Trek Fee
₹ 25500$ 294+ 5% GST | + Rs 180 Trek Insurance |
View Dates & Register |
Trek Fee
₹ 25500$ 294+ 5% GST | + Rs 180 Trek Insurance |
View Dates & Register |
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TREK DIFFICULTY Difficult |
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TREK DURATION 9 days |
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HIGHEST ALTITUDE 16,076 Feet | |
GROUP SIZE 12 People | |
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TOTAL TREK DISTANCE 66 Km | |
BASECAMP Uttarakhand | |
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BEST TIME May to June and September to October | |
PICKUP POINT Dehradun |
+ 5% GST | + Rs 180 Trek Insurance
Inclusions and Exclusions, Scholarships & waivers, Cancellation policy
This trek is situated at an impressive altitude of 16,240 feet (4,950 meters). In the initial days of trekking to the Bali Pass, terrains are not very steep until the Ruinsara Lake, but you will cover a considerable distance of approximately 10-12 kilometers on an average day. Subsequently, the altitude will increase until the base camp, with an ascent of around 3,000 feet in a single day, followed by an additional 1,000 feet the next day.
Descending from Bali Pass to Yamunotri is steep, and the altitude decreases by approximately 8,000 feet in just two days.
Explore the villages of both the Har Ki Dun valley (Datmir, Gangad, Puani, and Osla) and the Yamunotri Valley (Kharsali, Hanumanchatti, and Jankichatti). Witness diverse architectures and delve into the local culture and farming practices of both valleys.
Thanga Bugyal, located 1 km from Ruinsar Lake, is an alpine meadow. It offers a beautiful view of Kyarkoti Bugyal along with a scenic 2 km ridge walk adorned with white rhododendron flowers.
Devsu Thatch, at an elevation of 10,032 feet, is a sprawling meadow above the Supin River along the route from Puani Garat to the Waterfall on day 3, surrounded by dense forests. Graced with beautifully landscaped grassy mounds and an array of flowers, including orchids, poppies, anemones, primulas, daisies, and marigold, it offers a mesmerizing experience. Barefoot strolls on soft grass become a sensory dance with nature, inspiring a day of camping to savor beauty.
Ruinsara Lake, standing at 11,483 feet (3,500 meters), is a pivotal stop on the Bali Pass route, revealing Govind National Park's beauty with vibrant wildflowers, especially orchids. The trail meanders along the Tons River through charming villages like Gangad, Seema, and Osla. A day at Ruinsara Lake allows exploration near Banderpoonch glacier and the Black Peak base camp.
Approximately 8 km from Ruinsara Bugyal, this is the base camp for the Kalanag, Swargarohini, and Dumdar Kandi Pass expedition. Situated at an elevation of 12,795 feet (3,900 meters) above sea level, it serves as the starting point for the Tons River, originating from the Kyarkoti Glacier.
In the 66 km Bali Pass trek, you come across numerous waterfalls, amplifying the trek's allure. Notably, the third day's journey through Seema and Swarn Dhara features some beautiful waterfalls, genuinely elevating the enchantment of the entire trek.
Coming down from Lower Dhamini to Yamunotri, you'll find the sacred Yamunotri temple, one of Uttarakhand's Chota Char Dham. Nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, it's a special place for both pilgrims and trekkers. The peaceful surroundings provide a calm retreat, with the air filled with respect and tranquility for everyone who comes here.
Towards the end of the Bali Pass trek, the majestic Bandarpunch Glacier and Saptrishi Kund come into view, representing the authentic source of the Yamuna River.
Situated at an elevation of 4,421 meters, Saptrishi Kund is a high-altitude lake and the primary origin of the Yamuna. Formed by the imposing Bandarpunch Mountain, this lake is embraced by rocky glaciers, contributing to the grandeur of the landscape.
