Panchachuli Base Camp Trek

Tough Trek

Region: Dharchula (Kumaon)
Duration: 13 days
Altitude: 4260 mts/13973 ft
Season: May - Jun & Sept - Oct

An explorer who loves to roam like a nomad in the mountains, the Panchchuli Base Camp Trek is just another hypnotizing journey for him. The vicinity showcases the snow capped towers of Panchachuli that is a cluster of five 6thousnader peaks in the Kumaun region of Indian Himalayan belt in Uttarakhand. Panchachuli -II is the highest at an elevation of 6,904 meters followed by Panchachuli - V at 6,437 meters, Panchachuli - I at 6,355 meters, Panchachuli - IV at 6,334 meters and Panchachuli - III at 6,312 meters. Panchachuli - I was the first peak to be expedited by the Indo - Tibetan Border Police in 1972 followed by Panchachuli - II in 1973. Later an Indo - British team made the first ascent to Panchachuli - V in 1992 and in 1995 Panchchuli - IV was climbed by a New Zealand expedition team. Panchchuli - III was successfully climbed in the year 2001.

The silver horizon secludes the rich Gori and Darmaganga valleys and according to a legend, which is derived from the Hindu epic, Mahabharata, Panchachuli was the cooking hearth of the 'Pandavas' before they headed for their heavenly abode. The region is further endowed with the exuberance of several elements of nature spread across different altitudes. From shifting glaciers and jetting streams to alpine meadows dotted with a rich variety of flora and thick forest, which is a home to several Himalayan wildlife, the moderate trek in the Kumaun Himalayan region to Panchchuli Base Camp is a wooing scenic grandeur.

Located in Pithoragarh district, the trek to Panchachuli Base Camp starts from Dharchula, which is at an elevation of 915 meters and is approximately 90 kilometers away from Munsiyari by road. The trail heads to the first tribal village on the route at Dhar, which is approximately 40 kilometers up via Tawaghat and Sobla. Now you are standing on the gateway to Darma valley. The trek to Panchchuli Base Camp continues towards Sela and thereafter turns to Balling. The trail from Sela to Balling has several downhills and uphills making the journey a bit strenuous and difficult. From Balling the journey maneuvers to Panchchuli Base Camp via two tribal villages, Duktu and Dantu, and here you are right over a alpine meadow wherefrom you can catch a glimpse of the Panchchuli peaks. Further heading towards the horizon you step on the glaciated track, which is bordered with a forest of oak and birch trees. The journey back from Panchchuli Base Camp leads to Nagling via Duktu and thereafter leads off at Dharchula via Sobla.

The Panchchuli Base Camp trek being a moderate to challenging trek in the Kumaon Himalaya, trekkers need to get acclimatized to different altitudes. The best time to hit the track is from the month of May to October. The trek to Panchchuli Base Camp requires an Inner Line Permit from SDM's office.

Day 01: Arrive Delhi

Up on arrival at Delhi airport met our representative and then transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 02: Delhi - Almora(340 kms/8-9 hrs)

Early in the morning drive to Almora via Kathgodam. Lunch enroute. Arrival at Almora by evening. On arrival check in to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 03: Almora - Dharchula/strong> (275 kms/7-8 hrs)

After breakfast drive to Dharchula via Munsyari. On arrival check in to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 04: Dharchula - Tawaghat - Sobla - Dhar(2134 mts/7000 ft) (35 kms drive and 5 kms trek)

In the morning we will take a short but exciting drive to Sobla via Tawaghat and from here trek up to Dhar. Sobla is the entry point to the Darma Valley and is the starting point of our trek. On arrival at Dhar village set out a camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 05: Dhar - Sela(2438 mts/11277 ft) 12 kms/4-5 hrs

This is an easy day for trek. Today we will trek upwards and downwards. Dinner and overnight in tents.

Day 06: Sela - Baaling (2743 mts/8997 ft) 11 kms/5 hrs

In the morning after breakfast we will trek up to Baaling. The trek is full of adventures. On arrival set out camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 07: Baaling to Duktu/Dantu(3048 mts/9998 ft) 6 kms/3 hrs

In the morning we will trek up to Duktu and Dantu. These are two adjacent villages which are the last centers of human habitation in this part of Darma valley. The view of the Panch Chuli peaks from here is just magnificent. You can find a huge meadow in the outskirts of Duktu. One can see the magnificent view of Panch Chuli glacier with the backdrop of the Panch Chuli peaks. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.

Day 08: Duktu - Panch Chuli - Duktu (4 kms one way/ 5 hrs)

In the morning we will trek up to Panchachuli glacier. The day is memorable to explore the Panch Chuli glacier from our base camp at Duktu. The glacier projects outwards from the East face of Panch Chuli and a 4 kms. The place itself provides an incredible scenery of a sprawling meadow bordered by tall oak and birch trees with the Panch Chuli (6904 mts./22652 ft.) looming in the background. After exploring the area trek back to base camp at Duktu. Dinner and overnight stay at camp.