Pindari Glacier Trek

TREK DIFFICULTY

Moderate

TREK DURATION

6 Days

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

12000 Feet (3,660m)

GROUP SIZE

TREK DISTANCE

48 km

BASECAMP

Kathgodam, Uttarakhand

BEST TIME

April to June and September to November

PICKUP POINT

Kathgodam

Pindari Glacier Trek Overview

The Pindari Glacier Trek is situated in the Kumaon Region of Uttarakhand. historically, the valley was a part of ancient trade routes to Tibet, and British and Mountaineers have explored it in the 1800s and 1900s. The Beauty of this trek is Dense forest, Rhododendron trees, vast meadows, a view of Mt. Nanda Devi, Maiktoli, and Panwali Dwar.

Pindari Glacier Trek is a beautiful and most popular trek of the Kumaon region. This is a beginner-friendly trek located in the Bageshwar District. This glacier is the source of the Pindar River. The trail to Pindari Glacier Trek is very beautiful. You start the trek from dense forests and then walk through big alpine meadows.

The green meadows can allure you in summer. The scenery is different in every season. Spring means your trail will be covered with Rhododendron bloom. Autumn brings the crisp winter air and clear Himalayan views. You can find rest shops and tea shops on the trail. The terrain becomes rugged and barren near to the snout of Pindari Glacier. The view of the glacier is very rewarding. The locals are very helpful and easy going.

History Of Pindari Glacier Trek

The Pindari Glacier has a special place in the heart of Kumaon. This beautiful trek was once a trade route for locals. The traders and locals of nearby villages used this trail for exchanging goods. The shepherds have been taking their cattle in the alpine meadows of Pindari glacier for centuries. People from far valleys travel via these trails for barter. The Pindari Glacier trek had become a means of exchanging goods and culture.
During the British Raj, Pindari Glacier had become the most popular trek. The Britishers start exploring the Himalayan region around the Pindari Glacier. The terrain of Pindari Glacier was more approachable than the Garhwal Himalayas. The trail to Pindari Glaciers was easy making it the favorite trekking spot for Britishers. Today, the roads are reaching high altitude areas. Now people trek to Pindari Glacier from the Khati. The easy route and amazing beauty makes it a beginner-friendly trek.

Highlights Of Pindari Glacier Trek

Majestic Pindari Glacier: The main attraction of this trek is the Pindari Glacier. This glacier is resting at the height of 3660 m. This is a 5 km long glacier. You can enjoy this view from the snout of the glacier.
Beautiful Trails: The trail to Pindari Glacier is very serene. It is easy and beautiful. You start the trek from the beautiful Khati village. The trail passes through different terrains. You will walk in dense forests of Oak and Pine trees. The alpine meadows appear when you gain some altitude. Some sections also have rocky packs.
Explore Kumaoni Culture: Your trek to Pindari Glacier passes through beautiful villages. You can explore the Kumaoni culture in villages like Khati and Dwali. These villages have guest houses and homestays. You can stay there and interact with the locals.
Beginner-Friendly Trek: The Pindari Glacier Trek is an easy to moderate level trek. You can attempt this trek even if you don’t have trekking experience. The trails are simple and you can enjoy nature at its best. You can plan your Pindari Glacier Trek with friends and family.

Difficulty Level Of Pindari Glacier Trek

Altitude

The altitude of Pindari Glacier near the snout is 3660 m. The altitude is not very high as compared to other Himalayan treks. The chances of getting AMS symptoms are low. But the new trekkers should rest well at night to prevent breathlessness.

Trek Duration

The Pindari Glacier trek is about a week long. The total trek distance is about 50 km. You will walk for 8-10 km daily which takes about 6-7 hours. The walking hours are more but the trail is easy. Trek beginners may find it tiring. They should take some rest breaks from time to time.

Trail Conditions

The trail to Pindari Glacier is easy. It passes through villages and forest areas. You will see big alpine meadows in the higher altitude areas. The path is well marked and you can see locals on the trail.

Weather Conditions

The weather remains pleasant during spring and summer. The days feel warm and nights are cool. But monsoon can be a difficult time to plan Pindari Glacier trek. The trail becomes muddy and slippery.

Best Time To Visit The Pindari Glacier Trek

Pindari Glacier Trek From April To June: Spring and summer is the best time to plan your Pindari Glacier Trek. The trails start turning green and the views are majestic. The temperature starts rising and the daytime feels warm. You can see small streams on the trek.
Pindari Glacier Trek In July And August: Trekking to Pindari Glacier in monsoon is not a good idea. The trails become very slippery. This area is prone to landslides and you may get stuck somewhere in the trail.
Pindari Glacier Trek In September And October: Autumn is a good time to trek Pindari Glacier. The skies remain clear and you can get beautiful views. The temperatures start dropping but the daytime still feels warm. Nights can be chilly and the temperature may drop to sub-zero.
Pindari Glacier Trek From November To March: The Pindari Glacier Trek remains closed in the winter season. The trails remain buried under the snow. The temperature can drop to -10℃. Winter trek to Pindari Glacier is not recommended.

