Trans Himalaya Trek
Trans Himalaya Trek:
I have little information about Trans Himalaya Trek. It is a 2500 km trek which starts from nepal and ends at Leh. Best time to start the trekking is March - april and it takes 6 month to complete it. I have not done the Trans Himalaya Trek but i have been at the places which comes in to Trans Himalaya Trek. It's now 5th year for me living in himalayas. I will share some snaps of trans himalaya places in this blog.
The route traverses the entire Western Himalaya, starting at Dharchula on the western border of Nepal, it enters in to india from uttarakhand cuts through the dense knot of the Nanda Devi and then covers the kedarnath badrinath Gangotri group of mountains, further it goes to kinnaur valley of himachal from Harsil valley of uttarakhand, then crosses into the valleys of Spiti , Lahaul and eventually ends at Kargil in Leh.
Very few people have walked the length of the Himalayas in the last few decades. Either that or there is just very little documented evidence of it. However there have been some expeditions with the goal either of traversing Nepal or going further trying to traverse the greater Himalaya range.
The trek has been divided in 10 Sectors as follows:
Sector 1 of the route begins at the roadhead at the village of Dar and the first steps begin up the beautiful Darma Valley. A four day march up the Darma valley via the villages of Bauling, Sela, Nagling, Baling, Duktu, Tedang and Sela will get you to the the start of the climb to Ralam Pass (5630m). After heading up the left bank of the Lassar Yankti river turn left up the Nipchukang Glacier and climb to the crest of Ralam Pass. Descend the Yankchar Glacer on the far side and continue down via Yankchar Dhura to the village of Ralam.
Alternative Routes
If the route of Traill's Pass proves to be too much or the conditions are not right then there are two alternative routes to access the Pinder Valley:
Dana Dhura, 18500ft, which slightly south of Traill's Pass. The valley is much wider and the ice fall not so serious. It is still a serious mountaineering undertaking. Teams have to stay roped up on all the glaciated sections.
From the village of Martoli you take the Shalang Gad (valley) instead of the Lawan Gad. A sheapard's track leads to the snout of the glacier. You climb steeply up to a first pass at 18500ft and descend to a plateau, which is the top of Kafani Glacier. The route then turns North-north west around a ridge from Nandabharna (6236m) and climbs a second pass. It then heads down the Changuch Glacier and joins up at the Pindari Glacier Zero Point.
It is important not to head down the Kafni Glacier after climbing the first pass as the icefall is fairly serious.
The route from Martoli to Pindari Zero Point via Dana Dhura will take around 10 days.
Photos of Dana Dhura here and here
Bugidar and Namik
This route follows a local shepard's path over two passes and then down into the Pinder valley. It's more than likely that we will end up taking this route.
Here are some pics taken by a group which did this leg.
Here are two route descriptions (in reverse to the direction we intend doing it)
Description 1
Day 1 - Namik/Thaltok
We take a wonderful ancient stone path all the way to the Sudam Khal Pass. The path climbs gradually through the forests and every clearing offers superb views of the mountains. Just before a small pass at 3150 metres (3-4 hours from leaving camp), we come to a crossroad and follow the left path descending and ascending gradually and then to a ridge beyond which is our camp by a tourist hut at Thaltok ( 3400m). (4- 5 hrs).
Day 2 - Thaltok/Kaguri
A long day. We leave early and climb to a ridge which offers spectacular views of the peaks of Panch chuli , NandaDevi and Nanda Kot. Continue along the ridge till the top of Sudam Khal pass (3950m). From here we can see Kaguri bhel ( 4800m) pass and our campsite, which is a little below the pass at 4050m. Approx 7 - 8 hrs walk, this is our highest camp with possibilities of snow.
Day 3 - Kaguri/Poting
From the Kaguri Bhel Pass to the hilltop takes approx. 3hrs. This journey is very steep and there is no greenery to be seen. We trek for another 4 hrs but now it is a steep downhill to the Poting Camp. Again there are streams to be found in abundance. The magnificent view of the Poting Glacier seen from the camp will revive you.
Day 4 - Poting/Bugdiar
From here on the downhill trek begins. There is no proper footpath in the forest, so in order to reach the campsite at Bugdiar it will take almost 4 hrs. On reaching the spot we camp at the bank of the river Gauri Ganga. Overnight at Bugdiar.
