We start early from Dehradun and reach the village Sankri by evening. The final stretch is through the Govind Pashu National Park after we cross a check post at Netwar. We rest at night in a guest house.
Post breakfast we are transported from Sankri to Taluka. The drive is a bit bumpy. The trek commences from Taluka on a stony path. With the river Supin gushing through rapids beside us, under the shade of walnut, pine and other trees, the walk is quite pleasant. Often the passing villagers greet us on the way.
The path crosses over a few streams which merge with Supin. After a few hours of walk the village of Gangad can be seen towards the left, across the river. We continue our trek and after about an hour′s walk, the quaint village of Osla unfolds itself. Seema is a tiny settlement opposite to the river from Osla. We set camp here or stay in a hut with a local family in the village.
From Osla the trail gradually rises higher and passes through bushes of flowers like orchids, fleece flowers and sunflowers. The ascending path climbs high above the confluence of Supin river and the river from Ruinsara valley.
After traversing higher up along the left side of the river, we camp at a very panoramic spot in Har ki Dun, located at the junction of two valleys: one originating from Jaundhar glacier and the other from beyond Hata glacier.
We can choose to relax and soak in the environment or we have several trails as options.
The vast open meadows following the course of the Supin river can be explored. Further ahead of the meadows one can walk among the forests of Bhojpatra trees (Himalayan birch) or get a closer glimpse of the Jaundhar glacier and Swargarohini peak.
One can visit the Marinda Tal just 2km away from Har ki Dun. It is small glacial lake formed by a huge rock obstructing the river which flows down from Borasu pass.
The little-known valley of Hata can be explored which lies in between the above two valleys. It also has some large meadows and a close view of the Hata glacier and peak.
In this day we initially follow the trail coming back from Har ki Dun to Osla. After about 1 km we follow a path downhill on our left which leads to a small bridge and cross over to the opposite side. The path is through a dense forest for about 2 km. Then it turns left and enters the Ruinsara valley. From here it takes about 2 hours to reach the camping ground near the waterfall.
We ascend into the Ruinsara valley. There is a stark difference in the vegetation with pine and fir giving way to birch and rhododendron. Ruinsara lake is a lovely lake surrounded by meadows and rhododendron bushes. It is considered sacred by the locals. Since, the trek is short, we have sufficient time on this day to acclimatize and explore the trails nearby. Overnight in camps near the lake.
We start the day early and can explroe the trail to Black Peak and Swargarohini basecamp before going towards our destination. We walk across the valley below Ruinsara lake and cross the river over a bridge. There is a steep ascent from the bridge to a ridge. The trail from here to the campsite passes through some beautiful meadows. We get a view of Swargarohini peak behind us from the campsite.The camp is set We camp below the pass along the glacial moraine. This is one of the best locations for a camp with the valley below and the pass behind you. Camping at this altitude is a new experience which very few treks offer.
From the camp we turn right and ascent towards the pass. The trails have boulders and rocks. After about 1.5 km, we walk on a narrow and ascending ridge which ends near our campsite. We camp below the pass along the glacial moraine. This is one of the best locations for a camp with the valley below and the pass behind you. Camping at this altitude is a new experience which very few treks offer.
We start very early, before sunrise on this. The steep climb to the pass commences just after a short walk. We reach the top of the pass by early morning. We get a gorgeous view of various peaks from here especially of the Banderpunch peaks on a clear day. From the pass, we descend down into the alpine zone and reach the camping grounds of upper Dhamni. This place has water nearby.
We descend to the forested trail leading to Yamunotri. After a quick visit to the famous shrine of Yamunotri, we make our way down the conventional pilgrim trail to Janki chatti. Overnight in guesthouses in Janki Chatti.
This is the final day of the trip and we drive back to Dehradun.
The Har Ki Dun to Bali Pass trek is both challenging and extensive, leading adventurers to an impressive altitude of 4,975 meters (16,240 feet). This expedition combines three distinct treks along the same trail, encompassing the picturesque landscapes of Har Ki Dun, the scenic beauty of Ruinsara, and culminating with the thrilling ascent to Bali Pass.
Getting to the Bali Pass base camp from Odari is especially hard, especially from April to June when there’s a lot of snow. The last part is super steep and needs both strength and experience. Coming down also has some tricky parts at the beginning that you need to be careful with. After Upper Damini, the path is well-marked and takes you to Yamunotri.