Reaching the Basecamp of Bali Pass Trek- Sankri Sankri is the Basecamp of Bali Pass Trek. Located in Uttarakhand, India, Sankri is the starting point for lots of treks like Har ki Dun, Ruinsara, Fachu Kandi Pass, Borasu Pass, Phulara Ridge, etc. To reach Sankri from Dehradun, you can use regular buses, shared jeeps, or taxis that are shared with others, these transport services are available from near Dehradun Railway Station.
The Dehradun railway station, a hub for private and shared cabs heading to Sankri, is situated 30 km from the airport. Private taxis are easily accessible within the airport premises, with booking charges of Rs 1200 – 1500 for a Dzire or similar and Rs 1800 – 2200 for an Innova or similar vehicles.
Every morning, a limited number of shared cabs and buses depart for Sankri from the vicinity of Dehradun Railway Station.
If you miss Dehradun buses or taxis, opt for a private taxi near Prince Chowk, around 100 meters from the Railway Station. Expect to pay Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 7,000 for a Maxx or Bolero booking.
The trek concludes at Janki Chatti, and then you'll travel by car/bus to Dehradun, which takes about 8-9 hours. There's a single government bus departing from Jankichatti to Dehradun at 6:00 am. In case you miss the bus, you can choose a local taxi to Barkot. From Barkot, another taxi or the government bus departing at 11:00 am can take you to Dehradun, with a fare of approximately Rs. 300-350 per person.
For a more comfortable journey, you can book a separate cab for travel for Rs. 5000-6000 per cab. This will take you from Janki Chatti to Dehradun, and you'll reach Dehradun around 8:00 pm.
If your next destination is Delhi, you can return by either the Mussoorie Express (departing at 9:20 pm) or the Nanda Devi Express (departing at 11:30 pm) from Dehradun.
The best times for the Bali Pass trek are during the pre and post-monsoon seasons, offering two distinct opportunities – one in summer and the other in autumn. Summer begins around mid-May, depending on the snowfall from the previous winter, and lasts until the end of June, coinciding with the onset of the monsoon.
Subsequently, the enchanting period of autumn starts in September, extending its allure until the latter half of October. These specific time frames not only ensure favorable weather conditions but also provide trekkers with a splendid canvas of nature, adorned with vibrant hues and diverse landscapes.
Bali pass trek difficulty is based on the following factors - the Bali pass trek height is an altitude of 16,240 feet or 4,950 meters. The trek has a distance of 66 km, starting from Taluka to the endpoint at Janki Chatti. It takes 6 to 7 days to complete the trek on foot. Thus we will walk around 10 KM on average every day.
The altitude of Taluka, where the trek starts, is 6,825 feet (2080 meters). We thus have a net altitude gain of 9,250 feet (2,820 meters) over a duration of 5 days, thus climbing an average of 550 meters a day or 1800 feet. That is a considerable altitude gain. The distance, altitude gain, and finally the technical pass crossing make Bali Pass fall in the category of a Moderate-Difficult trek.
It requires physical preparation and regular exercises that must be started at least 1 month prior to trekking to the Bali Pass.
The Bali Pass Trek Map guides you through the beautiful path in the Garhwal Himalayas. It takes you past the charming Devsu Bugyal and Ruinsara Lake to reach the stunning Bali Pass at an impressive altitude of 16,200 ft. Following the scenic route along the Supin River, the map points out the awe-inspiring sights of snow-capped peaks and lush meadows. It promises an exciting adventure for both trekkers and nature lovers.
The pass is more approachable from the Har Ki Dun Valley as the gradient is less steep and gives good time for the trekkers to acclimatize to the altitude. Although a few trekkers start the trek from Yamunotri too, which is not generally recommended. This is because the altitude gain from Yamunotri is very quick and the steep trail can quickly tire trekkers. It can even lead to acute mountain sickness as there is barely any acclimatization to the high altitude.
The route from Sankri has multiple campsites on the route and the itinerary can be easily changed for the convenience of trekkers. Generally, the pass is attempted from Thanga, situated at 4100 meters. However, we can push to camp further at the base camp at a whopping 4,600 meters of altitude. This reduces the strain for the pass crossing day and further gives a unique experience of camping at a very high altitude. The Swargarohini has astounding views from the Bali Pass basecamp.