Description 2
Day 1: A fairly easy day , the trail continues through forests and across huge green alpine slopes inhabited by the gujjars (local shepherds) to camp in grassy slopes. Enroute we cross a small pass on a ridge at 3050m before descending to a lovely camp in a clearing in the forest at Raj Kharak (2600m) 4- 5hrs.
DAY 2: Namik (2100m). We are woken with the early morning sun since the camp faces east. From camp we descend to the Ram Ganga river and continue along the plains with views ahead of Nanda kot ( 6860m) at the head of the valley. We pass the large village of Gogina and descend to the river which we cross by a small wooden bridge. After lunch here, we climb back up steeply to the village of Namik and camp in a another lovely site above the village. 7 hrs.
DAY 3: base of Sudam Khal (3800m) : Leaving camp early we follow a well laid out stone path all the way to the Sudam Khal pass (4000m), which lies in between, the Ram Ganga and Gori Ganga valleys. The path climbs gently through beautiful forests with several clearings which offer great views back towards Nand Kot. Good views of Nanda Devi range opens to the west. Camp at the foot of the pass at 3800m. 5 hrs.
DAY 4: Base of Kaguri Bhel (4050m) : Leaving camp in the early hours we traverse the ridge and climb to the top of a ridge which offers stunning views of Panch Chuli peaks. To the west we can both the peaks of main and east Nanda Devi. The trail continues along the ridge until the top of Sudam Khal pass at 4000m. We can look across to our following day’s pass of Kaguri Bhel. We then descend to our camp a little below the pass at 4050m after traversing the slopes of the ridge. Camp is again by a small stream in a another very nice spot but can get very cold due to the altitude. The walk is through tundra terrain to camp at the foot of Kaguri Bhel (4050m). 6 – 7 hrs.
DAY 5: Poting (3400m)- Climb steeply to Kaguri Bhel pass (4800m) another fantastic view point for the surrounding peaks. Cross some Snowfields and descend to the north in the Gori Ganga valley to camp at Poting in beautiful meadows. 5 – 6 hrs.
DAY 6: Bugdiar (3000m): Follow a well-defined path on the main trade route between Munsyiary and Milam to Bugdiar. An easy walking day of 4 – 5 hrs.
Route cross section
There are are some good photographs of the Kalindi Khal pass trek here.
There is an alternative route to this sector which goes via Kedarnath, Khatling and over Audens Col to Rudugaira Glacier and down to Gangotri. This pass connects Khatling Glacier and Rudugaira Glaciers. It was first crossed by J.B.Auden in 1940. There is lots of information on the trek on the web. View the Auden's Col route on Google Earth.
Route cross section
I have little information about Trans Himalaya Trek. It is a 2500 km trek which starts from nepal and ends at Leh. Best time to start the trekking is March - april and it takes 6 month to complete it. I have not done the Trans Himalaya Trek but i have been at the places which comes in to Trans Himalaya Trek. It's now 5th year for me living in himalayas. I will share some snaps of trans himalaya places in this blog.
The route traverses the entire Western Himalaya, starting at Dharchula on the western border of Nepal, it enters in to india from uttarakhand cuts through the dense knot of the Nanda Devi and then covers the kedarnath badrinath Gangotri group of mountains, further it goes to kinnaur valley of himachal from Harsil valley of uttarakhand, then crosses into the valleys of Spiti , Lahaul and eventually ends at Kargil in Leh.
Very few people have walked the length of the Himalayas in the last few decades. Either that or there is just very little documented evidence of it. However there have been some expeditions with the goal either of traversing Nepal or going further trying to traverse the greater Himalaya range.
The trek has been divided in 10 Sectors as follows:
Sector 1 of the route begins at the roadhead at the village of Dar and the first steps begin up the beautiful Darma Valley. A four day march up the Darma valley via the villages of Bauling, Sela, Nagling, Baling, Duktu, Tedang and Sela will get you to the the start of the climb to Ralam Pass (5630m). After heading up the left bank of the Lassar Yankti river turn left up the Nipchukang Glacier and climb to the crest of Ralam Pass. Descend the Yankchar Glacer on the far side and continue down via Yankchar Dhura to the village of Ralam.
