Best time to do the Pangarchulla Peak Trek

Pangarchulla is a thrilling trek. It's got everything — a big summit day, stunning views, and that satisfying sense of achievement when you finally reach the top.

Naturally, a lot of trekkers are drawn to it. And over the years, it has become quite a popular peak to attempt.

But here’s something most people don’t realise — you can’t do Pangarchulla in all seasons.

This isn’t one of those treks that stays open throughout the year. It has a very small climbing window. And outside that, conditions get tricky. Sometimes even unsafe.

So if you’re planning this trek, you need to time it right.

Watch this quick video to get a good overview of the trek. But don’t stop there — the article dives much deeper. I’d definitely recommend giving it a read. Towards the end, you’ll also find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the trek

A Very Small Climbing Window

This trek has a very short season. You can’t climb Pangarchulla all year.

And there’s a good reason for that.

Back in 2016, we were exploring this trail. We had gone in November, thinking the weather would be clear and perfect. But when we reached the base of the summit, we saw what the real challenge was — boulders. Giant ones.

The upper sections of the trail were full of them. There was no clear path to the top. You had to literally scramble over huge rocks, with gaps in between. It didn’t feel safe. And definitely not ideal for a group trek.

That’s when it struck us — this is not a climb you can do just any time.

What Happens in Winter (December to February)

This question comes up a lot — “Can I do Pangarchulla in winter?”

On paper, it sounds doable. But let us share what we’ve seen in the past.

Even as recently as winter 2020, we were on the Kuari Pass trail. At the same time, many trekkers were attempting Pangarchulla.

Most of them couldn’t summit. Many turned around at Baby Pangarchulla, which is much lower than the actual summit. The snow was deep, the rocks were hidden, and progress was painfully slow.

This happens almost every winter.

That’s why we don’t recommend climbing Pangarchulla between December and February. The snow is unpredictable. The boulder sections get buried and become treacherous. And the summit push turns into a gamble.

The Best Time To Do The Pangarchulla Trek — Spring (Mid-March to End of April)

If there’s one season when Pangarchulla is at its absolute best, it’s spring.

We’re talking about mid-March to end of April.

This is your golden window.

By this time, all the snow that fell during the winter has settled. The base becomes compact and stable. You get good snow on the trail, but it’s manageable. You’re not sinking knee-deep.

It also becomes possible to cut a proper trail over the boulder zone. Which means your summit push becomes a technical but achievable climb — with the right gear and guidance.

This is when our most successful summit attempts happen. The Indiahikes team — trek leaders, guides, and technical staff — open the route, lead you up safely, and get you back down without taking unnecessary risks.

So if you’re aiming for the summit, this is the time to do it.

Why Not Before Or After Spring?

Before mid-March, snow on the upper sections is loose and fluffy. There’s no base. You can’t get good grip. Opening a trail becomes next to impossible.

After April, the snow starts to melt. And those giant boulders resurface.

Once that happens, it’s not a snow climb anymore — it becomes a full-on boulder scramble. And unless you’re a seasoned mountaineer with technical climbing skills, this terrain becomes very risky.

So when you’re planning your trek, remember: Outside spring, Pangarchulla is not the same trek.

Final Thoughts

Pangarchulla is a special summit. It gives you that big mountain feeling, with a real sense of adventure. But it’s also one of those climbs that demands the right timing.

So if you’re planning to do this trek, aim for that narrow spring window between mid-March and end of April. That’s when conditions line up to make it safe and successful.

And once you're there, standing at 15,000 ft on the summit, you’ll know — it was absolutely worth the wait.

If you’re unsure about dates or need help planning, just leave a comment. We’d love to help you figure it out. We have an expert team of Trek Advisors to help you. So if you have questions like, "Can I do this trek?" or "Who else is trekking?", please get in touch. Click here to fill this form and our team will get back to you.

Some Frequently asked questions about the Pangarchulla Peak Trek:

1. What is the best time to do the Pangarchulla Peak trek?

The best time to do the Pangarchulla trek is in spring — from mid-March to end of April. This is when snow conditions are stable, and summit attempts are most successful.

2. Can I do the Pangarchulla Peak trek in winter?

No, winter (December to February) is not a good time. Deep snow buries the boulders, making the summit approach unsafe and often impossible.

3. How difficult is the Pangarchulla Peak trek?

Pangarchulla Peak trek is a difficult trek. At Indiahikes, we classify a trek as difficult if it fits the following criteria. It reaches an altitude of 15,070 ft.  The summit day goes up to 12 hours of hard trek climbing up and down an altitude of 4,000 ft in a single day. The summit climb is challenging and has steep, uneven and exposed sections.

The last 4 hours of the summit climb are trekking on hard snow over boulders. It is extremely challenging, tiring and filled with tricky sections. It requires that you are sure-footed, always high on alert and carrying a lot of energy.

Apart from the first two days, the rest of the trek is marked with long days with a minimum of 8 hours trek each day. 

This is what makes the trek a difficult one.

4. What is the altitude of Pangarchulla Peak trek?

Pangarchulla Peak trek reaches a maximum altitude/height of 15,069 ft.

From Auli, the trek climbs a height/altitude of more or less 7,500 ft during the length of this trek. You steadily climb up to 4,000 ft on the first three days of the trek. On the summit day, you climb about 4,000 ft up and down on the same day. On the last day, you climb down another 4,000 ft again.  Please check the detailed itinerary to understand the trek in more detail.

5. How long is the Pangarchulla Peak trek?

The total distance covered during the Pangarchulla Peak trek on the Auli-Pangarchulla Peak-Karchhi trail is 37.5 km. The trek starts from Auli near Joshimath in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.

The trek spans over 5 days (7 days including the travel from Rishikesh and back). Except for the first two days which are short, you trek for more than 8 hours for the three days of the trek. On the summit day, you trek for about 12 hours long. As such this makes the trek a difficult one for trekkers.

6. What’s the temperature like on the Pangarchulla trek?

In Spring, day time temperature range between 12 °C and 15 °C and night time temperature will drop to temperatures between 0 °C and -5 °C.

7. What gear do I need for the Pangarchulla Peak trek?

You’ll need snow gear like microspikes, gaiters, good gloves, layered clothing, and trekking poles. Most technical gear like microspikes and gaiters is provided by Indaihikes. You can rent most of the other items in Indiahikes Crosstrek Rental store.

8. Is the Pangarchulla trek suitable for beginners?

No, this trek is recommended only for experienced trekkers. The summit section demands high fitness and mental stamina.

9. Is Pangarchulla part of the Kuari Pass trek?

Yes and no. It shares the same trail as the Kuari Pass trek but diverges toward the summit after Khullara. It’s a summit extension to the Kuari Pass route.