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The Trek

If ever there was a superstar in terms of a trek it is Auden’s Col. Over the years it has garnered the reputation of being one of the most challenging treks in India. Many consider it as the most difficult trek in India. This symbolic trek also holds the credit of connecting two dhams (Gangotri and Kedarnath). On this trek expect a variety of landscapes, long glacier walks and amazing big mountain views!

The Area

This trek lies inside the Gangotri National park near Uttarkashi. The Char Dham lies in Uttarakhand and is thus called Dev Bhoomi (Gods abode).This area is a major Hindu tourist/pilgrim destination. The native language is Garhwali and the people are often referred as Pahadi (Mountain folk).

How are we making it different?

We take smaller groups. Our guides (3 for a group of 8 people) are certified and experienced in handling medical emergencies. We will maintain a staff to trekker ratio of 2:1 while maneuvering the technical parts. We carry safety equipment like helmets, ropes, harness, stretchers (for emergencies)and multiple oxygen cylinders. 

Expected Weather

May-June

  • Chances of Rain/Hail – Mild to moderate rain can be expected in June.(Though monsoon hits most parts of the country in June it reaches Uttrakhand properly only after the 15thof June.
  • Snow on trail – Less likely
  • Temperatures:  During the day, morning temperature can range from 3°C to 8°C; afternoon temperatures up to 20°C and during the night it can drop to -5°C to -8°C

Sep-Oct

  • Chances of Rain/ Hail – Mild to moderate rain can be expected in September.
  • Snow on trail – Possible snowfall in October
  • Temperatures: Afternoon upto 20 degrees, Nights Around -5 to -8 degrees (Oct) at higher camps

Day 1: Drive from Dehradun to Gangotri (Base village) (3063 mts)
Drive time: 8-9 hours. Overnight stay in a Hotel/ Homestay.

Day 2: Trek to Bhoj Kharak (3415 mts)
Trek Distance – 9 Kms; Trek time – 5 hours. Overnight stay in camps.

Day 3: Trek to Kedarkharak (4315 mts). 
Trek Distance – 4.5 Kms; Trek time – 3 hours. Overnight stay in camps.

Day 4: Hike to Kedartal (4760 mts) & back to Kedarkharak
Hike Distance - 7 Kms ; Hike time - 4 hours. Overnight stay in camps.

Day 5: Trek to Patangini dhar base camp (4540 mts)
Trek Distance – 6.5 Kms; Trek time – 5 hours. Overnight stay in camps.

Day 6: Cross Patagini dhar (5085 mts) and reach Dhabba camp (4685 mts)
Trek Distance - 8 Kms; Trek time - 8 hours. Overnight stay in camps.

Day 7: Trek to  Auden's Col Base camp (4975 mts)
Trek Distance – 7 Kms; Trek time - 5 hours. Overnight stay in camps.

Day 8: Cross Auden's col (5490 mts), traverse Khatling glacier and camp for the night at glacier camp (4970 mts)
Trek Distance – 7 Kms; Trek time – 7 hours. Overnight stay in camps.

Day 9: Trek to Zero point (3870 mts)
Trek Distance – 8 Kms; Trek time – 6 hours. Overnight stay in camps.

Day 10: Trek to Chowki (3580 mts)
Trek Distance – 7 Kms; Trek time – 7 hours. Overnight stay in camps.

Day 11: Trek to Masartal (4560 mts)
Trek Distance – 8 Kms; Trek time – 5 hours. Overnight stay in camps.

Day 12: Trek to Vasukital (4367 mts) via Mayali pass (5150 mts)
Trek Distance – 12 Kms; Trek time – 10 hours. Overnight stay in camps.

Day 13: Trek to Gaurikund (1990) via Kedarnath (3595 mts)
Trek Distance – 19 Kms; Trek time – 8 hours. Overnight stay in hotel.

Day 14: Drive back to Rishikesh.
Drive time - 10 hours. Trek ends when we reach Rishikesh.

Day 15: Buffer day

  • All accommodation and food from Gangotri to Gaurikund.
  • Rentals for all common gear provided to you like tent, sleeping bags etc.
  • Forest entry permission charges.
  • Guide and expertise charges.
  • Transport to Gangotri and commute back from Kedarnath
  • Trek insurance
  • 5% GST
  • Meals or drinks purchased by participants during the travel or trek (example biscuits, fruits etc)
  • Rentals for personal gear
  • Flight/Train/Bus ticket till Dehradun
  • Backpack offloading charges. You are expected to carry your own backpack. Trekkers unable to do so can opt for a porterage service at ₹800/day. The weight limit for a backpack is 8kgs
  • Staff Tips

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Reach Dehradun by train/flight. Travel to Gangotri base camp by car.

A certified trek leader, a guide, cook & porters will accompany you during the trek

No. there is no network available after Gangotri

No. Guests are expected to carry their own power banks.

We’ve been organizing treks for over five years and have had many female trekkers trek with us. In fact, a lot of them come solo for treks. There has never been a complaint about the atmosphere of a trek, about other trekkers or our professionalism. They have all been kind enough to leave a review.

You will be sleeping in twos or threes in your tents in sleeping bags. The sleeping bags are snug and comfortable. We will be providing inflatable pillows.

