Vasuki Tal – Kedarnath Trek Via Mayali Pass, Masar Tal – Painya Tal and Khatling Glacier
Vasuki Tal, at an altitude of 4800 meters, has been a cynosure of trekkers eyes since the time immemorial. The divine lake even lured the Devtas and celestial nymphs who came here to procure the magical waters. The lake is cocooned amidst the rugged mountains towering over the Kedar base. There are a number of routes to attempt Vasuki Tal Trek. This itinerary covers the best of the Kedar range of the Garhwal Himalayas. You name it and this Vasuki Tal - Kedarnath trek itinerary offers it. In the beginning, this itinerary follows the challenging trail of the old Gangotri-Yamnotri trekking route. This is followed by a thrilling adventure of camping at Garhwali Bugyals, steep ascent on rocky terrains, crossing of the windy Mayali Pass and finally camping under the stars in a desolate wildlife sanctuary. The peaks like Sumeru, Kedar Dome, Chaukhambha, Thalaysagar, Nilkanth, and Mt. Vasuki can be seen throughout the considerable part of the trek. Hence, it is certainly one of the most adventurous, challenging, and offbeat treks of Uttarakhand.
Wildlife enthusiasts may seek a never-had-before experience. Ghorals, Bharals, Himalayan Bears, musk deer, red giant flying squirrels, vultures, wild owls, and high-altitude Himalayan reptiles are commonly spotted on this trek. Snow leopards have also been a common sighting in Kedar Wildlife Sanctuary. Thanks to the Musk Deer conservation program, there are a plethora of musk deer. Hence, the number of leopards has seen a constant increase too. The Rich flora of Panwali Kantha Bugyal, Birodh, and Chowki Bugyal give you a feel of virtually attempting the Valley of Flowers trek. Almost all the species of flowers in the valley are found on this route.
Myriads of birds greet you throughout the trek. You may also get an opportunity to click on some of the rare species. The coniferous forest of this region nurtures the birds like Himalayan Monal, Dark Breasted Rosefinch, Yellow Breasted Greenfinch, Redstart, species of Treecreepers, Wagtails, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Himalayan Bulbul, and Ashy Drongo.
Trekking through isolated landscapes helps you connect with your inner self. Moreover, a visit to one of the most auspicious shrines of Kedarnath makes this journey a spiritual one. Besides covering the places of religious importance like Kedarnath and Vasuki Tal, you would unravel a totally unconventional route experiencing the eccentricity of Mother Nature. This is your chance even to take a closer glimpse of Garhwali culture. Staying at rustic villages like Gangi and Ghuttu gives you an opportunity to sneak into the local homes, their languages, folksongs, and of course the local food.
Vasuki Tal is a beautiful glacial lake located in the Garhwal region. The lake is surrounded by rugged mountains. You can plan your Vasuki Tal trek from various routes. The best itinerary covers most of the Kedar range. Vasuki Tal Kedarnath Trek offers you everything. You will start your journey from the challenging trail of the old Gangorti-Yamunortiu trekking route. The trail ascends to the beautiful Garhwali Bugyals. The Bugyals lead to rocky terrain, and then you will cross the Mayali Pass. You will camp in a wildlife sanctuary where you can stargaze at night. Peaks like Chaukhamba, Sumeru, etc, can be seen from any point of the trek.
Vasuki Tal Trek can be a great experience for wildlife lovers. They can find species like Bharals, red giant squirrels, rare reptiles, and various other high-altitude animals. Snow leopard sightseeing is also common in this region. With the help of a few conservation programs, now the number of leopards has increased and can be seen in various locations. The big Bugyals like Birodh Bugyal can give you a feel of the Valley of Flowers. These Bugyals have various kinds of flower species. Along with the adventure, the Vasuki Tal Kedarnath Trek is also a journey to devotion. This trek will give you a chance to see the beauty of Mother Nature and spirituality.
History Of Vasuki Tal Kedarnath Trek
The locals of Uttarakhand are always close to nature. They believe that Vasuki Lake is blessed by God. In the Samudra Manthan, Vasuki becomes a rope. The Vasuki helped the Gods and Demons to take out the nectar of immorality. Some locals have different stories behind the lake. Some folklore say that Lord Vishnu bathed in the Rakha Bandhan. The lake is very sacred, and many sages have been meditating there. Vasuki Tal Kedarnath Trek is not only a challenging trek but also a devotion. Some people start the trek after visiting the mighty Kedarnath Temple. Meanwhile, some people choose Kedarnath as the finishing spot of the trek.
Mountaineers have always been curious about the Vasuki Tal as the lake is a camping spot for many expeditions. The villagers and the shepherds also depend on the nearby areas. The big alpine meadows are the grazing fields for their cattle. The trekking culture grew in Uttarakhand in the 2000s. People from all over India visit Kedarnath and trek to Vasuki Lake. This trek is heaven for the trekkers who seek adventure and mythology.
Highlights Of Vasuki Tal Kedarnath Trek
The main attraction of the whole trek is the beautiful glacial Vasuki Lake. Reaching the Vasuki lake feels very rewarding. You reach Vasuki Lake after trekking for about a week. The weather up there is very cold, but trekkers can feel the warmth of the devotion. You can meditate near Vasuki Lake and feel the spirituality and peace.