Our journey begins from Dehradun, making it a good option for people looking for treks near Delhi. Driving alongside the Tons river, and passing villages in Uttarakhand like Damta, Purola, Mori, and Netwar, we will reach the base camp Sankri. There is no network in this village, letting us take in the sight of the sun gloriously setting over the surrounding Greater Himalayan peaks without any distractions. We will be accommodated in hotels or homestays here.
After a hearty breakfast, we will be transported to Taluka by car. The motorable road in Govind Pashu National Park ends here. The trek commences on a stony path alongside the gushing river Supin. We also see plantations of the red-coloured Himalayan crop amaranth, locally known as cholai. Under the shade of walnut, pine, deodar and maple trees, the walk is as pleasant as the villagers greeting us on the way.
A few hours and crossing over a few streams later, we see the village of Gangad across the river on the left. We continue our hike and after about an hour, the quaint village of Osla unfolds itself. Osla is a household name among trekkers. Home to about 200 families, it gives us a peek into Garwahli culture. Seema is a tiny settlement opposite to Osla on the other side of the river. We set camp here or stay in a hut with a local family in the village.
Leaving the last of human settlements behind, we continue along the true left of the valley along the river Supin. Supin merges with Rupin near Netwar village to form Tons, which is the biggest tributary of river Yamuna.
An ascend through deodar trees leads us to a beautiful meadow – Devsu Thatch. This 1km expanse of green land is set against the looming Swargarohini ranges. We can also see Kalanag (Black Peak) (6387m) straight ahead. On our left, we can see Har Ki Dun Valley. At its bottom lies the confluence of Har Ki Dun and Ruinsara rivers.
After descending from the meadow, we enter the Ruinsara valley. At the end of today’s trek, we camp beside the stream close to the waterfall locally known as Roiltigad or Roiltia.
Today’s journey is going to take in under 2 hours even at a slow pace. And within this hike itself we notice a stark change in vegetation. Pine and fir trees give way to birch and rhododendron trees. The thick forest we trudge through is frequented by the endangered Himalayan brown bear. If we are very lucky, we might spot this rare and elusive creature.
We then reach one of the highlights of the trek — Ruinsara Tal, an alpine tarn, surrounded by lush Rhododendron trees, with their distinct pink bloom in the summers. We will be left enchanted by this sacred lake in the Uttarakhand Himalayas. It is one of the trio of lakes in the Garhwal region, the other two lakes being Marinda and Maldaru. We will be camping overnight near the lake.
Lying at an elevation of about 3500 m, Ruinsara lake is a good place to acclimatize ourselves before reaching Bali Pass base camp the next day.
Ruinsara Tal’s reputation precedes itself for its beauty. The small and pristine lake lies within a vast meadow, alpine vegetation and surrounding rhododendron bushes. There is innumerable variety of alpine flowers growing around the lake. The river Supin is situated 100 meters below the lake, next to a ridge.
It is the perfect place to play games with our trek mates, read a good book or just sit quietly to soak in nature’s tranquillity.
We can also spend the day exploring nearby places. One can trek towards the Banderpunch glacier or Kyarkoti which is the base camp for Kalanag and Dumdar Kandi pass.
We return to the camp in the evening.
We start the day early so as to reach our destination before afternoon. We descend down to the shallow river bed, cross over to the opposite bank and walk uphill to another beautiful meadow – Thanga. This meadow also offers awe-inspiring views of the seemingly omnipresent Swargarohini ranges. Kyarkoti valley lies towards the left.
We soon reach Odari. The word ‘Odari’ means a naturally made cave rock. This place has a mythological story associated with it. It is believed that Bali, Hanuman’s brother, had stayed here for one night. Here too we might find evidence of the rare Himalayan brown bear. We camp below Bali Pass along a glacial moraine. This is the one of the best locations for a camp, with the valley below and the Pass behind us. The temperatures at night tend to go to sub-zero degrees. Camping at this altitude is a unique experience which very few treks offer.