In all the camps where the accommodation is in tea houses/ home stays, there will be proper toilets. The toilets are mostly western, in case if they‘re Indian, then we try to provide a toilet seat most of the times.
On the day of camping, we will have toilet tents (with a dry pit toilet), the most hygienic way of answering nature’s call.
A dry pit toilet is an eco-friendly sanitation solution featuring a pit dug into the ground, topped with a toilet seat and a wrought iron stand. Near the toilet, a pile of mud, sand, or coco peat is provided for covering waste after use, facilitating rapid breakdown of fecal matter due to increased microbial activity. This method eliminates the need for water, thereby preventing contamination of nearby water sources, as water toilets are prohibited at campsites.
While toilet paper is available, please use it sparingly to avoid overloading the pit, which can take years to decompose. Please refrain from using wet wipes as they are not bio degradable or use bio-degradable wipes.

You will be sleeping in twos or threes in your tents in sleeping bags. The sleeping bags are snug and comfortable. We will be providing inflatable pillows.

Through the trek, there are no bathing facilities at campsites. Trekkers often take advantage of running streams to freshen themselves up.

Most wild animals are naturally wary of human activity and prefer to stay in more remote, quieter parts of their habitat. Here’s why wild animals typically do not approach camps.

Yes, you are ideally expected to carry your backpack. But you do have an option of offloading your bags on a mule for an additional cost. The cost will be INR 400/ per day per bag (weight not exceeding 8kg). One is expected to inform us about offloading 1 week prior to the trek.

Good Sturdy Backpack: Prefer a trekking pack over a backpacking one. The size of the backpack depends upon the participant. Normally for a 7-9 day trek a 50-60 litre pack should suffice.
Shoes: Any waterproof trek (not hike) shoes would be ideal.
Socks: 3 pair cottons/performance and 3 pairs of woollens.
Trek pants (Ideally Water Resistant): Get one quick dry summer trek pants and one thicker/shell pants. If you don’t have trek pants you can replace it with Gym track pants.
T-shirt/Base layer: Get 3 T-shirts/ trekking base layer on the trek, two of which should be thick and full sleeve. Avoid cotton and prefer dry fit.
Fleece/ Sweater/ good quality Hoodie: Get 1 fleece jacket or sweater. Fleece is preferred over sweater or hoodie as it is lightweight and easy to carry. Sweaters and Jackets can be heavier than Fleece for the warmth they offer.
Down/ Padded Jacket – Down/ Padded jacket (Upto -10 degrees ). If you don’t want to get a padded/ Down jacket, get two fleeces.
Cotton track pants for camp – These are specifically for cold evenings at the campsite. This can be ignored if you are comfortable wearing your trekking pants in the camp.
Thermals: 1 pair. We wear thermals only upon reaching the campsite not while trekking.
Windproof Jacket: All rain proof can be used as wind proofs. Required as an additional layer during trekking in windy conditions. Avoid if you have a rain proof jacket.
Rainwear:
Option A – Rain set – One Waterproof jacket (3000 mm waterproofing), Rain proof pants and Bag cover
Option two – Poncho that covers your body and bag completely.
We ideally recommend Option 1 as poncho makes trekking difficult.
Woolen Cap/ Balaclava -1: To cover your ears, head and neck.Get one woolen cap and one neck warmer or balaclava.
Neck Warmer/ Scarf -1: For evenings. Avoid if you are comfortable using a Balaclava.
Gloves: 2 gloves out of which 1 can be water proof and one woollen. The waterproof one has to ideally be padded and a size larger than you normally use. This is so that you can wear both your gloves together if required.
Suncap – 1
Sunglasses – 1
Toiletries – Also include sunscreen, moisturizer and lip-cream
Headlamp/Torch – 1. Preferably headlamp.
2 water bottles (1 litre each) – One can be a thermos flask. One can also get a hydration pack.
Camp shoes/ Flip flops for camp
Plastic covers for inside the backpack to keep your clothes dry
Day pack – Required if you have a summit days climb. Preferably one that can be compressed.
Documents: 2 passport sized photograph, Address and Photo proof (Driving License or Aadhaar card), Doctor’s medical certificate saying that you are fit for the trek. We reserve the right to not take you on the trek if you fail to produce this.
Trekking pole

No, it certainly requires previous trek experience

You can prepare for the trek with a combination of Cardio & Strength activities
7-8 kms slow jog OR 25kms kms cycling. Pace is not important, consistency is important (non-stop jogging/running/cycling)
Squats 30 x 3, Lunges 30 x 3, Calf raises 30 x 3
All of the above at least 6 times a week
Climbing stairs 75 floors with backpack (Once a week, ideally after a run)

The common perception is that alcohol makes you feel warmer, however it also dehydrates you & dehydration can be fatal while trekking. Hence consumption of alcohol is prohibited. Smoking in camps is not allowed.

If you cancel –
– 60 days before the trip: we can process a complete refund minus minimum processing charges.
– Between 30-45 days before the trip: you will be refunded 50% of the trek fee.
– Within 30 days before the trek starts: No refund.
– If your spot is replaced in a full batch: we will process a complete refund after canceling minute operational charges. (For fixed departures only)