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KEDARTAL - AUDEN’S COL TREK
- Region - Uttarakhand
- Base Camp - Gangotri
- Duration 12 Days
- Altitute 5495m
- Stay Rooms/Tents
- Difficulty Expedition
Detail itinenary
Meet your trip leader at Dehradun, board the vehicle and drive to the small temple town of Gangotri, which might take you odd 8 hrs to reach. It’s a beautiful drive along Ganges and Bhagirathi. Later check in the hotel and spend the day at leisure.
Gangotri - Gangotri is the place where the Goddess Ganga descended on Earth from the locks of Lord Shiva- the spot marked by a Goddess Ganga temple where millions of devotees throng to pay homage every year.
The shrine of Gangotri is situated at an elevation of 3200 m surrounded by Cedar and Pine trees. The original temple was constructed by the Gorkha General, Amar Singh Thapa. Every year people from all around the world visit this shrine. A number of ashrams and Dharamshalas are located on the far side of the river. It is believed that Raja Bhagirath used to worship Shiva on a slab of rock known as "Bhagirath Shila" situated near the temple. Submerged in the river there is a natural Shivling where, according to mythology, Lord Shiva sat when he received the Goddess Ganga in his matted locks. A days trek takes one to Gomukh, the source of the mighty Ganges.
Post an early breakfast, we will start the trek to Bhoj Kharak, the campsite for tonight. Climbing up against Kedar Ganga, today you will hike through a birch forest with a rough terrain. Negotiating a few rock fall zones you will reach Bhoj Kharak. Have a fresh brew at the campsite and go for an acclimatization hike nearby.
Today you will hike through beautiful alpine meadows much above the tree line. A bit steep section will land you on the smooth slopes of these golden meadows where you can spot makeshifts of the shepherds that camp there during the season. From here you will descend down through a patch with steep gradient and loose rocks, further away from where; will be your campsite for the day. With the views of giants like Patangini Dhar, Gangotri Massif, Auden’s Col and the Jogin Group of peaks, the campsite for today is just like dream. Sip some ginger lemon tea, and relax as the stars take over the sky.
This day you will walk upto the beautiful Kedartal Lake, the hike to which is again a tough one but surely interesting. You will be walking mostly through an off beaten track of boulders and sharp rocks formed due to continuous rock fall in the area. Walking carefully through such terrains it will take you around 5 to 6 hrs to get the first view of this emerald lake along with the mighty Thalayasagar peak on the northern ridge. Spend the evening meditating or reading a book on the banks of the lake.
An extra day for rest and exploration around the lake, or can be utilized at any point and time of the trek depending on the conditions.
This morning you will be climbing the steep terrains of the Patangini Dhar pass; this will be the highest point till now. You might need to walk in the snow on both sides of the pass; getting down the pass you will either find snow fields or alpine meadows depending on the time of the year you make this journey. Once in the meadows, relax at the campsite and enjoy the evening with a million dollar view right outside your tent window.
Post a healthy breakfast you will start the hike for the day. As you start from the meadows towards the glaciers you will need to get in and out of the moraine and on to the glacier that would require a lot of effort and patience. This is the reason why only seasoned trekkers are suggested to do this trek, moraine walks are the most adventurous as well as tricky part of the trek with no chance of error in such conditions. Negotiating the physical features the mountains are offering, you reach the campsite for the day.
Today you will hike till the base camp of the Auden’s Col. The hike is again through a roughly beaten trail traversing through the glacier and the snout and into the moraines. Spend the night under the stars if the weather allows as tomorrow you climb up the famous Auden’s Col.
Post an early breakfast you will head out for the climb of the infamous Auden’s Col. The gradient rises gradually to a sweet 70 degrees if not more; as you approach the pass. The walk is pretty strenuous and one needs to keep themselves hydrated at all the times. Witnessing the Col you trace back your steps to the base and spend the evening talking about the achievements of the day.
Today you will descend down towards the Nala camp, negotiating the lateral moraines and loose rocks, gradually entering the meadows. You still are above the tree line though one can spot bushes of rhododendrons and junipers in the surrounding.Overnight in tents.
This again is a gradual walk towards Gangotri, as you finish a round trip and reach back the temple town. The last section of the hike will be a bit steep descent but nothing in comparison to what you have been negotiating in past 10 days. Brace your selves at the temple for you have finished one of the most beautiful and tough trek in all of the Himalayas. Overnight in hotel.
Drive / 8-9hrs - Trip End Here !