This day of crossing Bali Pass too begins very early. We strive to reach the summit by 8am. The trail heads down south, over a ridge. It is a fairly short but steep climb up to the Pass. A lot of glacial scree will be encountered here. Time taken to reach the top ranges from 45 minutes to one and a half hours.
Once we reach the top, we behold the Yamunotri valley for the first time. The view is breath- taking. We see hints of the Saptrishi Kund, which is the origin of river Yamuna. We also get to witness the Banderpunch peaks from the top of the Pass. The summits of Dayara Bugyal, Barua Top and Dokrani Bamak are visible too. We then descend carefully via a connecting ridge and reach the camping grounds of upper Dhamni.
We descend further to a forested trail. This path leads us to the famous shrine of Yamunotri with the glorious Bandarpunch in its background. One of the temples in the Char Dham circuit, it is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. After paying obeisance to her black marble idol, we make our way down the conventional pilgrim road to Janki Chatti. We stay overnight in one of the guesthouses here. We will get electricity but no phone network.
This is the final day of the trip and we drive back to Dehradun. We can make the most of this jourey by visiting other well-known places that fall on this route such as Kempty waterfalls, Nainbagh and Mussourie.
With equally beautiful memories of an offbeat trek and touristy sight-seeing, we have a cherishable experience.
The Bali Pass Trek presents a challenging high-altitude adventure amidst the grandeur of the Himalayas in India. Adequate preparation with the right gear and equipment is paramount. Here’s a comprehensive list of essentials for the Bali Pass Trek: Clothing: Trekking shoes with robust ankle support Backpack equipped with a rain cover Trekking gaiters Trekking crampons or microspikes Insulating, waterproof layers, including a down jacket Sub-zero temperature suitable sleeping bag Hat, gloves, and scarf Other Crucial Gear: Trekking poles for stability UV-protected sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen Water bottles and reliable purification tablets Headlamp or flashlight with spare batteries Comprehensive first aid kit with vital medications Map and compass for navigation A versatile knife or multi-tool Toiletries for personal hygiene Nutritious snacks and sustenance Consider the Following Additional Items: Camera to capture the breathtaking vistas Power bank for uninterrupted connectivity Engaging reading material or entertainment Effective insect repellent Cash for unforeseen expenses Packing judiciously is key, as you’ll be responsible for your own backpack throughout the trek. Dressing in layers allows adaptability to fluctuating weather conditions. Embrace the adventure, but also prioritize safety and comfort on this remarkable journey through the Himalayas.
The Bali Pass Trek is an advanced-level expedition not recommended for beginners. It demands robust physical fitness, endurance, and a spirit of adventure. The trail traverses dense forests and steep gradients, presenting challenges that may be overwhelming for novices. For those new to trekking, it is advisable to embark on less demanding journeys in the Himalayas.
Some excellent options for beginners include Kedarkantha Trek, Har Ki Dun Trek, Chopta Chandrashila Trek, Deoria Tal Trek.
Once you’ve gained experience trekking in the Himalayas, you can consider taking on the Bali Pass Trek. Here are invaluable tips for novice trekkers contemplating the Bali Pass Trek:
Bali Pass is located in Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand
Yes, Bali Pass trek is considered one of the most difficult and challenging treks due to steep climbs and uneven terrain.
Yes, it reaches around 4,950 meters (16,240 feet).
The Bali Pass trek is around 60 km long.
Sankri Village in Uttarkashi District is the base camp or starting point for Bali Pass trek.
It takes 7 to 9 days.
Yes, it connects Har Ki Dhun to Yamunotri and offers you a view of Bandarpoonch
Yes, due to its difficulty level and high-altitude, it's suitable for experienced trekkers.
Bali Pass Trek Difficulty Level: Not For Beginners
Himalaya Shelter
