4 Popular Peaks:
Bhrigupanth ( 6772m ), Kedarnath (Main) ( 6940m ), Kedarnath Dome ( 6831m ), Thalay Sagar ( 6904m )
1 High Passes:
Mayali Pass ( 5108m )
3 Serene Lakes:
Masar Tal ( 4770m ), Vasuki Tal ( 4914m ), Bheemtal ( 1333m )
3 Mind-boggling Glaciers:
Chorabari Glacier, Companion Glacier, Khatling Glacier
3 Tranquil Rivers:
Bhilangana, Mandakini, Vasuki Ganga
1 Beautiful Remote Villages:
Ghuttu
- Day 1
- D1Rishikesh
- Day 1
- Ghuttu
- Day 1
- Reeh
- Day 2
- D2Gangi
- Day 2
- Kalyani
- Day 3
- D3Kharsoli
- Day 4
- D4Tambakund
- Day 5
- D5Chowki
- Day 6
- D6Masar Tal
- Day 7
- D7Masar Tal
- Day 7
- Mayali Pass
- Day 7
- Masar Top
- Day 8
- D8Vasuki Tal
- Day 9
- D9Kedarnath
- Day 10
- D10Gaurikund
- Day 11
- Rishikesh
Day 1Arrival In Gangi
Overnight In: Gangi (2664m )
Accommodation: otel / Homestay / Tents
Meals Included: All Meals
Cost Of Transport Included: No
Activity: Trek Day
A long but beautiful drive through the lower Himalayas to access the Higher Himalayas. We board the cab early morning around 8 AM from Rishikesh and cross Tehri and Ghansali before reaching Ghuttu. Now the road goes up till Gangai, and hence we advance further and reach Gangi where we can either camp or stay in rest houses.
Day 2From Gangi To Kharsoli, Via - Kalyani ( 15 Kms,6 - 7 hours )
- Day 2
- 2665 - Gangi
- Day 2
- 2625 - Kalyani
- Day 2
- 2880 - Kharsoli
15Km, 6 - 7hrs.Activity: Trek Day
Overnight In: Kharsoli (2876m )
Accommodation: Homestay / Tents
Meals Included: All Meals
A long day through the forest and occasional openings with multiple ascends and descend
Day 3From Kharsoli To Tambakund ( 8 Kms,4 - 5 hours )
- Day 3
- 2880 - Kharsoli
- Day 3
- 3400 - Tambakund
8Km, 4 - 5hrs.Activity: Trek, Explore Day
Overnight In: Tambakund (3400m )
Accommodation: Tents
Meals Included: All Meals
We move further up towards the snout of the Bhilangana river and Khatling Glacier. This enables us easier crossing of the Bhilangana river the next day.
Day 4From Tambakund To Chowki ( 5 Kms,2 hours )
- Day 4
- 3620 - Tambakund
- Day 4
- 3620 - Chowki
5Km, 2hrs.Activity: Trek, River Crossing Day
Overnight In: Chowki (3620m )
Accommodation: Tents
Meals Included: All Meals
River Crossing Day. We find a suitable site to cross the Bhilangana river. Fot this we might require to walk up the Khatling glacier a little. It totally depends upon the current situation of the river and glacier crossing point. It a short day and needs to be timed well. The remaining day can be utilised to acclimatize and rest.
Day 5From Chowki To Masar Tal ( 8 Kms,4 - 5 hours )
- Day 5
- 3620 - Chowki
- Day 5
- 4570 - Masar Tal
8Km, 4 - 5hrs.Activity: Trek Day
Overnight In: Masar Tal (4568m )
Accommodation: Tents
Meals Included: All Meals
The trek now has taken its full color and today is one wonderful and important day. After an half rest day in Chowki, we are fully recharged for the day. A trek over the rough rocky terrain and we gain rapid altitude today.
With views of Khatling behind, we slowly reach the campsite of of Masar Tal. It gets very cold here.. so be prepared.
Day 6Rest / Acclimatization Day
- Day 6
- 4570 - Masar Tal
- Day 6
- 4570 - Masar Tal
10Km, 4 - 5hrs.Activity: Rest, Explore Day
Overnight In: Masar Tal (4568m )
Accommodation: Hotel / Homestays / Tents
Meals Included: All Meals
Rest Day
Day 7Pass Crossing Day
Cross Mayali Pass And Reach Vasuki Tal via Masar Top ( 14 Kms,7 - 8 hours )
- Day 7
- 4570 - Masar Tal
- Day 7
- 5110 - Mayali Pass
- Day 7
- 4900 - Masar Top
- Day 7
- 4300 - Vasuki Tal
14Km, 7 - 8hrs.Activity: Trek Day
Overnight In: Vasuki Tal (4300m )
Accommodation: Tents
Meals Included: All Meals
A difficult day. It begins with a steep climb to Masar Top over a boulder zone. Snow makes it further difficult. From the top we descend down slighty and then climb the glacier to the top of Mayali Pass.
