Dhumdhar Kandi Trek

Dhumdhar Kandi Trek

6 Lakh+

Satisfied Trekkers

16+

Years of Experiance

1300+

Google Reviews

800+

Tripadvisor Reviews

Quick Information

Trek Duration

12 Days

Trek Difficulty

Difficult

Trek Group Size

12 max

Trek Distance

78 km

Trek Max Altitude

18,000 Feet

Trek Region

Uttarakhand | India

Trek Pickup

Dehradun (Prince Chowk)

Best Season

Summer | Autumn | Monsoon

Best Time

May, June, September, October

Trek Basecamp

Uttarakhand

Trek Insurance Fee

₹ 1000

Trek Shield Fee

₹ 0

Trek Transportation Fee

₹ 0

Trek Backpack Fee

₹ 500

GST Fee

5%

Dhumdhar Kandi Trek Overview

All journeys and treks contribute positively to the growth of human consciousness. There are Himalayan treks that offer a gentle embrace of Mother Nature, where you can walk for a short distance, camp, and enjoy the blissful beauty that surrounds you. At the same time, there are a few treks that push your limits and challenge you to step out of the comfort zone of your body and mind.

The Dhumdhar Kandi Pass Trek is one among these challenging treks. Nestled in the beautiful Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, the Dhumdhar Kandi Pass Trek offers a wonderful opportunity to witness the spectacular views of high mountain peaks like Swargarohini Peak, Kala Nag (Black Peak), Bandarpoonch, Garuda Peak, and many others up close. So close that you feel you can touch them. Dhumdhar Kandi Pass connects the sacred temples of Gangotri and Yamunotri. It is believed that in ancient times, this high mountain pass was used as a shortcut to the Tons valley. Local villagers may pronounce the name of the pass differently. Some call it Dhumdhar Kandi Pass, some call it Dhumdar Kandi Pass, and some call it "Dhamdhar Kandi Pass". One pass; many names! Dhumdhar Kandi Pass Trek is designed only for experienced trekkers who have completed at least 2-3 Himalayan treks before and have good physical and mental stamina and endurance. Starting from the beautiful ancient villages of the Himalayas, this trek will lead you through lush green forests, beautiful alpine meadows, the mesmerizing Ruinsara Lake, and through challenging steep climbs and descents through moraines and snow. Dhumdhar Kandi Pass always remains covered in snow and is only approachable by experienced trekkers and adventure lovers. Join us on this thrilling adventure... 

Trekkers Gazing At The View On Dhumdhar Kandi Trek
Trekkers Gazing At The View On Dhumdhar Kandi Trek

History Of Dhumdhar Kandi Trek

Today, Dhumdhar Kandi Pass is a prominent trekking location. But this pass has deep roots in the culture and traditions of the locals. This pass has been a part of their cervical practices. It is a high-altitude pass, and the locals have been using it for centuries for trade. Many shepherds and traders used this pass to walk between the Bhagirathi and the Yamunotri valley. The Dhumdhar Kandi Pass was a lifeline between two valleys.

This beautiful route also has a religious significance. As you know, the Gangotri and Yamunotri are parts of the Char Dhar Yatra. Today, the pilgrims follow the easy route to visit the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples. But earlier, many sages used the Dhaumdhar Kandi Pass, as it is a quieter and better space for meditation. The name Dhumdhar Kandi means misty terrain. The shepherds named this place because the areas near the pass are mostly covered with mist. The mountaineers gained interest in the Dhumdhar Kandi Trek in the late 20th century. The remoteness and untouched beauty of Dhumdhar Kandi Trek can captivate everyone. 

Highlights Of The Dhumdhar Kandi Trek

  • Scenic Trail

The trail to Dhumdhar Kandi Pass is beautiful as you walk to heaven. You start the trek from dense forests where you can see big Oak and Pine trees. Your trail will be covered with red flowers. The forests lead to big meadows, and the meadows will lead to snowfields. Every part of this trek feels magical.