Kedartal - Auden's Col Trek
Known for the most beautiful views of the higher Himalayas; this trek moves in the Bhagirathi valley. The idea is to cross one of the most adventurous passes in the Himalayas, via Kedartal , a simply beautiful green water glacial lake that forms the major tributary to Bhagirathi meeting at Gangotri . Over the next ten days you will walk through one of the most alien and bizarre places on this planet, with the most amazing views mountain have to offer.
Trek starts from the small temple town of Gangotri , from where you cross the Bhagirathi and walk into the valley following Kedar Ganga , one of the major tributaries of the Ganges, believed to be Shivas contribution to it. The trek till Kedartal is a gnarly one, with a few rockfall zones in between; one has to be in their wits in order to tackle the walk in the primeval moraines. Camping in the moraines near the snout, you can hear the cracking Glaciers as they move un-noticed to the eye.
Audens Col trek is one of the most extreme and beautiful trek in the Himalayas, connecting Rudurgaira valley and Bhilagna valley. This high altitude mountain pass situated at an elevation of 5490m joins Gangotri and Kaidarnath , two of the major Hindu temples, which makes it much fascinating for any seasoned trekker to walk this trail. The venture moves into beautiful forests of Rhododendrons and Birch, crossing the tree line coming across magnificent meadows, valleys, streams and waterfalls, amidst the towering peaks of Gangotri Massif.
Having a reputation to be as good as Kalindikhal (the holy grail of treks); if not more, this trek is suggested for experienced trekkers only, as there are a lot of moraine walks throughout the trek; along with the pass and the glaciers being infested with a huge no. of crevasses. Being one of the toughest and most technical treks, only a handful of professional companies carry out this venture.
SKETCH ITINERARY
Day 1: Dehradun - Gangotri (240 kms / 4 - 5 hrs)
Day 2: Gangotri - Bhoj kharak (3415m)
Day 3: Bhoj kharak - Kedar kharak (4315m)
Day 4: Kedar kharak - Kedartal (4750m)
Day 5: Kedartal - Kedar kharak
Day 6: Kedar kharak - Patangini dhar (5085m) - Patangini base (4045m)
Day 7: Patangini base - Glacier camp
Day 8: Glacier camp - Audens base (4975m)
Day 9: Audens base - Audens col (5495m) - Audens base
Day 10: Audens base - Nala camp
Day 11: Nala camp - Gangotri
Day 12: Gangotri - Dehradun
Detail itinenary
Meet your trip leader at Dehradun, board the vehicle and drive to the small temple town of Gangotri, which might take you odd 8 hrs to reach. It’s a beautiful drive along Ganges and Bhagirathi. Later check in the hotel and spend the day at leisure.
Gangotri - Gangotri is the place where the Goddess Ganga descended on Earth from the locks of Lord Shiva- the spot marked by a Goddess Ganga temple where millions of devotees throng to pay homage every year.
The shrine of Gangotri is situated at an elevation of 3200 m surrounded by Cedar and Pine trees. The original temple was constructed by the Gorkha General, Amar Singh Thapa. Every year people from all around the world visit this shrine. A number of ashrams and Dharamshalas are located on the far side of the river. It is believed that Raja Bhagirath used to worship Shiva on a slab of rock known as "Bhagirath Shila" situated near the temple. Submerged in the river there is a natural Shivling where, according to mythology, Lord Shiva sat when he received the Goddess Ganga in his matted locks. A days trek takes one to Gomukh, the source of the mighty Ganges.
Post an early breakfast, we will start the trek to Bhoj Kharak, the campsite for tonight. Climbing up against Kedar Ganga, today you will hike through a birch forest with a rough terrain. Negotiating a few rock fall zones you will reach Bhoj Kharak. Have a fresh brew at the campsite and go for an acclimatization hike nearby.
Today you will hike through beautiful alpine meadows much above the tree line. A bit steep section will land you on the smooth slopes of these golden meadows where you can spot makeshifts of the shepherds that camp there during the season. From here you will descend down through a patch with steep gradient and loose rocks, further away from where; will be your campsite for the day. With the views of giants like Patangini Dhar, Gangotri Massif, Auden’s Col and the Jogin Group of peaks, the campsite for today is just like dream. Sip some ginger lemon tea, and relax as the stars take over the sky.
