Pindari Glacier Trek
The Pindari Glacier, in the Bageshwar district, falls in the Kumaon Himalayas and has lured mountaineers and trekkers since the last century. It is one of the most easily accessible of all the Himalayan glaciers. Pindari's rugged beauty offers a breathtaking sight, especially for the trekker who is in love with nature in all its pristine glory.
It lies between the Nanda Devi and Nandakot peaks and terminates at an altitude of 3627mts. The Glacier is 5kms. long, the snout is about 6 m high and 2.5 m wide and above the snout, the glacier extends for about 3 km in length and 300- 400m in width, between an altitudinal range of about 3600m to 5000m. The Pindari Glacier is located in the Pinder Valley between logitudes 79° 13'-80°02' E and latitudes 30* 15' N. It occupies an area of 339.39 sq.km. The valley is drained by the Pinder river that emerges from the Pindari Glacier.
The river, in its initial course, flows through sedimentary rocks. Further to the south, it meanders through quarts schists. Granite is found in abundance in this area. The Pinder river has cut a gorge in thick glacial deposits upto nearly 10kms., resulting in the formation of spacious glacial terraces spread on both sides of the gorge.
Further down, from Phurkia up to Khati, places enroute to the Pindari glacier, one comes across numerous waterfalls, hanging valleys and tremendous rolls cliffs as the one of at Dwali. One has to go by road upto Song which can be accessed from Almora, Bageshwar and Kathgodam and thereafter one has to trek 45 km. upto zero point (Pindari Glacier). The colour of Pindari Glacier is very white and at some places, spots of light blue and brown may also be seen.
Itinerary (Pindari Glacier Trek):
Grade: Mild
Time: May to November
Duration: 9 days
Average Walking time: 5-6 hours per day
Day 1 (New Delhi, India):
Arrive New Delhi. Meet Himalayan Trekker representative. Kafni Glacier Trek Starts. New Delhi to Bageshwar. Overnight in Bageshwar. Bageshwar is situated at the confluence of river Saryu, Gomati and the latent Bhagirathi. The township of Bageshwar is also revered as the pious land associated with lord Sadashiva, the redeemer of all sins. As the pauranas state, this undoubtedly is the place capable of lebrating one from the eternal bondage of births and deaths. With the east and west flanked by the Bhileshwar and Nileshwar mountains and surrounded by Surajkund and Agni Kund in the south, this land of Lord Shankar is of great religious and historic significance
Day 2 (Bageshwar - Song - Loharkhet):
On second day, we move to Loharkhet, a small hamlet on the banks of river Saryu. Overnight in Loharkhet.
Day 3 (Loharkhet - Khati, 2210 M):
From Khati one can view the peaks. Legend has it that the villagers of Khati are the direct descendants of those who had shelered the Pandavas, during their Vanvasa. These poeple are known for their warmth, simplicity and hospitality indeed a trademark of the Kumaon hills not yet corrupted by the commercialisation of tourism. Khati is the biggest village enroute Pindari. The trek to Khati descends down to Umla Village (4 kms). Khati village lies at the confluence of Pindari and Sundardhunga Rivers. Overnight in tents.
Day 4 (Khati - Phurkia, 3260 M):
Now we reach Phurkia, where the trees gives way to alpine pastures and shepherds can be seen guiding their large flock across grazy uplands. The mountain greenery is at its best here. Overnight stay at Phurkia. Overnight in tents.
Day 5 (Phurkia - Zero Point - Dwali, 2575 M):
On day 5 of Pindari Glacier Trek, we do an 18 kms trek. From Zero point, we see the view of Pindari Glacier. The Pindari Glacier measures 3 kms in length and 0.25 kms in breadth. It owes its existence to the vast quantities of snow precipitated from Nanda Devi and other lofty summits of the greater Himalayan range. It takes its name from the Pindar River, which originates in the trails pass above the glacier. Overnight stay in Dwali.
Day 6 (Dwali - Kafni - Dwali):
A 5 kms trek. The Kafni glacier lies left of the Pindar valley and the Nandakot. The main Himalayan summits visible from Kafni are Nandakot (6806 M) and Nanda Bhanar (6104 M) Return to Dwali. Overnight stay at Dwali. Overnight in Dwali.
Day 7 (Dwali - Dhakuri, 2690 M):
A 19 kms trek. Dhakuri-Binjak ridge offers a view of the snow-clad Nandakot summit (6806 mts) to the east of Maktoli (6804 mts) to the west. Overnight stay in Dhakuri.
Day 8 (Dhahuri - Bageshwar):
A 16 km. trek to Song and 40 km. by bus to Bageshwar. Overnight stay in Bageshwar.
Day 9 (Bageshwar - New Delhi):
Drive from Bageshwar to New Delhi. Pindari Glacier Trek concludes.
