Difficulty
Difficult | Level 1
Duration
7 Days
Highest Altitude
15,069 ft
Age
13 to 62 years
Duration
7 Days
Age
13 to 62 years
Difficulty
Difficult | Level 1
Highest Altitude
15,069 ft
Pangarchulla Peak Trek
A Challenging Summit Climb High on Adventure
If you are looking for a power-packed and thrilling summit climb, the Pangarchulla Peak trek offers just that. The summit point of the Pangarchulla Peak trek is situated at a challenging altitude of 15,069 ft.
To begin with, Pangarchulla is a 5-day trek (7 days when you include the travel days from Rishikesh). The trek starts from Auli near Joshimath in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is situated in the Nanda Devi National Park.
This trek is known for its summit climb. For anyone who has done this trek, that will be the first thing to recall about their trek. The summit day is for one very long. You climb over lots of boulders covered over snow, feeling your feet every step of the way.
While the summit climb in itself leaves you with a strong adrenaline rush, what adds to this experience is the mountain views you get from the top. All along the trek, you are accompanied by grand views of a big part of the Greater Himalayan Range. And at the summit, you are surrounded by them and they all stand so close to you.
And when you trek in March and April, they are filled with blooming Rhododendrons, providing colours to the already beautiful forest. Being in Khullara will transport you to a different world altogether.
Pangarchulla Peak Videos
Watch these videos to prepare for your Pangarchulla Peak trek.
Quick Itinerary
A route map of the Pangarchulla Peak trek
Day 1
Drive from Rishikesh to Dhak/Karchi
Drive Distance: 254 km | Drive Duration: 10-11 hours | Pick up point for Indiahikes trekkers: Live Free Hostel, Rishikesh | Pick up Time: 5.15 am
Transport will be arranged at 5.15 AM. It costs Rs 8,000 per Bolero (5-6 seater), and Rs 12,000 per Tempo Traveller (10-12 seater) for the transport, one way. This amount is shared by trekkers. You will reach the base camp, Dhak/Karchi by 5.00 PM.
Day 2
Drive from Dhak/Karchi to Auli. Trek from Auli to Tali
Trek Distance: 8.1 km | Trek Duration: 8-9 hours | Altitude Gain: 8,546 ft to 11,053 ft
Day 3
Trek from Tali to Khullara
Trek Distance: 2.65 km | Trek Duration: 3 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 11,053 ft to 11,014 ft
Day 4
Acclimatization Day at Khullara. Trek to Kuari Top and back to Khullara
Trek Distance: 7 km | Trek Duration: 4-5 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 11,010 ft to 12,600 ft, and back to 11,010 ft
Day 5
Trek from Khullara to Pangarchulla Summit, and back to Khullara
Trek Distance: 12 km | Trek Duration: 10-12 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 11,010 ft to 15,069 ft, and back to 11,010 ft
Day 6
Trek from Khullara to Karchi
Trek Distance: 5.25 km | Trek Duration: 3-4 hours | Altitude Loss: 11,010 ft to 7,315 ft
Day 7
Drive back from Tapoban to Rishikesh
Drive Distance: 260 km | Trek Duration: 10-11 hours | Drop off point for Indiahikes trekkers: Live Free Hostel, Rishikesh
The transport cost has to be borne by trekkers. It costs Rs 8,000 per Bolero (5-6 seater), and Rs 12,000 per Tempo Traveller (10-12 seater) for the transport, one way.
Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending the weather conditions and the route you take. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.
IMPORTANT POINTS
- It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek.
- At the base camp, your stay will be arranged in lodges.
- On the trek, you will be staying 3 in a tent.
- We have a cloakroom facility at the base camp for excess luggage. Do not leave behind any valuables in the cloakroom.
Please note: Twin sharing tents may not be available. This is because raw materials for making tents are sourced from different countries. But their export has been affected due to international unrest. This has led to a global shortage of tents. Having said that, you'll still have comfortable space as these tents have been designed to accommodate three trekkers.
A route map of the Pangarchulla Peak trek
PRO-TIPS
Onward Travel
If you're planning your travel, choose to travel by bus instead of train. They're usually on time compared to trains. If you're travelling by train, choose a train to reach Haridwar a day before Day 1 of your trek, and take an auto-rickshaw or a shared taxi to reach Rishikesh on the same day.
Return Travel
While returning, you will reach Rishikesh between 6.00 and 7.00 PM. Plan your travel any time after 9.00 PM from Rishikesh. Since there are no trains directly from Rishikesh, the Nanda Devi Express from Dehradun (about 45 km from Rishikesh) will suit your schedule well.
What I Like About Pangarchulla Peak Trek
What I Like About Pangarchulla Peak Trek
Pangarchulla Peak is Best Discovered Through Pictures
The massive Mt. Nanda Devi appears in full scale from Gorson Bugyal.
Picture by: Avijit Jamloki
Mt Nanda Devi
Know Your Trek
We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.
Use this section to learn about the Pangarchulla Peak trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.
PRO TIPS
Why fitness matters on the Pangarchulla Trek
Pangarchulla is not an easy trek by any means. The summit push involves a continuous climb from wee hours such as 1 am to almost 10 or 11 am. That's 10 continuous hours of trekking at high altitudes, over snow and hard boulders. Not to mention, you're climbing to 14,000 ft., which is a very high altitude.
It requires fit legs and strong lungs to do this trek, which means you have to work on your fitness for at least two months before you step on the trail.
Watch this video to know about how difficult the trek is and why fitness matters.
Trek Trivia
Things Nobody Tells You About Pangarchulla Peak
Have you ever thought why Pangarchulla is called Pangarchulla?
Pangarchulla has an interesting story behind its name. If you look at Pangarchulla Peak from the base when it is not covered in snow, it looks like a big black chimney. At its base, many maple trees grow.
So Pangarchulla is a literal translation describing its appearance where it looks as if a chimney is placed amidst maple trees. Pangar means Maple, which refers to Maple trees and Chulla means a chimney.
Did you know Pangarchulla is famous for Saussurea Obvallata?
Saussurea Obvallata or Brahma Kamal is a flower that blooms in the alpine meadows of the Himalayas above 14,000 ft. Just 1,000 ft below Pangarchulla Peak, on the other side, you will find vast meadows filled with Brahma Kamal flowers.
Many local people trek ‘barefoot’ to the top of Pangarchulla, descend to the meadows, collect these flowers and offer them to their local deity. It is a common ritual in many parts of the Himalayan region, where you see people wearing these flowers on their caps once they are offered to their deities because they believe it brings good luck.
Why you should not miss visiting Tali lake?
Tali lake is placed right at the end of the treeline where high altitude meadows start. The reflection of Mt Nanda Devi, Mt Dronagiri and the other mountains in the lake is stunning.
In winters, the same lake turns into a frozen ground on which you can play ice hockey and skate all around!
The specialty of Akhrotghetta campsite
Akhrotghetta campsite is located under a huge lone walnut tree that is hundreds of years old. That’s where it gets its name from. Akhrot means walnut. From here you get an amazing panorama of the mountains like Hathi Parvat, Gauri Parvat, Mt Barmal, Mt Dunagiri, Garud Parvat etc.
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