Pindari Glacier Trek: Short Itinerary

(Click on the links "Day *" to read a travelogue of the day.)

Day1 : Reach Kathgodam early morning. Start to Saung by taxi, takes close 7 hrs. Then go to Loharkhet KMVN, we took another taxi due a broken bridge. Stay overnight at Loharkhet KMVN.

Day2: Start to Dhakauri/Khati. Uphill climb from Loharkhet to Dhakauri takes 4.5 hrs (approx 11 km). After lunch start to Khati. Dhakauri to Khati takes around 3 hrs, mostly downhill (approx 8 km). Breath taking sights to mountains and meadows. Stay overnight at Khati, huge number of hotels/dhabas.

Day3: Start to Dwali from Khati. Long but not so difficult walk for around 5 hrs (apporx 11 km). Stay at Dwali overnight at KMVN.

Day4: Assault for Pindari Zero-Point. Dwali to Phurkiya is a slightly uphill trek, takes 2 hrs (apporx 5 km). Have breakfast at Phurkiya. From Phurkiya to Zero-Point long walk for close to 2.5 hrs (apporx 11 km). Reach Baba's place, get some rest and make the final attempt for Zero-Point which is about 1 Km uphill. By now we were very tired, but the view was breathtaking. Some snaps and we started our way back. Reached back Dwali by 4:30pm (we started in the morning at 6 am). Long and ardorous day of 24 km walking. Start early to make sure you can the views without too many clouds.

Day5: Coming back to Dhakauri from Dwali. Dwali to Khati descent will take 3 hrs. We had lunch at Khati and reached Dhakauri in 4 hrs. It was raining all the way from Khati->Dhakauri, combined with uphill climbing took us 4 hrs.

Day6: Get back from Dhakauri to Sauing via Loharkhet. Catch taxi in Saung for Kathgodam.

Some Suggestions:
1) On Day 3 you can reach Phurkiya directly instead of waiting at Dwali. But you may need advance booking for KMVN. Staying at Phurkiya will allow you to reach zero-point early and spend some significant time there.

2) Day4 you can start at Phurkiya, reach zero-point and get back to Dwali. Saves time.

3) Take a slow trek from Dhakauri to Khati (or reverse). Clear skies offer some breathtaking views of mountains Baljauri, NandaKhet, Sundardunga, Mektel etc.