This day you will walk upto the beautiful Kedartal Lake, the hike to which is again a tough one but surely interesting. You will be walking mostly through an off beaten track of boulders and sharp rocks formed due to continuous rock fall in the area. Walking carefully through such terrains it will take you around 5 to 6 hrs to get the first view of this emerald lake along with the mighty Thalayasagar peak on the northern ridge. Spend the evening meditating or reading a book on the banks of the lake.
An extra day for rest and exploration around the lake, or can be utilized at any point and time of the trek depending on the conditions.
This morning you will be climbing the steep terrains of the Patangini Dhar pass; this will be the highest point till now. You might need to walk in the snow on both sides of the pass; getting down the pass you will either find snow fields or alpine meadows depending on the time of the year you make this journey. Once in the meadows, relax at the campsite and enjoy the evening with a million dollar view right outside your tent window.
Post a healthy breakfast you will start the hike for the day. As you start from the meadows towards the glaciers you will need to get in and out of the moraine and on to the glacier that would require a lot of effort and patience. This is the reason why only seasoned trekkers are suggested to do this trek, moraine walks are the most adventurous as well as tricky part of the trek with no chance of error in such conditions. Negotiating the physical features the mountains are offering, you reach the campsite for the day.
Today you will hike till the base camp of the Auden’s Col. The hike is again through a roughly beaten trail traversing through the glacier and the snout and into the moraines. Spend the night under the stars if the weather allows as tomorrow you climb up the famous Auden’s Col.
Post an early breakfast you will head out for the climb of the infamous Auden’s Col. The gradient rises gradually to a sweet 70 degrees if not more; as you approach the pass. The walk is pretty strenuous and one needs to keep themselves hydrated at all the times. Witnessing the Col you trace back your steps to the base and spend the evening talking about the achievements of the day.
Today you will descend down towards the Nala camp, negotiating the lateral moraines and loose rocks, gradually entering the meadows. You still are above the tree line though one can spot bushes of rhododendrons and junipers in the surrounding.Overnight in tents.
This again is a gradual walk towards Gangotri, as you finish a round trip and reach back the temple town. The last section of the hike will be a bit steep descent but nothing in comparison to what you have been negotiating in past 10 days. Brace your selves at the temple for you have finished one of the most beautiful and tough trek in all of the Himalayas. Overnight in hotel.
Drive / 8-9hrs - Trip End Here !
Price Info
Accommodation on sharing basis as per the package taken
- Day 1: Overnight in Hotel / guest house (Gangotri)
- Day 2: Overnight in Tents (Bhoj Kharak)
- Day 3: Overnight in Tents (Kedar Kharak)
- Day 4: Overnight in Tents (Kedartal)
- Day 5: Overnight in Tents (Kedar Kharak)
- Day 6: Overnight in Tents (Patangini Base)
- Day 7: Overnight in Tents (Glacier Camp)
- Day 8: Overnight in Tents (Auden's Base)
- Day 9: Overnight in Tents (Auden's Base)
- Day 10: Overnight in Tents (Nala Camp)
- Day 11: Overnight in Hotel / guest house (Gangotri)
Good Quality Of Camping Arrangements
- Good quality of alpine tents
- Fresh and clean Sleeping bags of very good quality
- Comfortable camping mattresses
- Mess Tent
- There will be 2 toilet tents (Separate for Gents and Ladies) having portable toilet seats
- First Aid / Medical kit
Meals
- Day 1: Dinner
- Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 3: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 4: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 9: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 10: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 11: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 12: Breakfast
- Professional guide(s) to ensure high safety and more information and personal attention which are necessary to appreciate a trek. All our guides are professionally trained and have many years of relevant experience in guiding treks.
- Porter / Mule charges for carrying camping equipment & rations
- Forest entry charges, permits & camping fee
- First aid kit
- Transport of any nature (to include transport click on the transport box above)
- Accommodation in any other location not mention above/
- Porter / mule charges to carry your personal bag
- Any meals / services not mentioned above
- Any charges for video cameras, still cameras, etc.
- Alcohol, soft drinks, beverages, etc.
- Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
- Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, road blocks, bad weather, etc.
- Insurance
- 5% GST
Departure Dates
Departure Dates
Reviews
42,000 *5% GST Extra
PAYMENT TERMS & CONDITIONS
- All payments for the trips, transfers, porterage, etc. should be made in full before the trip starts.
- Cancellation Policy: In the event that you need to cancel your booking due to any avoidable or unavoidable circumstances:
- We must be notified of the same in writing. Cancellation charges will be effective from the date we receive the request in writing. Any cancellation sent on a Sunday or any National Holiday(s), will be considered on the next official working day.
