Let's Go Travel: Treks of Uttarakhand "Treks From Bageshwar"

Treks of Uttarakhand "Treks From Bageshwar"

TREKKING

The hilly terrain of Uttarakhand provides plenty of opportunities for mountaineering, trekking and rock climbing. The easternmost hill district Pithoragarh, bordering Nepal and

Tibet, often dubbed as ‘Miniature Kashmir’, is abundant in natural beauty, making it the perfect base for many an exciting trek. Several interesting treks interlace the Gori Valley with some of the well-traversed trekking routes running along the Munsiyari – Martoli – Milam – Ralam Glacier. These treks are not just walks of adventure, but are also an interesting way to interact and understand the social and cultural life of the people in the Chaudans, Byans and Darma Valleys. The Bageshwar – Sunderdhunga – Pindari – Kafni Glacier trek is another highly preferred trekking route in the area.The Garhwal region also offers several thrilling treks, some of them being the Panch Kedar trek, Kedarnath – Vasuki Tal trek, Gangotri – Kedarnath trek and the Gangotri – Gaumukh – Nandanvan – Tapovan trek. The Panch Kedar trek passes through the five Kedars represented by Kedarnath, Madmaheshwar, Tungnath, Kalpeshwar and Rudranath. The fascinating routes are profusely intermingled with the widest range of flora and fauna. The Valley of Flowers and Hemkund trek start from Govindghat and lead to Badrinath. Other treks like the Kalindikhal trek, the Khatling – Sahasratal – Masartal trek, Har Ki Dun trek, Rishikesh – Pauri – Binsar trek and Roopkund trek are equally invigorating for both the eager amateur and the veteran mountaineer.

THE NEHRU INSTITUTE OF MOUNTAINEERING (NIM)

For the past 40 years, with the aim to produce trained mountaineers and mountaineering enthusiasts, NIM has trained thousands of Indians and hundreds of foreigners. The

proposal to set up such an institute was first declared by the Ministry of Defence in 1964. NIM was established on November 14, 1965 at Uttarkashi to honour the desire of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, who was passionate about mountains. Bachhendri Pal, the first Indian woman to climb Mt. Everest, was trained at this Institute. The core of the training covers a high degree of technical exposure and expertise, along with safety applications to instill the correct mountaineering ethos. Although it is one of India’s youngest institutes, it has managed to get ahead of most others and has become a trusted anchor when it comes to mountaineering training. The excellent training standards, good administration, along with dedicated staff, make it one of the finest mountaineering institutes in the world.

Treks From Bageshwar Nestled amidst misty hills, located at the confluence of the Gomti and Saryu rivers, at a height of 960 meters above sea level lies the holy town of Bageshwar. This 1695.7 sq. km. land of 'Sadashiva' has attracted saints and devotees through ages. As described in the 'Puranas', this is the ultimate place that liberates one from the bondage of birth and death. The temple of Baghnath (Lord Shiva), situated here is venerated by one and all. Devotees gather here on 'Shivratri fair' to worship the lord.Apart from its religious sanctity, Bageshwar is also a trekker's paradise. Adi Shankaracharya, who trekked in the Himalayas in the 8th century A.D., was a pioneer who opened trekking routes in this part of India. The mountain adventure season which till recently was confined to the summer months in this region, now covers almost the full year including winters. Bageshwar is the entry point to the most popular trekking routes like Pindari, Kafni and Sunderdunga Glaciers

S. No.	Name of Trek Route	Distance in Kms.	Duration of Trek	Gradient of Trek
1	Pindari Glacier Trek (Altitude 3600 Mtrs.)
Bageshwar - 36 km motorable - Song - 14 km trek - Dhaukuri - 8 km trek - Khati - 11 km trek - Duali - 7 km trek - Phurkia - 5 km trek - Pindari Glacier		45 Kms.	8 day	Strenuous
2	Kafni Glacier (Altitude 3800 Mtrs.)
Bageshwar - 36 km motorable - Song - 14 km trek - Dhaukuri - 8 km trek - Khati - 11 km trek - Duali - 12 km trek - Kafni Glacier		45 Kms.	8 day	Strenuous
3	Sunderdunga Glacier Trek (Altitude 3240 Mtrs.)
Bageshwar - 36 km motorable - Song - 14 km trek - Dhaukuri - 8 km trek - Khati - 7 km trek - Jaitoli - 22 km trek - Sundardhunga		51 Kms.	9 day	Strenuous