If you are trekking in the summer, then you can find yourself in the lap of big green meadows. These meadows are the grazing fields for cattle. You can also find various species of wildflowers in these big alpine meadows. Camping and stargazing are very popular in these Bugyals.
- Sightseeing Rare Himalayan Species
Vasuki Tal Kedarnath Trek is a great exploration for sightseeing rare Himalayan animals and birds. You can spot various rare birds like Monals in the upper Himalayan region. People also go on snow leopard expeditions there. Trekkers can also spot the mountain goats and even marmots.
Trekkers complete their Vasuki Tal Kedarnath Trek in the divine Kedarnath Temple. This is the very sacred pilgrimage site of India. You ascend to the Vasuki Tal and then descend to the Kedarnath Temple. This whole journey feels like a route to spirituality.
Difficulty Level Of Vasuki Tal Kedarnath Trek
The Vasuki Tal Kedarnath Trek is a type of moderate to difficult trek. This trek has a few difficult sections and the altitude is also something people should consider. If you have done some Himalayan treks, then you are suitable for this trek. Fit beginners can also go for this trek only when they have good physical fitness and mental endurance.
The air becomes very thin when you cross 4000 m. If your body is not prepared for the high-altitude areas, then you can get some AMS symptoms. You should take proper rest everyday on the trek before you ascend for the Vasuki Lake. Prepare your body for altitude to trek in difficult sections.
The Vasuki Tal Kedarnath Trek has some steep and rocky sections. When you cross the Bugyals, you will find yourself in the rocky region. These sections have loose stone and slippery patches. You should have good trekking poles and a strong grip to cross these challenging trails.
- Physical And Mental Endurance
This is a very long trek, as you will walk daily for about 2 weeks. You require good physical strength to walk about 8 km daily. This much distance does not seem a challenge but uphill climb is very difficult. You should also need good mental endurance to keep your mood fresh and light on the trek.
Best Time To Visit The Vasuki Tal Kedarnath Trek
You should plan the Vasuki Tal Trek in the summer or the early autumn months. These months are suitable for trekking as the weather remains fine and safe.
- Vasuki Tal Kedarnath Trek From May To June
You can plan your Vasuki Tal trek in the summer. The snow starts melting in the upper region and the weather starts increasing. You can enjoy the greenery of the meadows. The wildflowers fill the colors in the meadow and the temperature also remains good.
- Vasuki Tal Kedarnath Trek From July To August
Avoid planning your trek to Vasuki Tal in the monsoon season, as this area is very prone to landslides. You can face lots of problems like cloud bursts, road blocks, etc. The trail also becomes very slippery and difficult.
- Vasuki Tal Kedarnath Trek From September To October
You can also plan your trek in the post-monsoon. This is also a good time because the views become clear. The trails start drying up, and the temperature remains cool in the daytime. The nights in late October can be freezing, and you may encounter fresh snowfall.
- Vasuki Tal Kedarnath Trek From November To April
You cannot trek to Vasuki Tal or Kedarnath in the winter. The trail and the temple remain closed. You should not try trekking in the winter.
How To Reach The Vasuki Tal Kedarnath Trek
Your journey to the Vasuki Tal Kedarnath Trek will start from Ghuttu. This is a small village in the Tehri district. You can reach Ghuttu by road. Reach the Ghuttu village a day ahead and have a good rest before starting the trek.
Ghuttu is a small village that is only accessible by road. You can look for direct buses from Dehradun to Ghuttu village. Take an overnight bus from Delhi. You can also find direct buses to Dehradun from other locations. Now look for the direct buses or shared taxi to Ghuttu village.
You can take a train to Dehradun or Rishikesh. Many direct or indirect trains are available to these locations. Now you can take a bus from Dehraun to Ghuttu. You can also find a shared taxi or direct bus from Rishikesh.
You can take a flight to Dehradun. The airport is on the outskirts of the city. Now take a cab to the bus station. Look for the direct buses to Ghuttu. Or, you can take a cab to Rishikesh and then take a bus to Ghuttu.
Things To Carry In The Vasuki Tal Kedarnath Trek
You should pack enough clothes to keep yourself warm. The weather will be cold even at the peak of summer. Start packing with the correctly sized backpack. Get a 60L backpack that can provide you with good back support. Your bag should also have a raincover. Now start with the base layer and pack a pair of thermals. Pack a lightweight weather or fleece jacket as a mid layer. You will also need a waterproof windcheater jacket for the outer layer. Now pack 2 trekking pants and avoid jeans. Pack a sun cap for the daytime and a woolen cap for morning and evening. You can also pack a good pair of gloves.
Look for a good pair of trekking shoes that can also provide you with ankle support. Buy waterproof trekking shoes with good grip. You can also pack a pair of sandals for the campsites. Now pack 4 pairs of woolen socks and 2 pairs of cotton socks.
Your personal care includes the daily use items. If you are trekking with your friends, then you can make a list and share the items. Pack a few personal items like a toothbrush and a towel. Now look for other items like toilet paper, hand-sanitizer, and soap. Pack a good sunscreen and a moisturizer. You should also pack a lip-blam and apply it regularly in the trek. Make a small first-aid kit for yourself. Now, keep your government ID like an Aadhar Card, handy with you.