- Payment for this trip will not be adjusted towards any future trip(s)
- In the event of any cancellation(s) after trip commencement, there will be no refunds and any costs incurred due to this cancellation will be borne by you.
- Irrespective of when a trip is booked, the above condition will hold true
- Cancellation charges will be as follows
- >45 Days: Full refund (after deducting any expenses that have been incurred for hotel bookings, transport, etc.)
- 30-45 Days: 75% of trip cost will be refunded (after deducting any expenses that have been incurred for hotel bookings, transport, etc.)
- 15-30 Days: 50% of trip cost will be refunded (after deducting any expenses that have been incurred for hotel bookings, transport, etc.)
- <15 Days: No refund
VITAL INFORMATION
WEATHER DETAILS
This snow trek is organized between Dec & mid-March when the region has had good snowfall. Contrary to the popular belief winters is a good time to be in the mountains if one is equipped properly. Most locals inhabiting higher reaches of the mountains don’t mind the problems associated with snowfall and seem to have a good time during these months. Also there are lots of local festivals in these months. In these months weather is generally clear most of the days. Day time is normally pleasantly warm with one getting to enjoy sitting out in the sun. Temperature would be around 12-17 °C. Evenings are quite cold and one would need to be inside a tent/room or sitting outside next to fire with proper winter clothes. The evening temperatures will be around – 3 to 5 °C. Nights can be very cold with temperatures in the range of – 8 to 0 °C.
Please keep in mind that the above information is not exact and does not account for sudden changes. Whatever the temperatures and conditions rest assured we will be prepared to handle it with ease as we use equipment of very high specifications.
LIST OF ESSENTIALS
It is very important for this adventure trip that you need to be equipped properly and with a bit of back up. Mountain/adventure travel requires one to be adequately equipped with the right kind of personal gear. Since one is travelling in the wilderness there will be hardly any opportunity to buy anything once you hit the trail so we urge you to carefully pack everything into your bags.
- T-shirts (Full) – 2/3
- Warm shirt/light micro fleece pullover/full sleeve T shirt
- Trekking Pants (water resistant/repellent & having inside lining for extra warmth) - 2
- Windproof/water resistant outer shell (jacket) of good quality (no flimsy wind cheaters please!) with a proper hood
- Down jacket with min 600 fill power rating
- Thick Fleece / Full-sleeve Woollen sweater
- Thermal inner wear (upper & lower)
- Woollen cap (Balaclava)
- Inner fleece gloves
- Outer water proof gloves
- Thick woollen socks & regular socks (4 – 5 pairs)
- Scarf/muffler (optional)
- Comfortable waterproof (Goretex) Trekking/Hiking shoes (shoes with a thick sole and high ankles are recommended)
- Camp shoes (these can be easy to slip in sneakers/sport shoes)
- Gaiters
- Raincoat / Poncho
- Small light weight towel
- Insulated water bottle & hydration pack (optional)
- Cap / floppy hat to keep the strong sun away from your face
- Sun glasses with UV protection and ability to cut the glare (imp when traversing through snow)
- Sturdy walking stick / Trekking pole
- Sunscreen Lotion
- Lip Balm
- Torch / Flashlight (with extra batteries)
- Medicines, if requiring any specific medication
- Personal toiletries
- Book, if you like reading
- Day pack/small bag which you will carry on your back every day and keep your essentials in it
- Carry rain cover for your bags
- Keep a few poly bags or waterproof bags in your bag in which if required you can put your belongings in case of heavy rain
- Camera if you like (with fully charged batteries)
- …LOADS OF ENTHUSIASM!! AND A PLEDGE TO LEAVE NO TRACE
Carry your stuff in a duffel bag, soft shoulder bag or a rucksack. Avoid suitcases, trolleys or any other hard luggage. As you will be walking long distances carrying a rucksack, avoid bringing unnecessary items on the trek. Please avoid carrying expensive watches, jewellery and electronic items on the trek.
NOTE: In case you are planning to put your bag on a mule or taking a porter please get a duffel bag or rucksack and keep it in mind that there is a possibility that the bag at times might brush against a rock or a tree and get slightly damaged so don't get very expensive bags. Also in case of damage we shall not be held accountable.
TRANSPORT OPTIONS (DELHI – DEHRADUN – DELHI)
For travel to Dehradun/Haridwar/Haridwar, one can choose between air, rail & road. For air travel, the closest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) and is well connected to Delhi and other parts of the country by Air India, Jet Airways, GoAir & Spice Jet. Train travel is highly recommended with enough options being there. For train details, you could log on to www.indianrail.gov.in and for online railway ticket bookings you could log on to www.irctc.co.in.