Darma to Milam Valley via Ralam Pass (5630m)
Sector2: Ralam, Martoli, Traill's pass and down the Pinder Valley
Cross Section
Click to view a larger version
Alternative Routes
If the route of Traill's Pass proves to be too much or the conditions are not right then there are two alternative routes to access the Pinder Valley:
- via Bugidar and Namik
- the other via Changuch pass
Ralam to Khati via Danu Dhura
Dana Dhura, 18500ft, which slightly south of Traill's Pass. The valley is much wider and the ice fall not so serious. It is still a serious mountaineering undertaking. Teams have to stay roped up on all the glaciated sections.
From the village of Martoli you take the Shalang Gad (valley) instead of the Lawan Gad. A sheapard's track leads to the snout of the glacier. You climb steeply up to a first pass at 18500ft and descend to a plateau, which is the top of Kafani Glacier. The route then turns North-north west around a ridge from Nandabharna (6236m) and climbs a second pass. It then heads down the Changuch Glacier and joins up at the Pindari Glacier Zero Point.
It is important not to head down the Kafni Glacier after climbing the first pass as the icefall is fairly serious.
The route from Martoli to Pindari Zero Point via Dana Dhura will take around 10 days.
Photos of Dana Dhura here and here
Bugidar and Namik
This route follows a local shepard's path over two passes and then down into the Pinder valley. It's more than likely that we will end up taking this route.
Here are some pics taken by a group which did this leg.
Here are two route descriptions (in reverse to the direction we intend doing it)
Description 1
Day 1 - Namik/Thaltok
We take a wonderful ancient stone path all the way to the Sudam Khal Pass. The path climbs gradually through the forests and every clearing offers superb views of the mountains. Just before a small pass at 3150 metres (3-4 hours from leaving camp), we come to a crossroad and follow the left path descending and ascending gradually and then to a ridge beyond which is our camp by a tourist hut at Thaltok ( 3400m). (4- 5 hrs).
Day 2 - Thaltok/Kaguri
A long day. We leave early and climb to a ridge which offers spectacular views of the peaks of Panch chuli , NandaDevi and Nanda Kot. Continue along the ridge till the top of Sudam Khal pass (3950m). From here we can see Kaguri bhel ( 4800m) pass and our campsite, which is a little below the pass at 4050m. Approx 7 - 8 hrs walk, this is our highest camp with possibilities of snow.
Day 3 - Kaguri/Poting
From the Kaguri Bhel Pass to the hilltop takes approx. 3hrs. This journey is very steep and there is no greenery to be seen. We trek for another 4 hrs but now it is a steep downhill to the Poting Camp. Again there are streams to be found in abundance. The magnificent view of the Poting Glacier seen from the camp will revive you.
Day 4 - Poting/Bugdiar
From here on the downhill trek begins. There is no proper footpath in the forest, so in order to reach the campsite at Bugdiar it will take almost 4 hrs. On reaching the spot we camp at the bank of the river Gauri Ganga. Overnight at Bugdiar.
Description 2
Day 1: A fairly easy day , the trail continues through forests and across huge green alpine slopes inhabited by the gujjars (local shepherds) to camp in grassy slopes. Enroute we cross a small pass on a ridge at 3050m before descending to a lovely camp in a clearing in the forest at Raj Kharak (2600m) 4- 5hrs.
DAY 2: Namik (2100m). We are woken with the early morning sun since the camp faces east. From camp we descend to the Ram Ganga river and continue along the plains with views ahead of Nanda kot ( 6860m) at the head of the valley. We pass the large village of Gogina and descend to the river which we cross by a small wooden bridge. After lunch here, we climb back up steeply to the village of Namik and camp in a another lovely site above the village. 7 hrs.
DAY 3: base of Sudam Khal (3800m) : Leaving camp early we follow a well laid out stone path all the way to the Sudam Khal pass (4000m), which lies in between, the Ram Ganga and Gori Ganga valleys. The path climbs gently through beautiful forests with several clearings which offer great views back towards Nand Kot. Good views of Nanda Devi range opens to the west. Camp at the foot of the pass at 3800m. 5 hrs.
