Trekking in Indian Himalaya

No. Name of peak (Height in metre, Longitude Altitude)

1. Panwali Dwar (6663, 79 57’ 30 17’)
2. Nanda Devi East (7437, 79 59’ 30 21’)
3. Nanda Khat (6545, 79 58’ 30 18’)
4. Mrigthuni (6855, 79 49’ 30 17’)
5. Maiktoli (6803, 79 52’ 30 16')
6. Trishul-I (7120, 76 46’ 30 18’)
7. Trishul-II (6690, 79 46’ 30 17’)
8. Trishul-III (6008, 79 48’ 30 17’)
9. Tharkot (6099, 79 49’ 30 13’)
10. Nanda Ghunti (6390, 79 43’ 30 20’)
11. Ronti (6063, 79 43’ 30 22’)
12. Bhanoti (5645, 79 50’ 30 12’)
13. Baljuri (5922, 79 57’ 30 15’)
14. Nanda Kot (6861, 80 04’ 30 16’)
15. Lepsa Dhura (5913, 80 04’ 30 14’)
16. Unnamed Peak (77 16’ 32 32’)
17. Bara Sukha (78 36’ 31 04’)
18. Rudugaira (5819, 78 52’ 30 56’)
19. Swargtrohini-I (6252, 78 30’ 31 06’)
20. Swargtrohini-II (6278, 78 30’ 31 06’)
21. Banderpunchi (6320, 78 33’ 31 00’)
22. Sriknath (6133, 78 48’ 30 57’)
23. Gangotri-I (6672, 78 50’ 30 55’)
24. Gangotri-II (6590, 78 51’ 30 54’)
25. Gangotri-III (6577, 78 52’ 30 48’)
26. Joanali (6632, 78 51’ 30 52’)
27. Jogin-I (6465, 78 55’ 30 52’)
28. Jogin-II (6342, 78 55’ 30 53’)
29. Jogin-III (6166, 78 56’ 30 52’)
30. Thalaysagar (6904, 78 59’ 30 51’)
31. Manda (6568, 79 00’ 29 55’)
32. Meru North (6450, 79 02’ 29 52’)
33. Meru East (6261, 79 02’ 29 52’)
34. Kirti Stambh (6270, 79 01’ 30 49’)
35. Bhatekhunta (6578, 79 02’ 30 48’)
36. Kedarnath (6962, 79 04’ 30 47’)
37. Kedardome (6830, 79 04’ 30 48’ )
38. Karcha Kund (6632, 79 07’ 30 46’)
39. Shivling (6543, 79 04’ 30 52’)
40. Bhagirathi-I (6856, 79 09’ 30 51’)
41. Bhagirathi-II (6512, 79 09 30 51’)
42. Bhagirathi-III (6454, 79 08’ 30 52’)
43. Vasuki Parbat (6792, 79 10’ 30 52’)
44. Satopanth (7075, 79 13’ 30 50’ )
45. Sudarshan Parbat (6507, 79 05’ 30 58’)
46. Changabang (6866, 79 55’ 30 29’)
47. Nilkantha (6597, 79 24’ 30 43’ )
48. Chaukhamba-I (7886, 79 15’ 30 43’ )
49. Chaukhamba-II (7070, 79 15’ 30 43’)
50. Chaukhamba-III(6995, 79 15’ 30 43’ )
51. Chaukhamba-IV (6854, 79 15’ 30 43’)
52. Changuch (6322, 80 02’ 30 17’)

For climbing, contact Indian Mountaineering Federation, New Delhi, 6 months in advance, after remitting the prescribed climbing fee.

These peaks are for professionally trained climbers, so trekkers should refrain from climbing these peaks.

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Mt. Nanda Devi (7816 m)

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On Mt. Kamet (7756 m) summit

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Mt. Mana (7272 m)

Be enthralled by unspoilt mountain vistas and explore far flung villages, flower filled valleys and pristine glaciers in the far north of Uttarakhand. Join throngs of pilgrims on the Char Dham route to temples at the source of Hinduism's four most sacred rivers or on the Hemkund pilgrimage to a mountaintop lake that is sacred to Sikhs. All are in a spectacular remote locations and yet attract thousands of pilgrims during the yatra season from April to November.

To escape the crowds and their litter, head to a Himalayan Shangri-la such as the beautiful Valley of flowers, remote Har Ki Doon valley or perhaps the most special of all, Nanda Devi Sanctuary. Trek to Kuari pass in the footsteps of Viceroy Lord Curzon or tackle a challenging trek to the Pindari or Milam glaciers, both in the eastern Kumaon district.

The best (safest) time to trek is either the pre monsoon period (mid May until the end of June), or the post monsoon season (mid Sept to mid Oct). In July and August the major problem is landslides that cut roads to the trail heads and cause long delays. Winter snow brings a smattering of skiers to Auli resort, a short cable car ride from Joshimath.

Government run GMVN arranges all inclusive treks on main routes. One can hire trekking equipment at reasonable rates from the Muni-ki-Reiti, Rishikesh GMVN office.