  • ​Altitude And Challenges

The Dhumdhar Kandi Trek is magnificent but difficult. You need a good Himalayan trekking experience for this trek. The pass lies at an altitude of 5600 m. This much height with technical difficulty is not easy. You should make yourself physically and mentally prepare for this trek.

  • ​Unique Experience

You will find the raw Himalayan beauty in the Dhumdhar Kandi Trek. This trial has very little human interference, and you can still feel the pureness in nature. The campsites of the trek are usually in pristine locations. You may also witness local shepherds with their flocks in the summer.

  • ​Crossing Major Glaciers

You will cross two major glaciers in the Dhumdhar Kandi Trek. You will cross the Swargarohini Glacier and Jalandhari Gad Glacier to reach the Pass. People often associate Swargarohini Glacier with the Pandavas. The Jalandhari Gad Glacier flows towards the Yamunotri.

​Difficulty Level Of Dhumdhar Kandi Trek

Many trekkers refer to the Dhumdhar Kandi Trek as one of the most challenging treks in the Garhwal Himalayas. This is not a simple trek but a summit. You will need good technical climbing experience.

  • ​High Altitude Challenges

The major difficulty for the Dhumdhar Kandi Trek is the altitude. The pass lies at a height of 5600 m, and this much height can cause AMS. You can get symptoms like breathlessness and fatigue while ascending. You should do proper rest and acclimation before starting the trek.

  • Trail Conditions

The Dhumdhar Kandi Trek is a very remote trek, and the trail is not paved. There is no fixed route, as the routes can change with snow and glacial shifts. You may find different routes in each season. You will walk in rocky ridges and steep ascents. The river crossing and icy patches can be very difficult.

  • ​Trek Distance And Physical Demands

You will walk about 80 km in about 2 weeks on this trek. Walking daily for about 7-8 hours is not easy. You need good physical strength for uphill ascending. The high-altitude areas can be very cold and harsh. You should have good physical and mental endurance to complete the trek.

​Best Time To Visit The Dhumdhar Kandi Trek

Summer is the best season to plan your Dhumdhar Kandi Trek. This is a time when the snow begins to melt in the high altitude areas, and the route becomes accessible. You can also plan the trek in Autumn. But you should avoid planning your trek during the monsoon and winter.

  • ​Dhumdhar Kandi Trek in May And June

This is the best time to trek to Dhumdhar Kandi Pass. The route will be more accessible, but you will still see a good amount of snow in the high-altitude areas. The weather is also nice and the sky will be clear.

  • Dhumdhar Kandi Trek in July And August

Avoid the Dhumdhar Kandi Trek in the monsoon. This season can be very risky for trekking. You can see landslides and washed-out trails. The trekking became very difficult due to slippery trails and minimal visibility.

  • ​Dhumdhar Kandi Trek in September And October

You can also plan your trek after the monsoon. The air will become crisp with clear views. You can trek in this season as the trail becomes better. The landscape will start turning golden, and the temperature will start decreasing.

​How To Reach The Dhumdhar Kandi Trek

You will start your Dhumdhar Kandi Trek from Taluka. This is a small town near Sankri. You should reach Sankri a day ahead of starting your trek to Dhumdhar Kandi. Stay at the guesthouse in Sankri and have proper rest.

  • Sankri Via Road

You can only reach Sankri by road. You can find buses from various locations to Dehradun. After reaching Dehradun, you can look for direct buses to Sankri. Now from Sankri, you can take a shared taxi to Taluka.

  • Sankri Via Railways

You can take a train to Dehradun as it is the nearest railway station to Sankri. You can find direct trains to Dehradun from many big cities. Now, from Dehradun, you can take a direct bus to Sankri. You can also find some shared taxi services.

  • ​Sankri Via Air

If you are looking for airways, then look for flights to Dehradun. This city has direct flights from all major cities. Now, from the Jolly Grant Airport, take a taxi to the bus station. Look for direct buses or shared taxis to Sankri.

