Phulara Ridge Trek

Trek: 4.5 km, 4-5 hrs

Altitude: 6,398 ft (1,950 m) – 8,858 ft (2,700 m)

Accommodation: Camping (Alpine Tents)

Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner

• The trek begins with a slight ascent through a dense forest of towering pine trees.
• The forest gives way to an enchanting clearing.
• The only dhaba on the trek is located in this clearing.
• A villager might welcome you with his musical flute.
• After reaching Sikolta, take an excursion to Juda ka Talab, a well-known lake in the trekking community.

Trek: 4.5 km, 5 hrs

Altitude: 8,858 ft (2,700 m) – 12,139 ft (3,700 m)

Accommodation: Camping (Alpine Tents)

Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner

• Begin the day with an ascent through a forest
• Reach a wooden bridge and cross it over a cascading brook
• Conquer a short patch of steep ascent and reach the Karsu thatch
• Witness the picturesque opening of the Karsu thatch
• Explore the wooden house-like abandoned structures
• Walkthrough islands of rhododendrons
• Reach the plain green grass meadow of Bhoj Gadi
• Admire the backdrop of purple-gray-hued and snow-capped mountains
• Roam around the campsite and pose with the fascinating arrangement of stones and a log
• Sit and experience serenity and meditativeness.

Trek: 8.5 km, 7-8 hrs

Altitude: 12,139 ft (3,700 m) – 12,345 ft (3,763 m) – 9,843 ft (3,000 m)

Accommodation: Camping (Alpine Tents)

Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner

• A descent to the iconic Phulara Ridge takes about an hour from Bhoj Gadi
• The Phulara Ridge is a chain of mountains forming a continuous crest with narrow edges dropping into valleys on either side
• Unobstructed views of majestic Garhwal Himalayan mountain ranges – including Swargarohini and Bandarpoonch – can be seen in three directions
• Once the ridge ends, a descent into the vast and undulating Pushtara bugyal or Pushtara meadows follows
• The expanse around is a source of liberation after the exhilarating ridge walk
• Countless variety of flowers bloom in summer, including the Brahmakamal and Fankamal
• The ridge has been named “Phulara” due to the presence of flowers
• There is a possibility of spotting the rare monal pheasant, the state bird of Uttarakhand, on today’s trail

Trek: 10 km, 7 hrs

Altitude: 9,843 ft (3,000 m) – 7,900 ft (2,408 m) and Drive to 6,398 ft (1,950 m)

Accommodation: Guest House rooms with attached washrooms and geysers

Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner

• The last day of the trek involves a full day of descent to civilization.
• We continuously descend along the trail towards Taluka.
• After crossing the grasslands, we enter the dense untouched forests and continue across them for the rest of the trail.
• As we descend towards Taluka, we will find an increasing number of trees.
• We will be greeted by little yellow flowers, which to some extent, help ease the sadness of reaching the end and make us realize the worth of the treasure gathered in the last few days.
• While descending through dense forest, we will observe bands of langoors on trees.
• We come across scattered settlements, eventually reaching the quaint village where we will be greeted by curious and warm villagers and their children asking for candies.
• We will appreciate the architecture and smile at the simple domesticity of village life in the remote Himalayas.
• A vehicle will take us to Sankri from Taluka, and we take a car back to Sankri for the hour-long drive.

Drive: 190 km, 8 hrs

Altitude: 6,398 ft (1,950 m) – 2,100 ft (640 m)

Meals: Breakfast

Drive back to Dehradun on the final day.

The Phulara Ridge Trek is typically a 4-5 day trek, covering a distance of approximately 20-25 kilometers (12-15 miles) round trip.

The best time for the Phulara Ridge Trek is during the summer months, from May to June, and the post-monsoon season, from September to October. During these periods, the weather is generally more favorable for trekking.

While prior trekking experience is not mandatory, it is recommended that participants have a reasonable level of fitness and stamina. The terrain can be challenging at times, so being in good physical condition will enhance the trekking experience.

The highest point on the Phulara Ridge Trek is Phulara Top, which is at an altitude of approximately 3,600 meters (11,811 feet) above sea level.

Trekkers may need to obtain permits to enter the Gangotri National Park, which the trek may pass through. These permits can be obtained from the forest department or the relevant authorities.

Accommodation during the Phulara Ridge Trek is typically in tents. Trekkers usually carry their own sleeping bags, and the trek organizers provide the tents. There are no permanent structures or lodges along the trail.

Essential items to pack include warm clothing, trekking boots, rain gear, a good quality backpack, first aid kit, water bottles, and high-energy snacks. It’s important to pack light but ensure you have all the necessary equipment.

Mobile network connectivity may be limited or non-existent along parts of the Phulara Ridge Trek. It’s advisable to inform your contacts about your itinerary before starting the trek.

You can find the last ATM in Parola, a small town on the way to Sankri.

Running or Jogging: Start with a comfortable distance and gradually increase your pace and distance over time. Aim for at least 3-4 days a week of cardio workouts.

Hiking Practice: If possible, try to find local trails or hills to practice hiking. Start with shorter hikes and gradually increase the difficulty.

Strength Training:

• Legs: Focus on exercises that target your quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves. Squats, lunges, leg presses, and calf raises are beneficial.
• Core: A strong core will help with balance and stability on uneven terrain. Include exercises like planks, Russian twists, and bicycle crunches.
• Upper Body: Don’t neglect your upper body strength, especially if you’re carrying a backpack. Incorporate push-ups, pull-ups, and shoulder presses.

Flexibility and Mobility:

• Stretching: Regular stretching helps improve flexibility and prevents muscle tightness. Focus on stretching your legs, back, and shoulders.
• Yoga or Pilates: These practices can help improve flexibility, balance, and overall body strength.

“I have been doing treks with Himalaya Shelter for the last two years and they are awesome people with pure humbleness.“

Writes Priyesh.

We at Himalaya Shelter consider our trekkers part of our community, a family of sorts and really understand the efforts that you put into taking that much-needed break and setting off to the mountains. Some of you may wait for months and even a year to plan out that perfect excursion. That’s why we want it to be “a perfect excursion” for you.

Our testimonials (read below) are a testament to our service-oriented mindset.

We take safety into great consideration and ensure our team is trained to handle emergency situations.

For a better experience, we provide accommodation on Twin Sharing throughout the trek. With most trekking operators you would get triple or even quad sharing accommodation.

Our Accommodation will have attached washrooms

Furthermore, we provide the essential safety gear for your trek –

Without any additional charges.

We pamper you with great food which keeps you going on the trek. (On our google maps out of 300 reviews over 80 Trekkers mention great food😋)

We do not outsource services to ensure topmost quality throughout your journey. We use our own fleet of Vehicles to ferry you to the base camp and return.

The minimum requirement to join our team, Trek Leaders should have done the Basic Mountaineer Course

Trek leaders in Himalaya Shelter have extensive experience in trekking and mountaineering. They are familiar with the specific terrain, weather conditions, and challenges of the region where the trek is taking place.

Sankri is a small village in Uttarakhand which is the base camp of many popular treks. It is 180 km from Dehradun. Public buses and shared jeeps run between Dehradun and Sankri.

The Pick up point will be Prince Chowk in Dehradun