DAY 4: Base of Kaguri Bhel (4050m) : Leaving camp in the early hours we traverse the ridge and climb to the top of a ridge which offers stunning views of Panch Chuli peaks. To the west we can both the peaks of main and east Nanda Devi. The trail continues along the ridge until the top of Sudam Khal pass at 4000m. We can look across to our following day’s pass of Kaguri Bhel. We then descend to our camp a little below the pass at 4050m after traversing the slopes of the ridge. Camp is again by a small stream in a another very nice spot but can get very cold due to the altitude. The walk is through tundra terrain to camp at the foot of Kaguri Bhel (4050m). 6 – 7 hrs.
DAY 5: Poting (3400m)- Climb steeply to Kaguri Bhel pass (4800m) another fantastic view point for the surrounding peaks. Cross some Snowfields and descend to the north in the Gori Ganga valley to camp at Poting in beautiful meadows. 5 – 6 hrs.
DAY 6: Bugdiar (3000m): Follow a well-defined path on the main trade route between Munsyiary and Milam to Bugdiar. An easy walking day of 4 – 5 hrs.
Sector3: Khati to Joshimath via Kuwari Pass
Route cross section
Click image for a larger version
Sector 4:
Joshimath to Gangotri via Kalindi Khal
Route cross section
Click on the image for a larger version
There are are some good photographs of the Kalindi Khal pass trek here.
There is an alternative route to this sector which goes via Kedarnath, Khatling and over Audens Col to Rudugaira Glacier and down to Gangotri. This pass connects Khatling Glacier and Rudugaira Glaciers. It was first crossed by J.B.Auden in 1940. There is lots of information on the trek on the web. View the Auden's Col route on Google Earth.
Sector 5: Gangotri, Harsil to Chitkul via Lamkhaga Pass
Route cross section
Harsil: Harsil is a beautiful spot to see the colors of the nature. The walks, picnics and trek lead one to undiscovered stretches of green, grassy land. Harsil is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Sighting here includes the Wilson Cottage, built in 1864 and Sat Tal (seven Lakes). The adventurous tourists have the choice to set off on various treks that introduces them to beautiful meadows, waterfalls and valleys. Situated amidst the incredible beauty of mountain peaks, Harsil is counted amongst some of the most beautiful places in the Garhwal region.
Day-1 Harsil-Kyarkoti
In the morning we will start our trek up to Kyarkoti via dense forest, water falls and much more. On arrival at Kyarkoti, we will set out our tent in the meadow. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 02: Kyarkoti - Lamkhaga Pass Base Camp
Today we will trek up to Lamkhaga Pass Base Camp. The trek is ascending and we will enter in to narrow valley. On arrival we will pitch our tents at the base of the pass. Dinner and overnight stay at camp.
Day 03: Lamkhaga Pass Base Camp Over Lamkhaga Pass (5280 mts/17320 ft) - Gundar (4400 mts/14432 ft)
The day is tough and technical. We will trek through the rough boulders to cross the Lamkhaga Pass (5280 mts/17320 ft) and after few hours we will reach Gundar. On arrival pitch the tents for overnight stay.
Day 04: Gundar - Dumti
In the morning we will trek up to Dumti. The trek is upwards and downwards. On arrival at Dumti set out camp for overnight stay.
Day 5: Dumti - Rani Kanda
The day is full of scenic beauty and you will trek through the meadow, water falls and much more. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Day 6: Rani Kanda - Chitkul
Today is the last day for our trek. This is an easy day for the trek up to Chitkul. Dinner and overnight stay at camp.
Chitkul (3450 mts/11316 ft) is the last and highest village in the Baspa valley. It is situated on the right bank of Baspa River. There is a road along the left bank from Karcham. There are 3 temples of local goddess Mathi, the main ones are said to have been constructed about 500 years ago.
Sector 6 Chitkul to Morang via Charang Pass
Route cross section
It takes 7-8 days.
Sector 7: Morang to Kibber
Route cross section
Sector 8 : Kibber - Parang La - Tso Moriri
Route cross section
Sector 9:
Tso Moriri to Rumste
Sector 10. Rumtse to Leh
- Vinod Kotiya
www.vinodkotiya.com
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