AUDENS COL

A trekking destination to tick off every trekker's bucket list

Duration
14 days
Trek Altitude
18,000 Feet.
Destination
Dehradun
Trek Distance
Group Size
Best Time
Summer & Autumn

Audens Col Trek

A challenging trekking destination that qualifies onto every Trekker's bucket list is Auden's Col Trek. Auden's Col is one of the Highest Mountain passes . It spans between the valleys of Rudragaira and Bhilangana in Garhwal Himalayas at an altitude of 5490 meters. The pass is named after John Bicknell Auden of the Geological Survey of India, who first discovered it in 1935 and crossed it in 1939. This Trek tests ones Physical Endurance and bodily limits and hence falls under the category of one of the most difficult treks to conquer. It is ideal to have a prior trekking experience not just to accent toward high altitude but also to have Physical fitness to acclimatize to the high Altitude.

Auden's Col trek promises one of the most rewarding and spectacular views of the Himalayan Ranges for the adventure seekers. The trek to Auden's Col starts from Gangotri situated in Uttarkashi District in the State of Uttarakhand. As per the lengend, Lord Shiva is said to have released the almighty Ganga free from his Hair Locks at this point, thus the origin of Ganga. However, the river is called Bhagirathi at its source. It acquires the name Ganga (the Ganges) from Devprayag onwards where it meets the Alaknanda . Gangotri serves to be a Major pilgrimage location for Hindus as it houses Gangotri Temple believed to be the seat of Goddess Ganga. Gangotri forms an important starting point for Auden's Col Trek for body acclimatization at an altitude of 3100 meters.

The Route towards Auden Col's Trek follows the series of basecamping destinations in the order of Nala -Rudragaira-Gangotri Group and Auden's Col. While the path keeps getting tougher as one ascends towards the Pass, it sure offers some difficult trekking terrains encountered with steep and rocky climbs, Moraine landscapes and Crevasses needing Professional guidance to cross. The Views along this trail are beyond what words could describe. With Auden's Col being the highlight amongst the Group of Gangotri Peaks I, II and III being visible and slowly unfolding their magnificence to the approaching trekker. The Campsite during the Descend from Auden's Col pass is extremely rewarding with some of the Main highlights being the campsites along Masar and Vasuki Tal and visit to the famous Kedarnath Temple. The experience is packed with encounters with some wild Himalayan Flaura and Fauna, Green meadows and some Breathtaking Himalayan views. Thanking Lord Shiva for his blessings that help you endure and Conquer this challenging terrain, this trek gradually culminates and adapts you comfortably back to the road well-travelled as you hail goodbye to the witnessed Journey of a Lifetime!!

Auden's Col Trek Itinerary

Early in the morning we start our drive from Dehradun to reach Gangnani. This place is famous for its natural hot water spring baths. Guests can take bath in them. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel.

After breakfast we drive to Gangotri via Harsil (approx 25 km before Gangotri). We can take a halt at Harsil, which is a small hamlet known for the Wilson’s cottage. We reach Gangotri early and can visit the famous pilgrimage. We stay in a guest house at Gangotri.

A picturesque gradual Climb amidst pine and birch wooded landscapes will end at the campsite at Nala. The campsite is Picturesque and is juxtaposed by the banks of River Rudragaira. This is our first spot for overnight camping that also gives us our first Glimpse of the Gangotri III peak.

This Day we start our Trek towards the Rudragaira Basecamp crossing some beautiful green meadows along the trail towards the camp site. The highlights of this part of the trek are its Rocky trails sometimes challenging, crossing gurgling river and some steep climbs. Camp site offers views of Rudugaira peak, Gangotri I, Gangotri II, Gangotri III, and Jogin I.

The trail continues to be intermittently challenging till the Gangotri Group Basecamp. As the name suggest this campsite offers one of the most Stunning views of The Group of Gangotri Peaks I, II and III. We camp here overnight. During the days of clear skies one can get a Glimpse of Auden’s Col from this point.

The day has been reserved for rest and acclimatisation.

This trail is extremely challenging with Moraine making it more difficult for trekking. A moraine is any glacially formed accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris ( regolith and rock) that occurs in both currently and formerly glaciated regions on Earth. We need to nourish our body for facing the challenge for this day’s trek. Camping overnight.

We start early by 5:00am, as the first part of the trek to Auden’s Col is the most challenging trails on this route. However the trails offers some magnificent views at the pass. Rope are required to be fixed to cross this part of the pass. Descend to Khalting and covered with scre and ice so might require rappelling. At the base of the descent, a deep crevasse runs all along and a couple of snow bridges. After descend, it is a long roped walk through crevasse infested Khatling glacier. Khatling Glacier Camp site offers amazing views of virgin unknown pass and valley on the west side. We camp overnight here.

The trails remains full of Moraine and gradually decends towards riverside. As it is a difficult decend requires technical equipment and Professional supervision. We camp by the river tonite. The sound of water sooths the tired body and mind as we recuperate for the next day. We camp by the riverside overnight.

The trail runs along the river-side for about 3-4 kms before it reaches an open green meadow. Chowki if further 4 kms approximately from here that leads to a beautiful campsite. We camp here overnight.

Masar Tal is one of the most isolated lakes in Garhwal region in Tehri , Bhilangana river being the source of its survival. The lake has been surrounded with mesmerizing meadows, snow clad mountains and dense green woods. Overnight camping besides the lake.

This trek from one Tal ( Lake) to the other is a rather interesting one. Vasuki Tal is a sweet water Glacial Lake near Kedarnath. One can witness some exclusive Himalayan Flora and fauna around the placid Lake , Brahma Kamal being one of them. Vasuki Tal is located in Kedarnath Widlife Santuary. We camp here for the night.

Kedarnath is one of the most worshipped and popular divine destinations in the Himalayan ranges. The temple of Kedarnath is the highlight of this place. The name “Kedarnath” means “the lord of the field”: it derives from the Sanskrit words “kedara”(field) and “natha”(lord). Close to the source of River Mandakini and open green field pastures set against the backdrop of the Snowclad Himalayan peaks is an experience of a lifetime. There are options for Guest houses and Hotel stay as this place sees a lot of tourists and piligrims. Enjoy the visit to the temple and spend a relaxing night in a hotel with spectacular views.

Gaurikund is the basecamp for Kedarnath. The decent has a well defined path however the distance is more hence we need to start early in the morning. Gaurikund also is the last road access point for Kedarnath trek. We board the vehicle to Drive towards RudraPrayag. Rudraprayag is one of the Panch Prayag(five confluences) of Alaknanda River, the point of confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Mandakini. Stay overnight at a Hotel enjoying picturesque views of the town along the river banks.

We start our drive towards Dehradun , the concluding destination for this TrillingAdventure of Auden’s Col Trek. We arrive to Dehradun early evening.

Inclusion
  1. Transport support from and to Dehradun: starting from pickup on day 1 to drop on day 14.
  2. Guide and cook fees.
  3. Rent for camping equipment.
  4. Forest entry charges.
  5. Porter and mule support to carry camping equipment. Please note that personal luggage can be carried by mules and/or porters on chargeable basis.
  6. All veg meals starting from day 1 dinner to day 14 breakfast.
  7. Tented accommodation throughout the trek. Possible guest house accommodation on Day 1, Day 2 and Day 13.