Gupt Khal Expedition

Gupt Khal Expedition is one of the most adventurous expeditions of our country. This high-altitude expedition is nested in the Garhwal division of Uttarakhand. The Gupt Khal expedition is very challenging and requires good high-altitude trekking experience. This expedition lies at an altitude of 5,800 m. Trekking to this altitude is not easy, but rewarding. Gupt Khal connects the two most beautiful valleys of Badrinath and Gangotri. The trekkers walk through steep ridgelines, remote glaciers, and lovely alpine forests. Gupt Khal expedition is not like other treks; it is a trip through mythology, grandeur, and the raw Himalayas.  

The starting point of the Gupt Khal expedition is itself a very popular and sacred spot. The route starts from Gangotri, which is known as the home of the mighty river Ganga. The trekkers will walk through Gomukh in the Bhagirathi glacier. The journey to Gupt Khal continues towards Tapovan, which is a big alpine meadow. This is one of the most beautiful and rewarding parts of the expedition. The journey continues to Kirti Bamak Glacier to Gupt Khal Pass. The Gupt Khal is one of the least explored expeditions of our country. This expedition offers wilderness, spirituality, and personal accomplishment.

History Of the Gupt Khal Expedition

The Gupt Khal Expedition is a high-altitude pass in the Himalayas. The word Gupt means Secret, and Khal means Pass. The Gupt Khal is a very remote and high pass nested in the Garhwal Himalayas. This expedition is not very famous among the trekkers as it only opens for a few months a year and is rated as a very difficult expedition. It is a very long trek and requires good physical and mental strength. But this is not just an expedition but a walk to spirituality. It is believed that this is one of the secret paths taken by yogis and sages.

In ancient times, the Gupt Khal was a route for sages to travel to Gangotri and Badrinath. Some stories say that Gupt Khal is also associated with the Pandavas' route to Swargorohini. This is a majestic expedition, but it remains relatively unvisited due to its poor accessibility. This expedition came into the picture in the early 20th century. But Gupt Khal is still very unexplored due to the high difficulty level and challenging zones. Another noticeable inclusion for the Gupt Khal was by the Indian mountaineering teams after independence. The IMF chose some tour operators to document the expedition. 

Highlights Of the Gupt Khal Expedition

• Remote Himalayan Route

Gupt Khal is located in a very remote and barely-explored region. This is a high-altitude pass where only a few experienced trekkers have done the expedition. It is a very rare and one-of-a-kind expedition that passes through very different terrains and takes you to the wilderness.

• High-altitude Pass

Gupt Khal Pass is situated at an altitude of 5800 m. This altitude requires great physical and mental strength. The trekkers should plan the Gupt Khal Expedition very carefully. This expedition can test your endurance seriously. The trekkers have to cross glaciers, snowfields, and icy ridges. This trek is only for experienced trekkers.

• Alluring Glaciers and Snowfields

The Gupt Khal expedition takes you through beautiful snowfields and majestic glaciers. The Kirti Bamak Glacier and Meru Glacier are visually very captivating. Some parts of the Satopanth Glacier feel like heaven, and you will be surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks.

• Beautiful Campsites

This is a very lengthy expedition as you have to walk for 2 weeks. But every campsite on this trek is beautiful. Some days, you will be camping in the alpine area, and some days can be rocky patches. When you get closer to the expedition, you will be camping in big snowfields.

Difficulty Level Of the Gupt Khal Expedition

The Gupt Khal Expedition can be considered as one of the most difficult expeditions of the Uttarakhand Himalayas. This expedition is only suitable for highly experienced trekkers and mountaineers. The expedition is very challenging and requires high mountain skills.

High-Altitude Pass Expedition

The pass lies at an altitude of 5800 m, where the air gets very thin. The oxygen level drops by about half of the sea level. This much height can easily cause the AMS. Trekkers can experience fatigue, headache, etc, during the expedition. All the trekkers must acclimate properly before starting the trek.

