Kanari Khal Trek

Kanari khal trek is a beautiful and lesser-known trek in Uttarakhand. This breathtaking trek is located in the Garhwal region. It is like a hidden jewel for experienced trekkers. This trek provides unmatched beauty and is still very far from commercialization. It is a mix of natural serenity, adventure, and culture. The altitude of Kanari Khal Pass is about 4515 m, and the landscape here is mesmerizing.

The trek starts from Jumma village. This is a small village situated at a short drive from Joshimath. Trekkers can witness excellent views of the Dronagiri valley. Villages like Dronagiri and Ruing are related to the Mahabharata. You can experience the rich culture of the Bhotiya community. These small villages are not only a stay option for the trekkers but also a chance to experience the culture of these communities. When you start walking on the trail, you will see a beautiful transition from pine and oak forest to the alpine landscape. This new landscape will be covered with panoramic meadows, boulders, and glacier streams. While walking on the trail, you will reach the Kanari Khal Pass, which offers a 360-degree Himalayan view.

The famous Kanari Khal Trekking in Garhwal ranges covers the most significant of nature’s most explicit attractions including rivers, waterfalls, high altitude meadows, mountain villages and dense forests. The trek takes the adventurers along the mysterious Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. One can catch the fascinating sceneries on the trail of Kanari Khal Pass and can also hear the streaming roars of many inflows during summers and winters. Along the trek the adventurers may visit the most important pilgrimage center of Hindus like Rishikesh, and can also see the Dronagiri village and Joshimath quite near to the region. The regions can bring adequate chance to explore the lofty peaks of Changbang, garure Dome, Kalanka and can also see the towering peaks of Lampak. This challenging trip is especially designed for the mountain lovers and adventure lovers that will surely set their spirits high with thrill and adventure with Kanari Khal Trekking experience.

History of Kanari Khal Trek

This trek has a rich cultural and mythological value. During the exploration of the Garhwal Himalayas, Kanari Khal Trek came into light. Dronagiri Valley has roots related to the Mahabharata. This trek is not a very well-documented trek, but it is still a very valuable trek due to its geographical location and traditions. The village of Dronagiri is named after the Dronagiri Parvat. In Hindu mythology, this is the same mountain from which Hanuman plucked the Sanjeevani herb. Dronagiri holds lots of traditions and beliefs. The locals resist ascending Dronagiri peak as it is a sacred peak for them. 

Unlike other treks, Kanari Khal Trek is not a famous route for trekkers. But it used to be a part of the trans-Himalayan trade route. The locals used to travel to Tibet via Kanari Khal pass for trade. They mainly barter herbs, wool, and salt for metals and grain. Kanari Khal Pass, Niti Pass, and Mana Pass were the main network routes for the trade between these two countries. This pass also became a route for cultural exchange. You can witness the Tibetan influence, like the customs, player flags, etc. Even the language shows a big Tibetan influence in these areas. 

Highlights of Kanari Khal Trek

Kanari Khal Pass: This is the main highlight of the whole trek as the Kanari Khal Pass offers you a stunning Himalayan view. When you stand on the pass, you can see a 360-degree Himalayan view. Some of the main peaks are Kalanka, Dunagiri, Changbang, Hathi Parvat, and Ghori Parvat. 

Beautiful alpine meadows: While trekking towards the pass, you will walk on the lush alpine meadows. During summer, these meadows fill with greenery and wildflowers. The scenery is similar to the Valley of Flowers trek. However, this trek is lesser-known and offers untouched beauty.

Offbeat experience: Garhwal is home to lots of famous treks like Har Ki Dun, Valley of Flowers, etc. But the Kanari Khal Trek is still very unknown to the world. People who love travelling to lesser-known places, this trek is for you. Trekkers who value raw nature, tradition, and history should do this trek at least once in a lifetime.

Beautiful campsites: All the campsites of the Kanari Khal Trek are beautiful. The Ruing village is culturally rich, where you can experience the rich Himalayan settlement. In clear skies, the Longatulli campsite becomes magical as you can witness a sky full of stars. 