The wonderfully remote Har Ki Doon valley (3510 m) is a botanical paradise crisscrossed by glacial streams and surrounded by pristine forests and snowy peaks. The area is preserved as Gobind wildlife sanctuary & National park.

The trail is from Sankri - Taluka - Osla (38 km). All these places have GMVN tourist bungalows or one can camp in the valley itself. Share jeeps run from Sankri to Taluka (Rs 25 per seat) will ease the trek.

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Daily bus leaves Mussoorie (Gandhi chowk) to Sankri via Lakhmandal and Purola (Rs 100, 9 hour). Or one can depend on share jeeps.

Bus from Mussoorie takes 6.5 hour to Janki Chatti (Rs 100). The Yamunotri trek starts from Janki Chatti (2650 m). There are hot springs and 1 km away is a pretty village, Kharsali. A 5 km / 2 hour trek leads to Yamunotri temple (3185 m), which has hot springs and basic accommodation. It is the least developed among the Char Dhams.

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Yamuna river emerges from Kalinda Parvat (4421 m), 1 km beyond the temple and it requires mountaineering skills to reach there.

For those heading to Gangotri can travel to Uttarkashi in 6 hour (Rs 50).

Gangotri temple is connected by road and has good accommodation. As the source of the Ganges (known as the Bhagirathi until it reaches Deo Prayag), Gangotri is one of the holiest places in India. The road from Uttarkashi is narrow and prone to landslides.

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The 38 km return trek to source of the river at Gaumukh (the Cow's mouth) and back can be done in three days with two night stops at Bhojbasa (3790 m, 14 km, 6 hour). It has basic accommodation - GMVN tourist bungalow. Gaumukh glacier is 5 km from here and takes 5 hour.

Buses are from Yatra bus stand, Rishikesh (12 hour, Rs 185). There is an arduous high altitude trek for the trekking enthusiasts - Kalindi Khal 5950 m trek - to Badrinath.

Gaurikund has hot spring bath where pilgrims can have a refreshing bath. It is the source of Mandakini river and the actual spot is 12 km beyond Kedarnath temple. The tough 13 km up hill trek from Gaurikund takes 6 hour (one way). Ponies are available for the return trek at Rs 300 (old rate).

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The Kedarnath temple was originally built in the 8 th century by Guru Shankara, who is buried behind the temple. Twenty four types of puja cost from Rs 80 to 8500. The surrounding scenery is superb and it attracts more than 100,000 pilgrims a year. Snow capped mountains, colourful flowers are other major attraction. Accommodation is available at the temple and at Gaurikund, the road head.

Buses from Rishikesh takes 12 hour (Rs 152) to Gaurikund. For those heading to Badrinath can get down at Rudra Prayag.

Sacred to Lord Vishnu, Badrinath is the most popular of the Char Dham temples and boasts a scenic setting in the shadow of snow topped Nilkantha. The vividly painted temple was founded in the 8 th century by Guru Shankara. It has good accommodation and the hotels - Govind Sewa Sadam and Vijay Laxmi - are very good.

The last Indian village Mana is 3 km by road. One can purchase carpets and woolen blankets and jerseys from the village. The 5000 year old Vyas Gupha (small cave) and Bhimpul, a natural rock bridge over the river are nearby. The 145 m high Vasudhara falls is 4 km hike along the river.

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You are just 15 km from the China border (Mana pass) so take care in your wanderings. Badrinath is connected by road from Rishikesh via Joshimath (12 hour, Rs 250).

Kauri pass trek is also known as the Curzon trail (though Curzon's party abandoned it's attempt on the pass following an attack of wild bees), the trek over the Kauri pass (3640 m) was popular in the Raj era and offers a magnificent views of he snow clad peaks around Nanda Devi.

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Kauri pass (3640 m)

The trail head is at Auli and the 75 km trek to Ghat past lakes, waterfalls, forests, meadows and small villages takes five days. A tent, guide and your own food supplies are necessary.

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Auli ropeway

Auli, a ski resort in winter, can be reached by bus (Rs 10, 1 hour) or cable car (Rs 200 one way) from Joshimath. From Ghat one can travel to Rishikesh road by share jeep (Rs 30, 1.5 hour).

The breathtaking World Heritage scenery is open from May to Oct. It is 54 km trek from Lata near Joshimath.

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Lata girls

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Lata folk dance

Visitors must join a 9 day all inclusive trek by GMVN (Rs 23 000). As it is a protected sanctuary don't try to trek as your own.

The trek begins at Song (1140 m), 36 km north of Bageshwar (Rs 20, 2 hour by bus). The 6 day, 94 km, trek offers wonderful views of Nanda Kot (6860 m) and Nanda Khat (6611 m) on the southern rim of the sanctuary. The 3 km long, 365 m wide Pindari glacier is at 3353 m.

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Mt. Nanda Kot (6860 m)

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Mt. Nanda Khat (6611 m)

All along the route food and accommodation is available. KMVN operates all inclusive treks at Rs 3000.