you pack your rucksack go through our basic rule. This will help you to pack easily as a beginner. You just can not do every day packing and unpacking on multiple day of trek. Imagine how irritable and time consuming that will be. The A B C D E rule to pack your rucksack—

A – Accessibility = While packing your rucksack pack in such way that every thing are easily accissible for you. Use the different parts to achieve different things easily. For an example use different chambers for toileteries, different for your dry fruits and snacks, different for clothes, different for small items like gloves, socks, woolen caps etc. Keep the items at top or side pockets that you may need on the way like rain wears, sunglass, sunscreen etc.
B – Balance = Your bag need to be packed in such way that it can stand straight when you leave your backpack alone on a flat surface. The more your backpack is balanced the less it will hurt your shoulder. The weight distribution on both shoulder should be equal in order to comfortable carry.
C – Compression & Compartments = While packing your backpack compress all the cloths and the things that can be compresed. It will give you more space inside your rucksack. But remember don’t do more compress or less, do as much as it needed. Compress till it gives you more space to adjust other things. Now use more compartments or make more compartments by using different colored plastic bags, like for socks and underwear use red color plastic bags, for inner and thermal clother use yellow bag, for woolen cap & gloves use green one. It will not only give you another layer of waterproofing but also help you recognise all the different things. This will also help you to find your stuffs quickly.
D – Dry = Always keep your backpack dry from outside and inside also. Use rain cover from outside. And from inside all of your stuffs should be kept dry, otherwaise it will be more heavier than usual. Wet rucksack is not only heavier but also prone to damage, not good for rucksack maintenance. Use rain cover to protect from get wet.
E – Environment = Make a list of your stuffs that need to be packed inside the rucksack according to the environment of the trek you are going. Keep in mind the weather in that perticular month you choose to trek. Pack your backpack with stuffs you need in that weather conditions.

EXPERT’S ADVISE:
-> Always keep the heavy things in the middle of the rucksack and closer to your back.
-> The medium weight things should be kept in the lower compartments & liteweight items should be kept in top section of your rucksack.
-> Use plastic layer from inside to keep the stuffs dry.
-> Don’t forget to put rain cover from outside in rain and snow.
-> Adjust the shoulder straps to balance weight on both shoulder. Put the waist starps also to get better support and balance.
-> You can use you rucksack as a pillow inside the tent, or can rest your leg on rucksack.
Lots of trekkers are very worried about their accomodation on trek days. Wheather it gonna be comfortable or not, safe or not. Here is the answer. We have the good quality tents and sleeping bags for high altitude treks. Our mattress are very soft and thick to provide a comfortable sleep at night. But you should keep in mind that trekking in wilderness in himalayas are not any four or five star category. This is an adventure trip, if we provide a homely/hotel feeling on your trek, then there will be no adventure left for you. But obviously we will definitely provide a safe and cozy tent for your stay. Our tents are tested in bad weather conditions also. Sleeping bags are very warm to spend nights with a good sleep. And at the trek bases we arrange the best homestay available at the village. Homestays are sanitised and clean from inside. Toilets are well maintained and hygiene.
We go to the each and every trek base we organise and choose our guides on the basis of their experience, behaviour, past record, knowledge, abilities and good personality. They knows all about the routes and reacue & evacuation plans. They know how to handle in bad weather conditions. Our guides are well trained for work in the mountains, knows about the camping gears. They have years of experience in safety methods and protocols on the trek. Our guides are very happy to help and eager to serve you better. They always maintain health and hygiene. They are very friendly and make the more enjoyable for you.