Difficulty Level Of The Kanari Khal Trek

Kanari Khal Trek is rated as a Moderate trek. This trek is suitable for experienced trekkers. However, trekkers with few treks and good physical and mental strength can also do this trek without any difficulty. The difficulty level of the trek depends on the altitude, trail, and weather conditions.

High-altitude trek: Kanari Khal Trek is a high-altitude trek, as the altitude of the pass is 4515 m. This altitude is enough to cause AMS. Trekkers can get headaches and nausea as the air becomes very thin. Trekkers must acclimate well before ascending to the higher areas. Take a good rest at Ruing village camp and start fresh the next day.

Long trekking hours: Kanari Khal trek takes about 6-8 days, and the total trek distance is 35 km. The trekkers may have to walk 5-8 hours daily. If you are an amateur trekker, walking for long hours can be difficult. You should prepare yourself by doing some stretching and running weeks before the trek. 

Weather conditions: The weather is very unpredictable in high-altitude areas. The trekkers may witness sudden rain or snowfall even in early summer or post-monsoon. The temperature can drop to sub-zero degrees at night in the high-altitude campsites. You may encounter strong, chilly winds near the pass.

Best Time To Visit Kanari Khal Trek

The best time to plan your Kanari Khal trek is the summer and post-monsoon. The weather conditions and scenery will be different in every season. You can trek to Kanari Khal only in the summer and post-monsoon, as trekking in the winters is not possible. This region receives a good amount of snowfall, making the route inaccessible. Avoid trekking in the monsoon season as heavy rainfall can lead to slippery trails and landslides.

Kanari Khal Trek from May To Mid-June

This is the early season for the Kanari Khal Trek. If you trek in the first or second week of May, you will see big snow patches near the pass. You can also experience the fresh snowfall in early summer. Trekking this season can be more dramatic and adventurous.

Kanari Khal Trek from Mid-September to Mid-October

You can plan your trek to Kanari Khal post-monsoon. The scenery will be clear, and the trails will be dry. The meadows will start turning golden, and the weather will be cool in the daytime. Nights can be cold as the temperature might drop to -5 degrees in the high-altitude areas.

How to Reach Kanari Khal Trek?

You will start your Kanari Khal Trek from Ruing. This is a small village near Joshimath. You can drive to Jumma and then trek to Ruing. For Jumma, you can take a shared taxi from Joshimath.

To plan your trek, you need to reach Joshimath. This is a famous and well-connected city in the Garhwal region.

Joshimath via Air

The nearest airport to Joshimath is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. You can find frequent flights to Dehradun from all major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, etc. Take a flight and reach Dehradun. Now, take a taxi or bus to Rishikesh. Now look for a direct bus to Joshimath. 

Joshimath via Train

The nearest railway station to Joshimath is Rishikesh. You can find trains to Rishikesh from all major cities. If not, you can also look for trains to Haridwar or Dehradun. Once you reach Rishikesh, take a direct bus to Joshimath.

Pro Tip: You can enjoy the Ganga Aarti at Rishikesh in the evening and take a bus to Joshimath early in the morning.

Joshimath via Road

You can find buses to Dehradun from major cities like Delhi and Chandigarh. From Dehradun, you can hire a taxi directly to Joshimath. Or, you can take a local bus to Rishikesh and then take a direct bus to Joshimath. From the Kumaon region, you can take a bus to Karnprayag and then take another bus to Joshimath.

Things To Carry in Kanari Pass Trek

Kanari Pass Trek is a high-altitude trek, and you should keep your gear accordingly.

Clothing

Take a waterproof backpack of 50-65L, which can provide good back support. Now start packing your clothes. Pack 2-3 quick dry shirts and a pair of good thermals. You will need a fleece jacket and a light woolen sweater. For the outer layer, get a waterproof and windcheater jacket. For bottoms, pack 2 pairs of trekking pants and a waterproof pants. Carry gloves, a cap, and a balaclava.

Footwear

Carry a pair of good high-ankle trekking boots. Your boots must be of good quality and water-resistant. Pack a pair of slippers for campsites. Carry 4 pairs of trekking socks and a pair of gaiters.

Personal care

Pack your toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, and a quick-dry towel. Carry toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Carry sunscreen, moisturizer, and lip balm. You can also carry a small first-aid kit. Don’t forget to carry your government IDs, like an Aadhaar card.