Darma Valley Trek

Panchachuli Base Camp Trek

The route to the Panchachuli Base Camp Trek in the Darma Valley is very appealing. You start the trek from Dugtu or Dantu village. The trail is simple, and you will see the Panchachuli peaks in front of you.

Remote Kumaoni Villages

Darma Valley is situated near the Indo-Nepal-Tibet border and boasts a unique culture. You will see villages like Sela, Duktu, Nagling, etc on the trek. The Rung community is local to Darma Valley. You will see wooden and stone houses in these villages. The attire of the Rang community is very different and beautiful.

Beautiful Dharchula Town

The main journey to Darma Valley starts from Dharchula town. You can witness the mixture of the Indo-Nepali language and cultures. Indian citizens can also visit Nepal just by crossing the bridge over the Kali River.

Alpine Meadows and Dense Forests

The trail to the zero point at Panchachuli Base Camp is beautiful. You will walk through dense Oak and Pine forest. The Rhododendron bloom is also very bewitching. The big alpine meadows are covered with wildflowers during spring and early summer. 

Darma Valley is located in the Dharchula, Pithoragarh district. The distance between Dharchula and Darma Valley is just 50 km. The drive to Darma Valley is very beautiful. The road conditions are difficult, but the views are mesmerizing.

Darma Valley holds great cultural and traditional significance. You can witness a different face of Kumaon. The Rung community can show you a unique image of Kumaon traditions. The attire and the traditions of the Rung community can give you a glimpse of Indo-Tibetan culture. Darma Valley Trek, Uttarakhand, is a journey to the heart of Kumaon.

Darma Valley offers a rich sight of the Rung community. The Rung people are indigenous to the Himalayan region. The beautiful stone and wooden homes show the real Himalayan culture.

The attire and culture of the Rung people are a bit different from those of other Kumaoni people. Their culture is a mixture of Kumaoni and Tibetan cultures. 

Life at Darma Valley is different. Villages like Dantu and Dugtu do not have electricity. They still use solar lights and kerosene lamps at night. Many houses in the villages are serving as homestays for the trekkers. Winters are very harsh in Darma Valley. But locals never complain and live in harmony.

Location: Dharma Valley is located in the Dharchula town of Pithoragarh district.

Altitude: The altitude of Darma Valley is 3000-3600 m.

Best Season: May-June (Summer) and September-October (Autumn)

Villages: There are a total of 12 villages in Darma Valley, such as Duntu, Dugtu, Sela, Nagling, etc.

Culture: The local community in Darma Valley is Rung. The culture of Darma Valley is a mixture of Kumaoni and Tibetan traditions. 

The Darma valley trek difficulty level is easy to moderate. The trails are easy and beautiful. The altitude of the valley is also average for any Himalayan trek. 

Trail condition

The trail to Darma valley passes through villages and forests. The ascents to the zero point are very gradual, and people can reach there easily. There are some steep sections near the Panchachuli base camp. You can cross these sections at a steady pace.

Altitude

The altitude near Panchachuli Base Camp is 3600 m. You start the trek from villages that are at 3000 m. The altitude is high but not extremely high to get AMS. The chances of getting acute altitude sickness are low.

Fitness Requirement

The Darma Valley trek is beginner-friendly. But the trekkers should be fit to walk for hours in the Himalayan region. If you are starting the trek from Dantu or Dugtu village, then you can easily complete it. But if you are starting the Darma Valley Trek from Dharchula, then you should have good strength. The trek will take about 8-10 days, and you have to walk for 6-7 hours daily.

Darma Valley Trek In Summer

The best season for the Darma Valley Trek is summer. You can plan your trek in May and June. The sky remains clear, and the weather becomes pleasant. The trails become clear, and you can easily trek to Panchachuli Base Camp.

Darma Valley Trek In Monsoon

Trekking to Darma Valley in the monsoon is difficult. The road conditions can be very bad. The visibility is also very poor. The trails can become muddy and slippery. You can also see leeches in the forest area. Landslides are also very common in the monsoon. 

Darma Valley Trek In Autumn

Autumn is also a good time for the Panchachuli Base Camp Trek in Darma Valley. The trails become dry, and the visibility is also good. You can also witness buckwheat flowers till mid-September. The whole valley becomes pink and stunning. The temperature starts droppin', and nights can be very chilly.

Darma Valley Trek In Winter

Trekking to Darma Valley in winter is difficult. The heavy snow blocks the trails. You can reach Darma Valley, but you can’t trek to Panchachuli Base Camp. The temperature can drop to -10℃. The winter trek to Darma Valley is only suitable for experienced trekkers.

Delhi to Dharchula: You can reach Delhi to Dharchula by bus. There is only one direct bus from Delhi to Dharchula. It is an ordinary bus and takes about 24 hours. You can also book a train ticket from Delhi to Haldwani/Kathgodam. Now you can search for direct buses and shared taxis from Haldwani to Dharchula.

Dehradun to Dharchula: Reach Dehradun and take a bus or train to Haldwani. Now take a bus or shared taxi to Dharchula.

Dharchula to Darma Valley: You can start your trek from Dharchula. The total trek distance is about 60-70 km (round-trip). Or, you can take a shared taxi to Dantu/Dugtu. The trek distance from Dantu to Panchachuli Base Camp is just 5 km. 

Day 1: Drive from Kathgodam to Dharchula
Day 2: Drive from Dharchula to Sobla Village. Trek from Sobla Village to Dar Village
Day 3: Trek from Dar Village to Sela Village
Day 4: Trek from Sela Village to Baling Village
Day 5: Trek from Baling Village to Duktu/Nagling Village
Day 6: Trek to Panchachuli Base Camp and back to Duktu/Nagling Village
Day 7: Trek from Duktu Village to Baling Village
Day 8: Trek from Baling Village to Sobla Village. Drive from Sobla Village to Dharchula
Day 9: Drive from Dharchula to Kathgodam

Permit Required

Fitness Preparation

Trekking etiquettes

Book the trek with Himalaya Shelter and feel the difference. Our trekking company takes care of your comfort and safety. We can customize the trek for you. Our guides can adjust the pace and other arrangements according to you. We believe in offering the best trekking services to all our customers.