A dedicated trek through the difficult terrain take us to the top of the Mayali Pass and with that we reach the climax of our trek.
Well, getting down is important too ! After spending satisfying time on top ( if weather allows ), we start our steep descend down to Vasuki Taal. It tests your knees and an exhausting trek finally ends the Vasuki Tal camp. We camp few hundred meters before Vasuki Tal, as camping near the holy Vasuki Taal is prohibited.
Day 8From Vasuki Tal To Kedarnath ( 7 Kms,4 hours )
- Day 8
- 4375 - Vasuki Tal
- Day 8
- 3585 - Kedarnath
7Km, 4hrs.Activity: Trek Day
Overnight In: Kedarnath (3583m )
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: All Meals
A 2 kilometer climb to Vasuki Top via Vasuki Taal and then descend to the holy shrine of Kedarnath.
Day 9From Kedarnath To Gaurikund ( 14 Kms,4 hours )
- Day 9
- 3585 - Kedarnath
- Day 9
- 1990 - Gaurikund
14Km, 4hrs.Activity: Trek Day
Overnight In: Gaurikund (1989m )
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: All Meals
Trek ends in Gauikund
Day 10From Gaurikund To Rishikesh
- Day 10
- 1990 - Gaurikund
- Day 10
- 370 - Rishikesh
9hrs.Activity: Drive Day
Overnight In: Rishikesh (370m )
Accommodation: None
Meals Included: Breakfast
Drive down to Rishikesh
- The twin lakes of Masar Taal and Vasuki Taal. Holy, Picturesque and Serene.
- The roughness offered by the Khatling glacier and the terrain beyond Chowki.
- The remote villages of Uttrakhand
- Mayali pass at 5300 meters offers great views of Thalay Sagar, Kedar dome and other peaks of Gangotri region
- The holy shrine of Kedarnath
The Mayali Pass is a high pass of over 5000 meters and takes you from the Bhilangana Valley to Kedarnath and the Mandakini Valley. It falls on the legendary trek route to trek from the holy shrine of Gangotri to the holy shrine of Kedarnath - 2 of the most coveted pilgrimage destinations for the Hindus.
For those few trekkers who wants to do this legendary trek route from Gangotri to Kedarnath, the approach is via the Auden's Col starting from Gangotri. The trek route is considered a semi technical route requiring to negotiate not just the high altitude, but most importantly the crevasses and the treacherous and deadly Khatling glacier. Once they enter the Bhilangana valley, they then meet the slightly easier Ghuttu - Mayali Pass trek route and then cross the pass to reach Kedarnath.
The Mayali pass trek can also be approached from the village of Ghuttu, near Uttarkashi. Comparatively, this trek is a easier one. We approach the Mayali Pass form Ghuttu passing by the villages of Reah and Gangi and then to the small picturesque medows of Kharsoli, Kalyani and then then to the grand meadow of Chowki with breathtaking views all round of some of the elegant mesmerisers of Garhwal Himalayas. A side excursion to Sahastra Tal can be added from Kharsoli.
From Chowki, the Mayali Pass Trek changes its grade and its colour too, reaching the serious high altitude zone of the Himalayas. We take some time acclimatizing and exploring this beautiful site. A side trek to explore the fear striking, crevasse filled Khatling Glacier.
The Mayali Pass trek really reveals itself from beyond Chowki where the terrain gets rougher. It then heads towards the mighty Mayali Pass getting tougher, steeper, passing through the treacherous boulder laiden terrain from Masar Tal, Masar Top and then to the top of the Mayali Pass. Snow and most importantly - thin layers of ice on these type of terrain can make things really tricky and having a safe step, basic set of equipment and a good knowledgeable guide who knows the terrain well, is very much advised . You also need to be well equipped with all necessary gears to negotiate such terrain depending on the season and the condition of the terrain when you are doing this trek.
The descend from the top of Mayali Pass is sharp and climbs down to the pious lake of Vasuki Tal ( not to camp by the lake ). This terrain is too boulder-laiden and eases out gradually. From Vasuki Tal, the trek eases out comparatively to get us to the holy shrine of Kedarnath.
If we like to trek in the wild, away from the rush and crowded trails, this is one of the best option for you. The villages on this trail give you an insight of the local culture. The twin holy lakes of Masar Taal and Vasuki Taal will leave you silent and peaceful. The sight of crevasse filled Khatling glacier might leave your spines chilled. Achieving the top of Mayali Pass and views from the top will leave you ever excited whenever you speak of this trek to others.
This trek is not an easy one and a good physical fitness and mental stamina is much required. Previous experiences help, as often the weather God might show its agony and your plans might fall apart.