More Information

Why choose Himalaya Shelter?

Mountain-centric & Local Roots

Started by a trekker born in the Himalayas (Bachan Rana), most of their team are locals. That means real terrain knowledge and instincts on the trail.
We operate in regions like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir & Ladakh — strong ground support matters at altitude.

Safety Above All

  • Certified trek leaders trained in CPR & first aid 
  • Zero fatality record for over a decade
  •  Daily health checks and acclimatisation focus
  •  Oxygen support if needed

These aren’t just promises — these are real safety systems, not just marketing words.

Small & Personal Groups

Most big companies run 20–30+ people. Himalaya Shelter usually keeps groups small (8–12) — so guides can care about you, not just the batch.

Small groups = better experience | More attention | Better bonding | Less chaos | Faster response if something goes sideways

Flexible & Fair Policies

If bad weather or health stops you from finishing, we let you rejoin the same trek later without extra fees — that’s rare.

Food & Comfort That People Talk About

Many trekkers specifically praise the meals, tents, and service — not something every operator manages well at high altitude.

Customised Treks

We tailor your trek based on your:

  • Fitness level
  • Group type
  • Preferred pace or dates
  • Select your cuisine

Real customisation is not standard everywhere. 

Responsible & Eco-Friendly Trekking
We follow responsible trekking practices to minimise environmental impact and respect local communities. Supporting local staff and village economies is a core part of our philosophy.

In short, Himalaya Shelter feels less like a company and more like a mountain family — deeply rooted in the Himalayas and committed to making your trek safe, personal, and memorable.

Dhumdhar Kandi Trek Short Itinerary

  • Day 1: Dehradun to Sankri drive
  • Day 2: Sankri (1,920 m) to Seema (2,560 m)via Taluka (2,050 m)
  • Day 3: Seema (2,560 m) to Roiltia or Waterfall camp (3,350 m)
  • Day 4: Waterfall to Ruinsara lake (3,600 m)
  • Day 5: Ruinsara lake - rest and explore
  • Day 6: Ruinsara lake to Black Peak/Swargarohini basecamp (3,800 m)
  • Day 7: Black Peak basecamp to Dharali Odari (4,750 m)
  • Day 8: Dharali Odari to Black peak camp 1
  • Day 9: Black peak camp 1 to Dhumdhar Kandi pass (5,490 m) and descend to Gantrara
  • Day 10: Gantrara to Doranggatt
  • Day 11: Dorangatt to Jhala; drive to Gangnani (3,310 m)
  • Day 12: Gangnani to Dehradun drive

Dhumdhar Kandi Trek Itinerary

We start early from Dehradun and reach the village Sankri by evening. The final stretch is through the Govind Pashu National Park after we cross a check post at Netwar. We rest at night in a guest house or in camps.

Post breakfast we are transported from Sankri to Taluka. The drive is a bit bumpy. The trek commences from Taluka on a stony path. With the river Supin gushing through rapids beside us, under the shade of walnut, pine and other trees, the walk is quite pleasant. Often the passing villagers greet us on the way.

The path crosses over a few streams which merge with Supin. After a few hours of walk the village of Gangad can be seen towards the left, across the river. We continue our hike and after about an hour’s walk, the quaint village of Osla unfolds itself. Seema is a tiny settlement opposite to the river from Osla. We set camp here or stay in a hut with a local family in the village.

On this day, we continue along the true right of the valley along the Tons river. The trail ascends through the fields and climbs high above the confluence of the Tons and Ruinsara gad. The walk through the forest is beautiful, with Kalanag (6387) visible straight ahead in the valley. We camp beside the stream and close to the waterfall.

We ascend into the Ruinsara valley. There is a stark difference in the vegetation with pine and fir giving way to birch and rhododendron. Ruinsara lake is a lovely lake surrounded by meadows and rhododendron bushes. It is considered sacred by the locals. Overnight in camps near the lake.