Difficult Terrain

The Gupt Khal Expedition is not just like other high-altitude treks. It is a pure expedition and full of technical sections. The trekkers have to cross glaciers, icy slopes, ridges, etc. These sections can be very difficult and require mountaineering gear like an ice axe, crampons, ropes, etc. 

Weather Condition

The weather in the high-altitude areas changes promptly. The rapid changes in the weather can increase the difficulty level of the expedition. The trekkers can face snowstorms, whiteouts, and chill winds. The trekking team must carry extra fuel and food to prepare for any unwanted conditions.

Best Time To Visit The Gupt Khal Expedition

You can plan your Gupt Khal Expedition in the summer and autumn seasons. These seasons are safe for expeditions and offer the best views. However, you can’t do the Gupt Khal Expedition in the winter due to it being inaccessible.

Gupt Khal Expedition from Mid-May to Mid-June

This is the best time to plan the Gupt Khal Expedition as the days become longer, and you can trek for long hours. The snow will be fresh, and you can walk on it easily as compared to extreme summer. The skies will be clear and there will be fewer chances of heavy rains. The glaciers will be more stable and less prone to avalanches. 

Gupt Khal Expedition from Late-June to August

Monsoon can be the most dangerous time for the Gupt Khal Expedition. Heavy rainfall increases the risk of landslides. The trails will be slippery, and walking on the glacier can be very risky. Trekkers should avoid the Gupt Khal Expedition in the monsoon.

Gupt Khal Expedition from Mid-September to Early October

After the monsoon, the weather becomes good with clear skies. This is also a great time for the Gupt Khal Expedition. The meadows will start turning golden, and you can have panoramic Himalayan views.

How To Reach the Gupt Khal Expedition

To start the Gupt Khal expedition, trekkers or mountaineers need to reach Gangotri, Uttarakhand. This is a beautiful and sacred city in the Garhwal division. It is well connected to various cities via road. 

Gangotri via Road

To start your journey, you need to reach Dehradun. This is the capital and the major city of Uttarakhand. You can easily find buses to Dehradun from Delhi, Chandigarh, and other big cities. After reaching Dehradun, you take a direct bus to Uttarkashi. The next day, take a bus from Uttarkashi to Gangotri. There are very few buses to Uttarkashi, but you can find good shared taxi options.

Gangotri via Train

The nearest railway station to Gangotri is Rishikesh. You can find trains to Rishikesh from all major cities. If not, you can look for trains to Dehradun or Haridwar. After reaching Haridwar, look for buses or taxis to Uttarkashi. The next day, take a taxi from Uttarkashi to Gangotri.

Gangotri via Air

The nearest airport to Gangotri is Dehradun. Regular flights to Dehradun are available from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and various major cities. Reach Dehradun and then continue your journey to Gangotri via Road.

Things To Carry In The Gupt Khal Expedition

The Gupt Khal Expedition is a very difficult and long trek. It is located in a very remote area where you won’t find anything. So, you have to carry all the essentials with you. Don’t forget that you have to carry your backpack throughout the entire expedition, so don’t pack anything extra that makes your bag heavier.

Clothing

The weather can be very cold at night, so pack your clothes carefully. Start packing with 3 pairs of thermals and 4 pairs of quick-dry t-shirts. Pack sufficient innerwear and a good waterproof trekking suit. Get a good fleece jacket and a down jacket. Now pack 2 pairs of trekking pants and one thermal trekking pant. Carry a sun cap, woolen beanie, and buff. Pack 1 pair of woolen gloves and one pair of waterproof gloves.

Footwear

Get good high-ankle trekking shoes that can provide good grip for the entire expedition—pack gaiters for the snow sections and a few pairs of socks. Also, pack a pair of sandals for the campsites.  

Personal Care

Pack your toothpaste, toothbrush, and biodegradable soap. Now pack toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Also, carry good sunscreen and moisturizer. Make a small first aid kit with basic medicines.