Total Trekking Distance: 56kms Highest Altitude: 4950 mts
  • Trek Overview
  • Itinerary
  • Inclusions / Exclusions
  • FAQ

Bali Pass is a high altitude pass (close to 5000 mts) that offers panoramic views of the mighty peaks – Kala Nag, Bandarpoonch, and Swargarohini.
On this trek experience walking on the alpine meadow in the middle of Ruinsara forest and soak in the pristine beauty of Ruinsara Taal.

Bali pass trek is ideal for experienced and seasoned trekkers. Not suitable for beginners.

The Area

This trek lies inside the Govind Ballabh Pant Wildlife Sanctuary in 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 a rest day at Ruinsara taal (also the buffer day) which helps us getting acclimatized better and lets us enjoy lake better.

We take a smaller batch size (max 14 people), which makes the experience better.

The summit of Bali pass is semi-technical in patches. We will train our participants before the summit day to help them acquire the required skills so that they’re more confident on the day of the summit and they can also carry forward these skills on other semi-mountaineering and mountaineering climbs that they may wish to do in the future.

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 15th of June.)
  • Snow on trail – Less likely
  • Temperatures: Afternoon upto 20 degrees, Nights around zero degrees at higher camps

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 at higher camps
  • Day 1: Drive from Dehradun/Rishikesh to Sankri (Base village) (1920 mts)
    Drive distance - 210 kms; Drive time– 9 hours.
    Overnight stay in a Hotel.
  • Day 2: Drive from Sankri to Taluka (2000 mts)
    Drive distance: 12 kms, Drive time - 45-60 mins
    Trek from Taluka to Seema (2600 mts).
    Trek Distance – 12 Kms; Trek time – 6 hours
    Overnight in camps.
  • Day 3: Trek from Seema to Rainbasera (2890 mts).
    Trek Distance – 7 Kms; Trek time – 4 hours
    Overnight in camps.
  • Day 4: Trek from Rainbasera to Ruinsara lake camp (3500 mts).
    Trek Distance – 12 Kms; Trek time – 6 hours
    Overnight in camps.
  • Day 5: Trek from Ruinsara lake camp to Odari (3815 mts).
    Trek Distance – 7 Kms; Trek time – 5 hours
    Overnight in camps.
  • Day 6: Trek from Odari to Bali col (4000 mts).
    Trek Distance – 4 Kms; Trek time - 2 hours
    Overnight in camps
  • Day 7: Trek from Bali col to Upper Damni (3800 mts) via Bali pass (4950 mts).
    Trek Distance – 12 Kms; Trek time - 7 hours
    Overnight in camps
  • Day 8: Trek from Upper Damni to Kharsali (2300 mts).
    Trek Distance – 12 Kms; Trek time - 7 hours
    Overnight stay in home stay
  • Day 9: Drive from Kharsali to Dehradun / Rishikesh 
    Drive distance - 185 kms; Drive time - 9 hours
    Trek ends on reaching Dehradun / Rishikesh

Trek price includes

  • Pick up from and drop to Dehradun / Rishikesh
  • All accommodation and food from Sankri to Kharsali.
  • Rentals for all common gear provided to you like tent, sleeping bags etc.
  • Forest entry permission charges.
  • Guiding and expertise charges.
  • Safety equipment like medical kit, stretcher, oxygen cylinder etc.

Trip price excludes: 

  • 5% GST
  • Meals or drinks purchased by participants during the travel or trek (example biscuits, fruits etc)
  • Rentals for personal gear (refer things to get – Things to Carry for Long Summer Trek section)
  • Trek Insurance (Optional)
  • 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 ₹400/day.