Today we rest near the lake and spent the day exploring the nearby glaciers and valleys. This will help us to acclimatize before the next day’s climb to the pass. We can explore the river bed as well. By evening we are back at the camp.

On this day we trek further upstream. The campsite holds significant importance as it is the basecamp of two of the most famous peaks in the area: Swargarohini (Swargarohini I – 6,252 m) and Black Peak (6,387 m). The former, though lower of the two, is the most challenging peak to climb in this area. While not particularly high by Himalayan standards, and not the highest in the Bandarpunch range, Swargarohini I is notable for its dramatic local relief. For example, its north face drops 2,000 metres in less than 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) of horizontal distance, and its south face achieves the same drop in less than 3 kilometres. This camp is close to the south face of the peak.

We proceed to camp 1 of Black Peak on this day. The peak was first summited in 1955 by Jack Gibson, an English master at the Doon School in Dehradun. The highest peak in the Banderpunch group, Black peak is climbed almost every year by multiple teams.

On this day we start before sunrise. The pass is crossed and we descend to a stream at Gantrara.

The trail on this day enters meadows and forests again. We camp at Dorangatt.

We trek through forest trails and reach the village of Jhala. From here we board our vehicle and head to Gangnani. Gangnani used to be the village from where the hike to Gangotri started when motorable road was yet to reach thisholy pilgrimage. It is a small settlement with natural hot water spring baths. We rest in a guest house for the night.

We drive back to Dehradun from Gangnani. We reach by late afternoon or early evening.

Things To Carry In The Dhumdhar Kandi Trek

You should pack your bag wisely for the Dhumdhar Kandi Trek. This is a high-altitude trek, and you will need good preparation. You can make a list and then organize the items into categories.

Clothing and Backpack

You need a good backpack for high-altitude trekking. Get a 60L backpack with good back support. You have to carry your backpack on the whole trek. Look for the backpack with a rain cover. Now pack a small 20L backpack for summit day or for a small day hike. For clothing, start with the base layer and pack 3 pairs of thermals (top and bottom). Now pack 4 quick-dry t-shirts and 3 trekking pants. Pack a fleece jacket and a heavy insulated jacket. Now for the rain gear, pack a rain jacket or poncho. Pack a sun cap for day trekking and a woolen cap for morning and evening. Now pack a pair of woolen gloves and a pair of waterproof insulated gloves. Pack 4 pairs of woolen socks and 4 pairs of cotton socks. You will also need gaiters for snow walks.

Footwear

Buy a good pair of high-ankle trekking shoes. Your shoes must be waterproof and have sturdy soles. You will also need crampons for walking on glaciers. Pack a pair of lightweight sandals for the campsites.

Personal Care

Pack the personal care and hygiene items. Get a small pouch and pack all your toiletries. You will also need sunscreen to protect the skin from direct sun. Pack a good moisturizer to prevent dryness and lip balm for chapped lips. Make a small medical kit for yourself, including some basic medicines. You should also carry a government ID with you.

Customize Your Dhumdhar Kandi Trek With Himalaya Shelter (HS)

Plan your Dhumdhar Kandi Trek with us. We are a team of experienced guides and mountaineers. This trek requires good guidance and preparation. Our team will take care of everything. Your Dhumdhar Kandi Trek will be a lifetime experience. Let us make your experience great and comfortable. Our team has expertise in handling all situations and will make your trek a great success. From logistics to permits, we will take care of everything.

Himalaya Shelter (HS) is a team of experts who ensure the safety of every person on the trek. We offer customized trekking services to you. You can plan your trek on your preferred dates. We can also customize the stays and meals for you. From comfort to safety, our team will take care of everything. Focus on your beautiful journey and let our experts be the best guides for you.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Our treks are specially designed by the experienced team at Himalaya Shelter, taking you on an adventure of a lifetime all while making you connect not only with the bountiful nature but also with yourself and with others on the trek with you creating wonderful memories which will last you a lifetime. All Himalaya Shelter treks are guided by experienced Trekkers having vast knowledge and experience of the region, providing with insightful information and stories pertaining to the region’s flora and fauna and the history of the region whilst the trek. It is safe to say that on successfully completing the trek, one will gain tremendous insight and experience along with lifetime memories.