How To Reach Pindari Glacier Trek?

The trek to Pindari Glacier starts from Khati village. This is a small village in Bageshwar.

Delhi To Kathgodam: You can find various options to reach Kathgodam from Delhi. The distance is about 300 km and will take about 6 hours. You can take a direct bus or book a train to Kathgodam.
Dehradun To Kathgodam: Trains are available from Dehradun/ Haridwar to Kathgodam. You can also find government and private bus services for Kathgodam/Haldwani.
Kathgodam To Bageshwar: Bageshwar has good connectivity from Kathgodam/Haldwani. Reach the bus station and now look for direct buses to Bageshwar. You can also find shared taxi services. You will reach Bageshwar via Almora in around 6 hours.
Bageshwar To Loharkhet/Khati: You can hire a taxi from Bageshwar to Loharkhet or Khati. The distance is about 35 km and may take about 2 hours.

Our treks are specially designed by the experienced team at Himalaya Shelter, taking you on an adventure of a lifetime all while making you connect not only with the bountiful nature but also with yourself and with others on the trek with you creating wonderful memories which will last you a lifetime. All Himalaya Shelter treks are guided by experienced Trekkers having vast knowledge and experience of the region, providing with insightful information and stories pertaining to the region’s flora and fauna and the history of the region whilst the trek. It is safe to say that on successfully completing the trek, one will gain tremendous insight and experience along with lifetime memories.

Inclusions

Accommodation – At Base Camp, stay at a local homestay or guest house for one night each, which will give you an insight into the authentic lifestyle of the locals.( INR 5000 per person extra for single sharing throughout the trek )
On Trek stay in a 2-person Vango Halo Pro/A-Shape tent, which is to be shared by two trekkers, built to withstand extreme weather conditions and at the same time making you comfortable after a hard day’s trek.
Camping Equipment – specially designed sleeping bags that can withstand harsh weather conditions, foam mattresses. Other safety gear like microspikes, gaiters, an ice axe, and helmets will be provided.
Medical Kit – our team will be equipped with an extensive medical kit, which our team is trained and experienced to use. Oxygen cylinders are used after they are thoroughly inspected throughout the Trek. Even campsites have large oxygen cylinders as backups.
Permission - Forest entry charges for Indian nationals (Additional charges will be applicable for international tourists)
Meals – Breakfast, packed lunch (on trek days), evening snacks, and dinner will be served. A hearty, delicious, and nutrition-filled Veg meals with egg preparation will be provided throughout the trek. (Jain and Vegan Food can also be arranged on prior notification.)There will be a dedicated Kitchen Tent along with a dining tent, which will have a dining table too.
Our Team – A highly experienced and AMC-certified Trek Leader who will help ensure that the entire trek goes smoothly and safely while navigating the challenging conditions during the trek, and is skilled enough to navigate any medical emergency that can arise during the trek. Local and route Guides who are well-versed with the region and provide an in-depth insight into the local customs and knowledge of the flora and fauna endemic to the region. A dedicated Kitchen staff, which includes a Cook, a helper, and other support staff. There will also be porters and mules to carry common equipment.
Cloakroom - We have a cloakroom facility available for extra luggage. Every trekker is permitted to leave their luggage behind at no charge.

Exclusions

Personal expenses like tips, personal medicines, phone calls etc.
Travel Expenses - Travel expenses from your hometown to the mentioned Pick-Up Point are not included in the trek fee.
From the scheduled pick-up spot to the base camp, we have our own fleet of vehicles like Bolero, Innova, Dezire, or Tempo Traveler (12-seater). This is be shared by trekkers for a pre-decided amount. All vehicles are non-AC.
Personal Equipment - Any personal gear like jackets, shoes, cutlery, or backpacks are not included in the trek fee. We recommend renting them from our Rental Store for an affordable fee. This can be pre-arranged to avoid last-minute hang-ups.
Offloading - We encourage carrying your backpack to get into the true spirit of trekking. However, if needed, you can opt to offload your personal luggage of up to 12 kgs for an additional cost of INR 500 per bag per day.
Trek Insurance - A mandatory trek insurance fee is charged in addition to your trek fee. Since most medical insurance doesn’t cover adventure activities, trek insurance offers essential coverage, enhancing your safety without a significant financial burden.
Buffer day on the trek - We have kept a buffer day on the trek to account for any weather-related delay. If this is utilized, you will need to pay an extra amount to your trek leader.
Anything apart from inclusions
Please carry a lunch box for a packed lunch/breakfast to avoid using polythene and Aluminium foil.