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The Trek

The Panpatia Col trek, one of the most challenging routes in the Garhwal Himalayas, connects the two holy valleys of Kedarnath and Badrinath. This difficult trek involves steep ascents and descents, glacier crossings, and navigating rocky moraines, crevasses, and icefalls. A key highlight is the 7 km stretch of the Panpatia Snowfield, which demands technical skills like using ice axes and crampons. The trek offers
stunning views of peaks such as Nilkantha, Balakun, Hathi Parvat, and Dhauliganga.

Best undertaken between mid-May to mid-June or September to early October, the trek requires strong physical fitness, acclimatization, and essential gear like ropes, and snow stakes, making it a semi technical expedition. Prior high-altitude trekking experience is essential, as the terrain is physically demanding and requires knowledge of glacier crossing techniques.

The Panpatia Col trek is a rewarding, yet tough challenge for experienced trekkers looking to combine adventure with spiritual significance.

About the area

This trek lies inside the Kedarnath Wild life Sanctuary of Uttarakhand. 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 trip leaders (1 trip leaders for this one apart from 2 guides) are certified (NOLS) and experienced in handling medical emergencies. We will maintain a staff to trekker ratio of 1:2 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 Uttarakhand properly only after the 15th of June.
• Snow on trail – Less likely
• Temperatures: Afternoon upto 20 degrees, Nights around zero degrees (June) 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 25 degrees, Nights Around -5 to -8 degrees (Oct) at higher camps

Day-1. - Haridwar to Joshimath
Drive - 274 km | Duration - 7-8 hrs | Altitude - 6,162 ft.

Day-2. - Joshimath to Unyani Temple Camp via Khirao village
Drive - 35 km, Trek - 4 km | Duration - 4-5 hrs | Altitude - 9,488 ft.

Day-3. - Unyani Temple Camp to Odaar Camp
Trek - 9 km | Duration - 6-7 hrs | Altitude - 11,945 ft.

Day-4. - Odaar camp to Snout camp
Trek - 6 km | Duration - 4-5 hrs ) | Altitude - 12,554 ft.

Day-5. - Acclimatization day ( Acclimatization walk towards Unyani Lake )
Trek - 4 km | Duration - 2-3 hrs

Day-6. - Snout camp to Moraine camp
Trek - 8 km | Duration - 6-7 hrs | Altitude - 14,192 ft.

Day-7. - Moraine camp to Parvati Gully base
Trek - 6 km | Duration - 5-6 hrs | Altitude - 15,708 ft.

Day-8. - Parvati Gully base to Panpatia Icefield
Trek - 5 km | Duration - 5-6 hrs | Altitude - 17,129 ft.

Day-9. - Panpatia Icefield to Sujal Sarovar via Panpatia col
Trek - 9 km | Duration - 6-7 hrs | Altitude - 15,551 ft.

Day-10. - Sujal Sarovar to Kachni khal
Trek - 10 km | Duration - 6-7 hrs | Altitude - 13,648 ft.

Day-11. - Kachni khal to Madmaheshwar
Trek - 8 km | Duration - 4-5 hrs | Altitude - 11,473 ft.

Day-12. - Madmaheshwarto Dehradun via Ransi Village
Trek - 16 km, Drive - 175 km | Duration - 4 hrs | Drive duration - 8 hrs

• All accommodation from Joshimath to Madhmaheshwar
• All food from Day 2 lunch to Day 11 Lunch
• Rentals for all common gear provided to you like tent, sleeping bags etc.
• Forest entry permission charges.
• Guide and expertise charges & Trek Insurance
• Transport to Khirao village and commute back from Madhmaheshwar

• 5% GST
• Meals in Joshimath
• Meals or drinks purchased by participants during the travel or trek
• 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.

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Reach Dehradun by train/flight. Travel to Joshimath base camp via Haridwar by car.

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

No network coverage beyond Joshimath base camp.

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

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 55-65 litre pack should suffice.
Shoes: A good waterproof trek/mountaineering (not hike) shoes would be ideal.
Socks: 4 pair cotton/performance and 3 pairs of woollens.
Trek pants (Ideally Water Resistant): Get one quick dry summer trek pants and one thicker/shell 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 a 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 pairs. 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 it 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 it if you are comfortable using a Balaclava.
Gloves: 2 gloves out of which 1 can be waterproof 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 is must.
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 size photographs, 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.
Gaiters
Trekking pole

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 800/ per day per bag (weight not exceeding 8kg). One is expected to inform us about offloading 1 week prior to the trek.

No, it certainly requires previous trek experience and proper conditioning.

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 biodegradable or use biodegradable wipes.

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

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.

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 can prepare for the trek with a combination of Cardio & Strength activities
8-10 kms slow jog OR 35 km cycling. Pace is not important, consistency is important (non-stop jogging/running/cycling)
Squats 50 x 3, Lunges 50 x 3, Calf raises 50 x 3
All of the above at least 6 times a week
Climbing stairs 75 floors with backpack (twice 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.

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.

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)