There are frequent Public Transport buses including Volvos available from Delhi to Dehradun that cost about Rs. 300 - 800 per person. These buses depart from Delhi ISBT every 30 mins to 1 hr or so and take about 4/5 hrs to cover the distance. The same is also applicable on the return journey. A private vehicle could also be arranged for if you require the same.
OUR TREKKING CODE
We are mountain lovers and have pledged to bring no harm to them in our pursuit of running organised wilderness travel in the Himalayas and seek your assistance too in this regard. We are more than convinced that one can have more fun on a trip if we go about it in a way that no harm is caused to the ecology. In this regard we have a set of guidelines that we adhere to based on the tenets of 'Leave No Trace' & 'Tread Light' policies. These guidelines are very simple and emphasise on travelling in small groups, better planning, understanding impact of camping, proper waste disposal, respecting local cultures, sensitivity towards wildlife and so on. We have a complete section on our trekking code in the 'GIO trekking Manual'. This manual will be couriered to you once you confirm a trip with us.
ACCLIMATISATION & HIGH ALTITUDE SICKNESS
This is one of the most important aspects of traveling in the high Himalayas and cannot be ignored or set aside. Acclimatization basically means our body adjusting to lower levels of oxygen (rarefied air) & reduced air pressure as me move up. In case one does not acclimatize properly there are chances of the person facing extreme discomfort and this can be fatal in extreme cases. While there is no set route to getting properly acclimatized there are general precautions and steps that one can take to initiate good acclimatization. Our trekking guides will assist you with these steps and also once you book a trip with us the 'GIO Trekking Manual' which will cover this aspect extensively will be couriered to you. This is sure to help you enjoy the trek in very good shape.
SELECTING THE RIGHT TREK & TRAINING FOR IT
Most important thing is to select the right trek keeping in mind your experience or inexperience, health, objectives & ability. Our senior team people can assist you with this, so when contacting us do mention if you need guidance on this front also refer to our trek grading system mentioned below. Once the right trek is selected comes your preparation. Once you have booked a trip with us we will courier the 'GIO Trekking Manual' to you which will have a complete practice drill explained in detail.
TREK GRADING SYSTEM
We have broadly classified our treks as below:
Easy: These treks are 3 to 5 days long and involve walking for about 3/4 hrs daily. The trail on such treks is well defined but not always flat. These are great for families and first-timers
Moderate: On these treks, one is not required to trek for more than 5/6 hrs a day. Also the terrain is not too difficult. These treks are normally a week or so long. For these treks, prior trekking experience is not necessary. Very rarely on these treks would one camp at altitudes higher than 3800m. These treks are great for first-timers or for veterans wanting to go on a trail which is relatively less demanding
Moderate+: These are moderate treks with mostly one difficult day. These trails are fine for fit beginners also.
Vigorous: On these treks one can be required to trek continuously for more than a week through remote areas and at times trekking for more than 7 hrs a day. On most of these treks one has to cross passes or areas which are snow-covered and involve camping at an altitude of more than 4000m. Fit people with some kind of hiking experience & a spirit of adventure can contemplate going on these trails.
Strenuous: These treks apart from having continuous trekking stretches are at places technical and might require assistance from trip leader/guide and other staff people. All these treks have rest days in between. Also, all of them involve crossing passes or areas having an altitude of more than 4500m. First-timers are discouraged from walking such routes.
Expedition Style: These involve long walks at high altitudes at times around 6000m. Camping can also be well over the snow line and on glaciers at times. Safety ropes, ice axes, and crampons might be required on these treks. These treks are not technically very difficult but are considerably challenging. Previous vigorous/strenuous trekking experience is required.
DISCLAIMER
Great Indian Outdoors (P) Ltd. takes utmost care to ensure the safety of its clients. However, in the case of any unforeseen mishaps, Great Indian Outdoors (P) Ltd. will not be liable for any injuries caused or for loss of life. All disputes rising due to the above are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in New Delhi/Delhi only. All participants would be required to sign an Indemnity Form before the start of the program, without which they would not be allowed to take part in the trip/program/activities.
Recognised by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India as an Approved Adventure Tour Operator
Contact Us
GIO Adventures Pvt. LtdDehradun - Uttarakhand
- +91-7895979211
- info@gio.in