As we all know, predicting weather in the mountains with 100% accuracy is challenging, given its dynamic and unpredictable nature. Conditions can fluctuate throughout the day, and changes can occur at any moment. However, a general forecast based on the prevailing season suggests a higher likelihood of favorable weather for your expedition.
In May and June, summer brings nice weather with warm, sunny days on the trail. There’s plenty of sunlight, and you’ll find shaded spots for resting. Evenings might feel a bit cool, so having an extra warm layer of clothing is a good plan. Sometimes, it might rain a little in the afternoon, so be ready for that. Once you go past Odari, remember that because you’re up high, it could snow if the weather gets bad.
The first three weeks of September bring a really amazing sight in the Himalayas. This short time, with not much rain or snow, shows a world of lively beauty and untouched nature.
The meadows explode with lots of colors as wildflowers, excited by the rain, bloom in a spectacular way. Tall grasses sway gently, adding to the vibrant scene. The melting snow uncovers a path of rocks and sand, showing the way to the Bali Pass.
As September ends and October brings a chill, the first snowflakes start to fall gently. This tells us that the pass will close soon. This quick change from warm summer to cool winter shows how nature always changes in beautiful ways
In this Trek you get the chance to visit Har ki dun Valley, Hata Valley,Maninda Taal
As you trek along, you’ll see really tall mountains like Black Peak (6,387 m), the big Swargarohini Massif, and the strong Bandarpunch Massif.
You’ll be able to see towering peaks like Black Peak (6,387 m), the majestic Swargarohini Massif, and the imposing Bandarpunch Massif along the trek. In the heavily wooded areas between Osla and Ruinsara Lake, you may come across Black Bears. Further up, towards the Dhumdhar Kandi pass, you can find Brown Bears. Blue Sheep is another prominent species found in the area.
The pass itself feels more like a summit than a low point of the trek. The last stretch to the pass offers incredible panoramic views as a reward.
The Bali Pass summit stands at an impressive altitude of approximately 4,8750 meters above sea level.
Cardio exercises that are good for preparing for a high-altitude trek include:
Running
Swimming
Biking
Hiking
Stair climbing
Strength training exercises that are good for preparing for a high-altitude trek include:</p>
Squats
Lunges<br />Push-ups
Pull-ups
Planks
Crunches
Week Cardio Strength Training
1 30 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio 3-4 times per week 2 sets of 10-12 repetitions of each exercise, 2-3 times per week
2 40 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio 4-5 times per week 3 sets of 10-12 repetitions of each exercise, 2-3 times per week
3 50 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio 4-5 times per week 3 sets of 12-15 repetitions of each exercise, 2-3 times per week
4 60 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio 4-5 times per week 3 sets of 15-20 repetitions of each exercise, 2-3 times per week
5 60-90 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio 4-5 times per week, including 1-2 interval training sessions 3 sets of 15-20 repetitions of each exercise, 2-3 times per week
The har ki Dun 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.
The Har Ki Dun Bali Pass trek is usually open from April to June and from September to November. During the winter months (December to March), the trek is closed due to heavy snowfall, and it is not recommended to attempt the trek during this time.
The best time to visit the valley is during the months of May and June when the weather is pleasant, and the valley is adorned with blooming flowers.
Mori, being a small village, has limited banking facilities and only one ATM available. It is advisable for trekkers to carry enough cash with them from Dehradun or Mussoorie to avoid any inconvenience.
BSNL & JIO networks work till Sankri, while other networks only work till Mori. There is no network coverage beyond Sankri.
For medical emergencies, the closest hospital is located in Mori or Purola.If you are in close proximity to Bali Pass, descending towards Yanmotri provides convenient access to the government hospital located in the area.
However, for major medical emergencies, it is important to note that the nearest hospital is located in Mussoorie or Dehradun which can take approximately 8-9 hours to reach.
Tridhib Adhikary –
16June 2023
We safely completed Bali pass trek first time for this season. Before starting the trek we heard negative things from everyone who tried this season, no one could cross the pass .We might not have been able to,
But for the team of himalaya shelter it just happened successfully . Supportive guides made route and put rope for us before the day we crossed the pass ,and technically guided us to the end of the trek successfully.ensuring safety of trekkers also for their stuffs.
Thank you team Himalaya Shelter
Without your technical support, ontime wise decision it was just impossible.