Inclusion

  • Transport support from Dehradun to Dehradun (Pick-up location: Prince Chowk, near Dehradun Railway Station Pick-up Time: Around 7:30 am).
  • Accommodation – At Base Camp, stay at a local homestay or guest house for one night each, which will give you an insight into the authentic lifestyle of the locals.( INR 5000 per person extra for single sharing throughout the trek )
    On Trek stay in a 2-person Vango Halo Pro/A-Shape tent, which is to be shared by two trekkers, built to withstand extreme weather conditions and at the same time making you comfortable after a hard day’s trek.
  • Camping Equipment – specially designed sleeping bags that can withstand harsh weather conditions, foam mattresses. Other safety gear like microspikes, gaiters, an ice axe, and helmets will be provided.
  • Medical Kit – our team will be equipped with an extensive medical kit, which our team is trained and experienced to use. Oxygen cylinders are used after they are thoroughly inspected throughout the Trek. Even campsites have large oxygen cylinders as backups.
  • Permission  -  Forest entry charges for Indian nationals (Additional charges will be applicable for international tourists)
  • Meals – Breakfast, packed lunch (on trek days), evening snacks, and dinner will be served. A hearty, delicious, and nutrition-filled Veg meals with egg preparation will be provided throughout the trek. (Jain and Vegan Food can also be arranged on prior notification.)There will be a dedicated Kitchen Tent along with a dining tent, which will have a dining table too.
  • Our Team – A highly experienced and AMC-certified Trek Leader who will help ensure that the entire trek goes smoothly and safely while navigating the challenging conditions during the trek, and is skilled enough to navigate any medical emergency that can arise during the trek. Local and route Guides who are well-versed with the region and provide an in-depth insight into the local customs and knowledge of the flora and fauna endemic to the region. A dedicated Kitchen staff, which includes a Cook, a helper, and other support staff. There will also be porters and mules to carry common equipment.
  • Cloakroom - We have a cloakroom facility available for extra luggage. Every trekker is permitted to leave their luggage behind at no charge.

Exclusion

  • Personal expenses like tips, personal medicines, phone calls etc.
  • Travel Expenses -  Travel expenses from your hometown to the mentioned Pick-Up Point are not included in the trek fee.
    From the scheduled pick-up spot to the base camp, we have our own fleet of vehicles like Bolero, Innova, Dezire, or Tempo Traveler (12-seater). This is be shared by trekkers for a pre-decided amount. All vehicles are non-AC.
  • Personal Equipment - Any personal gear like jackets, shoes, cutlery, or backpacks are not included in the trek fee. We recommend renting them from our Rental Store for an affordable fee. This can be pre-arranged to avoid last-minute hang-ups. 
  • Offloading - We encourage carrying your backpack to get into the true spirit of trekking. However, if needed, you can opt to offload your personal luggage of up to 12 kgs for an additional cost of INR 500 per bag per day.
  • Trek Insurance - A mandatory trek insurance fee is charged in addition to your trek fee. Since most medical insurance doesn’t cover adventure activities, trek insurance offers essential coverage, enhancing your safety without a significant financial burden.
  • Buffer day on the trek - We have kept a buffer day on the trek to account for any weather-related delay. If this is utilized, you will need to pay an extra amount to your trek leader. 
  • Anything apart from inclusions
  • Please carry a lunch box for a packed lunch/breakfast to avoid using polythene and Aluminium foil.

Keeping the Himalayas clean is our own responsibility. Reduce the use of Plastic when you are in the abode of the Sacred Himalaya. 🌱

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