On Day 1 we start before 09:00am. We suggest you book your arrival such that you reach Dehradun/Rishikesh before 09:00am on Day 1. If you're coming via flight, you may want to land the previous night, or before 09:00 am on day 1. If you don't want to stay a night in Dehradun/Rishikesh you may arrive on Day 1 of the trek itself. The overnight Nandadevi train starts from Delhi and reaches Dehradun at 05:00am/06:00am. (Dehradun to Rishikesh by road is approximately 1 hour 15 mins.) Similarly for departure, on the last day we will be reaching Dehradun by evening. If you're booking a flight for your departure you could book a flight after evening on the last day or the next day. If you don't want to stay a night and want to leave on the last day itself, the overnight Nandadevi train starts from Dehradun at 11:00pm.

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

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.

Wild animals do not frequent camps. They tend to stay away.

We’ve been organizing treks for over four 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. If you are used to sleeping on a pillow, do carry an inflatable pillow or any small cushion that could provide you pillow-like comfort to sleep.

In all the camps where the accommodation is in guest houses/home stays, there will be proper toilets. On the day of camping, we will have toilet tents, the standard, most hygienic way of answering nature’s call. A deep pit will be dug in the ground and once you’re done, you will have to use a shovel & throw in some dirt from a mound of dirt kept nearby. These will be dry toilets with no water hence please carry tissue roll for the toilet tent (refrain from using wet wipes as they are not bio degradable), for the rest of the days, you can carry rolls as per your convenience.

On day 1 and day 8 you may get bathing facilities at the home stay. Through the rest of the trek, there are no bathing facilities at campsites.

Tents do not have charging stations.

1. 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. 2. Shoes: Any Waterproof trek (not hike) shoe would be ideal. 3. Socks: 3 pair cottons and 3 pairs of woolens. 4. Trek pants (Ideally Water Resistant): Get two quick dry summer trek pants .On summit climb or a major altitude gain day you can replace one dry fit trek pant with Shell trekking pants. If you don’t have a trek pants you can replace it with Gym Track pants. 5. T shirt/Base layer: Get 3 T shirts/trekking base layer on the trek, one of which should be thick and full sleeve. Avoid cotton and prefer dry fit. 6. 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. 7. Down/ Padded Jacket – Down/Padded jacket (Upto -5 degrees ). If you don’t want to get a padded/Down jacket, get two fleece. 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. 8. Thermals : 1 pair. We wear thermals only upon reaching the campsite not while trekking. 9. 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. 10. 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. 11. Woolen Cap/ Balaclava: (1) To cover your ears, head and neck.Get one woolen cap and one neck warmer or balaclava. 12. Neck Warmer/ Scarf (1): For evenings. Avoid if you are comfortable using a Balaclava. 13. 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. 14. Suncap – 1 15. Sunglasses – 1 16. Toiletries – Also include sunscreen, moisturizer and lip-cream 17. Headlamp/Torch -1. Preferably headlamp. 18. Two water bottles (1 litre each) – One can be a thermos Flask. One can also get a hydration pack. 19. Camp shoes/Flip flops for camp Plastic covers for inside the backpack to keep your clothes dry 20. Daypack – Required if you have a summit days climb. Preferably one that can be compressed. 21. 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. 22. Trekking pole

Meals will be provided by us. However you may carry snack items to much on like dry fruits, biscuits, chocolates, protein bars, or nuts.

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 400/ per day per bag. One is expected to inform us about offloading 1 week prior to the trek

6-8 kms slow jog OR 25 kms cycling. Pace is not important, consistency is important (non-stop jogging/running/cycling);;;Squats 35-40 x 3, Lunges 35-40 x 3, Calf raises 35-40 x 3;;;;;;;;;;;Climbing stairs 25-30 floors with bagpack

In case of cancellation 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 trek starts: No refund. – and your spot is replaced in a full batch: we will process a complete refund after canceling minute operational charges. (For fixed departures only);;;;; Covid cancellation policy- 15 days before the start date of the trek – 100% refund or Wandering Boots Adventures voucher. 7 days before the start date of the trek – 50% refund or Wandering Boots Adventure voucher.